A sound card and related method includes a sound processing circuit, a rear primary connector, and a switching connector header coupled therebetween. The switching header includes a normally closed spring contact that opens in response to insertion of a plug in the header. Upon opening of the connector header switches, the audio signal is received by a secondary connector coupled to the plug and disposed at the front of a computer. The secondary connector has a normally closed switch that enables the signal to pass back to the header and to the primary connector. Each of the primary connector and secondary connector may be auto-muting to interrupt the audio signal at a main output contact in response to insertion of a headphone or other jack therein. The sound card is operational either with or without the secondary connector.

This invention relates to computer and electronic components and, more particularly, to sound card circuit configurations and related components for generating or processing audio signals, and, even more particularly, to a switching header connector and systems for generating or processing audio signals employing same.
Sound cards are add-on boards that are employed within a personal computer or related device to produce or process audio signals for enhancing sound quality, or for enabling sound capabilities, of the computer. Sound cards may, for example, produce or enhance a sound representing a prompt or other sound from an ordinary computer program, sounds for video games played on the computer, and downloadable music or sounds such as, for example, in an MPEG Audio Layer standard. Conventional sound cards may also be capable of capturing and processing signals from musical instruments.
The circuitry of a conventional sound card may include audio subsystems for digital audio capture and replay, as well as music synthesis, by, for example an internal FM synthesizer and playing a digitized or sampled sound. A matched pair of digital-to-analogue (DAC) and analogue-to-digital (ADC) converters coupled with a programmable sample rate generator may be provided to process digital audio.
In addition to an interface with the computer bus, sound cards typically provide an interface to a player that is capable of playing music and/or video, such as compact discs and digital video disks, which will be referred to herein as CD-ROMS. They also support proprietary interfaces for the CD-ROM player, as well as standard interfaces such as SCSI and IDE/EIDE standards. Thus, a sound card may process signals from CD-ROMS or other play-back equipment, downloaded or stored files (including telephone answering machine files), musical instruments, and the like.
Several connectors may be part of a sound card to provide digital or analog connections thereto. Such connectors include one or more microphone in connector(s), line in and line out connector(s), loudspeaker out connector(s), musical instrument digital interface (xe2x80x9cmidixe2x80x9d) port(s), joystick port, mpc-3 CD audio in or similar connector(s), auxiliary in connector(s), telephone answering device in connector(s), digital out connector(s), optical or coaxial digital I/O card connector(s), headphone outs connector(s), and the like.
Some of the connectors may be accessible from outside of the computer. Specifically, the headphone connector or headphone jack typically protrudes through or is accessible through an aperture in the sound card bracket, which encloses the expansion slot. The sound card circuitry may be configured such that the audio signal to the loudspeaker output connector(s) is muted in response to inserting a headphone plug into the headphone connector. In such a configuration in which the audio signal is audible through loudspeakers electrically connected to the loudspeaker output connector, plugging the headphone plug into the headphone connector stops the sound emitted from the loudspeakers in favor of providing the audio signal to the headphones.
Some computer manufacturers have placed a headphone jack at a location that is convenient to the user, such as the computer front panel. To connect it to the audio signal, the front headphone jack may be connected to the sound card. However, merely connecting the front headphone jack in parallel with the rear headphone jack would make it difficult to mute the audio signal in response to insertion of the front headphone connector into the front headphone jack. In this regard, although a general purpose input/output device may be employed to sense insertion of a headphone connector into the front headphone jack to mute the rear headphone jackxe2x80x94either through the card software or through an additional analog switchxe2x80x94such a configuration requires the use of additional op-amps and switches or custom sound card software, which increases cost and complexity of the sound card.
On the other hand, connecting the front headphone jack to a normally-open front connector on the sound card in series with the primary connector has the disadvantage that the signal must be transmitted to the front of the computer and back to the sound card during operation with the rear headphone jack or the loudspeakers. Further, because not all computer manufacturers employ a front headphone jack in addition to the rear headphone jack, sound card manufacturers must produce two versions of the same sound card. Computer manufacturers and sound card re-sellers and retailers likewise must keep two versions of each sound card in stockxe2x80x94one for use with computers employing only a single (that is, rear) headphone jack and another for use with computers having both a rear and front headphone connector. Similar problems are presented for a card having a microphone input connector in circumstances in which a second or front microphone connector is optionally provided and is to be spaced apart from the card.
A switching connector header and a sound card and related method that employ the connector header are provided. The switching features of the connector header enable the sound card to operate in both a first configuration and a second configuration. The first configuration includes a sound source (such as a sound processing circuit) the connector header, and a primary connector (such as a headphone jack disposed at a rear of a computer). An audio signal from the sound source passes through a normally-closed switch in the connector header to the primary connector and optionally to a main audio output contact. The second configuration includes, in addition to the components of the first configuration, a secondary connector, such as a headphone jack disposed at a front of the computer, having a wiring harness and a plug. Upon insertion of the wiring harness plug into the connector header, the header switches open to provide the audio signal to the secondary connector and optionally also to the primary connector.
The connector header according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided comprising: a housing including a plug opening disposed therein; a first pin and a second pin, such that at least a portion of each one of the first pin and the second pin are at least partially disposed within the housing; and a spring contact that is mechanically coupled to the first pin and moveable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the spring contact engages the second pin to electrically couple the first pin and the second pin together. In the open position, the spring contact is disengaged with the second pin. The spring contact moves from the closed position to the open position in response to insertion of a plug into the plug opening.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, an audio circuit and corresponding sound card are provided that include a main audio system and a secondary system, which may be remotely located relative to the main audio system. The main audio system may be operative alone (that is, without the secondary system) or with the secondary system connected to the main audio system. In this regard, the audio circuit and corresponding sound card are provided comprising a sound source for manipulating or receiving an audio signal, a primary connector electrically coupled to the sound source, a switching header comprising a first contact electrically coupled to the sound source output, a second contact electrically coupled to the primary connector, and a header switch between the header first contact and the header second contact.
The audio circuit optionally includes an auto-muting, secondary connector circuit (which constitutes the secondary system) that may comprise: a secondary circuit first contact that is electrically coupled to the header first contact; a secondary circuit second contact that is electrically coupled to the header second contact; and a secondary connector switch that is electrically coupled between the secondary circuit first contact and the secondary circuit second contact. The secondary connector switch is capable of muting the audio signal at the header second contact.
The header switch moves from a closed position to an open position between the header first contact and the header second contact in response to coupling of the secondary circuit to the header. The header switch is in the closed position between the header first contact and the header second contact while the secondary circuit is not coupled to the header to enable the audio signal to pass therethrough to the primary connector circuit. In this regard, the audio circuit and sound card provided are operable in either a first configuration (that is, without the secondary circuit coupled thereto) or a second configuration (that is, with the secondary circuit coupled thereto). The primary connector may include a primary switch that opens to mute the audio signal to the main output contact in response to insertion of a primary plug into the primary connector. The audio circuit and sound card may employ one or more channels.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided for optionally coupling a secondary connector to a sound card that is operable for processing an audio signal either without the secondary connector or with the secondary connector coupled thereto. The method comprises the steps of providing a sound card for processing an audio signal and, optionally, plugging a secondary connector into a switching connector header of the sound card. The header has at least two electrically spaced-apart contacts and a header switch disposed therein. A first one of the header contacts receives the audio signal, and a second one of the header contacts electrically is coupled to the primary connector. The header switch is closed between the header first contact and the header second contact to enable the audio signal to pass therethrough to a primary connector disposed on the sound card. The header switch opens between the header first contact and the header second contact to mute the audio signal at the primary connector.
Additional features and aspects of the present invention will be apparent to persons familiar with sound card and/or header technology in light of the present disclosure.

Switching connector header and audio circuit, sound card and method employing same


In a method for providing identification registration of a tire air pressure monitoring apparatus, an external equipment receives transmission data including the sensor identification from transmitters. The external equipment identifies the transmitter that transmitted the transmission data based upon the transmission data and registers the identified transmitter at the receiver.

A conventional tire air pressure monitoring apparatus, such as that disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3,212,311, includes a sensor placed in each tire of a vehicle that measures air pressure in the tire and wirelessly transmits the measured value to a receiver provided on a vehicle body side. A receiver identifies the sensor transmitting the transmission data by an identification signal such as a unique previously assigned sensor ID contained in the transmission data and monitors the air pressure in the tire.
However, a problem may occur in the above described tire air pressure monitoring apparatus. When the sensor ID is registered in the receiver, the receiver is set to a registration mode and the transmission data is transmitted from the sensor to the receiver while it is in the registration mode. The sensor ID contained in this transmission data is stored in a memory and its registration is performed.
It is conceivable that the sensor ID registration is performed in many manufacture lines arranged in parallel as shown in FIG. 4, or also in a maintenance facility of a dealer or the like, in which the sensor ID registrations of a plurality vehicles are performed in places adjacent to each other. Therefore, the receiver may erroneously register the sensor ID of the sensor mounted in another vehicle during the registration mode when transmission data is transmitted from a sensor of another adjacent vehicle.

Sensor ID registration method of tire air pressure monitoring apparatus


A Micro LED display substrate, a method for manufacturing the Micro LED display substrate, and a Micro LED display device are provided. In the method, the Micro LED is transferred onto the organic layer of the array substrate, one etching is performed to form through hole on both the protective layer and the array substrate, and then one metal deposition is performed to simultaneously form an electrode of the Micro LED and a structure electrically connecting the graphene layer with the source or drain electrode of the thin film transistor. Compared with the related art in which the electrode of the Micro LED and the structure electrically connecting the graphene layer with the source or drain electrode of the thin film transistor are formed through two etchings and two metal depositions, the method provided by the present disclosure saves the process steps, simplifies the process and reduces the costs.

Compared with the Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), LEDs have higher brightness, better luminous efficiency, and lower power consumption. With the development of LED technology, LEDs are not limited to usage as backlight.
With the development of technology, Micro LED has become a new generation of display technology. A method for manufacturing the Micro LED mainly includes: providing an array substrate, manufacturing a Micro LED structure on the array substrate, and forming sub-pixels arranged in an array. Each Micro LED is controlled by a driving circuit on the array substrate to emit light, thus realizing a display image.
However, the process for manufacturing the Micro LED display substrate in the related art is cumbersome and costly.

Micro LED display substrate, method for manufacturing the same, and display device

Shanghai Tianma Micro-Electronics Co., Ltd.


A methodology for determining optimal calling periods of an automated telephone system allows a user of the automated telephone system to access billing plan and detailed rate information prior to completing a toll telephone call. The user may request billing rate information for the applicable billing rate plan by entering an entire valid DTMF sequence. The optimal call periods billing information is extracted in accordance with callee and caller parameters and when the toll telephone call is to be placed. A user accessing billing rate information can use the billing rate information to determine prior to completing the toll telephone call when the optimal billing period will occur. The user can then make an informed decision as to when to complete the toll telephone call. Upon request, the user is automatically connected to the called party and the toll telephone call is completed.

The telephone industry is currently composed of several major telephone service competitors each offering their own pricing plans and structures. The price charged to a paying party for a toll telephone call may depend on a variety of factors, including the time of the day, the day of the week, the called party's service provider in relation to the caller, where the caller is calling from, how frequently the called party is called, how the call is being paid for, any operator assistance, or any other possible pricing plan or scheme of the telephone service provider.
In the prior art, the payee of a telephone conversation had no means of requesting and receiving billing information for determining optimal call periods prior to establishing a toll telephone call connection using an automated telephone system. Specifically, a user of a telephone service currently does not have the ability with the telephone service to determine before completing a toll telephone call when would be the optimal time to place the call. The need for this type of service has become more important with the increase of telephone service competitors and individual pricing plans and schemes. The advantages of being able to determine in advance of completing a toll telephone call (with the same call) the optimal calling period include being able to better plan and budget necessary toll calls and being able to determine if a spending limit has been approached or exceeded at an appropriate time. Such a service would have important ramifications for both the personal and business markets.
There is thus an unmet need in the art for an automated telephone system to retrieve and generate billing information in response to a request by a telephone system user for determining optimal call periods in accordance with caller and callee parameters prior to establishing a toll telephone call connection.

Method and system for determining optimal call periods in accordance with caller and callee parameters


There is proposed a polishing method. The method includes feeding a slurry onto a polishing pad, press-contacting a semiconductor substrate held on a polishing head with the polishing pad, the semiconductor substrate having an organic film thereon, and chemically mechanically polishing the organic film by repeating a sequence of rotation and halt of rotation of the polishing pad and the polishing head.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for chemically mechanically polishing an organic film such as a resist film, to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and to a program for the chemically mechanically polishing.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the process of manufacturing a semiconductor device, a resist film is employed as a sacrificial film for forming a desired structure. For example, subsequent to the formation of a trench in a semiconductor substrate or the formation of a hole in an insulating film, a resist is coated to form a sacrificial film, which is then recessed or partially removed to obtain a desired structure. This method is employed specifically for forming a buried strap for providing an electric connection between a storage node electrode and a cell transistor diffusion region in the manufacture of a semiconductor memory device having a trench capacitor. This method is also useful for preforming, in the process of forming a Cu dual damascene (Cu DD) structure, a via-hole (via first DD).
In either cases, the film thickness of the resist film is required to be uniform throughout a wafer. However, if resist is to be buried in a trench or hole of high patterning density, the volume of resist disposed on a pattern of high density is reduced. Because of this, variability in the order of several hundreds nanometers is generated between the film thickness of the resist film on a pattern of high density and the film thickness of the resist film on a pattern of low density or on a field region.
This variability in film thickness of resist will be further increased in a step of forming a recess which will be executed subsequently, thus degrading the configuration of device and hence resulting in the decrease of depth of focus as well as in the deterioration of yield. With a view to overcome the aforementioned problems due to the variability in film thickness of resist film, there has been proposed a method wherein polishing is performed with a polishing head and a polishing pad being rotated at a low rotational speed of 30 rpm or so. Namely, in the CMP of a hydrophobic film such as a resist film, it is difficult to maintain friction, and, therefore, it is generally difficult to secure a practical polishing speed. Under the circumstances, the polishing is performed at a boundary lubrication region in a Stribeck diagram with a polishing head and a polishing pad being rotated at a low rotational speed, thereby making it possible to retain high friction between a polishing pad and a semiconductor substrate held on a polishing head so as to increase polishing speed and to realize a stable polishing of a resist film within a short period of time. However, even with this conventional method, the improvement of friction is limited.

Method for chemically mechanically polishing organic film, method of manufacturing semiconductor device, and program therefor


A signal interpretation system includes a communication device, a memory storing instructions, and one or more processors configured to execute the instructions to perform operations including: receiving scanned information including a shape of at least one article scanned with a scanning device to identify the at least one article and identifying a geographic location of the scanning device, when a scan of the at least one article was performed, based on a location signal received from the scanning device. The operations also include evaluating a signal indicative of interest in the identified at least one article and transmitting, via the communication device, a notification based on the evaluated signal, the notification being indicative of the identified at least one article and the identified geographic location, the notification being configured to cause an update in at least one graphical element presented by the scanning device or another device.

Traditionally, potential customers and merchants interact in-person, typically in a merchant-maintained space such as a brick-and-mortar store, a merchant lot, or the like. A potential customer may interact (e.g., converse) with one or more on-site employees or representatives of the merchant while considering various products and/or services. During such an interaction, the one or more on-site employees or representatives of the merchant may discern the potential customer's interest, or lack thereof, with regard to the various products and/or services. In order to replicate this interaction, electronic storefronts (e.g., websites) can include a chat window, contact form, or otherwise invite a potential customer to interact with the merchant. However, these types of interaction mechanisms are often ineffective at assisting users based on their particular interests, and are used by a small proportion of potential customers. Additionally, while an entirely electronic shopping experience may be useful for some products, many potential customers prefer evaluating some types of products in person. For example, at least some potential customers prefer to evaluate relatively more expensive potential purchases, such as vehicles, furniture, jewelry, houses, boats, etc., in person. This is typically performed by interacting with the product itself, or with one or more similar products.
While traditional methods remain useful in some circumstances, both potential customers and merchants are increasingly driven toward systems that facilitate communication without requiring the presence of both parties at the same physical location or requiring the user to type messages via a chat window, e-mail, or a contact form. Additionally, current systems are not equipped to sufficiently evaluate a potential customer's interest in a product, or facilitate effective communication, when a customer views an article or product in a location that is not attended by merchant employees or representatives, such as, for example, an unattended vehicle lot.
The present disclosure is directed to overcoming one or more of the above-referenced challenges. The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.

Methods and systems for signal interpretation via image analysis


An input media signal that carries input media content is received. The input media content is used to generate output media content in an output media signal. It is determined whether identification-and-timing (IAT) data is to be authored for the output media content. In response to determining that the output IAT data is to be authored for the output media content, output IAT data is authored for the output media content. At least a part of the output IAT data for at least a part of the output media content is encoded, along with the part of the output media content, into the output media signal. In some example scenarios, this output media signal then contains the IAT data and other related data for synchronization of additional media content with the output media content in content rendering/presentation operations.

Human beings live in a world of "smart" devices. For example, high quality media devices with advanced networking and media processing capabilities are widely available. Multiple such devices may be available to a user at any given time. However, content delivery and consumption in many operational scenarios is still largely "dumb," as the advanced capabilities of the media devices are typically insufficiently tapped.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section. Similarly, issues identified with respect to one or more approaches should not assume to have been recognized in any prior art on the basis of this section, unless otherwise indicated.

Identification and timing data for media content

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


A universal respiratory adaptor for connecting medical equipment to a patient respiratory device comprises:

The present invention relates to the field of couplers or adaptors for connecting anaesthesia, ventilator, breathing circuits, resuscitator, medication, or medical treatment devices to other respiratory components including face masks, endotracheal tubes, tracheotomy tubes or their connectors.
Breathing devices of various type are routinely used to connect a patient to a respirator or anesthetic delivery machine. The device to be used depends on the mode of communication with the patient""s lungs that is desired. For example, this communication may be achieved through the use of a facemask through which the patient breathes or through the use of a tube which is inserted into the trachea. As well as variation in the breathing devices used, there is variation in the anesthesia or respiratory systems used. For example, it is preferable to use smaller diameter tracheal tubes and breathing systems for children. Thus, there is a wide variety in terms of the sizes of the connectors of the various breathing devices and in terms of sizes of the connectors of the various anesthesia and respiratory systems. A real problem is encountered when the connector of a breathing device such as a tracheal tube or face mask is not compatible with the connector of the anesthesia or respiratory system and precious time may be lost trying to find and assemble intermediary connectors.
Various types of adaptors or connectors have been developed to connect a breathing device to a respiratory system. Typically a respirator or anesthesia machine is attached to a Y-piece via inhalation and exhalation tubings. The stem of the Y-piece typically comprises a port to which a tracheal tube connector or facemask can be attached. Various improvements on the basic concept have been attempted. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,557,261 describes a connection system for respirator or anesthesia units in which the plug connection is replaced by a system in which disconnection can be effected quickly and easily by actuation of a lever arm on a fastening device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,271 discloses multiple access adaptors for monitoring, sampling, medicating, aspirating and ventilating the respiratory tract of a patient. While a multiplicity of access ports has some advantages, this device does not address the problem of incompatibility between various components of a breathing system.
The optimal respiratory system for an adult might not be optimal for a child or infant. U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,255 discloses a system in which secretions which accumulate in the lungs of an infant or small child can be removed without interrupting the ventilation of the lungs. However, this device does not address the problem of incompatibility between child-oriented and adult-oriented connectors and equipment.
Another type of connector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,906 which discloses an intubating device or tracheal tubular member for carrying a gas to or from the lungs of the patient which includes an adaptor for interconnecting the tubular member with a source of gas. A compact assembly is provided at the junction of the suction and ventilating hoses so that they are directed to pass over the patient""s head, thus removing them from surgical areas that involve the lungs or trachea.
In addition to those described above, many other types of anesthesia and/or respiratory connectors have been designed. However, in spite of the numerous types of adaptors that have been developed, there remains a real and unmet need for a universal connector that facilitates adaption between the exposed fitting of various sized endotracheal tubes and various types of aspirating, respiratory, or anesthesia machines.
It is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide a universal adaptor that can facilitate the quick and reliable connection and disconnection of different types of breathing devices to various sizes of respiratory equipment without the need to maintain a large inventory of incompatible parts.
According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a universal respiratory adaptor comprising:
i) a machine end comprising at least two male tapers of different diameters;
ii) a patient end comprising a first female port concentric within a second female port, wherein said second female port has an outer wall which defines a male fitting; and
iii) a tubular body portion interconnecting said machine end and said patient end;
wherein said machine end and said body portion comprise a continuous lumen in fluid communication with said first female port.

Abstract: i) a machine end comprises at least two male tapers of different diameters;

Abstract: ii) a patient end comprises a first female port concentric within a second female port, wherein the second female port has an outer wall which defines a male fitting, and

Abstract: iii) a tubular body portion interconnecting the machine end and the patient end;

Abstract: wherein the machine end and the body portion comprise a continuous lumen in fluid communication with the first female port.


A release device with a follow-through or recoil motion for use with mechanically launched projectiles. A recoil motion is in a direction opposite the path of the projectile. Releasing an arrow from a bow provides correct form and follow-through motion of a user hand directly opposite to a direction of a path of the launched arrow, to improve flight accuracy. The release device includes a housing, a trigger, a keeper and a recoil assembly. This invention also relates to a method of using the release device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a release device with a follow-through or recoil motion, for use with mechanically launched projectiles.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Sear and caliper bowstring releases help a user in drawing and tensioning a bowstring. Bowstrings, especially ones used in performance archery equipment under high tension, can be difficult to draw and/or hold in a bare hand or a gloved hand. Wrist straps are attached to the bowstring release to provide a connection between the user and the bowstring release.
Conventional bowstring releases do not alter the form of the user and specifically do not provide a desired follow-though or recoil motion. Correct form and follow-through at the release of an arrow from a bow often includes a motion of a shooting hand that is opposite to a direction of a launched arrow. A follow-through motion can improve consistency and accuracy of the arrow or other projectile, particularly with respect to a target.


A navigation apparatus that includes a position information acquiring unit acquiring position information of a parking position; a parking information acquiring unit acquiring information as to a parking time in the parking position; and a memory storing the position information acquired by the position information acquiring unit when it is judged on the basis of the information as to the parking time acquired by the parking information acquiring unit that its parking time exceeds a predetermined time.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a navigation apparatus and the like for displaying position information of a current position, and more particularly to a navigation apparatus that stores position information for future utilization, a method of registering position information, and a program thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
A car navigation apparatus is used as means for self-recognition of a current position of an automobile in running operation. The car navigation apparatus reproduces data, for example, from a DVD, a hard disk or the like which are media in which road map data is stored, and displays a road map indicating an area currently running on a screen, for example, of a liquid crystal display. Further, the car navigation apparatus can display a vehicle position to be successively measured by a GPS (Global Positioning System) making use of radio waves of artificial satellites, a gyroscope mounted on a vehicle and a vehicle speed pulse as being superimposed on a road map on the screen of the display. Moreover, the driver (user) can easily recognize a running position of his/her car by observing the position thereof displayed on the map.
When a destination is set, the car navigation apparatus searches a guide route from a current position to the destination, and displays the guide route in a color different from a normal road color on the display screen on which the road map is displayed. The car navigation apparatus is also able to carry out drive guidance to the destination by instructing the driver in voice a direction of his/her car to proceed along the guide route. When having such a car navigation apparatus to carry out drive guidance to a destination, the user manually designates the destination in the car navigation apparatus. Upon such designation, the car navigation apparatus automatically searches a shortest route to the destination, and displays it on the screen.
Published Japanese Patent Application (KOKAI) No. 2001-330456 (pp. 5-6, FIG. 4) discloses a car navigation apparatus which is provided, for example, with guide mark utilization status analysis means for analyzing and evaluating a frequency of utilization of a facility or the like which is determined on the basis of the position information of one's car from a GPS receiver and the current status of one's car, and indicated by guide mark data stored in a map information database, so as to produce guide mark utilization frequency evaluation data. According to this technology, if the frequency of use of a point where one desires to drop in on the way is high, it is taken into consideration during a route search. That is to say, it is able to search a route to the destination in accordance with the guide mark utilization frequency evaluation data generated by this guide mark utilization status analysis means.

Navigation apparatus, position information registration method and program thereof


This document discusses, among other things, systems, devices, and methods for detecting or classifying tachyarrhythmias or making a therapy decision. In one example, a rate-dependent threshold is used for comparing atrial and ventricular rates for classifying a tachyarrhythmia as a ventricular tachyarrhythmia (VT) or a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia (SVT). In another example, the classification uses an atrial rate cutoff value, a ventricular rate cutoff value, or both. In another example, a tachyarrhythmia detection is tested over a time window with a duration that is automatically adjusted as a substantially continuously monotonically decreasing function of duration vs. rate. These techniques improve the specificity of arrhythmia detection or classification, allow anti-tachyarrhythmia therapy to be better tailored to the particular tachyarrhythmia, or provide more automatic operation making it easier for a physician to use an implantable device.

Implantable medical devices include, among other things, cardiac rhythm management (CRM) devices such as pacers, cardioverters, defibrillators, cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) devices, as well as combination devices that provide more than one of these therapy modalities to a patient. For example, a tachyarrhythmia includes a too-fast heart rhythm. A tachyarrhythmia may be caused by an improper positive-feedback-like reentry of intrinsic electrical signals that control heart contractions. A tachyarrhythmia may result in inefficient pumping of blood. Fibrillation is a particularly severe tachyarrhythmic episode. While ventricular fibrillation ("VF") can have immediate life-threatening consequences, the adverse effects of atrial fibrillation ("AF") are typically less immediate or severe. Atrial tachyarrhythmias (i.e., "AT"s, including AF) may call for a different therapy than ventricular tachyarrhythmias (i.e., "VT"s). For example, a VF may call for delivering a painful defibrillation shock to interrupt the VF, while an AF may call for delivering a painless anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing to interrupt the AF. Therefore, to promote efficacy or patient comfort, it is useful to know whether a particular tachyarrhythmia originates in the ventricle (i.e., is a VT) or above the ventricle (i.e., is a supraventricular tachyarrhythmia ("SVT"), such as an AT).
However, it is sometimes difficult to know where the tachyarrhythmia originates. A SVT may conduct its too-fast heart rhythm through the atrioventricular (AV) node to the ventricle, resulting in a fast ventricular heart rate. Similarly, a VT may exhibit retrograde conduction of its too-fast heart rhythm back to the atrium, resulting in a fast atrial heart rate. Thus, discriminating between the different origins of VTs and SVTs may not be an easy task. Accomplishing this VT/SVT discrimination task may require a physician to program a complicated set of parameters to achieve the intended result. The present inventors have recognized an unmet need for automatically or otherwise providing improved sensitivity and specificity of discriminating between VTs and SVTs, such as to avoid unneeded defibrillation shocks and to more effectively treat the particular tachyarrhythmia.

Systems, devices, and methods for tachyarrhythmia discrimination or therapy decisions


A process for preparing perfluoroelastomer compositions which comprise perfluoroelastomers having a plurality of nitrile groups and a plurality of carboxyl-containing groups, carboxylate-containing groups, carboxamide groups, or mixtures thereof is provided. Such compositions cure rapidly in the presence of organotin compounds.

Perfluoroelastomers (elastomeric perfluoropolymers) are polymeric materials which exhibit outstanding high temperature tolerance and chemical resistance. Consequently, such compositions arc particularly adapted for use as seals and gaskets in systems in which elevated temperatures and/or corrosive chemicals are encountered. The outstanding properties of perfluoropolymers are largely attributable to the stability and inertness of the copolymerized perfluorinated monomer units which make up the major portion of the polymer backbone, e.g., tetrafluoroethylene and perfluoro(alkyl vinyl) ethers. In order to achieve good elastomeric properties, the perfluoropolymers must be crosslinked. To this end, a small percentage of cure site monomer is copolymerized with the perfluorinated monomer units. Cure site monomers containing nitrile groups, such as perfluoro-8-cyano-5-methyl-3,6-dioxa-1-octene, are especially preferred. Such compositions are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,281,092 and 4,394,489; and in International Application WO 95/22575.
Curing of nitrile-containing perfluoroelastomers may be effected by treatment with organometallic compounds such as tetraphenyltin. However, organotin cures of these compositions have been found to be slow. It would be highly desirable to develop a nitrile-containing perfluoroclastomer composition which cures rapidly and which, when cured, maintains the excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance that is characteristic of perfluoroelastomers. U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,993 discloses a method of rapidly curing nitrile-containing perfluoroelastomers through use of a dual cure system containing both an organotin compound and an organoperoxide. However, methods for enhancing cure rate when organometallic curing agents are used in the absence of peroxides have not heretofore been known.


A multi-purpose expedition vessel having a aluminum alloy hull, where the aluminum alloy hull can have a aluminum alloy hull bottom with a deadrise bow elevated above a waterline, an aft portion comprising a stern, a port side, a starboard side, a central axis between the starboard and port sides. The aluminum alloy hull of the vessel can have a first plurality of lifting stakes secured to the port side of the deadrise bow, and a second plurality of lifting stakes secured to the starboard side of the deadrise bow. The aluminum alloy hull can have at least a first level disposed within the aluminum alloy hull, and the aluminum alloy hull can have a superstructure disposed on it having various structures, such as a stateroom, a steering station, or a floatation roof.

There exists a need for a multi-purpose expedition vessel that is low weight, capable of traveling long distances, and able to run at speeds in excess of 30 knots.
There exists a need for a vessel that has an ability to plane at high speeds in a fuel efficient manner, turn quickly and have a low sound signature.
There exists a need for a vessel that will not "turtle" in high seas.
The present embodiments meet these needs.
The present embodiments are detailed below with reference to the listed Figures.


Various method embodiments detect a concurrent therapy, where the concurrent therapy includes a plurality of therapy pulses. Detecting the concurrent therapy includes detecting at least one electrical pulse, extracting at least one characteristic from the at least one electrical pulse, comparing the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse to at least one characteristic of therapy pulses, and detecting that the concurrent therapy is being applied if the at least one characteristic of the detected pulse favorably compares to the at least one characteristic of the therapy pulses.

There are a number of implantable medical devices (IMDs) that deliver electrical therapy, and others have been proposed. By way of example and not limitation, IMDs include implantable cardiac rhythm management (CRM) such as cardiac pacemakers, cardioverters, and defibrillators. CRM devices provide electrical stimulation to selected chambers of the heart in order to treat disorders of cardiac rhythm. An implantable pacemaker, for example, is a CRM device that paces the heart with timed pacing pulses. Other IMD examples include spinal cord stimulators, muscle stimulators, and nerve stimulators. For example, it has been proposed to stimulate neural targets (referred to as neural stimulation, neurostimulation or neuromodulation) to treat a variety of pathological conditions. For example, research has indicated that electrical stimulation of the carotid sinus nerve can result in reduction of experimental hypertension, and that direct electrical stimulation to the pressoreceptive regions of the carotid sinus itself brings about reflex reduction in experimental hypertension. Additionally, devices other than implantable devices may deliver electrical stimulation. An example of such devices includes transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) devices.

Concurrent therapy detection in implantable medical devices


A windshield wiper assembly includes a telescoping wiper head having a first section fixed to a pivot drive shaft and a second section capable of translating relative to the first section between an extended position and a retracted position. A curvilinear guide rail engages the second section and guides the second section between the extended and retracted positions. A wiper blade is carried on the second section. Advantageously the wiper assembly functions to provide enhanced wiper coverage over the Zone B portion of the windscreen through which the occupants view is typically directed.

FIG. 1 is a schematical illustration of a vehicle windscreen W illustrating the Zone B regulated wiper zone. In North America, SAE J903a, mandates 94% minimum wiper coverage of Zone B.
Typically, on tandem systems, the distance from the wiper drive shaft to the side of the windscreen at the park position limits the length of the wiper blade on the passenger side of a vehicle. As a result, the wiper blade is challenged to meet the Zone B wiper coverage requirement when windshield aspect ratio, given overall geometry, is more squared than rectangular. To satisfy Zone B minimum coverage, opposed or n-bar mechanisms are commonly used, leading to complex, heavy and high cost designs. Examples of n-bar wiper mechanisms are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,772,470, 6,976,285 and 7,076,829.
This document relates to a new windshield wiper assembly of less complicated and less expensive construction than state of the art n-bar mechanisms. Advantageously, this new windshield wiper assembly is less expensive to produce, meets Zone B minimum coverage requirements and operates reliably over a long service life. As such, it represents a significant advance in this art field.

Vehicle window wiper assembly with curvilinear guide rail


One embodiment of the instant invention is a charge-induced damage protection device (100 or 500) for protecting a semiconductor device (200) which is formed on a common substrate with the protection device, the protection device comprising: a region in the substrate; and wherein the region is accessible to electromagnetic energy during processing in which charges may collect on conductive material such that the protective device turns on at a lower voltage due to introduction of the electromagnetic energy to the region so as to protect the semiconductor device from the charge-induced damage. Preferably, the protection device is selected from the group consisting of: a diode, a thyristor, a bidirectional thyristor, a bipolar transistor, and a polymer that becomes more conductive upon being illuminated by electromagnetic energy. The protection device of this embodiment may include a layer situated above the substrate, the layer having an opening (102) above the active region such that the electromagnetic energy passes through the opening to the active region. In another embodiment, the protection device would include a layer situated above the substrate, the electromagnetic energy passing between the substrate and the layer so as to illuminate the active region.

Process-induced damage is becoming a very serious concern for semiconductor device manufacturer's. Such damage accounts for device degradations and lower yields. One type of process-induced damage is charge-induced damage. Charge-induced damage can occur during plasma etch and plasma-enhanced deposition processes (collectively referred to as plasma charging damage), ash, and ion implantation. Charge-induced damage is becoming particularly important due to: the scaling down of gate oxide thicknesses and channel length with succeeding technologies; increasing levels of metalization; and the advent of high density plasma sources for etching and deposition.
With respect to charge-induced damage, the charge collected in the antenna stresses the oxide of a device. More specifically, in a MOSFET structure, the charge collected on the antenna stresses the gate oxide of the MOSFET, thereby inducing stress-related degradation of the MOSFET. This stress-related degradation may include: shortening the lifetime of the device, increasing the gate leakage of the device, or shifting the threshold voltage of the device. In view of this, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a protection device that will protect electronic circuitry from any charge-induced damage that would occur during plasma processing or any other charge-related processing.

Plasma emission triggered protection device for protecting against charge-induced damage


The present invention concerns methods and compositions that involve whey protein isolates. Methods of the invention include purification processes for preparing whey proteins that are substantially nondenatured across a range of pH, including their isoelectric points. As such, they have low turbidity in solution across a wide range of pH values. Whey protein isolates can be integrated into compositions and solutions that have nutritional, pharmaceutical, and other applications.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of protein chemistry. More particularly, it provides a process of isolating whey proteins. The invention further relates to methods and compositions involving a whey protein isolate that has low turbidity across a wide range of pH values.
2. Description of Related Art
One of the most superior classes of food protein is whey protein. It is known for its excellent amino acid profile, high cysteine content, rapid digestion, and interesting bioactive proteins (lactoglobulins, immunoglobulins, and lactoferrins). Nutritionally speaking, whey protein is known as a naturally complete protein because it contains all of the essential amino acids required in the daily diet. It is also one of the richest sources of branched chain amino acids (BCAAs) which play a large role in muscle protein synthesis. Moreover, some of the individual components of whey protein have been shown to prevent viral and bacterial infection and modulate immunity in animals.
Whey protein makes up one of the two major protein groups in milk, comprising approximately 20% of the total proteins in milk. Caseins account for the other protein portion in milk. In terms of nutrition, whey protein has been rated as a higher quality protein than casein. Additionally, it is more soluble than casein, making it more attractive as food additives. Compositionally, whey protein is actually made up of a mixture of different biological proteins. The majority of whey protein consists of α-lactalbumin (alpha-LB) and β-lactoglobulin (beta-LG). Present in lesser amounts can be immunoglobulin, bovine serum albumin, glycomacropeptide, lactoferrin, and lactoperoxidase.
Whey proteins can be prepared from whey, a by-product of the cheesemaking process, or by running milk through a microfilter and collecting the flow through. Using the cheesemaking process, the production of whey protein involves several steps. After fresh milk is pasteurized, the casein or "curd" is removed to make cheese. The remaining liquid is known as whey. A number of methods are used to isolate and purify whey proteins from liquid whey. These processes include selective precipitation, membrane filtration, and ion exchange chromatography. The two major commercial isolation procedures for whey proteins are ion exchange methods and microfiltration, which yield approximately 90%-95% whey proteins.
In selective precipitation, the whey is physically adjusted to promote insolubility for a particular protein. Proteins tend to aggregate and precipitate at certain pHs and temperature. For example, α-lactalbumin precipitates at a pH of 4.2 and a temperature of 65° C. In contrast, membrane filtration is essentially separating the liquid whey by molecular mass. The liquid whey is run through semi-permeable membranes to separate whey proteins from other components. Both of these processes are volume-dependent, requiring large, expensive equipment to process large volumes of liquid whey.
Purification by ion exchange chromatography can be accomplished through two different processes: selective adsorption or selective elution. In selective adsorption, a single protein is bound to the adsorbent leaving the rest of the whey to run through the exchange column. β-lactoglobulin has been isolated in this way using immobilized retinal. Alternatively, selective elution requires that all the proteins be trapped simultaneously onto an adsorbent. The proteins are washed free from contaminants, and then eluted one by one to manufacture many different purified proteins. As opposed to selective adsorption which isolates only a single protein, selective elution allows the isolation of several different proteins. In comparison to membrane filtration and selective precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography is less volume dependent because capacity depends on mass of protein recovered, not the volume of liquid processed.
Two classes of whey protein are currently in the marketplace: whey protein concentrates and whey protein isolates. Whey protein concentrates are rich in whey proteins, but also contain fat and lactose. Typically, whey protein concentrates are produced by membrane filtration. On the other hand, whey protein isolates consist primarily of whey proteins with minimal fat and lactose. Whey protein isolates usually require a more rigorous separation process such as a combination of microfiltration and ultrafiltration or ion exchange chromatography. After whey proteins are produced in the cheesemaking process from cows' milk and the curd is removed, about 12% of the solids in the remaining byproduct liquid whey is protein. It is generally understood that a whey protein isolate refers to a mixture in which at least 90% of the solids are whey proteins. A whey protein concentrate is understood as having a percentage of whey protein between the initial amount in the byproduct and a whey protein isolate.
Whey proteins in their native state are soluble and have an average isoelectric point (pI) of about 4.6. Two major whey proteins: β-lactoglobulin and α-lactalbumin make up about 90 percent of total whey proteins and have pI values of 4.4 (Etzel 1998) and 5.2 (Hambling 1997), respectively. Whey proteins are known to remain soluble at across a range of pHs. This includes solubility at their isoelectric point, making whey proteins unique in this regard (Damodaran 1996). However, if denatured, whey proteins may aggregate and form precipitates that make the solutions turbid, particularly at and near their isoelectric pH (Damodaran 1996). Exposure to harsh processing conditions is known to denature whey proteins (Damodaran 1996). Most commercial whey protein products form turbid solutions in the pH range of about 4.0 to 5.5.
Although the use of whey protein for human food has demonstrated potential, it has limitations related to the functional properties of the whey proteins, especially in their solubility and turbidity. These shortcomings have prevented whey protein from being properly utilized in the large and growing beverage marketplace. Low-protein, high-carbohydrate drinks, such as soft drinks and fruit juice, encompass nearly 80% of the beverage market. None of these products contain a significant amount of protein. A more nutritional alternative would be a high-protein, reduced sugar drink.
Whey protein isolate would provide an ideal high-quality protein additive for such a beverage. Balancing sweetness and acidity is critical in a beverage formulation. The majority of clear soft drinks are acidic (for example, Coca Cola™ has a 2.5 pH). At a very low pH, the solutions become very tart; consequently, a large quantity of sugar is needed to sweeten the drink. In a drink with high-protein and low sugar content, to achieve the desired sweetness, the target pH would preferably have to be between 3.0 and 4.6. Unfortunately, when added to liquids, whey proteins form sedimentary layers and produce turbid solutions at pHs of 4.0 to 5.5. However, at a pH below 3.0, solutions with whey protein produce clear solutions without precipitation. The problem is that reducing the sugar content of a drink requires a corresponding increase in pH. Consequently, a beverage with high whey protein content at a pH in the desired range would be cloudy and unappetizing to the average consumer. On the other hand, lowering the pH would render the drink clear, but unpalatable unless a substantial amount of sweetener is added. Thus, methods of overcoming the problem of turbid, high pH solutions containing whey protein are needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The invention relates to optical fibers for use in optical amplification of light, such as in optical fiber amplifiers and lasers and for use in delivery of high power light, in particular to a scheme for reducing amplified spontaneous emission at undesired wavelengths. The invention further relates to articles, methods and use. An object of the invention is achieved by a micro-structured optical fiber, which is adapted to guide light by the photonic bandgap effect and to have one or more pass bands and at least one stop-band over a wavelength range from λstop1 to λstop2. In an aspect of the invention, the at least one stop-band provides filter functions that suppress nonlinear effects. In another aspect, the core region is actively doped, and the active material has an emission spectrum with a higher value of the emission cross section σE at a wavelength λASE between λstop1 and λstop2 than outside said wavelength range such that amplified spontaneous emission and lasing within the wavelength range from λstop1 to λstop2 is reduced. In still another aspect, the optical fiber exhibits photonic bandgaps at different wavelength ranges in different radial directions of a cross section of the optical fiber.

Optical fiber waveguides, which are able to amplify light have been explored over the last decades for a number of applications (see e.g. Michel J. F. Digonnet, ed., "Rare-Earth-Doped Fiber Lasers and Amplifiers", 2nd edition, 2001, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York-Basel, referred to elsewhere in this application as [Digonnet]). For optical communication systems, for example, fiber optical amplifiers are used, where Erbium ions are incorporated into an optical fiber to provide amplification of light around 1.5 μm. For amplification at other wavelengths other rare-earths, such as Yb, Nd, Ho, Tm, and others are used. Other means of amplification than using rare-earth ions are also possible, for example by filling active material in voids of so-called photonic crystal fibers (also known as micro-structured fibers, holey fibers, hole-assisted fibers, photonic bandgap fibers), see e.g. Bjarklev, Broeng, and Bjarklev in "Photonic crystal fibres", Kluwer Academic Press, 2003 (referred to elsewhere in this application as [Bjarklev et al.]) for a general introduction to the design, manufacturing and properties of these fibers. In general, there is a need to control the spectrum of amplified light in an optical amplifier. In this application, the invention is exemplified using rare-earth doped optical fibers, but the concepts and ideas also cover other types of amplifying optical waveguides.
In a fiber amplifier, active ions are pumped by an optical source to an excited energy level and through stimulated emission amplification takes place. The amplified wavelength(s) can be controlled through an input (or seed) signal and/or it can be controlled by feedback mechanisms such as wavelength selective mirrors in a laser cavity. However, the available wavelengths for amplification are limited by the available emission spectrum of the specific rare-earth ions. The emission spectrum of a given rare-earth ion depends to some degree on the exact host material that it is incorporated into—and over the past decade significant resources has been spent on investigating various rare-earths and host compositions to provide desired emission spectra (and absorption spectra to suit desired pump sources), cf. e.g. [Digonnet], chapter 2.
One common problem for optical amplifiers is that it is difficult to obtain amplification for parts of the emission spectrum, where the emission cross-sections of rare-earth ions are significantly below their peak values. The problem is that amplified spontaneous emission at undesired wavelengths (where the emission cross-sections are high) can dominate over the stimulated emission at a desired (e.g. signal) wavelength (with a lower emission cross-section). For example, for Yb doped fibers it is in practice difficult to obtain amplification at wavelengths above 1100 nm, and in particular for wavelengths above 1200 nm, as amplified spontaneous emission in the wavelength range around 1030 nm-1070 nm builds up and de-excite the Yb ions (cf. e.g. FIG. 4). Another example is Yb doped fiber amplifiers that are desired for amplification around 980 nm, where amplified spontaneous emission around 1030 nm-1070 nm also plays a limiting factor. Another example is ErYb doped fibers, where desired amplification around 1.5 μm is limited by amplified spontaneous emission from the Yb ions. In general, the amplified spontaneous emission can develop into lasing at undesired wavelength(s) in fiber configurations with optical feedback mechanisms.
A typical solution to suppress undesired amplified spontaneous emission in optical amplifiers is to divide the optical fiber amplifier into a number of amplifier stages, where optical filters, which filter out amplified spontaneous emission, are inserted between the amplifier stages. It is, however, a disadvantage that multiple optical components are required to filter away the undesired amplified spontaneous emission. Further, there are in practice limits to power levels and wavelengths that can be obtained in this way. These practical limits are governed by filtering efficiency and differences in emission cross-sections at undesired and desired wavelengths.    [Argyros et al.] (Argyros et al. in Optics Express, Vol. 13, No. 7, 4 Apr. 2005, pp. 2503-2511) describe guidance properties of low-contrast, passive PBG fibers.
WO-03/019257 describes an optical fiber comprising a core (e.g. a low-index feature, e.g. a void) an outer air-clad layer for providing a high NA and a number of periodically distributed cladding features in an inner cladding to provide light guidance due to the PBG-effect. In an embodiment, the optical fiber comprises an optically active material whereby the optical fiber may be used for optical amplification or for lasing. The PBG guidance may be used to enhance specific parts of the amplifier spectrum by placing a bandgap edge at a frequency within the emission spectrum of the active ion (cf. FIG. 28 in WO-03/019257).    [Bouwmans et al.] (Bouwmans et al. in Optics Express, Vol. 13, No. 21, 17 Oct. 2005, pp. 8452-8459) describe a solid core photonic bandgap fiber.

Active optical fibers with wavelength-selective filtering mechanism, method of production and their use


A cathode active material capable of obtaining a high capacity and capable of improving stability or low-temperature characteristics, a method of manufacturing the same, and a battery are provided. A cathode (21) includes a cathode active material including a lithium complex oxide including Li and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Co, Ni and Mn, and P and at least one kind selected from the group consisting of Ni, Co, Mn, Fe, Al, Mg and Zn as coating elements on a surface of the lithium complex oxide. Preferably, the contents of the coating elements are higher on the surface of the cathode active material than those in the interior thereof, and decrease from the surface to the interior.

The present invention relates to a cathode active material including a lithium complex oxide, a method of manufacturing the same, and a battery.
In recent years, since portable devices such as notebook computers and cellular phones have become more sophisticated and multifunctional, power consumption of the devices has been increasing, and a further increase in capacities of batteries as power sources for the devices has been demanded. Among batteries, in terms of cost effectiveness and a reduction in size and weight, a demand for secondary batteries with a higher capacity is great. As a battery meeting such a demand, for example, a lithium secondary battery is cited.
A lithium secondary battery which is now commonly used uses lithium cobalt oxide for a cathode and a carbon material for an anode, and its operating voltage is within a range from 4.2 V to 2.5 V. In the case of a lithium secondary battery operating at 4.2 V at the maximum, the lithium secondary battery uses only approximately 60% of the theoretical capacity of a cathode active material such as lithium cobalt oxide used for a cathode. Therefore, when a charge voltage is further increased, a remaining capacity can be used in principle, and in reality, it is known that when a voltage at the time of charge is 4.25 V or over, a higher energy density is achieved (refer to Patent Literature 1).
However, when the charge voltage is increased, the potential of the cathode is increased, so an oxidation atmosphere near the cathode is increased, thereby an electrolyte is easily deteriorated by oxidative decomposition. As a result, issues such as a decline in charge-discharge efficiency and a decline in cycle characteristics arise. Moreover, such a reaction is more severe at high temperature, so there is an issue that deterioration of the electrolyte at the time of operating or storing the secondary battery at high temperature is pronounced. Further, in some cases, the secondary battery is used under a low-temperature environment such as cold climate, so a secondary battery having superior characteristics not only at high temperature but also at low temperature is desired.
To improve characteristics, a method of forming a solid solution of an element such as aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg) or titanium (Ti) in a lithium complex oxide such as lithium cobalt oxide is conventionally well known. Moreover, as a technique to improve stability or low-temperature characteristics of a cathode active material, a method of forming a coating film made of a stable material on a surface of an active material is cited. For example, Patent Literature 2 describes that a surface of lithium cobalt oxide is coated with aluminum oxide (Al2O3), and Patent Literature 3 describes that an aluminum-containing layer is formed on a surface of a nickel-cobalt complex oxide. Further, Patent Literature 4 describes that a surface of lithium cobalt oxide is coated with lithium titanate (LiTiO2), and Patent Literatures 5 and 6 describe a method of forming a surface layer made of a compound represented by MXOk (M represents metal, X represents an element capable of forming a double bond with oxygen, and k=2 to 4). Moreover, Patent Literature 7 describes that the concentration of manganese (Mn) on a surface of lithium oxide is higher than in the interior of lithium oxide, and Patent Literature 8 describes that a particle surface of lithium cobalt oxide is coated with a sulfate.
[Patent Literature 1] International Publication No. WO03/0197131
[Patent Literature 2] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-143703
[Patent Literature 3] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-143708
[Patent Literature 4] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-103566
[Patent Literature 5] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-7299
[Patent Literature 6] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-331846
[Patent Literature 7] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-348981
[Patent Literature 8] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-20229

Cathode active material, method of manufacturing the same and battery


The present invention is directed to a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history. A method for providing a dynamic virtual shopping area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention includes: capturing user preferences; and dynamically customizing a virtual shopping area for an avatar based on the user preferences, such that the avatar is presented with items the avatar is more likely to purchase upon entering the virtual shopping area.

A virtual environment is an interactive simulated environment accessed by multiple users through an online interface. Users inhabit and interact in the virtual environment via avatars, which are two or three-dimensional graphical representations of humanoids. There are many different types of virtual environments, however there are several features many virtual environments generally have in common:    A) Shared Space: the world allows many users to participate at once.    B) Graphical User Interface: the environment depicts space visually, ranging in style from 2D "cartoon" imagery to more immersive 3D environments.    C) Immediacy: interaction takes place in real time.    D) Interactivity: the environment allows users to alter, develop, build, or submit customized content.    E) Persistence: the environment's existence continues regardless of whether individual users are logged in.    F) Socialization/Community: the environment allows and encourages the formation of social groups such as teams, guilds, clubs, cliques, housemates, neighborhoods, etc.
An avatar can have a wide range of business and social experiences. Such business and social experiences are becoming more common and increasingly important in on-line virtual environments (e.g., universes, worlds, etc.), such as that provided in the on-line world Second Life (Second Life is a trademark of Linden Research in the United States, other countries, or both). The Second Life client program provides its users (referred to as residents) with tools to view, navigate, and modify the Second Life world and participate in it's virtual economy.
Second Life and other on-line virtual environments present a tremendous new outlet for both structured and unstructured virtual collaboration, gaming and exploration, as well as real-life simulations in virtual spaces. These activities, along with yet to be disclosed new dimensions, in turn provide a wide open arena for creative and new marketing methods and mechanisms.
All types of business and personal activities are now performed in virtual environments such as Second Life. The visual stimulation of virtual environments is appealing to users and mundane activities can be made more enjoyable for the end user. One such area of interest is in making on-line purchases. Legacy online retailers provide search and order-entry web pages to make the purchase experience efficient and to increase cross-selling. However, such legacy two-dimensional experiences base all decision trees on icons and text based on user supplied keywords. One problem with this concept is that all users have to navigate through the same mall structure when selecting items to purchase. For example, if a user only ever shops for high definition DVDs and other electronics at a certain mall, why should that user have to search the entire mall to immediately get to the items the user is looking for? Furthermore, it is sometimes very obtrusive for current online shopping malls to aggressively suggest the other items that the user might wish to purchase. This information is sometimes seen as blatant marketing and up-selling and wastes the shopper's time. Accordingly, there is a need for a solution that addresses these and other deficiencies of the related art.

Method, system, and computer program product for a dynamic virtual shopping area based on user preferences and history

International Business Machines Corporation


An interposer to be interposed between a semiconductor chip to be mounted thereon and a packaging board has an interposer portion made of a semiconductor and an interposer portion provided around the foregoing interposer portion integrally therewith. On both surfaces of the interposer portions, wiring patterns are formed via insulating layers. The wiring patterns are electrically connected via through holes formed at required positions in the interposer portions. The outer interposer portion is made of an insulator or a metal body. Further, external connection terminals are bonded to one surface of the interposer.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interposer for a semiconductor device, more particularly, to an interposer adapted to realize a required fan-out structure between a semiconductor chip to be mounted thereon and a printed wiring board (packaging board) such as a mother board. The present invention also relates to a method of fabricating the interposer, and a semiconductor device using the same.
Such an interposer has a function of mounting a semiconductor chip thereon, and is therefore the same as a wiring board in terms of function and also referred to as a "package."
(b) Description of the Related Art
A typical interposer has a semiconductor chip (typically a silicon (Si) chip) mounted thereon, and is mounted on a printed wiring board to constitute a semiconductor device. As a material constituting the interposer, various materials have been used. One example thereof is silicon (Si). The reason for using Si is that the same material as Si which is a material constituting the semiconductor chip to be mounted thereon is used (i.e., the coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs) thereof are made approximately equal to each other) to prevent the occurrence of disadvantages such as a warp or a twist due to a difference in thermal shrinkage therebetween.
The interposer in which Si is used as its constituent material has an advantage in that the CTE thereof matches with that of the Si chip to be mounted thereon. In this case, from the viewpoint of CTE matching, it suffices that the size of the Si interposer is approximately the same as the chip size. However, the pitch of external connection terminals to be provided on the opposite surface to the side where the chip is to be mounted is larger than the pitch of terminals of the chip. Accordingly, the size of the interposer becomes larger than the chip size. In particular, where a chip having a large number of terminals is to be mounted, the size of the interposer becomes even larger. Namely, since the interposer is used to match the terminals of the Si chip to be mounted thereon and the terminals (external connection terminals) for connecting with a printed wiring board (i.e., to perform rewiring), the interposer exhibits a form in which an area for the external connection terminals is extended to the periphery of a chip mount area, i.e., a so-called "fan-out structure," from the viewpoint of structure.
Moreover, when such a Si interposer is fabricated in a conventional process, a series of processings (formation of through holes, formation of an insulating layer in the through holes and on the wafer surface, formation of a seed layer or the like on the insulating layer, filling of the through holes with conductors by plating, formation of plated layers on both surfaces and formation of electrical paths between the both surfaces, formation of wiring patterns on the both surfaces, formation of protective films, and the like) are performed on a whole Si wafer, and then the Si wafer is diced into individual pieces (divided into individual pieces), each corresponding to one interposer. Further, external connection terminals are bonded thereto, as needed. Namely, the formation of wiring patterns is performed on the whole Si wafer.
Technologies relating to the above-described conventional technology include, for example, as described in Japanese unexamined Patent Publication (JPP) 2001-326305, an interposer for a semiconductor device in which a capacitor is provided between wiring patterns directly under a semiconductor chip to be mounted thereon.
As described above, conventional interposers have a "fan-out structure" in which an area occupied by external connection terminals is extended to the periphery of a chip mount area. Accordingly, there has been the following problem: where an interposer is fabricated using only silicon (Si), Si needs to be used even for an area which is essentially unnecessary from the viewpoint of CTE matching with a Si chip to be mounted thereon, i.e., an area extended to the periphery of the chip mount area; consequently, cost is increased.
Moreover, when an interposer is fabricated in a conventional process, processing is performed on the whole Si wafer until the Si wafer is finally divided into individual pieces. Accordingly, there has also been the problem in that it is technically difficult to form wiring patterns having required shapes on both surfaces of the Si wafer.

Interposer, method of fabricating the same, and semiconductor device using the same


A wallmount dual beam sensing device has a microcontroller unit (MCU) mounted inside a housing and electrically connected to an ambient light detector, an infrared detector and a microwave sensing module. The MCU determines if the infrared detector and the microwave sensing module are activated according to detected luminance by the ambient light detector and outputs a control signal when the infrared detector and the microwave sensing module are activated and any one of the infrared detector and the microwave sensing module detects the presence of people in a monitored environment. Accordingly, the infrared detector and the microwave sensing module statically and dynamically sense the monitored environment in a 3D manner at the same time, thereby ensuring a stable and reliable sensing result.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sensing device and, more particularly, to a wallmount dual beam sensing device with a passive infrared detector and a microwave detection module.
2. Description of the Related Art
Owing to environmental awareness about energy conservation and carbon reduction, automatically controlling lighting and/or air conditioning within a specific region of a public space or a home space according to an instant environmental condition becomes an important development trend of intelligent power management. To most spaces, lighting and air conditioning are undoubtedly atop a list of energy consumption, making them easy sources of energy waste in the spaces, especially in public spaces because most people in public spaces will not turn off the unnecessary lighting and/or air conditioning when leaving. Therefore, enormous energy waste arises. To cope with the energy waste, sensing devices with infrared detectors are developed to assist energy management in public spaces, such that lighting and air conditioning can be automatically turned on or off according to environmental conditions and setting conditions for the purpose of energy conservation and carbon reduction.
However, conventional infrared detectors tend to be mounted on ceilings and appearing outside, rendering them not only aesthetically unpleasant but feasible for two-dimensional detection only. The two-dimensional detection functionality can detect the presence of people in a sensed space while failing to determine the distance between a moving object and a sensing device. Other shortcomings of infrared detection include unreliable detection result and failure in wall penetration. When infrared detection is applied to a place with multiple partitions, such as a toilet, people inside the partitions oftentimes fail to be detected and errors in detection are caused.
In contrast to infrared sensing device, ultrasonic sensing devices need to have holes formed therethrough and are thus aesthetically unpleasant. Malfunction of the ultrasonic devices can also arise from foreign matter stuffed in the holes.


A cold-cathode tube drive device includes an inverter circuit (1) for generating a high-frequency voltage, a booster transformer (2) for boosting the high-frequency voltage generated by the inverter circuit (1), a cold-cathode tube (3) which is turned on by the high-frequency voltage after boosted by the booster transformer (2), a series circuit (6) having a reactance element (4) connected in parallel to the cold-cathode tube (3), a synthesis circuit (8) for combining the connected current value i2 of the series circuit (6) with the secondary side current value i1 of the booster transformer (2) so as to indirectly detect the lamp current value iL of the cold-cathode tube (3), and a control circuit (9) for controlling the inverter circuit (1) according to the lamp current value iL indirectly detected by the synthesis circuit (8) and controlling the lamp current of the cold-cathode tube (3).

Conventionally, a plurality of cold-cathode tubes (CCFLs: Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamps) are used for a backlight of a liquid crystal display panel in a liquid crystal television receiver (hereinafter referred to as the "liquid crystal TV"), a liquid crystal monitor, or the like (see, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-213994 (FIG. 1) (Patent document 1)).
FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional cold-cathode tube drive device. In the device shown in FIG. 4, an inverter circuit 101 generates a high-frequency voltage, a booster transformer 102 boosts the high-frequency voltage generated by the inverter circuit 101 to apply the high-frequency voltage after boosted to a cold-cathode tube 103. A resonant capacitor 104 is a capacitor composing, together with a secondary winding of the booster transformer 102, a resonant circuit.
The inverter circuit 101 acquires a drop voltage by a resistor 105 via a diode D and detects a conducting current value of the cold-cathode tube 103 based thereon to thereby control lamp current of the cold-cathode tube 103 in accordance with the value.
Based on the circuit configuration as described above, the lamp current of the cold-cathode tube 103 is detected directly from a lower voltage portion of the cold-cathode tube 103.
In a liquid crystal display panel of a medium-size or below, the cold-cathode tube 103 is relatively short, in which stray capacitance caused by two wirings 106a, 106b disposed to be connected to both the electrodes of the cold-cathode tube 103 has a smaller impact, so that one of the two wirings 106a, 106b connected to both the electrodes of the cold-cathode tube 103 is integrated into the other.
Meanwhile, in a liquid crystal display panel of a large size, namely a widescreen being developed recently, the cold-cathode tube 103 of a long size is used and thereby the two wirings 106a, 106b have a longer length. Therefore, when one of the two wirings 106a, 106b is integrated into the other, the stray capacitance increases to increase current leakage, in which luminance down and efficiency down in lamp wattage with respect to the output of the inverter circuit 101 are caused.
Therefore, when the long cold-cathode tube 103 is used, the one of the two wirings 106a, 106b connected to both the electrodes of the cold-cathode tube 103 is not integrated into the other, and, instead, the wiring 106b at the lower voltage side is directly connected to a case or the like in the vicinity of the root of the cold-cathode tube 103 as a ground. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional cold-cathode tube drive device for a long cold-cathode tube. In addition, FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram showing a conventional cold-cathode tube drive device for a plurality of the long cold-cathode tubes.
In the above cases, the wiring 106b at the lower voltage side is directly connected to the ground in the vicinity of the cold-cathode tube 103, in which the lamp current value cannot be detected directly from the lower voltage side of the cold-cathode tube 103, so that the conducting current of the secondary winding of the booster transformer 102 is detected as a lamp current from the drop voltage by the resistor 111.
Patent document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-213994 (FIG. 1).


An indoor unit of an air conditioner includes an indoor unit casing, a horizontal flap, and a front panel. The indoor unit casing includes an outlet through which air is blown into a room. The horizontal flap is disposed so as to freely open and close the outlet and guides the air blown out through the outlet. In a closed state, the front panel covers at least part of the indoor unit casing and at least one end of the horizontal flap closing the outlet.

An indoor unit of an air conditioner is often disposed with a casing, which includes an outlet through which air is blown into a room, and a flap, which guides the air blown through the outlet. The flap is disposed so as to freely open and close the outlet, and is disposed so as to close the outlet in a closed state (Japanese Patent Publication No. 2003-130382, FIG. 1).
However, in the state where the flap closes the outlet, a borderline arises between the flap and the outlet. Conventionally, this borderline appears in the exterior of the indoor unit of the air conditioner and can easily be seen by the eyes of residents and the like in the room. For this reason, the borderline becomes design noise and results in marring the aesthetic look, such as lowering the interiority, of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.


An apparatus and a method for flexibly adjusting the contrast of an input image signal. Specifically, a control signal for controlling the contrast of a displayed image is generated responsive to an input image signal, and the luminance signal level of the input image signal is adjusted on the basis of the generated control signal. A display image for demonstration via a liquid crystal display surface is generated on the basis of the adjusted luminance signal level. The illumination brightness on the liquid crystal display surface is controlled in correlation with the adjustment of the luminance signal level on the basis of the generated control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling an image demonstrated on a liquid crystal display surface based on an input image signal or a photographed image signal, and to an imaging method and apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a method and apparatus for controlling an image, which may be convenient for adjusting the contrast, and to an imaging method and apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
In an imaging apparatus, typified e.g. by a video camera, an image for photographing is displayed on a screen of an electronic viewfinder formed by light modulating elements, such as liquid crystal display devices. On the back surface of this electronic viewfinder, there is mounted a backlight formed e.g. by a planar phosphor tube. This backlight is caused to emit light to illuminate the liquid crystal display device from the back side to improve the viewing characteristics.
For causing the backlight to emit light, horizontal synchronization signals are first separated from the input image signal. Responsive to the separated horizontal synchronization signals, pulse signals are generated and supplied to a backlight driving circuit. FIG. 1 shows pulse signals generated in succession at a period of the horizontal frequency fH. By providing the horizontal blanking period, it becomes possible to synchronize the period of light emission of the backlight with the image display state to prevent flickering of the displayed image.
Moreover, by changing the illumination brightness of the backlight, it becomes possible to adjust the contrast of the image displayed on the electronic viewfinder. That is, by changing the pulse width PW of the pulse signal of FIG. 1, supplied to a driving circuit of the backlight, it is possible to control the average current value IE indicative of the illumination brightness. For decreasing or increasing the illumination brightness of the backlight, the pulse width PW may be narrowed or widened, respectively. Such control of the average current value IE, implemented by changing the pulse width PW in this manner, has so far been implemented using a pulse width modulation circuit (PWM circuit). With the PWM circuit, the ON/OFF period of the pulse signal is controlled to change the pulse width PW.
Meanwhile, if, when the signal level of the input image signal is extremely small, the pulse signals are turned on and off using the PWM circuit as described above to effect the backlight switching, this switching operates as a noise, thus severely disturbing the displayed image.
With this in view, a dimmer system 140 for controlling the light emitting brightness of a backlight 130 by controlling the amplitude of the boosting AC voltage, as shown in FIG. 2, has been proposed.
This dimmer system 140 is made up by a DC power supply Ba, a dimmer control IC circuit 141, a dimmer switching transistor 142, an inductor 143 and a Royer oscillator 150.
The dimmer control IC circuit 141 includes an input terminal 141a, by which it receives a control signal controlling the brightness of the backlight 130 to output pulses in dependence on the control signal level. The dimmer switching transistor 142 has its duty controlled based on pulses from the dimmer control IC circuit 141 to make intermittent current supply from the DC power supply Ba to the inductor 143. The inductor 143 sends the DC voltage, intermittently supplied by the dimmer switching transistor 142, to the Royer oscillator 150. This Royer oscillator 150 generates the boosting AC voltage based on the DC voltage supplied from the inductor 143. This boosting AC voltage is supplied via a capacitor, not shown, to the backlight 130 to cause the current to flow through the phosphor tube. This enables the dimmer system 140 to dim and turn on the backlight 130.
That is, with this dimmer system 140, the amplitude of the boosting AC voltage may be changed by the value of the DC voltage supplied from the DC power supply Ba to allow control of the average current value IE.
However, with the above-described conventional dimmer system 140, the smallest value of the average current value IE is limited from the perspective of maintaining a stable discharge current of the backlight. Consequently, since the entire image becomes lighter, there is raised a problem that, especially if an image signal of a black level is input, the black color is displayed in a floating fashion, while the range of possible variation of contrast is reduced. In particular, since the illumination brightness of the conventional backlight is controlled independently of the luminance signal level of the displayed image, the contrast of an actually demonstrated image cannot be flexibly adjusted in relation to the input image signal.

Image display controlling apparatus and method, imaging apparatus and viewfinder device


An apparatus to be conveyed into a wellbore. The apparatus includes a housing configured to be conveyed downhole and a drive member located in the housing. The apparatus further includes a drive unit configured to actuate movement of the drive member by selectively coupling to the drive member, wherein the coupling of the device to the drive member is controlled by applying an energy to a selected material in the device.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure relates generally to drive units or devices for use in downhole tools.
2. Description of the Related Art
Oil wells (also referred to as "wellbores" or "boreholes") are drilled with a drill string that includes a tubular member having a drilling assembly (also referred to as the "bottomhole assembly" or "BHA") at an end of the tubular member. The BHA typically includes a variety of tools and sensors that provide information relating to a variety of parameters relating to drilling operations ("drilling parameters"), behavior of the BHA ("BHA parameters"), and parameters relating to the formation surrounding the wellbore ("formation parameters"). A large number of wellbores include curved sections. A BHA used to drill non-vertical sections of the borehole often includes a steering unit to steer the drill bit along a desired direction. One type of steering unit includes a number of force application members that are moved radially outward to apply pressure on the borehole wall. A drive unit or an actuator is used to move the force application member. Formation evaluation tools used in both a BHA and in wireline tools utilize devices that include a drive unit to operate a piston to drawdown fluid from the formation. Other tools used in BHA and wireline logging tools also utilize drive units in conjunction with other devices to extract fluid from the formation for testing and analysis of the extracted fluids. Other devices in downhole tools that utilize drive units may include valves, pistons and the like. Moveable stabilizer blades, bit controllers, coring tools, mud pulse tools, and other moving components may also be configured to use drive units.
Drive units used for expanding force application members typically incorporate motor driven piston pumps that provide pressurized fluid to expand or move a piston. The pressure level is controlled by a nozzle arrangement in conjunction with pump rotational speed or torque or by a solenoid proportional valve. Certain other drive units are based on a motor-driven ball screw spindle, driving a first piston of smaller diameter to provide pressure to a larger secondary piston.
Such drive units are relatively mechanically complex and also utilize filters, flow restrictors, shut-off valves, etc. for fail-safe operations and pressure relief valves for overload protection. The complexity and components of these drive units may require frequent maintenance and be costly to manufacture. The disclosure herein provides drive units that are relatively small and address some of the above-noted problems.

Downhole tools with electro-mechanical and electro-hydraulic drives


A medical examination table has a step that is movable between a stowed position within the base of the table, to an extending position for use by persons mounting or dismounting the table. Slide members are coupled to the step inboard from the lateral sides of the step, so that the slide members are hidden from view even when the step is placed in the extended position. The step is suspended above a floor surface by the slide members and lower support members provided on a bottom side of the step, to facilitate movement of the step between the stowed and extended positions.

Medical examination tables and chairs are known in the art for supporting a patient thereon while a medical professional examines the patient or performs a medical procedure. For convenience, reference is made herein to an examination table, but it will be understood that the features and advantages of the invention are applicable to both medical examination tables and medical examination chairs.
Conventional medical examination tables may comprise a generally flat patient support surface, or may comprise a seat section and a back section supported on a base unit, wherein the seat and back sections are moveable relative to one another and the base to place the patient in a desired position. For example, the seat section or back section may be articulated by actuating mechanisms such a motors, pneumatic or hydraulic cylinders, or other devices to move the seat and back sections between the various positions and to adjust the height of the seat and back sections relative to the base. Medical examination tables also frequently include a step to assist a patient to get onto and off of the examination table. The step may be separate from the examination table, or it may be built into the table. When the steps are provided as a separate component, they take up extra space and become undesirable obstructions around the table, or within the medical practitioner's office, when not being used to mount or dismount the table. Conventional steps which are built into medical examination tables, however, are generally not easily moved between stowed and extended positions. In particular, if a step has no rolling elements to facilitate movement from the stowed to the extended position, the step is likely to snag on carpeted surfaces, or otherwise be difficult to maneuver. On the other hand, stowable steps having rollers generally do not provide a stable feel for persons using the step to mount or dismount the table.
A need therefore exists for an examination table having a stowable step which overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.

Medical examination table with pullout step