An express down vehicle window lift motor drive system in which an overcurrent detection circuit (10) interprets the flow of electrical power to the lift motor when the motor current exceeds a threshold which is set dynamically as a function of motor in-rush or peak current. Motor current is measured as a small voltage drop across a current shunt. When the current level rises above the dynamically set threshold energization of the motor is halted.

The present invention relates generally to a vehicle power window lift motor control system and, more particularly, to a circuit for protecting the motor and its drive circuitry from damage due to overcurrent when the motor is stalled.
Vehicle power window lift motor systems are used to move vehicle windows up and down between two positions or to some point therebetween. Generally, the window continues to move in the designated direction so long as the actuating switch is held. The addition of an "express down" feature to many modem vehicle power window circuits additionally provides continuous window movement in the down direction without requiring more than a quick depression of an "express down" switch or a further depression of the down switch. When the circuit is in the express down mode, window movement continues until either an "up" or "down" switch is actuated, or until an end of travel limit is sensed.
To protect the window lift motor and its drive circuitry from overheating during potentially damaging prolonged motor stall conditions, such as when an end of travel limit has been reached, these systems usually include an overcurrent detection system for interrupting the flow of electric current to the motor whenever the motor current rises above a predetermined threshold or reference current level. The reference level is typically selected empirically taking into consideration the current and/or power capacity of the motor and its drive circuitry. However, it is oftentimes difficult to select a single fixed threshold which is effective over all operating temperature ranges and in the presence of varying circuit conditions.

Dynamic protection circuit for a motor type load


A surveillance system includes a lower definition video camera and a higher definition video camera. The higher definition video is not recorded, generally, but video produced by the lower definition video camera is processed and compared to predefined videographic patterns to determine whether one or more events corresponding to the predefined videographic patterns has occurred. Likewise, inputs from other sources, such as audio, can be evaluated to determine if any predefined events have occurred. Upon determining that a predefined or triggering event has occurred, then video from the higher definition camera is recorded.

Video surveillance is in widespread use and is commonly used to assist in solving crimes. A conventional video surveillance system uses one or more video camera systems that record continuously in order to not miss any event that may occur. As a result, a substantial amount of video recording media is required in order to store all of the video data. To offset the cost of video recording media, as well as the archive costs, the video camera systems used for surveillance are typically of a low definition quality, often not color or with poor color resolution. The low definition, low-resolution quality has a lower video storage media requirement as the amount of media required corresponds almost quadratically with the resolution of the video, even though some forms of video compression can mitigate that effect. As a result, though, low definition video, even when it captures an event, can be of such poor quality that details necessary to determine the identities of people in the video are not available.
Therefore, a need exists to overcome the problems with the prior art as discussed above.

Video surveillance system having enhanced video capture


A personal mobility sharing system includes: a personal mobility, a server, an owner terminal and a member terminal connected through a network, and the server is configured to register a device information of the personal mobility, receive a sharing setting information from the owner terminal, set a sharing mode of the personal mobility based on the sharing setting information, receive an authentication request from the member terminal and transmit an unlock signal to the personal mobility when the authentication request includes pre-registered authentication information.

Recently, as the market for personal mobility corresponding to a single-person mobility means powered by electricity has increased, the number of users using personal mobility on the road has increased.
Generally, in order to use personal mobility, an authentication procedure is performed. For example, the user can unlock the personal mobility by photographing a quick response (QR) code attached to a specific location of personal mobility using a terminal.
However, QR codes attached to personal mobility can be easily damaged. In particular, when attaching a QR code to personal mobility owned by an individual and sharing the personal mobility, there is a high risk of personal mobility loss and damage. Therefore, a more secure authentication method is required to share personal mobility owned by an individual.


An improved handheld electronic device and camera apparatus upon which can be executed an improved method enable a modular camera to be used in conjunction with a flash. In one implementation, compensation parameters that are intended for use in a non-flash situation are overwritten with compensation parameters that are configured to compensate for the combined effects of the camera and the flash and are used by an embedded compensation routine executed on the camera. In another implementation, an image signal is processed by the embedded compensation routine using the original compensation parameters, but if it is determined that the image signal is a flash image signal, the image signal is further processed by the embedded compensation routine employing an additional set of parameters which compensate the image signal for the effect of the flash.

1. Field
The disclosed and claimed concept relates generally to handheld electronic devices and, more particularly, to a handheld electronic device and camera that provide compensation for a flash in the processing of images, and an associated method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Numerous types of handheld electronic devices are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include, for instance, personal data assistants (PDAs), handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones, and the like. Many handheld electronic devices also feature wireless communication capability, although many such handheld electronic devices are stand-alone devices that are functional without communication with other devices.
Some handheld electronic devices and other electronic devices employ small cameras which can take photographs that are then stored on the electronic device. Such cameras typically comprise a camera lens, a sensor, and a processor system that are manufactured and sold as a modular unit. That is, the sensor receives light through the camera lens and provides an image signal to an embedded program stored and executed on the processor system in order to process the image in various ways. For instance, the image might be processed to compensate for various shortcomings of the camera lens. Such shortcomings might include the reflective and diffractive aspects of the camera lens that become pronounced at the edges of the camera lens.
While such cameras have been generally effective for their intended purposes, such cameras have not come however, been without limitation. A camera typically has only a limited ability to detect light and often is of limited usefulness in low light conditions. Since a camera flash typically produces light of varying intensity and spectrum across a region of illumination, an embedded program executed on a processor system of a camera and employing compensation parameters tailored for use of a camera alone, i.e., without a flash, can produce unpredictable image processing results. Such unpredictable image processing results are further made unpredictable due to the wide variety of camera flash and flash lens configurations that are possible. It thus would be desirable to enable a modular camera, such as would be incorporated into a handheld electronic device, to be more usable in low light conditions.
Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

Handheld electronic device and camera providing flash compensation of images, and associated method


A method is described of providing a substrate (2) with a surface layer from a gas phase with a vapor in a reactor chamber (1), which vapor is generated through evaporation of a substance (5) in a reservoir (4) and is conducted to the reactor chamber (1) through a gas line (8) (Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD)). According to the invention, the vapor is conducted from the reservoir (4) to the reactor chamber (1) in that it is pumped from the reservoir (4) to the reactor chamber (1) by a pump (9) included in the gas line. The use of the pump renders the method very flexible. Thus the vapor flow can be easily adapted through adaptation of a pumping rate associated with the pump. In addition, the vapor flow is not dependent on a process pressure which prevails in the reactor (1).

A method of the kind mentioned in the opening paragraph is known from the European Patent Application no. EP-A 0 220 552, according to which TEOS vapour is conducted from the reservoir to the reactor chamber and the substance is heated to such a level that a vapour is generated in the reservoir having a comparatively high pressure and this vapour is then conducted through a resistance in the gas line to the reactor chamber which is kept at a constant pressure. If the vapour in front of this resistance has a pressure p.sub.i and the pressure in the process chamber is p.sub.p, the following holds for a laminar flow through the resistance R: EQU R=constant/(p.sub.i +p.sub.p)
A vapour flow Q.sub.d then moves to the reactor chamber for which it holds that: EQU Q.sub.d =(p.sub.i -p.sub.p)(p.sub.i +p.sub.p)/constant=(p.sub.i.sup.2 -p.sub.p.sup.2)/constant
The vapour flow Q.sub.d is kept at a desired, defined value in that the pressures p.sub.i and p.sub.p are maintained at desired, defined values.
In practice, the known method turns out to be not very flexible. If one wants to provide layers more quickly, for example, processes are taken with process pressures p.sub.p which are five to ten times higher than in the known method. If the same vapour flow Q.sub.d is to be maintained, the pressure p.sub.i must then be raised. Since the value of the resistance R can only be varied to a limited degree because of the type of flow in the gas line and the inertia of the vapour. It will also be necessary to increase p.sub.i further if the desire is to increase the vapour flow Q.sub.d which is conducted into the reactor chamber. In the known method, p.sub.i depends inter alia on the temperature of the reservoir. Thus, in the known method, p.sub.i is 307 Pa, while a pressure of 1067 Pa occurs in the reservoir at a temperature of approximately 45.degree. C. If much higher pressures p.sub.i are to be realised, the temperature of the reservoir must be raised. A drawback is, however, that this is practically impossible since the TEOS in the reservoir will be dissociated when the reservoir temperature exceeds approximately 80.degree. C.

Method of providing a substrate with a surface layer from a vapor


A soft serve frozen dessert, e.g., yogurt, ice milk, ice cream, capable of being hard packed and dispensed from an accordion-type cartridge is disclosed. The frozen dessert composition is formed with at least about 0.1 weight percent lecithin, at least about 0.15 weight percent pectin, and at least about 0.1 weight percent of a gum selected from the group consisting of xanthan gum and locust bean gum, wherein the composition has a lactose content according to the following formula: EQU ((.SIGMA.IL)/C).ltoreq.9.0 (I). wherein. I=weight percentage of mix ingredient; PA1 L=weight percentage lactose in that mix ingredient; and PA1 C=weight percentage of free water in the mix, and wherein the composition has a dextrose content according to the following formula: EQU ((.SIGMA.ID)/C).ltoreq.6.5 (II) PA1 I=weight percentage of mix ingredient; PA1 D=weight percentage dextrose in that mix ingredient; and PA1 C=weight percentage of free water in the mix, and wherein the composition has a molar solute concentration according to the following formula: EQU MC=-0.1514T.sub.max +0.03027T.sub.min -0.04177F+3.675 (III) PA1 MC=molar solute concentration (mol/weight percentage of free water); PA1 T.sub.max =maximum dispensing temperature (.degree. F.); PA1 T.sub.min =minimum dispensing temperature (.degree. F.); and PA1 F=weight percentage of fat content of the mix.. wherein. wherein

Frozen dessert compositions are known in the art. Soft serve frozen dessert compositions prepared in a traditional freezer/dispenser machine are introduced into the machine in the form of a mix. This mix is frozen to a semi-solid consistency and held in this condition until dispensed into cones or bowls to fill the consumer's order. When these desserts are dispensed, about 60% of the aqueous phase of the mix is frozen into ice. The ice that has formed exists as small crystals which do not grow to an undesirable size due to the relatively short duration in the dispenser and the constant scraping of a dasher on the freezing surface of the barrel in the freezer/dispenser. During freezing, air is incorporated into the semi-frozen mass to increase the volume of the original mix by about 30%. This expansion of volume is known as overrun.
Desserts prepared at the retail site use expensive freezer/dispenser equipment which requires not only substantial initial capital investment, but also extensive daily cleaning and maintenance. Daily cleaning of the equipment must be supported by skilled operators with sufficient facilities to disassemble the freezer and its dasher, clean and dry the numerous parts, and reassemble the freezer. High cost and maintenance requirements have thus relegated the availability of soft serve frozen desserts to specialty stores and fast food stores which have the capital and facilities to service the equipment.
Recently, dispensing machines such as one sold under the trade name "Supa Nova" by SaniServ, Indianapolis, Ind., have been developed which dispense factory frozen desserts via compression of a disposable collapsible cartridge. The factory frozen dessert is "hard packed" at a central factory, filled from a large commercial freezer, hardened and distributed to consumers, ready-to-serve through frozen distribution channels. Compression dispensers used with hard packed frozen desserts reduce capital costs because they reduce refrigeration and simplify the internal workings of the frozen dessert machine. Daily maintenance is reduced to cleaning of the dispensing nozzle which requires only a small sink or large bowl of cleaning solution. This system, with its simplicity as compared to machines required for the semi-solid mix forms of desserts, allows the sale of frozen desserts in outlets such as convenience stores or at salad bars in traditional restaurants.
One drawback to the collapsible cartridge system is in the sensory properties of the frozen dessert dispensed from collapsible cassettes. The "hard packed" frozen desserts needed to fill the collapsible cassettes are similar to standard ready-to-serve frozen desserts in that they are frozen in a central factory, hardened and delivered through a frozen distribution system used for ice cream. These "hard packed" desserts have about 90 to 100% of the aqueous phase in the form of ice. To prevent ice crystals from growing during frozen storage, high levels of stabilizing hydrocolloid are typically employed. These stabilizers increase the viscosity of the mix, which gives the product a desirable mouth coating effect. The lack of a liquid aqueous phase produces a somewhat dull surface appearance, rather than the sheen or wet appearance characteristic of soft serve frozen desserts.
The "hard packed" frozen desserts also differ from the soft serve desserts in that they tear or pull in a sticky mass resembling uncooked dough when spooned, unlike the soft serve products, which when cut leave a smooth, glossy surface.
The heaviness of the mouthfeel of the "hard packed" frozen desserts can be overcome to some extent by increasing the overrun to approximately 75 to 100%, thus diluting the concentration of mix in the finished product volume. Diluting the concentration produces a dessert which more closely resembles the melting, light body of soft serve frozen desserts, but often undesirably leads to a fluffy texture characteristic of a mousse or whipped topping. Accordingly, there is a need for a hard packed frozen dessert dispensable from a collapsible cartridge which possesses desirable sensory properties.

Ready to serve frozen dessert for soft serve dispensing


A frame based data communications network is interfaced to a synchronous digital hierarchy network via a plurality of frame based data port cards incorporated into a plurality of synchronous multiplexers. Each port card comprises a conventional frame based data port, a frame switch, a rate adapter means and a mapping means for mapping data frames into a plurality of SDH virtual containers. Frame based data is incorporated directly into a synchronous virtual container without encapsulation in an intermediate protocol. A number of topologies of a frame based data channel network are possible, overlaid on the underlying synchronous transport network, including an open loop topology, a ring mode topology, and a backhaul topology.

The present invention relates to the carrying of data frame traffic over a synchronous digital network.
Historically, the telecommunications industry has developed separately and largely independently from the computing industry. Conventional telecommunications systems are characterized by having high reliability circuit switched networks for communicating over long distances, whereas data communications between communicating computers is largely based upon shared access packet communications.
Datacoms may operate over a local area, to form a local area network (LAN) or over a wide area to form a wide area network (WAN). Historically the difference between a LAN and a WAN is one of geographical coverage. A LAN may cover communicating computing devices distributed over an area of kilometers or tens of kilometers, whereas a WAN may encompass communicating computing devices distributed over a wider geographical area, of the order of hundreds of kilometers or greater.
Conventional local area networks are generally taken to be digital data networks operating at rates in excess of 1 MBits/s over distances of from a few meters up to several kilometers. Conventional local area networks are almost universally serial systems, in which both data and control functions are carried through the same channel or medium. Local area networks are primarily data transmission systems intended to link computer devices and associated devices within a restricted geographical area. However, many local area networks include speech transmission as a service. A plurality of computer and associated devices linked together in a LAN may range from anything from a full-scale mainframe computing system to small personal computers. Since a local area network is confined to a restricted geographical area, it is possible to employ vastly different transmission methods from those commonly used in telecommunications systems. Local area networks are usually specific to a particular organization which owns them and can be completely independent of the constraints imposed by public telephone authorities, the ITU, and other public services. Local area networks are characterized by comprising inexpensive line driving equipment rather than the relatively complex modems needed for public analogue networks. High data transmission rates are achieved by utilizing the advantages of short distance.
Conventional wide area networks operate in general on a greater scale than local area networks. A wide area network is generally employed whenever information in electronic form on cables leaves a site, even for short distances. Data transmission rates involved are generally between a few hundred and a few thousand bits per second, typically up to 50 kilobits per second. The distances involved in a wide area network are from around 1 kilometer to possible thousands of kilometers, and error rates are greater than with local area networks. Wide area networks are generally carried over public telecommunications networks.
The distinction between networks which have historically been considered to be local area networks and those which have been considered to be wide area networks is becoming increasingly blurred.
Because conventional telecoms systems have developed in parallel with conventional datacoms systems, there is a significant mis-match in data rates between conventional datacoms protocols as used in LANs and WANs, and conventional telecoms protocols. In general, telecoms operators provide equipment having standard telecoms interfaces, for example E1, T1, E3, T3, STM-1, which are used by the datacoms industry to provide wide area network point to point links. However, this is inconvenient for datacoms providers since datacoms protocols have developed using a completely different set of interfaces and protocols, for example carrier sense multiple access collision detection CSMA/CD systems, subject of IEEE standard 802.3, and Ethernet which is available in 10 MBits/s, 100 MBits/s and 1 GigaBits/s versions. Conventional datacoms protocols do not match up very well to conventional telecoms interfaces because of a mis-match in data rates and technologies between conventional datacoms and conventional telecoms.
Several prior art attempts have been made to carry frame based data over telecoms networks. Prior art systems for incorporating frame based data over synchronous networks include schemes which contain Ethernet data frames in asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) cells which are then transported in a plesioscynchronous mode and which may then be transported according to ITU-T recommendation G.708 in a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) network. In this scheme, known as IMA (Inverse multiplexing of ATM), conceived by the ATM Forum, an ATM circuit is divided and input into a plurality of E1 circuits. This enables an ATM signal to be carried across a legacy network, for example a plesiosynchronous digital hierarchy (PDH) network. Ethernet frames are included as the payload of the ATM cells, which are then carried via the E1 circuits over a conventional PDH network. However, this prior art scheme has a disadvantage of a high packetization header overhead, which can comprise up to 20% of the SDH payload.
Another prior art system aimed at carrying frame based data over synchronous digital networks is the conventional Ethernet remote bridge. This system is based on the known PPP protocol, for example, as implemented by the packet on Sonet (POS phy) system of PMC Sierra. However, in this scheme, a high packetization overhead is present and packaging delays are relatively high.
Manufacturers such as CISCO, and Bay Networks produce equipment for both of the above mentioned inverse multiplexing of ATM, and Ethernet bridge systems.
A further prior art scheme uses a plurality of fiber optic repeaters to provide native Ethernet rate connections between a customer premises and a LAN switch. However, this solution dedicates a whole fiber to Ethernet rate, which is an inefficient use of the fiber optic cable resources.
One object of the present invention is to provide high data rate, high reliability functionality available with conventional local area networks, but over a wide area network transported on a long distance high capacity synchronous digital network.
Another object of the present invention is to overcome data rate mis-matched between conventional datacoms systems and conventional telecommunications systems in an efficient manner.
Another object of the present invention is to incorporate frame based data directly into a synchronous digital hierarchy payload, without encapsulation in an ATM cell or other intermediate carrier.
Another object of the present invention is to incorporate frame based data into a synchronous network without incurring high processing delays, and without incurring a high packetization header overhead.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame based data communications network comprising:
a plurality of computer devices each having a frame based data channel interface;
a plurality of synchronous multiplexers, each having a frame based data channel interface and a synchronous digital communications port, and capable of interfacing between a frame based data protocol and a synchronous digital network protocol;
wherein said plurality of computing devices communicate with each other over a plurality of frame based data channels, said frame based data channels carried over a synchronous digital transport network connecting said plurality of synchronous multiplexers.
Preferably, said frame based channel interface interfaces directly between said frame based data protocol and said synchronous digital network protocol without traversing any intermediate protocols.
Preferably, said frame based data channel interface comprises: means for mapping a data frame of said frame based data channel to at least one payload of said synchronous network protocol.
The synchronous digital transport network may comprise a synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) network in accordance with ITU-T G70.X, an example of which is the synchronous optical network (SONET) in accordance with ITU-T recommendation G.708 and related recommendations.
Synchronous multiplexers may comprise add-drop multiplexers, or terminal multiplexers.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a synchronous digital multiplexer comprising:
a plurality of telecoms tributary interfaces;
a frame based data channel interface; and
a synchronous digital channel port.
By providing a plurality of telecoms tributaries in addition to a frame based data access port in a synchronous multiplexer, frame based data channels may be entered directly into synchronous digital hierarchy virtual container payloads in an efficient manner.
Preferably said frame based channel interface comprises:
a frame based data channel physical port;
a frame based data channel switch communicating with said frame based data channel physical port;
a rate adaption means for converting data at a frame based data channel rate into a bitstream of a data rate capable of being carried in at least one virtual container; and
a synchronous digital network payload mapper for mapping said bitstream into said at least one virtual container.
According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of communicating frame based data over a synchronous digital network comprising the steps of:
modifying a data rate of said frame based data to a rate compatible with a synchronous digital network virtual container; and
inputting said rate adapted frame based data directly into at least one said synchronous digital network virtual container.
Preferably said method comprises the steps of:
concatenating a plurality of said virtual containers together; and
containing a said data frame into said plurality of concatenated virtual containers.
The invention includes a method of creating a frame based data channel within a synchronous digital channel comprising the steps of:
modifying a data rate of said frame based data outside said synchronous digital channel to a rate compatible with said synchronous digital channel; and
mapping said rate adapted frame based data directly to said synchronous digital channel.
Said step of mapping preferably comprises containing said modified data frame based data into at least one virtual container.
The invention includes a communications network comprising:
a plurality of network components supporting an OSI layer 2 frame based data channel;
a plurality of network components supporting at least one synchronous digital channel; and
a plurality of network components capable of transferring data frames of said OSI layer 2 data channel directly into and out of a plurality of payloads of said at least one synchronous digital channel.
The invention includes a data communications network comprising:
a plurality of network devices each comprising: an OSI layer 2 frame switching device; a rate adaption device for adapting a data rate between an OSI layer 2 data rate and a synchronous transmission data rate; and a mapping device for mapping data between said OSI layer 2 frame switch and a synchronous digital channel;
wherein said plurality of mapping devices communicate over said synchronous digital channel; and
said plurality of OSI layer 2 frame switching devices communicate over an layer 2 channel carried on said synchronous digital network.
Said OSI layer 2 channel may comprise a ring channel linking said plurality of network devices.
Said OSI layer 2 channel may comprise a plurality of point to point channels linking pairs of individual said OSI layer 2 frame switches.
The invention includes a communications network comprising:
a plurality of network devices each comprising: a rate adaption device for adapting a data rate between an OSI layer 2 data rate and a synchronous transmission data rate; and a mapping device for mapping data between an OSI layer 2 channel and a synchronous digital channel;
wherein said plurality of mapping means communicate over said synchronous digital channel; and
said plurality of rate adaption means communicate over said OSI layer 2 channel carried on said synchronous digital channel.
Said OSI layer 2 channel may comprise a ring channel.

Frame based data transmission over synchronous digital hierarchy network


Provided is an image forming system that suppresses an increase in number of signal lines between an image forming apparatus and optional units, curtails communication time period and alleviates communication load. To accomplish this, an image forming system includes an image forming apparatus and one or more optional units removably attached to the image forming apparatus. The image forming apparatus transmits a specifying command and an instruction command to all of the optional units by outputting the commands on a single common signal line. Each optional unit outputs acknowledgement status on a single common signal line in a case where an identifier appended to the instruction command is the same as an acquired identifier. If the identifiers are different, on the other hand, each optional unit outputs a value indicating whether it itself is currently performing an operation in response to acknowledgement status transmitted by another optional unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus and optional printing-medium feeding device communicate with each other, and to the printing-medium feeding device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optional units such as a printing-medium feeding device are connected to an image forming apparatus in order to extend various capabilities of the apparatus. Such an optional unit and the image forming apparatus are connected by a signal line for transmitting information. For example, if a plurality of optional units have been connected, it is necessary that the state of each optional unit be checked in order to feed or transport a printing medium. Whether or not a printing-medium feeding device contains a printing medium and whether or not a cassette has been loaded in the printing-medium feeding device are examples of detectable states of a printing-medium feeding device serving as an optional unit. It is required that a plurality of such states be checked. In a case where a plurality of optional units have been connected, therefore, it is required that the image forming apparatus send and receive information to and from each of the optional units efficiently.
As for a communication interface between an image forming apparatus and optional units, the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-008935 discloses an image forming apparatus to which a plurality of optional units are connected successively by a bus. The image forming apparatus described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-008935 is so adapted that prescribed processing is communicated to the plurality of optional units simultaneously and the optional units operate in conformity with the processing content. Further, the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-199159 discloses an image forming apparatus provided with means for notifying a host apparatus of a change in the internal status of a lower-order device.
Although the number of times communication relating to an instruction from the main body of the image forming apparatus can be reduced with the image forming apparatus described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-008935, it is required that response signals from the additional optional units be received individually. Consequently, in a case where the image forming apparatus monitors the state of paper transport in the overall system, it is necessary that communication be performed a number of times equivalent to the number of optional units that have been added on. The problem that results is an increase in communication time period and communication load.
In a case where the image forming apparatus described in the specification of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 04-199159 notifies a connected optional unit of internal information of the apparatus, a separate notifying signal line is required. Further, it is required that a signal transmitted from the image forming apparatus to the optional unit be transmitted separately. The problem that results is an increase in communication time period and communication load.
A specific example of a problem is that it is not possible to shorten the intervals at which paper feed is executed in a paper feeding device mounted as an optional unit. Normally, when printing paper that has been loaded inside a paper feeding device is fed, it is necessary to suppress the occurrence of jamming and unwanted wear of the feed rollers. Accordingly, the image forming apparatus instructs a certain paper feeding device to feed printing paper, thereby causing the device to execute the paper-feed operation. After positively sensing whether printing paper is still loaded in the printing device following the completion of the paper-feed operation, the image forming apparatus issues the next paper-feed instruction. In a case where time for communication between the image forming apparatus and a plurality of printing devices is great or in case of a large communication load, it becomes necessary to lengthen the paper-feed interval in order that this processing may be executed (this interval is referred to as the "time between sheets" below). If the time between sheets is lengthened, the throughput of the image forming operation (the number of printed sheets per unit time) declines.

Image forming system and printing-medium feeding device


The present invention provides a camera device and an optical imaging lens thereof. The optical imaging lens comprises five lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side and an aperture stop positioned between the third lens element and fourth lens element. Through controlling the convex or concave shape of the surfaces of the lens elements, the view angle of the optical imaging lens is efficiently increased to provide better optical characteristics.

Recently, small sized photography modules are applied in the devices not just cell phones, but gaming machines, such as video game consoles, handhold game console, etc., environmental monitors, event data recorders, reversing camera systems mounted on motor vehicles, etc. However, for achieving better imaging quality for simulating the scenes in the game or presenting the details in the recorded frames better, these devices require for a wide shot angle, clear night vision and small f-number value, each of which comes to one of the chief development goals of the optical imaging lens installed therein.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,903,349 disclosed an optical imaging lens constructed with an optical imaging lens having five lens elements which is capable to provide only about 40 degrees of HFOV. Although the HFOV of the optical imaging lens in the seventh embodiment disclosed therein achieves 60 degrees, the high f-number which is 4.0 still cannot meet the requirements listed above. Hence, there is needed to develop optical imaging lens which is capable to place with five lens elements therein, with a wide shot angle, while also having good optical characters.

Camera device and optical imaging lens thereof


In a conventional switch circuit capable of bidirectional conductivity, there is the problem that latch-up occurs in a parasitic thyristor included in a transistor having a switching function. Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch circuit capable of bidirectional conductivity while suppressing the occurrence of latch-up due to a parasitic thyristor. The present invention provides a switch circuit that includes diodes connected in parallel with each of a MOS transistor having the switching function and parasitic diodes present at the source and the drain of the MOS transistor.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to switch circuits with the ability to control latch-up due to a parasitic element.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-224244, 2000-224298, and 2004-350127 each disclose a conventional switch circuit in which bidirectional conductivity is possible.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-163589 discloses a semiconductor device in which a transistor and a Schottky barrier diode are provided on the same chip. In the Schottky barrier diode, the drain electrode of the transistor is connected to a cathode electrode, and the source electrode of the transistor is connected to an anode electrode. By providing this semiconductor device with a Schottky barrier diode, the occurrence of a minority carrier in a PN junction face between a drain diffusion layer and an N-well region of the transistor is suppressed, so that it is possible to prevent the operation of a parasitic transistor present on the substrate on which the semiconductor device is formed.
However, the transistors used to configure the switch circuit disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-224244, 2000-224298, and 2004-350127 have PN junction faces between each of the diffusion layers that function as the drain or the source, and the well regions in which these diffusion layers are formed, and when a forward bias voltage is applied to these PN junction faces, minority carrier injection occurs. When minority carrier injection occurs, there is a risk that latch-up will occur due to a parasitic thyristor present on the substrate on which the switch circuit is formed.
Also, with the semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-163589, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a minority carrier by mitigating the forward bias current that occurs at the drain-side PN junction face, but when the direction of the current between the source and the drain has been reversed, it is not possible to suppress the occurrence of a minority carrier at the source-side PN junction face.
In order to address these problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a switch circuit, a diode, and a transistor, in which bidirectional conductivity is possible, and with the ability to control the occurrence of latch-up due to a parasitic element.

Switch circuits with the ability to control latch-up due to a parasitic element


It is to assign proper pitch marks to voice waveforms, thereby to obtain smoothly synthesized voices and to control pitches of voices very accurately according to pitch marks of recorded messages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for analyzing pitches and powers of voices in detail, a method and a medium for synthesizing high quality voices, and compressing and encoding voices efficiently using the analyzing method.
2. Related Art of the Invention
An object of a voice synthesizing system is to synthesize given contents of a voice as voice waveforms. There have been invented various methods for synthesizing voices so far. A representative method among them is a waveform editing and synthesizing method that stores voice waveforms in a fine unit in advance (in synthesis units), then select and connect proper units appropriately to target contents.
In such a voice synthesizing method, feelings of discontinuation and wrongness generated when units are connected can be lowered by changing the pitch and the time length of each unit, thereby to synthesize voices smoothly. One of the well-known methods for changing pitches and time lengths such way is, for example, the PSOLA (Pitch Synchronous Overlap Add) method (F. Charpentier, M. Stella, xe2x80x9cDiphone synthesis using an over-lapped technique for voice waveforms concatenationxe2x80x9d, Proc. ICASSP, 2015-2018, Tokyo, 1986). In this method, pitch marks are assigned to local peak positions and glottal closures of unit waveforms in advance, so that pitch waveforms are selected out around each of those pitch-marked positions using a window function. Voices are thus synthesized properly.
As a pitch marking method used for voice synthesizing as described above, there are methods in which pitch marks are assigned to local peaks of time waveforms and to glottal closures. An example of the method for assigning pitch marks to local peaks of time waveforms is introduced in xe2x80x9cConstructing a Waveform Inventory for Text-to-Speech Synthesis Based on Waveform Splicingxe2x80x9d (Proc. Autumn Meeting Acoust. Soc. Japan, 3-5-5, 1994-11). The advantage of this method is simplicity. For complicated voice waveforms including many high frequency components, however, it is difficult to assign a pitch mark to each pitch cycle. In addition, the peak itself has a time fluctuation caused by such high frequency components. Consequently, synthesized waveforms have a phase fluctuation in each pitch cycle. This then arises a problem of thick voices, which makes listeners feel uncomfortable.
On the other hand, a method for assigning pitch marks to glottal closures of voice waveforms is introduced in M. Sakamoto et al.:xe2x80x9cA New Waveform Overlap-Add Technique for Text-to-Speech Synthesisxe2x80x9d, Technical Report of IEICE SP95-6(1995-05) and by Y. Arai et al.:xe2x80x9cA Study on the Optimal Window Position to Extract Pitch Waveforms Based on a Speech Signal Model.xe2x80x9d, Proc. Spring meeting Acoust. Soc. Japan, 1-4-22, 1995-3. In the method, voice waveforms are analyzed using a wavelet transform method and a linear prediction analysis method, thereby to presume a glottal closure timing and assign a pitch mark to the timing position. The glottal closure extracting method has an advantage that one pitch mark can be assigned accurately to each pitch cycle. Since this method is equivalent to a method for selecting out response waveforms corresponding to glottal closure pulses, pitch waveforms can be selected out with less spectrum distortion. The method is thus favorable from the viewpoint of selecting out waveforms. This method, however, has a problem that the method for analyzing and presuming glottal closure is complicated.
In addition to those methods, there is also a technology for extracting fundamental component of a voice using an FIR linear phase band-pass filter that specifies a passing band around the voice pitch frequency adaptively and partitioning the voice waveform for each pitch cycle using a zero-cross position. The technology is introduced in xe2x80x9cFine Pitch Contour Extraction by Voice Fundamental Wave Filtering Methodxe2x80x9d, Journal of Acoust. Soc. Japan, Vol.51, No.7, pp.509-518, 1995. This method is used to analyze fine pitches, but it is also used to find pitch cycles synchronizing with fundamental waveform.
A partitioning point extracted by the above method is not related directly to any of local peaks and glottal closures of voice waveforms. It is not proper therefore to use such a partitioning point as a pitch mark with no change sometimes.
As described above, the method for using a local peak on time waveforms as a pitch mark has a problem that thick voices are generated in synthesized voices, since the pitch mark includes a fluctuation generated around each peak of time waveforms. And, the method for using a glottal closures as a pitch mark has a problem that the processing for presuming glottal closures is complicated. In addition, the method for filtering fundamental component also has a problem that a proper timing to be used as a pitch mark cannot be extracted.
Under such the circumstances, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for analyzing voices, which can assign pitch marks more simply and more properly than related arts and a method and a medium for synthesizing higher quality voices than the related arts.
One aspect of the method according to the invention is for analyzing voices which generates pitch mark information assumed to be time reference positions corresponding to a pitch cycle of voice waveforms, by using means for storing voice waveforms; means for analyzing pitches; an adaptive filter; and means for detecting peaks, wherein
some of said voice waveforms are stored temporarily using said voice waveform storing means;
rough pitch information is generated from said voice waveforms stored temporarily, by using said pitch analyzing means;
said voice waveforms stored temporarily is entered to said adaptive filter and by changing a cut-off frequency or a center frequency of said adaptive filter according to said rough pitch information, only fundamental component extracted from the entered voice waveforms is passed; and
plural maximum points are detected at one side of said basic waves by using said peak detecting means, thereby to generate a series of accurate pitch mark information for the whole voice waveforms.
Another aspect of the method according to the invention is for analyzing voices, which generates pitch mark information assumed to be time reference positions corresponding to a pitch cycle of voice waveforms by using plural peak detecting channels each of which is a set of a fixed low-pass filter and a peak detecting means, and means for selecting a channel, wherein
cut-off frequencies of said plural fixed low-pass filters are set so that at least one of said plural fixed low-pass filters passes only fundamental component of entered voice waveforms;
each of said fixed low-pass filters is used to output waveforms of low frequency components of specified frequencies of the entered voice waveforms;
said peak detecting means is used to detect plural maximum points on one side of waveforms of said low frequency components output from said fixed low-pass filter and to output said detected plural maximum points as a peak information;
said channel selecting means is used to select a peak detecting channel every a predetermined period on a basis of a specified selection reference by using all or some of the peak informations output from said plural peak detecting channels; and
a series of pitch mark information is generated for the whole voice waveforms by using the peak information output from said selected peak detecting channel.
Still another aspect of the method according to the invention is for synthesizing voices where by analyzing target voice waveforms which are recorded in advance, phoneme series information, phoneme timing information, pitch information, amplitude information are generated, and
voices are synthesized according to said phoneme series information, said phoneme timing information, said pitch information, and said amplitude information, wherein said phoneme series information holds types of phonemes and their appearance order in said target voice waveforms;
said pitch information holds information related to a pitch for each specified timing of said target voice waveforms; and
said amplitude information holds information related to an amplitude of each specified timing of said target voice waveforms.
Yet another aspect of the method according to the invention is for synthesizing voices, which synthesizes a specified message by combining regular messages of natural voices and synthesized messages of synthesized voices, wherein
pitch mark information corresponding to said natural voices is assigned in advance;
at least at connected portion between said regular message and said synthesized message,
pitch waveforms of voice waveforms used for synthesizing voices of said synthesized message are disposed according to said pitch mark information, thereby to synthesize as a synthesized message voices of the same contents as those of said regular message; and
both voices having same contents are superimposed with changing a mixing rate of them at said connected portion.
Still another aspect of the method according to the invention is for synthesizing voices to generate a specified message by combining a first message and a second message, wherein
pitch waveforms of voice waveforms used for synthesizing said first message are disposed according to a pitch mark information corresponding to natural voices recorded in advance for each type of said first messages, thereby to generate said first message;
at least at a connected portion between said first message and said second message,
voices of the same contents as those of said first message are synthesized as said second message, then
said first and second messages are superimposed at said connected portion with changing in time the mixing rate of said first and second messages having the same contents.
A medium of claim 30 is for storing a program used to have a computer execute all or some of steps described in any one of above inventions.
A medium of claim 31 is for storing a program used to have a computer execute all or some of steps described in any one of above inventions.
According to configurations described above, for example it is easy to extract partitioning points corresponding to pitch cycles, since local peaks are detected from sinusoidal waveforms. Furthermore, since not zero-cross points but peak positions are extracted as partitioning points, pitch marks can be assigned to positions matching almost with local peaks and glottal closures points of voice waveforms.

Abstract: Any one of the fixed low-pass filters 3002-a to 3002-d is set so as to pass only fundamental component of voices and each of peak detectors 3003-a to 3003-d detects peaks and the channel selector 3004 is selected, thereby to keep taking out of peak information for fundamental waves. The channel selector 3004 decides a channel to be a correct channel if intervals of peaks detected by the peak detectors 3003-a to d are changed smoothly in the channel. According to this peak information, pitches of voices are analyzed, so that the adaptive filter 3005 passes only fundamental component of voices and the peak detector 3006 detects peaks of fundamental waves, thereby to assign pitch marks to voice waveforms.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Methods, systems, and media for presenting interactive audio content are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes: receiving narrative content that includes action points, wherein each of the action points provides user actions and a narrative portion corresponding to each of the user actions; determining a user engagement density associated with the narrative content, wherein the user engagement density modifies the number of the action points to provide within the narrative content; causing the narrative content to be presented to a user based on the user engagement density; determining that a speech input has been received at one of the action points in the narrative content; converting the speech input to a text input; determining whether the user action associated with the text input corresponds to one of the user actions; selecting the narrative portion corresponding to the text input in response to determining that the user action corresponds to one of the user actions; converting the selected narrative portion to an audio output; and causing the narrative content with the converted audio output of the selected narrative portion to be presented to the user.

With the cost of handheld electronic devices decreasing and the increasing demand for digital content, creative works that have once been published on printed media are becoming available as digital media. For example, audio books are increasingly popular among commuters. More particularly, for some written works, especially those that become popular, an audio version of the written work is created, where a recording of a narrator (e.g., often a famous individual) reading the written work is created and made available for purchase.
However, while audio books may be preferable for particular activities that the user is engaged in, audio books lack interactivity. Moreover, the listener cannot participate in the story.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods, systems, and media for presenting interactive audio content.


An image forming apparatus which makes it possible to improve the ease and convenience of firmware update processing. The image forming apparatus includes storage units. The image forming apparatus identifies differential packages and acquires the differential packages from an update server. Then, the image forming apparatus acquires package information from the differential packages. Further, the image forming apparatus identifies storage units as installation destinations where the differential packages are to be installed, based on the package information. Then, the image forming apparatus calculates an update processing time period required to install the acquired packages in the identified storage units. The image forming apparatus notifies a user of the calculated update processing time period.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus which is capable of notifying a user of information concerning firmware update, a method of controlling the image forming apparatus, and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer-executable program for causing a computer to execute the method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, the update of firmware used in an image forming apparatus, such as a digital multifunction peripheral, has generally been performed at a customer's place by a service person of a sales company. However, recent improvement of the environment of the Internet has made it possible to notify an image forming apparatus only of a portion of firmware to be updated via the Internet. This enables the user to update the firmware of the image forming apparatus without requiring a service person to visit his/her place where the image forming apparatus is installed.
In a case where a user updates the firmware of an image forming apparatus, the user is required to determine timing for firmware update depending on use conditions of the image forming apparatus. For the user to determine the update timing, it is necessary for a firmware supplier to supply the user with information concerning an update based on which the user can determine the update timing.
Information on a processing time period required for a firmware update can be mentioned as an important piece of information to be supplied to the user. To notify the user (or another apparatus) of the processing time period required for the firmware update, it can be envisaged to set and display a processing time period which is to be uniformly predicted, on the user's image forming apparatus, whenever an update event occurs. However, even image forming apparatuses of the same model have different firmware configurations, and further there occurs variation in differences corresponding to portions of firmware to be updated, between older versions which are to be updated to the newest version, even though the update finally causes the firmware to have the same contents. This makes it impossible to uniformly estimate the processing time period.
To solve this problem, there has conventionally been proposed a method of calculating an update processing time period required for a firmware update (see e.g. Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-334636). According to Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2007-334636, in the case of updating firmware, modules to be updated are determined based on version numbers of respective modules constituting software, and update time is calculated by adding up data transfer time periods, rewriting time periods, and overhead time periods for determining rewrite positions.
In actual firmware update processing executed in an image forming apparatus, the reboot for switching the operation mode of the system occurs a plurality of times, and the number of reboots and time taken for the reboots affect processing time for the entire update. For this reason, it is necessary to take into account the number of reboots and time required for the reboots in calculating an update processing time period required for a firmware update. Further, in order to enable a user to perform update in a reassured manner, it is important to notify the user, during the update processing, of an update status as to which portion of the firmware is actually being updated, how many reboots will be required, and when the system will reboot, and so forth. However, in the conventional update time-calculating method, reboots which occur during execution of firmware update are not taken into account.

Image forming apparatus including firmware, method of controlling image forming apparatus, and storage medium


It is an object to convert to outline font data that is closer to an actual character outline. A check is made to see if the data read out from a memory is which one of straight line data and curve data. In case of the curve data, a check is made to see if an extremum exists in a curve formed by the curve data. If YES, the curve is divided into segments at the position of the extremum. The curve data obtained by dividing the curve into the segments and the straight line data judged to be the straight line are stored in the memory, thereby realizing the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a data processing apparatus and method for converting outline font data which expresses an outline of a character by straight line and curve data into outline font data that is closer to an actual character outline.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, as for the outline font, in the case where the outline of a character is a straight line, both end points of the straight line are stored and, in the case where the outline is a curve, coordinates and attributes of a control point comprising end points and an intermediate point to specify the curve are stored, and the outline font is developed in a bit map on the basis of the control point.
However, in case of expressing the outline of a character which includes a long curve, the coordinates of the intermediate point and actual coordinates on the character are away from each other as shown in, for example, FIG. 10. Therefore, when developing the area which is occupied by the character into the bit map, the size of the area that is actually needed cannot be calculated accurately. Therefore, memories of a number larger than the necessary number must be provided.
As shown in FIG. 11, on the other hand, in case of using, for instance, a Bezier curve as a curve, since a control point and the curve excluding the end points of the Bezier curve are away from each other, an accurate character frame from the Bezier curve will be obtained.

Data processing apparatus and method and output device


A method and apparatus for reading data bits stored on a storage medium is provided. The apparatus comprises a data probe structure including a data probe and at least one switch attached to the data probe, a controllable voltage source configured to supply voltage to the data probe structure, and a charge amplification structure configured to receive charge from the data probe structure. The controllable voltage source applies a first voltage to the data probe structure and subsequently applies a second voltage to the data probe structure, thereby causing a sense capacitance to charge and then discharge into the charge amplification structure. Certain embodiments of the design may employ dummy cells, diodes in place of switches, and may use a single line to control voltage switching. A lock-in amplifier approach is also presented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of data storage, and more particularly to the facilitating readout from a data storage device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Storage media for computers and other types of electronic devices include volatile memory and non-volatile memory. Volatile memory loses its contents when power is no longer supplied to the memory, whereas non-volatile memory maintains its contents even when power is not supplied to the memory. The most common type of volatile memory is dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), commonly available as and implemented as an integrated circuit (IC). Non-volatile memory has been available in the form of magnetic and optical media, including hard disk drives, floppy disks, compact disc read-only memories (CD-ROMs), CD re-writable (CD-RW) discs, and digital versatile discs (DVDs), among others. Historically, non-volatile memory implemented as an IC was primarily available as ROM that was not re-recordable, such as hard-wired ROM and programmable ROM (PROM). More recently, IC non-volatile memory has become available as various types of flash memory, which is more technically known as electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM).
Storage density of the storage media employed in computing devices is ever increasing. One available tool known today that provides enhanced storage density and may be scaled to ever smaller sizes, such as down to the nanometer scale, is a nanometer probe tip. Nanometer probe tips are used in atomic force microscopes (AFM) and scanning tunneling microscopes (STM) for imaging and structuring down to the atomic scale. The simple tip is a very reliable tool that provides enhanced local confinement of interaction.
In recent years, AFM thermo-mechanical recording in polymer storage media has undergone extensive modifications mainly with respect to the integration of sensors and heaters designed to enhance simplicity and to increase data rate and storage density. Using heated cantilevers, thermo-mechanical recording at 400 Gb/in2 storage density and data rates of a few Mb/s for reading and 100 kb/s for writing have been demonstrated.
Such prior thermo-mechanical writing applies a local force to a polymer layer using a cantilever/tip and softens the polymer layer using local heating. Application of sufficient heat forms an indentation in the storage medium, forming a written bit. The same tip can read the written bit by the deflection of the cantilever when moved into the indentation, in combination with the electrical resistance of a sensing circuit based on cantilever movement.
While writing data or bits, the heat transfer from the tip to the polymer through the small contact area is initially very poor and improves as the contact area increases. The tip is heated to a relatively high temperature to initiate the melting process. Once melting has commenced, the system presses the tip into the polymer, increasing heat transfer to the polymer and the volume of melted polymer, and hence increasing bit size. After melting has started and the contact area has increased, the heating power available for generating indentations increases by at least ten times to become 2% or more of the total heating power, depending on the design. In order to provide a complete data storage method, a data read process should provide an adequate Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) at an acceptable data rate
One method for reading currently available depends on the modulation of the gap between a warm (non-writing) cantilever and the medium. Gap modulation results from the tip following medium topography introduced by the foregoing writing process. The gap modulation generates a synchronous modulation in the cantilever temperature through a variation in thermal flux between cantilever and medium. The temperature coefficient of resistivity of the heater or other temperature sensing element on the cantilever translates this temperature variation into a resistance variation, which is sensed by appropriate electronics as the output signal. The bandwidth or data rate for this read method is fundamentally limited by the thermal time constant of the heater/cantilever.
In addition to an SNR problem with the aforementioned readback scheme, the scheme also has difficulty addressing large arrays of tightly packed probes. Probes may be positioned parallel to one another and/or in relatively close proximity, but design advantages may be realized by utilizing alternative readback schemes whose bandwidth is not limited by thermal time constants and which minimize the area required for the read/write/erase sense and control electronics, irrespective of the form or profile of the topographic bit.
It would be advantageous to provide a design that reads these bits at a relatively high data rate with a similar or improved SNR over what has been previously available and avoids the problems associated with previous designs.

Method and device enabling capacitive probe-based data storage readout

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A cartridge for selectively permitting flow from a master cylinder includes a cartridge body formed with an axial passage extending from a first end to a second end of the cartridge body. A cartridge stem is disposed in the axial passage and is movable in the axial passage between a closed position, in which the cartridge stem blocks flow between the first and second ends of the cartridge body, and an open position, in which the cartridge stem permits flow between the first and second ends of the cartridge body. A method for installing a master cylinder assembly, the master cylinder assembly including a master cylinder provided with a cartridge, in a fluid pressure control system is also disclosed.

Typical fluid pressure control systems for controlling hydraulic equipment such as vehicle brakes and clutches include a master cylinder assembly hydraulically connected to hydraulically operated components such as a slave cylinder assembly. Ordinarily, connections between the various components of a fluid pressure control system are made only after separate installation of the components, such as in the engine compartment of a vehicle. After the connections are made, it is ordinarily necessary to fill the bore of the master cylinder with hydraulic fluid and bleed air from the master cylinder. This can be a difficult, dirty, and time consuming affair. It is desirable to simplify the task of installing a master cylinder assembly in a fluid pressure control system.

Cartridge for a master cylinder assembly for a fluid pressure control system and method for installing a master cylinder assembly in a fluid pressure control system


The perpendicular magnetic head fabrication and testing method includes the additional fabrication of magnetic pole testing structures in the kerf area of the wafer substrate. Particularly, magnetic interconnect pieces are fabricated in the kerf area to magnetically connect an extending portion of the first magnetic pole with an extending portion of the second magnetic pole. As a result, when the perpendicular magnetic heads are fabricated at the wafer level, the first and second magnetic poles are interconnected through structures located in the kerf area. Thereafter, an ISAT magnetic pole test can be conducted by passing electrical current through the induction coil of the magnetic head, and magnetic flux will flow through the interconnected magnetic pole structure, thereby enabling the testing of the magnetic poles of the perpendicular magnetic head at the wafer level.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to magnetic pole defect detection methods, and more particularly to methods for detecting magnetic pole defects in perpendicular recording heads during fabrication at the wafer level.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetic heads for hard disk drives are fabricated in large quantities upon the surface of a wafer substrate. Following the wafer level fabrication process steps, the wafer is cut into a plurality of rows of magnetic heads, and further process steps are then undertaken towards the completion of the magnetic heads. To save processing time, materials, and expenses, it is desirable to test the magnetic heads during the wafer level fabrication steps. With regard to longitudinal magnetic heads, a prior art magnetic pole defect detection method has been developed in which electrical current is passed through the induction coil of the magnetic head, and corresponding magnetic flux flow through the magnetic poles is measured. Therefore, with regard to prior art longitudinal magnetic heads, a magnetic pole defect testing method exists and is utilized.
With regard to perpendicular magnetic heads, the prior art magnetic pole defect detecting method is not successful. This is because a large gap exists between the magnetic poles of a perpendicular magnetic head, such that magnetic flux does not flow through the magnetic poles when an electrical current is passed through the induction coil. As a result, magnetic pole defect testing of perpendicular magnetic heads at the wafer level cannot be readily accomplished. This results in increased fabrication time, materials and expenses where defective perpendicular magnetic heads at the wafer level must undergo further fabrication steps because the magnetic pole defects are not detectable at the wafer level. There is therefore a need for a magnetic pole defect testing method for perpendicular magnetic heads that can be utilized at the wafer level to identify defective magnetic heads.

Method to detect magnetic pole defects in perpendicular recording heads at wafer level

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.


A transmission board (10) comprises a frame body (30) and a surface board (20) supported by the frame body (30) and having a transmission circuit. The frame body (30) has plugging edges (33, 34) that project from the edges of the surface board (20) for guiding the terminals of mating connectors to connection pads on the surface board (20). The plugging edges have guiding slopes 33A and 33B, and 34A and 34B. At least the plugging edges of the frame body (30) are made of a metal or resin molding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector assembly consisting of a connector connected to a transmission board.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a transmission board includes a resinous circuit board with transmission circuit or circuits printed on one or both sides thereof and connection pads provided on an edge of the circuit board for connection with a mating connector. Such a transmission board is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,115; FIGS. 1-2. The edge of the circuit board is tapered so as to facilitate connection between the connection pads and the spring contacts of terminals for a mating connector. The tapered edge is made by planomilling.
The above circuit board, however, has the following disadvantages.
First of all, the processing precision of the tapered edge is very low and the processing requires much labor. The circuit board is so thin that it tends to warp and vibrate upon milling, providing a waving tapered edge or asymmetrical tapered edges on both surfaces. That is, the processing precision is so low that a plurality of terminals have different plugging forces and contact pressures. In addition, the precision in the size of the board itself or the positions of connection pads is so low as to produce a difference between the terminals and the connection pads, preventing miniaturization of a multiple pole connector that has multiple connection pads at high density.
In general, the circuit board is reinforced by mixing glass fibers. When the edge of a circuit board is planomilled, glass fibers project at the tapered portion or powder of the glass fiber or resin adheres to the terminal, making poor contact. The rough surface of the tapered portion prevents smooth movement of the terminals, increasing the plugging force of a multiple terminal connector.
Where transmission circuits are provided on both surfaces of a circuit board, the dielectric loss, which is produced by the resin between the transmission circuit, is so high that the electrical characteristics become poor. Especially, this affects the high-speed transmission. It is noted that the relative permittivity of the resin to air is approximately 4.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Connector assembly of connector and transmission board


A contoured back surface of a golf club face is shown and described along with a method for its design. The preferred back surface comprises a surface with varying thicknesses such that regions of the face which experience an approximately similar load due to application of a certain force (e.g. at least one ball impact) have an approximately similar thickness to result in a golf club face in which the stress is approximately uniform upon application of a similar force. In a preferred embodiment regions experiencing the most internal load due to a given applied force are thickest, regions experiencing lower internal load due to the same applied force are thinner, and the regions experiencing the lowest magnitude of internal load due to the same applied force are thinnest (i.e. the thickness of a region corresponds to the expected or measured applied load of that region, so that the load produced stress levels are below the material allowable stress level). The thicknesses of the preferred contoured surface may be gradual from thickness to thickness or may be stepped. In a stepped surface embodiment cracking potential along step edges is reduced by incorporating additional material at those edges so the applied load is well tolerated.

Generally, a golf club comprises a shaft portion, a head portion, and a grip portion. That part of the golf club head portion which comprises a hitting surface is called a golf club face. See, e.g., R. Maltby, "Golf Club Design, Fitting, Alteration & Repair" (4th Ed. 1995). Generally, a golf club face abuts or is adjacent to both a top wall or crown of the club head and a bottom wall or sole of the club head. Typically, "crown" and "sole" are used to designate the top portion and bottom portion of a wood-type club head, and "top wall" and "bottom wall" are used to designate the top portion and bottom portion of an iron-type club head as well as a wood-type club head, and will be so used throughout the present specification.
In both wood-type club heads (which today are typically hollow, but are not necessarily so (e.g., may be foam filled)) and cavity back iron-type club heads the golf club faces are preferably thin. Such golf club faces generally define two surfaces: a hitting surface (i.e. front side) and a surface which is opposite the hitting surface (i.e. a backside).
When the front side of a face of a golf club head strikes a golf ball, large impact forces (e.g. up to 2000 pounds) are produced. These large impact forces load the club face. In the relatively thin faces of wood-type club heads and cavity back iron-type club heads these forces tend to produce large internal loads, such as, for example, large bending stresses. These internal loads may cause catastrophic material cracking which causes the club head to be unusable. The phrase "internal load" is used throughout the present specification to refer to, for example, the bending moments, shear forces, and axial forces experienced by a golf club face as the result of an applied force (e.g. at least one ball impact).
Recent computational and experimental studies on wood-type club heads and cavity back iron-type club heads have shown that catastrophic material cracking due to large internal loads (i.e. due to an applied force) most often occurs in at least one of the following three face locations: (1) in the club face hitting surface (front side) at the ball strike center which is an area of large compressive bending stresses, particularly in the area of any score-lines; (2) in the club face back surface (back side) at the ball strike center which is an area of large tensile bending stresses; and (3) (a) at the portion of the intersection of the face and the top wall which lies directly above the ball strike center which is an area of a large vertical component of the bending stresses, and/or (b) the intersection of the face and the bottom wall which lies directly below the ball strike center which also is an area of a large vertical component of the bending stresses. The area between the face/top wall intersection region (i.e. where the face and top wall meet) above the ball strike center and the face/bottom wall intersection region (i.e. where the face and bottom wall meet) below the ball strike center may be called a ball strike zone.
It has also been found that the vertical stress distribution through the ball strike zone on the back side of the face comprises large compressive (i.e. negative) applied stresses in the face/bottom wall intersection region which increase to zero toward the ball strike center region, reach a maximum tension (i.e. positive) value behind the ball strike center region, and decrease through zero to large compressive (i.e. negative) applied stresses toward the face/top wall intersection region. The vertical stress distribution through the ball strike zone on the front side (or hitting surface) of the face generally has the same, but opposite, components (i.e. large tension bending applied stresses at face/bottom wall intersection which decrease to large compressive applied stresses at ball strike center and then increase to large tension bending applied stresses at face/top wall intersection).
In designing golf club heads, the golf club face portion must be structurally adequate to withstand large repeated forces such as those associated with ball impact. Such structural adequacy may be achieved by increasing the face portion stiffness so that the load produced internal stresses are below the critical stress levels of the material used in the face. Typically, the face portions of club heads are stiffened by uniformly increasing the thickness of the face portion and/or by adding one or more ribs (i.e. discrete attached posts or lines) to the back surface of the face.
Uniformly increasing the thickness of the face portion typically requires the addition of a large amount of material to adequately reduce the internal load sufficient to prevent impact and/or fatigue cracking (i.e. to adequately withstand or tolerate the applied force, e.g., ball impact). However, the addition of such a large amount of material to a club face generally adversely affects the performance of a club incorporating such a face. The club performance is adversely affected by the overly heavy club face. In addition, the feel of a club incorporating such a face is also adversely affected by the large number of vibrations transmitted through the club. Furthermore, if a maximum club head weight were imposed, a face with added material prohibits distribution of that weight to other areas of the head where it may be preferred (i.e. more weight on the face means less weight, for example, along the perimeter of a cavity back iron-type club head).
Adding ribs to the back surface of a face to stiffen the face has the benefit of stiffening without adding a significant amount of weight to the face, but has the detrimental result of creating an irregular stiffness distribution on the face hitting surface. Examples of ribs which have been used in prior golf club head designs include, for example, vertical ribs, horizontal ribs, curved ribs, dendritic ribs, angled or skewed (i.e. V or X patterned) ribs, circular ribs, or a combination of more than one of these types. Such ribs are generally geometrically characterized as having a narrow width, any desired length, and a sufficient depth or thickness to locally increase the face stiffness and yet minimize the increase in face weight.
In addition, such ribs are typically shaped such that a sharp corner (or a curved corner with a small radii) is formed between a rib and the face back surface where the rib is attached. Such corners lead to cracking potential as they create stress focus points. Furthermore, the use of ribs which are positioned to run vertically along the face back surface cause the large bending applied stresses (which were described above) to travel to the face/bottom wall intersection and face/top wall intersection thereby increasing cracking at those positions.
Additional problems experienced with the use of ribs on a face back surface are in the manufacture of such faces. Typically faces are formed using a casting process. It is more difficult to cast faces which include rib structures due to nonuniform material shrinkage which occurs during cool-down of such a casting. Such non-uniform cool-downs tend to cause inclusions, internal voids, and/or surface cracking in the cast materials, particularly along regions where ribs are positioned. Such non-uniform cool-downs also tend to cause face depressions and surface dimpling in the hitting surface opposite the regions where ribs are positioned.
Thus, there is a need for a new club face structure with increased structural integrity (and, thereby, reduced cracking and material failure) without adversely affecting club performance, look, and feel; and with limited affect on desired club head weight distribution.

Contoured back surface of golf club face


A control system for controlling a power supply having an operating function. The power supply to supply an output current to an integrated circuit having at least one circuit block that is controllable by an enable signal or a clock signal. A receiver to receive the enable signal. A controller to determine a loading status of the at least one circuit block as a function of the enable signal or the clock signal and to control the output current of the power supply as a function of the loading status of the at least one circuit block such that the power supply preemptively changes the output current.

A power supply is typically used to convert unregulated power from an input source to regulated power that is usable by electronic equipment associated with the power supply. In some types of electronic equipment such as portable computers, reduced power consumption is of vital importance. To reduce power consumption, a power management scheme may be employed to disable and enable selected assemblies of the equipment during predetermined operating modes. When the selected equipment assemblies are enabled or disabled, the load presented by the electronic equipment may change causing voltage transients in the regulated power. During the transient loading condition, the operation of the power supply typically deviates from optimal operation such as decreased power efficiency, increased output voltage regulation error, and potential transient overcurrents. The power supply volume required for output filtering is typically related to the magnitude of transient output overcurrents so that for greater transient currents, increased volume is required for output capacitors. In addition, transients in the regulated power may adversely affect the operation of the electronic equipment, decreasing reliability and potentially causing data errors and automatic reset of the equipment.

Pre-emptive power supply control system and method


Signals exchanged between a fixed infrastructure (110-116) and a mobile unit (160) give rise to M channel quality metrics. The channel quality metrics are mapped, via predetermined relationships (501-503), in to M corresponding time of arrival variances, which in turn are used to derive M-1 time of arrival differential variances. A time of arrival differential weighting matrix including, in part, the time of arrival differential variances, is used to calculate a WLS solution, which solution is an estimate of a location of the mobile unit. This procedure may be implemented using an infrastructure-based location processor (130) operating in conjunction with the mobile unit, or may be performed by either the location processor or mobile unit alone.

Wireless communication systems are known in which mobile units (e.g., in-car mobile or in-hand portable radios) wirelessly communicate with a fixed communication infrastructure comprising a plurality of geographically-diverse transceivers. In such systems, methods for determining location information for a given mobile unit are known. In particular, the well-known weighted least squares (WLS) solution can be used to determine location information as shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,712 issued to Geier et al.
Succinctly stated, the WLS approach to location determination attempts to iteratively derive a location estimate for a mobile unit based, in part, on distance estimates between the mobile unit and fixed transmitters having known locations. Given that distance can be calculated as the product of velocity and time, the distance estimates (referred to as pseudo-ranges or PRs) are calculated in practice by multiplying the propagation delays between the mobile unit and fixed transmitters with the speed of light. Assuming ideally measured propagation delays, the location of the mobile unit can be calculated using the pseudo-ranges with little or no error. However, propagation delays are measured in practice using transmitted signals, which signals are subject to the effects of various error sources, e.g., noise, multipath interference, distortion, etc. The resultant errors in the delay measurements are translated into errors in the pseudo-ranges and, consequently, into error in the location estimate.
In order to combat the presence of measurement errors, the WLS solution factors the reliability of the various measurements into the location estimation. That is, the WLS solution, when used to estimate location, places greater reliance on measurements having greater reliability, and discounts those measurements having less reliability. In this manner, the WLS approach offers a significant performance advantage over non-weighted techniques. In practice, however, the reliability of a signal cannot be directly measured, but must be described as the variance of a stochastic variable.
Various methods for incorporating measurement reliability into a location determination context are known in the art. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,829 issued to Geier, Kalman filters are used to assess the "quality" of pseudo-ranges measured using GPS receivers located in a ship and accompanying tailbuoys. Additionally, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,436,632 issued to Sheynblat, a system is disclosed wherein redundant GPS receivers at known locations (reference stations and integrity monitors) are employed to provide corrections for pseudo-range measurements made by a mobile unit also equipped with a GPS receiver. Sheynblat discusses the use of a WLS solution in which "measurement error covariance" is determined based on receiver noise as represented by errors between a given reference station and its corresponding integrity monitor.
While Geier and Sheynblat incorporate reliability determinations to improve the accuracy of location estimates, such techniques are not readily adaptable to mobile and portable wireless communication environments. First, both Geier and Sheynblat require the use of GPS receivers. Such receivers add significant cost to mobile/portable equipment and prohibitively add to the size and complexity of such equipment, particularly portable radios.
Additionally, as noted in '712 Geier, the use of Kalman filters requires significantly more computing power than a WLS solution. In portable units, computing power is often limited by size and battery life considerations, making the use of the computationally-expensive Kalman filter approach less attractive. Therefore, a need exists for a method which incorporates the advantages of a WLS location solution without the need for costly GPS equipment. In particular, what is needed is a technique for estimating a covariance matrix for use in a WLS solution.

Method and apparatus for covariance matrix estimation in a weighted least-squares location solution


An interactive novelty figure includes a housing having an external configuration that can simulate, for example, an animal. A plurality of switch assemblies is located about the housing and are obscured within its exterior configuration to respond to certain predetermined stimuli, such as pressure and sound. A sound-generating circuit and a motor for moving an appendage member, attached to the housing, is provided within the housing. Different sounds, characteristic of the animal, can be provided in response to both pressure and audio commands. The appendage member can further comprise a pair of parallel elongated members that can flex to provide a life-like wagging motion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interactive toy figure, such as a plush figurine simulating an animal and more particularly to a toy figure that is responsive to different stimuli to create both sound and movement features for the amusement of the observer.
2. Description of Related Art
Interactive toy figures and novelty well known in the prior art and have the capacity to respond to different stimuli and produce different sounds. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,307, a model hobby horse is disclosed having switches that can detect motion and, depending upon the type of motion, can produce different horse-like sounds. U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,911 discloses an electronic doll with a series of switches about the doll housing that can provide different stored vocal messages in response to operation by a user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,903,424 discloses a novelty item that can take the form of an artificial plant or doll which will move in response to sound. U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,793 discloses a pressure switch operated vibrating unit that can be inserted within a stuffed animal and activated by the exertion of pressure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,074 discloses an animal doll figure for producing a low-frequency sound and having switches that are activated by the close proximity of a human or an animal.
The prior art device are usually relative expensive and frequently incorporate sophisticated technology to increase the interest of the user. For example, dolls have been proposed with limited degrees of voice recognition and with a capacity to provide responding audible messages.
There is still a need in the prior art to provide a real life simulated figurine having multiple audible and movable features that will provide a highly amusing and pleasant sensation of owning a real animal, such as a dog or cat.

Interactive toy figure with sound-activated and pressure-activated switches