It is disclosed an apparatus, a method and a computer program for determining a position of a terminal. It is checked if an intersection of all areas of a set of areas that are associated with one or more communication nodes and represent and/or limit possible positions of a terminal is potentially non-empty. Each of the areas is associable with a respective bounding box. The intersection is defined to be potentially non-empty if an intersection of all of the bounding boxes would be non-empty. A position of the terminal is determined in dependence on a result of the checking if the intersection of all areas of the set of areas is potentially non-empty.

As an alternative or add-on to satellite-based positioning systems, positioning systems in which a present position of a terminal is estimated based on a list of communication nodes (such as for instance cellular base stations, access points or beacons) that can presently be heard by the terminal and a database that contains identifiers and positions of the communication nodes and/or models for the coverage areas for a number of communication nodes have gained recent interest.
Given that the communication node positions are known and distances from the terminal to the communication nodes can be estimated, the terminal's position can for instance be estimated through triangulation. Distances between a terminal and the heard communication nodes can for instance be estimated based on the path loss using a channel model (i.e. how much the signal attenuates between the terminal and the communication node) or based on timing (or round-trip timing) measurements (i.e. information expressing how long signals propagate between terminal and communication node).
Alternatively or additionally, if the coverage areas of the communication nodes are known, then a terminal may pick the coverage areas for the heard communication nodes and determine its own position based on these coverage areas.


Methods, apparatuses and computer readable media are described that analyze and communicate signaling messages between a mobile wireless device and a wireless access network to realize a circuit switched fallback (CSFB) procedure when the mobile wireless device is initially in a radio resource control connected mode with the wireless network. A set of information elements of a paging message is analyzed, and based on contents of the set of information elements and an internal state of the mobile wireless device, connections between the mobile wireless device and first and second wireless access networks are changed to realize the CSFB procedure.

Wireless networks continue to evolve as new communication technologies develop and standardize. Wireless network operators can deploy new communication technologies in parallel with earlier generation communication technologies, and wireless networks can support multiple communication technologies simultaneously to provide smooth transitions through multiple generations of mobile wireless devices. Mobile wireless devices can include hardware and software to support wireless connections to different types of wireless networks that use different wireless communication technologies. Wireless networks using different radio access technologies (RATs) can overlap in geographic area coverage, and mobile wireless devices can support connections using different RATs depending on services and/or coverage available. A wireless service provider can provide services to mobile wireless devices through overlapping wireless networks, and mobile wireless devices can connect to one or more of the overlapping wireless networks. In a representative embodiment, a wireless service provider and/or a mobile wireless device can include simultaneous support for a Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) wireless communication protocol and a "legacy" third generation (and/or earlier generation) wireless communication protocol. Representative "legacy" protocols include the Third Generation Partnership Project 2 (3GPP2) Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 2000 1× (also referred to as 1×RTT or 1×) wireless communication protocol, the 3GPP Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) wireless communication protocol, and the 3GPP Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) wireless communication protocol.
Mobile wireless devices can include a combination of hardware and software to connect to multiple wireless networks that use different wireless communication protocols. Representative mobile wireless devices can support circuit switched (CS) voice connections through a first wireless access network that uses a legacy wireless communications protocol, e.g., the CDMA 2000 1× wireless communication protocol, and packet switched (PS) connections (voice or data) through a second wireless access network that uses the LTE wireless communication protocol. Additional representative mobile wireless devices can support CS voice connections through a UMTS wireless network or through a GSM wireless network and can support PS data or voice connections through an LTE wireless network. In some embodiments, the LTE wireless network and/or the mobile wireless device can be unable to support PS voice connections (yet able to support PS data connections), and the mobile wireless device can use a CSFB procedure to revert to a CS voice connection through a legacy wireless network. The mobile wireless device can operate in cooperation with the LTE wireless network and with the legacy wireless network to suspend a PS data connection with or disconnect from the LTE wireless network to originate or terminate a CS voice connection through the legacy wireless network, e.g., through a CDMA 2000 1× wireless network, a UMTS wireless network, or a GSM wireless network. While the mobile wireless device can use the LTE wireless network for PS data connections, when the mobile wireless device originates an outgoing voice connection or responds to an incoming voice connection, the mobile wireless device can transition from using the LTE wireless network to using a legacy wireless network that supports CS voice connections. When the CS voice connection completes, the mobile wireless device can subsequently return to the LTE wireless network for PS data connections.
The 3GPP standardized LTE wireless communication protocol specifies multiple options for CSFB procedures including messages and responses for when a mobile wireless device is in different connection states with the LTE wireless network. The LTE wireless communication protocol includes two possible connection states that can exist between the mobile wireless device and the LTE wireless network, namely a radio resource control (RRC) connected state and an RRC idle state. The CSFB procedures for each connection state can differ in the sequence of messages and responses communicated between the mobile wireless device and the LTE wireless network. In certain circumstances, the mobile wireless device and the LTE wireless network can become misaligned with respect to each other concerning the connection state that exists between them, e.g., the mobile wireless device can assume an RRC connected state exists with the LTE wireless network, while the LTE wireless network can assume an RRC idle state exists with the mobile wireless device. Following the standardized CSFB procedures, the LTE wireless network can send one or more messages to the mobile wireless device based on a first connection state, and the mobile wireless device can ignore the one or more messages from the LTE wireless network because it assumes a second different connection state. In such a scenario, the mobile wireless device can miss an incoming voice connection indicated by the LTE wireless network because of the misaligned connection states between the mobile wireless device and the LTE wireless network. Thus, there exists a need for a method to support alternate CSFB procedures to establish mobile terminated voice connections when the mobile wireless device is in one connection state, e.g., an RRC connected state, and the LTE wireless network assumes a different connection state, e.g., an RRC idle state.
The teachings described herein can be applied to mobile wireless devices that can operate in dual (or more generally multiple) wireless communication technology networks. In particular, the teachings disclosed herein can pertain to mobile wireless devices that switch from using one wireless technology for a first connection (e.g., a PS data connection) to another wireless technology for a second connection (e.g., a CS voice connection).

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Paging for circuit switched fallback (CSFB) in long term evolution (LTE) connected mode


A forage harvester is provided with a front unit, comprising a rotatable cutterhead to which crop material is fed by feeding apparatus comprising stationary lower feedrolls and movable upper feedrolls. The upper feedrolls are suspended from the feeder frame by a pair of belts, which define the lowermost position of the movable feedrolls, under conditions where no or very little crop is introduced into the harvester. Inevitable accumulation of crop material or dirt on the components of the feeding apparatus will not influence the position to which the feedrolls may be lowered. A steady and even flow of crop material to the cutterhead can hence be maintained, even when little material is introduced.

A forage harvester usually is equipped with a detachable crop collecting apparatus, such as a row crop attachment or a pick-up device, which takes the crop off the field and feeds it to the inlet of the front unit of the forage harvester. In order to obtain good chopping quality, i.e. comminution of the crop material to a constant chop length, an even mat of crop material has to be fed at a constant speed towards the cutterhead to be comminuted between the rotating knives of the cutterhead and a stationary shearbar. The chopped material is fed into a blower unit with paddles, which throw it up into a discharge spout for collection in a cart or container.
Commonly, the mat of crop material is formed between stationary lower feedrolls and movable upper feedrolls, which are mounted for vertical displacement inside the front unit. The upper feedrolls are forced downwardly by a pair of springs for compression of the crop incoming material. Retainer means have to be provided to prevent interference of the upper and lower feedrolls when no material is being fed into the forage harvester and the upper rolls are in their lowermost position. Furthermore the shafts of the feedrolls which extend through apertures in the feedroll housing, must not contact the edges of the apertures to prevent undue wear of the components. Hence a supporting rim below these shafts cannot be used for limiting the downward travel of the feedrolls.
Most commonly abutments are provided on the feeder frame below the bearing housings or gearboxes of the upper feedrolls for halting the latter in a position suitably remote from the lower feedrolls. Such abutments may be equipped with rubber bumpers to cushion the downward motion of the feedrolls. Alternatively bumpers may also be provided on the bearing housings or gearboxes.
It has been experienced that the flat surfaces of the abutments have to be cleaned at regular intervals in order to preserve the original minimum distance between the upper and lower feedrolls. Otherwise the accumulation of stray crop material and dirt on the abutments prevents that the upper feedrolls return to their original lowermost position. Under these circumstances the feedrolls are no longer capable of providing a regular flow of crop material to the cutterhead as soon as the flow rate decreases and the thickness of the mat between the feedrolls diminishes accordingly. Consequently the cutterhead is loaded in an irregular manner and no constant chop length can be realized or maintained.


The invention resides in apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells from donor tissue for later use in medical procedures. The apparatus includes a sealed enclosure, at least one screening material inside the enclosure, an inlet port configured to conduct a fluid through the screening material, and an outlet port for receiving the fluid from the screening material and conducting the fluid out of the enclosure. A material to be screened is placed inside or conducted into the enclosure. Screened material is entrained in the fluid. The fluid carries bits of the material through the screening material and out of the enclosure for later separation from the fluid. Preferred embodiments include a series of screening materials of decreasing pore size, usually in the range from ten to one thousand micrometers in diameter. A particularly preferred embodiment includes three distinct screening materials having pore sizes of 400 micrometers, 280 micrometers, and 100 micrometers, listed in the order that the fluid passes through the screening materials. The invention is used in the collection and isolation of porcine hepatocytes for later use in medical procedures. The sealed enclosure is constructed of a series of individual segments held together by conveniently removable fasteners--bolts and wing nuts. A mechanical shaker agitates the enclosure as the fluid flows over and through the material being screened.

The invention relates generally to apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting living cells for later use in medical procedures. More particularly, the invention relates to apparatus and related methods in which living cells from a human or animal donor are isolated and collected inside a sealed enclosure. After collection, the isolated cells can be removed from the enclosure for use in medical procedures.
The development of new medical procedures has lead to a need for improved apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting living cells from human and animal donors. In certain types of cell therapy, living cells from a donor are injected into a patient. Those cells lodge inside the patient's body and function to provide a therapeutic benefit to the patient. As an illustrative example, cell therapy is coming into increasing use in the treatment of diseases and injuries to the human liver.
In some cell therapy methods, healthy liver tissue is taken from an animal donor, which is often a pig. The liver tissue is chemically treated to break down, or "digest," the structure of the liver. The digested liver tissue is then filtered to isolate and collect hepatocytes, i.e., living, functional liver cells.
The collected cells are then injected or implanted into a diseased or injured liver or elsewhere inside a human patient. The donated cells lodge inside the patient, where they act to assist and augment the functioning of the recipient's own diseased or injured liver. The functioning of the patient's liver is significantly enhanced by the presence of these donor cells, and the patient enjoys a distinct therapeutic benefit.
The practicability of cell therapy treatment of the liver and related cell therapy techniques is obviously dependent upon the availability of sufficient quantities of healthy liver cells from a donor. Currently, digested liver tissue is most often processed by washing and filtering the digested tissue manually through one or more screens or meshes having openings or pores of appropriate size.
Known techniques for collecting and isolating living cells are less than ideal. Processing the cells by manual washing and filtration is time consuming and labor intensive. The cells can be damaged, killed or otherwise rendered incapable of performing their desired functions due to rough handling. Moreover, known methods are typically performed in "open" procedures in which the tissue and cells are not contained inside any closed container. This may compromise the sterility of the cells collected and isolated using the known methods.
A definite need exists, therefore, for apparatus and methods for isolating and collecting cells in which cell harvesting can be made quicker and less labor intensive, damage to the cells substantially reduced, and sterility of the collected cells made more secure.

System for hepatocyte cell isolation and collection


Disclosed are devices, systems and methods for integrating a media device with a network. A media device may be connected to a cradle device to receive updates of digital content. The cradle device may be coupled to a wireless link to receive content data and/or signals.

1. Field:
The subject matter disclosed herein relates to wireless communication systems.
2. Information:
Portable media devices such as MP3 players and the like are typically sold with cradles that connect the media devices to computing platforms. For a rechargeable media device, a cradle typically provides a DC power signal to charge a rechargeable battery disposed within the rechargeable media device. Also, a cradle is typically connected to a computing platform via a wired interface such as a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface, Firewire interface and/or an Ethernet connection. Here, the wired interface enables downloading of content data and/or signals from the computing platform to a media device connected to a cradle for storage in a memory for presentation at a later time.


A connector that couples a leg of one object to a leg of a second object to prevent relative translation motion between these two objects and that does not transmit substantial vibrational energy between these objects. This connector is attached at a base of each object and is preferably attached to a pad of damping material at the base of each object.

This invention relates in general to a connector for maintaining a fixed spacing between two pieces of apparatus and relates more particularly to a connector that transmits only a negligible amount of vibration from a first of these two apparatus to a second of these two apparatus. Such a connection is useful in automated vibration sensitive tools, such as a registration tool, which is utilized to calibrate and correct a stepper that is to produce accurate alignment between successive layers of an integrated circuit.
Integrated circuits typically consist of several layers of material that are patterned and interconnected in such a manner that these layers produce the desired integrated circuit. There are many different processes for producing patterned layers, but regardless of the manner of producing each layer, in order to achieve an acceptable yield of good circuits, it is crucial to accurately align every patterned layer with all other patterned layers of that circuit.
In a typical wafer fabrication process, each of these patterned layers is formed by the steps of: (a) depositing on the wafer a layer of resist; (b) exposing this layer with radiation to produce a pattern of exposed regions in this layer; (c) developing the resist to produce a contact mask; and then (d) processing the wafer through this contact mask. In these steps, the resist can, for example, be a photoresist that is exposed by light imaged through a projection mask or can be a resist that is sensitive to incidence of an electron beam that is controlled to produce the desired pattern of exposure in the resist. In each of these cases, the resist layer is developed to produce the contact mask. The contact mask can be used, for example, during deposition or implant steps to determine where material is added to the wafer and can also be used, for example, during etching steps to determine where material is removed from the wafer.
In the future, it may be possible to produce patterned layers on the wafer by mechanisms that do not utilize either a projection mask or a contact mask. Therefore, the apparatus utilized to produce a patterned layer on the wafer will be referred to herein generically as the "pattern generator".
In most integrated circuit manufacturing processes, a stepper is utilized to produce concurrently a two dimensional pattern of identical integrated circuits on an integrated circuit wafer, thereby greatly increasing the throughput of the integrated circuit manufacturing process. This stepper can accurately translate an integrated circuit wafer in each of two perpendicular directions that are parallel to a major planar surface of this wafer.
To achieve a commercially acceptable yield of good integrated circuits, it is critical that all of the layers are accurately aligned translationally and rotationally. Because the patterns are typically produced on a wafer by projection techniques, it is also critical that the magnification of the projection be correct. Lens aberrations can also affect the pattern being projected. Therefore, once a pattern is ready to be projected onto the wafer, a test wafer is produced that is then measured by a registration tool to determine whether there is any translational or rotational misalignment and whether the magnification of the projection is correct. If one or more of these parameters is incorrect, the stepper is corrected and another test wafer is produced and tested. This is repeated until accurate alignment is achieved. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the front panel of such a registration tool.
Within registration tool 11, a microscope magnifies the alignment marks sufficiently (typically, a magnification on the order of 1,000 times) that the desired alignment accuracy is achieved. A light source illuminates the wafer within a microscope field of view that has a diameter typically on the order of 250 microns. Within this field of view is a smaller region of diameter on the order of 50 microns within which there is negligible optical distortion. This latter region is referred to herein as the "distortionless region" of the microscope.
Several alignment marks are spaced throughout the test wafer so that the locations of several ma ks can be measured to determine whether the translational and rotational parameters are correct and whether the magnification is correct. Measurement of the locations of these alignment marks was historically achieved manually, but is preferably achieved automatically to reduce the time required to make such measurements and to improve the accuracy and repeatability of such measurements. Likewise, as illustrated in the block diagram of FIG. 2, for improved throughput, it is advantageous to utilize a robot 21 to transfer wafers between a wafer stack 22 and a microscope 23.
For production of 4 Megabit RAMS, the maximum allowable misalignment between the circuit being processed and the pattern generator is approximately 150 nanometers, thereby requiring that microscope 23 be substantially free of vibration during every measurement step. The allowable tolerance for a measurement tool is typically 10% of the allowable tolerance of the pattern generator. It is therefore important to prevent transmitting to microscope 23 any vibrations from such sources as robot 21, a keyboard 12 mounted on the outside enclosure of registration tool 11 and cooling fans within registration tool 11. Therefore, microscope 23 mounted on an isolation stand 24 that makes no direct physical contact with either robot 21 or with the outer enclosure 13 on such fans (not shown) are mounted to cool the inside of registration tool 11.
This isolation stand is much more massive than the robot and the rest of the system, so that any vibrational energy coupled from the robot or the environment to the isolation stand is distributed over this large mass, thereby reducing the magnitude of vibration of any portion of this isolation stand. The mass of the isolation stand is typically on the order of 2,000 pounds. Isolation stand 24 has a plurality of legs 16, each of which is supported on a pad 14 of damping material (such as Isodamp, available from E.A.R. Corp, located at 7911 Zionsville Road, lndianopolis, Ind. 46268-0898) that absorbs most of the vibrational energy coupled through the floor to the isolation stand. By "damping material" is meant any material such as these Isodamp pads that strongly absorb vibrational energy. This isolation enables microscope 21 to provide a crisp image of the wafer, thereby enabling accurate measurement of the translational and rotational alignment of each circuit with the pattern generator during processing of that circuit by the Pattern generator.
Critical alignment is essential between the robot and the microscope to allow the system to quickly find taught alignment targets. Unfortunately, if registration tool 11 is inadvertently bumped, this can disturb alignment between the microscope and the robot sufficiently that no alignment mark will be present within the field of view of the microscope. If such Misalignment between the robot and the microscope is small enough, execution of a spiral search pattern by the microscope stage can locate an alignment mark and then home in to that mark. Although occurrences of such small amounts of misalignment and the associated implementation of a search pattern only degrade throughput, larger amounts of misalignment between the robot and the microscope will cause the taught pattern to fall outside of the Spiral search area, causing an automated system to reject the wafer. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a connector that maintains alignment between the robot and the microscope without coupling a significant amount of vibration to the microscope from the robot, keyboard, fans and other sources of vibration within the registration tool.


An optical SSB-SC modulation section 13 subjects an optical signal fa outputted from an optical source 11 to an optical SSB-SC modulation based on the amplitude of an external electric signal fc to thereby output an optical intensity-modulated signal. An optical phase modulation section 14 subjects the optical signal fa to an optical phase modulation based on the amplitude levels of the first to nth external electric signals having frequencies f1 to fn to thereby output the resultant signal as an optical phase-modulated signal. An optical combining section 15 combines together the optical intensity-modulated signal and the optical phase-modulated signal. An optical detecting section 16 performs an optical homodyne detection through a squared detection of the optical intensity-modulated signal and the optical phase-modulated signal combined together to thereby produce a wideband modulated signal, being the difference beat signal between the two optical signals. A combining section 17 combines together the wideband modulated signal and the oth to tth electric signals having frequencies fo to ft to thereby output the resultant signal as a wideband modulated signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical transmitter and an optical transmission system, and more particularly to an optical transmitter capable of producing an optical wideband modulated signal from a multi-channel video signal being a source signal, and an optical transmission system including such an optical transmitter.
2. Description of the Background Art
Various conventional systems have been proposed in the art for transmitting/distributing multi-channel video signals to subscriber premises. For example, an optical CATV system has been proposed in the art, including a down-converter for converting an IF signal (frequency: about 1 to 2.6 GHz) of satellite broadcasting such as BS digital, BS analog and CS digital to a signal of a lower frequency, i.e., lowering the frequency of a multi-channel video signal to 770 MHz or less. However, the number of programs increases as the broadcasting media are more digitalized, whereby there will be a shortage of the video signal band.
In view of this problem, new systems have been discussed, which are capable of transmitting high-frequency signals such as satellite broadcasting signals without frequency conversion and realizing high-frequency, wideband modulation while improving noise characteristics. See, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2006-049977 (page 10, FIG. 1) and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-133824 (page 25, FIG. 1).
FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional optical transmission system 100.
Referring to FIG. 11, the conventional optical transmission system 100 includes an optical transmitter 110 and an optical receiver 150 connected to each other via an optical fiber 170. The optical transmitter 110 includes an optical source 111, an optical branching section 112, an optical intensity modulation section 113, an optical phase modulation section 114, an optical combining section 115, an optical detecting section 116, and an optical transmitter section 118. The optical receiver 150 includes an optical receiver section 151 and an FM demodulation section 155. The optical intensity modulation section 113 is, for example, an optical SSB-SC (Single Side Band with Suppressed Carrier) modulator.
FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram showing exemplary signal spectra at different locations (12a to 12g) in the conventional optical transmission system 100.
First, the operation of the components of the optical transmitter 110 will be described.
The optical source 111 outputs an unmodulated optical signal having a frequency fa (wavelength λa) (hereinafter referred to as an "optical signal fa"). The optical branching section 112 splits the optical signal fa into two signals, which are inputted respectively to the optical intensity modulation section 113 and the optical phase modulation section 114. The optical intensity modulation section 113 receives an electric signal having a frequency fc (hereinafter referred to as an "electric signal fc") (FIG. 12 (12a)). The optical phase modulation section 114 receives a first multi-channel signal including first to nth electric signals having frequencies f1 to fn (f1<fn, n is an integer), respectively, and a second multi-channel signal including oth to tth electric signals having frequencies fo to ft (fo<ft, o and t are integers) (FIG. 12 (12c)).
The optical intensity modulation section 113 subjects the input optical signal fa to an optical intensity modulation (or an optical amplitude modulation) based on the amplitude of the electric signal fc to output the resultant signal as an optical intensity-modulated signal (FIG. 12 (12b)). The optical phase modulation section 114 subjects the optical signal fa to an optical phase modulation (or an optical frequency modulation) based on the amplitude level of the first multi-channel signal and that of the second multi-channel signal to output the resultant signal as an optical phase-modulated signal (FIG. 12 (12d)).
The optical combining section 115 combines together the optical intensity-modulated signal outputted from the optical intensity modulation section 113 and the optical phase-modulated signal outputted from the optical phase modulation section 114 (FIG. 12 (12e)). The optical detecting section 116 may be a photodiode having squared detection characteristics, or the like, and performs an optical homodyne detection through a squared detection of the optical intensity-modulated signal and the optical phase-modulated signal combined together by the optical combining section 115 to thereby produce a wideband modulated signal, being the difference beat signal between the two optical signals. The wideband modulated signal is a phase-modulated signal obtained by down-converting the optical phase-modulated signal outputted from the optical phase modulation section 114, and the center frequency thereof is fc (FIG. 12 (12f)). The optical transmitter section 118 may be a semiconductor laser, or like, and performs a predetermined modulation, e.g., an optical intensity modulation, on the first to tth electric signals with the original signal being the wideband modulated signal outputted from the optical detecting section 116 to thereby transmit the resultant signal as an optical wideband modulated signal to the optical fiber 170.
The operation of the components of the optical receiver 150 will now be described. The optical receiver section 151 receives an optical wideband modulated signal transmitted through the optical fiber 170, and performs a photoelectric conversion to output a wideband modulated signal. The FM demodulation section 155 performs an FM demodulation on the wideband modulated signal to output a multi-channel signal in which the first multi-channel signal and the second multi-channel signal are mixed together (FIG. 12 (12g)).
However, when a high-frequency signal as represented by the second multi-channel signal in the conventional optical transmission system 100, or a signal of an even higher frequency (e.g., up to about 2.6 GHz), is inputted and transmitted, the bandwidth of the wideband modulated signal becomes too wide for the bandwidth of the conventional optical receiver section 151 and the conventional FM demodulation section 155. Thus, it is necessary to replace the components. The bandwidth B_FM of the wideband modulated signal produced by the optical transmitter 110 can be derived from the Komai-Carson law shown in Expression 1 below. In the expression, p is the peak factor representing the ratio between the maximum amplitude (the peak power) of the multi-channel signal and the average amplitude (the average power) thereof, ΔF is the frequency deviation [Hz/ch], N is the number of channels, and f_max is the highest frequency [Hz] of the multi-channel signal.B—FM=2×(p·ΔF·√N+f_max)   Exp. 1
Where the input multi-channel video signal has about 100 channels whose frequencies are up to about 2.6 GHz, and has a frequency deviation of 40 MHz/ch and a peak factor of 3.3, the wideband modulated signal outputted from the optical transmitter 110 will have a bandwidth of about 7.8 GHz. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the bandwidth of the optical receiver section 151 and that of the FM demodulation section 155. Moreover, there is a phenomenon that a component based on the wideband modulated signal is outputted from the FM demodulation section 155, which deteriorates the characteristics of the multi-channel signal component demodulated by the FM demodulation section 155. In order to avoid the component deterioration, it is necessary to set the center frequency of the wideband modulated signal to be very high, i.e., about 16.5 GHz. Therefore, it is necessary to, for example, replace components used for level adjustment such as amplifiers, in addition to the optical receiver section 151 and the FM demodulation section 155 used in the optical receiver 150.

Optical transmitter and optical transmission system


A fixed shank plow anchor includes a weighted nose having a spike incorporated into it to enhance deployment of the anchor on the sea bed. The center of gravity of the anchor is situated within the shank so that when the anchor drops onto a sea bed, and force is applied to the end of the shank in a forward direction, an overturning moment is created facilitating digging of the nose of the anchor into the sea bed. The anchor is self-launching.

The present invention relates to an improved fixed shank plow anchor. While fixed shank plow anchors are known per se, Applicant is unaware of any such anchor including all of the features and aspects of the present invention. The following prior art is known to Applicant:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,974,933 to Taylor discloses a plow-type anchor having a shank and a plow pivotably connected together. Taylor discloses that the center of gravity of the anchor is well forward of a line between the hinge and the rear end of either blade. However, Taylor does not specify particularly where the center of gravity is to be located. In fact, it would be impossible for the center of gravity of the Taylor anchor to be rearward of the specified line. In contrast, the present invention contemplates specifically locating the center of gravity of the anchor within the shank and particularly specifies use of a fixed shank with no pivotable relation between the shank and plow. Furthermore, the present invention contemplates the use of a nose weight having a spike or fin mounted at the front edge of the plow.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,507,563 to Farren discloses a folding plow anchor having a hinged connection between the shank and the plow. The present invention differs from the teachings of Farren as contemplating a fixed connection between the shank and the plow and other features as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,256 to Bruce discloses an anchor having symmetric flukes and, in one embodiment, a fixed connection between the shank and the flukes. Bruce fails to disclose the particular contemplated center of gravity of his anchor nor does he disclose other features of the present invention including the use of a spike or fin at the forward end of a plow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,602,588 to MacLean discloses an anchor having a shank generally perpendicular to the flukes and including a central opening between the flukes. The present invention differs from the teachings of MacLean as contemplating a shank fixedly connected to a fluke at a shallow acute angle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,184 to Ogg discloses a flexible shank anchor. In the sole embodiment disclosed in a plow-type fluke, Ogg discloses a pivotable connection between the shank and the fluke.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,967 to McCarron et al. discloses a marine anchor having a shank fixedly connected to the fluke and a center of gravity between the fluke and the shank and forward of the connection therebetween. In contrast, in the present invention, the center of gravity of the inventive anchor is located within the shank.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,055 to Kershner discloses an adjustable boat anchor having a shank fixedly connected to a fluke and with a slot in the shank allowing sliding of the connection to the shank along the length thereof. Kershner discloses a chamber designed to be filled with a weighted material to allow adjustment of the weight and center of gravity of the anchor. In contrast, in the present invention, the center of gravity is specified as being located within the shank in the connection between the shank and the fluke and the present invention includes the further provision of a spike located centrally of the fluke and at the forward end thereof.
British Patent Specification 2 035 242 to Smith discloses an anchor not of the ploughshare type and having a center of gravity located between the shank and the fluke forwardly of the connection therebetween. In contrast, the present invention contemplates a plow-type anchor having a fixed connection between the shank and the fluke and a center of gravity located within the shank in the connection between the shank and the fluke.


A color television system conversion apparatus converts a television signal of a first television system into a television signal of a second television system by converting the carrier frequency of the chrominance signal of the first television system into the carrier frequency of the second television system. The carrier frequency converted chrominance signal is converted into a digital signal in response to the clock of the carrier frequency of the second television system. The digital chrominance signal is digitally decoded into two color difference signals of the first color television system. The two decoded color difference signals are converted so as to have the number of lines and the number of fields of the second television system through extraction and interpolation processes. The converted color difference signals are encoded digitally into a luminance signal of the second television system.

The conversion of color television system (will be termed simply "television system" hereinafter) involves two major items of conversion as follows.
(1) Conversion of the number of lines and the number of fields.
(2) Conversion of the carrier frequency and modulation mode for the color signal.
Among these items, the number of lines and the number of fields are generally converted via a digital signal processing operation using a digital memory or the like, and the color signal is conventionally converted through decoding and encoding via an analog signal processing operation in general.
A conventional apparatus for converting the television system based on the above-mentioned scheme will be explained with reference to FIG. 5.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the conventional television system conversion apparatus. In the figure, symbol 1 denotes an input terminal for receiving a television signal to be converted. 2 is a luminance/chrominance signal separation circuit which separates the input television signal into a luminance signal and a chrominance signal. 38 is a chrominance signal decoding circuit (decoder) performing analog signal processing, and it decodes the chrominance signal into two color difference signals U and V. 39 is an analog-to-digital converter (A/D converter) for the colo signal, and it converts the two color difference signals into a digital signal by multiplexing. 40 is a digital memory for the color signal, and it is used to convert the number of lines and the number of fields through the extraction or interpolation process for the digital color difference signals in response to the controlled write clock and read clock. 41 and 42 are digital-to-analog converters (D/A converters) for the color signal, and they convert the two color difference signals, which have been subjected to the line conversion and field conversion, into analog signals. 43 is a chrominance signal encoding circuit (encoder) performing analog signal processing, and it encodes the two analog color difference signals into a chrominance signal. 6, 9 and 12 are respectively an A/D converter, a digital memory and a D/A converter for the luminance signal, and their operations are identical to those elements processing the color signal. 14 is a sync separation circuit which separates the sync signal from the luminance signal. 44 is a write clock generation circuit and 45 is a read clock generation circuit, with both clocks being controlled for the implementation of line conversion and field conversion. 13 is an output buffer circuit which delivers the converted luminance signal and chrominance signal to an output terminal 19.
The operation of the conventional television system conversion apparatus arranged as described above will be explained by taking an example of the case where a television signal of NTSC system received on the input terminal 1 is converted into a television signal of PAL system on the output terminal 19. The chrominance signal of NTSC system separated by the luminance/chrominance signal separation circuit 2 is demodulated with a right-angle 2-phase carrier of 3.58 MHz by the NTSC-based chrominance signal decoder 38 so that it is decoded into two color difference signals U and V of NTSC system. The decoded color difference signals of NTSC system are converted into digital signals by the A/D converter 39, and thereafter stored in the digital memory 40 in response to the write clock provided by the write clock generation circuit 44. Since the write clock is locked to the sync signal of NTSC system provided by the sync separation circuit 14, the two color difference signals of NTSC system are stored in the digital memory 40 such that their line number and field number are coincident with the line address and field address in the address space of the digital memory 40. Namely, 525 line numbers and 60 field numbers correspond to the addresses. The color difference signals are read out in response to the read clock which is locked to the sync signal of PAL system provided by the read clock generation circuit 45, with the number of lines being increased to 625 through the appropriate interpolation and the number of fields being reduced to 50 through the appropriate extraction, and the signals are converted into two color difference signals of PAL system. The two color difference signals of PAL system read out of the digital memory 40 are converted into analog signals by the D/A converters 41 and 42, and thereafter modulated with a right-angle 2-phase alternation carrier of 4.43 MHz by the chrominance signal encoder 43 of PAL system, resulting in a chrominance signal of PAL system.
The luminance signal of NTSC system separated by the luminance/chrominance signal separation circuit 2 is converted into a digital signal by the A/D converter 6 and then stored in the digital memory 9 in response to the write clock which is locked to the sync signal of NTSC system provided by the write clock generation circuit 44, in the same manner as for the color difference signals. The signal is read out in response to the read clock which is locked to the sync signal of PAL system provided by the read clock generation circuit 45, with the number of lines being increased from 525 to 625 through the interpolation and the number of fields being reduced from 60 to 50 through the extraction, and the resulting luminance signal of PAL system is converted into an analog signal by the D/A converter 12. The chrominance signal and luminance signal converted from NTSC system to PAL system through the foregoing process are delivered to the output terminal 19 by way of the output buffer circuit 13. In this manner, a television signal of NTSC system is converted into a television signal of PAL system.
In the reverse case of converting a television signal of PAL system into a television signal of NTSC system, the luminance/chrominance signal separation circuit 2 is of PAL system, the chrominance signal decoder 38 is of PAL system, and the chrominance signal encoder 43 is of NTSC system. In addition, the write clock generation circuit 44 is designed to produce a write clock which is locked to the sync signal of PAL system, and the read clock generation circuit 45 is designed to produce a read clock which is locked to the sync signal of NTSC system.
The foregoing prior art is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publications Nos. 51-33688 and 52-35493, for example.
However, the conventional television system conversion apparatus arranged as described above needs to have a number of chrominance signal decoders 38 and chrominance signal encoders 43 equal to the number of types of television systems of input signals and the number of types of television systems of output signals. Since these circuits are all based on analog signal processing, their circuit scale is very large and they have many adjustment parameters, and as a result their total cost is high and their reliability is low.
On this account, a conceivable variant design is to configure the chrominance signal decoder and chrominance signal encoder to operate as a digital signal processing unit. However, in the conventional television system conversion apparatus shown in FIG. 5, when the chrominance signal decoder 38 based on the digital signal processing is placed in the rear stage of the A/D converter 39 and the chrominance signal encoder 43 performing digital signal processing is placed in the front stage of the D/A converters 41 and 42, these decoders and encoders performing digital signal processing will have a considerably large circuit scale, causing the apparatus to be of significantly increased cost and to be unsuited to home use and the like.

Apparatus for converting a television signal of a first television system into a television signal of a second television system employing a digital chrominance signal processing circuit

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Engagement parts 52c of the locking device for a steering shaft are formed on a side face of a driven gear of a reduction gear mechanism which is fastened to a steering shaft 2. Since a locking part 6a is arranged near the reduction gear mechanism, elements related to a locking function can be removed from the key cylinder of the engine key, so that the key cylinder of the engine key can be downsized, or can be arranged in another position. Consequently, even in a state where a reduction gear mechanism, a steering assist motor and the like are arranged in the middle of the steering shaft, a longer stroke of the impact absorbing mechanism in comparison with conventional mechanisms can be ensured, utilizing a decrease in length of the downsized or reduced key cylinder in the axial direction of the steering shaft 2.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a locking device for locking a steering shaft so as to keep the shaft from turning while the car is not used, and to a steering apparatus provided with the locking device.
2. Description of Related Art
For preventing theft during parking, cars are provided with a locking device for locking a steering shaft which is used for transmitting rotation of a steering wheel to a steering mechanism.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating an essential part of a conventional locking device for a steering shaft. As disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 57-191149 (1982), for example, a conventional locking device has a key cylinder 109 of an engine key which is fastened to an upper portion of an upper shaft housing 107 for supporting a steering shaft 101 connected to a steering wheel 100. The key cylinder 109 is connected with a lock key 108 which slides into the upper shaft housing 107 by an operation of the key cylinder 109. A key way 110, which engages with the lock key 108 when the lock key 108 sides into the upper shaft housing 107, is formed on a collar 111 fastened on the peripheral surface of the steering shaft 101. The steering shaft 101 is locked and kept from turning when the lock key 108 and the key way 110 engage with each other.
Cars are also provided with an impact absorbing mechanism for reducing impact of collision or the like, which has caused an external force, when an excessively large external force is applied to the steering wheel 100 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 101 at the time of the collision.
A generally used impact absorbing mechanism is constituted of a hollow upper shaft 102 which has an upper end connected with the steering wheel 100 and an open lower end; a lower shaft 103 which has an upper end fitted in the lower end of the upper shaft 102 with relative turn thereof with regard to the upper shaft 102 being prohibited and movement thereof in the axial direction being allowed; a stopper 105, which is made of synthetic resin filled in a groove extending over the circumference of a portion of the lower shaft 103 to be fitted in the upper shaft 102 and a through bore formed on the upper shaft 102 in correspondence with the groove, for restraining the upper shaft 102 and the lower shaft 103 in the axial direction; the upper shaft housing 107 for supporting the upper shaft 102 with rotation thereof being allowed and relative movement thereof in the axial direction with regard to the upper shaft housing 107 being prohibited; a lower shaft housing 106, which supports the lower shaft 103 so as to be rotatable, having an upper end fitted in the lower end of the upper shaft housing 107; and a cylindrical impact energy absorber 104 interposed between a portion of the upper shaft housing 107 to be fitted with the lower shaft housing 106 and a portion of the lower shaft housing 106 to be fitted with the upper shaft housing 107.
With such a structure, when an excessively large external force is applied to the steering wheel 100 in the axial direction of the steering shaft 101 at the time of collision or the like, the stopper 105 is sheared at the interface between the upper shaft 102 and the lower shaft 103, so that relative movement of the upper shaft 102 in the axial direction with regard to the lower shaft 103 is allowed. In this state, the external force applied to the steering wheel 100 is transmitted to the impact energy absorber 104 via the upper shaft 102, a snap ring 112 and the upper shaft housing 107. As the impact energy absorber 104 absorbs energy of the external force, the upper shaft 102 and the upper shaft housing 107 move downward with regard to the lower shaft housing 106 within a predetermined range of stroke length, so as to absorb the impact of the collision which has caused the external force.
The locking device and the impact absorbing mechanism mentioned above can be employed for a vehicle having an electric power steering apparatus. Some electric power steering apparatuses are provided with a steering assist motor, wherein a driven gear of a reduction gear mechanism, which is driven by rotation of the motor, is fastened at the middle of a lower shaft of a steering shaft.
In a vehicle provided with an electric power steering apparatus in which a driven gear is fastened at the middle of a lower shaft of a steering shaft as described above, it is more difficult to ensure a stroke length of the impact absorbing mechanism, in comparison with a vehicle which does not have a steering assist motor or a reduction gear mechanism at the middle of the steering shaft. Consequently, a conventional vehicle having an electric power steering apparatus thus constructed can not meet a recent demand for an increase in stroke length to further enhance the safety at the time of collision.
Moreover, there is another demand for ensured strength of the key way high enough to prevent a plan for breaking the key way to steer the vehicle by applying large torque to the steering wheel repeatedly to make the lock key collide with a side face of the key way repeatedly.

Locking device for steering shaft and steering apparatus having the device


A method and apparatus for reading and writing data into a random access memory array having a dummy bit. The method includes the steps of providing a clock signal having two edges, one going from low to high and the other going from high to low. The edge going to high from low triggers an enable signal. The enable signal substantially simultaneously triggers a main wordline signal and a dummy wordline signal, the main wordline signal initiating a memory access process while the dummy wordline signal causes the generation of a dummy bit signal from the dummy bit, the combination of the main wordline signal and the dummy bit signal permitting memory access. The dummy bit signal shuts off the enable signal, which in turn causes the memory access process to be terminated and the memory array to go into a bit line precharging stage in preparation for a next read or write cycle, whereby bit line precharging may be commenced prior to the end of the clock cycle.

In the design of static random access memories (SRAMs), one of the important problems that has limited the performance of the SRAM is the need to provide a proper timing sequence when a READ operation follows a WRITE operation. This has been called the "READ-after-WRITE" problem. A READ operation which follows a WRITE operation must be adequately delayed until the bit lines are precharged to their proper high level so that they subsequently can be discharged during the READ operation, as required. If the READ operation follows too quickly on the heels of a WRITE operation, the bitlines will not reach their correct precharge level. The necessity of guaranteeing that the READ does not occur prematurely often detracts from the overall performance of prior art SRAMs.

Static random access memory with improved write recovery procedure


The invention features a series of bags having perforations on the front and back panels that connect the back portion of one bag with the front portion of a second bag. The bags are aligned and features holes that are adapted to be received by a stand to support the bags. The bags are packaged and ready to load in a ready to use position. When the bags are separated from each other, the next bag in the continuous series will align and expand to open into a use position. The bags can be stacked on top of each other in a ready to use position.

Plastic bags are often used to transport items such as groceries or to store garbage. These bags should have a high load-carrying capacity, be simple and strong. Many stores offer bags at the checkout counter to customers. However, the bags often take additional time to remove because the bags are difficult to open. Also, the bags easily slip and are typically misaligned on their storage racks or in their storage containers. The bags waste space during storage and take time to position them on holders.


A composition for removing a copper-compatible resist includes about 10% to about 30% by weight of an amine compound, about 10% to about 80% by weight of a glycolether compound, and about 10% to about 80% by weight of a polar solvent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition for removing copper (Cu)-compatible resist, and more particularly, to a composition for removing copper-compatible resist without corrosion of copper.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
In general, a low resistance copper line is commonly used as an array line of an array substrate for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, or in a circuit line of a semiconductor device to prevent resistance-capacitance (RC) delay. The copper line is commonly formed using a photolithographic process incorporating fine pattern technology. The photolithographic process is commonly used for fabricating semiconductor devices such as large scale integrated (LSI) circuits, very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits, and display devices including LCD and plasma panel display (PDP) devices.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display device using a copper line according to the related art. In FIG. 1, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device 11 includes an upper substrate 5, a lower substrate 10, and a liquid crystal material layer 9 interposed between the upper and lower substrates 5 and 10. The upper substrate 5 includes a color filter layer 7, a black matrix 6, and a common electrode 18. The lower substrate 10 includes a pixel electrodes 17 formed at pixel regions "P," and thin film transistors (TFTs) "T" that function as switching devices. The TFTs "T" are disposed in a matrix configuration and gate and data lines 14 and 22 are connected to each of the TFTs "T." The pixel regions "P" are each defined by a crossing of the gate and data lines 14 and 22, and a transparent pixel electrode 17 is formed at each of the pixel regions "P." The transparent pixel electrode 17 and the common electrode 18 are made of a transparent conductive metal such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and indium-zinc-oxide (IZO), and the LCD device is driven by utilizing an electro-optical effect of the liquid crystal material layer 9. Accordingly, the gate line 14 should be made of a low resistance material such as copper (Cu), and should be formed using a photolithographic process incorporating fine pattern technology.
FIGS. 2A to 2E are cross-sectional views of a photolithographic process for forming a metal line according to the related art. In FIG. 2A, a metal layer 32 is formed on a substrate 30 by deposition of a metallic material. Next, a photoresist (PR) 34 of positive or negative type is formed on the metal layer 32. In FIGS. 2A to 2E, a positive type PR will be illustrated. Even though the PR 34 may be formed on an entire or a predetermined region of the substrate 30, the PR 34 is generally formed on the entire region of the substrate 30.
In FIG. 2B, a photo mask 36 is disposed over the PR 34 of the substrate 30. Next, an exposure process is performed, wherein a light "L" such as an ultra violet (UV) ray and an X ray is irradiated onto the photo mask 36. The photo mask 36 includes a transmitting portion "T" and a shielding portion "S," wherein the light that passes through the transmitting portion "T" transforms the PR 34. Accordingly, the PR 34 includes a first portion "A" where a material property of the PR 34 is maintained and a second portion "B" where a material property of the PR 34 is transformed. Since the PR 34 is potentially patterned according to the photo mask 36, this pattern of the PR 34 is referred to as a latent image.
In FIG. 2C, the PR 34 (of FIG. 2B) having the latent image is developed to form a resist pattern 35 that corresponds to the photo mask 36 (of FIG. 2B). Specifically, the first portion "A" (of FIG. 2B) where the light "L" (of FIG. 2B) is not irradiated remains to cover the metal layer 32 and the second portion (of FIG. 2B) where the light "L" (of FIG. 2B) is irradiated is eliminated to expose the metal layer 32.
In FIG. 2D, the metal layer 32 (of FIG. 2C) is etched using the resist pattern 35 as an etching mask, whereby a metal line of a specific shape is formed on the substrate 30.
In FIG. 2E, the resist pattern 35 (of FIG. 2D) is eliminated and the metal line 38 of the specific shape is exposed.
However, the metal line formed of copper may be easily corroded by conventional solvents that are used to remove the resist pattern during the photolithographic process. Accordingly, solvent compositions that include a corrosion inhibitor for preventing corrosion of copper may be used, as demonstrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,417,877 and 5,556,482, which are hereby incorporated by reference. The corrosion inhibitors include mono-ethanol-amine (MEA) as a preferred amine. In addition, a specific amount of corrosion inhibitor is required so that a removing property of the inhibitor is not degraded.

Composition and method for removing copper-compatible resist


A biosensor provided herein includes a semiconductor laser device having an optical resonator with at least one reflective surface and a light output surface, and a surface plasmon resonance (SPR) unit disposed on the reflective surface of the optical resonator. The SPR unit has specific biological molecules fixed thereon for reacting with corresponding biological molecules of an analyzed object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biosensor, and in particular, to a surface plasmon resonance sensor including a semiconductor laser device for performing resonance amplification, to thereby proceed with optical amplification of a minor biological detection signal and for the convenience of signal detection.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to specificity of a biosensor, a predetermined enzyme or reactants against predetermined analytes for reacting therewith are needed and are provided within a sample and the biosensor of various types can be thus designed according to electrical, optical, and mass differences before and after a bio-reaction. Due to the relative weak interaction between biomolecules, useful signals may possibly immerge by an interference signal due to the poor processing of weak signals. A common detection method used in a biosensor is to detect biological reaction signals by surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effects.
The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) detection method is basically achieved by total reflection of light on a surface of the metal film, thereby causing evanescent waves within the metal film. Additionally, a reflected light intensity is detected with a tremendous decrease while resonance occurs between the evanescent wave and the surface plasmon. For the SPR detector, the detection intensity is typically improved by changing surfaces of the metal films and structures of the detected surface. As described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,991,048, an inter-electrical media layer is used as a way to improve sensitivity of the metal film and the detecting surface. However, the SPR techniques use only detection of a single or multiple reflection of light and the detected signals are not effectively amplified.


A method for high-frequency signal transmission between a transmitter and a receiver. A signal for generating a natural electromagnetic alternating field is linked with HF transmission signal, and the HF transmission signal is extracted from the linked signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method of transmitting a high-frequency signal between a transmitter and a receiver.
2. The Prior Art
The present invention relates to the field of digital signal transmission, such as a signal transmission of mobile telephones or hand-helds. These phones operate in the GSM, and in the future will operate in the UMTS data transmission format.
The problem with artificially generated electromagnetic fields used for transmitting data of hand-held and wireless telephones up to the GHz range, is that there is a pulsing of the fields in the range of 100 or several hundred Hz causing electrostress. This has an unfavorable effect on human biological cells. Particularly with wireless telephones and hand-helds, a distinct biological stress acting on human cells is unavoidable because of the high transmission power of such devices, and use of the hand-held by the ear of the user. In scientific publications and in the magazine "2000 PLUS", No. 144 (12-1999, page 74), Lebrecht von Klitzing wrote that the high dynamics of over 600 dB between pulse packet pauses of the useful HF-signal transmission triggers violent human cell irritations at a typical cell resonance of up to 400 Hz. Furthermore, the article states that the signal periodically represents an important factor especially when used by the ear, and that a stochastic signal behavior is substantially favorable for the biological cells because it is less harmful. Moreover, there is research available pertaining to unfavorable biological effects of artificial high-frequency fields on the biological cells of living creatures, in particular human beings (Herbert L. König, "Unsichtbare Umwelt" [Invisible Environment]; 1986 Munich).

Method of high-frequency signal transmission


Methods and a system of generating a master seed using location-based data. The system includes a pseudo-random number generator configured to generate a random number and a global positioning system module configured to determine a location of the system. The system also includes an encryption module configured to generate a signing request message. The signing request message includes the random number and the location. The system further includes a communication device configured to transmit the signing request message to a location authority for authorization. The communication device further configured to receive a signature from the location authority upon authorization of the signing request message. The system is further configured to generate a master seed based on the signature.

The present disclosure relates to private encryption key creation, and more specifically, to master seed creation on a hardware security module using a predetermined location authorized by a location authority.
In public-key cryptography, there are two keys: one to encrypt and another to decrypt. The encryption key is called a public key and is generally considered publicly available to any party wanting to send encrypted messages to a receiving party. The decryption key, used to decrypt the encrypted message, is called a private key and is typically not shared between parties.
A digital signature is a mathematical scheme for verifying the authenticity of digital messages or documents using public-key cryptography. Digital signatures can prove that the holder of a private key tied to a particular digital signature signed some message and that the signature is authentic. A valid digital signature, where the prerequisites are satisfied, gives a receiving party assurance that the message was created the sending party and that the message was not altered during transmission.

Private key creation using location data

International Business Machines Corporation


A plasma display device is provided which can stabilize discharge and improve display quality. In the plasma display device, a rear edge part of a sustain pulse to be applied at the end of a sustain period of each of the subfields is formed of a first section in which a voltage value slowly changes from a peak voltage value of the sustain pulse to a predetermined first voltage value, a second section in which the first voltage value is maintained for a predetermined period, and a third section in which the voltage value slowly changes from the first voltage value to a second voltage value having polarity different from that of the first voltage value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present, a plasma display device having an AC discharge type plasma display panel (hereinafter referred to as PDP), as a thin display device, is known.
The PDP has a plurality of column electrodes and a plurality of row electrode pairs arranged to intersect with the column electrodes via a discharge space. A discharge gas is sealed within the discharge space. At the intersections of the row electrode pairs and the column electrodes, discharge cells, each including the discharge space, are formed which respectively emit red light, green light, and blue light when discharging.
Each of the discharge cells uses discharge phenomenon to emit light, therefore it provides only two states, i.e., a "lighting state" to emit light at a predetermined brightness and an "extinction state". In other words, the discharge cell only expresses two gray scale levels of brightness. Thus, in order to display halftone brightness corresponding to input video signals in the discharge cells described above, gray scale driving using a subfield method is applied (for example, see Japanese Patent Kokai No. 2000-338932).
In the subfield method, a display period for one field is divided into N subfields, and each of the subfields is designed to have a period for continuously performing either light emission or black out in the discharge cell. With this arrangement, each of the discharge cells is controlled to either a light emission state or a black out state during the period assigned to each subfield in accordance with the input video signal. Consequently, various levels of halftone brightness can be displayed at 2N (N denotes the number of subfields) levels (hereinafter referred to as gray scale levels) by the combination of subfields performing light emission within one field display period.
In performing the gray scale driving based on the subfield method, a drive unit (not shown) applies various drive pulses to the PDP to cause various discharges in the discharge cells. For example, in the first subfield, the drive unit firstly applies a reset pulse to the row electrode pairs of the PDP to create a reset discharge in all the discharge cells. On this occasion, the reset discharge uniformly forms a predetermined amount of wall charge in all the discharge cells. Subsequently, the drive unit selectively creates an erase discharge in the discharge cells from one horizontal scanning line (hereinafter referred to as a display line) to another in accordance with the input video signal. On this occasion, in the discharge cell where selective erase discharge occurs, the wall charge remaining in this discharge cell disappears. On the other hand, in the discharge cell where no selective erase discharge occurs, the wall charge formed by the reset discharge remains as it is. Subsequently, the drive unit alternately and simultaneously applies sustain pulses between all the row electrode pairs by the number of sustain pulses corresponding to the first subfield. In response to such application of the sustain pulse, only the discharge cell with the remaining wall charge repeatedly performs sustain discharge only during a period corresponding to the first subfield, and maintains the light emission state due to this sustain discharge.
However, in the PDP, the amount of wall charge formed by various discharges as described above varies due to temperature variation in the panel, the variation in display brightness, aging, etc. Therefore, there is a problem that discharge intensity fluctuates, thereby deteriorating the display quality.


A warning system and method include a memory device configured to store one or more condition criteria. A monitoring device is configured to monitor a status of the one or more condition criteria. The monitoring device is triggered by a triggering event related to the status to generate a warning signal responsive to the triggering event. A mobile computing device is configured to communicate with the monitoring device and an external network to receive the warning signal and output a warning message on the external network to one or more designated entities.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to mobile devices and communication methods, and more particularly to mobile computing devices configured to work with dynamic networks to warn of events of interest.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mobile computing devices are often installed or used in automobiles or other vehicles. Most of these vehicles contain one or more computers that perform control and monitoring functions of the vehicle's systems and also provide information about conditions or events having to do with the operation of the vehicle.
The mobile computing devices are often underutilized. It would be advantageous to have the additional computing resources in vehicles employed for beneficial uses.

Mobile computing device emergency warning system and method

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A packet data retransmission control method, where a base-station upper-level control system transmits downstream packet data, which is terminated at a terminal station, to a plurality of base stations. A specific base station that is one of the base stations transfers the downstream packet data to the terminal station. The plurality of base stations receive an upstream control signal with which reception of the downstream packet data is acknowledged and which is returned from the terminal station. Base stations other than the specific base station notify the specific base station via the base-station upper-level control system that they have received the upstream control signal. The specific base station determines packet data to be retransmitted according to the receiving situation thereof for the upstream control signal returned from the terminal station and the receiving situations of the other base stations for the upstream control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to packet data communication. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a packet data retransmission control method, and a system, that enjoy high efficiency in retransmission due to efficient reception of an upstream control signal Ack or Nack during high-speed downstream packet data transmission based on the high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) technology or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the advent of the asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology or the like, high-speed data transmission that is especially fast in transmission of downstream data is prevailing among households. Accordingly, mobile radio communication is requested to be especially fast in transmission of downstream data. For the wideband-code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology that is one of the new-generation portable cellular phone systems (International Mobile Telecommunications (IMT)-2000), HSDPA is likely to be adopted as a standard technology for high-speed downstream data transmission (WCDMA is referred to as 3GPP TR25.308).
FIG. 1 shows an example of a normal retransmission control form in which retransmission control is exchanged between a base station and a mobile station or a terminal station. FIG. 2 shows an example of retransmission of packet data shown in FIG. 1.
Referring to FIG. 1, a base-station upper-level system 3 transfers packet data to a base station 2-1 that accommodates a terminal station 1 which is a data terminating side. The base station 2-1 transfers the received packet data to the terminal station 1. In this case, the terminal station 1 returns an upstream control signal Ack or Nack, with which reception of packet data is acknowledged, to the base station 2-1 that is the data transferring side.
A description will be made by taking the case shown in FIG. 2 for instance. The base station 2-1 transmits packet data 1 received from the base-station upper-level system 3 to the terminal station 1. When the terminal station 1 receives the packet data 1 correctly, the terminal station 1 returns a signal Ack to the base station 2-1. Consequently, the base station 2-1 judges that the packet data 1 has been transmitted correctly, and transmits the next packet data 2 to the terminal station 1. In this case, a data error occurs, and the terminal station 1 returns a signal Nack to the base station 2-1. Consequently, the base station 2-1 judges that the packet data 2 has not been correctly transferred, and retransmits the packet data 2 to the terminal station 1.
Furthermore, in this case, if an acknowledgement response to the packet data 3, which is sent from the base station 2-1, returned from the terminal station 1 is not received or is unidentified, the base station 2-1 judges that the packet data 3 has not been correctly transferred. The base station 2-1 then retransmits the packet data 3 to the terminal station 1. Normal retransmission control is exchanged directly between the base station and the terminal station.
FIG. 3 shows as other example of a retransmission control form an example of a retransmission control form based on a technology other than HSDPA combined with WCDMA.
Herein, a site diversity method is adopted in order to produce a large diversity handover gain, so that a plurality of base stations 2-1 to 2-n will transmit or receive a signal to or from the terminal station 1. Actions to be performed according to the method will be described by taking the same case as that shown in FIG. 2 for instance. Assuming that downstream packet data is transmitted, the base-station upper-level system 3 transfers the same packet data to the base stations 2-1 to 2-n. The base stations 2-1 to 2-n each transmit the same packet data 1 to the terminal station 1.
The terminal station 1 synthesizes all the packet data items 1 received from the respective base stations 2-1 to 2-n or selects any of the packet data items 1. If the received packet data 1 is correct, the terminal station 1 returns a signal Ack to each of the base stations 2-1 to 2-n. If the next packet data 2 cannot be received correctly, the terminal station 1 returns a signal Nack to each of the base stations 2-1 to 2-n.
Each of the base stations 2-1 to 2-n receives the signal Ack or Nack and transmits the result of reception to the base-station upper-level system 3. The base-station upper-level system 3 judges whether the packet data has been correctly transferred through synthesis of n signals or selection of any of the n signals. If the base-station upper-level system 3 judges that the packet data has been transferred correctly, it transmits the next packet data. If the base-station upper-level system 3 judges that the packet data has not been correctly transferred, it retransmits the same packet data. If neither the signal Ack nor the signal Nack is returned (identified) as a response with which reception of the packet data 3 is acknowledged, that is, if an unidentified signal is returned, the signal Nack is judged to have been returned. The packet data 3 is then retransmitted. Thus, in the retransmission control form based on a technology other than HSDPA combined with WCDMA, retransmission control involves the base-station upper-level system 3 and terminal station 1.
FIG. 4 shows, as another example of a retransmission control form, a retransmission control form based on WCDMA combined with HSDPA.
Even when WCDMA is adopted, if WCDMA is combined with HSDPA, basic retransmission control is, similarly to normal retransmission control in the form shown in FIG. 1, exchanged between the base station 2-1 and the terminal station 1. The retransmission control process is identical to that described in conjunction with FIG. 2. However, in this example, from whichever of the base stations 2-1 to 2-n the terminal station 1 will receive packet data cannot be designated. The base-station upper-level system 3 transmits packet data to the plurality of base stations 2-1 to 2-n.
According to HSDPA, although a diversity handover gain is sacrificed, retransmission control is supposed to be exchanged between the base station and the terminal station. In a retransmission control process based on WCDMA not combined with HSDPA, a gain in reception is guaranteed by the site diversity method. However, when a large amount of data is transferred at a high speed, as a plurality of transmission lines is occupied, a line occupancy rate decreases. Moreover, when a transfer method that modifies a physical configuration, such as, a method of transmitting a different redundant bit at every time of retransmission, a method of modifying a data length to be interleaved, or a method of changing modulation forms (quaternary, octal, hexadecimal, etc.) is adopted for retransmission, WCDMA not combined with HSDPA cannot be adopted.
FIG. 5 lists the aforesaid three conventional retransmission control methods for comparison.
As seen from FIG. 5, according to the normal retransmission control method and the retransmission control method based on WCDMA combined with HSDPA, retransmission control is exchanged between a base station and a terminal station. This is advantageous in terms of a line occupancy rate or a delay time in retransmission. The normal retransmission control method and the retransmission control method based on WCDMA combined with HSDPA are nearly identical to each other except a data transmission rate. On the other hand, according to the retransmission control method based on WCDMA not combined with HSDPA, retransmission control is exchanged between a base-station upper-level system and a terminal station in order to produce a diversity handover gain. Although production of a diversity handover gain is advantageous, this method is disadvantageous in terms of the line occupancy ratio or the delay time in is retransmission.

Packet data retransmission control method and system


The invention relates to an improved strain relief adapted for mounting within a connector housing so as to protect a terminated cable assembled thereto from damage as a result of flexure of the cable relative to the housing. The strain relief including a sleeve having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central lumen disposed therebetween. The sleeve being adapted to slidingly receive the cable within the central lumen. The distal portion of the strain relief includes a substantially rigid tube that has a pair of shoulders which project radially-outwardly from an external surface of the distal portion in diametrically-opposed relation to one another. An annular shoulder is positioned in spaced relation to the pair of shoulders and projects radially-outwardly from the external surface of the strain relief. A recess is defined between the pair of shoulders and the annular shoulder. The strain relief structure is adapted to be assembled to a correspondingly shaped receptacle portion of a connector housing.

Optical fiber connectors are often subjected to severe external stresses which can damage the connectors and cause misalignment or separation of the optical fibers that are mated by the connectors. For example, in applications where connectors are subject to frequent connection and disconnection, stresses are often placed on an optical fiber cable which can loosen or otherwise damage the attachment of that cable to the connector. This damage often interferes with the efficient transmission of a signal between the optical fibers of the mated connectors.
The incorporation of a strain relief structure into an optical fiber connector so as to help isolate the delicate optical fibers from external stresses and to help maintain the integrity of the optical fiber connection is well known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,787,706; 4,826,277; 4,588,256; 4,729,619; 4,909,583; and 5,202,942.
None of the fiber optic strain relief structures developed to date are completely satisfactory. In particular, many of these prior art strain relief structures require a significant amount of excess material so as to provide the requisite strength and stability. This often results in bulky and expensive designs that are difficult to assemble.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,202,942, issued to Collins et al., discloses a cable termination member having a strain relief feature for isolating the optical fiber members from external stresses in a terminated optical fiber cable. The cable termination member is adapted to terminate an optical fiber cable which includes at least one optical fiber member, a load bearing member around the fiber, and an outer jacket surrounding the load bearing member. This design also includes a first outer crimp member that is adapted to receive an end of the optical fiber cable and a second outer crimp member that is crimped to the first outer crimp member with an exposed portion of the load bearing member crimped therebetween. An inner crimp member is positioned in the cable between the optical fiber member and the load bearing member and within the first and second outer crimps. This structure is adapted to secure the cable jacket between the first outer crimp member and the inner crimp. The inner crimp comprises a ring or eyelet that firmly secures both the load bearing member and the jacket of the cable to the termination member to provide improved strain relief for protecting optical fiber members disposed within the cable against external stresses. An annular outwardly extending flange is provided on the body of the cable termination member. This flange projects outwardly so as to engage a corresponding slot defined in a connector housing. When the cable termination member is assembled to a connector housing, the flange protrudes through the housing wall so as to provide added tensile strength to the termination member.


A fertilizer composition is provided in the form of a water soluble tablet structured to disintegrate and release into a stream of water at a predetermined rate, the composition including: N-P-K components of a desired ratio including 10.0 to 40.0% by weight of a nitrogen containing component, 0.0 to 40.0% by weight of a potassium containing component and 0.0 to 40.0% by weight of a phosphorus containing component; a binder in an amount of between 6.0% to 15.0% by weight; an s-triazine type herbicide in an amount of between 0.05% to 2.0% by weight; and inert components, wherein the amount of components in the composition totals 100%.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fertilizer compositions and, more particularly, to a dry, water dispersible tablet containing a fertilizer, a herbicide and a binding agent wherein the tablet is structured to disintegrate when subjected to a stream of water so that the composition is released into the water stream at a predetermined rate and concentration.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lawns, plants, botanicals and other plant life require watering, fertilizing and treatment with herbicides and pesticides on a regular scheduled regime in order to maintain health and promote growth. Typically, watering, fertilizing and herbicide treatment are performed as two or three separate operations. In some instances, spray devices may be used on a garden hose to simultaneously water and fertilize plants and flowers, or to apply a diluted herbicide or pesticide solution. During this application method, which is normally performed manually, the applied solution is quickly dispersed at uneven levels of distribution. Subsequent fertilization or weed control treatment is often neglected, as this application process is time-consuming and expensive.
Small fertilizer pellets for slow release in the soil, near the base of a plant, are well known and widely used in the related field. However, pellets of this type do not provide herbicides for lawns, shrubs and botanicals. While liquid "weed and feed" compositions are known and used in spray applicators, they disperse quickly, consuming large amounts of chemicals with each application. Furthermore, use of such spray applicators often results in uneven distribution of chemicals, with higher levels of fertilizer and herbicides in some areas than others, causing the roots of plants and lawns to be burned and damaged. It is, therefore, expensive, time-consuming and potentially hazardous to perform regular weed control treatment of lawns, plants, and botanicals using the present application methods and compositions.
In spite of the numerous fertilizer products presently available on the market, there still exists a need for a fertilizer composition containing a herbicide which can be released slowly, at a controlled rate, into a stream of flowing water so that lawns, plants and botanicals can be simultaneously watered, fed with fertilizer, and treated for weeds during regular watering operations.


A radiation tomography apparatus is provided. The radiation tomography apparatus is configured to display a dose near a surface of a subject.

The present invention relates to a radiation tomography apparatus, a dose calculation method, and a program thereof.
A radiation tomography apparatus such as an X-ray CT (Computed Tomography) scanner is configured to display a CTDI value indicative of a dose per unit slice thickness or a DLP value indicative of a dose per examination as a whole (e.g., see FIG. 27 in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2007-54372). This enables evaluating radiation exposure of a subject.
Actually, however, the dose variance is uneven. The dose variance is maximized on the surface of an imaging portion and decreases toward the center thereof. Highly radiation-sensitive portions exist near the body surface of a subject.
As the related art practices, using only the CTDI value indicative of a dose per unit slice thickness or the DLP value indicative of a dose per examination as a whole cannot accurately evaluate the radiation exposure on a subject.
In consideration of this, there is an increasing demand for a technology that provides information capable of more accurately evaluating radiation exposure on a subject.

Radiation tomography apparatus, dose calculation method, and program


An acquisition unit is configured to acquire measurement values of a target device. The measurement values that are acquired include at least a temperature and a flow rate of an input fluid to be input to the target device, and a temperature and a flow rate of an output fluid to be output from the target device. A correction unit is configured to obtain a correction measurement value by which the measurement values are corrected through thermal equilibrium calculations based on the measurement values. A distance calculation unit is configured to calculate a Mahalanobis distance with a factor of the correction measurement value.

As a system for monitoring an operation state of a plant, there has been known a system using a Mahalanobis distance (for example, see Patent Document 1). The system described in Patent Document 1 performs a series of processing from monitoring of a sign of a failure to a failure diagnosis in the plant based on the Mahalanobis distance.

Monitoring device, method for monitoring target device, and program


A means and method for protecting a windshield from damage and therefore the development of cracks due to stone or other impact on windshields around the peripheral area. An impact resistant barrier is placed around the periphery of the windshield. The barrier is preferably a clear polymeric film, but could be opaque rubber plastic or metal. The barrier is placed on the glass surface and in contact adjacent to the windshield molding. The width of the barrier is selected to eliminate the higher incidence of damage to the peripheral area.

Damage to windshields caused by debris or other impacts has long been a problem. Many patents have issued and a substantial business thrives respecting the repair of such damage. For a long time it was believed that long cracks, that is cracks over six inches in length could not be repaired. However, shorter cracks referred to as stone damage were repairable. Later through significant developments in the field it became possible to repair long cracks. Patents which relate to the repair of long cracks in windshields are U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,441, U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,827, U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,692, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/436,155, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/436,591 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/459,039.
Also, there is a thriving business in the replacement of cracked windshields which either cannot be repaired or which are believed to be unrepairable. In fact replacement is vastly more common than repair.
Despite these thriving businesses damage to windshields present costs to the consumer because of the cost of the repair or replacement. When insurance covers the damage then there is an insurance company loss which is passed on to consumers through their premiums. Also tons of unrecycled waste are created year after year.
Impacts which cause damage near the glass edge nearly always result in an edge crack, that is a crack running through the impact point to the edge of the glass. These cracks are also nearly always long cracks, that is over 6 inches in length. By contrast impacts in the middle area of the windshield quite often result only in the limited damage known as chips or stone damage, that is a bullseye, a star break or a combination and absent any long crack. Thus the problem of windshield damage in the peripheral area is considerably greater than in the middle. Long cracks, especially edge cracks, demand attention soon after cracking and most end up being replaced.
Windshields are installed with a rubber or plastic and in some cases metal, molding. Presently, most moldings are 1-2 centimeters wide, about 50% of the molding width extending over the glass. The maximum known molding width covers 2 cm of the windshield glass.

Method for protecting a windshield from cracks


An article of footwear includes an upper for securing the article of footwear to a wearer. The footwear also includes a sole assembly operatively coupled to the upper. The sole assembly includes a bladder that contains a fluid. The bladder has a posterior portion, an anterior portion, and a middle portion disposed between the posterior and anterior portions. The posterior portion has a heel recess that is approximately coincidental with a center of a heel of the wearer. The middle portion includes a neck chamber that extends between the posterior and anterior portions. The neck chamber is elongate and has a width that is less than both the posterior and anterior portions, and the anterior portion has a plurality of toe recesses that extend generally away from the neck chamber.

Articles of footwear usually include an upper, a midsole, and an outsole. The upper can include sections of thin material, straps, or the like for securing the footwear to the wearer's foot. The outsole is typically a unitary piece of relatively high-friction material that provides traction for the footwear. Also, the midsole can include foam for providing cushioned support for the wearer.
In some cases, the midsole can even include a bladder that contains a fluid, such as a gas or gel. The weight of the wearer and other loading on the bladder causes the fluid to displace within the bladder. As such, the bladder can more easily resiliently deform and/or more easily conform to the wearer's foot than some midsoles made entirely out of foam. Thus, the midsole can provide improved resiliency for better support of the wearer's foot. Also, the footwear can be more comfortable to wear.
Although conventional footwear with bladders have been adequate for their intended purposes, they do suffer from certain disadvantages. For instance, many bladders include relatively wide, open cavities. Thus, fluid within the cavity flows unimpeded toward lower pressure areas when a load is applied to the bladder. As such, the fluid may be displaced so that it is not providing adequate support for the wearer.
Also, these bladders are often blocked from view by either the outsole or foam material of the midsole. As such, the wearer may not be aware that the footwear includes a bladder. Also, the bladder is unlikely to improve the aesthetics of the footwear. In some cases, the foam material of the midsole and/or the outsole includes an opening so that the bladder is visually exposed. However, the opening is typically small, and only a portion of the bladder can be viewed. Also, in these types of footwear, the bladder is typically unadorned or aesthetically dull. Thus, the footwear is not likely to be improved aesthetically by the bladder.


A laminated dimpled foil metallic heat shield may have a cylindrical structure with an outer diameter and an inner diameter comprising a first metallic layer defining the outer diameter, an inboard edge and an outboard edge of the laminated dimpled foil metallic heat shield assembly, a second metallic layer defining the inner diameter of the laminated dimpled foil metallic heat shield assembly, and a first dimpled foil layer extending about a first circumference between the inner diameter and the outer diameter.

Aircraft often include one or more landing gear that comprise one or more wheels. A braking system is coupled to the wheel(s) in order to decelerate or park the aircraft. Aircraft braking on landing tends to generate significant heat which tends to damage unprotected landing gear system components. A heat shield tends to protect landing gear system components from the heat of braking but the heat of braking tends to degrade the heat shield over many cycles of use lending to periodic replacement and disposal of the heat shield. Heat shields often comprise hazardous heat resistant materials which tend to complicate disposal.

Laminated dimpled foil metallic heat shield