A semiconductor wafer having a first layer and overlying insulating layer receives a photoresist layer. A first photoresist area is exposed to light having a first dosage, while a second, adjacent photoresist area is concurrently exposed to light having a second dosage. The first area and second area then are concurrently developed to partially expose the photoresist layer. The partial exposure removes photoresist within the first area to one depth and within the second area to a second depth. The second depth differs from the first depth. In one embodiment the second depth extends through the photoresist down to the insulating layer. After subsequently performing a contact and/or trench etch through the exposed insulating layer and removing excess photoresist above the insulating layer, conductive material is deposited in the contact/trench opening and over the insulating layer. The result is an upper conductive layer coupled to the first layer via a contact or other conductive connection.

This invention relates to semiconductor processes for connecting one layer of a semiconductor wafer to another layer of a semiconductor wafer, and, more particularly, to a method for reducing the number of photolithographic steps in processes connecting one layer of a semiconductor wafer to an upper layer of the semiconductor wafer.
Semiconductor devices, also called integrated circuits, are mass produced by fabricating hundreds of identical circuit patterns on a single semiconductor wafer. During the process, the wafer is sawed into identical dies or "chips". Although commonly referred to as semiconductor devices, the devices are fabricated from various materials, including conductors (e.g., aluminum, tungsten), non-conductors (e.g., silicon dioxide) and semiconductors (e.g., silicon). Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor, and is used in either its single crystal or polycrystalline form. Polycrystalline silicon is often referred to as polysilicon or simply "poly". The conductivity of the silicon is adjusted by adding impurities--a process commonly referred to as "doping".
Within an integrated circuit, thousands of devices (e.g., transistors, diodes) are formed. Typically, contacts are formed where a device interfaces to an area of doped silicon. Specifically, plugs typically are formed to connect metal 1 layers with device active regions. Vias typically are formed to connect metal 2 and metal 1 layers. Also, interconnects typically are formed to serve as wiring lines interconnecting the many devices on the IC and the many regions within an individual device. These contacts and interconnects are formed using conductive materials.
The integrated circuit devices with their various conductive layers, semiconductive layers, insulating layers, contacts and interconnects are formed by fabrication processes, including doping processes, deposition processes, photolithographic processes, etching processes and other processes. The term "photolithographic process" is of significance here, and refers to a process in which a pattern is delineated in a layer of material (e.g., photoresist) sensitive to photons, electrons or ions. The principle is similar to that of a photo-camera in which an object is imaged on a photo-sensitive emulsion film. While with a photo-camera the "final product" is the printed image, the image in the semiconductor process context typically is an intermediate pattern which defines regions where material is deposited or removed. The photolithographic process typically involves multiple exposing and developing steps, wherein, at a given step the photoresist is exposed to photons, electrons or ions, then developed to remove one of either the exposed or unexposed portions of photoresist. Complex patterns typically require multiple exposure and development steps.
One ongoing goal of semiconductor design and fabrication is to reduce costs. Cost reduction is essential to ongoing success in the field. One manner of reducing costs is to eliminate or optimize steps in the semiconductor fabrication process. In doing so, it is important to maintain or improve device and process efficiency and effectiveness.

Method for reducing photolithographic steps in a semiconductor interconnect process


Projection device failure may be diagnosed by sensing improper operation of projection lamp ignitor circuitry. An ignitor failure indicator may be activated based on a sensed failure in the operation of the lamp ignitor circuitry to prevent incorrect projection lamp failure notification.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to projection devices, and more particularly to methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Projection devices include projectors that use projection lamps to display images on a wall or other suitable viewing surface. Such projectors may be configured to display images provided by analog and digital connections that are compatible with PC, television and video standards. Projectors may be provided with a lamp sensor that monitors lamp current and triggers a lamp failure light if the projector lamp fails to ignite when powered on (e.g., after four ignition attempts). When other power indicators of the projector are illuminated and the projector fan is running, the illuminated lamp failure light indicates to the user that the projector lamp has failed and needs to be replaced. A replacement lamp may then be ordered by the user or may be shipped to the user by the manufacturer, e.g., when still covered under warranty. Projectors may also be provided with an end of life indicator that notifies a user when the lamp has reached its end of life.
A projector lamp failure light does not distinguish between a failed projector lamp and a failed ignitor circuit. Thus, a failure in the ignitor circuit will be viewed by a user as a lamp failure, and may result in a failed attempt to restore projector operation by purchasing and installing a new replacement lamp. For projector products still covered under warranty, a new projector lamp may be shipped to the user in a wasted attempt to restore operation of a projector with a failed ignitor circuit.

Methods and systems for diagnosing projection device failure


The invention is a fishing lure that resembles a worm with a vibrating and/or rotating tail that is electrically motorized. The body of the fishing lure contains a battery pack, which supplies electrical power to a motor. The bottom of the housing contains the hook that is needed to catch a fish, as well as where the tail connects to the motor. The housing has a removable cap that enables the end user to install and remove batteries. The cap also provides a watertight seal thereby preventing the introduction of water into the internal compartment so as to avoid unwanted damages to the electrical and mechanical components. The device turns on when a tilt switch, located between the battery supply and motor, is titled at a predetermined angle.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of fishing lures, more specifically, fishing lure worms with vibrating and/or rotating tails.
B. Prior Art
The King et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,647,659) discloses a fishing lure powered with its own battery and motorized vibration generating embodiment. However, the device disclosed does not use a tail that is motorized, but rather a motorized vibration generator that is entirely located within the housing of the lure. Furthermore, the fishing lure resembles a small fish as opposed to a worm that has a vibrating tail.
The Hawley patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,203,103) discloses a fishing lure that has a battery powered movement apparatus. However, the device disclosed requires a Nitinol or shape metal alloy that is wired to an externally battery pack, as opposed to a worm with the battery pack contained internally. Also, the actuating means uses a Nitinol wire as opposed to a vibrating and/or rotating motor.
The Arbuckle patent (U.S. Pat. No. 6,684,556) discloses a battery operated remotely controlled vibrating fishing lure. However, the remotely controlled vibrating fishing lure does not resemble a worm with a vibrating and/or rotating tail.
The Ratzlaff et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,875,582) discloses an artificial lure in which operates by battery power and makes it look as if it is life-like. However, the device disclosed propels itself by a water propulsion means, as opposed to a vibrating and/or rotating motor that connects to the tail.
The Wulff patent (U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,183) discloses a fishing lure fly apparatus, which does not include a battery supply, a vibrating and/or rotating motor, or a tail.
The Richardson et al. patent (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 500,832) illustrates a design for a worm lure.


A method and system for transmitting binary-coded data use partitioning of data words in a plurality of data nibbles. The data nibbles are coded using modified a 1-bit hot coding format that transforms a data nibble in a data segment including a plurality of bit groups. A change in a digital state at a bit position in a more significant bit group is maintained at that bit position in less significant bit groups, and information is transmitted in a form of a transition between digital states. The data segments are transmitted in phases each including one bit group from each data segment. At a receiving terminal, the bit groups are converted back in the binary-coded data words. In one application, the invention is used to reduce power consumption during data transmissions to and from an integrated circuit device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present inventions generally relates to methods and systems for transmitting binary-coded data to and from integrated circuit (IC) devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention generally relates to methods and systems for transmitting binary-coded data to and from IC devices and, in particular, between portions of system-on-chip (SoC) devices or between the IC devices and respective peripheral devices.
In the IC devices, the power consumed by system buses, such as data, address, and command buses, may represent a significant portion of the total power used by an IC device. In general, power consumption of a system bus is proportional to an average number of transitions occurring on bit lanes of the bus during transmission of the data. For example, in SoC devices using high-end microprocessors and having 32/64-bit system buses, input/output (I/O) systems may consume up to 70% of the total power.
Recent designs in the field of the low power I/O systems have been mostly focused on increasing transmission capacity of the system busses using a priori knowledge of the data to be transmitted (i.e., during transmission of non-random or partially random data) or on implementation of alternative data coding schemes. However, such approaches often require hardware customization of the respective system buses (for example, increasing the widths of a data or address bus) and may limit compatibility between the ICs and peripheral devices.
As such, despite the considerable effort in the art devoted to development of low power systems for transmitting data, further improvements would be desirable.
To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures, except that suffixes may be added, when appropriate, to differentiate such elements. The images in the drawings are simplified for illustrative purposes and are not depicted to scale. It is contemplated that features or steps of one embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.
The appended drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and, as such, should not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention that may admit to other equally effective embodiments.


Cells from which to receive information transmitted on a traffic channel that is not subject to power control in a cellular radio communications system are selected. Selection involves, for each of a plurality of candidate cells, using an offset value that indicates a relationship between a pilot channel transmission power and the traffic channel transmission power associated with the candidate cell to determine a value of quality indicative of power of a signal transmitted on the traffic channel associated with the candidate cell; and selecting, based on the values of quality indicative of power of a signal transmitted on the traffic channel, a number, N, of cells from the plurality of candidate cells.

This invention relates to communication devices and more particularly to communication devices that receive multiple replicas, sent from different transmitters, of the same information.
Digital communication systems include time-division multiple access (TDMA) systems, such as cellular radio telephone systems that comply with the GSM telecommunication standard and its enhancements like GSM/EDGE, and code-division multiple access (CDMA) systems, such as cellular radio telephone systems that comply with the IS-95, cdma2000, and wideband CDMA (WCDMA) telecommunication standards. Digital communication systems also include "blended" TDMA and CDMA systems, such as cellular radio telephone systems that comply with the universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) standard, which specifies a third generation (3G) mobile system being developed by the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) within the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU's) IMT-2000 framework. The Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) promulgates the UMTS standard. This application focuses on WCDMA systems for economy of explanation, but it will be understood that the principles described in this application can be implemented in other digital communication systems.
WCDMA is based on direct-sequence spread-spectrum techniques, with pseudo-noise scrambling codes and orthogonal channelization codes separating base stations and physical channels (user equipment or users), respectively, in the downlink (base-to-user equipment) direction. User Equipment (UE) communicates with the system through, for example, respective dedicated physical channels (DPCHs). WCDMA terminology is used here, but it will be appreciated that other systems have corresponding terminology. Scrambling and channelization codes and transmit power control are well known in the art.
FIG. 1 depicts a mobile radio cellular telecommunication system 100, which may be, for example, a CDMA or a WCDMA communication system. Radio network controllers (RNCs) 112, 114 control various radio network functions including for example radio access bearer setup, diversity handover, and the like. More generally, each RNC directs UE calls via the appropriate base station(s) (BSs), which communicate with each other through downlink (i.e., base-to-UE or forward) and uplink (i.e., UE-to-base or reverse) channels. RNC 112 is shown coupled to BSs 116, 118, 120, and RNC 114 is shown coupled to BSs 122, 124, 126. Each BS serves a geographical area that can be divided into one or more cell(s). BS 126 is shown as having five antenna sectors S1-S5, which can be said to make up the cell of the BS 126. The BSs are coupled to their corresponding RNCs by dedicated telephone lines, optical fiber links, microwave links, and the like. Both RNCs 112, 114 are connected with external networks such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the Internet, and the like through one or more core network nodes like a mobile switching center (not shown) and/or a packet radio service node (not shown). In FIG. 1, UEs 128, 130 are shown communicating with plural base stations: UE 128 communicates with BSs 116, 118, 120, and UE 130 communicates with BSs 120, 122. A control link between RNCs 112, 114 permits diversity communications to/from UE 130 via BSs 120, 122.
At the UE, the modulated carrier signal (Layer 1) is processed to produce an estimate of the original information data stream intended for the receiver. The composite received baseband spread signal is commonly provided to a RAKE processor that includes a number of "fingers", or de-spreaders, that are each assigned to respective ones of selected components, such as multipath echoes or streams from different base stations, in the received signal. Each finger combines a received component with the scrambling sequence and the appropriate channelization code so as to de-spread a component of the received composite signal. The RAKE processor typically de-spreads both sent information data and pilot or training symbols that are included in the composite signal.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a receiver 200, such as a UE in a WCDMA communication system, that receives radio signals through an antenna 202 and down-converts and samples the received signals in a front-end receiver (Fe RX) 204. The output samples are fed from Fe RX 204 to a RAKE combiner and channel estimator 206 that de-spreads the received data including the pilot channel, estimates the impulse response of the radio channel, and de-spreads and combines received echoes of the received data and control symbols. An output of the combiner/estimator 206 is provided to a symbol detector 208 that produces information that is further processed as appropriate for the particular communication system. RAKE combining and channel estimation are well known in the art.
A Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS) for the frequency division duplex (FDD) aspect of the WCDMA system is being standardized by 3GPP. MBMS is described in 3GPP Technical Specification TS23.246 ver. 6.2.0 Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture and functional description (Release 6) (April 2003) and Technical Report TR23.846 ver. 6.1.0 Technical Specification Group Services and System Aspects; Multimedia Broadcast/Multicast Service (MBMS); Architecture and functional description (Release 6) (December 2002), among other places.
MBMS is intended to offer high-speed and high-quality broadcast, or multicast, transmission to mobile stations (UEs). For example, MBMS can offer the end user a selection of movies to watch. Broadcast and multicast are synonyms for point-to-multipoint communication where data packets are simultaneously transmitted from a single source to multiple destinations. The term "broadcast" refers to the ability to deliver content to all users, whereas the term "multicast" refers to services that are solely delivered to users who have joined a particular multicast group.
M. Bakhuizen and U. Horn, "Mobile broadcast/multicast in mobile networks," Ericsson Review, Issue 1 (2005) provides an overview of MBMS. There it is described how, for example in WCDMA, MBMS reuses existing logical and physical channels to the greatest possible extent. In particular, the implementation in WCDMA requires only three new logical channels and one new physical channel. The new logical channels are:                MBMS point-to-multipoint control channel (MCCH), which contains details (e.g., spreading factors) concerning ongoing and upcoming MBMS sessions, and is sent repetitively within a period of 480 ms or 1.28 s;        MBMS point-to-multipoint scheduling channel (MSCH), which provides information (e.g., a program guide) on data scheduled on MTCH; and        MBMS point-to-multipoint traffic channel (MTCH), which carries the actual MBMS application data (e.g., movie content).
The new physical channel is the MBMS notification indicator channel (MICH) by which the network informs UEs of available MBMS information on MCCH. MCCH, MSCH and MTCH reuse the forward access channel (FACH) transport and secondary common control physical channel (S-CCPCH) in WCDMA. The Radio Link Control (RLC) and Medium Access Control (MAC) layers reuse much of the existing protocol stacks.
Since MBMS is a broadcasting service, the same physical channel may simultaneously be received by multiple UEs (e.g., mobile handsets or other mobile equipment). Consequently MBMS is not subject to power control. With no power control, other ways need to be found to guarantee quality of service. Accordingly, to enhance the quality and bit rate of the MBMS transmission, it has been agreed in 3GPP to use large interleaving depths, that is, large Transmission Time Intervals (TTIs) (each TTI includes one transport block and has a length of three slots), to obtain interleaving gain. It has also been agreed to use multicast on Layer 1, that is, the UE should be able to receive multiple replicas of the same bitstream from different base stations, each of which is a Node B in 3GPP vocabulary. In particular, it is proposed that several clusters should send the same information to get space diversity. As used herein, the term "cluster" means a number of radio links (a number of cells) that are aligned in time. The transmission timing of the cluster determines how to combine the sent data in order to yield an improved reception of the information. Three different combining methods are possible:    1) RAKE combining: when all clusters' transmissions are within a certain period of time, for example 296 chips, of one another, RAKE combining (as is done for DPCH) can be performed.    2) Soft combining: when all clusters' transmissions occur within a time span measured as the duration of a TTI plus the duration of one slot (herein denoted "TTI+one slot"), a soft buffer should be maintained, in which the combiner output symbols are added for each cluster. Soft combining is well known in the art, and is used by some kinds of turbo decoders and by hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) in high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) which is an evolution of WCDMA communication systems.    3) Selection combining: when a cluster's transmission is time misaligned by more than a TTI+one slot from another cluster's transmission, then full decoding of each cluster's sent transport block is performed, and one of the decoded transport blocks is then selected based on, for example, whether the decoded transport block passes a cyclic redundancy check (CRC). Selective combining is well known in the art.
Reception from at most three clusters is supported. This implies at most three S-CCPCHs to receive MTCH data (no multi-code). One of the clusters contains the cell that controls the MBMS transmission. This cell is referred to as the controlling cell, and the other cells transmitting the MTCH are referred to as the neighboring cells. A FACH or dedicated channel (DCH) can be transmitted at the same time as the MTCH.
The UE is usually limited in the number of despreaders it can allocate for demodulating sent data. When the UE is supposed to receive from multiple clusters, the total number of cells contained in all clusters could be larger than the number of available despreaders in the UE. The UE therefore needs to select the best cells to use. The cells whose MTCHs are to be combined are not signaled to the UE; rather, it is up to the UE to decide which cells to use.
U.S. Patent Application Publication US 2004/0081125 A1 discloses a selection diversity strategy based on a comparison of pilot signals on a common pilot channel (CPICH), preferably the primary-CPICH (P-CPICH). However, the power of a signal transmitted on a CPICH may not be a good indicator of the power of a signal transmitted on the MTCH, which is actually transporting the MBMS application data. One reason for this is, for example, that no power control is used on the S-CCPCH.
Thus, it is desired to provide a mechanism for selecting which cells to use when receiving MBMS application data.

Cell selection in broadcast and multicast communication environments


A preferred method for evaluating a transformer design using data representing test results from a plurality of transformers and stored in a data base includes comparing the data representing test results to predetermined criteria for the test results to determine whether the test results satisfy the predetermined criteria. The preferred method also includes counting the number of the test results that do not satisfy the predetermined criteria, and generating an indication that a predetermined quantity of the test results do not satisfy the predetermined criteria if at least the predetermined quantity of the test results do not satisfy the predetermined criteria.

Electric power companies and utilities generate electrical power for consumers using power generation units. A power generation unit can be a coal-fired power plant, a hydro-electric power plant, a gas-turbine-driven generator, a diesel-engine-driven generator, a nuclear power plant, etc. The electrical power is transmitted to the consumer via transmission and distribution (T&D) systems. T&D systems can include power lines, protective switches, sectionalizing switches, breakers, reclosers, etc.
Electrical power is typically transmitted over a portion of the T&D system at relatively high voltages to minimize losses. T&D systems typically include transformers that step up the voltage to levels suitable for transmission with minimal losses. Transformers are also used to step down the relatively high transmission voltages to levels suitable for use by the consumer.
The malfunction or failure of a transformer can result in a power outage. The malfunction or failure of a relatively large transformer used, for example, in a substation can result in a power outage that affects a large numbers of consumers. Hence, purchasers of transformers (typically electric power companies and utilities) usually consider transformer reliability when making their buying decisions.
In addition, transformer purchasers usually consider the initial (purchase) cost and operating costs when deciding whether to purchase a particular transformer. The cost of the materials used in the manufacture of a transformer, in general, represents a substantial portion of the purchase cost.
Operating costs are due in large measure to the internal losses within the transformer. These losses, in turn, are related to the efficiency of the transformer. Hence, purchasers of transformers usually demand that transformer manufacturers provide a product with a relatively high efficiency. Purchasers sometimes negotiate a contractual financial penalty from the manufacturer if a transformer does not meet a specified efficiency goal.
In view of the above demands, transformer manufacturers generally attempt to design their products so as to maximize the reliability and efficiency thereof, and to minimize the initial (purchase) cost.
Transformers typically undergo acceptance testing before being shipped to the customer or end user. Acceptance testing is used to verify that the transformer meets certain limits, guarantees, goals, or other requirements, e.g., internal losses below a predefined value (these limits, guarantees, goals, and requirements are hereinafter referred to collectively as "performance requirements.")
A transformer that exceeds its performance requirements may be over-designed, i.e., one or more components of the transformer may be constructed to perform at a level beyond that which is necessary. For example, a transformer that exceeds its requirements for internal losses, i.e., a transformer having lower internal losses than required, may use more steel in its core than necessary.
A component that over-performs is likely more expensive than necessary. Hence, over-performing components can potentially result in lost profits for the manufacturer. Over-performing components can also represent a lost opportunity to lower the price of the transformer and thereby make the transformer more cost-competitive.
A transformer that fails to meets its performance requirements, conversely, may have one or more under-designed components. Modification of such components is usually required for the transformer to meet its performance requirements (and thereby avoid the financial penalties sometimes imposed on manufacturers for performance shortfalls). The required modifications may be relatively minor in some cases, and the benefits associated with such modifications may justify the relatively low expense associated therewith. In cases where major modifications are required, however, the benefits of such modifications may be outweighed by the expense thereof.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for evaluating a transformer design


A rackmount distribution panel includes two movable, e.g., sliding, trays to provide full access to the distribution panel from both the front and the rear of the distribution panel. Consequently, the distribution panel may be easily and conveniently accessed to install, secure, and route cabling during installation, upgrades, service or repair, even when the distribution panel has already been mounted to a rack. The distribution includes a front tray, and a front tray movably coupled to the frame configured to be moved in a forward direction and a rear tray movably coupled to the tray and configured to be moved in a rear direction. The front and rear trays are configured to receive and secure a cable and to provide access to the cable by moving in the forward or rear directions. The front tray may move in the rear direction with the rear tray.

Rackmount distribution panels are used, e.g., in the telecommunications industry, to access and store cables. Ease of access to the cables in distribution panels, e.g., for service and upgrade, is an important consideration. Another important consideration is the ability to store the cables to prevent damage. Typically the need to secure cables to prevent damage is at odds with the need for ease of access to the cables.
For example, conventional rackmount distribution panels typically are mounted to a rack and the cable enters the distribution panel from the back and is secured to the distribution panel. Accordingly, access to the cable is restricted.

Distribution panel with dual movable trays


An original image signal, which represents an original image and is made up of a series of original image signal components Yij, is obtained. Corresponding interpolation coefficients Bij and Cij, which are set for each of the original image signal components Yij, in two different interpolating functions f and g, represented by Formulas (1) and (2), for obtaining two interpolation images having different levels of sharpness are linearly combined with each other by using Formula (3). A new interpolation coefficient Aij is thereby obtained. An interpolating operation is carried out on the original image signal components Yij with an interpolating function h, which has the new interpolation coefficient Aij and is represented by Formula (4). An interpolation image signal is thereby obtained, which is made up of a series of image signal components occurring at intervals different from those of the original image signal components Yij, EQU f=.SIGMA.Bij.multidot.Yij (1) EQU g=.SIGMA.Cij.multidot.Yij (2) EQU Aij=(1-.alpha.)Bij+.alpha.Cij (3) EQU h=.SIGMA.Aij.multidot.Yij (4). in which i=1, 2, . . . , and j=1, 2, . . . ,. The coefficient .alpha. in Formula (3) is set to be one of real numbers including a range smaller than 0 and/or a range larger than 1.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an interpolating operation method and apparatus for an image signal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Techniques for photoelectrically reading out an image, which has been recorded on a photographic film, in order to obtain an image signal, carrying out appropriate image processing on the image signal, and then reproducing a visible image by use of the processed image signal have heretofore been known in various fields.
Also, it has been proposed to use stimulable phosphors in radiation image recording and reproducing systems. Specifically, a radiation image of an object, such as a human body, is recorded on a sheet provided with a layer of the stimulable phosphor (hereinafter referred to as a stimulable phosphor sheet). The stimulable phosphor sheet, on which the radiation image has been stored, is then exposed to stimulating rays, such as a laser beam, which cause it to emit light in proportion to the amount of energy stored thereon during its exposure to the radiation. The light emitted by the stimulable phosphor sheet, upon stimulation thereof, is photoelectrically detected and converted into an electric image signal. The image signal is then processed and used for the reproduction of the radiation image of the object as a visible image on a recording material, such as photographic material, or on a display device, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device. Radiation image recording and reproducing systems, which use stimulable phosphor sheets, are advantageous over conventional radiography using silver halide photographic materials, in that images can be recorded even when the energy intensity of the radiation, to which the stimulable phosphor sheet is exposed, varies over a wide range.
In image recording and reproducing systems, in which an image signal is obtained in the manner described above and a visible is reproduced from the image signal, in cases where the region of interest in the visible image is to be viewed in more detail, the region of interest is often enlarged and reproduced. In such cases, if the enlargement of the image size is carried out such that the number of the image signal components of the image signal representing the enlarged image may be identical with the number of the image signal components of the original image signal representing the original image, the sharpness of the enlarged image will be recognized to be lower than the sharpness of the original image due to the visual characteristics of persons. Therefore, if the image is merely enlarged and reproduced, an enlarged image having a high sharpness cannot be obtained, and the details of the image cannot be viewed accurately.
In order for the aforesaid problems to be eliminated, a predetermined interpolating operation may be carried out on the original image signal, which has been obtained by reading out an original image, and an interpolation image signal, which is a secondary image signal and is made up of a number of image signal components different from that of the original image signal, may thereby be formed. Specifically, in cases where an enlarged image is to be reproduced, an interpolation image signal, which is made up of a number of image signal components larger than that of the original image signal, may be formed from the interpolating operation. A visible image may then be reproduced from the interpolation image signal. In this manner, the sharpness of the enlarged image can be prevented from becoming low.
As the interpolating operation methods for carrying out interpolating operations on image signals, various methods have heretofore been proposed. Among such methods, the method using third-order spline interpolating functions is popular. With the interpolating operation method using the third-order spline interpolating functions, digital original image signal components (Y.sub.k) in each section are connected by a third-order function (f.sub.k), and the value of f.sub.k corresponding to a position, at which an interpolation point is set, (i.e., a setting position in each section) is taken as the value of the interpolated image signal component.
The interpolating operations, which pass through the original image signal in the manner described above, can yield an image having a comparatively high sharpness. As such interpolating operations, cubic spline interpolating operations, and the like, are known. How the cubic spline interpolating operations are carried out will be described hereinbelow.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory graph showing how interpolated image signal components are obtained with a conventional cubic spline interpolating operation from original image signal components, which are sampled with a period of an equal interval and represent sampling points (picture elements) arrayed in one direction. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the image signal components (the original image signal components), which have been detected as digital signal components from an original image and represent a series of picture elements X.sub.k-2, X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k, X.sub.k+1, X.sub.k+2, . . . , are respectively represented by Y.sub.k-2, Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, Y.sub.k+2, . . . . A third-order spline interpolating function is set for each of sections X.sub.k-2 .about.X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k-1 .about.X.sub.k, X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1, and X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2. The spline interpolating functions corresponding to the respective sections are represented by f.sub.k-2, f.sub.k-1, f.sub.k, f.sub.k+1, and f.sub.k+2. The interpolating functions are the third-order functions, in which the position in each section serves as a variable.
Firstly, how the interpolating operation is carried out when a point taken for interpolation (hereinbelow referred to as the interpolation point) X.sub.p falls within the section X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1 will be described hereinbelow. The spline interpolating function f.sub.k corresponding to the section X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1 is represented by Formula (29). EQU f.sub.k (x)=A.sub.k x.sup.3 +B.sub.k x.sup.2 +C.sub.k x+D.sub.k( 29)
In the cubic spline interpolating operation, it is necessary that the spline interpolating function f.sub.k passes through the original sampling points (picture elements), and that the first-order differential coefficient of the spline interpolating function f.sub.k is continuous between adjacent sections. Therefore, it is necessary for Formulas (7), (8), (9), and (10) to be satisfied. EQU f.sub.k (X.sub.k)=Y.sub.k ( 7) EQU f.sub.k (X.sub.k+1)=Y.sub.k+1 ( 8) EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k)=f.sub.k-1 '(X.sub.k) (9) EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k+1)=f.sub.k+1 '(X.sub.k+1) (10)
In these formulas, f.sub.k ' represents the first-order differentiation (3A.sub.k x.sup.2 +2B.sub.k x+C.sub.k) of the function f.sub.k.
In the strict sense, the cubic spline interpolating operation contains the continuity conditions of the second-order differential coefficient. However, with continuity conditions of the second-order differential coefficient, the operation formulas become complicated. Therefore, the cubic spline interpolating operation is popularly carried out in the form simplified in the manner described above.
Also, in the cubic spline interpolating operation, it is necessary for the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k to satisfy the condition with respect to the picture elements X.sub.k-1 and X.sub.k+1, which are located before and after the picture element X.sub.k, in that the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k should coincide with the gradient (Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/(X.sub.k+1 -X.sub.k-1) of the image signal components Y.sub.k-1 and Y.sub.k+1 representing the picture elements X.sub.k-1 and X.sub.k+1. Therefore, it is necessary for Formula (19) to be satisfied. EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k)=(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/(X.sub.k+1 -X.sub.k-1)(19)
Also, it is necessary for the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k+1 to satisfy the condition with respect to the picture elements X.sub.k and X.sub.k+2, which are located before and after the picture element X.sub.k+1, in that the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k+1 should coincide with the gradient (Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/(X.sub.k+2 -X.sub.k) of the image signal components Y.sub.k and Y.sub.k+2 representing the picture elements X.sub.k and X.sub.k+2. Therefore, it is necessary for Formula (20) to be satisfied . EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k+1)=(Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/(X.sub.k+2 -X.sub.k)(20)
It is herein assumed that the interval (i.e., the lattice interval) of each of sections X.sub.k-2 .about.X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k-1 .about.X.sub.k, X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1, and X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2 is equal to 1, and the position of the interpolation point X.sub.p, which is taken from the picture element X.sub.k toward the picture element X.sub.k+1, is represented by t (0.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.1). In such cases, from Formulas (29), (7), (8), (9), (10), (19), and (29), the formulas shown below obtain. EQU f.sub.k (0)=D.sub.k =Y.sub.k EQU f.sub.k (1)=A.sub.k +B.sub.k +C.sub.k +D.sub.k =Y.sub.k+1 EQU f.sub.k '(0)=C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU f.sub.k '(1)=3A.sub.k +2B.sub.k +C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/2
Therefore, the formulas shown below obtain. EQU A.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+2 -3Y.sub.k+1 +3Y.sub.k -Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU B.sub.k =(-Y.sub.k+2 +4Y.sub.k+1 5Y.sub.k +2Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU D.sub.k =Y.sub.k
As described above, the variable conversion of X=t is carried out, and therefore the spline interpolating function f.sub.k (X) is represented by the formula shown below. EQU f.sub.k (x)=f.sub.k (t)
Therefore, an interpolated image signal component Y.sub.p corresponding to the interpolation point X.sub.p may be represented by Formula (30). EQU Y.sub.p =f.sub.k (t)=A.sub.k t.sup.3 +B.sub.k t.sup.2 +C.sub.k t+D.sub.k( 30)
Substituting the coefficients A.sub.k, B.sub.k, C.sub.k, and D.sub.k into Formula (30) yields ##EQU1## Arranging this formula with respect to the image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2 yields Formula (31). ##EQU2##
The coefficients for the image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2 are referred to as the interpolation coefficients C.sub.k-1, C.sub.k, C.sub.k+1, and C.sub.k+2. Specifically, the interpolation coefficients C.sub.k-1, C.sub.k, C.sub.k+1, and C.sub.k+2, which respectively correspond to the image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2 in Formula (31), may be represented by the formulas shown below. EQU C.sub.k-1 =(-t.sup.3 +2t.sup.2 -t)/2 EQU C.sub.k =(3t.sup.3 -5t.sup.2 +2)/2 EQU C.sub.k+1 =(-3t.sup.3 +4t.sup.2 +t)/2 EQU C.sub.k+2 =(t.sup.3 -t.sup.2)/2
The operations described above are repeated for the sections X.sub.k-2 .about.X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k-1 .about.X.sub.k, X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1, and X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2. In this manner, an interpolation image signal can be obtained, which is made up of image signal components occurring at intervals different from those of the image signal components of the entire original image signal.
As described above, in the cubic spline interpolating operation, it is necessary that the spline interpolating function passes through the original sampling points (picture elements), and that the first-order differential coefficient of the spline interpolating function is continuous between adjacent sections. With the interpolating function for the cubic spline interpolating operation, the interpolation image signal for use in the reproduction of a secondary image (i.e., the image obtained from the interpolating operation), which has a comparatively high sharpness, is obtained. On the other hand, as for a portion in the original image, at which the change in density is gentle, the interpolating operation should preferably be carried out such that a secondary image, in which the sharpness is comparatively low and which is smooth, may be obtained. As the interpolating function for obtaining the interpolation image signal representing the secondary image, in which the sharpness is comparatively low and which is smooth, for example, a B spline interpolating operation function is known. In the B spline interpolating operation, the spline interpolating function need not pass through the original sampling points (picture elements), and it is necessary that the first-order differential coefficient and the second-order differential coefficient {represented by f" (X)} of the spline interpolating function are continuous between adjacent sections.
Specifically, in Formula (29), EQU f.sub.k '(X)=A.sub.k X.sup.3 +B.sub.k X.sup.2 +C.sub.k X+D.sub.k( 29)
the conditions shown below should be satisfied. EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k)=f.sub.k-1 '(X.sub.k) (9) EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k+1)=f.sub.k+1 '(X.sub.k+1) (10) EQU f.sub.k "(X.sub.k)=f.sub.k-1 "(X.sub.k) (32) EQU f.sub.k "(X.sub.k+1)=f.sub.k+1 "(X.sub.k+1) (33)
Also, it is necessary for the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k to satisfy the condition with respect to the picture elements X.sub.k-1 and X.sub.k+1, which are located before and after the picture element X.sub.k, in that the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k should coincide with the gradient (Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/(X.sub.k+1 -X.sub.k-1) of the image signal components Y.sub.k-1 and Y.sub.k+1 representing the picture elements X.sub.k-1 and X.sub.k+1. Therefore, it is necessary for Formula (19) to be satisfied. EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k)=(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/(X.sub.k+1 -X.sub.k-1)(19)
Further, it is necessary for the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k+1 to satisfy the condition with respect to the picture elements X.sub.k and X.sub.k+2, which are located before and after the picture element X.sub.k+1, in that the first-order differential coefficient at the picture element X.sub.k+1 should coincide with the gradient (Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/(X.sub.k+2 -X.sub.k) of the image signal components Y.sub.k and Y.sub.k+2 representing the picture elements X.sub.k and X.sub.k+2. Therefore, it is necessary for Formula (20) to be satisfied . EQU f.sub.k '(X.sub.k+1)=(Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/(X.sub.k+2 -X.sub.k)(20)
In general, the function f(X) may be approximately represented by Formula (34). EQU f(X)=f(0)+f'(0)X+{f"(0)/2}X.sup.2 ( 34)
It is herein assumed that the interval (i.e., the lattice interval) of each of sections X.sub.k-2 .about.X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k-1 .about.X.sub.k, X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1, and X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2 is equal to 1, and the position of the interpolation point X.sub.p, which is taken from the picture element X.sub.k toward the picture element X.sub.k+1, is represented by t (0.ltoreq.t.ltoreq.1). In such cases, from Formulas (29), (9), (10), (19), (20), (30), (32), (33), and (34), the formulas shown below obtain. EQU f.sub.k '(0)=C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU f.sub.k '(1)=3A.sub.k +2B.sub.k +C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+2 -Y.sub.k)/2 EQU f.sub.k "(0)=Y.sub.k+1 -2Y.sub.k +Y.sub.k-1 =2B
Therefore, the formulas shown below obtain. EQU A.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+2 -3Y.sub.k+1 +3Y.sub.k -Y.sub.k-1)/6 EQU B.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 -2Y.sub.k +Y.sub.k-1)/2 EQU C.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 -Y.sub.k-1)/2
Since D.sub.k is unknown, it is represented by the formula EQU D.sub.k =(D.sub.1 Y.sub.k+2 +D.sub.2 Y.sub.k+1 +D.sub.3 Y.sub.k +D.sub.4 Y.sub.k-1)/6
As described above, the variable conversion of X=t is carried out, and therefore the spline interpolating function f.sub.k (X) is represented by the formula shown below. EQU f.sub.k (X)=f.sub.k (t)
Therefore, ##EQU3## Arranging this formula with respect to the image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2 yields Formula (35). ##EQU4##
If t is set to be t=1, the formula shown below will obtain. EQU f.sub.k (1)={(D.sub.4 -1)/6}Y.sub.k-1 +{(D.sub.3 -3)/6}Y.sub.k+{( D.sub.2 +3)/6}Y.sub.k+1 +{(D.sub.1 +1)/6}Y.sub.k+2
As for the section X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2, Formula (35) may be rewritten as Formula (36) ##EQU5##
If t is set to be t=0, the formula shown below will obtain. EQU f.sub.k+1 (0)=(D.sub.4 /6)Y.sub.k +(D.sub.3 /6)Y.sub.k+1 +(D.sub.2 /6)Y.sub.k+2 +(D.sub.1 /6)Y.sub.k+3
From the continuity condition {f.sub.k (1)=f.sub.k+1 (0)} and the condition in that the coefficients corresponding to the respective original image signal components are equal to each other, D.sub.4 -1=0, D.sub.3 -3=D.sub.4, D.sub.2 +3=D.sub.3, D.sub.1 +1=D.sub.2, and D.sub.1 =0. Therefore, EQU D.sub.k =(Y.sub.k+1 +4Y.sub.k +Y.sub.k-1)/6
Accordingly, Formula (37) obtains. ##EQU6##
Therefore, the interpolation coefficients b.sub.k-1, b.sub.k, b.sub.k+1, and b.sub.k+2, which respectively correspond to the image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2, may be represented by the formulas shown below. EQU b.sub.k-1 =(-t.sup.3 +3t.sup.2 -3t+1)/6 EQU b.sub.k =(3t.sup.3 -6t.sup.2 +4)/6 EQU b.sub.k+1 =(-3t.sup.3 +3t.sup.2 +3t+1)/6 EQU b.sub.k+2 =t.sup.3 /6
The operations described above are repeated for the sections X.sub.k-2 .about.X.sub.k-1, X.sub.k-1 .about.X.sub.k, X.sub.k .about.X.sub.k+1, and X.sub.k+1 .about.X.sub.k+2. In this manner, an interpolation image signal can be obtained, which is made up of image signal components occurring at intervals different from those of the image signal components of the entire original image signal.
In this manner, in cases where a secondary image (an interpolation image) having a high sharpness is to be reproduced, for example, the cubic spline interpolating operation may be used. In cases where a secondary image, which has a low sharpness and is smooth, is to be reproduced, for example, the B spline interpolating operation may be used.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,105, the applicant proposed an interpolating operation method for an image signal, with which the sharpness of an interpolation image can be adjusted finely by, for example, weighting the corresponding coefficients of two interpolating functions, that provide different levels of sharpness, in accordance with a desired sharpness of the interpolation image, and adding the weighted coefficients to each other. With the proposed method, for example, in cases where the cubic spline interpolating operation function and the B spline interpolating operation function are employed as the two interpolating functions, that provide different levels of sharpness, the interpolation coefficients C.sub.k-1, C.sub.k, C.sub.k+1, and C.sub.k+2 for the cubic spline interpolating operation and the interpolation coefficients b.sub.k-1, b.sub.k, b.sub.k+1, and b.sub.k+2 for the B spline interpolating operation, which coefficients correspond to each other and are set for the respective original image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2, are weighted and added to each other. By alteration of the weighting ratio (coefficient) .alpha., it is possible to obtain a secondary image having a desired level of sharpness, which is intermediate in the range from the highest sharpness to the lowest smooth sharpness.
Specifically, in cases where the interpolation coefficients for the cubic spline interpolating operation are represented by C.sub.k, C.sub.k, C.sub.k+1, and C.sub.k+2, and the interpolation coefficients for the B spline interpolating operation are represented by b.sub.k-1, b.sub.k, b.sub.k+1, and b.sub.k+2, weighted interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2 are set as shown below. EQU a.sub.k-1 =(1-.alpha.)C.sub.k-1 +.alpha.b.sub.k-1 EQU a.sub.k =(1-.alpha.)C.sub.k-1 +.alpha.b.sub.k-1 EQU a.sub.k+1 =(1-.alpha.)C.sub.k-1 +.alpha.b.sub.k+1 EQU a.sub.k+2 =(1-.alpha.)C.sub.k+2 +.alpha.b.sub.k+2
wherein 0.ltoreq..alpha..ltoreq.1. PA1 i) obtaining an original image signal, which represents an original image and is made up of a series of original image signal components Yij, PA1 ii) linearly combining interpolation coefficients Bij and Cij, which correspond to each other and are set for each of the original image signal components Yij, in two different interpolating functions f and g for obtaining two interpolation images having different levels of sharpness, which functions are represented by Formulas (1) and (2), the linear combination being carried out with Formula (3), a new interpolation coefficient Aij being obtained from the linear combination, and PA1 iii) carrying out an interpolating operation on the original image signal components Yij by using an interpolating function h having the new interpolation coefficient Aij, which function is represented by Formula (4), an interpolation image signal being obtained from the interpolating operation, the interpolation image signal being made up of a series of image signal components, which occur at intervals different from those of the original image signal components Yij, EQU f=.SIGMA.Bij .multidot.Yij (1) EQU g=.SIGMA.Cij .multidot.Yij (2) EQU Aij=(1-.alpha.)Bij+.alpha.Cij (3) EQU h=.SIGMA.Aij .multidot.Yij (4) PA1 in which i=1, 2, . . . , and j=1, 2, . . . , PA1 wherein the coefficient .alpha. in Formula (3) is set to be one of real numbers including a range smaller than 0 and/or a range larger than 1. PA1 a) a plurality of first look-up tables are prepared, each of the first look-up tables setting the frequencies and the corresponding responses R.sub.1 with respect to one of the two interpolating functions and for each of a plurality of different image size enlargement scale factors, PA1 b) a plurality of second look-up tables are prepared, each of the second look-up tables setting the frequencies and the corresponding responses R.sub.2 with respect to the other interpolating function and for each of a plurality of different image size enlargement scale factors, PA1 c) a response R.sub.1 of the one interpolating function with respect to an image size enlargement scale factor, which is desired for an interpolation image, and a response R.sub.2 of the other interpolating function with respect to the image size enlargement scale factor, which is desired for the interpolation image, are calculated by making reference to a first look-up table and a second look-up table, which correspond to the image size enlargement scale factor desired for the interpolation image, and PA1 d) the coefficient .alpha. is calculated from an operation carried out with Formula (5): EQU .alpha.=(R-R.sub.1)/(R.sub.2 -R.sub.1) (5) PA1 i) an original image signal, which represents an original image and is made up of a series of original image signal components Yij, is obtained, PA1 ii) interpolation coefficients Bij and Cij, which correspond to each other and are set for each of the original image signal components Yij, in two different interpolating functions f and g for obtaining two interpolation images having different levels of sharpness, which functions are represented by Formulas (1) and (2), are linearly combined with each other, the linear combination being carried out with Formula (3), a new interpolation coefficient Aij being obtained from the linear combination, and PA1 iii) an interpolating operation is carried out on the original image signal components Yij by using an interpolating function h having the new interpolation coefficient Aij, which function is represented by Formula (4), an interpolation image signal being obtained from the interpolating operation, the interpolation image signal being made up of a series of image signal components, which occur at intervals different from those of the original image signal components Yij, EQU f=.SIGMA.Bij.multidot.Yij (1) EQU g=.SIGMA.Cij.multidot.Yij (2) EQU Aij=(1-.alpha.)Bij+.alpha.Cij (3) EQU h=.SIGMA.Aij.multidot.Yij (4) PA1 in which i=1, 2, . . . , and j=1, 2, . . . , PA1 the apparatus comprising: PA1 a) a response input means for inputting a response R desired for the interpolation image, PA1 b) a plurality of first look-up tables, each of the first look-up tables setting the frequencies and the corresponding responses R.sub.1 with respect to one of the two interpolating functions and for each of a plurality of different image size enlargement scale factors, PA1 c) a plurality of second look-up tables, each of the second look-up tables setting the frequencies and the corresponding responses R.sub.2 with respect to the other interpolating function and for each of a plurality of different image size enlargement scale factors, and PA1 d) a coefficient calculating means for calculating a response R.sub.1 of the one interpolating function with respect to an image size enlargement scale factor, which is desired for an interpolation image, and a response R.sub.2 of the other interpolating function with respect to the image size enlargement scale factor, which is desired for the interpolation image, by making reference to a first look-up table and a second look-up table, which correspond to the image size enlargement scale factor desired for the interpolation image, and PA1 for calculating the coefficient .alpha. from an operation carried out with Formula (5): EQU .alpha.=(R-R.sub.1)/(R.sub.2 -R.sub.1) (5) PA1 the method comprising the steps of: PA1 the method comprising the steps of: PA1 the method comprising the steps of: PA1 the apparatus comprising: PA1 2) an input means for inputting the arbitrary parameter .alpha., which determines the sharpness of the secondary image reproduced from the interpolation image signal, PA1 3) an interpolation coefficient operation means for calculating the interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2 in accordance with the parameter .alpha., the calculation being carried out from the interpolation coefficients, which are stored in the storage means, and the parameter .alpha. inputted from the input means, and PA1 4) an interpolating operation means for storing Formula (6) as the operation formula, and calculating the value of the interpolated image signal component Y.sub.p, which corresponds to the interpolation point X.sub.p, with Formula (6) in accordance with the interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2, which have been calculated by the interpolation coefficient operation means, and the original image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2. PA1 the apparatus comprising: PA1 2) an input means for inputting the arbitrary parameter .beta., which determines the sharpness of the secondary image reproduced from the interpolation image signal, PA1 3) an interpolation coefficient operation means for calculating the interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2 in accordance with the parameter .beta., the calculation being carried out from the interpolation coefficients, which are stored in the storage means, and the parameter .beta. inputted from the input means, and PA1 4) an interpolating operation means for storing Formula (6) as the operation formula, and calculating the value of the interpolated image signal component Y.sub.p, which corresponds to the interpolation point X.sub.p, with Formula (6) in accordance with the interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2, which have been calculated by the interpolation coefficient operation means, and the original image signal components Y.sub.k-1, Y.sub.k, Y.sub.k+1, and Y.sub.k+2. PA1 the apparatus comprising:
In accordance with the thus obtained new interpolation coefficients a.sub.k-1, a.sub.k, a.sub.k+1, and a.sub.k+2, an interpolated image signal component Y.sub.p is calculated with Formula (38). EQU Y.sub.p =a.sub.k-1 Y.sub.k-1 +a.sub.k Y.sub.k +a.sub.k+1 Y.sub.k+1 +a.sub.k+2 Y.sub.k+2 (38)
An actual image is composed of the picture elements arrayed in two-dimensional directions. Therefore, the interpolation coefficient a.sub.k is represented as the interpolation coefficient Bij or Cij corresponding to each of two different directions (an i direction and a j direction) of an array of picture elements in the image.
With respect to the sharpness of the interpolation image, a wider variety of sharpness levels are often desired. For example, it is often desired to obtain an interpolation image having a sharpness higher than the sharpness of the interpolation image, which is obtained from the cubic spline interpolating operation alone. Also, it is often desired to obtain an interpolation image having a sharpness smoother than the sharpness of the interpolation image, which is obtained from the B spline interpolating operation alone.
However, with the interpolating operation method for an image signal, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,105, in cases where the cubic spline interpolating operation and the B spline interpolating operation are employed, the adjustment of sharpness can be carried out only within the range of the sharpness, which corresponds to the sharpest image obtained with the cubic spline interpolating operation, to the sharpness, which corresponds to the smoothest image obtained with the B spline interpolating operation. Therefore, the disclosed method cannot satisfy the demand for a wide variety of sharpness levels.

Interpolating operation method and apparatus for image signals


There is provided a delay circuit that delays an input signal to output the delayed signal. The delay circuit includes a first delay element operable to receive the input signal and delay the input signal to output the delayed signal, a buffer operable to receive the delay signal output from the first delay element and correct a dullness of a waveform of the delay signal generated from the first delay element to output the corrected signal, and a second delay element operable to receive the delay signal output from the buffer and delay the delay signal to output the delayed signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a delay circuit that delays an input signal to output the signal and a test apparatus that tests a device under test. More particularly, the present invention relates to a delay circuit in which a plurality of delay elements is serially connected to one another.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a circuit that dulls a waveform of an input signal to delay the input signal by a predetermined delay amount has been known as a delay circuit for delaying the input signal. For example, there has been known a delay circuit that inputs an input signal into an inverter, charges and discharges load capacitance of the inverter, and outputs a voltage waveform in the load capacitance. The delay circuit adjusts rising time and falling time of the voltage waveform in the load capacitance and controls a delay amount to be given to the input signal by controlling a power source current of the inverter to control a charging and discharging current of the load capacitance.
However, when a conventional delay circuit has a large delay amount, a pulse from the delay circuit may become unsteady. For example, when the delay circuit charging and discharging the load capacitance has a large delay amount, a current value charging the load capacitance is reduced. The delay circuit charges the load capacitance for a period for which a pulse of the input signal shows an H-logic. However, since the charging current is small, the voltage of the load capacitance may not stand at a predetermined reference value or the time for which the voltage of the load capacitance stands at a value more than the reference value may not acquire sufficiently.
For such a problem, it is considered that a plurality of delay circuits is serially connected to one another and each delay circuit has a delay amount within a range in which a pulse is stable. However, in such a configuration, a waveform output from each delay circuit gets dull. Each delay circuit turns on/off its CMOS transistor according to the voltage of the input signal and charges and discharges the load capacitance by a power source current according to a delay setting. However, when the waveform of the signal received from the delay circuit in a previous stage gets dull, the timing in which the voltage enough to flow the power source current according to the delay setting is applied to the CMOS transistor gets late. Thus, the delay time in the delay circuit has an error with respect to the delay setting. Therefore, linearity for delay in the delay circuit has deteriorated.

Delay circuit and test apparatus using delay element and buffer


A safety mechanism for an open/close door member of an image forming apparatus includes a door member rotated around one axis to be opened and closed in a gravity force direction, a first lever member abutting against the door member in a closed condition, a second lever rotatably attached to an apparatus body and adapted to support the first lever member, and a biasing member for biasing the first and second lever members. When a load acting on the first lever member from the door member is greater than a set value, the lever member is shifted to a predetermined position to function as a stop device for stopping rotation of the door member, and, when the load is smaller than the set value, the rotation of the door member is permitted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a safety mechanism for an open/close door member of an image forming apparatus such as a printer, a facsimile apparatus and the like.
2. Related Background Art
As an example of an equipment having an open/close member, a construction and a function of a laser beam printer using an electrophotographic process will be explained with reference to FIG. 10.
FIG. 10 is an elevational sectional view of the laser beam printer. In FIG. 10, the reference numeral 1 denotes a body of the printer; 2 denotes a cassette in which transfer sheets S are stacked; 21 denotes a sheet supply roller for picking up the transfer sheets S one by one from the cassette 2; 22 denotes a pair of regist rollers for controlling a convey timing of the transfer sheet S; 3 denotes a transfer charge roller; and 4 denotes a process cartridge. The process cartridge 4 incorporates therein at least a photosensitive drum 71, a developing device (not shown), a charger (not shown) a toner containing portion (not shown) and a cleaning device for the photosensitive drum as a cartridge unit which can detachably be mounted to the printer body 1.
A fixing device 5 includes a halogen heater 52, an aluminium fixing roller 51 and a rubber pressure roller 53. Developer on the transfer sheet S is fused by heat and pressure from the fixing roller 51 and the pressure roller 53 to be fixed to the transfer sheet S.
The reference numeral 23 denotes a pair of convey rollers; 24 denotes a pair of discharge rollers; 6 denotes a scanner unit for scanning the photosensitive drum 71 by reflecting a laser beam emitted from a laser generator (not shown) onto the photosensitive drum through a mirror 61; and 62 denotes a reflection mirror for directing the laser beam to the photosensitive drum 71.
Next, a printing operation will be described.
When a print signal is inputted from a host computer (not shown), the transfer sheet S is picked up from the cassette 2 by the sheet supply roller 21. The transfer sheet S is conveyed by the pair of regist rollers 22 at a timed relation to a tip end of a developed image on the photosensitive drum 71, and the developed image written on the photosensitive drum 71 by the laser beam and developed by the developing device is transferred onto the transfer sheet S by means of the transfer charge roller 3. The transfer sheet S to which the developed image was transferred is sent to the fixing device 5, where the developed image is fixed to the transfer sheet as mentioned above, and, then, the transfer sheet is conveyed and discharged by the pair of discharge roller 24.
In the above-mentioned laser beam printer, the process cartridge 4 is a consumed part, as well as the transfer sheet S. Further, an operator must dismount the process cartridge from the printer body if sheet jam occurs, in order to remove the jammed sheet.
In order to facilitate the replacement and mounting/dismounting of the process cartridge 4 effected by the operator, as shown in FIG. 11, the laser beam printer has an open/close door (referred to merely as "door" hereinafter) 7. The door 7 is closed to be positioned at a position X during the printing operation. However, when the process cartridge 4 is replaced or mounted or dismounted, the door is greatly opened to a position Y to facilitate the replacement and mounting/dismounting of the process cartridge 4.
However, the above-mentioned laser beam printer has the following disadvantage. That is to say, when the door 7 is opened to the position Y in FIG. 11 to perform the jam treatment, for example, if any shock acts on the printer body 1, the door 7 may be dropped from the position Y due to the shock to damage the printer body 1.
To avoid such inconvenience, the following countermeasures have been proposed:
(a) The door 7 is biased toward the position Y by using an elastic member to cancel the dropping force of the door 7;
(b) A stopping force providing "click feeling" is generated at the position Y to thereby prevent the dropping of the door 7; or
(c) The dropping force of the door 7 is weakened by providing a resist member generating a damper effect.
However, as the apparatus body has recently been made compact and light-weighted and personalized, since the arrangement of the apparatus is limited in order to improve operability, it is comprehended that the above-mentioned countermeasures cannot be adopted. For example, since outer members of the apparatus have relatively weak strength due to molded parts, if the biasing force is applied as the above item (a), the outer members will be deformed or creep will be generated in the outer members. Further, since the opening of the door is great, if the resist member generating the damper effect is provided in the vicinity of a fulcrum of the door as the above item (c), a damper generating a great force is required. The provision of such a damper is difficult in consideration of the installation space and, if such a damper is provided, the resistance force becomes great in comparison with the strength of the door, with the so that the fulcrum of the door may be damaged. Further, if there is a danger of applying a force exceeding the stopping force as the above item (b) to the door, the stopping force cannot eliminate the above inconvenience.
As mentioned above, if the problem regarding the dropping of the door cannot be solved by adding any function to the fulcrum of the door, any stopper is required to weaken the shock. However, in such a stopper, there arises a problem regarding the release of the stopper. That is to say, if the stopper is provided, when the operator tries to close the door, the door cannot be closed by the presence of the stopper. In this case, in order to release the stopper, the following two methods have been proposed:
(i) The door can be closed by overriding the click when the door is pushed with a strong force; and
(ii) After the stopper is manually released by the operator, the door is closed.
However, the operator cannot judge which method is used, resulting in an erroneous operation, or erroneously judges as the method (i) (although the method (ii) is actually adopted) to damage the stopper.
In order to eliminate such disadvantages, a stopper which is not operated by a normal operation and is operated only when a strong force is applied is required. To provide such a function, a mechanism of so-called "sheet belt type" is considered. However, since the sheet belt type cannot be judged a position where the function is operated, a "stopper responsive to only a shock force" is sometimes more effective.

Safety mechanism for open/close door member of image forming apparatus


The invention provides crystals of N2-(N,N-dimethyl-L-valyl)-N-[(1S,2R)-2-methoxy-4-[(2S)-2-[(1R,2R)-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxo-3-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]propyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-1-[(S)-1-methylpropyl]-4-oxobutyl]-N-methyl-L-valinamide or salts thereof which possess potent antitumor activity and methods for their preparation.

N2-(N,N-dimethyl-L-valyl)-N-[(1S,2R)-2-methoxy-4-[(2S)-2-[(1R,2R)-1-methoxy-2-methyl-3-oxo-3-[(2-phenylethyl)amino]propyl]-1-pyrrolidinyl]-1-[(S)-1-methylpropyl]-4-oxobutyl]-N-methyl-L-valinamide [TZT-1027] represented by the following formula (I)
is a tetrapeptide derivative possessing potent antitumor activity, and is a potential anti-cancer agent.
TZT-1027 per se has been disclosed in, for example, PCT International Publication WO93/03054 Pamphlet, which describes purification of crude TZT-1027 with preparative thin-layer chromatography and column chromatography, to provide amorphous TZT-1027 powder. Chem. Pharm. Bull., 43(10), 1706-1718 (1995) also describes purification of crude product first by means of flash chromatography or preparative thin-layer chromatography and then column chromatography to provide TZT-1027 as an amorphous powder. JP Hei 7 (1995)-2894A, furthermore, discloses TZT-1027, in which again crude TZT-1027 was purified by column chromatography and preparative thin-layer chromatography to provide a fluffy solid TZT-1027.
As above, amorphous TZT-1027 has been reported in the past, but no literature disclosing crystalline TZT-1027 is found.
Generally speaking, compounds in amorphous form require more complicated purification operations than those in crystalline form do, and frequently their stability is insufficient. In particular, where the compounds are used as active ingredients of pharmaceutical compositions, their insufficient purity can provide problems. In also formulation operations, where the compounds are in amorphous form, amorphous powder is apt to be blown up and require more cautious handling than cases of formulating crystalline compounds. For these reasons, in using TZT-1027 having potent antitumor activity as an active ingredient of pharmaceutical compositions, crystalline TZT-1027 is considered preferable compared to known amorphous form.
We have made various attempts to crystallize TZT-1027, but its crystallization was very difficult because it is a peptide compound. For instance, TZT-1027 crystals could not be obtained through crystallization using such solvents as alcohols, halogenated hydrocarbons, nitrites, ketones, organic acids, water and the like. We furthermore tried the crystallization using ethers such as diisopropyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and the like, or hydrocarbons such as n-pentane, n-hexane, cyclohexane and the like without success.

Method of making tetrapeptide derivative TZT-1027 crystal


A weighing apparatus having a weighing system, a drive system, and a vertical force minimizing system is described. The weighing system may include a load receiving surface and a plurality of load cells. The drive system may be any system which may cause the load receiving surface to rotate about its vertical axis. The vertical force minimizing system may be any system which may reduce the amount of vertical force that may be applied to the load cells through the drive system while effectively transmitting necessary forces in the transverse direction to provide rotational motion.

The present invention relates generally to weighing apparatus. More specifically, exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a weighing apparatus having a drive system, which may be adapted to rotate a load receiving surface. The weighing apparatus may also have a vertical force minimizing system which may minimize the vertical forces that may be applied to the weighing apparatus through the drive system.
Many rotating platforms are known in a variety of applications. For example, rotating platforms have been used in stretch wrappers for wrapping goods to be transported, in grocery and department stores for bagging of groceries and in manufacturing processes, such as, in filling, bagging and dosing processes. In such processes, a combination weigh system may be used, such that each station on the rotating platform has a weighing apparatus, which rotates with the platform.
One known rotating platform which does not perform a weighing function uses a rotating platform to assist in stretch wrapping a plurality of products. The load to be wrapped may be placed on a platform, which is adapted to rotate about its vertical axis. As the load is rotated about its vertical axis, a stretch wrapping material is disposed around the load. Another known rotating platform which does perform a weighing function, used in conjunction with a stretch wrapper, uses a motor to drive a wheel to spin a platform. The entire apparatus is supported by a plurality of load cells. This may cause at least two problems. First, the apparatus requires a high profile so that all of the components, including the motor and rotation mechanism, can be placed beneath the platform to be supported by the load cells. Second, supporting each of the components on the load cells introduces an excess of deadload. Deadload, as used herein, means the amount of static weight present on the load cells that must be zeroed before an accurate weight of the article to be weighed can be given. The greater the deadload on the weighing apparatus, the less resolution the weighing apparatus is able to achieve since a greater portion of the available weighing capacity is used to accommodate the deadload. The resolution of the weighing apparatus in turn determines how precise of a measurement may be given by the weighing apparatus. Thus, a weighing apparatus having a higher deadload gives a less precise measurement.
Exemplary embodiments may mitigate or solve many of the problems associated with these rotating platforms. One exemplary embodiment may be directed to a weighing apparatus which may have a load receiving surface and a drive system that may cause rotational movement of the load receiving surface. A plurality of load cells may determine a weight of a load placed on the load receiving surface and a vertical force minimizing system may minimize a vertical force applied from the drive system to the plurality of load cells.

Weighing apparatus having rotating weigh platform and vertical force minimizing system


A broadcast or multicast message from a network station is forwarded only to stations in the same virtual broadcast domain (VBD) as the sending station. In some embodiments, a VBD is virtual network (VLAN) or a workgroup (a group of stations, possibly within a VLAN). A membership of a network station in a VBD is determined based on the user who logged on to the station. When the station is first powered up, it is bound to a "default" VBD. When a user logs on, the VBD(s) assigned to the user are determined, and the user's station is switched to the VBD(s). When the user logs off, the user's station is returned to the default VBD.

The present invention relates to networks, and more particularly to binding network stations to broadcast domains.
A broadcast domain is a smaller network within a large network such that any broadcast or multicast message originating in the smaller network is forwarded only within the smaller network. Broadcast domains improve the use of network resources and the network security because broadcast domains limit the number of stations that receive broadcast and multicast messages.
Virtual networking is a way to define the broadcast domains without necessarily changing the physical connections between network stations. Virtual networks (also called virtual LANs, or VLANs) are smaller networks that can be defined by issuing commands to the large network. Based on these commands, the network will forward broadcast and multicast messages only to stations that are members of the same VLAN as the originating station. Since defining a VLAN does not involve changing the physical connections between the stations, defining and redefining VLANs is facilitated.
It is desirable to provide convenient techniques for defining broadcast domains.

User-based binding of network stations to broadcast domains


This invention in its most basic form is a reservoir container that is adapted to hold the rinse water from the final rinse cycle of a washing machine and a means for conveying the rinse water after being used in the final rinse cycle of the washing machine into the reservoir and the means for returning that water to the wash machine for the beginning of the wash cycle of the next load. The reservoir in the preferred embodiment for a household wash machine holds approximately twenty-five gallons. It is hooked to the washer drain through a two way valve. During the wash cycle this two way valve allows the water to flow out of the washer and into the drain. But for the final rinse cycle the valve directs the water from the washer into the reservoir. The reservoir is also hooked to the incoming water source of the washer by a two way valve. When the reservoir is filled with the rinse water from a previous wash and the washer started for a new wash, this incoming two way valve allows the water from the reservoir to flow into the washer. When the washer again calls for water for the rinse cycle, the valve allows the water from the household water supply to flow into the washer.

In most areas of Western United States conservation of water is extremely important. The scarcity of water in the Western United States has created mandatory water conservation in many states. The hardest hit states are Arizona, California, Texas, Nevada, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. The situation is so bad in many communities that water rationing is being considered as means for controlling water usage. In some areas it is illegal to water the lawn or wash cars.
As the result of water shortages there have been many inventions in the fields of toilet and showers to cut down use of water while individuals are taking a shower or in flushing a toilet. In fact in some areas of the country only low volume toilets can be sold for instillation due to the problems they have with water consumption.
In National Wildlife What Happen to Cheap Water? (June/July, 89,) it states that it is estimated that laundry takes up 12% of the water usage's of the home. The (Jun. 9, 1992) USA today states that the average washing machine uses 50 gallons of water per washing. Thus, the washing machine is a prime target for saving water.
Further, the great disadvantages of the state of the art of washing machines as relates to the conservation of water are the market saturation and durability of the appliance. The Residential Energy Consumption survey of 1987 by the US Energy Information of Administration reports the 75% of United States household, that is Sixty Seven Million (67,000,000), have clothes washing machines. Appliance Magazine reports that the average clothes washing machine has a life of thirteen years. Industrial's sales total about 6.2 million units in 1988. Therefore, even if all consumers purchase a new water saving machine in one year, over 90% of all homes would use the inefficiency model already in the home. This will provide years of future service.
Therefore, one of the objective of this invention is to provide an "add on" clothes washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus for use in conjunction with existing clothes washing machines as a means of water conservation to save up to 50% of the water used during normal machine operation. A further objective of this invention is to provide a clothes washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus wherein the last rinse water of said washing machine is stored in a reservoir for used in the next first wash cycle of said machine.
In order to sell this water recycling washing machine or an "add on" apparatus to recycle the water of the wash machine, it is necessary to have an inexpensive and easily used device. Therefore, one of the objectives is to provide an add on clothes washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus wherein said washing machine components, specifically the water pump, is used to move said rinse water to the desired and fixed location whereby eliminating the need to duplicate its water pump within said recycling apparatus, thus, significantly reducing the manufacturing costs of the recycling apparatus. Further, it is an objective of this "add on" clothes washing machine recycling apparatus to use as many of the washing machine's components so as to significantly reduce manufacturing cost. Further, then it is an objective of this invention to use the cycle operation timing device to control the cycle operation of said recycling apparatus thus significantly reducing manufacturing cost of said recycling apparatus. Further, it is an objective of this invention to place the recycling apparatus in a fixed location and close approximately to said clothes washing machine as a means for utilizing existing components within said clothes washing machine. Also said recycling apparatus is built to relatively the same height and depths as the washing machine to providing efficient use of space in the laundry area. It is a further objective of this invention to build a device for recycling the water of washing machine that can be added on to existing washing machine to provide a substantial consumer market for the applicance manufacturers due to the durability and market saturation factors as they related to the existing washing machines. A further objective is to provide an add on washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus wherein consumer demand for said recycling apparatus enables said washing machines manufacturers to utilize productions facilities that are idle due to poor sales resulting from washing machines saturation thereby providing finical stability for the washing machine manufacturers.
It is further objective of this invention to save approximately 50% of the water usage of the common washing machine. By recycling the last rinse water for the use in the first wash cycle, it is possible to save up to 50% of the family water usage for laundry which is five percent (5%) of house hold water usage's. It is likely that in a twenty year period the average family will save enough water with this method too supply the family's household needs for an entire year.
Many other objective and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing drawings and corresponding description.

Washing machine rinse water recycling apparatus


An electrical component support structure which supports both standard-conforming and non-standard-conforming electrical components has fixed support structure which supports movable intermediate support structure to which electronic components conforming to a predefined width standards are mounted. The intermediate support structure can be located at a number of locations within the fixed support structure to provide for various arrangements of conforming electronic components and can be configured to support components conforming to more than one predefined standard Electronic components not conforming to a predefined standard are supported on shelves mounted to the fixed support structure, which shelves can be mounted in a number of positions. The conforming telecommunication component includes a mounting panel having first and second vertical edges and panel mounting holes located adjacent each of the first and second vertical side edges.

Electronic components, and telecommunications components in particular, are typically supported in open or enclosed support structures to organize and protect the components. The support structures include spaced-apart, vertically-aligned mounting flanges with a series of mounting holes for mounting the electronic components. The electronic components include panels with mounting slots, which align with the mounting holes in the mounting flanges of the support structures. Therefore, the electronic components can be mounted to the mounting flanges at a number of vertical positions, and a number of electronic components can be mounted to the support structure, in essentially a vertical column. In this manner, the electronic components are rigidly connected to the support structure.
Open support structures of such type are commonly called "racks" and may be free-standing and self-supporting, or may be affixed to external support structures (e.g., a floor and/or wall). Enclosed support structures of such type are commonly called "cabinets" and are typically free-standing and self-supporting. Cabinets may include doors and/or side panels, which may or may not be removable.
To ensure compatibility between the racks and cabinets and the electronic components (and panels thereof), the Electronics Industries Association (EIA) has published a standard entitled "Cabinets, Racks, Panels, and Associated Equipment." This standard has also been accepted by the American National Standard association and has been designated ANSI/EIA-310-D (1992), and will be referred to herein as the "EIA Standard." The disclosure of the EIA Standard is incorporated herein by reference.
The EIA Standard specifies, among other things, a certain number of acceptable widths for electronic components and the support structure. In particular the EIA Standard specifies the horizontal center-to-center distances between the mounting holes of the mounting flanges of the support structures, and between the mounting slots on either side of the panels of the electronics components (which will be referred to herein as the "mounting hole distance"), such that the mounting panels of the electronics components can be consistently mounted to the mounting flanges. The standard also specifies a customary unit of measure for the height of electronics component panels which is termed a "modular unit" or "U" for short. A "U" is equal to approximately 1.75″ or 44.45 mm.
The EIA Standard specifies that the "mounting hole distance" be either 465 mm, 592 mm or 745 mm (within a 6 mm tolerance), which is equivalent to 18.31 in, 23.31 in or 29.33 in (¼ in tolerance). Cabinets and racks which conform to the 465 mm (18.31 in) standard are typically called "19 inch" cabinets (or racks). Cabinets and racks which conform to the 592 m (23.31 in) standard are typically called "23 inch" cabinets (or racks). Similarly, electronics components are commonly designated by the terms "19 inch" or "23 inch".
In addition, EIA Standard specifies the vertical spacing, or pitch, between the mounting holes of the mounting flanges of the support structure. "Universal" spacing requires a repeating sequence of spacing of 15.9 mm, 15.9 mm and 12.7 mm, or ⅝th in, ⅝th in and ½ in. "Wide" spacing requires a repeating sequence of spacing of 31.8 mm and 12.7 mm, or 1¼ in and ½ in.
The EIA Standard also specifies the vertical locations of mounting holes in the panels of the electronic components, which locations depend upon the height of the panel (e.g., 1U, 2U . . . 12U), and depend upon the spacing of the mounting holes of the mounting flanges (either "Universial" or "Wide"). The mounting slots of the panels can be "open" (i.e., extending to the edge of the panels) or "closed" (i.e., holes). "Closed" mounting slots are specified as ovals having a maxiumum horizontal length of 10.3 mm (+/−0.4 mm) and a maximum vertical height of 7.1 mm (+/−0.3 mm). "Open" mounting slots of the panels are specified as having a horizontal depth of 14.7 mm from the edge of the panel and a vertical height of 7.1 mm (+/−0.3 mm). The panels are specified as having a maximum horizontal width of either 482.6 mm, 609.6 mm or 762.0 mm (+/−0.4 mm).
Electronic equipment cabinets and racks manufactured according to the EIA Standard are widely used, however, they are limited to providing support for electronic components of one width (e.g., either the 19″ standard or the 23″ standard).
The present invention provides a cabinet system which can be easily configured to support electronic components which conform to the width specifications of the EIA Standard (e.g., 19″ or 23″) as well as components which do not conform to the width specifications. For example, a cabinet constructed according to the present invention can be configured to support and house one electronic component conforming with the 19″ width standard (e.g., a network "hub", a second electronic component conforming with the 23″ standard (e.g., a network cable "patch panel"), and a third electronic component not conforming with any of the width standards (e.g., a "tower-form" network computer server.
As described in detail below the cabinet constructed according to the invention includes fixed support structure which supports intermediate support structure to which electronic components conforming to one of the width standards are mounted. The intermediate support structure can be located at a number of locations within the fixed support structure to provide for various arrangements of conforming electronic components and can be configured to support components conforming to more than one of the width specifications of the EIA Standard. Electronic components not conforming to the width specifications are supported on shelves mounted to the fixed support structure, which shelves can be mounted in a number of positions.

Electronic component support structure system for supporting standard-conforming and non-standard-conforming electronic components


A cleaning apparatus includes a wash chamber, a platform and a lid. The platform is disposed in the chamber and sized to support an engine block. The lid has a first portion rotatably coupled to the wash chamber and a second portion rotatably coupled to the first portion. When the first portion of the lid is disposed in a position rotated distal to the wash chamber, the second portion of the lid is disposed in a position rotated proximal to the first portion of the lid. When the first portion of the lid is disposed in a position rotated proximal to the wash chamber, the second portion of the lid is disposed in a position rotated distal to the first portion of the lid.

Large industrial parts use custom equipment for adequately cleaning such parts. For example, large engine blocks, such as V16 and V20 engine blocks cannot be cleaned with conventional cleaning equipment. Accordingly, cleaning equipment that accounts for the size and weight of large industrial parts, while allowing for rapid fluid replacement capability is desired.

Apparatus and method for cleaning industrial parts


A diaphragm structure with a first substrate including a first surface with an annular groove therein and a second opposing surface with an annular groove on each side of annular groove in the first surface defining a first diaphragm. A second substrate also includes a first surface with an annular groove therein and a second opposing surface with an annular groove on each side of the annular groove in the first surface defining a second diaphragm. A diaphragm overload stop is located behind the first and second diaphragms.

One version of a differential pressure sensor includes spaced diaphragms and a resonator structure in a cavity between the diaphragms. The diaphragms move together in response to a differential pressure causing the mass structure of the resonator to move resulting in a strain which can be measured and correlated with a force measurement such as pressure.
Traditional differential pressure sensors are designed to determine the differential pressure between the two sides of the sensor. By way of example, traditional differential pressure sensors detect the differential pressure between two regions of interest by evaluating the net effect of the pressure forces of the two regions on a component or components of the sensor. When employed in harsh industrial environments, traditional pressure sensors often require a more robust construction. For example, if a differential pressure sensor is exposed to relatively high-pressure and/or high-temperature environments, the exposed components of the pressure sensor benefit from a construction robust enough to accommodate these conditions.
The features and attributes that facilitate operation in such high pressure (i.e., harsh) environments, however, can negatively impact the resolution of the sensor. Some traditional differential pressure sensors that are robust enough to withstand high-pressure environments, for example, cannot detect the pressure differential between the two regions of interest in orders of magnitude less than the pressure difference in the environment. For example, a resonating differential pressure sensor robust enough to withstand pressures of 5000 pounds per square inch (psi), and beyond, generally does not have sufficient resolutional capabilities to detect a pressure differential of +/−10 psi, for instance. This is because traditional resonating pressure sensors contain a vacuum within the closed enclosure between the diaphragms of the pressure sensor and therefore, with high pressures acting on the each of the diaphragm, the diaphragms may tend to bulge inside.
Thus, there is a need for a pressure sensing system and method that can provide differential pressure sensing capabilities with high resolution, while withstanding high line-pressures.
In another example, high line pressure differential pressure sensors are used to measure a small differences between two high pressures. A typical application is to measure flow in an oil pipeline. A calibrated obstruction is placed in the pipeline and the pressure difference between the two sides of the obstruction is a function of the flow rate. Typically the differential pressure is less than 10 psi while the pressure in the pipeline is 3000 psi.
In certain fault conditions, the full line pressure is applied to one side of the diaphragm with ambient pressure applied to the other. Without overpressure protection, the sensor would be destroyed. Many sensors on the market have some sort of overpressure protection mechanism built in.
Some pressure sensors of this type use a silicon pressure sensing element which can be provided with stops. A known example has a boss on the diaphragm which is a monolithic part of the silicon. There is a small gap between the boss and a substrate.
This design, however, may not provide a sufficient degree of protection for a high line pressure sensing application because the flexible region of the diaphragm is unsupported. This region has to be sufficiently flexible to sense the differential pressure which necessarily means that it is too flexible to stand the line pressure. Also, the boss stop provides protection in only one direction.
The deflection of a silicon pressure diaphragm is typically sensed by diffused strain gauges. The amount of strain needed to obtain a satisfactory signal takes the strain in the material as far towards its breaking strain consistent with an adequate margin of safety.
A stop for a flat diaphragm would need to act over the whole area and conform to the shape of the surface of the diaphragm. The movement of the diaphragm is very small. Therefore, it would be difficult to fabricate a conformal stop with sufficient accuracy.
When a diaphragm is limited by a conformal stop at high pressure, the forces on the surface are high and there is a risk that some damage of deformation may result. Such damage on the flexible part of the diaphragm carries the risk that the elastic behavior is changed and, as a result, the calibration of the instrument is altered. This is highly undesirable. It is a normal practice to replace instruments that have been subjected to line pressure in order to guarantee a know calibration.