A photocell (40) includes a photovoltaic or otherwise photosensitive layer structure (44) on which a passivation or window layer (52) of an environmentally sensitive material such as aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) and an antireflection (AR) coating (54) are formed. An electrically conductive cap layer (60) delineated in a front contact grid configuration sealingly extends through the AR coating (54) to the window layer (52). An ohmic metal contact (64) is evaporated over and seals the cap layer (60) and the contiguous areas of the AR coating (54). The contact grid interface at which the cap layer (60) contacts the window layer (52) is sealed by the AR coating (54) and the contact (64). The photocell (40) is fabricated by forming, delineating and etching the cap layer (60), forming the AR coating (54) and then forming the contact (64) by evaporation of metal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to photoelectric devices, particularly gallium arsenide (GaAs) photovoltaic cells, and more specifically to a photosensitive cell including an environmentally sealed ohmic contact grid interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
Photovoltaic or solar cells including GaAs photosensitive semiconductor layer structures formed on germanium (Ge) substrates are preferred over silicon (Si) based cells due to their higher efficiency in converting light to electricity. A GaAs/Ge solar cell generally includes an aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) passivation or "window" layer formed over the photosensitive layer structure, and an oxide antireflection (AR) coating formed over the window layer.
GaAs/Ge solar cells are generally classified into two types according to the configuration of their ohmic metal front contact collection grids. The most common is referred to as an etch-through contact, in which front contact patterns are etched through the window layer to expose the underlying GaAs emitter layer of the photosensitive layer structure. Front metals are evaporated and plated directly onto the emitter layer through the etched openings to form the front contact grid. This arrangement is disadvantageous in that, upon exposure to high temperatures such as those experienced in welding, the contact metal can diffuse into the junction of the cell and degrade the performance.
The second type of contact configuration utilizes a cap layer of highly doped, and therefore electrically conductive GaAs to separate the contact metal from the junction of the cell. The cap layer is formed over the entire window layer. A silicon dioxide mask is then formed over the cap layer except in the areas of the contact grid lines. The contact metal is then plated onto the unmasked portions of the cap layer. The silicon dioxide mask is removed, and the cap layer is etched away to expose the window layer except under the contact grid lines. The AR coating is then deposited over the window layer.
The cap layer provides low contact resistance and physically separates the contact metal from the cell junction. The conventional method of fabricating a solar cell including a cap layer is described in an article entitled "26% EFFICIENT MAGNESIUM-DOPED AlGaAs/GaAs CONCENTRATOR SOLAR CELLS" by H Hamaker et all, in Proceedings of 18th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference, IEEE 1985, pp. 327-331. First, a front contact was formed, and then the GaAs cap layer was etched to reveal the AlAgAs window layer. Finally, the AR coatings were deposited.
A representative section of a GaAs/Ge solar photocell 10 having a cap layer configuration fabricated using the prior art method described above is illustrated in FIG. 1. The cell 10 includes an N+doped Ge substrate 12, and a photosensitive GaAs P/N junction layer structure 14 grown on the substrate 12. The structure 14 includes an N+ doped GaAs buffer layer 16, an N- doped GaAs base layer 18 and a P- doped GaAs emitter layer 20. An AlGaAs passivation or window layer 22 is deposited on the emitter layer 20. An oxide AR coating 24 is deposited on the window layer 22. An ohmic metal back contact layer 26 is formed on the surface of the substrate 12 opposite the layer structure 14.
The cell 10 further includes a front ohmic contact collection grid including structures 28 which extend perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in FIG. 1. Only one front contact structure 28 which is illustrated includes a GaAs cap layer 30 extending through an opening 32 in the AR coating 24 to contact the window layer 22. An ohmic metal contact 34 is formed on the cap layer 30.
Light incident on the front of the AR coating 24 causes liberation of electron-hole pairs in the photosensitive layer structure 14 due to the photovoltaic effect. The electrons and holes flow out of the layer structure 14 to an external load (not shown) through the cap layer 30 and front contact 34, and the back contact layer 26 respectively.
The front contact 34 includes a thick layer 34a of silver (Ag) which is plated over the cap layer 30 and a thin gold (Au) layer 34b which is plated over the silver layer 34a. The contact 34 is wider than the cap layer 30. More specifically, the contact 34 has overhangs 34c and 34d on the opposite lateral sides thereof which overlie pockets or hollows 32a and 32b defined between the cap layer 30 and the respective inner walls of the opening 32.
Due to the prior art fabrication process of the cell 10 as described above, the overhangs 34c and 34d are created during the plating step which forms the contact 34. More specifically, a silicon dioxide plating mask (not shown) is formed over the cap layer 30 to cover all but the portion illustrated in FIG. 1. The Ag and Au layers 34a and 34b which form the contact 34 are plated not only onto the exposed upper surface of the cap layer 30, but grow laterally onto the adjacent edge portions of the mask.
The hollows 32a and 32b are created by etching the silicon dioxide plating mask and by etching the cap layer 30 external of the contact 34 to expose the window layer 22. The hollows 32a and 32b are shadowed by the overhangs 34c and 34d of the plated front contact 34 during subsequent evaporation of the AR coating 24, such that the coating 24 extends only to the edges of the overhangs 34c and 34d and the hollows 32a and 32b remain. The AlGaAs window layer 22 in the hollows 32a and 32b is not sealed by the AR coating 24.
AlGaAs corrodes upon exposure to moisture and oxygen. The contact grid interface including the contact 34, cap layer 30 and AlGaAs window layer 22 is environmentally sensitive in that the window layer 22 is directly exposed to the environment in the hollows 32a and 32b. Moisture is able to enter the hollows 32a and 32b and corrode the exposed portions of the window layer 22, thereby reducing the photo-generated current of the cell 10 and degrading its electrical performance.
The hollows 32a and 32b are enlarged during the step of etching the GaAs cap layer 30 to the shape illustrated in FIG. 1. The etchant used to etch the GaAs cap layer 30 also reacts with the Ag layer 34a in the front contact 34. The Au layer 34b is formed on the Ag layer 34a of the contact 34 to protect it from being etched. However, the Au layer 34b on the lower surfaces of the overhangs 34c and 34d is non-uniform and much thinner than on the upper surface of the Ag layer 34a due to the nature of the plating process. This enables the etchant to etch the Ag layer 34a under the overhangs 34c and 34d and thereby enlarge the hollows 32a and 32b.

Gallium arsenide/aluminum gallium arsenide photocell including environmentally sealed ohmic contact grid interface and method of fabricating the cell


An image processing apparatus which previews a read image is disclosed. The image processing apparatus includes a preview image processing unit in which a user is allowed to set a processing condition for the read preview image by operating on the read preview image and a preview image processed by the processing condition is displayed together with the setting of the processing condition on a displaying section.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an image processing apparatus and a preview image displaying method in the image processing apparatus which allows operability close to human senses.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, in an image processing apparatus having a copying function, a scanning function, and so on, a method is proposed in which a processing condition by a user is easily determined when an image is formed by using the above function.
For example, in Patent document 1, an image processing apparatus is disclosed. In the image processing apparatus, an image is pre-scanned by selecting a reading condition in a scanner and a reading condition having a high recognition rate is automatically selected by applying an OCR (optical character recognition) process to the pre-scanned image. With this, the processing condition is easily determined by the user.
In addition, in Patent Document 2, a scanner and a control method thereof are disclosed. In the scanner, a preview image pre-scanned by a user is rotated corresponding to necessity, and the user scans the image by setting a suitable rotational angle.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2004-234261
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2001-045239
However, when a user copies images (documents) by setting processing conditions such as both-side printing, aggregation of pages, and stapling sheets; an output document may be different from that the user desires to obtain. Consequently, the user tries a copy of the images by setting processing conditions, and confirms the copied document. Then, the user changes the processing conditions, if necessary.
In some cases, corresponding to the settings of the processing conditions, documents are stapled, and a thumbnail image of the staple documents is displayed. However, the stapled image is displayed in a fixed small image from which the stapled status is hardly recognized.
Consequently, the user cannot recognize whether the documents are stapled by the set processing conditions before the document is actually printed.
That is, in the conventional method, a visually recognition method of the status to be output and a changing method of settings are not provided. Therefore, the user cannot easily determine the settings of the processing conditions visually and intuitively before an image is output.

Image processing apparatus and preview image displaying method


The present invention provides a lathe which accumulates a reduced amount of chips on a slide member serving as a tool holder mounting base and which enables a reduction in the forward-backward dimension of the entire lathe. A lathe includes a spindle 2 that rotatably supports a workpiece and processing means 4 located in front of the spindle 2. The lathe moves one or both of the spindle 2 and the processing means 4 forward and backward to execute machining on the workpiece. The processing means 4 includes a tool 40, a tool holder 41 that supports the tool 40, and a slide member 42 which is slidable in a lateral direction and which supports the tool holder 41. The slide member 42 has an inclined surface 42c that is positioned lower as the inclined surface 42c approaches the spindle 2 and on which the tool holder 41 is mounted and supported.

Conventional lathes having a spindle facing in a horizontal direction are generally of what is called a horizontal bed type in which a tool feeding shaft (X axis and Z axis) is located in a horizontal plane. In one lathe of the horizontal bed type (the Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Application Publication (Jikkai-Sho) No. 62-198032), a plurality of tool holders are arranged in the direction of the X axis. In this lathe, a cross slide that is a member constituting a base on which the tool holders are mounted is horizontally installed in a processing area, and the tool holders are fixed on the cross slide.
Where the cross slide is horizontally installed as in the case of the lathe in accordance with the Unexamined Japanese Utility Model Application Publication (Jikkai-Sho) No. 62-198032, chips generated during processing are likely to accumulate on the cross slide. The chips accumulated on the cross slide may affect the processing. Particularly in automated facilities, the accumulated chips may seriously affect processing accuracy and safety. To remove the chips accumulated on the cross slide, it is possible to provide a space opposite a spindle with reference to the cross slide so that the chips on the cross slide can be dropped in the space. For example, where the cross slide is provided in front of the spindle, the chip dropping space is provided in front of the cross slide. However, disadvantageously, the provision of the chip dropping space correspondingly increases the forward-backward dimension of the machine.


A method and system for fabricating porous polycrystalline diamond material whose volume is described by a dimension larger than 1 mm, with no upper limit on size. A net shape diamond part is fabricated by compacting small diamond particles into a mold and then performing chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth of diamond on the particles until they are joined into a porous whole. The CVD growth of diamond is achieved by photofragmentation of vapor phase Fullerene, C.sub.60, molecules in the pores. C.sub.60 molecules are vaporized from solid C.sub.60 at a temperature of about 800.degree. C. The vapor diffuses into the voids between the diamond particles in the mold. The vapor is then subjected to intense illumination by a laser which causes the C.sub.60 molecules fragment. The deposition of these fragments causes diamond growth to occur on all surfaces around the pores between the particles. Continual replenishment of the C.sub.60 by the vapor source allows continuous deposition. The transparency of the diamond particles allows penetration of the laser illumination into the volume of the particles. After sufficient deposition and growth, diamond connections are made between the particles, making the entire mass a porous, single diamond entity.

1. Field of the Invention
Diamond is a material that has uniquely attractive physical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. It is also a metastable crystal at room temperature that forms naturally only at extremely high pressures and temperatures. Small industrial diamonds have been grown artificially for a number of years using catalysis, while more recently chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes have been used to grow relatively large diamond thin films that have a wide variety of mechanical and optical uses. All of these synthesis processes produce commercial diamond that is small in at least one dimension. The generic problem with current processes used for artificial diamond growth is that the growth rate is too slow to be practical for bulk diamond growth. There have always been applications for which bulk diamond would be a far superior choice to presently available materials as a result of the high strength, high thermal conductivity, high resistance to thermal shock, and infrared transmissivity of diamond. An additional requirement for a bulk diamond fabrication process is that it should be a net shape growth process, because machining and polishing an arbitrary piece to a final shape would be extremely difficult.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide a process by which separate diamond particles can be joined together to form a single piece of polycrystalline diamond.
Heretofore, synthetic diamond has been created using a variety of processes for growing crystals. All of these processes create crystals by steadily accreting new atomic matter on the surface of some small seed crystal or substrate. For diamond, the form of atomic carbon appropriate for surface accretion is only naturally available from condensed carbon at extremely high temperature and pressure. Catalytic processes reduce the necessary conditions dramatically but growth conditions are still difficult to achieve and growth rates are very low. CVD processes use plasma or combustion conditions to provide suitable carbon, but the low density of atoms associated with a gas or plasma again leads to low growth rates in one dimension, although wide areas of thin films can be grown.
Fullerenes are one form of pure carbon where the molecules that are made up of carbon atoms form a hollow shell. C.sub.60 is one such molecule that is unusually stable and has a spherical structure. Fullerenes complement the planar form of carbon (graphite) and the tetrahedral carbon crystal known as diamond. Fullerenes are different from graphite and diamond in that they can have a high vapor pressure at moderate temperatures and in that they have a high solubility in common solvents. Fullerenes are potential precursors in many plasma chemistry and chemical vapor deposition processes.
Gruen et. al. 1,2! have grown diamond thin films using C.sub.60 fullerene as the precursor in the standard plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process. The extensive fragmentation of C.sub.60 to C.sub.2 in an argon plasma observed by Gruen et. al. led them to develop the use of C.sub.60 as a precursor for CVD growth of diamond films. Fullerene containing soot was placed in a sublimator oven, heated to 550 degrees C. (.degree.C.), and an Argon/Hydrogen (Ar/H.sub.2) mixture (20 standard cubic centimeters per minute--sccm Ar, 4 sccm H.sub.2) was passed through the sublimator into the plasma chamber while maintaining a total pressure of 100 torr. A 76 millimeters (mm) diameter single-crystal silicon disk, which had been mechanically treated with 0.1 mm diamond powder, was placed on a graphite holder and maintained at 850.degree. C. during the experiment. A 1500 Watt (W) microwave discharge was maintained in the gas mixture during a 16 hour (h) deposition. Optical emission measurements showed intense C.sub.2 Swan band emission, as well as intense hydrogen alpha (H.sub..alpha.) and H.sub..beta. but relatively much weaker Ar emission lines. The silicon substrate was examined after the deposition using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and Raman spectroscopic techniques to verify diamond deposition 2!. Under these conditions, no film growth was observed in a fullerene-free argon plasma. Deposition was carried out at 850.degree. C. with 1500W of microwave power for 1-3h. Based on cross-section scanning electron microscope (SEM) images, it was estimated that the diamond growth rate was about 1.2 mm/h, which is at least comparable to that observed using 1% methane in hydrogen as a precursor under similar deposition conditions.
In situ optical measurements reveal very intense C.sub.2 Swan band emission, which is believed to be a result of collisional and other fragmentation processes of the C.sub.60. 3! The C.sub.2 fragments are thought to be the primary precursor species for fullerene diamond growth. The Swan band emission is an experimental indication that C.sub.60 fragmentation occurs as a result of successive elimination of neutral C.sub.2 groups. 4!.
Fullerene Photofragmentation Many studies have shown that C.sub.60 photofragmentation results in even-numbered clusters in the range C.sub.60 -C.sub.32 e.g. 5!. With this approach, rate constants for fragmentation and for delayed electron emission have been deduced. Wurz and Lykke 6,7! have investigated the processes of fullerene photofragmentation and photoionization. The interaction of intense laser light in the visible and UV wavelength range with gas-phase C.sub.60 leads to high internal excitation (.about.50 electron-Volts (eV)) of the C.sub.60 molecule rather than direct multiphoton ionization. C.sub.60 has a very rigid and highly symmetric molecular structure that has a very high density of vibrational states and thus an extremely rapid thermalization (10.sup.-14 seconds (s)) of a photoexcited electronic state. For this reason the neutral C.sub.60 molecule has been shown experimentally and theoretically to absorb 10-20 photons to form a superexcited molecule, even though 2-3 photons are sufficient to achieve multiphoton ionization (7.6 eV ionization energy). Delayed ionization (time scale 1-10 milliseconds) and fragmentation both have these high internal excitations as common precursors and both were found to occur at about the same rates.
The experimental work of Wurz and Lykke investigated a wide fluence and wavelength range to map out the different parameters that characterize these processes. A Tantalum cup filled with approximately 200 milligrams of pure C.sub.60 was held at a temperature of 800 Kelvins to give a vapor pressure of about 5.times.10.sup.-4 Torr. Laser fluences from 0.01 to 10.sup.3 millijoules per square centimeter were used at wavelengths of 212, 266, 355, and 532 nanometers (nm). As long as the photon energy was less than that needed for direct ionization, high fluence laser irradiation of C.sub.60 resulted in thermal fragmentation and delayed ionization with equal efficiencies. Thus, for submicrosecond laser pulses photofragmentation is the dominant result of laser energy absorption by C.sub.60. Furthermore, C.sub.60, is a non-linear optical material whose absorption increases by a factor of 3-5 for its excited states.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a process for fabricating porous polycrystalline diamond material whose volume is described by a dimension larger than 1 mm, with no upper limit on size.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process by which single pieces of diamond of arbitrary shape can be fabricated.
Heretofore diamond could only be produced in small size from natural diamond crystals discovered, or in thin films by CVD processes. By making a mold, filling it with diamond particles, and joining these particles by the C.sub.60 photofragmentation diamond growth processes, diamond of arbitrary shape can be produced, limited only by the necessary access for the optical excitation that fragments the C.sub.60 vapor permeating the part.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process by which large pieces of diamond can be fabricated with controlled porosity.
By controlling the size and shape of the diamond particles used to form the bulk diamond the porosity of the final piece can be controlled. Larger particles will lead to larger pores, as will reduced compaction of a mass of smaller particles. Columnar passages can be created by first fabricating rods and then joining the rods together. A wide variety of internal geometries can be created using this and related concepts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a process by which large pieces of diamond can be made with non-porous surfaces, having only internal porosity. Such pieces would be created by first making bulk porous pieces and then using conventional CVD diamond growth to add a solid, continuous diamond coating on the outside of these pieces.

Technique for the fabrication of bulk porous diamond


Assembly structure for an information inputting apparatus is disclosed which comprises an upper cabinet 1, a lower cabinet 2, a keyboard 3 having a plurality of keys arranged thereon, and a cover 5 on which a liquid crystal display 4 is mounted. The upper cabinet has tab portions provided thereon for contacting with a lower face of the keyboard to effect positioning and holding of the keyboard, the lower cabinet has a fitting hole or/and a fitting recessed portion for the keyboard provided at an end thereof and has a first mounting hole 2b provided at the other end thereof for placing the keyboard thereon, the keyboard has a fitting convex portion 3a provided at an end thereof for fitting with the fitting hole or/and fitting recessed portion of the lower cabinet and has a second mounting hole 3b provided at the other end thereof and held between the lower cabinet and the cover, and the cover has a female screw 5a provided therein into which a male screw 6 is fixed by way of the first mounting hole of the lower cabinet and the second mounting hole of the keyboard.

The present invention relates to an information inputting apparatus, and more particularly to an assembly structure for the information inputting apparatus.
A conventional information inputting apparatus has such a structure that a keyboard is incorporated in either one of an upper cabinet and a lower cabinet and requires coupling between the upper cabinet and the lower cabinet separately from fixation of the keyboard. Consequently, it has problems that assembly of the entire unit is complicated, that also the number of screws used likely becomes great, and that it is disadvantageous in service feasibility and designing.

Assembly structure for information inputting apparatus


Read data blocks are selectively decrypted and write data bocks are selectively encrypted in an input-output path between an application and a file system driver. If a read data block contains all zeroes, the read data block is not decrypted even though the read data block is a block of an encrypted file. Likewise, if a write data block contains all zeroes, the write data block is not encrypted even though the write data block is a block of an encrypted file. In this manner, the handling of zero blocks of an encrypted file is efficiently processed outside the file system without relying on bitmaps or other data structure maintained by the file system that may inform which blocks contain all zeroes.

File systems may use encryption to protect data written to storage devices. Data is written to storage devices in encrypted form so that the raw data stored in the storage devices is unrecognizable. With this protection mechanism, access to the storage device alone is not enough to read the data stored in the storage device. Before the data can be recognizable and usable, the data has to be first decrypted with a proper key.
The encryption functionality may be provided using an encryption filter that is external to the file system. Specifically, the encryption filter is placed in the IO (input-output operation) path between an application issuing the IO and the file system driver. When write IOs targeting encrypted files are issued, the write data are encrypted before the file system driver processes the write IOs. When read IOs targeting encrypted files are issued, data are read in encrypted form from the storage device and decrypted before they are returned as read data.
To track files that have been designated for encryption, a filter driver is employed. The filter driver lies in the IO path between the application issuing the IO and the encryption filter. If a file targeted in a write IO is designated for encryption, the filter driver employs the encryption filter to encrypt the write data. Similarly, if a file targeted in a read IO is designated for encryption, the filter driver employs the encryption filter to decrypt the data read from the storage device before returning the data to the application as read data.
A file that is known to contain all zeros may be designated for no encryption because the encryption filter would consume processing resources unnecessarily because zeroes do not need to be protected. For sparse files, the same is true for file blocks that have yet to be allocated. However, when the encryption functionality is implemented using an encryption filter and associated filter driver, which are external to the file system, it is difficult to implement the optimization for file blocks of sparse files with zeroes because a file allocation bitmap that indicates which file blocks contain zeroes is maintained by the file system and is not readily available outside the file system.


Salts and polymorphs of a compound useful in the treatment of inflammatory and metabolic conditions and diseases are provided herein. In particular, the invention provides salts and polymorphs of a compound which modulates the expression and/or function of a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor. The salts and polymorphs are useful for the treatment or prevention of conditions and disorders associated with energy homeostasis such as type II diabetes, lipid metabolism, adipocyte differentiation and inflammation.

The peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are transducer proteins belonging to the steroid/thyroid/retinoid receptor superfamily. The PPARs were originally identified as orphan receptors, without known ligands, but were named for their ability to mediate the pleiotropic effects of fatty acid peroxisome proliferators. These receptors function as ligand-regulated transcription factors that control the expression of target genes by binding to their responsive DNA sequence as heterodimers with the retinoid X receptor ("RXR"). The target genes encode enzymes involved in lipid metabolism and differentiation of adipocytes. Accordingly, the discovery of transcription factors involved in controlling lipid metabolism has provided insight into regulation of energy homeostasis in vertebrates, and further provided targets for the development of therapeutic agents for disorders such as obesity, diabetes and dyslipidemia.
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ("PPARγ") is one member of the nuclear receptor superfamily of ligand-activated transcription factors and has been shown to be expressed in an adipose tissue-specific manner. Its expression is induced early during the course of differentiation of several preadipocyte cell lines. Additional research has now demonstrated that PPARγ plays a pivotal role in the adipogenic signaling cascade. PPARγ also regulates the ob/leptin gene which is involved in regulating energy homeostasis and adipocyte differentiation, which has been shown to be a critical step to be targeted for anti-obesity and diabetic conditions.
In view of the clinical importance of PPARγ, compounds that modulate PPARγ function can be used for the development of new therapeutic agents. Potent modulators of PPARγ have been described, for example, in international patent publication no. WO 01/00579 (corresponding to U.S. application Ser. No. 09/606,433), U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2002/0037928 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,200,995 B1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,157 B2. One of these promising modulators, identified herein as compound 101, is in clinical development for diagnosis or therapeutic treatment of type II diabetes. Development of the modulator could yield an oral therapy to treat this illness.
Each pharmaceutical compound has an optimal therapeutic blood concentration and a lethal concentration. The bioavailability of the compound determines the dosage strength in the drug formulation necessary to obtain the ideal blood level. If the drug can crystallize as two or more polymorphs differing in bioavailability, the optimal dose will depend on the polymorph present in the formulation. Some drugs show a narrow margin between therapeutic and lethal concentrations. Chloramphenicol-3-palmitate (CAPP), for example, is a broad-spectrum antibiotic known to crystallize in at least three polymorphic forms and one amorphous form. The most stable form, A, is marketed. The difference in bioactivity between this polymorph and another form, B, is a factor of eight, thus creating the possibility of fatal overdosages of the compound if unwittingly administered as form B due to alterations during processing and/or storage. Therefore, regulatory agencies, such as the United States Food and Drug Administration, have begun to place tight controls on the polymorphic content of the active component in solid dosage forms. In general, for drugs that exist in polymorphic forms, if anything other than the pure, thermodynamically preferred polymorph is to be marketed, the regulatory agency may require batch-by-batch monitoring. Thus, it becomes important for both medical and commercial reasons to produce and market the pure drug in its most thermodynamically stable polymorph, substantially free of other kinetically favored polymorphs.
New forms of such modulators can further the development of formulations for the treatment of illnesses such as type II diabetes. For instance, salt forms of a compound, and polymorphic forms of the salt, are known in the pharmaceutical art to affect, for example, the solubility, dissolution rate, bioavailability, chemical and physical stability, flowability, fractability, and compressibility of the compound as well as the safety and efficacy of drug products based on the compound (see, e.g., Knapman, K. Modern Drug Discoveries, 2000: 53).
Accordingly, identification of a salt form or free base of the modulators with optimal physical and chemical properties will advance the development of such PPARγ modulators as pharmaceuticals. The most useful of such physical and chemical properties include: easy and reproducible preparation, crystallinity, non-hygroscopicity, aqueous solubility, stability to visible and ultraviolet light, low rate of degradation under accelerated stability conditions of temperature and humidity, low rate of isomerization of between isomeric forms, and safety for long-term administration to humans.
The free base and certain pharmaceutically acceptable salts of compound 101 are described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/606,433, corresponding to international patent publication no. WO01/00579, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,157 B2. The pharmaceutically acceptable acid salts listed in these patents include, among others, those derived from inorganic acids like hydrochloric, hydrobromic, nitric, carbonic, monohydrogencarbonic, phosphoric, monohydrogenphosphoric, dihydrogenphosphoric, sulfuric, monohydrogensulfuric, hydriodic, or phosphorous acids, and the salts derived from relatively nontoxic organic acids like acetic, propionic, isobutyric, oxalic, maleic, malonic, benzoic, succinic, suberic, fumaric, mandelic, phthalic, benzenesulfonic, p-toluenesulfonic, citric, tartaric, and methanesulfonic. There is no teaching or suggestion that any of the described salt forms of the above structure are superior to the others.
We have discovered that not all of the salts are equally useful, as judged by the list of properties described above. Thus, the present invention addresses the need for potent PPARγ modulators and the need for improved solid state forms of PPARγ modulators for manufacturing and bioavailability.

Salts and polymorphs of a potent antidiabetic compound


A method for identifying a current state of an electronic system is provided. The method includes identifying a pool of candidate states of the electronic system, selecting a probing parameter in accordance with a model, and probing the electronic system based on the selected probing parameter. When the probing yields a positive result, all candidate states that are not intersected by the probing parameter are removed from the pool. When the probing parameter yields M negative results, all candidate states that are intersected by the probing parameter are removed from the pool, where M≥1. A last remaining candidate state in the pool is identified as the current state of the electronic system. The model is based on at least one of a probability that the probing would yield a false-negative result or a probability that a result of the probing would be interpreted and/or processed incorrectly.

In many system engineering contexts, the current state of a system may be discovered by probing the system and observing the system's response. For example, in the communications domain, probing may be used to identify the operating channel of an access point or a base station. After the operating channel is identified, the operating channel can be used to transmit and receive messages from the access point or base station.

Method and apparatus for system state discovery


Systems and methods for perceiving a field around a mobile device include a sensor system has a distance sensor arranged on a mobile device. The sensor system captures distance measurements of a field of view. The distance measurements are captured at a unique set of angular scan positions per revolution of the distance sensor over a sequence of scan rotations. A perception system generates a three-dimensional point cloud representation of the field of view based on the distance measurements for each scan rotation in the sequence of scan rotations. The perception system generates a composite three-dimensional depth map of the field of view by compiling each of the three-dimensional point cloud representations for the sequence of scan rotations. Each of the three-dimensional point cloud representations has a resolution that is lower than a resolution of the composite three-dimensional depth map of the field of view.

Mobile devices, such as autonomous vehicles, autonomous machines, personal computing devices, and/or the like, often capture images of a field of view around the mobile device to interact with, navigate around, or otherwise understand objects within the field of view. However, conventional systems often emphasize either computational speed or accuracy at the other's expense. As such, it is challenging for the mobile device to identify objects and their respective movements within the field of view, particularly with sufficient speed to autonomously determine actions, such as navigational actions, in view of the objects within the field of view. It is with these observations in mind, among others, that various aspects of the present disclosure were conceived and developed.

Systems and methods for perceiving a field around a device


Able to prevent a leakage flow from a basin in a ground and to enable a filling flow from this ground, a safety anti-reversing device comprises a body comprising communicating openings for passage of the filling flow. Supported by this body, a flexible membrane comprises an annular shutter and a closing portion. The annular shutter is offset with respect to the communicating openings and swivels between a closed down position in which this annular shutter is applied in tight manner on the body, and an open position in which the annular shutter is away from the body. Distinct from the annular shutter, the closing portion covers the communicating openings so as to be able to hermetically close these communicating openings.

The invention relates to the field of basins dug out in the ground. More precisely, the invention relates to a safety anti-reversing device for a bottom of a basin in a ground that is able to be the seat of hydrostatic pressures liable to exert a thrust on this bottom. Being able to prevent a leakage flow in a first direction, from the basin to the ground, and to enable a filling flow in a second direction contrary to the first direction, the type of safety anti-reversing device in question comprises:                a body comprising communicating openings for passage of the filling flow, and        a flexible membrane supported by the body and deformable, due to the thrust force of a hydrostatic pressure in the ground, from a closed configuration in which this flexible membrane closes said openings in tight manner so as to prevent leakage flow, to a pass-through configuration in which the filling flow is enabled passing through the body via the communicating openings.

Safety anti-reversing device for a bottom of a basin


A CMM calibrating gauge includes a block gauge which has a first end face and an opposite second end face and whose length absolute value has been certified, and a sphere fixed to a front surface of the block gauge. A method for calibrating a CMM using the CMM calibrating gauge includes the steps of bringing a probe of the CMM into contact with the first end face of the block gauge to specify planarity of the first end face, bringing the probe into contact with the peripheral surface and the pole point of the sphere to specify coordinates of the center of the sphere relative to the first end face and the diameter of the sphere, bringing the probe into contact with the second end face of the block gauge to measure planarity of the second end face, and bringing the probe into contact with the peripheral surface and the pole point of the sphere to measure coordinates of the center of the sphere relative to the second end face and the diameter of the sphere and revise the specified planarity of the first end face and the specified sphere center coordinates and sphere diameter, thereby specifying three-dimensional dimensions of the CMM calibrating gauge to calibrating the CMM.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gauge for calibrating a three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine (hereinafter referred to as CMM), that is used in examining the accuracy of the CMM and to a method for calibrating the CMM using the gauge.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A CMM is a machine for measuring the dimensions and shape of a substance under measurement using coordinate points interspersed in a three-dimensional space with the aid of a computer. To be specific, the substance under measurement disposed on a surface plate and a probe attached to the tip of a Z-axis in the CMM are relatively moved in three-dimensional directions, moments of contact of the probe with the substance are ascertained, coordinate values in the directions of the moving axes are read using the moments as electrical triggers, and the dimensions and shape of the substance are measured using the computer.
Generally, CMMs are required to measure a substance with particularly high accuracy. In order to guarantee high-accuracy measurement, a CMM has to be subjected to accuracy examination before every use, and values obtained by the measurement with the CMM are calibrated using the accuracy examination results as calibration values or adjusting means is used to finely adjust the CMM. This accuracy examination requires use of a gauge as the standard. The gauge is required to enable evaluation of values detected by a CMM""s probe when it is moved three-dimensionally.
A first important target for researchers was how the error of each axis in the CMM should be measured. Therefore, a gauge was first invented for the purpose of measuring such errors in the CMM. It is now widely known that, fundamentally, the errors should be measured by measuring a sphere or spheres. For this reason, research has turned to a second target of determining how the sphere or spheres should be disposed in what mode to form a gauge for measurement and evaluation. Various attempts have been made to dispose the spheres in one same plane and dispose them sterically.
A gauge of this type for calibrating a CMM is disclosed in JP-UM-A HEI-1-64004 and shown in FIG. 8. As shown, this gauge comprises a block body 51 in the form of a flat rectangular parallelepiped, a plurality of substantially cubic index projections 52 for accuracy examination arranged at regular intervals on the upper surface 51a along one end face 51b of the block body 51, and a plurality of substantially hemispherical projections 53 for repeated accuracy examination integrally formed at predetermined positions on the upper surface 51a of the block body 51. The accuracy examination is carried out by setting the block body 51 in place on a table for the CMM, bringing the probe of the CMM into contact successively with the index projections 52, for example, to read the indices of the CMM, and using the indices and the intervals between the projections 53 for repeated accurate examination to effect computation. Various kinds of gauges similar to the gauge mentioned above have been put to practical use for CMM calibration.
Although consideration has been given to how spheres should be disposed in one same plane and how spheres should be disposed three-dimensionally as described above, since no national standard for an intercentral distance of spheres has yet been established, the intercentral distance of spheres cannot be expressed in terms of submicrometer units irrespective of how the spheres are disposed. Only the intercentral distance of the spheres not expressed in sub-micrometer units and the diameters of the spheres obtained by calculation from the intercentral distance can be measured. In the conventional CMM calibrating gauge shown above, moreover, standard values are obtained by measuring the gauge parts as accurately as possible. Thus, the standard values are merely measured values inherently containing errors and therefore lack reliability.
In view of the above, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a CMM calibrating gauge that enables total calibration of errors in graduations of each axis and operational performance of CMMs.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a CMM calibrating gauge that enables a plurality of revisions of the measured values and accurate calibration of CMMs of any size.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a CMM calibrating gauge easy to manage, store and maintain.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for specifying the three-dimensional dimensions of a CMM calibrating gauge with high accuracy and for accurately calibrating a CMM including the motion characteristics of the CMM in a specific direction.
To attain the objects described above, the present invention provides a CMM calibrating gauge having a fundamental structure that comprises a block gauge having a pair of opposite end faces whose absolute length values have been certified and at least one sphere fixed to a front surface of the block gauge.
The at least one sphere may be a plurality of spheres. These spheres may have different sizes. One or more spheres may also be fixed to the back surface of the block gauge.
The CMM calibrating gauge can be used alone or in combination with an optional number of like block gauges and/or an optional number of like CMM calibrating gauges connected at their respective end faces.
The present invention further provides a method for calibrating a CMM using the CMM calibrating gauge of the fundamental structure, which comprises the steps of bringing a probe of the CMM into contact with a first end face of the block gauge of the CMM calibrating gauge to specify planarity of the first end face, bringing the probe into contact with a peripheral surface and a pole point of the sphere to specify coordinates of a sphere center relative to the first end face and a diameter of the sphere, bringing the probe of the CMM into contact with a second end face of the block gauge of the CMM calibrating gauge to measure planarity of the second end face, bringing the probe into contact with the peripheral surface and the pole point of the sphere to measure coordinates of the sphere center relative to the second end face and the diameter of the sphere and revise the specified planarity of the first end face and the specified sphere center coordinates and sphere diameter, thereby specifying three-dimensional dimensions of the CMM calibrating gauge to calibrate the CMM.
When a combination CMM calibrating gauge comprising the aforementioned CMM calibrating gauge and an optional number of like block gauges and/or an optional number of like CMM calibrating gauges is used, the three-dimensional dimensions of the combination CMM calibrating gauge and the CMM including its motion characteristic in a specific direction can be calibrated with higher accuracy.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description given hereinbelow with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Gauge for calibrating three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine and method for calibrating three-dimensional coordinate measuring machine using the gauge

Agency of Industrial Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry


A portable vibrating device has two electrical motors each having an axle and a weight element coupled to the axle. The axles couple the electrical motors to the weight elements. The weight elements form a weight unit having a total mass m and having a mass center with an offset r in respect to a rotational axis. The weight units are angularly dispositioned to different angular dispositions for varying the amplitude of vibration according to a desired scheme. The angular disposition is controlled by the rotation of the electrical motors. The device may be able to receive messages and to play the by varying the amplitude of vibration accordingly.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to vibrating portable electronic devices, method of vibrating portable electronic devices and method of messaging by vibrating a portable electronic devices.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Vibration is an elegant way to unobtrusively inform a user of a portable device of an event, for example to inform a user of a mobile communications device of an incoming call or message. This vibration is easy to notice even in noisy conditions. Furthermore, a loud alarm signal is not necessary, especially since vibration can be used in combination with an audible alarm signal. In a typical vibrating mobile telephone, the reception of a short message or a telephone call can be indicated by vibration. The vibration is generated by using a miniature-sized electrical motor rotating an unbalanced weight.
The vibration of a portable device has two major parameters: frequency and amplitude of vibration. It is preferred for these parameters to be in a range within which the vibration is easy to detect, especially if the device is carried in a case or in a shoulder bag. Yet the vibration should not be unpleasantly vigorous.
Typically, in mobile telephones, the vibration is used in short pulses of approximately one or more seconds. For each pulse, the unbalanced weight is started and it accelerates to a nominal angular speed and causes the mobile telephone to vibrate. Initially, the unbalanced weight is stationary and it starts to accelerate when an operating voltage is applied to the electrical motor. Therefore, the start is "soft", that is the frequency of the vibration increases and reaches a nominal value corresponding to the nominal angular speed.
In informing the user of an event by an audio alarm signal, the type of event may be indicated by using a different sound, melody, or even voice message. If vibration is used to inform the user of an event, it is difficult to distinguish between different vibrations. To distinguish one type of indication from another, one could alter the duration, the frequency or amplitude of vibration pulses. In each case, however, the change would need to be noticeable. Furthermore, changes in vibration frequency in a vibration pulse could easily feel unpleasant. On the other hand, the amplitude is difficult to vary without changing the frequency. The length of vibration pulses could be altered, but then it is difficult to detect accurately the start of a vibration pulse since the frequency of vibration gradually increases as the motor accelerates until the motor reaches a target angular speed.
Considering the underlying physics, the centrifugal force F causing vibration, for a mass element rotating about a rotational axis is:F=mω2rwherein m is the mass of the mass element, ω is the angular speed of rotation (radians per second) and r is the offset of the mass element from the rotational axis. As the equation is linear with respect to m and r, the equation can be generalized so that it refers to an infinitely small mass center of a real mass element that is not infinitely small. In this case, the mass m is the mass of the entire mass element and the radius r refers to the offset of the mass center from the rotational axis. The centrifugal force F causes thus a vibration force. Hence, the vibration force giving an amplitude of vibration (which then depends on the mass of the entire device to be vibrated) is linearly proportional to the mass and offset of the mass center, but proportional to the square of the angular speed (ω2) and, correspondingly, proportional to the square of the frequency of rotation. This explains why the amplitude of vibration is difficult to control by the rotational frequency, when inconvenient vibration frequencies are to be avoided.
In systems in which vibration is caused by rotating a rotatable mass about a rotational axis, one way to change the amplitude of vibration is by changing the rotatable mass to another, heavier or lighter, mass or to offset the rotatable mass further away from, or closer to, the rotational axis. Such operation is inconvenient for an average user of a staple portable device such as a mobile communications device.

Vibrating portable electronic device, method of vibrating a portable electronic device and method of messaging by vibrating a portable electronic device


The present invention provides a computer implemented method for maintaining a knowledge base. The method taking as input, text examples that are tagged with a structural markup language; and maps knowledge nodes in the knowledge base with the tagged examples to determine: (1) the knowledge nodes that best match the tagged examples, and (2) the knowledge nodes that are best connected to the tagged examples. The results are displayed to the user, who verifies that the tagged examples match the selected knowledge nodes. Based on the user response, indices of the knowledge nodes are updated. The method may further include determining discrepancies between the existing knowledge base and the tagged examples, and further displaying the discrepancies to the user. The user can update the missing information in the knowledge base to remove the discrepancies in the existing knowledge base.

Knowledge is an important resource for business organizations. It is constantly being generated as a result of the continuous accumulation of information, and its use by an organization. Knowledge bases are used to store the generated knowledge.
Knowledge bases need regular maintenance, as knowledge is not a static resource. Fresh insights, changing business requirements, alternative or external resources and acquired experiences have to be constantly incorporated to the existing knowledge.
To this end, usually there are knowledge engineers who are assigned the task of maintaining and updating knowledge bases. Maintaining a structured knowledge base involves searching through the knowledge base to match the knowledge present in the knowledge base with knowledge obtained from interviews with experts. This is an economically unviable and manually intensive process. Knowledge engineers have to depend completely on the experts to determine whether any information is missing, or any discrepancies exist in the knowledge base, and to provide them with the necessary information.
Another problem that knowledge engineers face is the task of classifying the information that they obtain through interviews with experts, for incorporation into the knowledge base. Known techniques fail to appreciate and effectively address these concerns.
Accordingly, the present invention addresses the abovementioned problems and others.

Process for semi-automatic maintenance of a knowledge base using tagged examples


The process for the control and activation of vehicle dashboard indicators (121, 122, 221) consists in distributing the indicators into x groups (1, 2, 3, 4) of indicators (121, 122, 221) and in performing a time division multiplexing of the groups (1, 2, 3, 4), by determining an actual value of instantaneous excitation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) and by regulating a shape factor for multiplexed control and activation of the indicators (121, 122, 221) as a function of the deviation between the actual excitation value and a preset value.

The present invention relates to the control and the activation of vehicle, in particular automobile, dashboard indicators.
An automobile vehicle dashboard comprises in particular warning lights or signaling indicators, that show the driver the state of various sensors signaling that a door is not properly closed, that a handbrake is not off that a belt is not fastened, for example.
The conventional solution for controlling and activating the indicators consists in linking them in point-to-point mode to the associated sensor. Hence, one needs as many links as indicators, each comprising a transmitter linked to a receiver of the dashboard that controls a power make/break switch for the associated indicator.
The volume of components is therefore dependent on the number of indicators and is therefore not insignificant once this number reaches a few tens.

Process for the control and actuation of vehicle dashboard indicators


A bag assembly has a primary storage chamber and a carrying structure, and the carrying structure having a panel and a shoulder strap extending from the panel. The strap and the panel are seamlessly integrated. The primary storage chamber is a first three dimensional (3D) knit structure having a first material or combination of materials and the carrying structure is a second 3D knit structure having a second material or combination of materials. The primary storage chamber is fixed to the panel of the carrying structure to form the bag assembly. Also provided is a bag assembly in which the primary storage chamber is a first 3D knit structure having a first knit pattern and the carrying structure is a second 3D knit structure having a second knit pattern. Also provided is a method for customizing locations of 3D knit features based on user dimensions.

A wide variety of material elements are conventionally utilized in the manufacturing of a bag, such as a backpack and its multiple components. It will be understood that while this disclosure specifically discusses backpacks, the disclosure also relates to other structured bags, such as messenger bags, purses, and the like. Parts of a traditional backpack are constructed from multiple layers that include a variety of joined material elements. Different material elements are selected to impart a variety of properties such as stretch-resistance, wear-resistance, flexibility, cushioning, moisture-wicking, and breathability.
In order to impart different desired properties to different areas of the backpack, material elements are typically cut into a variety of shapes from sheets of material and joined together, usually with stitching, adhesive bonding, or heat welding. Furthermore, material elements are typically joined in a layered configuration to impart multiple properties to desired areas. As the number and variety of material elements incorporated into the backpack increases, the time, labor, and expenses associated with the stocking, cutting, and joining of material elements also increases. Waste material from the cutting and stitching processes also accumulates to a greater degree as the number and variety of material elements incorporated into the backpack increases. Waste materials are generally unusable as well as difficult and expensive to dispose of after production. The cut & sew process for soft goods, accessories, and bags has seen very little change or innovation in many years, and remains extremely labor intensive, wasteful, and expensive.
Accordingly, typical backpack construction is extremely labor intensive and done manually through the process of cutting a variety of shapes from numerous different material elements, and bonding/layering them together through sewing, gluing, heat welding, etc. in order to create a three dimensional shape. As the number and type of material elements incorporated into a backpack increase, the time and expense associated with transporting, stocking, cutting, and joining the material elements also increases. Waste material from cutting and stitching processes also accumulates to a greater degree. Moreover, backpacks with a greater number of material elements may be more difficult to recycle than backpacks formed from fewer types and numbers of material elements. Current cut & sew techniques used within the backpack manufacturing industry are labor intensive, expensive, require complex assembly line processes, are extremely wasteful in both material use and production processes, and have variable quality product due to human error.


There are provided a remote behavior navigation system and a method thereof, which allow an instructor at a remote location to perform guidance to a worker while watching a work video picture of the worker. Corresponding to a video picture from a worker-side camera at time t1, an instructor-side computer extracts a work instruction video picture from a video picture of an instructor-side camera at time t2. The instructor-side computer superimposes the work instruction video picture at the time t2 on the video picture from the worker-side camera at the time t1, and displays the superimposed video picture on an instructor-side monitor. A worker-side computer provides the work instruction video picture at the time t2 with a time difference correction, then superimposes the corrected work instruction video picture on a video picture from the worker-side camera at time t3, and displays the superimposed video picture on a worker-side monitor.

There has been known a remote action guidance system configured to send a work video picture and a voice of a worker, who performs prescribed work at a work site, to an instructor at a remote location through a bidirectional communication network (line), and to allow the instructor having expertise in that work to provide a work instruction to the worker while watching the work video picture.
For example, PTL 1 discloses a remote action guidance system which is configured to cause a worker to superimpose an index for instructing a region, on which the worker is supposed to work, on a target region of an actual optical image of a work target through a monitor screen by using a head mount display (HMD), thereby enabling an instructor to transmit an instruction easily and accurately. Here, the HMD is an apparatus which is put on the head or the face of a wearer, and is configured to project a video picture on an organic EL display, a liquid crystal display device, and the like directly onto the eyeballs of the wearer by use of an eyepiece optical system, and enables the wearer to observe a virtual video picture as if the video picture is projected into the air. Specifically, according to the remote action guidance system, the worker puts on the HMD equipped with a camera unit, and transmits a video picture of a work target shot with the camera unit to the instructor at a remote location. While observing this video picture through a monitor of a remote instruction device, the instructor provides the worker with video and audio information from the remote instruction device through the HMD, thereby providing a work instruction. The literature states that, the worker is able to reach out the hands to an instructed region while easily recognizing the region by using an index provided onto the virtual video picture on the HMD, and thus to improve workability.
Meanwhile, NPL 1 discloses a remote action guidance system as a PH (parasitic humanoid) system, which allows an expert worker to support work by an inexpert worker, for example. Each of the inexpert worker on site and the expert worker at a remote location puts on a microphone and a wearable camera which is an HMD equipped with a camera unit. The expert worker who receives information from the site performs work in a virtual space through a monitor. From a video picture shot with the camera that is put on the expert worker, a video picture of the hands or arms of the expert worker is extracted or a CG image of the hands or arms is created, and the video picture or the image is displayed in such a way as to be superimposed on a video picture shot with the camera that is put on the on-site worker. In this way, work guidance to the on-site worker is performed by using augmented reality (AR) technology.
Note that PTL 2, for example, describes a master-slave robot configured such that a robot is operated in conformity with an action of an operator at a remote location. This robot is also similar to the above-described remote action guidance system.
However, the on-site worker (the worker) receives action information from the instructor (the expert worker) and determines his or her own action on site based on the action information in the case of the above-described remote action guidance system, whereas the action is determined corresponding to action information of the operator in the case of the master-slave robot. In other words, timings for determining the action of the on-site worker (the robot) are different.

Remote behavior navigation system and processing method thereof

National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology


A method for suitably picking up a component supplied in a lined up state. The component that is at pickup position is held using component holding device; and while holding the component with the component holding device, the component holding device is moved specified distance in a direction towards a component adjacent to the held component, then the component holding device is moved specified distance in a direction opposite to the first direction, and then the component holding device is raised.

With technology as disclosed, for example, in the patent literature below, that is, technology for mounting components, which are arranged lined up inside a so-called stick, on a board, when picking up a single component, the component is picked up while contacting the next component to be picked up. Also, when picking up components for a so-called bulk-type component supply device, or when picking up component arranged in a grid on a tray without dividers between components, a component to be picked up is in a state contacting an adjacent component.


The present invention is directed to providing advertisements for playing on a mobile device based on previously provided information regarding the mobile device user. Information regarding the user is provided to a server, which is also in communication with advertisers that supply advertisements for playing on the mobile device. The server employs the user information to determine which advertisements might be suitable for the mobile device user. The determined advertisements may be cached/recorded on the mobile device for later playback or they can be provided in real time at a scheduled time for the playing of advertisements. Also, advertisements associated/included with the currently playing content could be suppressed in favor of the determined advertisements. Additionally, the currently playing content can be recorded while advertisements are playing on the mobile device; and then the playing of the content can be subsequently resumed from the point where the advertisements started playing.

Since their introduction, the number of services and features for cellular telephones has steadily increased. At first, these mobile devices operated on analog wireless networks that enabled voice communication and simple paging features. Later, digital wireless networks for cellular telephones were implemented to provide more advanced features for voice and data communication, such as encryption, caller identification and short message service (SMS) text messages. More recently, some cellular telephones enable the browsing of web pages on the Internet, tuning to radio stations, playing streamed content, or other on-line services.
The functionality of cellular telephones has continued to increase and incorporate many of the features originally provided for in handheld electronic devices such as personal digital assistants (PDAs). Relatively simple PDA features such as keeping a list of contacts, a calendar, appointments, and the like have been generally integrated into recent cellular telephone models. Also, more advanced features are becoming more widely available such as playing streamed content and broadcasts. In the past, providers of streamed content/broadcasts have not been able to differentiate advertisements for cellular telephone users versus other types of users. Typically, advertisements included with the streamed content/broadcasts were more generically directed to the demographics of a typical viewer, not the particular user viewing the playing of streamed content/broadcasts.

Method and system for inserting advertisements into broadcast content


An apparatus for providing storage is provided that includes a jitter buffer element. The jitter buffer element includes a primary jitter buffer storage that includes a primary low water mark and a primary high water mark. The jitter buffer element also includes a secondary jitter buffer storage that includes a secondary low water mark and a secondary high water mark. A first data segment within the primary jitter buffer storage is held for a processor. A playout point may advance from a bottom of the primary jitter buffer storage to the primary low water mark. When the playout point reaches the primary low water mark, the processor communicates a message for the secondary jitter buffer storage to request a second data segment up to the secondary high water mark associated with the secondary jitter buffer storage.

Historically, telecommunications have involved the transmission of signals (e.g. voice) over a network dedicated to telecommunications, such as the public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a private branch exchange (PBX). Similarly, data communications between computers have also historically been transmitted on a dedicated data network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), for example. Generally, telecommunications and data transmissions have been merged into an integrated communication network using technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
Audio and/or video streaming across a communication network may encounter delays that diminish the advantages of real-time communications. Jitter is a variable-length delay that can cause a flow (e.g. a conversation) between two or more end points (e.g. two people) to break or to deteriorate and, thus, become unintelligible. Jitter is a variation in the delay of received packets. At the sending side, packets are sent in a continuous stream with the packets being evenly spaced apart. As a result of network congestion, improper queuing, or configuration errors, this steady stream can become fragmented: causing the delay between each packet to vary instead of remaining constant. In VoIP networks in which existing data traffic might be bursty, jitter can be problematic. This could inhibit the successful propagation of any type of real-time (or quasi real-time) communications.
Thus, the ability to properly manage real-time (or quasi real-time) communication flows presents a significant challenge to system designers, component manufacturers, and network operators.

System and method for implementing a demand paging jitter buffer algorithm


In a method of electronic image stabilization, a processor buffers image data into a memory buffer, the image data being obtained by the processor from an image sensor disposed in an electronic device. The processor obtains motion data from a motion sensor disposed in the electronic device, wherein the motion data corresponds with a time of capture of the image data. The processor analyzes the motion data to determine a stabilization correction to apply to the image data. The processor applies the determined stabilization correction to the image data to achieve stabilized image data. The determined stabilization correction is applied, and the stabilized image data is achieved, by the processor without requiring a transfer of the image data from the memory buffer to a graphics processing unit. The stabilized image data is output.

Advances in technology have enabled the introduction of electronic devices that feature an ever increasing set of capabilities. Smartphones, for example, now offer sophisticated computing and sensing resources together with expanded communication capability, digital imaging capability, and user experience capability. Likewise, tablets, wearables, media players, Internet connected devices (which may or may not be mobile), and other similar electronic devices have shared in this progress and often offer some or all of these capabilities. Many of the capabilities of electronic devices, and in particular mobile electronic devices, are enabled by sensors (e.g., accelerometers, gyroscopes, pressure sensors, thermometers, acoustic sensors, etc.) that are included in the electronic device. That is, one or more aspects of the capabilities offered by electronic devices will rely upon information provided by one or more of the sensors of the electronic device in order to provide or enhance the capability. In general, sensors detect or measure physical or environmental properties of the device or its surroundings, such as one or more of the orientation, velocity, and acceleration of the device, and/or one or more of the temperature, acoustic environment, atmospheric pressure, etc. of the device and/or its surroundings, among others. Based on measurements of motion, for example, electronic image stabilization may be performed on image data of a captured image.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and device for electronic image stabilization of a captured image


A track and carriage system is provided for moving a work piece along a flexible track (10). The system includes a track (10) having at least one track segment (12), the track segment (12) including a rack assembly (16) formed by a plurality of spaced rack members (18) mounted on the track segment (12). A carriage assembly (40) is configured to move along the track (10). The carriage assembly (40) includes a first carriage (42) and a second carriage (44) which may be removably mounted on the track (10). A link assembly (48) extends between the two carriages (42, 44) to connect the two carriages as they Cove along the track (10).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of flexible tracks and, more particularly, to a flexible track and carriage system for guiding and supporting a tool, such as a welding or cutting machine, along a work surface.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Track systems are known in the art for guiding a welding or cutting machine on a work surface. Such track systems are used in many industrial areas, such as structural steel work, machinery manufacture and repair, ship building and ship repair, containment vessels, tubing, conductors, etc. In some cases, a rigid track or rail system is used. However, in many cases, a flexible rail system is advantageous to allow the welding or cutting machine to traverse a non-planar i.e., curved work surface. A flexible rail system allows the rail to be used over straight as well as curved surfaces.
One example of such a prior track system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,570,542 to Cable et al., which is herein incorporated by reference. In the Cable patent, a band of corrugated sheet metal is attached to the top of a track base. The corrugations of the band form a rack having vertically oriented teeth. The large, vertically oriented drive gear of a welding or cutting machine is configured to engage the vertically oriented teeth of the corrugated band to move the machine along the rack. Since the corrugated band forming the teeth must be able to flex with the track to conform to the shape of the work surface, the thickness of the band, and hence the thickness of the teeth, must necessarily be limited to permit such flexibility. This limits the amount of force which can be applied to the teeth and hence the load which the track is capable of directing. Such vertically oriented, unitary track systems are generally capable of supporting and directing loads only on the order of about 30 pounds. Additionally, the use of a large, vertically oriented gear wheel having an axis of rotation parallel to the top of the track makes the design of a drive system awkward and cumbersome.
Another track system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,792 to Harris. In the Harris system, a flexible track having a series of perforations is used with a carriage having a large, vertically oriented drive sprocket. The drive sprocket is studded about its periphery with spherical members adapted to mesh with the track perforations. While the Harris system is capable of carrying relatively heavier loads than the cable system discussed above, a problem with the Harris system is that the Harris drive system inherently produces non-uniform, ripple-like motion of the carriage. Such non-uniform motion is detrimental to smooth operation of the tool mounted on the carriage. Also, as with the Cable system described above, the use of a large, vertically oriented drive sprocket tends to make the drive system rather unwieldy.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a flexible track system which reduces the amount of tooth deformation when the track is conformed to a non-planar work surface. It is additionally an object of the invention to provide a track having a rack structure capable of supporting and directing heavy loads without adversely impacting upon the flexibility of the track. It is also an object of the invention to provide a carriage assembly for supporting a tool, such as a welding or cutting device, which is capable of being quickly and easily attached to or removed from the track system. It is further an object of the invention to provide a track system having a rack profile which permits substantially uniform motion of a supported carriage on straight as well as on curved surfaces.
A track and carriage system is provided for moving a work piece along a flexible track. The system includes a track having at least one track segment, the track segment including a rack assembly formed by a plurality of spaced rack members mounted on the track segment. A carriage assembly is configured to move along the track. The carriage assembly preferably includes a first carriage and a second carriage, which may be removably mounted on the track. A link assembly extends between the two carriages to connect the two carriages as they move along the track. Additional carriages may be connected to the first or second carriages by additional link assemblies.


A tailgate that is hingeably connected to a vehicle and configured to pivot from a closed position to a generally vertical open position includes an inner panel having an inner tailgate surface and an outer panel having an outer tailgate surface. The outer panel is attached to the inner panel to define a pocket therebetween. An opening extends from the inner tailgate surface to the outer tailgate surface and is configured to receive a foot. A step assembly is housed in the pocket and is moveable from a retracted position enclosing the opening, to an extended position revealing the opening. The step assembly includes a stationary frame fixed with respect to the pocket and a moveable frame moveable with respect to the stationary frame. The moveable frame extends from a lower peripheral edge of the tailgate in the extended position.

The present invention relates generally to cargo beds on vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to a tailgate on a vehicle cargo bed with extensible steps.
Large automotive vehicles having cargo beds are frequently used to transport cargo from place to place. These types of vehicles can be military vehicles, such as troop transport vehicles, and can also be civilian vehicles, such as sport utility vehicles. Vehicles capable of transporting cargo are made in a variety of shapes and sizes, and can have a variety of tailgate and cargo bed configurations.
Cargo is commonly loaded and unloaded from these large vehicles by the ingress and egress of humans to and from the cargo bed. Since the cargo beds on the larger vehicles are often three feet or more off the ground, the ingress and egress of the human to and from the cargo bed can be difficult. Further, the cargo that is being loaded or unloaded may be heavy or awkwardly shaped, making the ingress and egress even more difficult.
Often, a step stool is placed adjacent the tailgate to assist humans with the ingress and egress of the cargo bed. However, this requires transporting a separate step stool with the cargo. Additionally, since the step stool is not fixed relative to the vehicle, the step stool can move or tip when in use.
Alternatively, a bracket can be installed on the tailgate. Humans entering the cargo bed can first step onto the bracket and then ingress the cargo bed. This configuration is problematic for several reasons. A first problem is that the bracket is generally high off the ground, making it difficult for humans to step onto the bracket from the ground. Another problem is that the bracket protrudes from the interior surface of the tailgate. When the tailgate is closed, the bracket can interfere with cargo, such as by puncturing the cargo. Alternatively, the bracket may take up space in the cargo bed.
Thus, there is a need for a step that provides a comfortable step distance for the ingress into and egress out of the cargo bed.
There is also a need for a step that does not take up space in the cargo bed.

Tailgate with integrated and extensible steps for a vehicle having a cargo bed

International Truck Intellectual Property Company, LLC


An insole providing cushioning and control of foot motion. The insole includes a base. A lateral border and a medial border cooperate to align and support the foot. The lateral border and medial border are firmer than the base.

The human foot is a very complex biological mechanism. While standing, the feet carry a persons entire weight. While walking the load on a foot at heel strike is typically about one and a half times a person's body weight. When running or carrying extra weight the loads on the foot may exceed three times the body weight. The many bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons of the foot function to absorb and dissipate the forces of impact, carry the weight of the body and other loads, and provide forces for propulsion. Properly designed shoe insoles can assist the foot in performing these functions and protect the foot from injury.
To be practical for distribution to the general public, an insole must be able to provide benefit to the user population without requiring individualized adjustment and fitting. Insoles can be optimized to address the needs of different portions of the user population. For example, insoles can be designed to accommodate the biomechanical differences between men and women.
Biomechanically men and women are very similar in most respects. They share basically the same human design, with the same number of bones, muscles, ligaments, and a torso that supports two upper and lower limbs. However, there are some biomechanical differences. The most distinguishing anatomical feature between men and women is the pelvis. To facilitate child birth, the pelvis of a woman is typically broader and rounder than that of a man. As a result, in women the thigh bone or femur approaches the knee at a greater angle than in men. This angle, called the quadriceps angle or Q-angle, is, on average, about 18 degrees in women compared to about 13 degrees in men. This angulation places greater stress at the knee joint of most women, making them more vulnerable to misalignment injuries, such as anterior cruciate ligament tears at the knee, 4th and 5th metatarsal fractures, peroneal tendonitis, iliotibial band syndrome, and other injuries. Because women also typically have narrower heels and lighter bone structure across the tri-planar axis of the foot, they are more susceptible to over use injuries and compensatory injuries when trying to reduce stress along the medial aspect of the knee joint
Women compensate for a greater Q-angle by moving their center of mass laterally to the outside to place the leg in a straighter alignment over the foot. Women also tend to pronate more than men because their foot strikes the ground in a more supinated position on the outside of their feet during foot strike.
In view of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide an over-the-counter insole that provides cushioning adapted to the biomechanics of women.
It would also be desirable to provide an insole that provides pronation control adapted to the unique biomechanics of women.

Shoe insole with improved support and motion control


A shark deterrent device is disclosed. The device comprises at least two hollow cylindrical shafts, a tip, a twist-release mechanism, and at least one self-lock mechanism. The tip may be replaceable. The shark deterrent device is a retractable unit that is easy for a diver to carry and stow, and yet can be extended in order to deter a shark. The device is unlocked from its retracted position by twisting a collar, thereby unlocking the concentric shafts and allowing the unit to be fully extendable by hand. Once the unit is fully extended, a self-lock mechanism lock the unit to prevent it from retracting during use. The unit has a handle formed at one end of the outermost cylindrical shaft and a tip at the opposing end of the innermost cylindrical shaft. The tip may be replaceable and removed, and other useful tips may be attached.

Shark attacks are a common fear of scuba divers. In order to prevent these attacks, divers often carry with them various shark deterrents, such as chemical repellents or spear guns. Chemical repellents are often not allowed in ecological fragile areas, and are often of only limited effectiveness.
Spear guns are quite large to carry and are often not allowed in certain dive areas. It is typically only necessary to ward off the shark rather than injure it with a device such as a spear gun. An injury resulting in a loss of blood from the shark will likely attract other sharks and would pose an additional threat to the diver. It may be sufficient to prod, bump, or strike the shark when it advances with a device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Sharks rarely attack in a straight forward manner. The most common method of shark attack is known as a "circling attack." A circling attack is when a shark starts to circle its prey widely, and gradually reduces the diameter of the circle until the shark is close enough to "bump" its snout into the prey. This "bump" allows the shark to use its electroreceptors to identify its prey before the "test bite." Since sharks are known to be scavengers they often are attracted to an easy prey. When sharks encounter prey that fights back, they have been known to retreat.
Thus, there is a need in the industry for a non-chemical, non-wounding device that will deter sharks and yet is easy for a diver to carry and open. This device may be used when a shark attempts to approach or "bump" a diver, acting as a deterrent and causing the shark to retreat and leave the diver in search of easier prey.


The present disclosure includes circuits and methods for power amplifiers. In one embodiment, a main and peaking amplifier receive dynamic power supply voltages to operate an RF power amplifier in a high efficiency range for a particular output voltage. The power supply voltages may be changed based on an output voltage so that the power amplifier operates within a high efficiency plateau. In one embodiment, different discrete power supply voltage levels are used for different output voltage ranges. In another embodiment, a continuous time varying power supply voltage is provided as the power supply voltage. A dynamic supply voltage may be generated having a lower frequency than a signal path of the power amplifier.

The present disclosure relates to electronic systems and methods, and in particular, to power amplifier circuits and methods.
Wireless systems typically include a transmitter and receiver coupled to an antenna to send and receive RF signals. Generally, a baseband system generates a digital signal that includes encoded information (data), and the digital signal is converted to an analog signal for transmission. The analog signal is processed and typically modulated (up converted) to an RF carrier frequency. After up conversion, the RF signal is coupled to an antenna through a power amplifier. The power amplifier increases the signal power so that the RF signal can communicate with a remote system, such as a base station, for example.
Wireless systems require power amplifiers that can transmit RF signals with a considerable range of instantaneous and average signal power levels. Generally, power amplifiers are sized and designed such that the optimal efficiency is only at the maximum instantaneous output power, resulting in a significant reduction in efficiency for dynamic signals. As such, advanced architectures that provide higher efficiency at output power levels other than the maximum instantaneous output power are sought.

Circuits and methods for power amplification with extended high efficiency


A modular structure for carrying a printed circuit board, having to be connected to an electronic installation. The modular structure includes two cover plates opposite each other, contributing to defining a housing for at least one printed circuit board. The cover plates engage one another by sandwiching, via a first edge, a support for one or more connection blocks for the connection and, via a second edge, a support for a locking mechanism in order to hold the structure in a connected position. The support for the locking mechanism and for the connection blocks have ends which are separate before the assembly of the cover plate. Such a modular structure may find particular application to electronic installations of the integrated modular avionics type.

The present invention relates to a modular structure designed to accommodate one or more printed circuit boards and having to be connected to an electronic installation.
It is applicable especially but not exclusively to electronic installations of. the integrated modular avionics type, located on-board aircraft where they are likely to be subjected to harsh environmental conditions such as vibrations, sudden accelerations, shocks, moisture, etc.
A conventional modular structure comprises at least one frame which defines a volume in which a printed circuit board can be placed, this frame comprising two side walls fitted with fixation means, each one able to be fixed either to a closure plate, or to another frame.
This frame, which is generally moulded or machined, is difficult to produce with good tolerances. It is expensive to manufacture. It comprises a certain number of mouldings, notches and grooves, both on the inside and on the outside of its uprights and cross members. Such a modular structure in a frame is relatively heavy, expensive and less than satisfactory from the thermal point of view, the heat released by the electronic components of the printed circuit board having to be removed effectively for optimum operation. In addition, its weight is a handicap from the point of view of the on-board mass. It is not unusual, during maintenance operations on an aircraft, for it to have to be replaced in a few seconds and it must be able to be easily handled.
The object of the present invention is therefore more particularly to overcome these drawbacks especially of weight, cost and cooling.
In order to do this, the present invention proposes a modular structure, capable of receiving one or more printed circuit boards, which does not have a frame.
Such a modular structure is particularly simple to produce and to assemble. The printed circuit boards that it houses are held efficiently, while the structure remains light and easy to handle.
More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular structure for carrying printed circuit boards, capable of being connected to an electronic installation, comprising two cover plates placed opposite each other, contributing to defining a housing for at least one printed circuit board.
The cover plates engage one with the other by sandwiching, via a first edge, support means for one or more connection blocks and, via a second edge, support means for a locking mechanism, in order to hold the structure in a connected position, the support means for the connection blocks and for the locking mechanism having ends which are separate before assembly.
Preferably, the cover plates include an at least one other edge, stiffening means making it possible among other things to improve the engagement of the cover plates with each other.
The support means for the locking mechanism can take the form of at least one bar.
The support means for the connection blocks can take the form of at least one bar arranged so as to contribute to defining, when it is sandwiched between the two cover plates, one or more cavities open towards the outside of the housing and intended to receive the connection blocks. A connection block in a cavity is intended to be connected, on one side, to the printed circuit board and, on the other side, to another connection block, external to the structure and facing it.
The stiffening means may be formed by at least one portion making at least one change in direction relative to the main surface of the cover plate. A preferred embodiment is to use as stiffening means an angle bracket with two flanges, one a median flange and the other an end flange, these flanges making two changes in direction relative to the main surface of the cover plate.
The end flanges can be provided with holes for the purpose of assembling them.
In order to carry out proper internal ventilation of the housing, the median flanges can be provided with at least one opening for ventilation.
In order to be able to house bulky electronic components, without significantly increasing the size of the modular structure, the median flange of an angle bracket belonging to one of the cover plates can have a width different to that of an angle bracket belonging to the other cover plate.
In order to improve the holding and the stiffening of the printed circuit board, provision can be made for the structure to carry at least one stiffening rod. The results are improved if the stiffening rod is secured to one of the cover plates. Provision can also be made for the printed circuit board to carry at least one stiffening bar on each one of its faces.
In a modular structure with just one printed circuit board, the two stiffening rods can each be secured to one of the cover plates.
In a configuration with two stiffening rods carried by two different faces of the printed circuit board, it is not necessary for these rods to have the same length.
However, it is preferable that they have approximately the same orientation.
In the modular structures with many printed circuit boards, the cover plates sandwich at least one spacer, using the stiffening means.
In order to encourage good internal ventilation, it is preferable that the spacer be provided with at least one opening for ventilation.
One of the printed circuit boards is fixed to a spacer when the modular structure houses more than two printed circuit boards.
In order to guarantee satisfactory security when the modular structure is introduced into a rack, it is possible to include polarization means within the support means for the connection blocks.
Similarly, in order to facilitate positioning of the structure in the rack, it is possible to include positioning means on the support means for the connection blocks.


An exemplary optical lens assembly includes a first lens and a second lens. The first lens comprises a first central portion and a first annular stepped portion. The first annular stepped portion has a first outer step and a second outer step. The first outer step has a first outer side surface and a first downward-facing surface. The second outer step has a second outer side surface. The second lens comprises a second central portion and a second annular stepped portion. The second annular stepped portion has a first inner step and a second inner step. The first inner step has a first inner side surface and a first upward-facing surface. The second inner step has a second inner side surface. The first annular stepped portion is engaged in the second annular stepped portion. A gap exists between the second outer side surface and the first inner side surface.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to optical imaging devices and, particularly, to an optical lens assembly and a lens module having the same.
2. Description of Related Art
Currently, along with the development of electronic devices with multiple functions, image pick-up apparatuses have become widely used in a variety of consumer electronic devices, such as notebook computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular telephones, etc. In the meantime, demand for improving image quality is increasing, which is essentially dependent on the quality of a lens module of the image pick-up apparatus. That is, a lens module with high image quality is desired.
Referring to FIG. 5, an optical lens assembly 20 includes two lenses 24, 26. The lens 24 and lens 26 each has a central round portion and a peripheral portion. The peripheral portion of the lens 24 includes a protuberance 242, and the peripheral portion of the lens 26 includes a protuberance 262 coupled with the protuberance 242. The protuberance 242 has a surface 244 and the protuberance 262 has a surface 264. The two surfaces 244, 264 are both incline planes and have the same gradient. When assembling the two lenses 24 and 26, the surfaces 244 and 264 contact each other to engage the lens 24 to the lens 26. However, this combination requires the manufacturing tolerance of the incline plane to be very precise. If the combination is out of tolerance, the inside depth of the lens 26 to lens 24 will be different. This will make the distance between the two lenses 24 and 26 fail to meet specification. The location of contact between the two lenses 24, 26 will be unstable and may cause the lens 26 to become skewed. Furthermore, the axis of the lenses 24 and 26 will not be coincident. Thus, a lens module having the optical lens assembly 20 above may provide distorted images.
Therefore, a new optical lens assembly is desired to overcome the above mentioned problems.