In a semiconductor equipped with a conductivity modulating MISFET (IGBT) with a high withstand voltage in blocking forward and reverse directions, a withstand power is maintained in lieu of a drain wall disposed to improve the withstand power, and a current-carrying capacity, which is restricted by the drain wall, is increased. A potential at the drain wall disposed between a DMOS section and a collector section is transmitted at a portion between the collector section and an isolation layer by an channel stop electrode (201) that maintains the withstand power, while an increase in the current-carrying capacity is achieved by forming a conductivity modulating layer alone between the above section.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor equipped with a conductivity modulating-type MISFET (IGBT) used as an output element for a line driver for serial data transfer, or used as a switching element to drive a multiple power source. More specifically, the present invention relates to a semiconductor equipped with an IGBT in which voltages between a source and a collector are high in terms of blocking voltage in both the forward and reverse directions.
A conventional semiconductor equipped with a conductivity modulating-type MISFET (IGBT) with a high withstand voltage in blocking in both the forward and reverse directions may be exemplified as shown in FIG. 9, in which an n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103) is formed on a p-type substrate (101) by means of epitaxial growth. In this semiconductor, an n-type embedded layer 102 is formed on the p-type substrate, on which the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103) is formed by means of epitaxial growth. A region forming the IGBT is separated from its surroundings with an island-like shape by a p-type isolation (104). On the surface of the conductivity modulation layer (103) in this region, p-type base layers (106) and n.sup.+ -type source layers (107) are formed by double diffusion. A gate oxide film (108) is laminated on these surfaces, over which a gate electrode (109) is disposed to form an MIS section (DMOS) driven by the electrode (109).
First, a p-type deep collector layer (110) and a p.sup.+ -type collector layer (111) are formed on the surface of the conductivity modulating layer (103) at a location opposite to the DMOS section.
Then, an n.sup.+ -type drain wall (105) is formed so as to enclose these collector layers. The drain wall (105) extends from a surface of the conductivity modulating layer (103) to an embedded layer (102). The collector layers (110 and 111) are coupled to a DMOS section (120) or the isolation (104), via the drain wall (105) by means of the conductivity modulating layer (103).
The base layers (106) of the DMOS section (120) and the source layers (107) are connected to a source electrode (121) and the isolation (104) is connected to a source electrode (122), each electrode being applied with a source potential S. The collector layer (111) is provided with a collector electrode (131), to which a collector potential C is applied.
Functions of such an IGBT will be explained by referring to an equivalent circuit as shown in FIG. 11.
First, when a potential G which is a positive bias relative to a source potential S, is applied to the gate electrode 109 the surface of the p-type base layer (106) beneath the gate electrode (109) is inverted, whereby a MOSFET (604) formed in the DMOS section (120) turns on and a potential at the conductivity modulating layer (103) becomes nearly equal to the source potential S. Since the collector potential C is higher than the source potential S and is in forward direction potential, holes are supplied from the collector layers (111 and 110) to which the collector potential C is applied. This turns on a PNP transistor (606) formed of a collector layer (110), a conductivity modulating layer (103) and a base layer (106) and a PNP transistor (606) formed of the collector layer (110), the conductivity modulating layer (103) and the isolation layer (104). As a result, a current flows from the collector electrode (131) to the source electrode (121 or 122) through three paths passing the MOSFET (604), the PNP transistor (603), and the PNP transistor (606).
The IGBT is blocked in the forward direction when the collector potential C is biased positively relative to the source potential S and the gate potential G and is applied to the collector electrode 131, and the source potential S and the gate potential G are the same potential. In this state, a depletion layer (141) extends from a p-n junction of the p-type base layer (106) and the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103), and a depletion layer (140) extends from a p-n junction of the p-type isolation layer (104) and the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103).
On the other hand, the IGBT is blocked in the reverse direction when the collector potential is biased negatively relative to the source potential and the gate potential and is applied to the collector electrode 131. In this state, a depletion layer (150) extends from a p-n junction of the p-type collector layer and the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103).
As described above, a semiconductor equipped with the IGBT shown in FIG. 9 is a device embodying a bidirectional blocking in both the forward and reverse directions.
To construct such an IGBT capable of the bidirectional blocking described above, it is necessary to study prevention of latching up in parasitic thyristors, prevention of punch-through in a blocked condition, prevention of channels due to inversion of the surface of a conductivity modulating layer, and prevention of an avalanche effect at the edges of the collector layers.
In the IGBT shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, if a current amplification h.sub.FE in the PNP transistor (603) is too high, a current flows into a resistance component (601) of the p-type base layer (106), whereby an NPN transistor (602) formed of the n.sup.+ -type source (107), the p-type base layer (106) and the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103) turns on. This causes the IGBT to be in a latch-up state, making gate control impossible. To prevent such an occurrence, the current amplification h.sub.FE of the PNP transistor (603) is controlled by the n-type drain wall (105).
Between the p-type base layer (106) and the collector layer (110) and between the p-type isolation layer (104) and the collector layer (110), the n-type deep drain wall (105) is so disposed that it surrounds the collector layer (110). Therefore, the depletion layers (140), (141) and (150) extending over the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103) are restricted in spread by the drain wall (105), thus preventing a punch-through that could be attributed to these depletion layers.
The surface of the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer (103) tends to form channels as a result of an inversion due to a very small potential difference. These channels cause short circuits across the p-type base layer (106) and the collector layer (110) as well as across the p-type isolation (104) and the collector layer (110), thus reducing the voltage withstand capability of the IGBT. Formation of the above channels is prevented by disposing the n.sup.+ -type drain wall (105) between the isolation layer (104) and the collector layer (110).
In a reverse direction blocking state where the collector potential C is negatively biased, edges of the collector layer (111) become a high electric field, which leads to an occurrence of avalanche effect, resulting in reduction in the voltage withstand capability of the IGBT. To prevent such a high electric field, the p-type deep or thick collector layer (110) is formed and its edges are formed with a larger curvature.
However, in such an IGBT as that described above, the current amplification h.sub.FE cannot be increased because the n.sup.+ -type drain wall is disposed. Therefore, it is difficult to increase the current carrying capacity of the IGBT. On the other hand if no n-type drain wall is disposed, generation of the latch-up, punch-through and surface channels cannot be prevented, thereby greatly reducing the voltage withstand capability.
To prevent the avalanche effect in the reverse direction blocking state, a deep or thick p-type collector layer is formed. For this reason, the junction of the p-type collector layer and the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer is inclined, and a gradient of the impurity concentration varies continuously.
Therefore, the efficiency of supplying holes from the p-type collector layer to the n.sup.- -type conductivity modulating layer is low, which makes it difficult to improve the conductivity in the conductivity modulating layer. It is also difficult to increase the current-carrying capacity of the IGBT.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to obviate the above problems and to provide an IGBT with a large current-carrying capacity while maintaining a voltage withstand capability in a blocking condition by applying to an IGBT preventive means that performs the same functions as a drain wall or a deep collector layer in a blocking condition where a voltage withstand capability is required, and that improves the conducting capability of a conductivity modulating layer in an energized condition.

Semiconductor with a conductivity modulating-type MISFET


A system for introducing air into a slurry in a flue gas desulphurization process includes a stationary lance and an impeller. The lance include an outlet portion and a vane assembly. The outlet directs air away from the impeller. The vane assembly may produce turbulence and may convert a portion of the swirling flow from the impeller into longitudinal flow.

This invention relates to apparatus and methods for injecting gas into a fluid and, more particularly, to a lance and mixer configuration and related method for injecting air into a slurry.
In some conventional flue gas desulfurization systems, a wet scrubber brings sulfur-bearing gas into contact with a limestone/water slurry. Sulfur in the flue gas reacts with lime or limestone to produce calcium sulfite (CaSO3). A slurry containing calcium sulfite is contained in large tanks. Typically, air is injected into the slurry to oxidize the calcium sulfite into calcium sulfate (CaSO4). The oxidation reaction makes the slurry easier to handle and the byproduct (calcium sulfate is better known as gypsum) has value and can be recovered.
The mass transfer coefficient, which is a constant of proportionality between the rate of oxygen uptake and the oxygen deficit, is a general measure of the efficiency of an aeration device or configuration in the transfer of oxygen or other gas to water or other fluid. Specifically, the mass transfer coefficient, kla, is a constant for a particular device or configuration in the equation:dc/dt=kla(CS−C)where:                dc/dt=rate of change in concentration of the gas in solution        kla=overall mass transfer coefficient        CS=saturation concentration of gas in solution        C=actual concentration of gas in solution
A conventional system for injecting air into a slurry is disclosed in published UK Patent Application GB 2 164 576A and is illustrated in FIG. 1 (Prior Art). The conventional system includes a tank 100, a generally vertical gas lance 102, and an impeller 104. The air lance 102 and impeller 104 are submerged in a slurry 106. Flow from the impeller, which is schematically illustrated by directional arrows I in FIG. 1, promotes mass transfer between the gas and liquid.
Operation of the impeller creates swirling flow, which forms a low pressure region at the center of the swirl or vortex. Gas exiting lance 102 may flow backwards into the low pressure region toward impeller 104, which flow is schematically illustrated by directional arrow F in FIG. 1. The term "flooding" is used to refer to the condition in which air from lance 102 contacts the blades of impeller 104. During flooding, the mass transfer efficiency of the system greatly diminishes, and the life of the impeller or its drive may be shortened.


The present disclosure provides a foreign matter recognition method and device. The method includes: detecting whether a garment to be washed that is placed in a washing device meets a foreign matter recognition condition; in the case that the garment to be washed meets the foreign matter recognition condition, recognizing that a foreign matter exists in the garment to be washed; and indicating existence of the foreign matter.

Washing devices such as laundry washers have become a main tool for garment washing for most people. However, some careless users may forget to check or miss checking about whether there are foreign matters such as keys, coins and mobile phones in pockets when garments are washed. Those foreign matters may damage garments inside the washing devices and may even damage the washing devices when the washing devices are used to wash the garments.

Foreign matter recognition method and device

Beijing Xiaomi Mobile Software Co., Ltd.


Enabling a client computer to perform an operation is disclosed. Login information is received from a client computer. The login information is confirmed by querying a trusted agent on the client computer.

Some applications traditionally have been run exclusively by system administrators. In some cases, this is because the application requires access to information beyond the privileges of any individual user. For example, a backup application may require access to all user data, essentially requiring system administrator access privileges, in order to provide a comprehensive service. However, if the system administrator is the only one able to run certain applications, the system administrator becomes a bottleneck. It would be useful to enable users to run all, or certain modes, of the applications themselves while still preserving access limitations. In particular, in the context of backup applications it would be useful to enable an individual user to access and use a backup application and associated backup data to restore the user's own files and/or other data.

Remote access architecture enabling a client to perform an operation


A magnetic disk device according to an embodiment includes a disk including a plurality of tracks, a head configured to write and read data to and from the disk, and a controller configured to control an off-track of the head, which occurs when data is written to one track included in the plurality of tracks, within an allowable range of an amount of the off-track, which is set based on a count value of at least another track other than the one track.

Various technologies have recently been developed to increase memory capacity of a magnetic disk device (referred to as a hard disk drive (HDD) hereinafter) as one example of a recording device. In this magnetic disk device, when data is repeatedly written to a track targeted for writing data (referred to simply as a write target track hereinafter), a phenomenon occurs in which data of peripheral tracks of the write target track is erased or degraded under the influence of flux leakage of a head, such as a magnetic interference that is referred to as an adjacent track interference (ATI). To prevent this phenomenon, a data rewrite process (refresh process) is performed when the number of writes to a recording area (write number) exceeds a particular number. A threshold value of the write number counted until the refresh process is performed, may be determined in advance in a manufacturing step for each recording area.
Furthermore, an influence of data degradation upon an adjacent track in write operation varies with positioning accuracy of the head in write operation (off-track amount or offset amount), and an influence upon an adjacent track on the off-track side increases as the off-track amount becomes large. To prevent this, a process of inhibiting write when the off-track amount exceeds a particular amount in write operation is known.

Magnetic disk device and write control method


A primary multi-layer protocol stack that allows a secondary multi-layer protocol stack to communicatively couple into one or more of its layers. End point device circuitry implements both the primary and secondary protocol stacks. A communication application running on the end point device initiates interaction, e.g., a session, via a primary radio and primary intermediate protocol stack layers. Based on a change in communication characteristics, for example, an operation is invoked to bridge between one of the intermediate protocol stack layers of the primary stack to one from the secondary stack. Such bridging establishes a secondary pathway via the secondary radio. The primary and secondary radios may support the same or differing protocols. To avoid having to fully reestablish a session, at least one session parameter is carried forward through the bridge. The bridge may have multiple entry points in and out of both protocol stacks and operate as two half-duplex bridges.

1. Field of the Invention
Various aspects of present invention relate to flow of data packet through layers of two communicatively incompatible protocol stacks implemented within an end point device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A notebook, a personal computer, a video game box, a personal digital assistant, a headset, a phone, a set top box, servers and many other types of end point devices (EPDs) may be communicatively connected to more than one packet switched data networks. These packet switched data networks may operate pursuant to communicatively incompatible protocols. Typical examples of the packet switched data network include EDGE (Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution) networks, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) networks, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) networks, IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 802.11 networks, Bluetooth, WiMax networks, Internet, Intranet, satellite networks, etc.
A typical EPD having two communication interfaces may be adapted to operate pursuant to two communicatively incompatible protocols. The two protocols follow multi-layer stack architecture. First of the two communication interfaces uses first of the two protocols for packet data exchange with a second EPD via one or more of the packet switched data networks. Second of the two communication interfaces uses second of the two protocols for packet data exchange with the second EPD via one or more of the packet switched data networks. The EPD, already using the first communication interface for packet data exchange with the second EPD may decide to use the second communication interface instead of the first communication interface for packet data exchange with the second EPD. The EPD needs to re-establish communication session fully through all layers of the second protocol stack in such a case. Re-establishment of the communication session calls for large volume of information exchange between layers of the second protocol stack and is hence time-consuming.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with various aspects of the present invention.

Primary protocol stack having a secondary protocol stack entry point


A derivatized 1-amino-1-deoxyoligosaccharide prepared by reacting, at a pH of at least 6.5, a glycopeptide or glycoprotein containing one or more Asn-linked oligosaccharides with a .beta.-aspartylglycosylamine amidohydrolase, and contacting the products with an electrophilic reagent.

Certain proteins synthesized by animals, insects, plants and unicellular eukaryotes such as yeast are glycosylated; that is, oligosaccharide chains are covalently attached to the polypeptide backbones. These glycoproteins are primarily localized on the external surface of the plasma membranes of cells and on the lumenal face of intracellular organelles such as lysosomes of the Golgi apparatus. They are also secreted into extracellular fluids.
The carbohydrates moieties of the glycoproteins are believed to be involved in a variety of biological functions, influencing both the biological activity of individual glycoproteins as well as inter- and intracellular recognition events. The carbohydrate units of a particular glycoprotein can modulate the solubility of the protein, protect it from heat denaturation of proteolytic degradation, control its circulatory lifetime, directs its site of uptake in an animal, and influence its antigenicity.
The carbohydrate moieties attached to proteins exposed on the external face of the plasma membrane of cells are believed to be important determinants for biological recognition. They serve as cell surface receptors for certain growth factors, hormones, toxins, viruses, bacteria, and lectins. Cell surface carbohydrates are also involved in the interactions of cells with the extracellular matrix and with other cells.
In view of the known and postulated biological functions of the oligosaccharides of glycoproteins, these carbohydrate units have become the subject of intense interest and experimental investigation. Studies of the carbohydrates include efforts to analyze structure, to determine routes of biosynthesis and catabolism, to examine the specificity of individual enzymes in the metabolic pathways, to modulate the biological activity of glycoproteins by alteration of their carbohydrates, to attach carbohydrates to proteins, and, of course, to determine their biological functions.
Free reducing oligosaccharides obtained from natural sources, and derivatives of the oligosaccharides, have been used extensively for such investigations. For most structural studies, it is desirable to introduce a reporter group such as a radioactive, fluorescent, or UV-active chromophore at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide chain. The most common procedures to accomplish this are reduction with NaB[.sup.3 H].sub.4 (S. Takasaki and A. Kobata, Meth. Enzymol, 50, 50-54 (1978)) or reductive amination with 2-aminopyridine and sodium borohydride. (S. Hase et al., J. Biochem. (Tokyo), 95, 197-203 (1984)).
The resulting products and similar derivatives are also useful as substrates for studies of the interaction of carbohydrate chains with receptors.
Free reducing oligosaccharides or their derivatives have also been coupled through the reducing sugar to other materials for a variety of purposes. Examples include coupling of the oligosaccharide to a resin for use as an affinity ligand, coupling to a carrier protein in order raise antibodies against carbohydrate, and coupling to a protein to alter the protein's biological activity. Potential improvements in the biological activity of a protein include an increase in solubility, an increase in stability to proteolytic degradation or heat denaturation, a reduction in antigenicity or immunogenicity, an increase or decrease in serum lifetime, or a targeting to a specific cell type in the body such as hepatocytes or macrophages.
Many strategies have been employed for coupling carbohydrates to proteins or other substrates (Y. C. Lee and R. T. Lee, The Glycoconjugates, Vol. IV, M. I. Horowitz (Ed.), Academic Press, N.Y., 1982, pp 57-83; J. D. Aplin and J. C. Wriston, Jr. CRC Crit. Rev., 10, 259-306 (1981)). These include, but are not limited to, diazo coupling, thiocarbamylation, amidation, amidination, reductive alkylation, transglutamination and the use of bifunctional reagents such as 2,4,6-trichloro-s-triazine and 2,4-diisocyanotoluene.
The reactions used to prepare the various oligosaccharide derivatives generally result in reduction of the pyranose ring to the open chain (alditol) form or in formation of an O- or S-glycosidic linkage at the reducing end of the oligosaccharide. These derivatization reactions can be difficult to carry out when working with oligosaccharides derived from Asn-linked glycan chains.
The present invention is concerned with enzymatic methods for obtaining 1-amino-1-deoxyoligosaccharides from peptides and proteins containing Asn-linked oligosaccharides and converting them to N-glycoside derivatives that preserve the beta-glycosylamine linkage and the pryanosyl ring of Asn-linked glycoproteins.

1-amino-1-deoxyoligosaccharides and derivatives thereof


A magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus is provided which can scrape iron powder adhered to a magnetic scale by a scraper or seal of a movable member without inviting adverse effects such as wearing away and deformation of the magnetic scale. The magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus of the present invention comprises a track member 1 having a rolling element rolling portion 1b and also an upper surface where through holes 18 into which fastening members are inserted open, a movable member 2 movably assembled to the track member 1 via a plurality of rolling elements 3, a groove 1a formed in the track member 1 and extended in a longitudinal direction, a magnetic scale 7 accommodated in the groove 1a and having north and south poles alternately formed in the longitudinal direction, and a cover member 8 that covers the magnetic scale 7 and also the through holes 18 of the track member 1.

A motion guide apparatus of this type is used to guide linear or curvilinear motion of a movable body. The motion guide apparatus includes a track rail extended in a longitudinal direction, a movable block movably assembled to the track rail via multiple rolling elements such as balls or rollers. A movable body is supported by the movable block. The rolling motion of the rolling element is used. Accordingly, it is possible to guide the motion of the movable body with high accuracy and obtain agile movements of the movable body.
In order to control the position of the movable body, it is necessary to measure the position of the movable body. In order to measure the position of the movable body, a scale is attached to the track rail, and a reading head that reads the scale is attached to the movable block or movable body. Scales are divided broadly into two types: an optical scale and a magnetic scale. The optical scale is a scale having a scale grating. A light emitting element and a light receiving device are used to detect a change in amount of light from the scale grating and output the amount of displacement. The magnetic scale is a scale having a fine magnetic pattern where the north and south poles are alternately arranged to detect the magnetic flux density of the magnetic pattern by a magnetometer such as a Hall sensor or a magnetoresistive element and output the amount of displacement.
The optical scale has an advantage that it is easy to increase measurement accuracy, but on the other hand, has a disadvantage that it is weak to contaminations such as dust and oil that block light. The magnetic scale has an advantage that it can be used even under an environment where there is dust, oil, or the like. In many cases, the motion guide apparatus is used under an environment where the advantage of the magnetic scale contributes largely. The magnetic scale is used for the motion guide apparatus in many cases.
As a motion guide apparatus where a magnetic scale is used, Patent Literature 1 discloses a motion guide apparatus that has a groove extended in a longitudinal direction in an upper surface of a track rail, a magnetic scale fitted into the groove, and a reading head attached to a movable block to read a magnetic pattern consisting of the north and south poles of the magnetic scale.

Magnetic-scale-equipped motion guide apparatus


A secondary battery comprising: a substrate; a first current collector; a first electrode; a solid electrolyte; a second electrode; and a second current collector; the first current collector being formed on the substrate and serving as a current collector of the first electrode, the first electrode being formed on the first current collector, the solid electrolyte being formed on the first electrode, the second electrode being formed on the solid electrolyte, the second current collector being formed on the second electrode and serving as a current collector of the second electrode, at least one electrode selected from the group consisting of the first electrode and the second electrode containing at least one material selected from the group consisting of an ion conductive material and an electron conductive material.

With the recent development of portable appliances such as personal computers and cellular phones, there is a significant demand for batteries as the power sources for these appliances. Particularly, vigorous researches are being carried out in various fields on lithium secondary batteries as batteries capable of yielding a high energy density, because lithium is a substance having a low atomic weight and a high ionization energy.
On the other hand, since batteries used for these applications employ a liquid electrolyte, a problem such as the leakage of the electrolyte cannot be completely eliminated. In order to solve this problem and increase the reliability of the batteries, as well as realizing small and thin devices, attempts have been made in many fields to replace a liquid electrolyte with a solid electrolyte thereby to yield an all solid-state battery.
Particularly, in the case of the lithium secondary battery, there is a fear that the battery may heat up when the malfunction of the battery occurs because of its high energy density. Therefore, in order to ensure the battery safety, it is desired to develop an all solid-state lithium secondary battery employing a solid electrolyte comprising a nonflammable solid material. For example, lithium halide, lithium nitride, an oxyacid salt of lithium and derivatives thereof and the like are known as solid electrolytes for use in such battery.
Glassy solid electrolytes comprising a lithium ion conductive sulfide such as Li2S—SiS2, Li2S—P2S5 or Li2S—B2S3, are also known. Further, lithium ion conductive solid electrolytes, obtained by doping these glasses with lithium halide such as LiI, an oxyacid salt of lithium such as Li3PO4 or the like, are also known. Since these materials have a relatively high ion conductivity of 10−4 to 10−3 S/cm, studies have been focused on their physical properties.
For example, as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 10-284130, an all solid-state thin film lithium secondary battery employing a solid electrolyte can be reduced in size and produced as a thin film, as well as being excellent in safety.
However, a secondary battery, particularly, an all solid-state thin film lithium secondary battery comprising a thin film electrode produced by a conventional thin film formation process, has an electrode thickness as small as 1 μm or less and therefore has a small battery capacity, so that it is not capable of providing a sufficient capacity required by appliances.
Additionally, increasing the thickness of the thin film electrode in an attempt to ensure the battery capacity does not also yield a sufficient charge/discharge characteristic required by the appliances. The reason is that, when the electrode thickness is increased, the charge/discharge characteristic decreases with an increase in the thickness.
For this reason, a secondary battery, particularly, an all solid-state thin film lithium secondary battery that is satisfactory in both the battery capacity and the charge/discharge characteristic, has not yet been produced.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A method of transmission for increasing communication channel capacity comprising superposing a first signal on a second signal to form a combined signal, wherein allocation of users of the communication channel to the first and second signals is based dynamically on channel conditions.

Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access (NOMA) is able, in principle, to achieve a higher throughput than orthogonal multiple access (OMA), which includes conventional multiple access schemes like time division multiple access (TDMA), Orthogonal code division multiple access (OCDMA), and Orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA). Recently, NOMA gained a significant interest in the technical community and in standardization for 5G cellular networks and beyond. Following the trend of 4G, the 3GPP has decided that multiple access for Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC) traffic in 5G will be based on OFDMA, but NOMA still stands as a strong candidate for Massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC).
FIG. 1 illustrates an example of an uplink with conventional power-domain NOMA.
In this example, User 1 (11) has a signal (13) having higher power at the base station 10 than a signal (14) of User 2 (12). The base station (10) can detect the User 1 signal directly by sending the received signal to a threshold detector, but the same process does not apply for the User 2 signal, because the signal of this user is buried in the stronger User 1 signal. Once the User 1 signal is detected, the base station subtracts it from the received signal and sends the resulting signal to a threshold detector to detect the User 2 signal. This is successive interference cancellation (SIC). Clearly, a strong power imbalance is required between the two user signals, which is a basic requirement for power-domain NOMA. If the signal of User 1 is not substantially stronger than that of User 2, the User 2 signal will cause a significant SNR degradation in the detection of the User 1 signal, and the SIC receiver will fail to properly cancel the interference from User 1. This will lead to poor performance in the detection process of the User 2 signal. The bit error rate (BER) performance will be far from that achievable in the absence of interference.
The main issues with the above NOMA are that a) users with the same power at the base station (receiver) do not receive the same data rate and performance, and b) owing to the requirement of a power imbalance between users for detection purposes, the user with the higher power will have a much higher data rate and therefore each user does not receive the same quality of service.
Accordingly, there is a need to provide an enhanced NOMA scheme whereby communication channel capacity is increased while maintaining signal to noise, and energy performance.


A battery for a vehicle has a plurality of battery cells forming a cell stack. During the operation of the battery, electrical energy can be drawn from the cell stack or supplied to the cell stack via at least one cable. At least one monitoring device, in particular an optocoupler, is used to monitor a resistance that is present on at least one detachable junction of the at least one cable to an additional component of the battery, wherein the monitoring device is connected in a parallel branch to the junction. By monitoring the resistance at the junctions, local overheating of the battery can be prevented.

The invention relates to a battery for a vehicle having a plurality of battery cells forming a cell stack. During the operation of the battery, electric power can be drawn from or supplied to the cell stack via at least one cable. The invention further relates to a method for operating such a battery.
Very high heating in high-voltage batteries for vehicles, especially in lithium-ion-based traction batteries, can cause serious malfunctions or can even endanger people. To prevent large local heat generation, detachable junctions of cables inside the battery are carefully constructed. Compliance with maintaining a predetermined tightening torque at screw-connected junctions is strictly adhered to. High quality of cable lugs and plug connections is observed for terminal connections or crimp connections so as to provide a detachable junction with a particularly low electrical resistance. This is to ensure that no local overheating occurs even under harsh operating conditions of the battery, which supplies a high electrical current and high electrical power, over the entire life cycle of the battery. Such overheating may occur for example with a loose junction.
JP 09035753 A describes a circuit arrangement for a battery, wherein a first voltmeter measures a current, which flows through a measuring resistor between two contact pins connected the two battery terminals. A second voltmeter measures the voltage across two additional contact pins which are also coupled with the two battery terminals. The contact resistance of the contact pins can be determined therefrom. Such circuit arrangement voltage for measuring the contact resistance with two voltmeters is very cumbersome.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a battery and a method of the aforementioned type which enables a particularly safe operation of the battery in a simple manner.

Battery for a vehicle and method of operating such a battery


A recording and reproducing apparatus includes: a recording section for recording an information signal in a magnetic recording medium in which a magnetic layer containing hexagonal ferrite is formed; and a reproducing section for reproducing the information signal recorded in the magnetic recording medium, the reproducing section including: a reproducing head for reading the information signal from the magnetic recording medium; and an equalizer for equalizing the information signal read from the magnetic recording medium, wherein in the equalized information signal, coefficients a, b, c, d of PR(1, a, b, c, d) meet conditions that 0.1≦a<2.0, −0.9≦b<−0.0, −2.0<c≦−0.3, and −1.0<d≦−0.1. A corresponding reproducing method, a corresponding reproducing apparatus, and the magnetic recording medium are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reproducing method, a reproducing apparatus, a recording and reproducing apparatus, and a magnetic recording medium that are all adapted to a high density recording.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the recording density of magnetic recording media, such as magnetic recording tapes or magnetic disks, has been remarkably increased. Due to such high recording density, various technologies regarding recording and reproducing apparatuses have been conceived, and been in practical use. For example, MR (Magneto Resistive) heads are used as reproducing heads, and a technology for improving the interface between a recording medium and heads is proposed. Furthermore, in a signal processing technology, a PRML system, which combines PR (partial response) system and an ML (Maximum Likelihood) system, is applied to recording and reproducing apparatuses for processing recording media such as magnetic disks, digital video tapes, magnetic tapes for computer backup and optical disks. This PRML system makes it possible to compensate the deterioration in the S/N ratio of recording media because of the high recording density (see U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,889).
Note that U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,889, which is incorporated herein by reference, also discloses the above technology, wherein U.S. Pat. No. 6,337,889 corresponds to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-157827.
Conventionally, in a typical type of magnetic recording media, ones having a magnetic layer containing hexagonal ferrite are used. These media exhibit excellent reproducing output and low noise characteristics in high density recording. However, hexagonal ferrite has a magnetization component of a vertical direction in an in-plane orientation or a random orientation, derived from a crystal structure thereof. Therefore, their isolated inversion reproducing wave has a unique waveform where respective isolated inversion reproducing waveforms in the in-plane orientation and in the vertical direction are added. Consequently, the PRML signal processing system (herein, EEPR4ML: PR(1, 2, 0, −2, −1)) cannot be applied to the above magnetic recording media. This is because the PRML signal processing system is optimized for magnetic recording media in which data is recorded by means of the magnetization in the in-plane orientation. This can be a disadvantage.
Taking this disadvantage into account, the present invention has been conceived. An object of the present invention is to provide a reproducing method and a reproducing apparatus which both allow the PRML signal processing system to be applied suitably to magnetic recording media in which a magnetic layer containing hexagonal ferrite is formed. An additional object of the present invention is to provide a magnetic recording medium that undergoes the PRML signal processing system appropriately with the above method and/or the above apparatus.

Reproducing method, reproducing apparatus, recording and reproducing apparatus, and magnetic recording medium


A dual port switching apparatus (12) comprising a connection part for mounting to a base unit (11), an input beam port to receive a main laser beam from a base unit (11) in an input optical path (22), a first output port (14) for connection to a flexible wave guide, a second output port (15) for connection to an articulated arm (16), and a switching element (56) moveable between a first position and a second position to direct an input beam to one of the first output port (14) and the second output port (15).

Lasers have found a number of applications in medical procedures. Using suitably focussed and powerful laser beams, tissues can be excised, ablated or cut with fine control and with reduced bleeding. Example treatments are excision and vaporization of benign and cancerous growths and fibromas, and aesthetic treatments. Conventionally, a CO2 laser is used as the source of the beam producing light at a wavelength of 10.6 Because this wavelength is not suitable for transmission through conventional optical fibres, where it would be absorbed by the silica, it is known to use either hollow flexible waveguides, or internally reflective articulated arms, to direct the beam to the site of operation.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Adaptor for connecting a medical laser to a flexible waveguide or an articulated arm


There is provided a handle comprising a grip portion 2 which is longitudinally long enough to extend from an upper edge to a lower edge of a recess 21 in a side portion of the bottle 20, an upper contact plate 4 which projects inward and obliquely downward from the bottom of a holding portion 3 provided on an upper end of the grip portion and has an engagement piece 6 projecting upward and facing the holding portion 3, and a lower contact plate 5 which is formed from a lower end of the grip portion, bent inward and obliquely upward and has an engagement piece 7 projecting downward at its distal end. A connection step portion 10 is formed in an upper end portion of the lower contact plate 5 and a fixing plate 9 having such a length that its distal end reaches the inside of the connection step portion 10 extends obliquely toward the grip portion by bending its connection portion with the upper contact plate 4. Since a fixing plate for contact plates which are formed from an upper end and a lower end of a grip portion and project toward the inner side of the grip portion is molded integrally with the grip portion, the handle can be firmly fixed in a recess in a side portion of a synthetic resin bottle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a synthetic resin handle for use with a synthetic resin bottle produced by stretchblow molding and to a bottle having the handle which is attached to one surface of a thin side portion thereof.
2. Background Art
It is technically difficult to mold a handle integrally with a side portion of a synthetic resin bottle made from a thermoplastic resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene or polycarbonate and formed by stretching and blowing a preform formed by injection molding in a blow mold to make the side portion thereof thin, unlike a thick resin bottle formed by blow molding. Therefore, a separately molded handle is attached to the side portion of the synthetic resin bottle, making use of insert molding or employing an engagement means after the bottle is molded.
As the synthetic resin bottle having a handle attached thereto, there is known one in which a doweled projection is provided at a handle attachment position of a bottle main body, the handle main body is attached to the bottle main body by fitting the attachment engagement projection of the handle main body in an engagement recess portion at a base portion of the projection, and then the handle main body is fixed to the bottle main boy using a lock fixing plate or lock fixing member.
The handle is attached to the bottle by the engagement between the doweled projection and the recess portion, making use of the deflection of a foot portion of the handle. Therefore, the doweled projection cannot be fitted into the engagement recess portion deeper than the deflection of the foot portion and hence, the engagement is not satisfactory. Therefore, when a bottle having heavy contents is lifted up by holding the handle, the handle is often disconnected from the bottle because it cannot resist the weight of the bottle. When the deflection of the foot portion is increased for the engagement, the foot portion is deflected by the weight of the bottle and the doweled projection is disengaged from the recess portion. Therefore, there is limitation to the deflection of the foot portion.
Although the use of the above lock fixing plate or the like is an extremely effective means in preventing the deflection of the foot portion, since the deflection of the foot portion is prevented by using the fixing plate or the like formed separately from the handle, molds for the handle and the fixing plate are required for the production of the bottle and molding must be carried out twice, thereby boosting production costs.
To attach the handle to the bottle, it is necessary to set the fixing plate aslant on the grip portions of upper and lower foot portions so that it does not interfere the insertion of the foot portions. To prevent the fixing plate from falling off at the time of setting, a complex structure that both ends of the fixing plate are formed into engagement edges must be employed. Therefore, the production costs of the bottle is boosted as a container having the above problems.
The present invention is made to solve the above problems when the handle is attached to a barrel side portion of a bottle main body by engagement. It is an object of the present invention to provide a synthetic resin handle which can be firmly fitted in a recess in a side portion of a synthetic resin bottle by fixing simply and easily upper and lower contact plates without setting a fixing plate for contact plates which are formed from an upper end and a lower end of a grip portion and project toward the inner side of the grip portion because the fixing plate is molded integrally with the grip portion, as well a bottle having the same.

Synthetic resin handle and bottle having the same


The present invention relates to a method of extending a pixel gray scale. The secondary gray scale levels with different charging times and the same gray scale voltage are formed by controlling a charging time of the gray scale voltage of every primary gray scale level and refining the level, wherein, the gray scale voltage of the every secondary gray scale level is the same as that of the corresponding primary gray scale level, and its charging time corresponds to the secondary gray scale level. The primary gray scale level of the display pixel of the liquid crystal panel is extended by using this method and the disadvantage of the imperfect display brought forward by the control method using frame rate in the prior art is overcome. The present invention further provides a drive method of controlling the pixel charging time and a drive apparatus thereof, which realizes the pixel gray scale extension by controlling the charging time of the pixel capacitance. It overcomes the disadvantage that a grid strip may be formed visually using the characteristic of the visual retention and the visual inertia of the human eyes while largely increasing the number of colors that can be displayed.

The color display ability of a liquid crystal panel is described by the number of bits of the gray scales that can be displayed on the liquid crystal panel over each kind of color channel. Currently, a 6-bit liquid crystal display panel is commonly used, the 6-bit panel referring to the panel that can display 2 to the sixth power, that is 64, levels of gray scales and have three color channels of red, green and blue (refer to as RGB thereafter for short), so that 262144 colors (64×64×64=262144) can be displayed. It can be deduced that a 8 bit panel displays 256 levels of gray scales and 16777216 (16.7M) colors can be displayed. It can be seen that the colors that can be physically displayed on the 6-bit panel does not reach 2% of that of the 8 bit panel yet. So color enhancement technique is employed for the purpose of shortening the difference between the 6-bit panel and the 8 bit panel and prolonging the lifetime of the 6-bit panel. The color enhancement technique mainly comprises a Pixel Dithering (refer to as PD thereafter for short) Algorithm and a Frame Rate Control (refer to as FRC thereafter for short) technique.
Discontinuous color scales 0, 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 . . . , 252 are provided by the 6-bit panel while continuous color scales 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 . . . , 255 are provided by the 8 bit panel, which result in the colors of the 6-bit panel less than those of the 8 bit panel. The principle of the PD algorithm is to switch adjacent colors locally in a short time to obtain the lacked colors using the visual retention effect of the human eye. The first method is to display the level 0 of the gray scale at the timing of T0, the level 4 of the gray scale at the timing of T1 repeatedly on the same pixel, to mix the two kinds of the pixel gray scale information by using the visual retention of the human eye, and thus 2 levels of the gray scale can be substantially obtained; the second method is to use a pixel square matrix formed of four pixels, in which two pixels on the diagonal direction display the same level 0 of the gray scale or level 4 of the gray scale respectively, and the color information of 2 levels of the gray scale can be obtained by users on observation distance. More color scales are obtained by the 6-bit panel by using this method.
FRC technique mainly utilizes the visual inertia of the human eye, which means that the feeling of human eyes to the brightness does not disappear immediately as the brightness of the object disappears, but disappears after a period of time. Take a simple case for example: firstly adjusting the screen of a CRT display to pure red color on full-screen, then switching to pure yellow color through one key on full-screen, at the instant of the switching, what we "see" on the screen is neither red nor yellow, but orange. The reason is that the previous red color has remained in the eye because of the visual inertia, and the newly incoming yellow color is superposed on the temporarily remained red color feeling, then we "see" orange, a color that does not exist originally. FRC technique utilizes this principium, and exhibits an all-color picture in an emulated manner by controlling the frame rate and the color between the adjacent frames properly and controlling the data output spatially and temporally, so that we "see" the color that cannot be displayed by the liquid crystal panel itself when the moving pictures are played on the liquid crystal panel.
Both of the PD algorithm and the FRC technique can enable the liquid crystal panel to obtain more color scales, and extend the number of colors that can be displayed to 16.2 M. Currently, there further is a Hi-FRC (High FRC) technique which can extend the number of colors to 16.7 M.
All of the above utilize the characteristic of the visual retention and the visual inertia of the human eyes, and realize the extension to the number of the output gray scales by controlling the output data of the pictures for a plurality of continues frames. The disadvantage is that flickering of the picture may occur when displaying some specific pictures due to the specific algorithm applied to the processing of the data; a grid strip may further occur visually for the gray scale picture that has been performed FRC operation, because the human eye can capture slight variation of the picture.

Method for pixel gradation extension, drive method and apparatus for charging time of pixel capacitance

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A thread-milling cutter includes a cutting head with cutting insert pockets and thread-milling inserts received in respective pockets. An attachment portion integral with the cutting head is received in a drive coupling. Each insert includes a recess forming an abutment surface that is engaged by a screw to secure the insert in the pocket. The abutment surface is inclined in a manner causing the screw to push the insert deeper into the pocket.

The present invention relates to a thread-milling cutter, which includes a cutting head with a number of cutting insert pockets, a number of thread-milling inserts, which are received in said cutting insert pockets and an attachment integrated with the cutting head, which is intended to be received in a tool coupling. The invention also relates to a thread-milling insert, which is mounted in the thread-milling cutter.
Through U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,684 a thread-milling cutter is previously known, which discloses a tool head, which is provided with a number of cutting insert pockets for receiving a corresponding number of thread-milling inserts. The thread-milling inserts are fixed in their cutting insert pockets by providing the inserts and associated cutting insert pocket with axially extending grooves. After a cutting insert is mounted in its cutting insert pocket, when said grooves are aligned with each other, a locking pin is inserted into the substantially cylindrical space which is defined by said grooves. Thereby the position of the cutting insert is fixed in the cutting insert pocket. The locking pin is secured by screwing locking screws into threaded holes in the milling cutter body, said holes terminating in the area of the groove in the milling cutter body.
The mounting becomes long-winded by the use of a locking pin for each cutting insert. Furthermore no satisfactory radial positioning of the locking pin is obtained since the locking pin cooperates with the groove of the cutting insert pocket, i.e., it is not probable that the effect of the locking screws on the locking pin bring about that the cutting insert abuts against the bottom of the cutting insert pocket. In addition at large radial cutting forces it can be a risk that the cooperation of the locking pin with the grooves in the cutting insert and the cutting insert pocket does not give a sufficiently exact positioning of the inserts in the radial direction, i.e. a certain dislocation of the inserts in radial direction may occur.
In the threading cutter according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,684, each threading insert has only one cutting edge and the cutting insert is provided with a clearance in connection with the cutting edge.
A primary object of the present invention is to provide a thread-milling cutter of the above-defined type, which is provided with a number of thread-milling inserts which are fixed in their respective associated cutting insert pockets in a constructively outstanding and simple manner but still satisfactory functionable.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thread-milling cutter wherein the positioning of the thread-milling inserts in the radial and axial directions is extraordinarily distinct.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thread-milling cutter having parts that require a small space, and therefor tools of small dimensions can be provided with more cutting inserts than prior art tools of corresponding dimensions.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a thread-milling insert that exhibits a long life span.
One or more objects of the present invention are realized by a thread-milling cutter which comprises a tool holder and a plurality of thread-milling inserts mounted in the tool holder. The tool holder defines an axis of rotation and includes a cutting head and an integral attachment portion adapted to be received in a drive member. The cutting head includes a plurality of pockets extending generally axially in the cutting head, at least one screw-threaded hole communicating with each pocket, and a screw mounted in each hole for adjustment toward and away from the respective pocket. Each of the thread-milling inserts includes a securing portion received in a respective one of the pockets. The securing portion includes an abutment surface arranged to be pressed by one of the screws. The abutment surface forms an acute angle with a longitudinal center plane of the insert. The angle is oriented so that a pressing force transmitted from the screw to the abutment surface includes a component tending to push the insert in a generally radially inward direction within the respective pocket.
The invention also pertains to a thread-milling insert which comprises a cutting edge, a securing portion adapted to be mounted in a tool holder, and an underside. The securing portion includes an abutment surface disposed between the underside and the cutting edge. The abutment surface forms an acute angle with a longitudinal center plane of the insert, wherein the abutment surface diverges from the center plane in a direction toward the underside.

Thread-milling cutter and a thread-milling insert


A cable card assembly for an electrical connector includes a circuit card having upper and lower surfaces and extending between a cable end and a mating end with mating conductors at the mating end and cable conductors at the cable end. Cables are terminated to the circuit card that include signal conductors, ground shields surrounding the corresponding signal conductors, and drain wires electrically connected to the corresponding ground shields. The signal conductors are terminated to corresponding cable conductors. The cable card assembly includes a ground block separate and discrete from the circuit card and coupled to the circuit card. The ground block includes drain wire channels receiving corresponding drain wires. The ground block is electrically conductive to electrically connect the drain wires.

The subject matter herein relates generally to electrical connectors.
Electrical connectors are typically used to electrically couple various types of electrical devices to transmit signals between the devices. At least some known electrical connectors include a cable assembly having cables connected between the electrical device and the electrical connector. The cables each have a signal conductor or a differential pair of signal conductors surrounded by a shield layer that, in turn, is surrounded by a cable jacket. The shield layer includes a conductive foil, which functions to shield the signal conductor(s) from electromagnetic interference (EMI) and generally improve performance. A drain wire is provided at the cable core electrically connected to the conductive foil. At an end of the communication cable, the cable jacket, the shield layer, and insulation that covers the signal conductor(s) may be removed (e.g., stripped) to expose the signal conductor(s) and the drain wire. The exposed portions of the signal conductor(s) are then mechanically and electrically coupled (e.g., soldered) to corresponding conductors, such as signal pads of a circuit card. However, termination of the drain wire is problematic. Typically, the drain wire is soldered to a corresponding ground conductor, such as a ground pad of the circuit card or a ground bus. Soldering the drain wires is an extra step in assembly, increasing the assembly time and cost of assembly.
Accordingly, there is a need for an electrical connector having an improved ground structure.

Ground structure for a cable card assembly of an electrical connector


Apparatus and methods for vector modulator phase shifters are provided. In certain embodiments, a phase shifter includes a quadrature filter that filters a differential input signal to generate a differential in-phase (I) voltage and a differential quadrature-phase (Q) voltage, an in-phase variable gain amplifier (I-VGA) that amplifies the differential I voltage to generate a differential I current, a quadrature-phase variable gain amplifier (Q-VGA) that amplifies the differential Q voltage to generate a differential Q current, and a current mode combiner that combines the differential I voltage and the differential Q voltage to generate a differential output signal. A phase difference between the differential output signal and the differential input signal is controlled by gain settings of the I-VGA and the Q-VGA.

Phase shifters are used in a variety of applications to control the phase of an electronic signal, such as a radio frequency (RF) signal. Example applications using phase shifters for phase control include ultrasound, radar, lidar, and/or cellular communications.
In one example, a phased array antenna system includes phase shifters along RF signal paths to an antenna array, thereby providing a mechanism for controlling the phase of RF signals that combine using constructive and destructive interference to provide beamforming.


Compositions containing hydroxy acids and/or retinoids and further containing Trichodesma lanicum seed extract as an anti-irritant/anti-sting agent.

Hydroxy acids (HAs) and retinoids have been proven to deliver cosmetic benefits, such as improvement in the appearance of photodamaged or naturally aged skin, skin lightening, treatment of age spots, etc. Unfortunately, their use at high concentrations may occasionally be associated with skin irritation, e.g. skin redness and stinging sensation upon application. The irritation can be ameliorated by lowering the amount of an active ingredient in the composition or by reducing the active's penetration through the skin. A serious drawback of both approaches is that the efficacy is impaired. The HA related irritation can be reduced by raising the composition's pH but this method yields reduced efficacy due to a decreased HA penetration through the skin. It is desirable to reduce or eliminate the irritation potential of HAs and/or retinoids while maintaining their efficacy.
European Patent Application 0631722 (Johnson & Johnson) discloses the use of glycolic acid to reduce irritation of the skin by retinol. U.S. Pat. No. 5,252,604 (Nagy et al.) teaches the use of tocopherols for retinoic acid induced irritation. U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,793 (Duffy) discloses the use of ascorbic acid to ameliorate the irritation caused by various topical ingredients, including HAs and retinoids.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,476,661 (Pillai et al.) discloses cosmetic compositions containing 25-hydroxycalciferol and a lipid ingredient. Numerous optional ingredients are listed among which are mentioned HAs and/or retinoids and unsaturated fatty acids, such as gamma linolenic acid (GLA). Pillai et al. do not address the problem of skin irritation, do not teach the use of any agent for reducing skin irritation and do not teach the use of Trichodesma lanicum seed extract.
European Patent Application 0416855 (Efamol) discloses treatment of skin damage due to radiotherapy with gamma linolenic acid (GLA) and also teaches a variety of suitable plant sources of GLA, including Borage species. PCT application WO 90/07331 (Went) teaches treatment of inflammation arising from arthritis or headache by topical application of GLA; borage seed is taught as a suitable source. European Patent Application 0173478 (Efamol) discloses treatment of inflammatory skin disorders with compositions containing GLA and glucocorticoids; borage species such as Borago officinalis is mentioned as a rich source of GLA. French patent 2,704,390 (Boiron) discloses an oral supplement containing borage seed oil to provide anti-aging benefits to skin. French patent 2,604,624 (Parfums Rochas) discloses skin care compositions containing polyunsaturated carboxylic acids, such as GLA; borage is said to be rich in GLA. Great Britain Patent 2,271,928 (Laing) discloses the use of borage family plant extracts for alleviation of skin disorders and irritations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,822 (Bracco) discloses cosmetic compositions containing a mixture of polyunsaturated acids' triglycerides, wherein the fatty acids include stearidonic acid. Borage oil is listed as a suitable oil. Role of lipids (triglycerides) in anti-inflammatory processes is described. Tollesson et al., "Transepidermal Water Loss and Water Content in the Stratum Corneum in Infantile Sebhorroeic Dermatitis", Acta Derm Venereol (Sweden), February 1993, 73 (1), p. 18-20, disclose the use of topically applied borage oil for treatment of sebhorroeic dermatitis. Bahmer et al., "Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis with Borage Seed Oil (Glandol)--A Time Series Analytic Study", Kinderarztl Prax (Germany), October 1992, 60 (7), p. 199-202, disclose the use of borage oil for the treatment of atopic dermatitis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,947 (Habif et al.) disclose the use of borage seed oil for alleviating irritation caused by hydroxyl acids or retinoids.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,975 (Guichardant et al.) discloses the use of stearidonic acid for inhibiting leukotrienes. The composition may be used topically for treating skin inflammations, e.g. acne, eczema or psoriasis. Coupland et al. disclose in papers presented at IFSCC on 22-25 Oct. 1996 (Sydney) that stearidonic acid is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties and that Crossessential SA 6 (Trichodesma lanicum) is a powerful moderator of UV-induced inflammation. Numerous compounds exist, however, that are able to reduce UV-induced irritation, but not hydroxy acid or retinoid-induced irritation (see Example 4).
Trichodesma lanicum is a different plant from borage seed oil, albeit both belong to the Boragenous family of plants and Tricodesma lanicum is known under a similar English name "wild borage." The Latin names for the two plants differ: Tricodesma lanicum for wild borage, and Borago officinalis for borage. Although the art teaches the use of borage seed oil, as a source of GLA, Trichodesma lanicum or wild borage seed extract is not mentioned. Indeed, Trichodesma lanicum seed contains almost 5 times less GLA than borage seed. The unsaturated fatty acid constituency of Trichodesma lanicum seed and borage seed is very different:
______________________________________ BORAGE % TRICHODESMA CARBON CHAIN BY WEIGHT LANICUM % BY WEIGHT ______________________________________ 18:2 n-6 (Linoleic Acid) 38.8 18.7 18:3 n-6 (.gamma.-Linolenic Acid) 20.7 5.5 18:3 n-3 (.alpha.-Linolenic Acid) 0.5 24.7 18:4 n-3 (Stearidonic Acid) 0.1 6.5 ______________________________________
The art discussed above does not teach any compositions containing Trichodesma lanicum seed extract in combination with HAs and/or retinoids. The art does not appear to teach the use of Trichodesma lanicum seed extract or any of its constituent unsaturated fatty acids to reduce irritation or sting associated with the use of HAs and/or retinoids.

Trichodesma lanicum seed extract as an anti-irritant in compositions containing hydroxy acids or retinoids

Elizabeth Arden Co., Division of Conopco, Inc.


The present disclosure provides a technique for marine seismic imaging that processes data acquired from two or more different seismic surveys in a combined manner to advantageous effect. The different seismic surveys may use seabed sensors at same positions on the seabed, but they may have different shot locations and may be performed at different times. In one use case, the technique may be used to image a subsurface location that is difficult to image using either survey alone. In another use case, the technique may be used to image a subsurface location under an obstruction. The technique may also be utilized to efficiently monitor a reservoir over time.

Geophysical surveys are often used for oil and gas exploration in geological formations, which may be located below marine environments. Various types of signal sources and geophysical sensors may be used in different types of geophysical surveys.
Seismic geophysical surveys, for example, are based on the use of acoustic waves. In a marine seismic survey, a survey vessel may tow an acoustic source (e.g., an air gun or a marine vibrator) and a plurality of streamers along which a number of acoustic sensors (e.g., hydrophones and/or geophones) are located. Alternatively, acoustic sensors may be located on the seabed rather than being towed.
Acoustic waves generated by the survey source may be transmitted to the Earth's crust and then reflected back and captured at the towed and/or seabed geophysical sensors. Data collected during a marine geophysical survey may be analyzed to locate hydrocarbon-bearing geological structures, and thus determine where deposits of oil and natural gas may be located.

Using seabed sensors and sea-surface reflections for structural imaging of a subsurface location in a geological formation


A curtain air bag module (100) comprising an air bag (102) having at least one inflatable region with internally configured internal tethers, at least one of the internal tethers disposed at an angle to a stream of inflation gas. The air bag includes a distribution tube located proximate a top portion of the at least one inflatable region of the air bag, the tube having a first end adapted to receive inflation gas, the distribution tube including at least one set of openings proximate each of the at least one inflatable regions for communication of inflation gas to these regions, the at least one internal tether disposed at an oblique angle to the distribution tube.

The present invention generally relates to inflatable restraints for motor vehicles and more specifically to a curtain air bag installed along the roof rail of a vehicle.
Reference is briefly made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a prior art curtain air bag module 20 installed along the roof rail 22 of a passenger compartment 23 of a vehicle 24. In typical curtain air bag installations the air bag extends from the A-pillar 30 across the B-pillar 32 to the C-pillar 34 of the vehicle. Generally, the air bag module 20 comprises a rectangular or oblong air bag 40 folded or rolled into a cylindrical configuration. While in this compact configuration, the air bag is slid into a housing that can take many shapes; one such housing is a long cylindrical, perforated or breakable covering or sleeve, which maintains the air bag in its folded or rolled condition.
The air bag will generally include an inlet 42 in communication with an inflator 44. The inflator may be directly connected to the inlet or inserted within a housing for an indirect connection. In other installations the inlet is formed by an opening in an inflatable portion of the air bag and the inflator is inserted directly therein. The inflator and/or housing are appropriately fastened, using one or more fasteners or brackets 46, to the appropriate vehicle structure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the inflator is mounted in the C-pillar, however, the inflator 44 can be mounted proximate the B or A-pillars. Further, as known in the art, the lower corners of the air bag are often secured to adjacent corresponding pillars by a strap, which is often called a tether. One forward strap 48 is shown in FIG. 1 in its stored configuration along the A-pillar. The various components shown in FIG. 1 are covered by one or more trim pieces (not shown) hiding them in normal use. As mentioned, the air bag module is typically secured to the roof rail by a plurality of fasteners, which secure the inflator and also secure the air bag. The module may also include a deflector or ramp 50 located proximate the B-pillar, which urges the air bag as it inflates to move away from the B-pillar.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved curtain air bag module.
Accordingly the invention comprises: a curtain air bag module comprising an air bag having at least one inflatable region with internally configured internal tethers, at least one of the internal tethers disposed at an angle to a stream of inflation gas, with other internal tethers placed near corners of the at least one inflatable region. The air bag includes a distribution tube located proximate a top portion of the at least one inflatable region of the air bag, the tube having a first end adapted to receive inflation gas, the distribution tube including at least one set of openings proximate each of the at least one inflatable regions for communication of inflation gas to these regions, the at least one internal tether disposed at an oblique angle to the distribution tube. The module further includes a plurality of tabs separately secured to a portion of the air bag and which extend from a hollow tubular covering about the air bag and are secured proximate the roof rail of the vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the air bag includes two major inflatable regions positioned laterally of each other with added passages interconnecting the major inflatable regions.
Many other objects and purposes of the invention will be clear from the following detailed description of the drawings.


The present disclosure relates to a system for acquiring a correspondence between light rays of a transparent object. The system includes a camera device, a display device, a turntable and a control device; the camera device, the display device and the turntable are electrically connected with the control device respectively; the turntable is configured to rotate a transparent object; the control device is configured to acquire images corresponding to display device in the first preset position, which are photographed by the camera device through the transparent object at different rotation angles, to obtain a primary image set; acquire images corresponding to the display device in the second preset position, which are photographed by the camera device through the transparent object at different rotation angles, to obtain a secondary image set; and obtain the correspondence between light rays of the transparent object from different viewing angles.

Three-dimensional reconstruction based on vision refers to acquiring images of an object in a scene by a camera, analyzing and processing the images, and deriving three-dimensional information of the object in a real environment in combination with computer vision techniques. The three-dimensional reconstruction for a non-transparent object can be accomplished by technical schemes such as full-automatic scanning, multi-view stereo vision, photometric stereo method, and the like. Experiments have shown that these techniques can be effectively applied to non-transparent objects, and even to translucent objects.
However, because of the complex reflection and refraction involved in the light transport of transparent object, the conventional three-dimensional reconstruction algorithms, such as a scanning-based reconstruction algorithm, an image-based reconstruction algorithm, shape from shading and so on, will not be effective in data acquisition, so that the transparent object cannot be reconstructed. That is, the conventionally obtained correspondence data between light rays of transparent object are one-sided, and will result in low reliability of data.

System for acquiring correspondence between light rays of transparent object


When a discharge lamp repeatedly flickers out after illuminating for a long period of time because the same discharge lamp is nearing the end of its usage lifetime, a stored voltage of a capacitor rises gradually every time the discharge lamp flickers out. When the stored voltage of the same capacitor becomes no less than a predetermined voltage, a comparator generates a high level voltage which actuates a transistor. The transistor then terminates the operations of a PWM circuit to deactuate the discharge lamp.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for accurately detecting the end of the usage lifetime of a discharge lamp such as a metal halide lamp or the like that is used as a vehicular headlight. Moreover, the present invention also relates to a discharge lamp actuating device that has a unit for detecting the end of the usage lifetime of the discharge lamp.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally, a high voltage pulse is applied to a discharge lamp, which is charged with a few hundred volts of open circuit voltage, to energize the discharge lamp. The discharge lamp is thereby illuminated by switching from a glow discharge state to an arc discharge state. Because the length of a gap between poles of the discharge lamp increases with increasing usage until the end of its usage lifetime, the voltage required to illuminate the discharge lamp increases while its lamp current decreases. Therefore, it is difficult to maintain the discharge operation of the discharge lamp and thus, eventually, such discharge operation stops and the discharge lamp is unusable. When the discharge lamp flickers out while being energized, ordinary discharge lamp actuating devices like those disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid Open Publication No. Hei-6-119982 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,059 automatically perform the energization operation again. Therefore, when the discharge lamp, which is near the end of its usage lifetime, stops discharging and flickers out, the discharge lamp actuating device again energizes the discharge lamp. But the discharge lamp eventually flickers out again thereafter.

Device for accurately detecting end of usage lifetime of a discharge lamp


A light emitting unit which radiates auxiliary light to a subject to be imaged, said light emitting unit comprising:                a plurality of light emitting elements disposed so as to have radiation areas different from each other, said light emitting elements being electrically connected in series; and        a changing device which changes the number of light emitting elements in a light emitting state in said light emitting elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emitting unit and an imaging apparatus and, more particularly, to a light emitting unit having a plurality of light emitting elements and an imaging apparatus provided with the light emitting unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Light emitting units having a flash element capable of emitting flashing light by discharge caused by ionizing xenon gas in a discharge tube at a dc voltage obtained by charging a capacitor (electronic flash, referred to simply as "flash") are known as a light emitting unit for radiating auxiliary light to a subject to be imaged.
Mobile phones with cameras have become widespread. Such mobile phones have a single white light emitting diode (hereinafter referred to as "white LED") which is a space-saving device for illuminating a subject to enable the subject to be imaged. For example, in the case of imaging under room illumination lower in luminance than daylight, a first button operation is performed to make the white LED to emit light for preliminary illumination on a subject and a second button operation is thereafter performed to image the subject.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2003-307771, a device is described which emits auxiliary light at a high power for a short time at the time of imaging of a still image and emits auxiliary light at a low power for a long time at the time of imaging of a moving image. In Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 2003-307771, description is also made with reference to FIG. 5 of the construction of a light emitting element in which a set of a red LED, a green LED and a blue LED forms a single unit capable of emitting white light and the method of separately adjusting the currents flowing through the LEDs electrically connected in parallel with each other to provide certain differences between the quantities of light emitted from the LEDs per unit time.

Light emitting unit and imaging apparatus


A turbine airfoil having a baffleless cooling passage for directing cooling fluid toward a trailing edge is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which provide axially oriented, interrupted channels for turning a flow of cooling fluid from a radial direction to an axial direction. In a particular embodiment, a turbine airfoil has a cooling passage including a plurality of radially spaced walls, a plurality of radially spaced dividers downstream of the walls, and a plurality of radially spaced pedestals positioned axially between the walls and dividers. The walls and dividers define channels having an axial interruption permitting cross flow between adjacent channels. The cross flow minimizes the adverse affects of a blockage within a subchannel between adjacent walls. The pedestals are aligned with the subchannels such that cooling fluid exiting a subchannel impinges upon the pedestal.

A typical gas turbine engine has an annular axially extending flow path for conducting working fluid sequentially through a compressor section, a combustion section, and a turbine section. The compressor section includes a plurality of rotating blades which add energy to the working fluid. The working fluid exits the compressor section and enters the combustion section. Fuel is mixed with the compressed working fluid and the mixture is ignited to add more energy to the working fluid. The resulting products of combustion are then expanded through the turbine section. The turbine section includes another plurality of rotating blades which extract energy from the expanding fluid. A portion of this extracted energy is transferred back to the compressor section via a rotor shaft interconnecting the compressor section and turbine section. The remainder of the energy extracted may be used for other functions.
Efficient transfer of energy between the working fluid and the compressor and turbine sections is dependant upon many parameters. One of these is the orientation of the rotating airfoil relative to the flow direction of the working fluid. For this reason, a stage of non-rotating airfoils, referred to as vanes, are typically located upstream of a rotor blade stage. The vanes properly orient the flow for engagement with the blades. Another parameter is the size and shape of the airfoils, both blades and vanes. Typically the airfoils are aerodynamically optimized to efficiently transfer energy. Practical considerations, however, may restrict the size and shape to within certain constraints.
The amount of energy produced by the combustion process is proportional to the temperature of the combustion process. For a given fuel and oxidant, an increase in the energy of combustion results in an increase in the temperature of the products of combustion. The allowable temperature of the working fluid flowing through the turbine section, however, typically provides a temperature limit for the combustion process.
One method to prevent overheating turbine components is to cool the turbine section using cooling fluid drawn from the compressor section. Typically this is fluid which bypasses the combustion process and is thereby at a much lower temperature than the working fluid in the turbine section. The cooling fluid is flowed through and around various structure within the turbine section. A portion of the cooling fluid is flowed through the turbine airfoils, which have internal passageways for the passage of cooling fluid. As the cooling fluid passes through these passageways, heat is transferred from the turbine airfoil surfaces to the cooling fluid.
A detrimental result of using compressor fluid to cool the turbine section is a lower overall efficiency for the gas turbine engine. Since a portion of the compressed fluid is bypassing various stages of the turbine section, there is no transfer of useful energy from the compressor fluid to the bypassed turbine stages. The loss of efficiency is balanced against the higher combustion temperatures which can be achieved by cooling with compressor fluid. This balancing emphasizes the need to efficiently utilize the cooling fluid drawn from the compressor section. Efficient utilization of cooling fluid requires getting maximum heat transfer from a minimal amount of cooling fluid.
A common method of cooling a turbine vane utilizes an impingement tube or baffle disposed within the turbine vane. The baffle extends through the turbine vane and is in fluid communication with the source of cooling fluid. The baffle includes a plurality of impingement holes spaced about through which the cooling fluid passes. The cooling fluid exiting the baffle impinges upon the internal surfaces of the turbine vane. The arrangement of impingement holes distributes the cooling fluid within the turbine vane to prevent a deficiency in cooling from occurring in a particular location.
A drawback to using baffles is that the baffles present a limitation on the size and shape of the airfoil. First, the airfoil must be thick enough to permit insertion of the baffle within the airfoil. Second, complex shapes having 3-dimensional curvature are not practical as a result of having to insert the baffle into the airfoil.
The above art notwithstanding, scientists and engineers under the direction of Applicants' Assignee are working to develop efficient turbine airfoil cooling to maximize the overall efficiency of a turbomachine with minimal impact upon aerodynamic shape of the turbine airfoil.


This invention is intended to connect a dummy lead while preventing depression of a resin that seals electric connection sections, without bringing the dummy lead into contact with a recording element substrate or without taking the dummy lead for a lead electrode. The dummy lead which is provided inward of an opening of a flexible film wiring substrate to be shorter than the lead electrode, and which is not electrically connected to an electrode pad is provided to be adjacent to the lead electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid jet recording head that discharges a recording liquid as a droplet and that records information on a recording target medium.
2. Related Background Art
Electric connection sections of a flexible film wiring substrate (wiring film) of a liquid jet recording head, such as an inkjet recording head, are covered with a sealing liquid. FIG. 6 is a typical view of the electric connection sections of the flexible film wiring substrate of a conventional inkjet recording head.
In FIG. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a plurality of recording element substrates that includes a plurality of discharge energy generation elements (not shown) which apply a discharge energy to the recording liquid and a plurality of discharge ports 6 that discharge the recording liquid, and that discharges the recording liquid by a pressure generated by the discharge energy. Reference numeral 8 denotes a supporting member onto which each of a plurality of recording element substrates 1 are fixedly attached in parallel. Reference numeral 11 denotes a flexible film wiring substrate (wiring film) that includes a plurality of wirings (not shown) electrically mounted on the plural recording element substrates 1 and transmitting an electrical signal from a recording apparatus main body (not shown) to each of a plurality of recording element substrates 1, and a wiring protection layer (resist) for protecting the wirings. Reference numeral 9 denotes a supporting plate that is fixedly attached to the supporting member 8 and that holds and fixes the flexible film wiring substrate 11. Reference numeral 18 denotes a first sealing resin coated to protect part of electric connection sections among peripheries of the plural recording element substrates 1, the plural recording element substrates 1, and the flexible film wiring substrate 11 from corrosion by the recording liquid and from a short-circuit through the recording liquid. Reference numeral 19 denotes a second sealing resin (indicated by a broken line) that covers electric connection sections between a plurality of electrode pads 7 and a plurality of lead electrodes 13 provided on the flexible film wiring substrate 11 to protect the electric connection sections from an external force generated by, for example, wiping.
Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-44441 discloses an inkjet head having dummy leads equal in shape to lead electrodes or resin reception sections equal in material to the lead electrodes arranged in four corners of an opening portion of the flexible film wiring substrate (wiring film) 11. By narrowing a gap between an inner peripheral portion of the opening portion of the flexible film wiring substrate (wiring film) 11 and each recording element substrate 1 using such dummy leads or resin reception sections, the second sealing rein is prevented from falling into this gap, and the second sealing resin can sufficiently seals the electric connection sections between the electrode pads provided on the recording element substrates 1 and the lead electrodes provided on the flexible film wiring substrate 11.
However, even with the configuration as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-44441, if a plurality of recording element substrates 1 are provided in, for example, one opening portion (device hole) of the flexible film wiring substrate 11, a gap larger than an arrangement pitch of the lead electrodes is formed between the lead electrodes connected to the electrode pads located on the outermost positions of the adjacent recording element substrates 1, respectively. In that case, the second sealing resin, which has covered the lead electrodes, may possibly be depressed to a position below the lead electrodes. If so, the electric connection sections between the electrode pads provided on the recording element substrates and the lead electrodes provided on the flexible film wiring substrate cannot be sufficiently sealed with the resin, with the result that the lead electrodes are exposed to thereby often, disadvantageously cause an electric short-circuit through the recording liquid.
Furthermore, if the dummy leads equal in shape to the lead electrodes are provided in the gaps between the flexible film wiring substrate and the recording element substrates, between the lead electrodes respectively connected to the electrode pads located at the outermost positions of the adjacent recording element substrates 1 as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H10-44441, then the dummy leads disadvantageously, often contact with the recording element substrates to cause a short-circuit or the dummy leads are disadvantageously, often taken for the lead wirings and connected to the respective electrode pads.


An injector for a diesel engine that controls an injecting angle of a fuel in accordance with a driving type of the diesel engine. A nozzle body defines first and second injection holes for injecting a fuel into a combustion chamber and first and second needles selectively open and close the first and second injection holes by moving upwardly and downwardly along a guide portion. An ECU controls ignition timing and the opening and closing timings of the first and second ignition holes via the needles.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an injector for a diesel engine. More particularly, the present invention relates to an injector for a diesel engine that controls the injecting angle of fuel in accordance with a driving type of the diesel engine.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Due to exhaust gas regulations for diesel engine vehicles, diesel engine designers are developing a diesel engine in which fuel is burned by a new combustion method, often referred to as a homogeneous charge compressed ignition (HCCI) engine. With reference to the accompanying drawings, the concept of the HCCI engine will hereinafter be described in detail.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing average effective pressure and driving type based on an engine speed according to an HCCI engine. As shown in FIG. 7, according to the HCCI engine, a fuel is burned by an HCCI combustion method under a part load condition where a large quantity of exhaust gas is generated, and is burned by a conventional diesel combustion method under a full load condition where high power is needed. In other words, as shown in FIG. 8A, the fuel is injected into a chamber with a wide injecting angle (about 150-160°) under the part load condition. In contrast, the fuel is injected into the chamber with a narrow injecting angle (about 60-70°) under the full load condition, as shown in FIG. 8B.
FIG. 9 is a figure showing analysis results at injection and combustion processes of a fuel. A fuel is injected into a chamber at a top dead center (TDC) according to the conventional diesel combustion method. The injected fuel is mixed and simultaneously burned. Therefore, the fuel may not be sufficiently mixed and an incomplete combustion may partially occur. Therefore, smoke may occur in the combustion process, and exhaust gases may increase. Such an increase of exhaust gas is an innate drawback of the conventional diesel combustion method.
On the other hand, in the HCCI combustion method, the fuel is injected at 60-100° at a back top dead center (BTDC) in order to ensure a sufficient mixing time of the fuel
However, if the fuel is injected with the injecting angle of the conventional diesel engine injector (about 150-160°) at the 60-100° BTDC, the injected fuel is adhered to a cylinder wall since inner pressure of the cylinder is very low. Accordingly, exhaust gases, such as smoke and HC, may increase. Therefore, an injector that has a smaller injecting angle (about 60-70°) is required to be used according to the HCCI combustion method where the fuel is injected at the 60-100° BTDC.
However, high power may not be generated according to the HCCI combustion method, and thus, the HCCI combustion method cannot be used for entire driving conditions of an engine.
To solve such problems, a diesel injector of a complex combustion method where the diesel combustion method is used together with the HCCI combustion method has been developed. According to the diesel injector of the complex combustion method, an injection hole that has a wide injecting angle and an injection hole that has a narrow injecting angle are formed in two rows, and a lifting amount of a needle is controlled so as to control the combustion method.
However, if the injection holes are formed in two rows, fuel can leak through the lower injection hole when the fuel is injected through the upper injection hole. Therefore, the injecting pressure of the fuel at the upper injection hole may be lowered.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.