A peroxisome proliferator activated receptor regulator containing a compound of formula (I)

This application is a 371 of PCT/JP99/04868 filed Aug. 9, 1999.
The present invention relates to a carboxylic acid derivative and a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor regulator containing carboxylic acid derivative as active ingredient.
More particularly, the present invention relates to a compound of formula (I)
(wherein all symbols are the same meanings as hereinafter described), a non-toxic salt thereof and a hydrate thereof, a process for the preparation thereof and a peroxisome proliferator activated regulator containing thereof as active ingredient.
Recently in the study of transcription factors concerned with marker genes expression in adipocytes differentiation, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor (abbreviated as PPAR hereinafter), which is one of intranuclear receptors, has been focused. cDNAs of PPAR were cloned from various kinds of animals, and plural isoform genes were found, particularly in mammals three types of isoforms (xcex1,xcex4,xcex3) are known (see J. Steroid Biochem. Molec. Biol., 51, 157 (1994); Gene Expression,. 4, 281 (1995); Biochem Biophys. Res. Commun., 224, 431 (1996); Mol. Endocrinology., 6, 1634 (1992)). PPARxcex3 isoform is predominantly expressed in adipose tissues, immune cells, adrenal gland, spleen, small intestine. PPARxcex1 isoform is mainly expressed in adipose tissue, liver, retina, and PPARxcex4 isoform is widely expressed without specificity for tissue (see Endocrinology., 137, 354 (1996)).
On the other hand, the following thiazolidine derivatives are known as agents for the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and are hypoglycemic agents which are used for the improvement of hyperglycemia in the patients suffering from diabetes. They are also effective for the improvement of hyperinsulinemia, glucose tolerance and decrease of serum lipid and therefore they are thought to be considerably hopeful as agents for the treatment of insulin resistance.
One of the target proteins in the cells of these thiazolidine derivatives is exactly PPARxcex3 and it is resolved that they enhance the transcription activity of PPARxcex3 (see Endocrinology., 137, 4189 (1996); Cell., 83, 803 (1995); Cell., 83, 813 (1995); J. Biol. Chem., 270, 12953 (1995)). Therefore, a PPARxcex3 activator (agonist) which enhances its transcription activity is thought to be hopeful as a hypoglycemic agent and/or a hypolipidemic agent. Furthermore, since a PPARxcex3 agonist is known to promote the expression of PPARxcex3 protein itself (Genes and Development., 10, 974 (1996)), an agent which increases the expression of PPARxcex3 protein itself as well as PPARxcex3 activating agent is also thought to be clinically useful.
Among all of nuclear receptors, PPARxcex3 is related to adipocytes differentiation (see J. Biol. Chem., 272, 5637 (1997) and Cell., 83, 803 (1995)). It is known that thiazolidine derivatives which activate this receptor promote adipocytes differentiation. Recently it was reported that thiazolidine derivatives increase fat mass and cause man to gain weight and to become obese (see Lancet., 349, 952 (1997)). Therefore, it is also thought that antagonists which inhibit PPARxcex3 activity and agents that decrease the expression of PPARxcex3 protein itself are also clinically applicable. On the other hand, a compound that phosphorylates PPARxcex3 protein and decreases its activity is reported (Science., 274, 2100 (1996)). This implies that an agent which does not bind on PPARxcex3 protein as a ligand, but inhibits its activity is also clinically applicable.
From these, PPARxcex3 activators (agonists) and PPARxcex3 regulators for its expression that can increase the expression of the protein itself are expected to be useful as hypoglycemic agents, hypolipidemic agents, and agents for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity, syndrome X, hypercholesterolemia and hyperlipoproteinemia etc., hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, circulatory diseases and overeating etc.
On the other hand, antagonists that inhibit the transcription activity of PPARxcex3 or PPARxcex3 regulators that inhibit the expression of the protein itself are expected to be useful as hypoglycemic agents and agents for prevention and/or treatment of diseases associated with metabolic disorders such as diabetes, obesity and syndrome X etc., hyperlipidemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension and overeating etc.
The following fibrate compound (e.g. chlofibrate) is known as a hypolipidemic agent.
And, it is also resolved that one of the target proteins in the cells of fibrate compounds is PPARxcex1 (See Nature., 347, 645 (1990); J. Steroid Biochem. Molec. Biol., 51, 157 (1994); Biochemistry., 32, 5598 (1993)). From these facts, PPARxcex1 regulators which can be activated by fibrate compounds are thought to have a hypolipidemic effect, and so they are expected to be useful as agents for prevention and/or treatment of hyperlipidemia etc.
Besides, it has been recently reported that PPARxcex1 possesses anti-obese activity in the specification of WO 9736579. In addition, it was reported that the elevation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol level and the reduction of low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels were induced by activation of PPARxcex1 (J. Lipid Res., 39, 17 (1998)). It was also reported that composition of fatty acids in blood, hypertension and insulin resistance were improved by administration of bezafibrate which is one of fibtrate compounds (Diabetes., 46, 348 (1997)).
Therefore, agonists that activate PPARxcex1 and PPARxcex1 regulators that promote expression of PPARxcex1 protein itself are useful as hypolipidemic agents and agents for treatment of hyperlipidemia, and are expected to have HDL cholesterol level-elevating effect, LDL cholesterol and/or VLDL cholesterol levels-lowering effect, inhibition on the progress of atherosclerosis and anti-obese effect. Therefore, they are thought to be hopeful agents for the treatment and/or prevention of diabetes as hypoglycemic agents, for the improvement of hypertension, for the relief from risk factor of syndrome X and for the prevention of occurrence of ischemic coronary diseases.
On the other hand, few reports are found on ligands that activate PPARxcex4 significantly or on biological activities associated with PPAR xcex4. PPARxcex4 is sometimes called PPARxcex2, or it is also called NUC1 in human. Until now, as for activity of PPARxcex4, it is disclosed in the specification of WO 9601430 that hNUC1B (PPAR subtype whose structure is different from that of human NUC1 in one amino acid) inhibited the transcription activities of human PPARxcex1 and thyroid hormone receptor. Recently in the specification of WO 9728149, it was reported that the compounds, which possessed high affinity to PPARxcex4 protein and which could activate PPARxcex4 significantly (i.e. agonists) were found out and that they had HDL (high density lipoprotein) cholesterol level-elevating activity. Therefore, agonists that can activate PPARxcex4 are expected to have HDL cholesterol level-elevating effect, and so they are expected to be useful for the inhibition on the progress of atherosclerosis and treatment thereof, as hypolipidemic agents and hypoglycemic agents, for the treatment of hyperlipidemia, as hypoglycemic agents, for the treatment of diabetes, for the relief from risk factor of syndrome X, and for the prevention of occurrence of ischemic coronary diseases.
As for PPAR regulators, the following compounds were reported besides the above-mentioned thiazolidine derivatives and fibrate compounds.
For example, in WO9731907, it is disclosed that the compounds of formula (A)
(wherein AA is phenyl, in which the said phenyl may be substituted with one or more substituent(s) selected from group consisting of halogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-3 alkoxy, C1-3 fluoroalkoxy, nitrile or xe2x80x94NR7AR8A (R7A and R8A each independently, is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl);
BA is (5- or 6-membered heterocyclic ring containing at least one hetero atom selected from O, N and S)xe2x80x94C1-6 alkylene-, in which the said heterocyclic ring may be substituted with C1-3 alkyl;
AlkA is C1-3 alkylene;
R1A is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl;
ZA is xe2x80x94(C1-3 alkylene)phenyl or xe2x80x94NR3AR4A)
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof possess PPAR xcex3 agonist activity (the necessary parts in explanation of symbols are shown).
On the other hand, in JP-A-9-323982, it is disclosed that the propionic acid derivatives of formula (B)
(wherein RB is
or
(wherein Rxe2x80x2B is substituted or unsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbon, substituted or unsubstituted aliphatic hydrocarbon ring, substituted or unsubstituted heterocyclic ring or substituted or unsubstituted condensed heterocyclic ring, R5B is lower alkyl), R4B is hydrogen or lower alkyl, R6B is hydrogen or R6B and R9B taken together form double bond, R7B is hydrogen, hydroxy, carboxy, acyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted carbamoyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryloxycarbonyl, substituted or unsubstituted aralkyloxycarbonyl or xe2x80x94YBxe2x80x94R8B (in which YB is xe2x80x94NHxe2x80x94 or O, R8B is substituted or unsubstituted acyl, substituted or unsubstituted alkoxycarbonyl, aryloxycarbonyl or aralkyloxycarbonyl), R9B is hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted lower alkoxycarbonyl, R10B is hydroxy, substituted or unsubstituted amino, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkoxy, substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy or substituted or unsubstituted aralkyloxy)
or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof possess hypoglycemic action and hypolipidemic action. In addition, JP-A-8-325264, JP-A-8-325250, WO9638415 and WO9800137 have also disclosed that analogous compounds possess hypoglycemic action and hypolipidemic action.
In JP-A-5-507920, it is disclosed that the compound of formula (C)
(wherein Ac is
nC is 0 or 1;
------
xe2x80x83represents bond or not represents bond,
RC is C1xcx9cC8 alkyl, C3xcx9cC7 cycloalkyl, C3xcx9cC8 alkenyl, C3xcx9cC8 alkynyl, phenyl,
C7xcx9cC8 phenylalkyl, C2xcx9cC8 alkanoyl, or one of above groups substituted by one or two of C1xcx9cC3 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, hydroxy, C1xcx9cC3 alkoxy, fluoride or chloride;
XC is S, O, NR2C, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90CHxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94CHxe2x95x90Nxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94Nxe2x95x90CH;
R2C is hydrogen, C1xcx9cC3 alkyl, pheny or benzyl;
YC is CH or N;
ZC is hydrogen, C1xcx9cC7 alkyl, C3xcx9cC7 cycloalkyl, phenyl, or phenyl substituted by one or two of C1xcx9cC3 alkyl, trifluoromethyl, C1xcx9cC3 alkoxy, phenyl, phenoxy, benzyl, benzyloxy, fluoride or chloride;
XC is O, S, SO or SO2;
YC is hydroxy, C1xcx9cC3 alkoxy;
ZC is hydrogen or C1xcx9cC3 alkyl.) possess hypoglycemic action and hypolipidemic action.
J. Med. Chem., 39, 3897 (1996) have also disclosed that analogous compounds possess hypoglycemic action and hypolipidemic action, the compound of formula (D) is disclosed.
As the result of energetic investigations in order to find compounds possessing regulating action on PPAR, the present inventors have found that the purpose has been accomplished by the compound of formula (I) and have completed the present invention.
The present invention relates to
(1) a compound of formula (I)
xe2x80x83(wherein R1 independently, is hydrogen, C1xcx9c8 alkyl, halogen, C1xcx9c4 alkoxy, C1xcx9c4 alkoxy, C1xcx9c4 alkylthio, nitro, NR4R5 (in which R4 and R5 each independently, is C1xcx9c4 alkyl.), cyano, trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethyloxy, carbocyclic ring or hetero ring (carbocyclic ring and hetero ring are optionally substituted by group selected from C1xcx9c4 alkyl, C1xcx9c4 alkoxy, halogen or trifluoromethyl.),
R2 is hydrogen, C1xcx9c8 alkyl, halogen, C1xcx9c4 alkoxy, C1xcx9c4 alkylthio, nitro,
NR4R5 (in which R4 and R5 each independently, is C1xcx9calkyl.), cyano, trifluoromethyl or trifluoromethyloxy,
R3 is hydrogen or C1xcx9c4 alkyl,
X1 is xe2x80x94Nxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94CHxe2x80x94,
X2 and Y each independently, is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94NR6xe2x80x94 (in which R6 is hydrogen or C1xcx9c4 alkyl.),
Z is xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94 or xe2x80x94S(O)pxe2x80x94 (in which p is 0, 1 or 2),
R7 and R8 each independently, is hydrogen or C1xcx9c4 alkyl, or R7 and R8 taken together with carbon atom to which is attached represents C3xcx9c7 cycloalkylene,
xe2x80x83is carbocyclic ring or hetero ring,
xe2x80x83is double bond or triple bond,
m and n each independently, is 1xcx9c3.) a non-toxic salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof,
(2) a peroxisome proliferator activated receptor regulator containing a compound of formula (I), a non-toxic salt thereof, or a hydrate thereof as active ingredient, and
(3) a process for the preparation of a compound of formula (I).

Carboxylic acid derivatives and drugs containing the same as the active ingredient

Abstract: (wherein all symbols are as defined in the specification), or a salt thereof as active ingredient.

Abstract: Because of having an effect of regulating PPAR, a compound of formula (I) is useful as a hypoglycemic agent, a hypolipidemic agent, a preventive and/or a remedy for diseases associating metabolic disorders (diabetes, obesity, syndrome X, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, etc.), hyperlipemia, atherosclerosis, hypertension, circulatory diseases, overeating, coronary heart diseases, etc., an HDL cholesterol-elevating agent, an LDL cholesterol and/or VLDL cholesterol-lowering agent and a drug for relief from risk factors of diabetes or syndrome X.


This disclosure relates generally to vehicle navigation maps, and more particularly to method and system for generating and updating vehicle navigation maps with features of navigation paths. In one embodiment, a method may include receiving a position of a vehicle and an environmental field of view (FOV) of the vehicle along a navigation path of the vehicle on a navigation map, extracting features of the navigation path from the environmental FOV, correlating the features with the navigation path on the navigation map based on the position, generating a features based navigation map based on the correlation, and transmitting the features based navigation map to a server of a navigation map service provider for storage and for subsequent use. The features based navigation map, when required to assist a navigation of another vehicle, may be accessed to assess the features of the navigation path and to provide the assessment to the other vehicle.

In today's world, motor vehicles have become a primary mode of commuting. With each passing day, these vehicles are becoming smart and aware about their surroundings and environment. Today a typical motor vehicle may be equipped with features like navigation assist, parking assist, and so forth. In coming times, the motor vehicles will become smarter, more intelligent, and autonomous. For example, autonomous vehicles may be capable of navigating without manual intervention, thereby facilitating efficient and effective transportation.
These smart or autonomous vehicles may be capable of sensing the dynamic changing environment, detecting obstacles on a navigation path, automatically controlling speed, automatically breaking, autonomous navigation, performing vehicle diagnostic analysis, and so forth. However, these features would require a lot of computing power by the vehicle control system so as to quickly process enormous data and make it readily available for the vehicle control system for decision making.
One of the requirement to enable some of the above mentioned features is to extract the road features such as width of road, humps present in the road, number of road intersection, angle of turn at intersection, slope of the road, etc. As will be appreciated, extracting these important road features needs more computing power and expensive hard wares such as light detection and ranging (LIDAR) scanner etc. in each of the vehicles. Currently available navigation maps (e.g., GOOGLE maps) do not provide information on above mentioned road features, and dynamically extracting such information while a vehicle is running using sensors installed on the vehicle becomes expensive and computationally intensive. In some cases, the dynamic generation of navigation map and extraction road features may also require continuous communicative connection with a central server, and may fail when the connection is interrupted.

Method and system for generating and updating vehicle navigation maps with features of navigation paths


An active adaptive noise canceller that inserts delays into the weight update logic of an adaptive filter to keep the filter stable. The noise and residual noise are sensed and the respective sensor signals are digitized at a given sample rate for processing in the adaptive filter. To eliminate the need for high sample rates while maintaining flexibility in the frequency regions over which the adaptive filter is stable, the delay introduced into the weight update logic is a non-integer multiple of the sample period. The non-integer sample delay is obtained by a sample interpolation and decimation procedure.

The present invention relates to active noise cancellation systems.
The objective in active noise cancellation is to generate a waveform that inverts a nuisance noise source and suppresses it at selected points in space. In active noise cancelling, a waveform is generated for subtraction, and the subtraction is performed acoustically, rather than electrically.
In a basic active noise cancellation system, a noise source or vibration is measured with a local sensor such as an accelerometer or microphone. The noise propagates acoustically over an acoustic channel to a point in space where noise suppression is desired, and at which is placed another microphone. The objective is to remove the acoustic energy components due to the noise source. The measured noise waveform from the local sensor is input to an adaptive filter, the output of which drives a speaker. The second microphone output at the point to be quieted serves as the error waveform for updating the adaptive filter. The adaptive filter changes its weights as it iterates in time to produce a speaker output that at the microphone looks as much as possible (in the minimum mean squared error sense) like the inverse of the noise at that point in space. Thus, in driving the error waveform to have minimum power, the adaptive filter removes the noise by driving the speaker to invert it.
Many previous active noise cancelers use the filtered-X LMS algorithm, which requires a training mode. The function of the training mode is to learn the transfer functions of the speaker and microphones used in the system so that compensation filters can be inserted in the feedback loop of the LMS algorithm to keep it stable. As the physical situation changes, the training mode must be reinitiated. For example, in an automobile application to suppress noise within a passenger compartment, the training mode may need to be performed again every time a window is opened, or another passenger enters the compartment, or when the automobile heats up during the day. The training mode can be quite objectionable to passengers in the vehicle.
Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,401, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by this reference, describes an active adaptive noise canceller which does not require a training mode. The insertion of a time delay in the computation of the weight updates modifies the frequency stability regions of the canceller. Hence, the canceller provides a mechanism through which the adaptive noise cancellation can be easily adapted to suit any application at hand by simply adjusting the time delay value to acquire the desired frequency stability regions.
In a canceller system employing delay in the filter weight updating, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,117,401, it is convenient to use delay values which are integer multiples of the digital sampling period. To provide the flexibility to insert relatively small time delays, which will result in a small change in the canceller frequency stability regions, it is necessary to employ relatively high sample rates.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an active noise cancellation system employing an adaptive filter and a delay in the filter weight updating which can be a non-integer multiple of the sample period.

Non-integer sample delay active noise canceller


An idling control apparatus for an internal combustion engine includes a valve element amounted in a passage for air for idle running of the engine bypassing a throttle valve mounted in a suction conduit for communicating a portion of the suction conduit upstream of the throttle valve with a portion thereof downstream of the throttle valve, and a bimetal member in the form of a spiral operatively connected to the valve element for varying the quantity of air flowing through the passage for air for idle running of the engine in accordance with changes in the temperature of the engine. The end of an outermost convolution of the bimetal member is a fixed and the end of an innermost convolution of the bimetal member is a movable member, and a bimetal shaft connected to the movable end of the bimetal member for transmitting a displacement of the bimetal member to the valve element is journalled by a bearing means, thereby inhibiting vibration of the bimetal member to prevent variations in the quantity of air flowing through the passage for air for idle running of the engine from occurring.

This invention relates to idling control apparatus for internal combustion engines, and more particularly it is concerned with an idling control apparatus for an internal combustion engine wherein air for sustaining idle running of the engine that bypasses the throttle valve mounted in the suction conduit in the throttle body has its quantity controlled in accordance with changes in the temperature of the engine.
Generally, an internal combustion engine has a throttle valve mounted in the section conduit for controlling the quantity of air supplied to the engine as the driver of the vehicle operates the throttle valve, regardless of whether the engine is of the fuel injection type or the carburetor type. In an internal combustion engine, an idling control apparatus is mounted separately from the throttle valve for controlling the quantity of air supplied to the engine during idle running thereof. The idling control apparatus is designed to effect control of idle running of the engine by means of a valve mounted in a passage for air for idle running of the engine which communicates a portion of the suction conduit upstream of the throttle valve with a portion of the suction conduit downstream of the throttle valve by bypassing the throttle valve, for controlling the quantity of air flowing through such passage in accordance with changes in the temperature of the engine.
One example of idling control apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,509 comprises a valve element mounted in a passage bypassing the throttle valve which is operated by means of a heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state.
The use of a heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state for operating a valve element of an idling control apparatus as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,509 requires the provision of means for providing a liquidtight seal specifically fitted for this purpose. When the heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state undergoes deterioration with the passage of time, the quantity of air flowing through the passage by bypassing the throttle valve would vary from the quantity of air that flows through the passage when the apparatus is initially fitted to the internal combustion engine. Particularly, the heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state is faced with a difficulty in keeping its initial characteristics over a prolonged period of time. Moreover, a large number of part that are required for this type of idling control apparatus makes its cost high. In view of these problems, this type of idling control apparatus would not readily be put into practical use.
Meanwhile proposals have been made to use, in place of a heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,509, a bimetal member in the form of a spiral substantially similar to the choke mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,967, in an idling control apparatus for an internal combustion engine.
The butterfly valve operated by the bimetal member described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,967 is a choke valve which is opened with the progress of operation of the engine. On the other hand, in an idling control apparatus, a valve operated by a bimetal member should be closed with the progress of operation of the engine.
The idling control apparatus using a bimetal member is substantially similar to the apparatus disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,898,967 except that the operation of the butterfly valve is reversed. More specifically, the idling control apparatus using a bimetal member comprises a butterfly valve located in a passage for air for idle running of the engine which communicates a portion of the suction conduit upstream of the throttle valve with a portion of the suction conduit downstream of the throttle valve by bypassing the throttle valve, the butterfly valve being supported for rotation by a shaft having secured thereto a lever which is in engagement with the end of an outermost convolution of the spiral bimetal member (movable end), and a pin secured to a bimetal housing for fixedly supporting the end of an innermost convolution of the spiral bimetal member (fixed end). As the temperature of the engine rises, the butterfly valve reduces the area of the passage for air for sustaining idle running of the engine.
The aforesaid idling control apparatus using a bimetal member offers the advantages of being simple in construction and low in cost. However, one of the problems encountered with regard to this apparatus is flapping of the butterfly valve which occurs during idle running of the engine and causes variations to occur in the quantity of air flowing through the passage for air for idle running of the engine.
This problem arises primarily from vibration of the bimetal member. More specifically, in an idling control apparatus using a bimetal member, the end of an innermost convolution of the bimetal member is a fixed end and the end of an outermost convolution thereof is a movable end, so that the bimetal member itself functions as a spring. Particularly, vibration of the engine causes the end of the outermost convolution of the spiral bimetal member to vibrate, thereby causing flapping of the butterfly valve to take place. Vibration of the bimetal member is transmitted from the end of the outermost convolution of the bimetal member which is a movable end to the shaft and lever, and vibration of the bimetal member tends to increase or reduce the opening of the butterfly valve, thereby varying the quantity of air flowing through the valve.
In addition, the butterfly valve itself is concerned in the development of variations in its opening. Like a known choke valve of a carburetor, the butterfly valve is supported by a shaft in a position which is eccentric and not at the center of the surface of the valve. Thus pulsation of the sucked air which occurs with the operation of the engine would cause the butterfly valve to vibrate, thereby adding to the vibration of the butterfly valve caused by the vibration of the bimetal member as aforesaid.
For the reasons stated hereinabove, the air flowing through the passage for air for idle running of the engine of an idling control apparatus of the prior art has tended to show variations during operation of the engine, thereby making it impossible to obtain stable idle running of the engine.
As described hereinabove, idling control apparatus can be broadly classified into two groups: one group using a heat sensitive, expanding body in a fluid state and the other group using a metallic heat sensitive, expanding body, such as a bimetal member.
This invention is directed to an idling control apparatus for an internal combustion engine using a bimetal member, which is relatively simple in construction and low in cost.

Idling control apparatus for internal combustion engine


Systems and methods for analyzing network traffic are provided. An exemplary system may include a plurality of network nodes distributed in multiple geographical regions. The plurality of network nodes may be configured to collect mass scanning network traffic data. The system may also include at least one processor configured to receive, from the plurality of network nodes, the collected mass scanning network traffic data. The processor may also be configured to generate an omnidirectional network traffic database based on the received mass scanning network traffic data. The processor may further be configured to receive a query against the omnidirectional network traffic database. The query may include information of a source of a network scanning activity. Moreover, the processor may be configured to determine whether the source matches any record in the omnidirectional network traffic database and generate an indication based on the determination.

The advance of network technology and the availability of open source tools such as Masscan, ZMap, UnicornScan, etc. make Internet-wide mass scanning relatively easy to implement. In addition, different organizations routinely scan the Internet for various purposes. These lead to an overwhelming amount of unsolicited, omnidirectional network traffic on the Internet, effectively forming a "background noise" of the Internet traffic.
The background noise creates a large amount of false alarms to network security analysts, who often waste many hours reviewing the false alarms. Due to the natural of the omnidirectional mass scanning, alarms stemmed from the background noise are much less significant than, for example, those stemmed from targeted scans aiming specifically to a particular organization. However, current systems are unable to reliably differentiate between targeted and omnidirectional network traffic.


A capacitance type humidity detecting sensor has two electrodes opposing each other with a gap interposed therebetween to form a capacitor on a silicon substrate with a silicon oxide film formed on a surface thereof. A moisture-sensitive film is formed so as to cover the two electrodes with a silicon nitride film interposed therebetween. The silicon nitride film protects the two electrodes from moisture passing through the moisture-sensitive film. The capacitance formed between the two electrodes changes in accordance with ambient humidity. A switched capacitor circuit formed in a circuit element portion processes a signal indicative of a change in the capacitance formed between the two electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a capacitance type humidity sensor in which a moisture-sensitive film is disposed between two electrodes to increase permittivity of a capacitance between the two electrodes, and to a manufacturing method of the same.
2. Related Art
A humidity sensor such as the one disclosed in JP-A-60-166854 has a substrate as a lower electrode, a moisture-sensitive film formed on the substrate, and a thin upper electrode having moisture permeability. However, as the upper electrode is exposed to sensing conditions, it is required to have high resistivity against such conditions.
To the contrary, as is disclosed in JU-A-5-23124 or JPA-7-20080, a proposed sensor includes two opposing electrodes formed on an identical plane of a substrate, and a moisture-sensitive film is formed on these two electrodes. However, a resistance detection type sensor is mainly disclosed in these references while a capacitance detection type sensor is only briefly and generally described. Further, although these electrodes are disposed under the moisture-sensitive film, the electrodes are nonetheless exposed to water because moisture can reach the electrodes through the moisture-sensitive film. Therefore, a problem arises because the electrodes must be water resistant. Consequently, precious metal is preferably used to form the electrodes to ensure reliability of the electrodes against moisture. However, the precious metal increases manufacturing cost and becomes a contaminant in the manufacturing process.
Incidentally, the sensor disclosed in JU-A-5-23124 has a dielectric material as a base plate, and therefore a discrete circuit board is required. The sensor plate is electrically connected to the circuit plate by wiring that increases stray capacitance. Therefore, the capacitance in a detection portion should be designed so as to be large to increase the signal to noise ratio. As a result, the size of the sensor body inevitably increases.
An object of the invention is to provide a humidity sensor that has high reliability. Alternatively, another object of the invention is to provide a humidity sensor that can be produced in a semiconductor process line, and a manufacturing method of the same.
According to an aspect of the present invention, a first insulation film is formed on a semiconductor substrate. First and second electrodes are disposed on the first insulation film and oppose each other with a gap interposed therebetween. A second insulation film is formed so as to cover the first and second electrodes. Moreover, a moisture-sensitive film is formed so as to cover the second insulation film.
In this structure, the second insulation film is interposed between the first and second electrodes and the moisture-sensitive film, so that the electrodes are water resistant.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a circuit portion is integrated in the semiconductor substrate in which a humidity sensing portion is formed. The circuit portion processes signals transmitted from the sensing portion.
Preferably, the first and second electrodes are composed of the same material as that of wiring in the circuit portion. Thus, the electrodes and the wiring are simultaneously formed.
Also, the circuit portion preferably includes a switched capacitor circuit that can detect small capacitance amounts.
In addition, the second insulation film is preferably composed of a silicon nitride film. The silicon nitride film has a relatively high dielectric constant, so that capacitance between the first and second electrodes increases.
Preferably, the first insulation film is composed of a material that has a dielectric constant lower than that of the second insulation film. Thus, parasitic capacitance between the electrodes and the substrate can be decreased.
Incidentally, a molecular organic material that has a high hygroscopicity, such as polyimide or butyric acetylcellulose, can be employed as the moisture-sensitive film.
Preferably, the respective electrodes have a comb-shaped pattern having electrode portions, and the electrode portions of the first electrode are interleaved with those of the second electrode to increase a facing area between the electrode portions of the first and second electrode.
Incidentally, the electrodes may be composed of a material such as Al, Alxe2x80x94Si, Ti, Au, Cu, and poly-Si, or a compound composed of at least two of those materials.
Preferably, the moisture-sensitive film is disposed so that a surface thereof contacting the second insulation film is located lower than top surfaces of the first and second electrodes, to thereby dispose the moisture-sensitive film in the gap formed between the electrodes.
Incidentally, the sensing portion is formed after the circuit portion is formed.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a moisture-sensing base is mounted on a supporting substrate so that a signal having a change in capacitance that is detected in the moisture-sensing base is outputted through a wiring electrode portion formed in the supporting substrate. In this case, a moisture-sensitive film faces the supporting substrate, a connecting electrode portion for outputting a signal from the moisture-sensing base to the wiring electrode portion is disposed between the moisture-sensing base and the supporting substrate. The wiring electrode portion is protected from ambient conditions by a coating material.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Capacitance type humidity sensor and manufacturing method of the same


Apparatus and methods for determining a type of a material in a region within a vascular system of a patient are provided. The determination is made after light has been reflected from the region after being supplied to the region from a light source by at least one optical fiber. The determination is made based on an analysis of the light reflected from the region and of a received at least one indication of a force applied to the material in the region by one or more of the at least one optical fiber. The indication of the force applied by the one or more of the at least one optical fiber is provided by at least one force sensor coupled to the at least one optical fiber.

Human blood vessels often become occluded or blocked by plaque, calcified tissue, thrombi, other deposits, emboli, etc., which reduce the blood carrying capacity of such vessels. Should a blockage occur at a critical place in the vascular system of a patient, serious and permanent injury, and even death, can occur. To prevent damage in the vascular system, some form of medical intervention is usually performed when a buildup or significant occlusion is detected.
Laser-based catheter devices are often used to ablate such buildups or occlusions. Laser light is sent down optical fibers of a laser catheter to perform laser ablation and, in some cases, visualization of vascular structure. Additionally, fluoroscopy presents a two-dimensional view and, in cases where contrast agents are injected, provides indirect visualization of vascular structure. Fluoroscopy is a procedure that may introduce undesirable radiation exposure and risks associated with the use of contrast agents, and may also provide insufficient imaging or feedback for clinicians to clearly understand the interface between the catheter device and the vascular system. As a result, with a fluoroscopy procedure, there is a risk of errors in determining whether or not contacted tissue should be ablated, errors in determining how much undesired tissue remains during or after ablation, and potential overtreatment including tearing of tissue.

Laser catheter with use of reflected light and force indication to determine material type in vascular system


An angle of rotation sensor for measuring an angle of rotation of a rotatable object includes an electrically conductive band to be disposed onto the rotatable object and having two terminal ends which are spaced apart from each other and which are respectively applied with different voltages; an electrical brush in electrical contact with the electrically conductive band; and a voltage measuring device coupled to the electrical brush and measuring a divided voltage which is a voltage at a position of the electrically conductive band at which the electrical brush contacts. The angle of rotation of the rotatable object is associated with the divided voltage and the different voltages.

Electronic security systems have been available for a number of years. In recent years, electronic technology has been used in combination with a conventional door lock to result in a smart lock. A drawback of such smart lock is that it requires replacement of an existing lock, and the installation process of the smart lock is relatively complicated. The installation also requires specialized manual labour to use tools required for mounting the smart lock.
Accordingly, there is a smart lock that may be attached to an existing lock. One of the key elements of this kind of smart lock is to measure the angle of rotation of the smart lock or the existing lock for calibration and providing tolerance between the existing lock and an adaptor of the smart lock. However, to achieve this effect generally requires additional components like a feedback servo motor, a variable resister and a transmission system. An off-the-shelf component, i.e., a small servo motor, uses a DC motor mechanism and does not have any unit for measuring angle of rotation associated with the servo motor.
A stepping motor uses an optical encoder or magnetic encoder, which is expensive and consumes a lot of energy during operation. Optical recognition of the angle of rotation depends on complex calibrations, or otherwise an advanced system for implementing the same. Therefore, large computation time and power required to operate the smart lock is attributable to the device for measuring the angle of rotation associated with the smart lock. At the same time, dimensions and production cost of the smart lock increase. Consequently, there is a need for improved approaches for measuring the angle of rotation.

Angle of rotation sensor, a linear displacement sensor, a door mount mechanism, and an electrical brush


A myocardial lead is provided with at least one sensor for sensing at least one of heart rate, physiological demand, or arrhythmia. Preferably, the sensor is a piezoelectric crystal, and is designed to flex with the beating of the human heart. Other suitable sensors include accelerometers, hemo-reflectance sensors, and strain gauge sensors. Each sensor is provided on a separate conductive segment of the electrode assembly. The signals can be monitored by appropriate electronics to detect changes in heart rate or arrhythmias of the heart.

Myocardial leads have electrodes which are attached to the exterior of a human heart and deliver stimulation pulses from an implanted cardiac pacemaker to a patient's heart. The myocardial leads are attached to the heart typically by positively fixating a distal electrode into the myocardial tissue. A skirt portion located behind the electrode typically is used for passive tissue ingrowth. Generally, it is preferable to use two myocardial leads, for stimulating in a bipolar fashion, to prevent inadvertent stimulation of skeletal muscle tissue or other tissue during cardiac pacing.
One such myocardial lead is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,183 (Kreyenhagen et al.), which reference is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The myocardial lead includes a center section and a number of leaf-shaped appendages, or petals, extending outwardly from the center section. The center section has a positive fixation electrode made of electrically conductive material. The leaf-shaped appendages are securely connected to the center section and extend radially outward from the center section.
Each leaf-shaped appendage includes at least one conductive segment. The conductive segments on the leaf-shaped appendages are also electrically insulated from the first member on the center section. The leaf-shaped appendages conform to the heart's surface, flex to insure reliable contact with the heart tissue, and will maintain contact during both heart contractions and rest periods. The leaf-shaped appendages may be electrically connected together to act as a second electrode for bipolar sensing, or may be individually used as separate electrodes in a multipolar fashion.
Many types of implantable systems are known for tachyarrhythmia control. Such systems have gained greater acceptance in recent years as an alternative therapy to chronic pharmacologic treatment. Such tachyarrhythmia control systems typically include an implantable device capable of tachyarrhythmia detection and delivery of an automatic therapeutic response to the arrhythmia, including bradycardia pacing support, anti-tachyarrhythmia pacing, low energy synchronized cardioversion or high energy defibrillation shock, an electrode system for sensing and pacing, and a high energy electrode system for delivery of defibrillation shock. Typically the pacing and sensing electrode system will consist of a bipolar endocardial lead or two unipolar myocardial leads. The high energy electrode system generally consists of two myocardial patch leads, or a transvenous shocking lead with either a myocardial or subcutaneous patch lead.
Any device that is intended to provide automatic treatment of ventricular tachyarrhythmias must be capable of first detecting the presence of such arrhythmias prior to the onset of therapy. Several methods are known for detecting ventricular tachyarrhythmias. These include monitoring an absolute heart rate interval, and initiating therapy when the interval becomes less than a programmable interval threshold.
It is also known to try to differentiate pathologic rhythms from normal physiologic rhythms by analyzing the rate of onset (sudden change, as opposed to gradual change in the heart rate interval) and/or heart rate stability.
It is also known to determine the probability density function of a signal corresponding to heart activity, which involves the evaluation of the time that the cardiac electrical signal spends at an isoelectric base line, and to initiate therapy when deviations beyond a predetermined threshold occur.
The known detection techniques have several limitations and disadvantages. The two major disadvantages are (1) no accurate method of differentiating between a pathologic (i.e. hemodynamically compromising) rhythm versus a physiologic (i.e., sinus) rhythm, and (2) total reliance on a processed electrogram for detection of cardiac depolarization. As a result of the second disadvantage, certain rhythms, particularly low amplitude ventricular fibrillation, may not be detected. These limitations in the known detection techniques may result either in a false positive detection response (inappropriate shock delivery) or a false negative detection response (failure to respond to a pathologic rhythm).

Implantable myocardial stimulation lead with sensors thereon


A DC power supply system that limits the number of times of charging/discharging of the storage battery when a DC load is connected to a DC bus line. The system includes a DC bus line connectable to a DC load; a power generation device for supplying electric power to the DC bus line; a secondary battery for supplying electric power to the DC bus line; a DC-AC converter connected between the DC bus line and an AC power system; and a controller that controls power supply from the power generation device, the secondary battery, and the DC-AC converter to the DC bus line, and when the power supply of the power generation device cannot satisfy a power supply request of the DC load, the controller controls the DC-AC converter to supply electric power in preference to the secondary battery from the power system.

Currently, power supply systems that combine a solar power generation device and a storage battery exist. Such power supply systems have various arrangements made for reducing the numbers of times of charging/discharging of the storage battery.
For example, in Patent Document 1 (identified below), a deviation is obtained between a power generation amount of a solar power generation device and a power consumption amount of an AC load connected to a power system, and if the absolute value of the deviation is equal to or less than a predefined value, a switching frequency is reduced between a state of discharge from the storage battery and a state of charging of the storage battery.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2015-177647.
However, the method of Patent Document 1 takes into consideration only the deviation between the power generation amount of the solar power generation device and the power consumption amount of the AC load connected to the power system. Thus, this conventional design cannot be employed in a power supply system having a DC load connected to a DC bus line in addition to an AC load.
Moreover, in a power supply system having a DC load connected to a DC bus line, a power supply path to the DC load includes not only a path from the solar power generation device and a path from the storage battery, but also a path from the power system. Therefore, in such a power supply system, the power consumption amount of the DC load and the power consumption amount of the AC load independently affect each other, so that the method of Patent Document 1 cannot be employed.
Yet further, since the method of Patent Document 1 takes into consideration only the deviation from the power consumption amount of the AC load connected to the power system, if the absolute value of the deviation exceeds a predefined value, the storage battery is possibly discharged regardless of whether the power consumption amount of the DC load is abruptly changed. Therefore, the method has a problem of the increased numbers of times of charging/discharging of the storage battery.
Furthermore, since the storage battery is possibly discharged even when the power consumption amount of the DC load is not abruptly changed in the method of Patent Document 1, an amount of charge of the storage battery may not be sufficient so that the storage battery cannot be discharged when the power consumption amount of the DC load is abruptly changed.


The subject invention concerns materials and methods for treating oncological disorders in a person or animal using any agent or compound that inhibits uptake of glucose into a cell. The subject invention also concerns methods for inducing apoptosis and inhibiting the proliferation or survival of a cell. In one embodiment, the methods comprise administering an effective amount of an agent or compound that inhibits the activity of one or more glucose transporter proteins, such as Glut-1. An antibody that binds to and inhibits a glucose transporter protein can be used in the present methods.

Cancer is very difficult to cure after significant metastasis. Currently available treatments can prolong survival and improve quality of life in most metastatic cancers. This is achieved by using several treatment modalities either sequentially or in combination. Adding another novel therapeutic modality could potentially benefit millions of individuals fighting this disease.
Neoplastic cancer cells use glucose as the primary fuel to meet high energy demands. Cancer cells aggressively divert glucose from normal cells by up-regulating high affinity glucose transporters like Glucose Transporter 1 in the cell membrane.
Acquisition of the glycolytic phenotype has been shown to correlate with increased tumor aggressiveness and poor patient prognosis in several tumor types (Younes et al., 1995). Facilitative glucose uptake is achieved by trans-membrane transporters, termed Glut-1-5 and Glut-12, which are protein products of their respective GLUT genes. Although more than one Glut may be expressed by a particular cell type, tumors frequently over express Glut-1, which is a high affinity glucose transporter (Clavo et al., 1995). Human tumor cell lines, in response to hypoxia, increase glucose uptake by up-regulating membranous expression of the Glut-1 glucose transporter. This ability to survive periods of hypoxia confers tumors with an aggressive malignant phenotype enabling it to be resistant to both chemotherapy and radiotherapy and consequently poor overall survival. In several tumors including, NSCLC, colon cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer and thyroid cancers, increased Glut-1 expression not only confers a malignant phenotype but also predicts for inferior survival (Younes et al., 1995; Younes et al. 1996a; Younes et al., 1996b).

Oncotherapeutic application of inhibitors of high-affinity glucose transporters


A drop center livestock trailer is provided with a deck which is vertically adjustable within the trailer body to two separate positions for accommodating various forms of livestock and freight. A sectional gate structure which extends for either the full or a part of the inside trailer width is incorporated in the trailer for assuming a first position in which it acts as a gate limiting the movement of livestock in the trailer and a second position wherein it supports a ramp for facilitating the loading and unloading of the livestock. The ram is pivotally attached to one end of the movable deck and is supported by a lower section of the sectional gate structure. The ramp is allowed to drop from its normal horizontal to an inclined position by moving the lower section of the gate structure to an inclined position. Connected to the lower gate section is an upper gate section which is pivotally connected to the sidewalls of the trailer. The upper gate section is connected to the lower section by a connecting rod so that the lower section is rotated from its normal vertical position to the inclined position. The connecting rod consists of two telescopingly related portions and is capable of assuming two positions for adjusting the effective length thereof. In this manner, the angle of inclination of the lower section of the gas structure is adjustable for supporting the ramp when the movable deck is in each of the two positions which it is capable of assuming.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to livestock trailers having compartments for retaining livestock therein and more particularly pertains to such trailers which have a movable deck mounted therein incorporating gate and ramp structures for facilitating loading and unloading of livestock to the movable deck.
2. Discussion of Related Art
In the manufacture of trailers designed for the transporation of livestock, it is desirable to produce a trailer which is easily adaptable for hauling a variety of animals. To this end, the trailer disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,970,861, issued Feb. 7, 1961, to Short, was developed. The Short carrier provides a double deck livestock configuration which may be employed for hauling small animals, such as hogs and sheep, and convertible from double deck to single level carriers for hauling cattle, and the like. The Short structure includes a movable deck positioned in a drop center trailer over the drop center portion of the trailer. While such a configuration provides numerous benefits and flexibility of utilization, it presents a problem in providing a readily available means of loading animals onto the movable deck portion when disposed in its various locations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,292,967, issued Dec. 20, 1966, to Peek, shows a gate and ramp device for facilitating loading and unloading of livestock onto a drop center trailer having a second deck disposed over the drop center portion of the trailer. The Peek device, however, does not provide accommodation for loading animals from a second deck provided at a position other than a predetermined fixed position.

Telescoping reach rod for gate and ramp device with lift deck


A physical quantity sensor includes an element piece, in which the element piece includes a support portion that includes a first support portion, a second support portion, and a third support portion that links the first and second support portions, and is connected to a base substrate at the third support portion, a movable electrode portion that is positioned between the first and second support portions, and includes a movable electrode finger, an elastic portion that links the movable electrode portion and the support portion and has elasticity, and a fixed electrode portions having fixed electrode fingers that are arranged facing the movable electrode finger.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a physical quantity sensor, a physical quantity sensor device, an electronic apparatus, and a moving object.
2. Related Art
For example, JP-A-2010-71911 discloses a MEMS sensor having an insulating substrate and an element piece bonded to the insulating substrate. The element piece includes a fixed electrode portion having a fixed electrode finger and a movable electrode portion having a movable electrode finger that faces the fixed electrode finger. The movable electrode portion includes first and second support conducting portions that are bonded to the insulating substrate, first and second support arm portions that extend from the first and second support conducting portions, and a weight portion that is linked to the first and second support arm portions via an elastic portion and provided with the above-described movable electrode finger.
In such a configuration, because the movable electrode portion is bonded to the insulating substrate at two locations (first and second support conducting portions) as described above, problems arise where there is significant influence from warping of the insulating substrate due to thermal expansion, the electrostatic capacitance between the movable electrode finger and the fixed electrode finger changes, and the detection precision of acceleration is lowered.

Physical quantity sensor, physical quantity sensor device, electronic apparatus, and moving object


A pixel cell for a silicon LC light valve features a plurality of transparent electrically conducting pixel electrodes formed over a grounded reflective metal backplane. Dielectric material intervenes between the transparent electrodes and the grounded reflective backplane. This dielectric material, alone or in combination with the transparent electrode, creates a reflectance enhancing coating generating constructive interference of light reflected by the underlying backplane. The dielectric material also serves as the dielectric of an additional capacitive component having the active electrode and the grounded reflective metal backplane as plates. This architecture enhances the storage capacitance of the pixel cell, lowering sensitivity of the pixel to current leakage and reducing the pixel cell surface area. This pixel architecture also reduces the appearance of dark lines attributable to absorption of light in inter-pixel regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to light valves, and in particular, to a light valve pixel cell possessing enhanced storage capacitance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in high-density projection display devices. These display devices typically include a light source which passes light through a light valve.
One of the methods for producing colors in a liquid crystal display is to sequentially project light having a wavelength corresponding to a primary color onto a single light valve. Color sequential light valves create a spectrum of color within the range of the human perception by switching between a set of discrete primary colors. Typically, red, green, and blue are the primary tri-stimulus colors used to create the remaining colors of the spectrum.
Specifically, during projection of each primary color, the light intensity is modulated such that combination of the intensities of the primary colors in sequence produces the desired color. The frequency of switching between the primary wavelengths by the light valve should be sufficiently rapid to render discrete primary states indistinguishable to the human eye.
Two factors dictate the minimum frequency necessary for switching. The first factor is the ability of the human eye to detect the discrete primary colors (e.g., red, green, blue). At slower than ideal switching speeds, the human eye will detect a flicker and the primaries may not blend.
The second factor determining the frequency of switching is the video refresh rate. During display of video images, the individual frames must be refreshed at frequencies undetectable to the human eye.
The net frequency of switching demanded by the combination of sequential color blending and video refreshing is beyond the capabilities of light valves that utilize thick ( greater than 1 xcexcm) liquid crystal (LC) transducers. However, thin ( less than 1 xcexcm) liquid crystal transducers have been successfully fabricated. These thin LC transducers demonstrate adequate color sequential blending at video refresh rates. One example of such a thin LC transducer pixel cell structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,067, to Colgan et al.
In general, the conventional thin LC transducer pixel cells possess enhanced responsiveness due to the decreased volume of liquid crystal material between the top and bottom plates. A smaller volume enables the liquid crystal to shift orientation more quickly and in response to a lower applied voltage.
FIG. 1A shows a plan view of adjacent thin LC transducer pixel cells in a conventional light valve. FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of the adjacent pixel cells of FIG. 1A across line A-Axe2x80x2. Light valve portion 100 comprises adjacent pixel cells 110a and 110b having liquid crystal (LC) material 111 sandwiched within gap 106 between a top plate and a bottom plate. The top plate is composed of a translucent material, typically glass. The underside of the top plate is coated with optically transparent and electrically conducting material, typically indium-tin oxide (ITO). This conductive layer serves as a passive electrode for the active pixels below. This passive electrode layer also typically bears a polyimide layer, which is scored to provide an anchoring alignment for the LC material 111.
The bottom plate of the pixel cell is formed by the active reflective metal pixel electrodes 112a and 112b of adjacent pixels 110a and 110b, respectively. Pixel electrodes 112a and 112b are separated and electrically isolated by trenches 118.
A reflectance enhancing coating (REC) 116 is formed over pixel electrodes 112a and 112b. REC 116 consists of optically transparent dielectric films 116a whose thickness and composition are specifically tailored to generate constructive interference of light reflected by electrodes 112a and 112b. The function and creation of such a REC is described in detail in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/872,013 (xe2x80x9cthe ""013 applicationxe2x80x9d) entitled xe2x80x9cREFLECTANCE ENHANCING THIN FILM STACKxe2x80x9d, filed Jun. 7, 1997 and hereby incorporated by reference. The ""013 application describes one particularly effective embodiment of a REC that consists of alternating silicon oxide and silicon nitride films. Therefore, the REC shown in FIG. 1B includes two sets of oxide-nitride films.
Pixel electrodes 112a and 112b lie on top of an upper intermetal dielectric layer 128 that forms a component of interconnect scheme 104. Interconnect 104 overlies capacitor structures 120a and 120b formed within underlying silicon substrate 105. Capacitor structures 120 include a dielectric layer 162 formed over a double diffused drain (DDD) region 160 created within silicon substrate 105. Capacitor structures 120 further include a polysilicon contact component 164 formed over dielectric layer 162.
Storage capacitors 120a and 120b are in electrical communication with pixel electrodes 112a and 112b, respectively, through metal-filled vias 140, middle interconnect metallization layer 124, and lower interconnect metallization layer 122. Storage capacitors 120a and 120b are controlled by MOS switching transistors 142a and 142b, respectively. MOS switching transistors 142a and 142b are also formed in underlying silicon substrate 105, and are electrically isolated from adjacent semiconducting devices by trench isolation structures 144.
Operation of the conventional pixel cell is described below in conjunction with FIGS. 1A-1B and FIG. 1C. FIG. 1C depicts a circuit diagram representing the electrical behavior of conventional pixel cell 110a.
At the commencement of a write cycle for pixel 110a, gate 146a of MOS switching transistor 142a receives a select voltage (Vselect) through first portion 122a of lower interconnect metallization 122. Vselect activates MOS switching transistor 142a, permitting a video voltage signal (Vvideo) appearing at drain 148a of MOS switching transistor 142a from second portion 122b of lower interconnect metallization 122 to be transmitted to capacitor structure 120a through channel 150a and source 152a of transistor 142a. Vvideo is in turn transmitted through interconnect 104 to active electrode 112a, causing overlying LC material 111 to exhibit a particular transmission.
The light valve then addresses the next pixel cell 110b. The Vselect voltage is no longer applied to gate 146a of MOS switching transistor 142a, and the Vvideo voltage is no longer applied to drain 148a. However, Vvideo is maintained on active pixel electrode 112a by storage capacitor 120a, until the next write cycle occurs.
FIG. 1C shows that there are actually two capacitive components present in conventional pixel cell 110a. The first capacitive component is storage capacitor 120a created by DDD 160, dielectric layer 162, and polysilicon element 164. The second capacitive component of conventional pixel cell 110a is formed by combination of REC 116 and the LC material 111 itself, which form a dielectric between active electrode 112a and the overlying passive electrode.
The conventional pixel cell described above in FIGS. 1A-1C functions adequately in many applications. However, this design suffers from a number of disadvantages.
One problem is that light incident to array 100 may penetrate through gap between adjacent pixel electrodes 112a and 112b. Intermetal dielectric layer 128 below trench 118 is substantially transparent to this incident light, which next encounters middle interconnect metallization layer 124. Metallization layer 124 likely bears an anti-reflective coating as a result of prior photolithographic steps. As a result, light incident to inter-pixel regions is absorbed rather than reflected, and is perceived by a viewer as a dark line. This dark inter-pixel region contrasts with the bright surrounding reflective pixel electrodes. Projection displays can magnify the light reflected from pixel array to such an extent that the non-reflective space between pixels is readily observable and may distort the image.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pixel cell and a process of forming a pixel cell having inter-pixel regions which exhibit reflectance comparable to that of pixel regions.
Another problem associated with the conventional pixel cell design is flickering of the image due to fluctuation in the bias of the active electrode between successive write states.
One cause of flicker is a decline in voltage of the active pixel electrode due to current leakage between successive write states. Current leakage can arise from a number of sources.
One prominent leakage current path is between the source of the MOS switching transistor and the grounded DDD component of the adjacent storage capacitor. This leakage path is particularly problematic where LOCOS isolation is created between these structures. Another important leakage current path is between the source of the MOS switching transistor and the substrate under reverse bias conditions.
A third significant leakage current path is across the LC material itself. Recall from FIG. 1C that the LC material forms a dielectric between the charged active and passive electrodes. The LC material is primarily nonconductive. However, the LC material contains mobile ions which migrate to the surfaces of the active and passive pixel electrodes when the LC is subjected to an electric field. This migration of mobile ions can prevent a static voltage from being applied across the thickness of the LC material. Application of a non-static voltage across the LC produces changed optical transmission that is manifested as flickering.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pixel cell and a process for forming a pixel cell which minimizes flickering due to current leakage in the pixel cell circuit.
Another source of image flicker is the appearance of DC offset voltage across the liquid crystal material. Because of certain physical properties of LC material, LC displays typically alternate between positive and negative biases of equivalent magnitudes over successive write states.
In the conventional pixel cell shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the layers of material enclosing the LC are not symmetrical. Specifically, the LC is sandwiched between an active electrode composed of a reflective metal, and a passive electrode composed of an optically transparent material such as ITO. This asymmetry in orientation of material boundaries around the LC gives rise to a DC offset voltage across the LC. This DC offset voltage can disturb the equivalency in magnitude of the positive and negative biases applied to the active electrode over successive write states. This bias variation at the electrode can in turn cause flickering of the image.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pixel cell and a process for forming a pixel cell which prevents flickering due to a DC offset voltage across the LC material.
An additional problem with the conventional LC pixel cell is that the intervening REC between the active pixel electrodes and the LC material increases the necessary voltage to induce a change in orientation of the overlying LC. This increased voltage requirement means that the underlying switching transistors must be capable of withstanding the high voltages, complicating fabrication and increasing the cost of the device.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pixel cell and a process of forming a pixel cell that places the electrically conducting active pixel electrode as close as possible to the overlying LC in order to reduce the voltage requirements of the cell.
A further problem with the conventional LC pixel cell is the space occupied by the device. Because of intrinsic limitations in the permitivity of the dielectric material formed between the DDD region and the polysilicon element, the storage capacitor structure depicted in FIG. 1B occupies large amounts of silicon substrate surface area. This space consumption is amplified by utilization of many individual pixel cells to form an array.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a pixel cell and a process of forming a pixel cell which occupies a smaller surface area.
The present invention provides a pixel cell and a process flow for forming a pixel cell that features a plurality of transparent conductive pixel electrodes formed over a grounded reflective metal backplane. Intervening between the electrodes and the backplane is a reflectance enhancing coating generating constructive interference of incident light reflected by the underlying backplane. This pixel cell architecture enhances the storage capacitance of the pixels by creating capacitive coupling between the active electrode and the grounded metal backplane. The pixel cell of the present invention also reduces the incidence of dark lines associated with non-reflective inter-pixel regions, lowers voltage requirements, and prevents flickering attributable to asymmetrical orientation of different material layers about the LC.
A process flow for forming a pixel cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of forming an intermetal dielectric layer, and forming a first via and a second via through the intermetal dielectric layer. The first via is filled with electrically conducting material to form a first via plug, the first via plug in electrical communication with an underlying capacitor structure. The second via is filled with electrically conducting material to form second via plug, the second via plug in electrical communication with a ground. A reflective metal layer is formed over the intermetal dielectric layer. The reflective metal layer is etched to form a non-grounded metal portion in contact with the first via plug and a grounded reflective metal surface in contact with the second via plug. A dielectric layer is formed over the grounded reflective metal surface and the non-grounded metal portion. A third via is formed through the dielectric layer. The third via is filled with electrically conducting material to form a third via plug, the third via plug in electrical contact with the non-grounded metal portion. An optically transparent electrically conducting pixel electrode is formed on top of the dielectric layer and in electrical contact with the third via plug.
A pixel cell in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention comprises an intermetal dielectric layer having a first via and a second via filled with electrically conducting material, the first filled via in electrical communication with an underlying capacitor structure and the second filled via in electrical communication with a ground. A reflective metal backplane is positioned on top of the intermetal dielectric layer, the reflective metal backplane including a non-grounded metal portion in electrical contact with the first filled via and a grounded reflective metal surface in contact with the second filled via. A dielectric layer is positioned on top of the reflective metal backplane, the dielectric layer including a third via filled with electrically conducting material. A transparent electrically conducting pixel electrode is positioned over the dielectric layer and in electrical contact with the third filled via.
The features and advantages of the present invention will be understood upon consideration of the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Pixel cell for silicon LC light valve having enhanced storage capacitance


An automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device with which a driver can conveniently control the length of a steering rack-stroke as needed for changing a minimum turning radius, the device including: a rotational body rotatively arranged at both ends of a power cylinder of a steering system; a stop plate fixed at a rack for inserting or overlapping to the center of the rotational body according to the rotational state of the rotational body when the rack is pulled to the power cylinder to the maximum extent; and an actuator for rotating the rotational body forwards or backwards under the control of a control unit which is manipulated by a driver with an operational switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device and more particularly to an automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device with which a driver can conveniently control the range of a steering rack-stroke as required for changing a minimum rotation radius, thereby providing convenience for the driver.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In driving an auto vehicle, a driver makes frequent U turns. In case of a vehicle with a large minimum rotation radius, a U turn cannot be completed by one trial, but with several adjustments, which brings about inconvenience and disruption in driving, an aggravating a problem during traffic congestion.
Recently, there has been introduced a model of a large passenger vehicle with an entire length of over 5000 mm in addition to large-scale cargo trucks or family vans, thereby worsening the aforementioned problem of making a U turn.
In addition, the problem as such gets more serious with any vehicles with front engine and front wheel drives because the engine is horizontally positioned to occupy a large space of the engine room, so that it gets difficult to accommodate a steering space for setting up a steering angle of the front wheel.
Furthermore, according to a conventional method for setting up a rack-stroke of a steering gear box for steering operations, the rack-stroke is set up to maintain a gap from side members of a body and the related parts to the minimum assumed that a maximum cross-sectional size of a tire is measured under a worst driving condition where a snow chain is wound at a front wheel (driving wheel).
However, there is a problem in that if the rack-stroke of a steering gear box is set up as described above, a rotation size of a wheel is made with an overall surface including a largest tire utilized or a snow chain mounted to a regular tire, such that in case of using only a regular tire or a tire without a snow chain to the regular tire, the gap to an actually interfering object point gets bigger.
There is another problem in that the aforementioned problem occurs when a U turn is made in the course of a regular driving at a low speed in a city, and in most cases, although a steering handle can be allowed to make a further wider turn, the rack-stroke is set up at its worst condition.
Particularly, although the minimum rotation radius is a factor to significantly affect the quality of a product like large passenger cars or any other front driving vehicles, the rack-stroke of steering gear box is still inefficiently constructed as described above.
Therefore, the present invention is disclosed to solve the aforementioned problem and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device with which a driver can conveniently control the range of a steering rack-stroke as required for changing a minimum rotation radius, thereby providing convenience for the driver.
In order to accomplish the aforementioned object of the present invention, there is provided an automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device comprising:
a rotational body rotatably arranged at both ends of a power cylinder of a steering system;
a stop plate fixed at a rack for inserting or overlapping to the center of the rotational body according to the rotational state of the rotational body when a rack is pulled toward the power cylinder to a maximum extent; and
an actuator for rotating the rotational body back and forth under the control of a control unit is manipulated by a driver with an operational switch, the operational switch being operable independently of a steering wheel of the steering system.

Automotive steering rack-stroke adjusting device


A data pushing method and a related apparatus are provided. The data pushing method includes: obtaining, by a terminal, a target identifier of a target positioning base station; obtaining, by the terminal, a broadcast data stream delivered by an access device, where the broadcast data stream includes information data corresponding to identifiers of multiple positioning base stations; and extracting, by the terminal from the broadcast data stream, target information data corresponding to the target identifier. According to the present disclosure, spectrum resources are reduced, and server load is lightened.

With development of network technologies, in some public places, a server generally needs to use an access device to push some public information data to a terminal. Optionally, information data pushed to the terminal needs to be dedicatedly pushed based on a specific location area in which the terminal is located and according to the location area in which the terminal is located. Generally, when the terminal is located in a same location area, same information data is pushed. For example, in a location based service (LBS) distribution scenario of an indoor place such as a shopping mall or a supermarket, the terminal moves as a location of a user changes, and product information data corresponding to the specific location area in which the terminal is located needs to be pushed to the terminal. For example, when the user is located in a product display area, information data corresponding to the product display area is pushed to the user.
Generally, when information data corresponding to the specific location area in which the terminal is located is pushed, positioning base stations need to be deployed in different product display areas in the shopping mall. One positioning base station is responsible for location positioning of one product display area, and the positioning base station is mainly configured to assist the server in determining the location area in which the terminal is located. The positioning base station periodically broadcasts an indication message, and the indication message includes an identifier of the positioning base station and an access address of the server. When receiving the indication message of the positioning base station, the terminal accesses the server according to the access address of the server, and reports the identifier of the positioning base station to the server. The server obtains a location area corresponding to the identifier of the positioning base station, and delivers information data corresponding to the location area to the terminal. In this manner, each terminal is an independent entity. In a process of obtaining the information data, the terminal needs to occupy particular bandwidth to maintain a connection to the server. When a quantity of terminals is relatively large, plenty of spectrum resources are consumed. In addition, the server needs to consume particular compute power to process a request of each terminal, resulting in heavy server load.

Data pushing method and related apparatus


A method and apparatus for determining the setting time of a cement slurry. An acoustic shear wave signal is generated and introduced at a first location in the slurry. The signal is monitored at a second location for direct transmission of the shear wave signal. The time of first detection is determined at the second location which is taken as the setting time of the slurry.

Oilwell cementing operations are either `primary`, done in the course of drilling a well, or `secondary` (also termed `remedial`), for remedying deficiencies in primary cementing or to alter the well prior to production. Examples of `secondary` cementing processes are `squeeze cementing`, in which a cement slurry is forced through holes or slits in the casing into voids or porous rock formations, and `plug cementing`, during which a small volume of cement slurry is placed in the wellbore to prevent loss of drilling fluid during the drilling phase or to seal off a depleted zone during the production phase.
The basic component of cements in use today is so-called `ordinary Portland cement`, whose raw ingredients are lime, silica, alumina and iron oxide. A pulverised blend of these raw materials is fed into a rotating kiln where temperatures as high as 1500.degree. C. produce a molten mixture; on cooling, one is left with four principle mineral phases: `alite` (tricalcium silicate, abbreviated as C.sub.3 S); `belite` (dicalcium silicate C.sub.2 S); `aluminate` (tricalcium aluminate, C.sub.3 A); and `ferrite` (tetracalcium aluminoferrite, C.sub.4 AF). These four phases are taken from the kiln as a `clinker`, which is subsequently ground with gypsum (calcium sulphate) to produce ordinary Portland cement. The main chemical criterion for classifying Portland cements is the relative proportion of the four principle clinker phases.
Specifications for oilwell cements have been established by the API. There are currently eight classes of API Portland cement, designated Class A through H. These are classified according to the depth to which they are placed, and the temperatures and pressures to which they are exposed. Other physical parameters which appear in the API specification include the fineness of the cement powder and the performance of the cement slurry and set cement under standard tests. The performance tests include measurements of setting time, compressive strength, expansion and free water.
Because of the criticality of the setting time of a cement slurry and because of the complex nature of cement slurry compositions, it is necessary to determine the setting time for a given slurry composition experimentally before the slurry can be used in the field. The conventional method for estimating the setting time of a slurry is the API "thickening time" determined by placing a sample of the slurry in a consistometer in which a bob is rotated at elevated pressure and temperature and to measure the torque required to rotate the bob of the consistometer, the time at which the torque increases to 100 Bearden units being defined as the thickening time.
The thickening of cement is the result of the hydration process and it has been proposed to use ultrasonic measurement to monitor such processes. The article by Stepinsnik, Lukac and Loeuvacu in Ceramic Bulletin, 60, 481 (1981) describes the measurement of the reflection coefficient for ultrasonic shear waves in hydrating cement pastes. The reflected signals depend on several unknowns and must be processed to yield an estimate of the shear modulus. The article by Keating, Hamant and Hibbert in Cement and Concrete Research, Vol 19, pp 554-566, (1989) describes the measurement of the development of a shear modulus in hydrating cement paste by static methods.
The Ultrasonic Cement Analyzer from EG&G Chandler Engineering, Tulsa, Okla. USA, monitors the setting of cements by directly transmitting a compressional ultrasonic signal through a slurry to measure the development of compressional strength of the setting cement. This device also provides an indicator of "thickening time" based on a threshold detection of changes in compressional velocity in the slurry.

Method for measuring cement thickening times


A computer implemented method for simulating a physical process. The method includes storing in a memory a state vector for each of a number of voxels (i.e., lattice sites). Each state vector includes a plurality of integers, each of which corresponds to a particular momentum state of a number of possible momentum states at a voxel (lattice site) and represents the number of elements having the particular momentum state. Each integer has more than two possible values. The method also includes performing interaction operations on the state vectors that model interactions between elements of different momentum states and performing move operations on the state vectors that reflect movement of elements to new voxels.

This invention relates to computer systems for simulating physical processes, e.g., fluid flow.
The conventional approach to simulating high Reynolds number flow has been to generate discretized solutions of the Navier-Stokes differential equations, in which high-precision floating point arithmetic operations are performed at each of many discrete spatial locations on variables representing the macroscopic physical quantities (e.g., density, temperature, flow velocity). The fastest and most powerful computers available are used, and yet very limited and inexact results have been achieved. To keep run times manageable, very coarse grid resolutions are used, and even at those coarse resolutions there are unacceptable errors in the solutions due to accumulated round off errors inherent in performing successive floating point arithmetic operations.
There has long been an effort to replace the differential equation approach with what is generally known as lattice gas (or cellular) automata, in which the macroscopic-level simulation provided by solving the Navier-Stokes equations is replaced by a microscopic-level model that performs operations on particles moving between sites on a lattice. The goal has long been to find a microscopic-level model of particle interactions and movement that would produce the correct macroscopic results (i.e., variations in density, temperature, etc. as prescribed by the Navier Stokes equations).
The traditional lattice gas simulation assumes a limited number of particles at each lattice site, with the particles being represented by a short vector of bits. Each bit represents a particle moving in a particular direction. For example, one bit in the vector might represent the presence (when set to 1) or absence (when set to 0) of a particle moving along a particular direction. Such a vector might have six bits, with, for example, the values 110000 indicating two particles moving in opposite directions along the X axis, and no particles moving along the Y and Z axes. A set of collision rules governs the behavior of collisions between particles at each site (e.g., a 110000 vector might become a 001100 vector, indicating that a collision between the two particles moving along the X axis produced two particles moving away along the Y axis). The rules are implemented by supplying the state vector to a lookup table, which performs a permutation on the bits (e.g., transforming the 110000 to 001100). Particles are then moved to adjoining sites (e.g., the two particles moving along the Y axis would be moved to neighboring sites to the left and right along the Y axis).
Molvig et al. taught an improved lattice gas technique in which, among other things, many more bits were added to the state vector at each lattice site (e.g., 54 bits for subsonic flow) to provide variation in particle energy and movement direction, and collision rules involving subsets of the full state vector were employed. Molvig et al PCT/US91/04930; Molvig et al., "Removing the Discreteness Artifacts in 3D Lattice-Gas Fluids", Proceedings of the Workshop on Discrete Kinetic Theory, Lattice Gas Dynamics, and Foundations of Hydrodynamics, World Scientific Publishing Co., Pte., Ltd., Singapore (1989); Molvig et al., "Multi-species Lattice-Gas Automata for Realistic Fluid Dynamics", Springer Proceedings in Physics, Vol. 46, Cellular Automata and Modeling of Complex Physical Systems, Springer-Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg (1990) (all hereby incorporated by reference). These improvements and others taught by Molvig et al. produced the first practical lattice-gas computer system. Discreteness artifacts that had made earlier lattice gas models inaccurate at modeling fluid flow were eliminated.
At higher Reynolds numbers, flow at the surface of an object forms a turbulent boundary layer, which is a thin region of complex flow. Simulating flow within such a boundary layer is not currently practical, even with the improved lattice gas techniques taught by Molvig et al. in the publications referenced above. Prior lattice gas simulations, including the above referenced improved simulations of Molvig et al., have modeled the particle-boundary interactions using what could be termed a "bounce back" technique, in which a particle colliding with the boundary returns a particle with the same energy but in the opposite direction. This correctly produces a zero velocity at the surface of solid objects, but the simulation does not accurately model the boundary layer flow, particularly when the boundary layer is turbulent.

Computer system for simulating physical processes using multiple-integer state vectors


A vehicle display system includes a display device, a driver state determiner, and a display controller. The display device is configured to provide a display on a window of a vehicle. The driver state determiner is configured to determine whether a driver of the vehicle is in a normal state. The display controller is configured to control displaying of the display device, depending on whether the driver is in the normal state. The display controller is configured to control the displaying of the display device to provide a display for the driver when the driver is determined by the driver state determiner as being in the normal state, and to provide a display for an outside of the vehicle when the driver is determined by the driver state determiner as not being in the normal state.

The technology relates to a vehicle display system and a method of controlling the vehicle display system.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2013-114668 discloses a technique in which running data on a vehicle is analyzed and then a safe driving signal is generated to indicate which of safe driving, driving with fatigue, careless driving, and drunk driving corresponds to a driver's driving operation. This safe driving signal is displayed for the driver, thereby allowing the driver to assess a current state of his/her own driving operation.
Nowadays, a technique in which a state of a person is recognized on the basis of image information on his/her face is commonly used. As an example, Yuto Maruyama and Atsuko Matsuoka, "Introduction of Driver Monitoring System." Oki Technical Review, issue 220, volume 79, no. 2, November 2012, discloses a technique in which a state of a driver of a vehicle is monitored through facial recognition while the vehicle is running.

Vehicle display system and method of controlling vehicle display system


A synchronizing signal separating circuit for a television receiver, comprising: a source of a video signal having a line synchronizing signal component; a line synchronizing signal component separator having an amplitude selective stage and having a flywheel stage imparting a response time constant to the separator which enhances noise immunity; a delay circuit for the video signal, for example a multiple line delay, coupled ,between the video signal source and the separator; a control circuit coupled to the video signal source and evaluating the time positions of line synchronizing pulses of a plurality of successive lines to identify a kind of line phase disturbance in which the line phase of an entire raster is displaced, the control circuit supplying a control signal to the separator indicative of the kind of phase disturbance; and, the flywheel stage being temporarily rendered inoperative responsive to the control signal, for example by temporarily decreasing the response time of the separator, upon identification of the kind of line phase disturbance in which the line phase of an entire raster is displaced. The control circuit may comprise: a second line synchronizing signal component separator; a phase comparator; a digital memory for phase deviations determined by the phase comparator; and, a counter for phase deviatons which generates the control signal upon reaching a predetermined number of phase deviations.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of synchronizing signal separating circuits for television receivers.
2. Description of Related Art
In a television receiver, the line deflection circuit is provided with a high time constant in order to compensate for disturbances in the form of missing or temporarily wrongly phased line synchronizing pulses. A high time constant of this type is possible because the line synchronizing pulses coming from the transmitter are practically constant, with a high degree of accuracy in phase and frequency, and phase displacements in the line raster practically never occur.
In practice however, video signals having appreciable variations is in frequency and in the phasing of the line raster are also supplied to the television receiver. This is particularly the case when the video signal is delivered by a video recorder because the line frequency and the phasing of the line raster are then no longer constant, due to fluctuations in speed, stretching of the tape and other such effects. In particular, sudden alterations in the phasing of the line raster occur when the scanning video head runs at an angle across a plurality of adjacent tracks during a search process in a video recorder. If the time constant of the line deflection means in the television receiver then has the high value, the line deflection means cannot follow the new phase quickly enough and there will be geometrical distortions in the reproduced image. It is then necessary, and known, to switch the time constant in the line synchronizing means to a lower value for such a signal.
The sought after high degree of immunity to disturbance thus leads to a high time constant, while a signal having line pulses fluctuating in frequency or phase requires a smaller time constant. Consequently, a compromise is required as regards the dimensioning of the line deflection circuit in order to satisfactorily meet the two demands.
Known separating circuits can contain an amplitude selective stage and a flywheel stage which serves for suppressing disturbances. An adequate suppression of disturbance requires a flywheel stage which introduces a relatively high time constant in order to exclude the influence of missing individual synchronizing pulses or synchronizing pulses which are wrongly located in time. However, a rapid adaptation to alterations in frequency and phase of the line synchronizing pulses, for a signal from a video recorder for example, requires a small time constant. In practice, a compromise has to be struck between these two contrasting requirements or the time constants are switched in dependence on the type of signal.

Synchronizing signal separating circuit with controlled flywheel stage


A knife sharpener for the manual sharpening of knives that includes a knife clamp member having first and second clamping members, a guide member that defines upper and lower guide members, and a base member. Each upper and lower guide member includes a plurality of apertures sized and shaped for receiving a guide rod that includes a sharpening stone. The knife clamp member further includes embodiments assuring the knife blade is held securely and positioned between the first and second clamping members in the same position in which the knife blade was installed the last time it was sharpened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related generally to knife sharpeners, and more particularly, the present invention concerns knife sharpeners with clamping members having embodiments to correspond with the knife in order to assure the blade is being held firmly and in an exact repeatable position.
2. Brief Description of Prior Art
Knife sharpeners are known for aiding in the manual sharpening of blades. In one commercially available design, a knife blade is clamped between two clamp members and a sharpening stone is guided along the edge of a blade by a rod member secured to a sharpener stone holder and in communication with a guide member. However, this prior art sharpener clamp has some deficiencies. One major problem is that it is virtually impossible to clamp a knife blade between the two clamp members in the same position on the knife in which the knife was installed the last time it was sharpened. The distance between the guide edges of the flange and the cutting edge of the knife blade may be different. The position of the holder lengthwise of the blade may also be different. The holder may be at a slightly different angle relative to the blade. Even when the difference in the position of the holder from the last sharpening of a particular knife is relatively small, sharpening nonetheless requires grinding a new edge with a different angle to the surface of the blade and removing a relatively large amount of blade material. Consequently, sharpening takes a relatively long time, and each sharpening reduces the life of the blade. This is the general deficiency that the present invention is intended to address.