A system and method for execution of financial and data transactions includes a point-of-sale device configured to execute a transaction in which at least one good or service is sold to an individual having a card with a storage medium encoding a card number. The transaction is completed after said point-of-sale device receives a data transmission authorizing said transaction. The point-of-sale device is configured to communicate via the Internet with a first computing system. The first computing system stores a set of instructions that cause the first computing system to evaluate the transaction to determine whether the transaction is to be authorized, and to send a transmission authorizing the transaction via the open network to said point-of-sale device.

FIG. 1 depicts a typical credit card transaction, as it is presently carried out. As represented in FIG. 1, the process begins with a credit card holder 100 providing his credit card to an attendant located at a point-of-sale device (e.g., cash register) within a merchant setting 102, as represented by operation 101. In response, the attendant typically "swipes" the card through a magnetic strip reader that is coupled to the point-of-sale device. Thus, cardholder information, including the name of the cardholder and the credit card number, is transferred from the storage medium on the card to the point-of-sale device.
The point-of-sale device combines the cardholder information with transaction information (including total price of sale and merchant identification), and sends the combined data set to an acquirer or third-party processor 104, as represented by operation 103. The third-party processor 104 responds by forwarding the data set to the card association's (e.g., Visa, American Express, etc.) proprietary transaction network 106 (operation 105), whereby the data set is routed to the issuing bank 108, as shown in operation 107.
Upon reception of the data set, the issuing bank 108 checks the proposed financial transaction against a set of credit rules and either approves or denies the financial transaction. If approved, the approval traverses the identical path, in reverse sequence, (operations 109, 111 and 113) to reach the point-of-sale device at the merchant location 102. Thereafter, the card-issuing bank 108 forwards a monetary sum equal to the sale price to the merchant's bank 110 by way of a similarly complex set of data transactions, as represented by operation 115 (typically, a processor is used as an intermediary that forwards the monetary sum to the merchant's bank 110). At the expiration of the billing period, the cardholder 100 pays the sales price (plus interest and finance charges) to the card-issuing bank 108 (operation 117).
The aforementioned scheme exhibits certain shortcomings. For example, by virtue of using a proprietary network to communicate data between the merchant 102 and the authorizing entity (the card-issuing bank 108, in this case), expense is incurred in the establishment and maintenance of that network. This expense is ultimately borne by the merchant 102. Another disadvantage of the use of a proprietary network is that relatively small amounts of data can be transmitted from the merchant's point-of-sale device, due to infrastructural and cost limitations. This means, for example, that the cardholder cannot be presented with detailed information regarding a given transaction in his monthly statement. In certain circumstance, existing credit card technologies do provide for occasional inclusion of information concerning the content of a given transaction. However, such information is not gathered at a point in time that is contemporaneous with execution of the transaction. It is, instead, gathered well after the execution of the transaction. Given this delay in gathering data, certain advances presented herein are presently not possible in the context of presently existing credit card technologies.
Other shortcomings also inhere in the aforementioned scheme. Personal identification information is typically both printed or embossed on the credit card and encoded on its magnetic strip. This necessitates a delay between the point in time at which a credit card applicant is approved for a credit card and the point in time at which the applicant may receive the credit card (the applicant's personal information is printed and encoded on the card in the intervening period). Additionally, because the storage mechanism used by credit cards is a magnetic strip, a magnetic strip reader must be interfaced with the point-of-sale device. This generates additional expense, which has the tendency to discourage small businesses from accepting such credit cards. Furthermore, there presently exists a movement afoot to introduce radio frequency identification (RFID) devices into credit cards. Such an initiative also involves significant infrastructural investment, which, again, has the tendency to discourage small businesses from accepting such credit cards.

System and method for new execution and management of financial and data transactions


Disclosed herein are system, method, and computer program product embodiments for an audio monitoring and event-conflict signaling system. An embodiment operates by receiving airport audio communication originating from an airport control tower (ATCT) of an airport with one or more runways or a flight deck of an aircraft. The system determines one or more keywords corresponding to a runway event affecting operations of a particular runway of the airport. The system detects, within the airport audio communication, a conflict comprising a correspondence between the airport audio communication and one or more of the keywords, and notifies the ACT of the conflict.

Air traffic controllers (referred to herein, interchangeably as "controllers" or "tower controllers") in an Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) are responsible for managing the operation of runways at airports. Controllers check the status of runways and clear aircraft and other vehicles to use the runway. Controllers rely on visual checks to determine whether a runway is operational/free/in-use, before clearing an aircraft to use the runway. For example, when a runway is closed for an extended period of time, airport maintenance personnel will often physically place visual indicators, such as barrels or other warning signs on the runway to alert control tower personnel not to clear any aircraft to use the runway. However, for some runway closures, such as short-term closures, maintenance personnel will not place visual indicators on the runway, in which case the controllers must rely on their memory (if it was even communicated to them that a runway is closed) to determine whether or not a runway is open or closed.
In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical or similar elements. Additionally, generally, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the drawing in which the reference number first appears.

Audio monitor and event-conflict signaling system


Disclosed is a pressure valve connectable between a fuel injection pump and the fuel injection valve of an internal combustion engine. The valve includes a cylindrical valve closing member which moves due to the pressure of fuel from the pump and expells a quantity of fuel to the injection valve. A throttling passage is provided as a bypass to the closing member and guarantees a stable pressure in the fuel supply conduit when the closing member is in open position. To neutralize reflected pressure waves in the supply conduit after injection the valve closing body is delayed by the throttling passage during its return movement into closing position. In addition, a check valve is arranged in the closing member which controls the stable pressure to a desired value.

The invention relates in general to a pressure valve for use in fuel injection system of a motor vehicle, and in particular, to a pressure valve of the type which includes a connecting adapter or socket arranged between a work space of a fuel injection pump and an injection valve of an internal combustion engine.
A pressure valve of this kind has been described in German publication No. 3,112,100. This known pressure valve includes a disc or plate acting as a valve closing member, the disc being provided with an annular web acting as a valve seat which abuts against a plate shaped valve body. During the supply of fuel the valve closing member separates the pump side of the supply conduit from the injection valve. The valve closing member moves against the force of a resetting spring by a distance which when multiplied by the area of the valve closing member determines the volume of injected fuel less the volume flowing on the circumference of the valve body. During the injection interruption the valve closing member by the action of the resetting spring returns gradually to its seat on the valve body whereby the volume of fuel expelled during this return movement flows partially through a throttling passage which is formed between the valve body and the wall of the closing member.
The disc-shaped valve closing member of this kind however, has the disadvantage that it slants easily and under circumstances it can be become clamped. Moreover, there may occur also an irregular impact of the annular web on the valve seat formed by the valve body, especially when the valve closing member is not exactly guided in the radial plane. Furthermore, the prior art valve does not guarantee that after completion of the fuel supply the corresponding fuel injection valve is not momentarily opened by pressure waves reflected between the pressure valve and the injection valve. In this manner an undesired additional injection of fuel may occur. Provided that the cross-section of the throttling area on the valve closing member is made so large that the pressure waves are quickly neutralized, it may still happen that the static pressure before the actual closing of the pressure valve drops to such an extent that exhaust gases from the combustion space of the engine may penetrate in the fuel injection system.


The uncoated side of a running web-shaped substrate, the other side of which carries a layer containing an evaporable solvent, is contacted by at least one idler guide roller which is rotated by the substrate. The angle of contact between the uncoated side of the substrate and the peripheral surface of the guide roller is increased by streams of compressed conditioning gas which is discharged by the orifices of two venturis one of which is located immediately upstream of the guide roller and directs gas counter to the direction of advancement of the substrate. The other venturi is located immediately downstream of the guide roller and its orifice discharges gas in the direction of advancement of the substrate.

The invention relates to apparatus for treating running webs or strips of flexible material. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in apparatus for treating (especially drying) web- or strip-shaped substrates which are coated at one side, e.g., with one or more layers of an adhesive substance containing a surplus of moisture (such as an evaporable solvent) which must be expelled prior to further treatment of the substrate.
It is known to train a coated web-like substrate over one or more rotary guide members in the form of rollers or drums while the substrate is being treated with a gaseous fluid, e.g., with a heated gas which is to expel moisture from the substrate and/or from its coat or coats. Apparatus of such character are known as drum type dryers and are often used to expel solvent from one or more layers which are applied to one side of a running substrate. Expulsion of moisture (such as an evaporable solvent) entails a solidification of the applied layer or layers. As a rule, the gaseous conditioning medium is caused to impinge directly upon the outer side of the single layer or upon the outer side of the outermost layer at one side of the running substrate. This entails rapid drying of the material at the exposed side of the single layer or at the exposed side of the outermost layer, and the thus obtained hardened film prevents evaporation of moisture from the inner stratum or strata of the layer or layers. Thus, the moisture which is caused to evaporate in the inner stratum or strata of the layer or layers at one side of the substrate is entrapped between the substrate and the hardened film at the outer side of the single layer or at the outer side of the outermost layer or layers.
The temperature of the gaseous conditioning medium can be lower than the temperature of the substrate, for example, if the temperature of the substrate has been raised during the preceding drying of the applied layer or layers. Such conditioning step then constitutes an additional operation which must be carried out prior to further processing of the substrate and contributes to the overall cost of the combined coating and conditioning operation.

Apparatus for drying a moisture-containing layer at one side of a running substrate


An image simulation method and system which is capable of preparing images in a simple way by running image editing tools without programming by a compiler language. The image simulation system includes a computer system for preparing an embedded image in a way that parts of a digital image or the image textures or patterns are embedded in any of several digital background images, with its geometrical shape deformed, or with color data changed as needed, or for preparing an image, color data of which are changed at particular portions thereof. The system further includes circuitry for changing the geometrical shape in preparing the embedded image, for changing the color data, for designating embedding positions, and for storing selection data for the image to be embedded, selection data for the background image, and control data for the images and such processes, and for reproducing the images on the basis of the data set up in advance.

The present invention relates to an image simulation method and system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an image simulation system that can simulate any of several articles as to the article's appearance, shape, and similar data by way of embedding of existing images, changing of their colors, or similar processes, to prepare a new embedded image.
Conventionally, there have been many applications for image simulation in which a digitally represented image (background image) can have parts of a different image (embedding image) embedded thereon or parts of the images can be changed. As an example, a scene (background image) can have only a car shown in an embedding image taken out to embed thereinto. This is described in an article of the Journal of the Institute of Electronics, Information and Communication Engineers, vol. 74, No. 4, pp. 392-397. Detailed description of such an embedding process will be given later.
The image simulation techniques can be classified into two groups with respect to their objects. The first is that of making images themselves. This is called the "image preparation" here. Image preparation comprises preparing a desired image at a high degree of freedom in a way in which various executions of features, such as position designations, geometrical changes, and color changes, are frequently repeated. This specification will not explain such image production processes. The images shown on a computer display are for general purpose.
The second group of image simulations techniques is for use in interactive presentations. As an example, such simulation can be used by a dealer at a car sales room for explanation of a car to a customer. The simulation will be available to show an appearance of the car having optional parts added different from those of the original one. It also will be available to show a color of the car different from the original one. In the second group only parts of the car are designated, with remaining ones fixed, as it is redundant to specify all the parameters, including color changes and geometrical changes. The screen should have information needed to introduce the car, particularly in explanation of the car at the shop, without unnecessary data.
The present invention is direct to an image simulation system for such a presentation in the second group mentioned above.
It is common in setting up the prior art image simulation systems for presentation to design a screen for each of applications and to prepare a program with use of a compiler language, such as the C language. Alternatively, general-purpose basic modules for geometrical manipulation and color change are arranged for efficient use before being combined together in coding.
On the other hand, there has been proposed a system called the AVS (Application Visualization System) by Stardent Inc., US, an object of which is to process images, although it is in a field apart from image simulation. This system has a network editor that can show on its screen rectangular block to represent ones corresponding to the basic modules mentioned above. These are selectively connected together on the screen to prepare an image processing program. That is, programming can be done by manipulation only on the screen, without coding by the compiler language. To accomplish features which are not prepared by the basic modules, however, new modules have to be defined by coding with use of the compiler language. This was described in an article of the Eizo Joho, Vol. 1, pp. 51-57, 1991.
There have been many disclosures or products for information retrieval systems in view of recent hypermedia. A typical one is a system in which buttons and icons may be defined on its screen, and any of them may be picked for a desired operation. Designation of the buttons and the icons can be made on the screen by use of a mouse or a simple language. The system is much simpler than one which uses a compiler language. However, to accomplish features other than prearranged ones, such as movement of a page, it also is necessary to prepare and input modules coded by the compiler language. The system was described, for example, in an article of the Bit, Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 174-180, 1988.
In turn, the following describes an embedding process for digital images which is a typical one of image simulation in detail.
(1) Preparing background images and embedding images. For example, the background images include a landscape, and the embedding images are cars. PA1 (2) Separating areas (called the masks) in which images are embedded. For example, only a portion of the car is cut out. PA1 (3) To embed the area cut out of the embedded image onto the background image, the following operations are made.

System and method for image simulation permitting editing with common data


An automated "two-up" in-line mailing (AIM) system of the type comprising a continuous sheet web supplier (11), a sheet cutter (13), a registerer (15), a folder (17), a collector sequencer (19), and an envelope inserter raceway (21) is controlled by indicia on a sheet web. A control system includes scanners (55) for sequentially sensing the web indicia (57) upstream of a cutting blade (64) and trailing edge sensors (37, 53) at discharge ends of two collectors (23, 25) in the collector sequencer (19). The two collectors (23, 25) are positioned at discharge ends of channels of the folder (17) for receiving two-up folded individual sheets (61, 63). One collector (25) accumulates the sheets from both the folder (17) and the other collector (23) in sequential order in piles for subsequent discharge.. In one embodiment, the collector sequencer (19) is positioned upstream of the folder (17).

This invention relates generally to the art of sheet handling machines, and more specifically to such machines for preparing mass mailings.
Automated in-line mailing (AIM) systems have been designed including cutters, register tables, folders, collectors, and inserters. In such a system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,973 to Hams a cutter receives a preprinted sheet which it cuts into individual sheets. These sheets are sequentially automatically fed to the register table, which straightens them and feeds them to a folder. The folder, in turn, folds the sheets into appropriate sizes and feeds them to a collector which collects the folded sheets until a set corresponding to one letter is collected. The collector then ejects, or "dumps" the set, or letter, onto an insert raceway which moves the letter through insert stations. Appropriate inserts are deposited at the insert station onto the letters. Thereafter, the inserts and letters are stuffed into an envelope which is closed for mailing.
AIM systems have been designed in which indicia are placed on the preprinted sheet web to control operations of various elements of the above-described AIM system. Again, an automated AIM control system of this nature is disclosed by Hams in U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,973.
A difficulty has been encountered in integrating the operations of the various elements of an AIM system as described above when a computer letter in a "two-up" mode is used and the pages of the letter are to be printed sequentially from left to right. Thus, it is an object of this invention to provide an AIM system whereby multiple page letters printed sequentially in a "two-up" configuration from left to right can be assembled into a single letter set in which the numbers of pages may vary from letter set to letter set.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a control system for such an AIM system which responds to instructions contained in indicia preprinted on a sheet web containing the pages of the letter.
It is also an object of this invention to use the elements of existing automated in-line mailing (AIM) systems such as that of Hams in U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,973 coupled to the collector sequencer of the present invention to provide a capability not now available.


Methods, systems, and computer program products for authenticating a terminal with a server based on multiple environmental factors. Each of the multiple environmental factors relates to a configurable hardware-independent characteristic of the terminal. Each of the multiple environmental factors is defined at least by an identifier and a value. The identifier identifies a respective environmental factor and the value indicates a state of the respective configurable hardware-independent characteristic. The multiple environmental factors constitute an environmental authentication information for authenticating the terminal with the server.

Various password generation and terminal or user authentication mechanisms are known. Conventional authentication is often time consuming and a user needs to remember his or her credentials, such as a password. Strong classic passwords are difficult to remember and can be stolen easily. Some authentication procedures include multiple stages in which the user has to input credentials and verification information multiple times. Password-less authentication generally requires the introduction of equipment or devices, such as fingerprint scanners or iris scanners.


A method for sequencing the exiting of a cut tape segment from a tape roll feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus of a mailing machine having a tape roll drive and cut tape segment ejection device and in which a cut tape segment from the tape roll is ejected in an opposite direction from the feeding direction of the feeding of tape of the tape roll drive as it feeds the tape for printing includes the steps of feeding the tape in the feeding direction for a first predetermined time period for extending a predetermined length of tape, further feeding the tape in the feeding direction to create a trail edge margin to assure that the tape is not cut shorter than a minimum length, printing on the tape; then feeding the tape in the opposite direction until one of a first and second conditions occurs, the first condition being the sensing of a leading edge of the tape by a sensor and the second condition being feeding the tape in the opposite direction beyond a second predetermined time period, then at times when the first condition occurs cutting the tape with a cutting apparatus to create the cut tape segment and subsequently ejecting the tape segment from the roll tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus, and at times when the second condition occurs feeding the tape in the tape feed direction to alleviate a tape jam condition.

This application is one of the following five related patents and applications concurrently filed directed to a tape feeding, cutting and ejecting apparatus for a mailing machine: Ser. No. 08/203,132, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,287 for Roll-Tape Knife Control for a Tape-Cutting Apparatus in a Mailing Machine; U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,214 for Method for Initializing a Tape Feeding, Cutting and Ejection Apparatus for a Mailing Machine; Ser. No. 08/203,459, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,539,052 for Method for Controlling Speed in a Tape Feeding, Cutting and Ejection Apparatus for a Mailing Machine; Ser. No. 08/203,461 for Method for Control of Length of Imprint for a Mailing Machine; and, U.S. Pat. No. 5,415,484 for Method and Apparatus for Cutting Mailing Machine Roll Tape, all assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
In addition it is related to the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,392,703; 5,392,704; and 5,390,594; all assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Mailing machines are well known. Generally, mailing machines comprise a postage meter for printing an indicia on a piece of mail or on a tape and a feed base for transporting mailpieces or tapes for printing by the postage meter. Tape feeding mechanisms have typically not been incorporated into small mailing machines because of the costs involved. There are additional considerations in the design of these machines. One of the problems to be dealt with is the lack of access to the tape paths in a mailing machine. Typically any tape jams in these areas cannot be cleared by the operator and therefore require a service call.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,736 describes a mechanical device for feeding tape strips which includes a prevention means for preventing successive feeding of tape strips unless a lever has been returned to a predetermined position. U.S. Pat. No. 5,174,824 describes a tape feeding mechanism which utilizes a solenoid actuation for increasing the receiving aperture of the tape guide in order to prevent jams.

Method for preventing jams in a tape ejecting apparatus


A scroll compressor includes a stationary scroll and a rotary scroll rotated by a motor-driven crankshaft. The crankshaft has parallel passages therein which communicate at their lower ends with a pool of lubricating oil. A first of the passages coincides generally with the axis of rotation of the crankshaft at an inclination thereto, and a second of the passages is eccentrically offset. The crankshaft drives a pump which creates a suction in the passages to conduct oil from the pool to the scrolls. A control member is connected to the crankshaft for rotation therewith and is responsive to centrifugal force for gradually closing the second passage as the crankshaft speed exceeds a predetermined value. The amount of oil which is conducted is thus proportional to the crankshaft speed.

Field of the Invention
The invention is related to a lubrication oil volume control device for use in a scroll compressor, and more particularly to a lubrication oil volume control device which is able to properly control the lubrication oil volume in accordance with a change in the angular speed (rpm) of the crankshaft in the scroll type compressor.
Scroll type compressors are used in household appliances such as a refrigerator and the like, since a conventional reciprocating type compressor generates a noise by its piston movement and occupies more volume than a scroll type compressor.
A conventional scroll type compressor is provided with a cylindrical chamber. An oil reservoir is formed in a bottom portion of the chamber which stores the lubrication oil. A power converting means is positioned above the oil reservoir for allowing the crankshaft to be rotated by a rotor and a stator enclosing the rotor. A compressing portion having a fixed scroll member and an orbiting scroll member is located at an upper portion of the chamber, for sucking lubricating oil through a suction passage installed at a bottom part of the crankshaft and supplying it to the compressing portion where it is needed.
However, the prior art device has a problem in that poor operation of the compressor occurs due to an excessive or insufficient oil volume which results from a volume control failure.
In order to prevent such problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 282183/1987 discloses a lubricator for a compressor. The lubricator can feed a sufficient quantity of lubricant even at the start-up or during low speed rotation of the compressor by fixing a pump rotor to the lower end of the main shaft to perform a centrifugal pumping action to an eccentric lubrication hole. The lower end section of the main shaft is surrounded by a pumping housing. A suction pipe is positioned on the bottom of the pumping housing. The pump rotor has a pressure feed groove and a through hole housing. Sealing members are provided respectively between the pump rotor and the pump housing and the supply pipe.
However, the lubricator in this invention is susceptible to leakage due to aging of the sealing member caused by time and by the chemical properties of oil and by other aging factors.

Lubrication oil volume control device in a scroll type compressor


A method and article for optically encoding copies of a printed document to make the copies unreadable to a casual observer uses a mask having alternating transparent and opaque, white-colored areas placed over the document prior to making a first photocopy of the document, referred to as a first coded half. The opaque regions of the mask, which preferably are spatially periodic, obscure portions of printed letters to make the first coded half unreadable. The mask is then shifted in location relative to the document so as to position transparent regions of the mask over formerly obscured areas, and vice versa. A second photocopy, or second coded half is then made. The first and second coded halves are then physically transmitted or telefaxed to a recipient, who must superimpose the first and second coded halves to render the document readable.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for enhancing the confidentiality of printed or typed messages. More particularly, the invention relates to a method and article for transmitting photocopies and telefax messages in a manner preventing a casual observer from reading messages contained in the documents.
B. Description of Background Art
Photocopying machines, perhaps as well as any other modern technological development, typifies that class of devices that causes many of us to "wonder how we ever did without them." Thus, many businesses, organizations and other enterprises, even small ones, possess one or more photocopying machines.
As is true of most every technological development, photocopying machines can be misused. Moreover, the use of photocopying machines can sometimes have effects not desired by the management of the organization or enterprise possessing the machine, for the following reasons.
In almost any organization, memos, letters or other documents are sometimes generated which contain sensitive information, which the author wishes be kept confidential. When copies of such sensitive documents are made on a photocopying machine, it would sometimes be desirable to prevent the contents of the document from being read by a casual observer. The present inventor is unaware of the existence of any simple prior art system which addresses the problem of making photocopied documents readily readable by an intended recipient, but unreadable by a casual observer.
Another office machine which is coming into widespread use at an even more rapid rate than the photocopying machine is the facsimile transmitting machine or "telefax." Telefax messages are most often transmitted from one location to a relatively remote location, whether that be a location across the street, across town, or half way around the world. Therefore, the sender of a telefax message frequently has little, if any, control over who might view the message.
Telefax machines optically scan an original document and produce a digital data stream corresponding to an image of the document. Thus, standard data encryption devices and methods may be used to transmit secure telefax messages. However, such devices and methods are generally complicated and costly.
In view of the considerations stated above, it would seem to be desirable to make available a simple, low cost method for making secure photocopies and telefax transmissions, secure being defined here as being unreadable by a casual observer. The present invention was conceived of in response to a perceived need for such a security system for photocopies and telefax messages.

Security system method and article for photocopiers and telefax machines


A waste removing apparatus is used in a punching machine for manufacturing a carton and removes a waste region of a sheet inserted between a movable die and a fixed die by cutting the sheet along a punching line formed thereon. Two molded plates are provided on the movable die and the fixed die, respectively so as to sandwich a product region of the sheet therebetween. The molded plates have areas slightly smaller than the area of the product region to reliably separate the waste region of a sheet from the product region thereof, even though the sheet is thin and, as such, flexible.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a waste removing apparatus for use in a punching machine for manufacturing a carton and, more particularly, to an apparatus for separating the waste region of a sheet, on which a punching line is formed in a previous process, from the product region of the sheet inserted between a fixed die and a movable die by inserting blades mounted on both the fixed and removable dies into blade inserting portions so as to remove the waste therefrom.
2. Description of the related art
Heretofore, according to a known waste removing apparatus for use in a punching machine, a sheet 1 having a required line (L) formed on a sheet (S) as shown in FIG. 12 is transported to, for example, a waste removing apparatus as shown in FIG. 13 so as to remove a waste region 2 from the sheet 1. Thus, a product (P) is manufactured.
The waste removing apparatus for use in a die-cutting machine shown in FIG. 13 is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 61-49080. According to the disclosure, a fixed die 3 has nicks 4 formed in the periphery of sheet cutting portions and a plurality of curved leaf springs 6 are spaced at certain intervals from each other in a product region sandwiching region 5 thereof, and a movable die 7 has blades 8. The movable die 7 is moved toward the fixed die 3 so as to insert the blades 8 into the corresponding nicks 4. Thus, the waste region 2 is stripped from the sheet 1.
According to a known waste removing apparatus, in order to separate a waste region, whose configuration is complicated, from a product region, a projection whose configuration is similar to that of the waste region is mounted on a movable die and a pin is mounted on a fixed die. The pin is moved upward by a driving mechanism and brought into contact with the projection with the waste region sandwiched between the projection and the pin. Thus, the waste region, or the waste is removed from the apparatus.
In the waste removing apparatus shown in FIG. 13, the leaf springs 6 are mounted on the fixed die 3 at certain intervals therebetween in the product sandwiching area 5. Therefore, the product region (P) of the sheet 1 to be die-cut is supported by the leaf springs 6 alone, i.e., the product region (P) of the sheet 1 is partially supported. According to this construction, a thick, or a hard sheet such as a cardboard can be held to be flat, but a thin, or a soft sheet such as boxes of cake, cosmetics and the like is flexed between the leaf springs 6. Thus, in the case of a thin sheet, the waste region 2 cannot be separated reliably from the product region (P) by the waste removing apparatus.
In addition, even though the sheet 1 is thick enough to be supported partially by the leaf springs 6 without being flexed, the product region (P) is likely to wrinkle when the product region (P) and the waste region 2 are separated from each other. This is because when the product region (P) is sandwiched between the movable die 7 and the fixed die 3, pressure cannot be applied thereto uniformly, i.e., pressure applied to the product region (P) supported by the leaf springs and that applied to the product region (P) not supported thereby are different from each other. When ten to twenty product regions to be formed into small containers such as boxes of cake or cosmetics are punched from a sheet, needless to say, it is necessary to punch many portions. Therefore, unless the sheet 1 is uniformly supported by the leaf springs 6, the waste region 2 cannot be reliably stripped from the sheet 1.
In the apparatus having a projection similar to that of the waste region and a pin to be moved upward by a driving mechanism in correspondence with the movement of the projection, it is necessary to mount the pin on the fixed die at a correct position thereof, which necessitates troublesome work. Further, the pin is disposed in the space in which wastes fall after the waste region is separated from the product region. Thus, the pin obstructs the smooth falling of the waste.


A catadioptric objective includes a plurality of optical elements arranged along an optical axis to image a pattern from an object field in an object surface of the objective to an image field in an image surface region of the objective at an image-side numerical aperture NA with electromagnetic radiation from a wavelength band around a central wavelength λ<300 nm. The optical elements include a concave mirror and a plurality of lenses. The projection objective forms an image of the pattern in a respective Petzval surface for each wavelength λ of a wavelength band, the Petzval surfaces deviating from each other for different wavelengths. The plurality of lenses include lenses made from different materials having substantially different Abbe numbers. A longitudinal departure p of the Petzval surface at a given wavelength from a planar reference surface at an edge field point of the image field (at maximum image height y′) measured parallel to the optical axis in the image surface region, varies with the wavelength λ according to: dp/dλ<(15λ/NA2)/nm.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a catadioptric objective. The objective may be configured as catadioptric projection objective which may be used in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus to expose a radiation-sensitive substrate arranged in the region of an image surface of the projection objective with at least one image of pattern of a mask that is arranged in the region of an object surface of the projection objective. The invention also relates to a projection exposure apparatus which includes such catadioptric objective.
2. Description of Related Art
Microlithographic projection exposure methods and apparatus are used to fabricate semiconductor components and other finely patterned components. A microlithographic exposure process involves using a mask (reticle) that carries or forms a pattern of a structure to be imaged, for example a line pattern of a layer of a semiconductor component. The pattern is positioned in a projection exposure apparatus between an illumination system and a projection objective in a region of the object surface of the projection objective. Primary radiation from the ultraviolet electromagnetic spectrum (UV radiation) is provided by a primary radiation source and transformed by optical components of the illumination system to produce illumination radiation directed at the pattern of the mask. The radiation modified by the mask and the pattern passes through the projection objective, which forms an image of the pattern in the image surface of the projection objective, where a substrate to be exposed is arranged. The substrate, e.g. a semiconductor wafer, normally carries a radiation-sensitive layer (photoresist).
Various types of primary radiation sources are currently used in the field of microlithography. In some cases, a laser is used as primary radiation source. A natural bandwidth of the laser may be narrowed by appropriate bandwidth narrowing devices. For example, a natural bandwidth of about Δλ=500 pm may be reduced by three orders of magnitude to obtain radiation having a bandwidth Δλ≈0.5 pm used for the exposure. Where radiation with a relatively small bandwidth is used for the exposure, chromatic aberrations caused by the optical elements of the projection objective may be kept relatively small without specific efforts for chromatic correction (correction of chromatic aberrations).
The situation is different in microlithographic systems having primary radiation source emitting ultraviolet radiation from a relatively broad wavelength band. For example, a mercury vapour lamp or a light emitting diode (LED) may be used as primary radiation source. Specifically, projection exposure systems having a central wavelength λ=365.5 nm±2 nm (so-called i-line system) have been in use for a long time. Those systems utilize the i-line of a mercury vapour lamp, the natural bandwidth thereof being limited to a narrower utilized band width Δλ of about 2 nm with the aid of filters or in some other way. Other spectral lines of a mercury vapour lamp may also be used for exposure, such as the mercury h-line at about 405 nm and the mercury g-line at about 436 nm. The electromagnetic spectrum of each of the lines is relatively broad, thereby requiring that the projection objective should provide a relatively efficient correction of chromatic aberrations in order to ensure low-aberration imaging even with such broad band radiation at the required resolution. Chromatic correction is also required if it is desired to use a laser source at the natural line width or a laser source having only moderate line width narrowing.
Chromatic aberrations occur basically because of the fact that the index of refraction, n, of transparent optical materials varies as a function of the wavelength λ. In general, the index of refraction of optical materials is higher for shorter wavelength than for longer wavelength. Chromatic aberrations may be subdivided into different categories. A first category of chromatic aberrations includes deviations of position, shape and/or size of images formed at different wavelength from an ideal image. This accounts for the fact that an image is formed for each wavelength in a paraxial region, and the images usually differ in position, shape and/or size. The chromatic aberrations of the first category are usually referred to as "axial chromatic aberration" (or axial color, AX) and "chromatic difference of magnification" (or lateral color, LAT).
Axial chromatic aberration is the longitudinal variation of paraxial focus (or image position) with wavelength. Where the index of refraction of an optical material is higher for shorter wavelength than for longer wavelength, the short wavelengths are more strongly refracted at each surface of a lens element so that, in a simple positive lens, for example, the relatively shorter wavelength rays are brought to a focus closer to the lens than the relatively longer wavelength rays. The paraxial distance along the optical axis of the lens between the two focus points is the axial chromatic aberration. When the shorter wavelength rays are brought to focus closer to the positive lens than the longer wavelength rays, the longitudinal axial chromatic aberration is usually termed "undercorrected" or "negative".
When a lens system forms images of different sizes for different wavelengths or spreads the image of an off-axis point into a color fringe, the difference between the paraxial image heights for different colors is usually denoted lateral color or chromatic difference of magnification.
The chromatic variation of the index of refraction also produces a variation of monochromatic aberrations, which may be summarized in a second category of chromatic aberrations. The variation of monochromatic aberrations include the chromatic variation of spherical aberration, the chromatic variation of coma, the chromatic variation of astigmatism, the chromatic variation of distortion and the chromatic variation of image field curvature.
In some cases, blurred images with low contrast particularly near the outer edges of extended image fields have been observed in objectives used with relatively broadband radiation sources.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Chromatically corrected catadioptric objective and projection exposure apparatus including the same


A print engine/controller (10) configured to be coupled with others to drive an ink drop printhead (33). It has an interface (27) at which to receive compressed page data. Image decoders (28, 88) decode compressed image planes in the received compressed page data. A half-toner/compositer (29) composites respective strips of the decoded image planes and sends output to a printhead interface (32). A printhead interface (32) interfaces with the printhead. A synchronization signal generator (89,90) outputs a synchronization signal that is used to synchronize print engine/controllers. One printhead interface (32) acts as master generating the synchronization signal to synchronize all the print engine/controllers to drive the printhead at any one or more of higher speed, higher input resolution, higher outlet resolution or wider format. The printhead interface (32) includes an input (91) at which a signal determines if the print engine controller is a master controller or a slave. The halftoner/compositor (29) scales input image planes under control of a margin unit (57) set the print engine/controller to establish print data for a strip only of the image, the image being built from the respective strips from the multiple print engine/controllers.

In the prior art a single print engine/controller controls a single printhead. However this solution does not scale well for wider format printheads, for high resolution input images, or for faster printing. For wide format printheads the controller chip has to be made to run faster in order to print the same number of printlines, each of which is now longer. Or if the printhead is to run faster the print controller has to be run at a faster clock speed. Or if the input image has a higher resolution then the controller chip has to have more buffers internally or run faster or both in order to process the effectively larger input image since it is a higher resolution.
A range of printer types have evolved wherein an image is constructed from ink selectively applied to a page in dot format. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,710 titled 'Self-aligned construction and manufacturing process for monolithic printheads' to the inventor Kia Silverbrook there is set out an assessment of the prior art to drop on demand printers along with its manufacturing process.
Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending applications/granted patents filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention on 23 May 2000:
Ser. Nos. 09/575,197, 09/575,195, 09/575,159, 09/575,132, 09/575,123, 09/575,148, 09/575,130, 09/575,165, 09/575,153, 09/575,118, 09/575,131, 09/575,116, 09/575,144, 09/575,139, 09/575,186, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,681,045, 6,728,000, Ser. Nos. 09/575,145, 09/575,192, 09/609,303, 09/610,095, 09/609,596, 09/575,181, 09/575,193, 09/575,156, 09/575,183, 09/575,160, 09/575,150, 09/575,169, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,644,642, 6,502,614, 6,622,999, 6,669,385, 6,549,935, Ser. No. 09/575,187, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,727,996, 6,591,884, 6,439,706, 6,760,119, Ser. No. 09/575,198, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,290,349, 6,428,155, Ser. Nos. 09/575,146, 09/608,920, 09/575,174, 09/575,163, U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,591, Ser. Nos. 09/575,154, 09/575,129, 09/575,124, 09/575,188, 09/575,189, 09/575,162, 09/575,172, 09/575,170, 09/575,171, 09/575,161, 10/291,716, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,428,133, 6,526,658, 6,315,399, 6,338,548, 6,540,319, 6,328,431, 6,328,425, Ser. No. 09/575,127, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,383,833, 6,464,332, 6,439,693, 6,390,591, 09/575,152, 6,328,417, 6,409,323, 6,281,912, 6,604,810, 6,318,920, 6,488,422, Ser. Nos. 09/575,108, 09/575,109, 09/575,110.
In addition, various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are disclosed in the following co-pending United States patent applications filed simultaneously by the applicant or assignee of the present invention: U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,398,332, 6,394,573, 6,622,923.
The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by cross-reference.
Of particular note are co-pending U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/575,152, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,428,133, 6,526,658, 6,328,417, 6,390,591, which describe a microelectomechanical drop on demand printhead hereafter referred to as a Memjet printhead.
The Memjet printhead is developed from printhead segments that are capable of producing, for example, 1600 dpi bi-level dots of liquid ink across the full width of a page. Dots are easily produced in isolation, allowing dispersed-dot dithering to be exploited to its fullest. Color planes might be printed in perfect registration, allowing ideal dot-on-dot printing. The printhead enables high-speed printing using microelectromechanical ink drop technology.
In addition, co-pending U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 09/575,108, 09/575,109, 09/575,110, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,398,332, 6,394,573, and 6,622,923 describe a print engine/controller suited to driving the above referenced page wide printhead.
A single print engine/controller (PEC) chip is capable of driving a printhead of the above referenced type, printing a dithered version of a 320 ppi contone image over a 12 inch printhead. It is desirable to be able to print higher resolution images for higher quality output. It is desirable to be able to run the printhead faster.

Print engine/controller to work in multiples and a printhead driven by multiple print engine/controllers


A method for fabricating a contact is provided. First, a substrate is provided. A patterned first material layer is formed over the substrate. The first material layer is fabricated using a conductive material. Thereafter, a treatment operation is performed to transform a portion of the first material layer into a second material layer with insulating properties. The second material layer is located on sidewall sections and a top section of the first material layer. A dielectric layer is formed over the second material layer and the substrate. A portion of the dielectric layer and the second material layer are removed to expose the first material layer. Because a treatment transformation is used to reduce the dimension of contacts, this invention eliminates the limitations associated with forming a contact through an etching process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of fabricating a contact.
2. Description of the Related Art
In semiconductor manufacturing, photolithographic and etching processes are often used to pattern out contacts. As the level of integration continues to increase, the critical dimensions of each device is reduced. In other words, using photolithographic and etching processes to pattern out very small contacts is increasingly difficult.
On the other hand, very small contacts are required in some applications. For example, micro contacts are fabricated inside a chalcogenide memory unit.
Chalcogenide memory is a type of non-volatile memory. Chalcogenide is a special type of material that undergoes a phase change (a transition from an amorphous state to a crystalline state) when subjected to heat so that data can be written into or erased from the memory unit. In a chalcogenide memory unit, the area of contact between the chalcogenide material and the electrode is called a chalcogenide active region. The active region is located within a contact opening so that the dimension of the active region is the size of the contact opening. When a current pulse passes through the active region, a phase change of the chalcogenide material inside the active region occurs. In general, current density of the current pulse is related to the area of the active region. When the contact opening is small, the active region is small and hence a large current density is produced. If the current density is large, the current required to program data into the chalcogenide memory unit is small.
Thus, with an increasing level of integration and the importance of forming micro contacts in the aforementioned area, several methods for fabricating micro contacts have been developed.
One method of fabricating a micro contact has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,111,264. In this method, spacers are formed inside a contact opening to reduce an overall dimension of the contact. However, the spacers are formed in photolithograhic and etching processes. Due to the limitation of the photolithograhic and etching processes in the patterning of micro features, a spacer with an uniform thickness is hard to produce and the ultimate reduction of the contact size is quite limited.
Another method of fabricating a micro contact has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,287. In this method, a hard mask layer with small openings is formed to serve as an etching mask to form the micro contact opening. Because the process of forming the hard mask layer still relies on the formation of spacers to reduce the size of openings, problems similar to the aforementioned disclosure still exist.
Yet another method of fabricating a micro contact has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,114,713. In this method, a photoresist layer is formed over the areas predefined to form contacts. Thereafter, the photoresist layer is used as an etching mask to perform an isotropic etching operation so that a micro contact is formed underneath the photoresist layer. However, the size of the contacts obtained through this method tend to be non-uniformed due to considerable difficulties in controlling the etching operation.
Although the aforementioned methods can reduce the average size of contacts, each method has some limitations. Therefore, a method for forming micro contacts with as little setbacks as possible is still a major area of investigation in semiconductor production.


A toner for electrophotography and a process for producing the same are disclosed. The toner is formed from particles which are formulated from at least a cured composition which contains at least a binder resin having an unsaturated double bond, and can also contain a reactive monomer, a radical-polymerization catalyst, and a catalyst. The resulting particles each have a crosslinking density that gradationally increases from the center towards the surface of the particle. The toner of the present invention is fixable at low temperatures, has no problems associated with storage stability in practical use, and can be firmly fixed to receiving paper.

With the recent spread of copiers and printers which are based on electrophotography, accompanying demands have been made that these copiers and printers be energy-saving (diminished power consumption), particularly in the are of domestic use, possess an increasing number of functions, and be capable of being operated at a higher speed particularly for the so-called gray area located between printing machines and copiers. There also is demand for copiers or printers which can be operated at a lower rolling pressure to thereby simplify the fixing-roll and reduce machine cost. In addition, since copiers that have a double-side-copying function or are equipped with an automatic document feeder have spread widely, due to the trend toward shifting to higher-grade copiers, the electrophotographic toners employed in such copiers and printers are required to have a low fixing temperature, to be less apt to cause offset, and to display excellent affixing strength to receiving paper so as to avoid smearing during both-side copying and automatic document feeder operations.
To meet the requirements described above, the following prior art techniques, which involve utilizing a binder resin having an improved molecular weight or improved molecular weight distribution, have been proposed.
Specifically, an attempt has been made to employ a binder resin having a reduced molecular weight to thereby attain a lower fixing temperature. However, the reduction in molecular weight has also resulted in a reduced viscosity and a lower melting point. Consequently, offset to the fixing roll may result. To avoid this offset phenomenon, a technique of modifying the molecular weight distribution of the binder resin by widening the low-molecular-weight region and high-molecular-weight region thereof and a technique of crosslinking a high-molecular part of the binder resin have been employed. However, use of these techniques necessitates a reduction in the glass transition temperature of the resin so as to impart sufficient fixability to the toner, which unavoidably impairs the storage stability of the toner formed.

Toner for electrophotography and process for producing the same


A self-supporting staircase of which the treads are mounted on structural elements which interconnect in series to form an ascending center post. Each structural element comprises two spaced cylinders connected by a radial arm, the upper end of the first cylinder telescoping with the lower end of the second cylinder of an adjacent element in the series. Means is provided for securing the elements together. Thus the assembled elements are horizontally offset from each other to the extent required by the successive treads mounted on the elements.

The invention relates to a self-supporting free standing staircase including a center post or spar which is comprised of individual structural elements having treads fixed thereon. Each of the individual structural elements has at one end a top annular surface area and at the other end an annular bottom surface area. These two surface areas are tightly secured by means of screws.
In staircases of this type, the individual structural elements are required to be tightly secured together to insure the safety of the stairway with regard to its load capacity, as well as the prevention of any possible rotational movements of the structural elements. At the same time, it is desirable for the structural elements to be adjustable as to their angular positions to one another so that the stairway may be given, as far as possible, the desired curvature.
In the staircase disclosed by the German Pat. No. DE-PS 1,685,613, the structural elements consist of horizontal hollow profiles which are secured together at their ends by vertical clamping screws. To obtain the desired step rise, a spacer sleeve is positioned between the tightened ends of the hollow sections. To facilitate the attachment of the tread boards, the rectangular profile sections are provided with laterally extending brackets. This construction is material and labor intensive because a great many different parts have to be assembled and adjusted. A serious disadvantage is that the clamping screw, which is positioned substantially centrally with respect to the vertical spacer sleeve, requires considerable prestressing to insure a uniform widespread load distribution over the joint surface areas of the pressure tubing, and simultaneously, to prevent a lifting of the pressure tubing.
Similarly, the aforementioned disadvantages are also inherent in the prior art construction disclosed in the German Published Patent Application DE-OS No. 2,623,523, which basically covers the construction discussed previously and is distinguished from it essentially only by the different construction of the spacer sleeve. This spacer is made adjustable in its length by a thread so that the step rise can be adjusted.
German Pat. No. DE-PS 2,060,480 discloses a self-supporting staircase in which the individual members of the center pole or shaft are made of reinforced (steel) concrete and are directly secured to each other by a single clamping screw to facilitate their rotatability. Also in this prior art construction, the stresses in the region of the surface areas which are tightly fastened together, and also in the clamping screw, are considerable. The load capacity of the stairway is on the whole reduced.
To overcome these problems, German Pat. No. DE-PS 2,129,753 proposes a supporting structure for a flight of stairs in which the individual elements of the center post or shaft, which are made of steel, have tubular sections welded thereto which are adapted to be telescopically inserted into each other. At the desired depth of insertion and mutual rotational position, these metal tubing sections are clamped together by balls encased in holes in the inner tube and pushed by a tapered pin against the outer tube section.
This construction is extremely involved and thus expensive. Moreover, it has the disadvantage that the necessary clearance or play between the two telescoping tubular sections tends to be cumulative with the result that a sagging of the staircase may occur. It has the further disadvantage that the specific area pressure in the region of the balls is significant. In view of the necessary clearance between the tube sections it will be evident that the firm connection between the individual elements is established primarily by the balls, and that there is danger that the strong specific surface pressures may cause a flowing of the material and consequently, a relaxation or loosening of the connection. Furthermore, since the device consists of a multitude of parts, it is not impossible that some of them may be lost before the installation of the staircase is completed, especially the balls, unless special precautions are taken to retain the balls in the holes in which they are encased.
German patent No. DE-PS 1,683,276 discloses a self-supporting staircase having individual elements in the shape of supporting plates to the ends of which are welded bolt type projections of a relatively small diameter. The ends of these bolts are bevelled and are adapted to mate with similarly bevelled bores in which they are retained by relatively small screws. This bevelled fit makes this structure relatively complicated. Moreover, considerable stresses arise in the regions of the bevelled seats and also in the lock nuts, so that this structure is not suitable for conventional staircases. In addition, an angular orientation of the structural elements poses problems because the bevelled fit becomes so firmly interlocked at the slightest tightening of the lock nut that an angular adjustment is no longer possible. A further disadvantage is that an adjustment in the step rise is likewise impossible.

Self-supporting staircase with center post consisting of individual structural elements


A metal laminate gasket of the invention is used for an internal combustion engine. The gasket includes a main portion formed of at least two outer metal plates extending substantially throughout an entire area of the engine, a device for defining a first hole corresponding to a hole of the engine, and a coating applied onto a part of the defining device and one of the outer surfaces of the metal plates. The defining device are attached to the outer metal plates and has a plurality of dents near the first hole to surround the same. The coating is filled in the dents to cover a substantial area of the outer surface. Therefore, the coating does not substantially flow to thereby improve sealing around the first hole.

The present invention relates to a metal laminate gasket having coating flow preventing dents around a hole, especially a cylinder bore of an internal combustion engine.
In an internal combustion engine having a cylinder head and a cylinder block, the cylinder head and the cylinder block are formed by molding. After molding the cylinder head and the cylinder block, since a gasket is installed between the cylinder head and the cylinder block, the surfaces contacting the gasket are finished or smoothed by a cutter.
Due to the finishing by the cutter, however, small dents or projections are formed on the surfaces of the cylinder head and the cylinder block. Although the dents or projections are small, such dents or projections affect sealing ability of the gasket. Therefore, a gasket is generally provided with coatings on the outer surfaces contacting the cylinder head and the cylinder block. The coatings fill the dents when the gasket is installed, and securely seal between the cylinder head and the cylinder block around the cylinder bore.
However, since the coating is weak against high temperature and pressure, the coating near the cylinder bore of the engine may flow as the gasket is used. As a result, a surface pressure around the cylinder bore reduces, so that the sealing ability around the cylinder bore is gradually impaired.
Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a metal laminate gasket, which can securely seal around a cylinder bore without causing flow of a coating formed on the gasket.
Another object of the invention is to provide a metal laminate gasket as stated above, wherein means to prevent flow of the coating can be easily formed on the gasket.
A further object of the invention is to provide a metal laminate gasket as stated above, wherein the means to prevent flow of the coating can be used for a desired metal gasket.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the invention.

Metal laminate gasket with coating flow preventing dents


A battery state-of-charge estimation apparatus includes: a storage that stores a charge SOC-OCV curve, a discharge SOC-OCV curve, and internal-division-ratio information; and a state-of-charge estimation unit, wherein: when a capacity difference between a battery before and after charging when the battery is charged when an intersection point is on the discharge SOC-OCV curve or when a capacity difference between the battery before and after discharging when the battery is discharged when an intersection point is on the charge SOC-OCV curve is less than a threshold, the state-of-charge estimation unit references the internal-division-ratio information to determine an internal division ratio; and the state-of-charge estimation unit estimates the state of charge of the battery using the determined internal division ratio, the open-circuit voltage of the battery after elapse of a predetermined time period since the end of charging or discharging, the charge SOC-OCV curve, and the discharge SOC-OCV curve.

An existing battery state-of-charge estimation apparatus estimates, by referring to a SOC-OCV curve indicating the correlation between the state-of-charge and open-circuit voltage of a battery, that a state of charge that corresponds to an open-circuit voltage of the battery is the state of charge of the battery. Patent literature 1 should be referred to.

Battery state-of-charge estimation apparatus


Fibrous structures containing one or more particles, and methods for making same are provided.

Fibrous structures comprising particles are known in the art. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, a water-insoluble polypropylene filament-containing fibrous comprising polypropylene filaments 12 and pulp fibers 14 is known in the art. In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, a water-insoluble starch filament-containing fibrous structure 16 comprising crosslinked, water-insoluble starch filaments 18 and pulp fibers 14 is known in the art. Further, as shown in FIG. 3, a water-insoluble starch filament-containing fibrous structure 16 comprising crosslinked, water-insoluble starch filaments 18 and water-insoluble particles 20 such as surfactant-coated polyolefin particles, surfactant-coated polyester particles and/or an aluminum silicate particles is also known. Further yet, FIG. 4 illustrates a fibrous structure 22 comprising water-insoluble thermoplastic polymer filaments 24 and water-insoluble organic and/or mineral particles 26.
However, consumers still desire new and improved fibrous structures comprising fibrous elements, such as filaments, for example water-soluble filaments and/or fibrous elements that comprise one or more active agents, and particles, such as active agent-containing particles, for example water-soluble, active agent-containing particles and/or water-insoluble particles.
The problem faced by formulators of fibrous structures is that consumers of fibrous structures desire more and different performance and/or properties from fibrous structures, especially fibrous structures that comprise particles.
In light of the foregoing, it is clear that there is a need for new fibrous structures that meet consumers' expectations in various applications.

Fibrous structures comprising particles and methods for making same


An apparatus for graphically checking for possible interference between bodies that are independently moveable with respect to each other, including CPU means for creating separate time sequential two dimensional images of the separate bodies in pixels of different colors, memory for storing superimposed pixel images of the bodies as a single frame wherein superimposed pixels are stored as a combined pixel of the superimposed colors, a parallel/series converter for scanning each row of the stored frame, and a comparator for comparing each pixel with the next succeeding scanned pixel and determining if a color difference exists between two adjacently positioned pixels, an interruption signal being generated when such color difference exists.

At the present time, CNC machine tools with a graphic display include an apparatus for graphically checking for interference between machining cutters that cut a workpiece or between a cutter and a workpiece clamp(chuck), before machining the workpiece in accordance with an NC program, by means of CRT display showing simulation of the machining process of the workpiece as graphical images so that operators can find the interference.
This apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool, displays workpiece shapes before and after machining the workpiece, chuck shapes, tail stock shapes, tool shapes on cutting tables or the like on a CRT screen, and displays a tool path in which the tool moves in accordance with an NC program on the CRT screen, and allows to monitor the interference. An example of this apparatus will be explained below.
FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the structure of an apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool of a machining program disclosed in the prior art. This apparatus includes a host computer 1 controlling the general operations of a numerical controller, a graphic controller 2, connected to the host computer 1, which controls screen information having a plurality of graphic images, a NO.1 frame buffer 3, connected to the graphic controller 2, which stores screen information including a graphic image of a body (any part of a workpiece or a tool) for machining in accordance with a machining program, a NO.2 frame buffer 13, connected to the graphic controller 2, which stores other screen information including a graphic image of another body for machining in accordance with the machining program, a NO.1 P/S converter 4 that receives parallel signals from the NO.1 frame buffer 3, converts the parallel signals into serial signals, and outputs the serial signals in accordance with a command signal from the graphic controller 2, a NO.2 P/S converter 14 that receives parallel signals from the NO.2 frame buffer 13, converts the parallel signals into serial signals, and outputs the serial signals in accordance with another command signal from the graphic controller 2. The apparatus also includes a comparator 8 that receives outputs from the NO.1 P/S converter 4 and from the NO.2 P/S converter 14, compares the outputs continually, and outputs an interruption signal to the host CPU 1 when it detects interference.
The comparator 8 detects interference whether or not the pixel data in the comparator 8, previously set by the host computer 1, indicates two different bodies for interference checking, are input at the same time. When it is determined that the pixel data are input at the same time, then it determines that there is interference.
A video driver 6 outputs a video signal, as screen information, to the video display unit 10, on which the graphic images are displayed, after combining the output from the first P/S converter 4 with the output from the second P/S converter 14.
Furthermore, the host CPU 1, the graphic controller 2, the NO.1 frame buffer 3, and the NO.2 frame buffer 13 are all connected to a bus line 9.
FIG. 2 is a sample drawing showing graphic images displayed on a screen in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, one screen information of a graphic image of a body to be displayed in red, stored in NO.1 frame buffer 3, is indicated as a graphic image. And another screen information of a graphic image of another body to be displayed in blue, stored in NO.2 frame buffer 13, is indicated as another graphic image. Screen information obtained by combining the screen information stored in NO.1 frame buffer 3 and the screen information stored in NO.2 frame buffer 13, is displayed on the video display unit 10 as a graphic image, indicating the place where the two bodies are overlap in purple.
The apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool in accordance with a machining program in a prior art, as can be seen in FIG. 2, is provided with screen information for as many of bodies between which interference will be checked. It is also provided with frame buffers for the screen information that stores the same, and a video display unit that displays screen information after combining screen information for each body stored in the each frame buffer. It checks for interference between the bodies by means of a comparator that detects the overlap of graphic images of bodies in the screen information. This apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool detects the interference when pixel information concurrently transmitted from NO.1 frame buffer 3 and NO. 2 frame buffer 13 are different. Namely, in the example shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool detects interference when the red pixel data output from NO.1 frame buffer 3 and the blue pixel data output from NO.2 frame buffer 13 overlap.
However, the prior art apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool in a has to be provided with as many frame buffers as there are bodies between which interference will be checked, and has to store the screen information of each body into each frame buffer. Therefore, there are problems that the size of the capacity of the frame buffers is increased, and that a long time and considerable manual labor are required for making the screen information, because operators have to prepare a number of screen information images equal to the number of parts, such as a workpiece and tools for checking for interference.

Apparatus for graphically checking for interference between a workpiece and a tool


An LED driving circuit is provided for driving an LED module, comprising a transistor switch and a feedback controller. The transistor switch has a control terminal, a first terminal, and a second terminal. The first terminal is coupled to the LED module and the control terminal receives a control signal for controlling a current passing through the transistor switch. The feedback controller receives a reference voltage and a current detecting signal indicative of the magnitude of the current and generates the control signal accordingly. The feedback controller is connected to a driving power source with level higher than the level of the first terminal of the transistor switch. Hence, the maximum level of an adjustable range of the control signal is higher than the first terminal of the transistor switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Light Emitting Diode (LED) driving circuit; in particular, to a LED driving circuit driven by constant current.
2. Description of Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a prior art LED driving device. The LED driving device comprises a constant current driver 10, a power supply 20, an LED module 30, and a current detecting resistor R. The constant current driver 10 comprises an error amplifier 12 and a transistor switch 14. The power supply 20 provides a driving current flowing through the LED module 30, the constant current driver 10, and the current detecting resistor R. The current detecting resistor R generates a current detecting signal indicating the magnitude of the driving current. An inverting terminal of the error amplifier 12 receives the current detecting signal, and a non-inverting terminal of the error amplifier 12 receives a reference voltage Vr, so that the error amplifier 12 may output a driving signal based on the current detecting signal and the reference voltage Vr. The transistor switch 14 includes a drain D, a source S, and a gate G, wherein the drain D is coupled to the LED module 30, the source S is coupled to the current detecting resistor R, while the gate G receives the aforementioned driving signal. The error amplifier 12 adjusts the level of the driving signal based on the current detecting signal and the reference voltage Vr, so as to modify the equivalent resistance of the transistor switch 14, thus allowing the level of the current detecting signal to be equal to the level of the reference voltage Vr, thereby achieving the objective of constant current.
The power source terminal of the conventional error amplifier 12 is connected to the drain D of the transistor switch 14, and therefore the highest level of the outputted driving signal thereof is the level of the drain D. In order to prevent poor performance in the LED driving device, the level of the drain D should not be overly high, and the maximum load current of the transistor switch 14 is accordingly restricted. In case that the LED driving device needs to be driven with greater current, and the level of the driving signal outputted by the error amplifier 12 is to be limited under the level of the drain D, it is inevitable to enlarge the die size of the transistor switch 14, causing undesirable increase in the cost of the constant current driver.


An electrophotographic photoreceptor comprising an electroconductive support having thereon a light-sensitive layer. At least the outermost layer of the light-sensitive layer contains (1) fine grains of at least one of a melamine-formaldehyde condensate and a benzoguanamine-formaldehyde condensate, and, as a binder resin, a polycarbonate resin comprising a constitutive unit represented by formula (II); or (2) fine grains of a benzoguanamine-melamine-formaldehyde condensate having an average grain size of from 0.03 to 4 .mu.m.

Since an electrophotographic device involves an advantage in that the printing speed thereof is high to give a high printing quality, it has widely been applied to various fields of duplicators and laser beam printers.
As an electrophotographic photoreceptor used in such an electrophotographic device, inorganic photoconductive materials such as selenium, selenium-tellurium alloys, selenium-arsenic alloys, cadmium sulfide and zinc oxide have widely been known. Organic photoconductive materials have come to be used to form an organic photoreceptor. For instance, development of charge generating materials such as polyvinyl carbazole compounds as well as bisazo compounds, perylene pigments and phthalocyanine pigments and low molecular weight charge transporting materials such as pyrazoline compounds and hydrazone compounds has been promoted and use of them is being popularized gradually. Regarding the constitution of the photoreceptor using organic photoconductive materials, a function-separated laminate structure composed of a charge generating layer containing Se/polyvinyl carbazole or the like and a charge transporting layer as separated from each other has been developed and has come to be utilized more popularly than the simple structure comprising a polyvinyl carbazoletrinitrofluorenone charge transfer complex or the single layer structure containing a charge generating material as dispersed in a binder resin, which have been developed previously. Thus, the capacity of the photoreceptor has been improved.
In general, a photoreceptor is continuously exposed to mechanical abrasion in an electrophotographic apparatus due to contact with the developing device, developing agent and cleaning device. Since the organic photoreceptor is mainly composed of organic materials, it involves a drawback that the mechanical strength is low. Thus, the thickness of the light-sensitive layer decreases or a toner would adhere onto the scratches as formed on the surface of the light-sensitive layer during the electrophotographic operation and, as a result, the scratches on the light-sensitive layer are printed as image defects or fog generates on white non-image areas in the printed images.
In order to overcome the drawback, an attempt has been made to improve the surface of the light-sensitive layer of a photoreceptor and to reduce the abrasion or scratches of the light-sensitive layer thereof so as to prolong the life of the photoreceptor itself.
For instance, various reports have heretofore been made of adding an abrasion-resistant fine granular material (hereinafter sometimes referred as "fine grains") to the surface layer of a light-sensitive layer of a photoreceptor so as to reduce abrasion of the light-sensitive layer and to reduce scratches on the surface of the layer. JP-A-2-2072 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") discloses a method of adding spherical powder of a hardening type resin to the surface layer of a photoreceptor, in which use of spherical silicone resins and the like is exemplified. JP-A-63-244039 discloses addition of a solid lubricant such as a metal soap; JP-A-1-205171 discloses addition of an inorganic filler; and JP-A-2-143257 discloses addition of surface-treated polyethylene powder.
However, if fine grains are added to the light-sensitive layer of a photoreceptor, the light as applied thereto is generally scattered by the added fine grains to lower the sensitivity of the photoreceptor or to retard the migration of the generated carrier, whereby the light attenuating characteristic of the photoreceptor is deteriorated to yield a high residual potential. As a result, addition of such fine grains causes various troubles of generation of fog, black peppers and dot-like non-image areas in the image formed.
Further, addition of such fine grains also causes still other various problems, depending upon the kind of materials for them. For example, fine grains of an inorganic material have a rapid precipitating rate in a coating composition so that the coating composition containing them involves a problem of stability. Conventional organic fine grains are insufficient with respect to the heat resistance and solvent resistance. Where electroconductive fine grains are added to a charge transporting layer, they noticeably lower the charged electric potential of the photoreceptor.
JP-A-63-2072 and JP-A-2-240659 disclose addition of a fine grains of a spherical melamine resin and fine grains of a benzoguanamine-formaldehyde condensate, respectively, to the light-sensitive layer of a photoreceptor.
In the case of adding fine grains of a melamine resin, the grains display an excellent effect for improving the abrasion resistance of the light-sensitive layer since the fine grains of a melamine resin are extremely hard and tough. However, since the grains have a high water-absorbing capacity so that when they are added to a photoreceptor, it causes potential trapping in the photoreceptor. As a result, the residual potential of the photoreceptor is noticeably elevated due to the addition of the powder so that the potential fluctuation under environmental variation becomes great. Thus, addition of the grains involves such various problems.
In the case of adding fine grains of a benzoguanamine-formaldehyde condensate to the light-sensitive layer of a photoreceptor, since the grains are coarse to have a large grain size of an order of 10 .mu.m. If such coarse grains are added to such a charge transporting layer having the largest thickness of from 10 to 40 .mu.m, the surface roughness of the surface layer of the photoreceptor would be great so that the uniformity of the latent image to be formed would be lost. As a result, poor images having much fog could only be obtained, defectively, by the use of the photoreceptor containing the grains.
As mentioned above, the prior art of improving the abrasion resistance of a photoreceptor still involves various problems.
The present invention has been made so as to overcome the problems in the prior art, in consideration of the current situation mentioned above.


An electrical harness system for communicatively coupling a first bus node to a bus controller includes a data bus including a first cable segment and a first data line and a second data line, the first and second data lines extending in parallel along a length of the first cable segment and being electrically coupled together at a first end of the data bus, the first bus node being connected to the first data line and not to the second data line, and first and second termination impedances electrically coupled to the first and second data lines at a second end of the data bus.

Recently, companies in the heavy-duty trucking industry have introduced new technology to improve the operation of the trailer; however, these systems are typically limited to a few features and considered a "closed system" in that they do not easily integrate into existing fleet management systems. Closed telematics platforms developed for the commercial vehicle market by large component manufacturers have led to multiple systems being deployed on a truck and trailer. These systems are often expensive, inflexible and allow for limited functionality to address the multitude of priorities that define the focus of today's commercial vehicle fleet managers. In most cases these systems also require additional cabling between the tractor and trailer, thereby leading to compatibility issues and higher costs.
Some conventional cable systems employ a twisted pair cable to connect together various devices on a bus. This linear network generally requires that bus-connected devices be located as close as possible and that terminating resistors be placed at the far ends of the bus to reduce reflections on the line. However, such linear networks are often inflexible in that they do not allow for easy expansion of the network, once the network has been set up. This makes it difficult for fleet managers to modify or update the existing electronic networks inside of the trailer.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


Apparatus for cutting paper sheets wherein a first knife, which is freely rotatable on a shaft, is movable sideways toward and away from a driven counterknife. The shaft is reciprocable in a carrier which is connected with one end of a reciprocable and turnable piston rod. The piston rod extends into a cylinder and is reciprocable by a spring and a membrane-like piston. The orientation of the first knife with respect to the counterknife can be changed by turning the piston rod with reference to the cylinder so that the piston rod can assume and is held in any one of several angular positions. To this end, the piston rod is rigidly connected with a radially extending projection which is disposed between two rollers mounted in the cylinder for movement at right angles to their axes. One of the rollers is biased against one side of the projection by a helical spring, and the other roller is movable at right angles to its axis by an adjusting screw which meshes with the cylinder.

The present invention relates to apparatus for cutting running webs of paper or the like. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in cutting apparatus of the type wherein a first rotary knife is movable sideways (namely, transversely of its axis of rotation) and axially toward and away from a second rotary knife.
German Auslegeschriften Nos. 1,024,341 and 1,156,635 disclose sheet cutting apparatus wherein a first knife, which is freely rotatable on its shaft, is movable sideways toward and away from a driven rotary counterknife. Once the first knife reaches a position wherein its marginal portion overlies the marginal portion of the counterknife, the first knife is moved axially so that the two marginal portions contact each other and the counterknife transmits torque to the first knife. The apparatus which are disclosed in the aforementioned publications further comprise means for changing the angular position of an elongated guide member which carries the first knife so that the inclination or orientation of the first knife with respect to the counterknife can be adjusted within a certain range. The means for normally holding the guide member against changes in angular position comprises a spring which is mounted in the guide member and extends into a slide bearing wherein the guide member is movable axially to shift the first knife sideways toward or away from the counterknife. The extent of angular play of the guide member with respect to the slide bearing must be minimal in order to insure that the inclination of the first knife with reference to the counterknife does not change while the cutting apparatus is in actual use. On the other hand, a certain amount of play must exist in order to enable the guide member to move the first knife sideways, i.e., to insure that the means for moving the guide member axially need not apply a pronounced force. It has been found that the wear upon the aforementioned spring and/or slide bearing is extensive, i.e., the extent of angular play of the guide increases gradually and often reaches a value at which the inclination of the first knife with respect to the counterknife is excessive.
The slide bearing is held in the selected position by screws which must be loosened in order to allow for changes in angular position of the slide bearing and guide member for the first knife. To this end, the screws extend into elongated slots of the slide bearing. The adjustment is time-consuming and unreliable because, when the screws are tightened again, some shifting of the slide bearing invariably occurs with the result that the final (adjusted) position of the slide bearing (and hence the inclination of the first knife with respect to the counterknife) deviates from the desired optimum position. Moreover, tightening of the screws entails at least some deformation of the material which is engaged by the heads of the screws, and this often suffices to prevent predictable adjustments of inclination of the first knife.

Apparatus for cutting paper sheets or the like


An image processing method includes (a) performing edge detection to an image to obtain a plurality of the edge pixels of the image; (b) performing partial PSF estimation to each of the edge pixels to generate a plurality of partial PSF estimation results; and (c) generating a PSF estimation result according to the partial PSF estimation results.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing method, and particularly relates to an image processing method utilizing a partial PSF estimation method and the utilized partial PSF estimation method.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating how a blurred image is formed. As shown in FIG. 1, a pixel P will be transformed to a blurred image region BP after passing a lens 101. Therefore a focus of an apparatus utilizing the lens 101, such as an optical microscope or a camera should be adjusted such that the pixel P can be transformed to a clear pixel. Normally, a mechanical adjusting mechanism is utilized to adjust the focus, that is, adjusting the mechanical structure of the apparatus to obtain suitable focus. However, such mechanism requires manual control (for example, on a microscope) and is inconvenient. In addition, since modern electronic devices tend to be compact and light, such mechanisms are not suitable for modern electronic devices.
One method to solve the above mentioned problems is by providing a specific lens, utilizing a transforming circuit to transform the pixel to a specific blurred image or a blurred image in a specific range, and an image processing method to recover the blurred image to an original image. However, such a method needs a specific lens, and a specific circuit to transform the outside image to form a specific blurred image, therefore it is not suitable for a normal apparatus.
Therefore, a new invention is needed to solve the above-mentioned problems.

Image processing method and related partial PSF estimation method thereof