A channel equalization scheme is provided. A linear equalizer using a continuous-time linear equalization and a decision feedback equalizer using a discrete-time decision feedback equalization are integrated together from a hybrid receiver equalizer. The continuous-time linear equalization scheme and the discrete-time decision feedback equalization scheme are blended using a joint adaptation algorithm to form an equalization scheme for inter-symbol interference cancellation in the hybrid receiver equalizer. The hybrid receiver equalizer controls crosstalk while maintaining signal bandwidth and linearity of a signal by the high-order high frequency roll-off of the linear equalizer used. Using this configuration, the hybrid receiver equalizer eliminates the need for adaptive bandwidth controller used in conventional low-pass receiver equalization schemes. The hybrid receiver equalizer can be used in receivers for dual-speed simultaneous transmission on the same physical link. The hybrid receiver equalizer can also be used in receivers for simultaneous forward and back-channel transmission using differential-signaling in multi-Gbps transceivers.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to the field of data transmission, and in particular to efficient receiver equalization techniques. Still more particularly, the present invention provides power and area efficient high performance equalization scheme for reliable high-speed data transmission.
2. Description of the Related Art
High-speed serializer/deserializer (SERDES) technology has been under active development in the recent 20 years and grows into a multi-billion dollar industry. Nowadays, this technology has been widely used in data storage systems, telecommunications, computer industries and many other fields. The desire for higher transmission bandwidth and speed never stops. Signal transmission involving one transmitter (TX), one pair of transmission media, and one receiver (RX) constitutes a single lane transmission. Ten years ago, people were struggling with designs reaching single lane transmission of 2 Gigabits per second (Gbps) in complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. Presently, that yard-stick has passed 10 Gbps.
Many legacy backplanes were originally designed for lower speed transmission of less than 3 Gbps. However, there exists eminent commercial value in deploying these backplanes for higher speed data transmission. A backplane is a circuit board, usually a printed circuit board, which connects several connectors in parallel to each other, so that each pin of each connector is linked to the same relative pin of all the other connectors, forming a computer bus. To adapt the existing backplanes for higher speed data transmission, many challenging technical issues must be solved. One issue involves channel non-idealities, which are characteristics of the transmission media that attenuate the transmitted signals. At data rate of 6 Gbps and above, the channel non-idealities causes signal loss, reflections, as wells as significant high frequency crosstalk. Signal loss is the loss of the strength of a signal. Another technical issue is signal reflection, which occurs when a signal is transmitted along a transmission medium and some of the signal power is reflected back to its origin, rather than being carried all the way along the cable to the other end. Reflection happens because of imperfections in the cable causing impedance mismatching and non-linear changes in the cable characteristics.
Crosstalk is a phenomenon by which a signal transmitted on one circuit or channel of a transmission system creates an undesired effect in another circuit or channel. High frequency crosstalk is crosstalk that occurs at high frequency transmissions.
A high-speed transceiver is made up of a high-speed transmitter (TX) and a high-speed receiver (RX), at opposite ends of a transmission medium, such as a backplane. A major consideration for high-speed transceiver design is crosstalk. Crosstalk results from parasitic inductance and capacitance coupling among the connectors, the printed circuit boards (PCB), the package, and the die. A package is the physical enclosure of a silicon chip that projects the connections to the actual chip in the form of pins exposed from the package. A die is the actual silicon on which the circuit is formed. Parasitic inductance and capacitance is impedance that is not taken into account when considering ideal circuit elements. This extra impedance usually has detrimental effects on the operation of circuits, reducing their bandwidth or enhancing their susceptivity to interference. Parasitic inductance and capacitance coupling is the parasitic impedance occurring among the components of a circuit. The amount of parasitic coupling is much stronger at higher frequencies than lower frequencies.
Similar to the insertion loss, crosstalk is frequency dependent. Insertion loss is the decrease in transmitted signal power resulting from the insertion of a device in a transmission channel and is usually expressed relative to the signal power delivered to that same part before insertion.
Crosstalk contributes to the noise portion of the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) seen at the slicer. A slicer is a single bit analog to digital converter that converts an analog signal to a digital bit 1 when the analog signal passes a certain voltage threshold and to a digital bit 0 when the analog signal voltage falls below the voltage threshold. Signal-to-noise ratio is the ratio of a transmitted signal to the background noise of the transmission medium.
Low-pass filter is a frequency filter circuit that passes low frequency signals and blocks high frequency signals. Conversely, a high-pass filter is a frequency filter circuit passes high frequency signals and blocks low frequency signals. A band-pass filter is a frequency filter circuit that passes a band of frequencies in a frequency bandwidth, while blocking frequencies that fall outside that band.
Transmission channels have inherent frequency bandwidth limitations. Most transmission channels pass frequencies on the low end of the frequency bandwidth without trouble but attenuate high frequencies. In this respect, transmission channels act as low-pass filter. Equalization is a technique to boost the amplitude of high frequencies in the signal so that both low and high frequency content in a signal is preserved through the transmission channel. Equalization is also known as channel equalization. An equalization scheme is a specific equalization technique. An equalizer is a circuit that implements an equalization scheme. A linear equalizer uses only the signal in the forward direction through a transmission channel to perform the equalization. A decision feedback equalizer makes an equalization decision based on feedback of not just the current bit received through the transmission channel but also that of certain previous bits that have previously been received through the transmission channel.
A decision feedback equalizer (DFE) can differentiate between the signal and the crosstalk and can provide equalization without crosstalk enhancement, but the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) does not suppress crosstalk. The amount of crosstalk must be mitigated for reliable link operation represented by high bit-error-rate (BER) rate. A transmitter (TX), a transmission channel, and a receiver (RX) form a transmission link. A link is a transmission link, and the operation of the transmission link is called the link operation. This need for mitigation is especially true for high-speed applications. A bandwidth filter can be applied to increase the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by suppressing the crosstalk above the signal-band through its stop-band attenuation. A bandwidth filter is a device that passes frequencies within a certain frequency range or bandwidth, and rejects or attenuates frequencies outside that range. An example of an analog electronic band-pass filter is a resistor-inductor-capacitor (RLC) circuit. These filters can also be created by combining a low-pass filter with a high-pass filter. A signal-band is the frequency range of the valid signal. A stop-band is the frequency range outside of the signal-band. Stop-band attenuation is the rejection of frequencies in the stop-band.
In one currently used technique, adaptive bandwidth controller has been applied between the receiver linear equalizer and the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) to mitigate the amount of crosstalk for hybrid linear and decision feedback equalization in the receiver. However, the adaptive bandwidth controller is problematic in that it couples the linear equalizer and the decision feedback equalizer (DFE). A cleaner way for crosstalk control between the linear equalizer and the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) would therefore be desirable.
To adapt the transmitter pre and post emphasis filters the error information has to be communicated back to the transmitter. A second currently used technique achieves simultaneous forward and back-channels by using the orthogonal property between the differential and common-mode signals to provide a separate pathway on the same physical channel. While in theory, the differential and common-mode signals are orthogonal, in practice, inevitable channel non-idealities lead to signal coupling between modes, causing signal integrity degradation in both domains. The common-mode back-channel transmission appear as noise to the differential receiver, degrading the signal integrity of the forward channel. The common-mode back-channel transmission also degrades the differential receiver's offset and sensitivity performance. As a result, the margin of the forward link degrades. To satisfy the tight noise budget in high performance applications, the back-channel signal has to be limited to a very small swing relative to the forward signal.
On the other hand, the strong differential signal severely degrades low-swing common-mode signaling through crosstalk, and through large common-mode noise that could be comparable to the common-mode signal swing. As a result, the common-mode signaling obtained is not reliable. Therefore, in using the second currently used technique, design trade-offs have to be made between forward and back-channels, which result in a performance hit at both links.
A typical decision feedback equalizer (DFE) has limited operating range in the signal amplitude that the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) can handle. Dynamic signal amplitude adjustment with environmental change is usually required to keep the decision feedback equalizer (DFE) working in the desired range. Some form of gain adaptation in the transmission link is required to keep the transmission relatively error-free over time. The second currently used technique achieves gain adaptation by adapting transmitter swing dynamically through back-channel. However, this approach demands frequent transmitter adjustment and it directly translates to the bandwidth requirement for the back-channel.
Furthermore, simultaneous forward and back-channel transmission on the same physical link is preferred as being the most independent and cost effective way for signal transmission through a physical link. However, when the forward and the back-channel share the same physical link, the forward and back-channels compete for the frequency band resources. The second prior art solves this issue by putting the back-channel and forward-channel signals into orthogonal relationship by using an elaborate common-mode and differential-mode transmission scheme.
However, this scheme suffers from drawbacks as described above. Additionally, changing transmitter signal amplitude in the middle of the transmission creates additional crosstalk on the neighboring channel because the transmitter signal is usually much larger than the receive signal, especially in the long-reach applications. This additional crosstalk is undesirable.

Band-pass high-order analog filter backed hybrid receiver equalization


A rotating playground device is presented. The rotating playground device comprises a frame configured to rotate, wherein rotation is initiated by a force applied to the frame. The rotating playground device also comprises a braking system configured to limit a speed at which the frame rotates. The rotating playground device is permanently mounted within a playground environment, wherein permanently mounted comprises a frame mounting point coupled to a ground point.

There are a wide variety of available playground devices. Some playground devices operate by spinning in a circular motion. Some examples include round-abouts, carousels, tire swings, and rotating rope swings. Rotating playground devices are designed to rotate based on an application of force, for example by a user pushing off the ground, or a nearby structure or by another individual providing a push or pull.


A multiphase regulator having a variable number of phases in operation and nominal current thresholds for indicating when to add or drop a phase is provided. A digital controller for the regulator includes digital circuitry configured to adjust the nominal current thresholds based on a measured or estimated temperature of the regulator, to yield adjusted current thresholds which are a function of temperature. The digital circuitry is further configured to modify the number of phases in operation based on the adjusted current thresholds and a measured or estimated current in the regulator. The regulator can be included in an electronic component having a load, power stages for providing phase currents to the load, and at least one fan for cooling the power stages and load. The digital controller controls operation of the regulator, including adaptive control of the number of phases in operation. Corresponding control methods are also provided.

Switching power supplies or voltage regulators/converters are widely used in high power applications because of their high efficiency and the small amount of area/volume consumed by such regulators. Widely accepted switching voltage regulators include buck, boost, buck-boost, forward, flyback, half-bridge, full-bridge, and SEPIC topologies. Multiphase buck converters are particularly well suited for providing high current at low voltages needed by highly integrated electronic components such as microprocessors, graphics processors, and network processors. Buck converters are typically implemented with active components such as a pulse width modulation (PWM) controller IC (integrated circuit), driver, power MOSFETs (metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors), and passive components such as inductors, transformers or coupled inductors, capacitors, and resistors. Parallel converters are also used in applications where high current requirements can be met by connecting multiple output converters in parallel and applying current sharing between them to meet the total output current requirement. The terms 'multiphase regulator' and 'parallel converter' are used interchangeably herein, as are the terms 'output phase' and 'output converter'.
Highly integrated electronic components typically require accurate voltage supplies capable of supplying large amounts of current and power, while maintaining tight voltage regulation and subject to tight implementation area constraints. A common power distribution scheme involves the use of an intermediate bus, where a higher voltage AC or DC bus is converted to an intermediate voltage, (e.g. 12V), and then multiple point-of-load voltage regulators are connected to this intermediate bus and step down the voltage to satisfy low voltage, high current demand of the electronic components. Multiphase buck converters are well suited for this sort of step down converter application, because multiphase buck converters are capable of supplying currents in excess of 50 A per phase at voltages below 1V, and are scalable by adding multiple phases in parallel and interleaving the operation of the phases. However, operating at low currents results in low efficiency as the power losses do not scale down as phase current decreases. Switching losses are the losses that occur due to high voltage and current experienced by the switch of a phase when transitioning from on to off state and vice-versa. Switching losses are insignificant at nominal to heavy loads, but at light load conditions, switching losses become more significant, reducing the efficiency of a multiphase converter system.
Proper power and heat management are critical to maximize system performance. This includes (a) maximizing both the peak instantaneous power delivered over a short duration (commonly referred to as burst or turbo mode operation) and the long-term time average power delivered over a longer duration, (b) maximizing the energy efficiency of the system, (c) powering system fan(s) to maintain component temperature within permitted operating limits, and (d) minimizing losses during low power operation such as in idle and sleep mode operation.
Multiphase buck converters which dynamically adjust the number of phases in operation, using phase shedding (dropping) techniques, are widely used to provide improved light load efficiency operation. This is particularly significant in systems where the load current is highly dynamic, bursty and variable over time. For example, in multicore and multiprocessor systems, it is generally preferable to fully load some processors while leaving other processors idle. In addition, it is preferable for cores to operate in a bursty, low latency manner, where high throughput processing is provided as soon as it is needed, and then resume idle or background operation after the task is completed.
In an intermediate bus type architecture, it is desirable to minimize both power and current capability of the intermediate bus, so that the intermediate bus can provide the time-average power needs, but not necessarily the worst-case peak power needs, so as to minimize power supply cost. However, this leaves the system vulnerable to operational failure when the power supply fails to deliver the necessary instantaneous power demand of the system.
A solution which maximizes the peak and average power demand, while also providing efficient light load operation, robust operation under peak load condition, and minimizing system cost is desirable.

Method and apparatus for multiphase regulator with thermal adaptive phase add/drop control


A sensitivity distribution is estimated for a multicoil used in multicoil fast imaging. Initial sensitivity maps M1 to M3 are produced respectively from images C1 to C3 acquired from the plurality of RF coils in the multicoil. By fitting TPS (thin-plate splines) to the initial sensitivity maps M1 to M3 used as target data, sensitivity maps M1′ to M3′ for unfolding are estimated. In fitting the TPS, functions are activated, such as automatic arrangement of control points, addition of target points to the outside of an image, use of a known model, and fitting to at least either absolute value components of MR data or phase components of the MR data. Thus, even if only coarse echo data is acquired from the region to be imaged, a sensitivity map of each element coil of the multicoil is estimated with high precision.

Magnetic resonance imaging is an imaging technique that magnetically excites nuclear spins of an object placed in a static magnetic field with the use of an RF signal at the Larmor frequency for the spins, acquires an MR signal emanated in response to the excitation, and reconstructs an image from the MR signal.
In the field of MR imaging, fast imaging techniques have been researched actively in recent years. As one example, there has been known fast imaging which is generically called parallel MR imaging using a plurality of RF coils. This parallel MR imaging technique has also been referred to, from a historical viewpoint, as a multicoil fast imaging technique, PPA (Partially Parallel Acquisition) technique, or subencoding technique.
This parallel MR imaging technique has been executed in various modes. In the initial stage, there were provided modes proposed by papers, for instance, "Carlson J. W. and Minemura T., Image Time Reduction Through Multiple Receiver Coil Data Acquisition and Image Reconstruction, MRM 29:681-688, 1993" and "Ra J. B. and Rim C. Y., Fast Imaging Using Subencoding Data Sets From Multiple Detectors, MRM 30:142-145, 1993."
There have been many techniques which have been upgraded from the initial ones. Among such upgraded techniques, included is a SMASH technique known by a paper "Sodikson D. K. and Manning W. J., Simultaneous Acquisition of Spatial Harmonics (SMASH): Fast Imaging with Radiofrequency Coil Arrays, MRM 38:591-603, 1997" and a SENSE technique known by a paper "Pruessman K. P., Weiger M., Scheidegger M. B., and Boesiger P., SENSE: Sensitivity Encoding for Fast MRI, MRM 42:952-962, 1999."
These types of parallel MR imaging techniques require a fundamental imaging configuration, in which, what is called a multicoil composed of a plurality of RF coils (element coils) is used to receive echo signals from the RF element coils simultaneously and to produce image data from the echo signal received from each RF element coil. On condition that the plurality of RF coils provide simultaneous reception, the number of encoding times assigned to each RF coil is reduced down to a value obtained by dividing "a predetermined number of encoding times necessary for image reconstruction" by "the number of RF element coils." This encoding technique leads to a smaller FOV for each image produced by an RF element coil, so that scan time is reduced, while the above encoding causes wrap-around or folding phenomena at the ends of each image.
FIG. 1 shows examples of images acquired by the parallel MR imaging technique under the condition of "the number of element coils=2." Pictures (a) and (b) in FIG. 1 illustrate images acquired from different element coils, respectively.
In the parallel MR imaging technique, the fact that a plurality of RF coils each have different sensitivity distributions is used for post-processing, that is, unfolding processing for plural images. The unfolded plural images are processed into a final full-FOV (field of view) image. The unfolding processing makes use of spatial sensitivity maps for each of the RF coils (element coils). In this way, parallel MR imaging provides fast scanning (fast imaging) and provides a wide field-of-view final image, such as an image covering the whole abdominal region.
The sensitivity maps are required to be obtained before a main scan each MR imaging time. Practically, image data acquired by a pre-scan (preparation scan) is subjected to predetermined calculation so that the sensitivity data can be obtained. The thus-obtained sensitivity data then undergoes low-pass filtering or polynomial fitting processing, with the result that sensitivity maps for unfolding processing can be provided. In this calculation, at least either an interpolation method or an extrapolation method may be usable.
However, a region where echo signal sources are abundantly present provides large amounts of sensitivity information (i.e., echo signals) about each RF element coil, but a region where there are few echo signal sources, such as a region outside an object to be examined and the pulmonary region of the object, provides only a small amount of sensitivity information about each RF element coil. Thus, it is difficult to apply the foregoing low-pass filtering and polynomial fitting processing to an image acquired from a region where the density of echo data (original data) sources to be acquired is coarse. In addition, if it is desired to adopt the extrapolation method, the spatial range in an acquired image to which the extrapolation method is applicable is smaller, thus frequently a difficult situation is faced where sensitivity distribution data cannot be expanded with precision.
Further, when applying low-pass filtering or polynomial fitting processing to an acquired image, a peripheral portion of the image frequently shows abnormal diverging data, thus making it difficult to obtain a smooth and stable sensitivity map.
As a result, the unfolding processing should be performed with the use of a sensitivity map which is lower in both precision and smoothness, resulting in artifacts that still remain in the full-FOV synthesized image finally obtained. The image has a deteriorated quality and is low in a depiction performance.

Parallel MR imaging using high-precision coil sensitivity map


This invention relates to solutions of alkali metal stearates which remain soluble and stable at room temperature. In particular, the invention relates to an aqueous solution which includes an alkali metal stearate selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate and potassium stearate, and a water soluble nonionic surfactant. More particularly, the invention relates to a solution which when deposited on a substrate forms a stearate-surfactant lubricant layer upon removal of water. The solutions may be used in neat form or delivered as part of an emulsion.

This invention relates to solutions of alkali metal stearates which remain soluble and stable at room temperature. In particular, the invention relates to an aqueous solution which includes an alkali metal stearate selected from the group consisting of sodium stearate and potassium stearate, and a water soluble nonionic surfactant. More particularly, the invention relates to a solution which when deposited on a substrate forms a stearate-surfactant lubricant layer upon removal of water. The solutions may be used in neat form or delivered as part of an emulsion.
Alkali metal stearates are blends of an alkali metal and stearic acid, also known as octadecanoic acid, and palmitic acid, also known as hexadecanoic acid. Alkali metal stearates have found a wide use in many product applications. Stearates typically have a "slippery" feel to them which is why they are used in some cases as lubricants and release agents. Stearates are also used as gelling agents, surfactants, thickeners and solidifiers. Generally, 3 to 10 percent of sodium stearate yields sticks having a degree of firmness particularly suitable for deodorant sticks. The mechanism behind stearate solidification and thickening is mentioned in the CRC Handbook of Lubrication pg. 55 as the formation of stearate fibers in solution.
Of all the alkali metal stearates, the sodium and potassium stearates are the only ones that have any water solubility associated with them, all other stearates are essentially water insoluble. However, sodium and potassium stearate are soluble only in water at a temperature about 70.degree. C. At temperatures approaching room temperature, such sodium and potassium stearate solutions become unstable and flocculate out of solution. For example, solutions of sodium and potassium stearate with levels as low as 0.7% sodium and potassium stearate solids become soluble in water heated to 70.degree. C. but upon cooling to room temperature, the solution gels completely.
Accordingly, the need exits for an aqueous solution of alkali metal stearates which is soluble and stable at room room temperature. The term "stable" is defined to mean that no precipitate or gel forms for a period in excess of 90 days.

Soluble alkali metal stearate solution compositions


A method and apparatus for allocating bandwidth within a bandwidth constrained interactive information distribution system. The system determines if a requested information stream may be provided to a requesting subscriber at an appropriate bandwidth level (i.e., appropriate bitrate providing full quality), a minimal bandwidth level (i.e., a reduced bitrate providing minimally acceptable quality) or not at all. Each information stream and any ancillary streams may be stored twice by the system, once at an appropriate encoded bitrate and once at a minimal encoded bitrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information distribution system such as a video-on-demand (VOD) system. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for adapting at least a service level in response an amount of bandwidth available within the information distribution system.
2. Description of the Background Art
In an information distribution system, such as video on demand (VOD) system, an information provider (e.g., a head-end in a cable television system) must control of the distribution of requested information to ensure that requests for information, such as video information, are satisfied in an orderly manner.
Unfortunately, in an information distribution system serving a large number of subscribers, the bandwidth of the various components forming the information distribution system may, at times, be insufficient to satisfy each subscriber request. Present information distribution systems, such as VOD systems, respond to bandwidth constraints by denying subscriber information requests or providing the requested information in a substantially degraded manner. In a VOD system, this degradation may take the form of poor temporal alignment between video and audio tracks (i.e., poor "lip-sync"), missing information due to "dropped" video or audio frames and/or excessive latency in responding to subscriber interactions. These and other qualitative degradations are common in present systems.
Therefore, it is seen to be desirable to provide a method and apparatus for ensuring that a bandwidth constrained system provides information having at least a minimal qualitative level. Moreover, it is seen to be desirable to provide such functionality within the context of a video on demand system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Service rate change method and apparatus


In a telephone line interface circuit, a first transistor (Q1) is arranged in series in the signal line (3) and a second transistor (Q2) is arranged in parallel across the telephone line (3, 4), both transistors being controlled from a control circuit (5), so that, when the voltage across the telephone line falls below that required to keep the first transistor (Q1) in normal conduction, the second transistor (Q2) maintains the signal path. In order to reduce cross-over distortion, a negative feedback loop (Q5, R1, Q3, Q1) and supply voltage sensing means (6) controls the first transistor (Q1) so that it conducts only sufficient quiescent current to power the circuit, any remaining current being conducted by the second transistor (Q2), thereby maintaining both transistors in conduction down to low quiescent line current levels.

Telephone equipment connected to a telephone line must often be powered from the telephone line itself. An interface circuit is then required to absorb the necessary energy while at the same time presenting the d.c. and a.c. characteristics of the equipment.
In one known arrangement, a transistor, controlled by a feedback loop, is provided in series with the telephone line. The problem with this arrangement is that, at times, the telephone line voltage may fall below that required to power the circuit. The a.c. and d.c. characteristics can then no longer be maintained. This problem has been solved in the Motorola TCA3386 and TCA3388 circuits by adding a further transistor arranged to become conducting in these circumstances. However, some performance is lost due to crossover distortion occurring as the line current switches between the two transistors.


A display controller and method for performing the same operations are described. In on embodiment, the display controller comprises a spread spectrum clock (SSC) modulator having a first input coupled to receive a non-SSC modulated clock and operable to generate a SSC modulated clock in response to the non-SSC modulated clock, a video data transfer portion coupled to receive the SSC modulated clock and operable to output data for display in response to the SSC modulated clock, and a second portion coupled to receive the non-SSC modulated clock.

A typical computer system uses clock signals to synchronize operations of digital circuitry of the system. Unfortunately, spectral components of these clock signals may contribute to the radiation of electromagnetic interference (EMI) emissions from the system. The EMI emissions may cause undesirable interference with the circuitry of the computer system and other electronic equipment near the computer system. To reduce the EMI emissions outside of the computer system, the circuitry of the computer system may be housed inside a metal casing that prevents the EMI emissions from propagating outside of the casing. However, the casing often adds to the weight and cost of the computer system, and the casing may have a limited EMI shielding capability.
The EMI emissions may be reduced by spread spectrum clocking (SSC), a technique that reduces the energy peaks present in the spectral components of the clock signal. In SSC, a spread spectrum clock signal may be generated by an SSC generator. SSC is widely deployed in the video data transfer interface, such as low-voltage differential signaling (LVDS), Transition-minimized differential signaling (TMDS) and Mobile Industry Processor Interface Display Serial Interface (MIPIDSI), in order to suppress its pixel clock (PCLK) oriented radio frequency (RF) emission and its interference to RF application. SSC usually modulates PCLK cycle. As the PCLK is the unit time of one pixel data transfer, the SSC application moderates the video timing cycle, such as one horizontal (1H) line access cycle as well as one frame update cycle. In a certain display device application, such as, for example, Active Matrix organic light-emitting diode (OLED), the 1H cycle modulation causes each line brightness variation, observed as the visual artifact.

Display controller to prevent visual artifacts with spread spectrum clocking


A wrist apparatus as a portable electronic apparatus includes a case, a solar battery that is provided in the case, and has an outer circumference along an outer edge of the case and an inner circumference of which a circumferential length is shorter than a circumferential length of the outer circumference, and an acceleration sensor that is provided in the case, in which the solar battery is disposed outside an outer edge of the acceleration sensor in a plan view of a light reception surface of the solar battery.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus and a wrist apparatus.
2. Related Art
In the related art, there is a portable electronic apparatus which is mounted on the wrist of a wearer with a band or the like, and has a function of measuring biological information such as a pulse wave of the wearer, or a clock display function. For example, JP-A-2006-320735 discloses a wearable life support apparatus which is mounted on the body of a wearer, and acquires biological information or body motion information by using a pulse wave sensor or acceleration sensor. In the wearable life support apparatus, since various sensors are operated to acquire biological information or body motion information for a long period of time (for example, a week), and thus power consumption increases, a method for reducing power consumption is proposed through power source management, for example, message display to a user is turned off during sleeping, or a specific sensor is stopped during sleeping.
However, in a case where various sensors including sensors with high power consumption, such as a GPS receiver or a pulse wave sensor, are mounted, not only power required to drive the sensors but also power required for a processor to process a large volume of data and power for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data are necessary, and thus it is hard to secure necessary power only through the power source management as in JP-A-2006-320735. In order not to impair the portability of a portable electronic apparatus, there is a restriction in increasing an apparatus size, and thus it is hard to simply increase a size of a secondary battery. Therefore, measures such as installing a power generation function such as a solar battery in a portable electronic apparatus are conceivable, but there is concern that a thickness of the portable electronic apparatus may increase due to mounting of the solar battery.

Portable electronic apparatus and wrist apparatus


The invention comprises a mattress cover, mattress cover skirt material and methods of making the same, wherein the skirt material has inelastic stretch in the longitudinal and cross directions and the stretch in the cross direction is considerably greater than the stretch in the longitudinal direction. The mattress cover skirt material also includes a top edge comprised of elastic yarns for providing a reinforced attachment edge and a bottom edge comprised of elastic yarns for pulling the mattress cover skirt material under mattresses.

Mattress covers are well known in the art and are used to cover mattresses to prevent or reduce wear and tear, soiling or other damage to the mattress. Mattresses have been manufactured in various thicknesses. For example, the standard mattress is approximately 7-8 inches thick and manufacturers are now making premium mattresses in sizes up to 141/2 inches thick. Thus, there is a need to produce mattress covers for fitting mattresses of various sized thicknesses.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,953, which is assigned to Louisville Bedding Co., discloses a mattress cover that attempts to solve the problem of fitting mattresses of various thicknesses. The mattress cover includes a top panel and a depending skirt. The depending skirt is formed of a gathered layer of inelastic material with a plurality of spaced-apart, parallel rows of elastic cords stitched throughout the inelastic material. Thus, the material is elastic in the direction of the elastic cords and inelastic in the direction perpendicular thereto.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,187,952 and 5,247,893, which issued to D. Zafiroglu and are assigned E. I. DuPont Nemours and Co., are incorporated herein by reference and disclose a fitted mattress pad having an elastic skirt formed from a stitchbonded fabric. The elastic skirt is comprised of a fibrous layer having rows of covered spandex yarns and rows of stretch yarns sewn therein to create a fabric with lanes of different stretchability. This skirt material provides stretchability of 190 percent and 60 percent in the longitudinal direction in the first and second lanes, respectively, and provides 80-90 percent stretchability in the transverse direction.
The prior art also consists of a mattress cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,115, which is assigned to Pillowtex Corporation and is incorporated herein by reference. This mattress cover is comprised of a non-woven substrate, with polyester and Lycra.TM. threads knitted into the substrate along the longitudinal direction of the skirt. The Lycra.TM. threads are knitted in one inch intervals to create a fabric having a striped or banded appearance. The skirt fabric exhibits elastic stretch in the longitudinal direction of approximately 60 percent and inelastic stretch in the transverse direction of approximately 30 percent.

Mattress cover with inelastically stretchable skirt


Described are embodiments to calibrate read sensors, which in turn may ensure that the equipment utilized to detect antigens is reliable and accurate. If it is determined that a read sensor is degraded a method of calibrating a read sensor of a read head may be used.

It is known that antibodies bind with antigens as part of the human disease defense system. Presently, antigens are detected by such techniques as immunofluorescence, immunoperoxidase, or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), each of which then employs a microscope for visual detection of the target antigen. It is desirable to exploit the use of magnetic signaling technology to automate the detection of analytes, such as antigens, and to further apply this technology to the detection of any biological matter. Still further, it is important to ensure that the equipment utilized is reliable and accurate in the detection of analytes.

Calibrating read sensors of electromagnetic read-write heads

International Business Machines Corporation


A system and method for selectively enrolling new pattern information in a way that reduces incorrect mapping or reduces overuse of previously mapped pattern information using a multi-match model. A method for dynamically enrolling a pattern-under-test into a pattern template, the pattern template including a set of template elements, may include a) determining a number N of template elements of the set of template elements matched by the pattern-under-test, wherein N is greater than one; b) establishing a multi-match mode for a dynamic enrollment of the pattern-under-test into the pattern template; and c) enrolling dynamically the pattern-under-test responsive to the multi-match mode.

The subject matter discussed in the background section should not be assumed to be prior art merely as a result of its mention in the background section. Similarly, a problem mentioned in the background section or associated with the subject matter of the background section should not be assumed to have been previously recognized in the prior art. The subject matter in the background section merely represents different approaches, which in and of themselves may also be inventions.
Dynamic registration (DR), or dynamic enrollment as it is sometimes known, includes a pattern matching system in which limited initial trusted pattern information is enrolled into a trusted pattern storage to create a secure template against which to match the pattern. For example, a common application of DR is to enroll biometric data of a person, such as a fingerprint, into memory on a smartphone. During use, different implementations employ different rules that are used to enhance the limited initial trusted pattern information.
DR may be preferable for fingerprint sensors with a sensing area smaller than an average fingerprint region in that the system can quickly capture multiple images of a finger region during the trusted enrollment process. A DR system may collect information over time to increase the pattern region mapped by the enrolled data.
A potential drawback to DR is that adding data to a secure template has a risk of adding data from an incorrectly matched user or pattern source. Another drawback may be that continually remapping the same region of a pattern source, as opposed to gathering data from a variety of different regions of a pattern source, can result in a slowness of matching.
It may be desirable to provide a dynamic registration system that selectively enrolls new pattern information in a way that reduces incorrect mapping or reduces overuse of previously mapped pattern information.

Dynamic registration using multiple match enrollment


A process and an apparatus are disclosed for recovering ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream. The stream is cooled, expanded to lower pressure, and supplied to a first fractionation tower at a mid-column feed position. A distillation liquid stream is withdrawn from the first fractionation tower below the feed position of the expanded stream, heated, and directed into a second fractionation tower that produces an overhead vapor stream and a bottom liquid stream. The overhead vapor stream is cooled to condense it, with a portion of the condensed stream directed to the second fractionation tower as its top feed and the remainder directed to the first fractionation tower at a lower column feed position. The bottom liquid stream from the second fractionation tower is cooled and directed to the first fractionation tower as its top feed.

This invention relates to a process for the separation of a hydrocarbon bearing gas stream containing significant quantities of components more volatile than methane (e.g., hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.) into two fractions: a first fraction containing predominantly methane and the more volatile components, and a second fraction containing the recovered desirable ethane/ethylene and heavier hydrocarbon components.
Ethylene, ethane, propylene, propane, and/or heavier hydrocarbons can be recovered from a variety of gases, such as natural gas, refinery gas, and synthetic gas streams obtained from other hydrocarbon materials such as coal, crude oil, naphtha, oil shale, tar sands, and lignite. Hydrocarbon bearing gas typically contains components more volatile than methane (e.g., hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.) and often unsaturated hydrocarbons (e.g., ethylene, propylene, etc.) and aromatic hydrocarbons (e.g., benzene, toluene, etc.) in addition to methane, ethane, and hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight such as propane, butane, and pentane. Sulfur-containing gases and carbon dioxide are also sometimes present.
The present invention is generally concerned with the recovery of ethylene, ethane, and heavier (C2+) hydrocarbons from such gas streams. Recent changes in ethylene demand have created increased markets for ethylene and derivative products. In addition, fluctuations in the prices of both natural gas and its natural gas liquid (NGL) constituents have increased the value of ethane and heavier components as liquid products. These market conditions have resulted in the demand for processes which can provide high ethylene and ethane recovery and more efficient recovery of all these products. Available processes for separating these materials include those based upon cooling and refrigeration of gas, oil absorption, and refrigerated oil absorption. Additionally, cryogenic processes have become popular because of the availability of economical equipment that produces power while simultaneously expanding and extracting heat from the gas being processed. Depending upon the pressure of the gas source, the richness (ethane, ethylene, and heavier hydrocarbons content) of the gas, and the desired end products, each of these processes or a combination thereof may be employed.
The cryogenic expansion process is now generally preferred for natural gas liquids recovery because it provides maximum simplicity with ease of startup, operating flexibility, good efficiency, safety, and good reliability. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,292,380; 4,061,481; 4,140,504; 4,157,904; 4,171,964; 4,185,978; 4,251,249; 4,278,457; 4,519,824; 4,617,039; 4,687,499; 4,689,063; 4,690,702; 4,854,955; 4,869,740; 4,889,545; 5,275,005; 5,555,748; 5,566,554; 5,568,737; 5,771,712; 5,799,507; 5,881,569; 5,890,378; 5,983,664; 6,182,469; 6,578,379; 6,712,880; 6,915,662; 7,191,617; 7,219,513; reissue U.S. Pat. No. 33,408; and co-pending application Ser. Nos. 11/430,412; 11/839,693; 11/971,491; 12/206,230; 12/689,616; 12/717,394; 12/750,862; 12/772,472; 12/781,259; 12/868,993; 12/869,007; and 12/869,139 describe relevant processes (although the description of the present invention in some cases is based on different processing conditions than those described in the cited U.S. patents and applications).
In a typical cryogenic expansion recovery process, a feed gas stream under pressure is cooled by heat exchange with other streams of the process and/or external sources of refrigeration such as a propane compression-refrigeration system. As the gas is cooled, liquids may be condensed and collected in one or more separators as high-pressure liquids containing some of the desired C2+ components. Depending on the richness of the gas and the amount of liquids formed, the high-pressure liquids may be expanded to a lower pressure and fractionated. The vaporization occurring during expansion of the liquids results in further cooling of the stream. Under some conditions, pre-cooling the high pressure liquids prior to the expansion may be desirable in order to further lower the temperature resulting from the expansion. The expanded stream, comprising a mixture of liquid and vapor, is fractionated in a distillation (demethanizer or deethanizer) column. In the column, the expansion cooled stream(s) is (are) distilled to separate residual methane, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other volatile gases as overhead vapor from the desired C2 components, C3 components, and heavier hydrocarbon components as bottom liquid product, or to separate residual methane, C2 components, hydrogen, nitrogen, and other volatile gases as overhead vapor from the desired C3 components and heavier hydrocarbon components as bottom liquid product.
If the feed gas is not totally condensed (typically it is not), the vapor remaining from the partial condensation can be passed through a work expansion machine or engine, or an expansion valve, to a lower pressure at which additional liquids are condensed as a result of further cooling of the stream. The pressure after expansion is essentially the same as the pressure at which the distillation column is operated. The combined vapor-liquid phases resulting from the expansion are supplied as feed to the column.
In the ideal operation of such a separation process, the residue gas leaving the process will contain substantially all of the methane and more volatile components in the feed gas with essentially none of the heavier hydrocarbon components, and the bottoms fraction leaving the demethanizer will contain substantially all of the heavier hydrocarbon components with essentially no methane or more volatile components. In practice, however, this ideal situation is not obtained because the conventional demethanizer is operated largely as a stripping column. The methane product of the process, therefore, typically comprises vapors leaving the top fractionation stage of the column, together with vapors not subjected to any rectification step. Considerable losses of ethylene and ethane occur because the top liquid feed contains substantial quantities of C2+ components and heavier hydrocarbon components, resulting in corresponding equilibrium quantities of C2+ components in the vapors leaving the top fractionation stage of the demethanizer. This problem is exacerbated if the gas stream(s) being processed contain relatively large quantities of components more volatile than methane (e.g., hydrogen, nitrogen, etc.) because the volatile vapors rising up the column strip C2+ components from the liquids flowing downward. The loss of these desirable C2+ components could be significantly reduced if the rising vapors could be brought into contact with a significant quantity of liquid (reflux) capable of absorbing the C2+ components from the vapors.
A number of processes have been developed to use a cold liquid that is predominantly methane as the reflux stream to contact the rising vapors in a rectification section in the distillation column. Typical process schemes of this type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,889,545; 5,568,737; and 5,881,569, and in Mowrey, E. Ross, "Efficient, High Recovery of Liquids from Natural Gas Utilizing a High Pressure Absorber", Proceedings of the Eighty-First Annual Convention of the Gas Processors Association, Dallas, Tex., Mar. 11-13, 2002. Unfortunately, these processes require the use of a compressor to provide the motive force for recycling the reflux stream to the demethanizer, adding to both the capital cost and the operating cost of facilities using these processes. In addition, the cold methane reflux creates temperatures within the distillation column that are −112° F. [−80° C.] and colder. Many gas streams of this type contain significant quantities of nitrous oxides (NOX) at times, which can accumulate in cold sections of a processing plant as NOX gums (commonly referred to as "blue ice") at temperatures lower than this. "Blue ice" can become explosive upon warming, and has been identified as the cause of a number of deflagrations and/or explosions in processing plants.
Other processes have been developed that use a heavy (C4-C10 typically) hydrocarbon absorbent stream to reflux the distillation column. Examples of processes of this type are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,318,723; 5,546,764; 7,273,542; and 7,714,180. While such processes generally operate at temperatures warm enough to avoid concerns about "blue ice", the absorbent stream is typically produced from the distillation column bottoms stream, with the result that any aromatic hydrocarbons present in the feed gas will concentrate in the distillation column. Aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene can freeze solid at normal processing temperatures, causing frequent disruptions in the processing plant.
In accordance with the present invention, it has been found that ethane recovery in excess of 88% can be obtained without requiring any temperatures to be lower than −112° F. [−80° C.]. The present invention is particularly advantageous when processing feed gases containing more than 10 mole % of components more volatile than methane.
In the following explanation of the above figures, tables are provided summarizing flow rates calculated for representative process conditions. In the tables appearing herein, the values for flow rates (in moles per hour) have been rounded to the nearest whole number for convenience. The total stream rates shown in the tables include all non-hydrocarbon components and hence are generally larger than the sum of the stream flow rates for the hydrocarbon components. Temperatures indicated are approximate values rounded to the nearest degree. It should also be noted that the process design calculations performed for the purpose of comparing the processes depicted in the figures are based on the assumption of no heat leak from (or to) the surroundings to (or from) the process. The quality of commercially available insulating materials makes this a very reasonable assumption and one that is typically made by those skilled in the art.
For convenience, process parameters are reported in both the traditional British units and in the units of the Système International d'Unitès (SI). The molar flow rates given in the tables may be interpreted as either pound moles per hour or kilogram moles per hour. The energy consumptions reported as horsepower (HP) and/or thousand British Thermal Units per hour (MBTU/Hr) correspond to the stated molar flow rates in pound moles per hour. The energy consumptions reported as kilowatts (kW) correspond to the stated molar flow rates in kilogram moles per hour.


The present disclosure discloses a driving circuit for a source driving chip. In the driving circuit for a source driving chip, an output terminal of the blanking timer is connected to a control terminal of the switching unit; an input terminal of the switching unit is connected to a power supply source; an output terminal of the switching unit is connected to a supply terminal of the buffer amplifier. The blanking timer is used to generate a control signal; wherein, the control signal is a first voltage level during a row blanking interval or a frame blanking interval; the control signal is a second voltage level during the row non-blanking interval or the frame non-blanking interval. The driving circuit for a source driving chip of the present disclosure can effectively reduce the power consumption.

Technical Field
The disclosure is related to a liquid crystal display field, and more particular to a driving circuit for a source driving chip and a liquid crystal display panel.
Related Art
As technology advances, users increasingly demand higher visual experience. A variety of electronic products with high-definition and large-screen become increasingly popular. In terms of the LCD panel, larger screens have higher resolution, and thus the power consumption is naturally larger However, the greater power consumption results in higher temperature of the liquid crystal panel, and thus the operation stability of the liquid crystal panel is affected. Moreover, it does not conform to the requirements of energy conservation which has been advocated.
As shown in FIG. 1, the LCD employs a source driver chip and a gate driver chip to drive each pixel for display. When the first row of pixels is scanned, the gate driving chip inputs turn-on signals to the first row of pixels so that the first row of pixels are at the on state. At this time, the driving source chip inputs the data signals to the first row of pixels input data signal, and thus the first row of pixels is lighted up. After the first row of pixels is scanned, the manner described above continues to scan the second row of pixels until all the rows of pixels on the LCD panel are scanned. A frame scanning is completed. It is appreciated that a certain time interval exists between the end of this row scanning and before the next row scan begins, and this time interval is called as the row blanking interval. Similarly, a certain time interval also exists between the end of a frame scan and before the next frame starts, and this time interval is called as the frame blanking interval. During the periods of the row blanking interval and the frame blanking interval, the buffer amplifier in the source driving chip does not output data. However, due to the design of the existing source driver chip, the static current still exists when the buffer amplifier does not output data such that unnecessary power consumption occurs.

Driving circuit for source driving chips and liquid crystal display panel

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A computer implemented method for utilizing graphics memory of a computer system to provide storage for video BIOS initialization. Video BIOS memory is accessed to execute video BIOS initialization routines. A portion of graphics memory is configured for access by the video BIOS initialization routines. Program execution data from the video BIOS initialization routines is then stored in the portion of graphics memory. The program execution data is stored prior to a completion of a video BIOS power on self test.

Digital computers are being used today to perform a wide variety of tasks. Many different areas of business, industry, government, education, entertainment, and most recently, the home, are tapping into the enormous and rapidly growing list of applications developed for today's increasingly powerful computer devices. Computers have also become a key technology for communicating ideas, data, and trends between and among business professionals.
When a digital computer system is turned on from an off state, or when the computer system is reinitialized (e.g., restarted), the computer system executes a set a initialization software routines generally referred to as BIOS routines (Basic Input Output System), or BIOS. As known by those skilled in the art, the BIOS of a computer system comprises an essential set of initialization routines of the computer system, and is most typically encountered in desktop computer systems, such as personal computers or workstations. Generally, the BIOS is stored in nonvolatile memory on a chip (e.g., ROM, flash memory, or the like) and provides an interface between the operating system and the computer system's hardware. The BIOS supports all peripheral technologies and internal services such as the realtime clock (time and date), the expansion buses, the memory buses, and the like.
On startup, the BIOS tests the computer system and prepares the computer for operation by, for example, querying its own small CMOS memory bank for drive and other configuration settings. It searches for other BIOS's on the plug-in boards and sets up pointers (interrupt vectors) in memory to access those routines. It then loads the operating system and passes control to it. Generally, the BIOS accepts requests from the drivers as well as the application programs.
Additionally, on startup, the BIOS runs one or more diagnostic tests. Before it invokes the operating system, the BIOS checks to make sure all the hardware is working. It then works with the computer's hardware components in conjunction with the operating system. The diagnostic test that the BIOS performs is referred to as a POST (power on self test), and is typically performed for the keyboard, drives, ports, chips, and all other components in the system to make sure they are working correctly.
The BIOS relies upon the display of visual information via the computer system monitor in order to provide feedback to the user regarding the status and progress of the POST. The video BIOS comprises a portion of the BIOS that initializes the basic video display capability of the computer. For example, with a PC, once the basic video capability is initialized, it is often possible to see the BIOS performing this POST during the PC's startup process. A healthy system BIOS will display information about the computer, including the amount of RAM, the number of drives, and the type of processor. If the BIOS detects a hardware problem, it will halt and display a text error messages on-screen. These messages are designed to assist the user in fixing or adjusting the BIOS configuration parameters or settings. In addition to visual feedback, audible feedback can be supplied regarding the progress of the BIOS diagnostic tests. For example, one long beep can mean the BIOS successfully completed all the hardware tests, while a combination of shorter beeps can indicate a number of different errors.
There exists a problem however, with extending the capabilities of the BIOS configuration functions and the way resulting information is communicated to the user. The standard PC architecture (e.g., the x86 PC) has evolved in many ways since its introduction in the early 1980s. As hardware tests changed and as the capabilities of the "legacy architecture" have been extended, BIOS's have been periodically updated to keep pace with new emerging peripheral technologies. For example, newer BIOSs are specifically stored on a flash memory chip that can be upgraded via software to facilitate easier updating. However each of the extensions of the BIOS capability generally conform to the basic tenets of the legacy architecture.
Among the more problematic tenets of the legacy architecture is the fact that the video BIOS software is limited in size to 64 K of addressable memory. This imposes as a severe constraint on the types of operations and capabilities that can be implemented. Even more problematic is fact that some PC architectures limit the amount of RAM available to the BIOS for temporary program execution storage (e.g., stack memory) to a mere 200 bytes.
The memory limitations function as a severe constraint on the manner in which display information can be presented by the video BIOS software and the types of functions the video BIOS software can implement. These memory limitations are typically in place until the BIOS POST is complete and the operating system is initialized. Once the operating system is initialized, a video driver for the graphics subsystem of the PC is initialized to provide full function display capability. However, the memory limitations prevent any enhanced display functionality being provided early in the computer system boot process, and restrict the functionality of the POST.
Thus, what is required is a solution that overcomes the memory limitations that constrain the functionality of the BIOS software. What is required is a solution that eliminates the memory limitations of the video BIOS execution but is still compatible with the legacy PC architecture. The present invention provides a novel solution to these requirements.

Method and system for utilizing graphics memory to provide storage for video BIOS initialization


The shutter construction of a tympanic thermometer comprises a base formed with a horizontal groove and a vertical slot that communicate with each other, wherein said horizontal groove is for mounting a wave guiding duct; a supporting frame formed at the rear end of said base and formed with at least a first engaging portion and at least a second engaging portion; a shutter plate mounted in said vertical slot for closing said wave guiding duct; a linking element, the fore end of the linking element being coupled to the lower portion of said shutter plate and the rear end of the linking element being engaged with said first engaging portion of said supporting frame so that the fore end of the linking element can be swayed up and down relative to the rear end thereof; a spring element, the fore end of the spring element being coupled to said linking element; and an actuating element, the fore end of the actuating element being engaged with said second engaging portion of said supporting frame and the rear end of the supporting frame being coupled to the rear end of said spring element so that the rear end of said actuating element can be swayed up and down relative to the fore end of said actuating element, thereby said linking element can be moved down by said spring element when said actuating element is pressed down.

Clinical thermometers are very helpful in the diagnosis of diseases. The tympanic membrane is generally considered by the medical community to be superior to oral, rectal, or underarm sites for representing the body's internal temperature. The temperature of the tympanic membrane can be measured by detecting the infrared radiation from the tympanic membrane in the ear canal. In addition, the time needed for the body temperature measuring by using an infrared thermometer is short. The use of infrared thermometers therefore has become prevalent.
Referring to FIG. 1A, a tympanic thermometer is provided with a shutter mechanism for controlling the incoming of the infrared radiation from the tympanic membrane. When the elongated detection portion 11 is inserted into the external ear canal, the shutter mechanism is opened instantly to let the sensor 12 sense the infrared radiation in the ear canal and thereby the temperature of the tympanic membrane can be determined.
The shutter mechanism includes a base 13, a shutter plate 14, a mounting plate 15, a blocking element 16, a first linking element 17, a second linking element 18, a torsion spring 101, and a tension spring 102, wherein the base 13 is formed with a horizontal groove 131 and a vertical slot 132. The horizontal groove 131 is for mounting a wave guiding duct 103 and at the rear end of it is provided with a sensor 12. The shutter plate 14 is mounted within the vertical slot 132 of the base 13 and can be used to close the wave guiding duct 103. The mounting plate 15 is formed with a first, second, and third stubs 151, 152, 153, and a guiding portion 155. The blocking element 16 is pivotally mounted on the first stub 151. One end 161 of the blocking element 16 can prevent the shutter plate 14 from moving downward. One end of the first linking element 17 is engaged with and can only be moved horizontally in the groove 154. At the other end of the first linking element 17 is provided a push button 19 which can slide in the guiding through hole (not shown) of the guiding portion 155. The torsion spring 101 is mounted on the stub 152. One end of the torsion spring 101 is connected to the lower end of the shutter plate 14 and the other end abuts against a stub 171 formed on the linking element 17. The middle stub 181 of the second linking element 18 is telescopically engaged with the second stub 152. At one end of the second linking element 18 is provided a stub 182 pivotally connected with the first linking element 17 and at the other end is formed a snap groove 183 in which the end 162 of the blocking element 16 can be confined. One end of the tension spring 102 is connected to the third stub 153 and the other end to the first linking element 17.
With respect to the above prior art construction, referring to FIG. 1B, when the push button 19 is pressed, the first linking element 17 is moved horizontally and drives the second element 18 to pivot. In the meantime, the torsion spring 101 is twisted and accumulates energy. However, the shutter plate 14 will not move downward because it is blocked by the blocking element 16. Referring to FIG. 1C, when the second linking element 18 drives the blocking element 16 to pivot, the shutter plate 14 will be moved downward abruptly by the energy released from the torsion spring 101. When the push button 19 is released, the tension spring 102 causes the first linking element 17 to go back to its original position and the torsion spring 101 restores its original position and causes the shutter plate 14 to move upward and close the wave guiding duct 103.
The aforementioned prior art shutter construction achieves the shutter effect by means of a blocking element 16 and is provided with many parts. This incurs a high manufacturing cost.

Shutter construction of a tympanic thermometer


An image forming apparatus according to an embodiment includes a projector that projects an image onto a predetermined projection area outside of the image forming apparatus, an interface, a printer, and a processor. The printer prints an image on an image recording medium based on image data acquired the image acquired through the interface. The processor controls the projector to display the image to be printed on the projection area.

An image forming apparatus such as an MFP (Multifunction peripheral) includes a preview function for displaying, on a display device, a scanned image, a printed image and a finished image to preview the image to be printed according to print setting(s).
However, a size or a shape of an image displayed on the display device may be restricted. Thus, it is difficult for the image forming apparatus to display a preview screen that accurately displays the preview of the image to be printed.

Image forming apparatus with projector to display an image to be printed and related method


An optical pickup apparatus of the present invention for reading out information signals recorded on an optical recording medium such as magneto-optical disc is adapted to split by means of a light splitting element a light beam emitted from a light source into two light beam travelling in different directions, which are linearly polarized in normally intersecting directions and to convert the phases of the vibrational components along normally intersecting two axes on a plane normally intersecting the traveling directions of the two light beams and to irradiate the recording medium with two light beams which are differently polarized so that two beam spots are partially superimposed with each other on the recording medium. The superimposed beam spot area which is a read out area is made smaller than one of the beam spots in size so that a high resolution read-out is performed.

Optical recording media a which are designed to record information signals thereon by changing the magnetization direction of a perpendicularly magnetizable film in a recording layer and by optically reading out the recorded information signal s as is done similarly to magneto-optical disc have heretofore been proposed.
Such an optical pickup apparatus for reading out information signals recorded on an optical recording medium converges a linearly polarized light beam through an objective lens to irradiate the signal recording surface of the optical recording medium with the converged light beam and to detect changes in direction of the linear polarization of a returning light reflected by the optical recording medium by means of a photodetector. That is, the returning light f tom the optical recording medium has changed the polarization direction due to Kerr effect depending upon the magnetization direction at an area which is irradiated with the light beam. The differences of the magnetization direction of the optical recording medium are detected by detecting the changes in polarization direction of the returning light by detecting means such as a photodetector disposed in the optical pickup apparatus for detecting the strength of light, for example, through a beam splitter having a polarization dependence. In the magneto-optical reproducing system using the optical pickup apparatus, reproducing of international signals recorded on the optical recording medium is performed based upon the difference of the detected magnetization directions.
The magneto-optical disc is formed in such a manner that information signals are recorded by successively disposing recording pits on a recording track formed in a circumferential direction of the disc. The recording density of the information signals of such kind of magneto-optical disc is determined by the recording line density which is the recording density of recording pits successively arranged-on the recording track and the recording track density which is the pitch between recording tracks adjacent in a radial direction of the disc. The recording line density and the recording track density which determine the recording density of the information signals in the magneto-optical disc is restricted by the cut-off frequency f.sub.c by the optical pickup apparatus which reads the information signals from the magneto-optical disc. For example, if the spatial frequency of the changes in magnetization direction of the recording pits successively arranged on the recording track becomes higher than the cut-off frequency f.sub.c, read out of the information signals from the returning light becomes impossible. If the spatial frequency corresponding to the pitch between the recording tracks adjacent in a radial direction of the disc becomes higher than the cut-off frequency f.sub.c, so-called cross-talk in which information signals are read out from the adjacent recording track will occur.
The cut-off frequency of the optical pickup apparatus is determined by the numerical aperture NA of an objective lens forming the optical pickup apparatus and the wave length .lambda. of the light beam emitted from the optical pickup apparatus. The diameter, that is, the size of the beam spot of the light beam converged upon the signal recording surface of the magneto-optical disc is determined by the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens and the wave length .lambda. of the light beam. From these relations, the cut-off frequency f.sub.c of the optical pickup apparatus will be increased as the diameter of the beam spot of the light beam converged upon the optical recording medium is decreased. The cut-off frequency f.sub.c has a relation with the numerical number NA and the wave length .lambda. of the light beam represented by a first formula as follows: EQU f.sub.c =2NA/.lambda. (1)
In an optical pickup apparatus in which the numerical aperture NA of the objective lens is 0.5, and the wave length .lambda. of the light beam emitted from the optical source is 0.78 .mu.m in the formula 1, read out of the information signals recording at a spatial frequency up to 1280 lines/mm is possible. Read out of the information signals recorded at higher frequency is not possible. From the formula 1, it will suffice to increase the numerical number NA of the objective lens or to decrease the wave length .lambda. of the light beam in order to increase the cut-off frequency f.sub.c of the optical pickup apparatus. The recording density of the magneto-optical disc which can be readable by the optical pickup apparatus can be enhanced by increasing the cut-off frequency f.sub.c.
However, if the numerical aperture of the objective lens is increased, for example, compensation for aberration cannot be sufficiently achieved and it becomes impossible to design and manufacture a lens having excellent performances. Shortening the wave length of a light beam emitted from a semiconductor laser element commonly used as a light source makes it impossible to design and manufacture the semiconductor laser element since light having a shorter wave length has a higher energy of light.
Therefore, the present invention is proposed in view of the above-mentioned circumstances.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical pickup apparatus which is capable of reading out information signals recorded at a high recording density having a spatial frequency higher than a cut-off frequency determined by the numerical aperture of an objective lens and the wave length of a light beam without increasing the numerical aperture and the wave length.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a magneto-optical reproducing system which enables an optical information disc on which information signals are recorded at a high recording density to be used as a recording medium.

Optical pickup apparatus and magneto-optical reproducing system


A method for producing a panel is disclosed. The method includes the step of applying steam on a dry powder layer on a core. Thereafter heat and pressure are applied to the powder layer in order to bond the powder together.

A new type of panel called Wood Fiber Floor (WFF) is disclosed in WO2009/065769, which shows both products and methods to produce such a panel. Further methods and production equipments are disclosed in WO2009/124704.
The WFF floor panels are produce by applying a dry powder mix on a HDF core. The powder mix is bonded together under heat and pressure to form a decorative surface layer.
In order to stabilize the dry powder mix the production methods in WO2009/065769 or in WO2009/124704 (see page 15, line 15-21; FIG. 3) uses spraying of pure water or water with additives.
The entire contents of WO2009/065769 and WO2009/124704 are hereby incorporated by reference herein, and with a specific reference to page 15, line 15-21 and FIG. 3 of WO2009/124704.


A two-layer protective coating covers a metallic thin film magnetic recording medium of a magnetic recording element. The two-layer protective coating comprises a primer layer proximal to the metallic thin film magnetic recording medium. The primer layer comprises an amino functional alkoxy silane and a copolymerizable monomer. The copolymerizable monomer comprises a plurality of vinyl groups. The two-layer protective coating also comprises a lubricant layer distal from the metallic thin film magnetic recording medium. The lubricant layer comprises a functional perfluoropolyether.

Since 1950, rapid improvements in the field of magnetic recording have been achieved. This highly developed method of magnetic recording involves the use of a particulate magnetic construction, which utilizes magnetization directions predominantly in the plane of the medium. Improvements that have been made include improved head design, the use of media with higher coercivities and smoother surfaces.
One of the main aims of research into magnetic recording systems has been to increase information densities or storage capacity. The degree of storage that is possible is related to the packing density of the magnetic materials in the particulate constructions. A current system of magnetic recording employs small discrete magnetic particles, dispersed in an organic binder. However, due to rapid improvements in this technology the amount of information that can be recorded is now reaching its theoretical limit. Hence other methods of increasing the magnetic density are being investigated.
One type of recording media of interest is perpendicular recording. This particular technology is possible due to the discovery that certain continuous magnetic films such as CoCr, have a perpendicularly orientated crystalline anistropy, which is large enough to overcome demagnetization. High density packing can be achieved due to the CoCr alloy microstructure, which provides magnetically isolated small grains. The grain diameter is approximately 50 nm, employing a maximum density of approximately 500 kilo flux changes per inch (200 kilo flux changes per centimetre). Due to this property of the alloy, much higher densities can be achieved compared to conventional particulate systems, with an additional advantage of a much smoother surface, and hence improved head to media contact. Such media are referred to herein as metallic thin film magnetic media.
The magnetic thin film magnetic media can be formed by sputtering, evaporation, etc., from many different suitable alloys, such as CoCr, CoNi, CoCrNi etc. However, although these metallic films are very promising as high density recording media, they are susceptible to surface abrasion, and additionally cause excessive head wear. Transducer heads contacting the metallic thin film will have a tendency to erode or otherwise damage the metallic thin film. Even slight erosion will result in considerable loss of data when high bit density recording is employed. Applications likely to cause erosion and severe wear of metallic thin film media are on the increase, with video tape and electronic cameras being two examples. It is therefore essential to protect the media with some form of protective coating. However, due to losses that occur in the recording and reading processes when the recording or reading head is separated from the magnetic layer, it is desirable what the total thickness of any overlying layers on the recording layer should be less than 20 nm.
Various attempts have been made to alleviate the problem of alloy wear.
Lubricating systems that have been used as protecting layers for thin film magnetic media include metal layers, using various soft and hard non-magnetic metals, organic layers and mixtures of both. These layers have been applied using various techniques. Metallic layers are usually sputter or vapor deposited, whereas the organic materials are generally coated from solvent, using techniques such as dip coating or spin coating.
Different types of single layer metallic protective coatings are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP62-112211, JP62-112210, JP61-210516, JP61-104317 and JP61-123015.
Multi-layer metallic protective systems are disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP60-229223, JP61-120341 and JP61-211826. However, although these materials offer improved durability and system endurance for the thin magnetic media, compared to the magnetic surface with no protection, these hard protective layers may still inflict severe head abrasion. Another disadvantage in using such a system is the cost of producing such metallic protecting layers. Therefore, a great deal of research has been directed towards totally or partially solvent coated lubricant systems.
Organic lubricants e.g., fatty acids and esters, such as carnauba wax have been used as protective lubricating layers both for thin film magnetic media and media comprising particulate material dispersed in a binder. These materials were considered to be satisfactory at ordinary ambient conditions, but were not reliable at high temperatures and relative humidities, e.g. 40.degree. C. and 80% RH. Also, it was discovered that minor variations during the use of these materials, such as in the coating concentration, can destroy their utility. Minor improvements were obtained with silicones, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,654,681. These were usable at higher temperatures and humidities, but still were not entirely satisfactory.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,946 discloses the use of fluorocarbon compounds as lubricants for flexible magnetic recording tapes. U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,778,308, 4,267,238 and 4,268,556 disclose the use of perfluoro-polyethers (PPE) as lubricant protective layers for magnetic media. Improved wear resistance and corrosion protection were obtained, although some problems were encountered in firmly bonding the top coat lubricant to the magnetic recording layer.
The prior art generally teaches that the topcoat lubricant should be firmly anchored to the magnetic recording layer so that it cannot be easily removed. Removal would obviously reduce the lubricating powers of the surface coating, and/or cause clogging of the recording/playback heads, thus leading to a deterioration in the performance. The prior art teaches that an improvement in lubricant adhesion to the magnetic surface can be achieved by introducing a priming layer between the magnetic layer and the fluorinated topcoat.
The utility of such a primer layer is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,247, where its use improves the binding characteristics of the lubricant, and hence improves the endurance of the magnetic media. The aforementioned patent discloses a dual layer system consisting of an aromatic or heterocyclic polymerisable monomer and a vinyl aromatic polymer, sandwiched between the magnetic layer and the fluorinated topcoat.
Other solvent coated primer materials have been based on silane containing compounds. These include alkoxy silanes which were used with and without phosphate accelerating agent as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Nos. JP60-029934 and JP60-038729, respectively. These systems were then topcoated with ethyl stearate in JP60-029934 and PPE in JP60-038729. U.S. Pat. No. 4,529,569 discloses the use of a primer layer of an amino functional alkoxy silane and a top coat of a functional PPE in which the functional group is a terminal carboxyl or sulfonic acid group.

Magnetic recording medium having a metallic magnetic thin film layer, a primer layer comprising an amino alkoxysilane and a lubricant layer comprising a functional perfluoropolyether

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


A heat expanded whole kernel corn snack food, and a process of making such a corn snack food is disclosed. The corn snack food is made by selecting a corn variety, drying corn kernels of the corn variety to less than about 20 wt. %, soaking the dried corn kernels in water to achieve a moisture content of above about 25 wt. %, separating the soaked corn kernels from the water, heating the soaked corn kernels in an edible oil to expand the kernel and cook the starches interior to effect desirable flavor and texture and then separating the expanded corn kernels from the oil. Seasonings may be added to the fried product.

Snack-type foods are very popular. Items generally known as snack foods include, for example, potato chips, corn chips, cookies, crackers and popped corn. Such products can be made from whole grain corn, wheat, rice, potatoes, or can be made from other starchy byproduct materials such as a paste, roux, mash or other dough. The term "snack foods" generally refers to cooked foods which are adaptable to be eaten from the hand. Typically snack foods are small in size, relatively dry, can be preserved for a period of time and easily transportable. Many commonly available snack foods are made from starch or flours. Examples of such include cookies and crackers. Other snack foods may be made by directly processing agriculture products. Examples include potato chips and popped corn.
Snack foods that are made from starch or flours typically involve mixing flour and starch with water to form a dough and then further processing the dough. However, there is a growing tendency for the public to prefer foods that are more "natural." A snack food that is made directly from an agriculture product without first processing the agricultural product to starch or flour form generally contains more vitamins and fibers. A snack food that is produced from an agriculture product would be preferred by the health conscious public if the snack food also possesses acceptable characteristics of taste and mouthfeel.
Corn is a widely available, non-expensive raw material for making snack foods. However, snack foods that are made from whole kernels of corn have not been met with wide acceptance. The reason is that kernels of corn that are made into snack foods are sometimes hard to chew or lack characteristic flavor or mouthfeel that is perceived to be superior to other snack foods. Nevertheless, snack foods made with whole kernels of corn are available in the market. Examples are CORNNUTS.TM. (Cornnuts, Inc., Oakland, Calif.) and UGLY NUTS.sup.m (Sweetcorn Products, Bloomfield, Nebr.).
Corn is a major food staple that has been genetically refined to the development of hybrid varieties. To date, the majority of corn grown is yellow dent corn. Dent corn is characterized by a starch composition that is about 75% amylopectin and about 25% amylose. Amylopectin is a branch-chained polysaccharide, whereas amylose is a straight-chain polysaccharide. Hybrid corns are available wherein the starch composition is essentially all amylopectin. These amylopectin hybrids are referred to as waxy corns. The varying amounts of amylopectin and amylose in the starch composition of dent and waxy corns result in substantially different starch characteristics. Thus, dent and waxy corns are not considered to be interchangeable materials for most applications.
To date, waxy corns have not been utilized for human food products except to the extent that various wet milling techniques, well known to those skilled on the art, can be used to isolate amylopectin as starch from corn. The starch alone can be used as a raw ingredient for food or can be further processed to derive maltodextrin, high fructose corn syrup or other starch byproducts. Generally, wet milling techniques include grinding, floatation of the grinding product to remove the germ of the kernels, straining to remove fiber and centrifugation to separate protein from starch.
Numerous examples may be cited wherein amylopectin starch is isolated from waxy corn and then incorporated into food products. The isolated amylopectin starch is recognized to form heavy-bodied pastes that are sensitive to shear. The pastes possess high clarity and reduce gelation tendency. However, the use of waxy corns have not been directed to the production of whole kernel food or snack food materials. Field corn is often considered suitable only for animal feed, is low in cost and is under utilized as a source of human nutrition.
Patents that disclose varying aspects of foods using corn byproducts include Markakis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,027,258, which describes a synthetic chip-type food product obtained from a dough derived from cereal grains including corn. Maria et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,407,070, disclosed ready-to-eat food products that comprised a farinaceous base and a starch. Marotta et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,652,294, teaches a ready-to-eat food product having a pregelatinized starch major component. Ellis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,806,377, teaches a low oil content baked corn snack made from a waxy corn masa. Mochizuki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,499,113, teaches a snack product having an expanded coating made from a cereal grain starch flour. U.S. Pat. No. 3,619,211 is related to a potato chip type product that can be made with potato and other flours derived from cereals including starch, tapioca, corn, wheat, etc. Dame, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,647,474, teaches snack food product and process comprising a popped popcorn in a dome matrix containing a cereal flour which is fried. U.S. Pat. No. 3,719,501 teaches a novel snack food product comprising comminuted or reduced particle sized popcorn cooked in a dome matrix comprising a combination of a cereal flour and a starch. ABE, U.S. Pat. No. 3,925,567, teaches a process for preparing a snack food from a starch or a starch flour. ABE, U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,958, teaches a snack food made from rice, flour or rice bran and other starch products. Colminel, U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,303, teaches a dough preform made from cereal flours which when fried produces a desirable snack chip having a predetermined surface bubbling characteristic. Pirrotta et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,084, teaches a potato based chip product containing intact vegetable pieces.
Considering the wide availability of corn in the United States and in the world, there is a need for a snack food made from kernels of corn that have not been processed into starch or flour. Such a product would provide the consumers with a choice of a wholesome snack food product. Such a product would also add value to a commodity agricultural product that is of abundant supply.
A substantial need exists in the art for a process that can be used to convert waxy field corn into a desirable human food. For the purpose of this invention, the term heat expanded kernel means a kernel which, when heated, increases in volume to a degree of about 5 fold or less. The expanded kernel obtains a cracked surface shell which promotes the chewability of the material and at the same time obtains an expanded starchy interior which is cooked, softened and improved in flavor. Commonly available popped popcorn is a product which increases in volume substantially greater than 20 fold increase in volume.

Heat expanded whole kernel corn snack food


A fuel cell system includes a compressor configured to adjust a flow rate of cathode gas to be supplied to a fuel cell and a pressure regulating valve configured to adjust a pressure of the supplied cathode gas. The fuel cell system further includes a controller programmed to calculate a target pressure of the supplied cathode gas while taking into consideration a load of the fuel cell and a heat protecting requirement of the fuel cell system, calculate a target flow rate of the supplied cathode gas in accordance with the load of the fuel cell and the target pressure of the cathode gas, and control the compressor and the pressure regulating valve in accordance with the target pressure and the target flow rate. The controller is further programmed to increase the target flow rate of the cathode gas as the target pressure of the cathode gas becomes lower.

In JP2012-003957A, as a conventional the fuel cell system, one in which a flow rate of a cathode gas is controlled by a compressor provided on a cathode gas supply passage and a pressure of the cathode gas is controlled by a pressure regulating valve provided on a cathode gas discharge passage is described.

Fuel cell system and method of controlling fuel cell system


This display support mechanism comprises a support shaft provided in the form of a plate, a display screen support member, having a first hole receiving the platelike support shaft, provided on the side of a display screen and a base support member, having a second hole receiving the platelike support shaft, provided on the side of a base, and at least either the first hole or the second hole receiving the platelike support shaft is provided in the form of a sector while the display screen support member is rotatable about the platelike support shaft serving as an axis of rotation in the angular range of the sector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display support mechanism, and more particularly, it relates to a display support mechanism capable of supporting a display screen in a state inclined by a prescribed angle.
2. Description of the Background Art
A display support mechanism capable of supporting a display screen in a state inclined by a prescribed angle is known in general, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-200048 and Japanese Utility Model registration Nos. 3106183 and 3111702, for example. Each of the patent documents such as the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-200048 discloses a support structure for a display screen employing a round shaft as an axis of rotation for inclining the display screen by a prescribed angle with respect to a base.
In the structure employing the round shaft as the axis of rotation for inclining the display screen by a prescribed angle disclosed in each of the patent documents such as the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-200048, however, grooving or the like must be performed along the outer periphery of the round shaft for mounting a stop member such as a C-ring in order to prevent the round shaft from axial deviation, to disadvantageously result in complicated working of the axis of rotation.


A chainstitch thread guide is formed with a thread guiding trough which extends into a channel on one side of a partitioning wall in a sewing machine to receive needle thread extending upwardly from a tensioning device to a take-up lever and further receives such needle thread extending downwardly from the take-up lever on the way to a sewing needle.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to threading arrangements for chainstitch sewing on a sewing machine.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known, that when a sewing machine is to be used for chainstitching, less needle thread must be supplied to the needle than for lockstitching, and that if the amount of thread supplied to the needle is not reduced, improper stitches will be formed. It has been a common practice to provide machines with a special thread guide between a lower positioned thread hook guide and a thread take-up lever, which guide, if used during chainstitching, effected the required reduction in thread supplied to the needle. Such special thread guides required a machine to be threaded one way for chainstitching and another way for lockstitching. However, it was easy for an operator by mistake to thread a machine for lockstitching when it should have been threaded for chainstitching, and when switching from a chainstitching mode to a lockstitching mode to leave a machine threaded for chainstitching. In either event, faulty stitches were produced.
It is a primary object of the present invention to enable a sewing machine to be threaded in the same manner with needle thread for chainstitching and lockstitching.
It is another object of the invention to provide a sewing machine with an easily attachable and detachable chainstitching thread guide which enables the machine to be threaded in the same manner with needle thread whether the guide is in use on the machine or detached from it.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent hereinafter.

Threading arrangement for chainstitch sewing on a sewing machine