An elastomeric seal ring is located between each bearing pin and each cone of an earth-boring bit. An excluder ring or band is imbedded within the inner diameter of the seal ring. A portion of the inner diameter of the seal ring as well as the excluder ring are in dynamic sealing contact with the bearing pin. The excluder ring may be harder and more wear resistant than the seal ring. The excluder ring may have lubricating properties. An outer excluder ring may be located on the outer diameter of the seal ring for engaging the cone to resist rotation.

One type of earth-boring bit has a body with at least one rotatable cone mounted to a depending bearing pin. Typically there are three cones, each having rows of cutting elements. The cutting elements may be machined from the metal of the cone, or they may comprise tungsten carbide inserts pressed into holes in the exterior of the cone.
The cone has a cavity that inserts over the bearing pin, forming a journal bearing. The clearances between the bearing surfaces are filled with a grease or lubricant. A seal assembly seals between the bearing pin and the cone near the mouth of the cone.
The seal assembly serves to prevent loss of lubricant to the exterior. Also, the seal assembly serves to exclude debris and cuttings of the borehole from entering the journal bearing. Typically the outer diameter of the seal assembly rotates with the cone and the inner diameter seals against the bearing pin in dynamic contact.
Many different seal assemblies have been proposed and used in the prior art. A variety of shapes of elastomeric seals have been employed. Elastomeric seals that have different materials on the inner and outer diameters are known. Elastomeric seals with carbon fiber fabric on the dynamic portions of the seal are also known. In addition, metal face seal assemblies including an elastomer that urges the metal faces together are also known.


Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems for transmitting a data signal over one or more transmission lines. In one embodiment, a transmitter circuit includes a plurality of programmable impedance driver (PID) circuits coupled in parallel with one another to drive a data signal on a transmission line. The individual PID circuits may include a pull-up transistor to receive a pull-up signal, a pull-down transistor to receive a pull-down signal, and first and second resistors coupled in series with one another between the pull-up and pull-down transistors. An output contact may be coupled to a node between the first and second resistors to pass an output signal that is responsive to the pull-up and pull-down signals. The individual PID circuits may further include a switch transistor coupled in parallel with the first and second resistors, and a control contact coupled to the switch transistor to receive a control signal to switch the switch transistor on or off to control an impedance at the output contact.

The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the approaches described in this section are not prior art to the claims in the present disclosure and are not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.
Voltage-mode high-speed input/output (HSIO) transmitters typically include an array of driver bit-slices to drive a data signal on one or more transmission lines. Such transmitters provide programmable output impedance by enabling or disabling certain driver bit-slices. Accordingly, the output impedance may be adjusted to compensate for process, voltage, and temperature (PVT) variation to meet the impedance specification of the input/output link. However, the typical architectures for HSIO transmitters suffer from several drawbacks, such as a large pad capacitance (Cpad), high power dissipation, and impedance compensation and de-emphasis operations that are coupled together (e.g., one affects operation of the other).

Programmable impedance transmitter for serial communication


A flexible automatic broiler and method of use for variable batch cooking for particular use in quick serve and fast food service restaurants. The automatic cooking devices include a conveyorized cooking surface for alignment and discharge of food products, an altering/pulsating infrared energy radiation heat sources, and a control system. The arrangement and method facilitate a combination of batch preparation and made-to-order assembly of fast-food sandwiches.

Conveyorized chain cooking of various foodstuffs is known in the fast-food industry. Typically, conveyorized chain cooking devices comprise a continuously moving conveyorized cooking surface displaced adjacent to heating elements. Such conveyorized chain cooking devices allow for the continuous sequential cooking of food products such as beef patties and thus accommodate high demand periods in fast food restaurants. Conveyorized cooking devices also increase the efficiency of kitchen operations by uniformly cooking similar food products without continuous attention from the cook.
Such conveyorized chain cooking devices, however, have significant disadvantages such as an inability to quickly and efficiently change the cooking profile such that the device is capable of uniformly cooking one individual food product or batch of food products and then subsequently uniformly cooking a different product or batch of products. For example, conveyorized chain cooking devices have been unable to quickly and efficiently change the thermal output of the heat sources to properly cook different types of meat or different sizes of product.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,767 teaches a conveyorized cooking device with variable-load, low-thermal-mass heating elements to accommodate different food products. These heating elements allow for quick cooling of the cooking zone to prevent burning of subsequently cooked foodstuffs. Disadvantageously, however, thermal energy is wasted. As a result of the conveying motion and variable-loads, the heater elements do not continuously and uniformly radiate heat directly onto the food products. Further heat is wasted due to the lack of an enclosed cooking area. Additionally, only electric heating elements are disclosed and thus the problems of providing for varying cooking loads to accommodate different food products using gas burners or flame broiling are not addressed.
Typical conveyorized cooking devices suffer from additional problems. For example, while such devices allow for continuous sequential cooking of foodstuffs, kitchen operations efficiency is not maximized. Batch loading is not facilitated. Instead, an operator must insert individual products at the entry end of the conveyor cooking surface. Additionally, the constant motion of the conveyor cooking surface and the associated drive train components makes such devices hard to clean, difficult and expensive to maintain (in terms of parts, labor and downtime) and more susceptible to breakage. Furthermore, such devices typically do not involve a completely enclosed cooking chamber, thus facilitating entry of debris and loss of thermal efficiency.
As the skilled artisan will readily appreciate, there is a difference between broiling and baking. Broiling typically requires cooking temperatures of approximately 500° F. or more. Additionally, broiling involves an initial searing action to lock in juices and flavor. As a result, the cooked product is juicier and more flavorful in addition to having an appealing browned outer texture. Baking on the other hand, typically requires cooking temperatures of approximately 450° F. or less. Baking involves cooking without an initial searing action and can lead to a dry and tasteless product with an unappealing texture and color.
The desirability of broiled, as opposed to baked, meats compounds many of the aforementioned problems with conventional conveyorized chain cooking devices. For example, such devices have been unable to quickly and efficiently change the thermal output of the heat sources to properly broil meat products in a first instance and then chicken breasts in a second instance. Similar problems of inflexibility exist when sequentially cooking batches of meat products, where the individual products of one batch differ in size from the individual products in the next batch, e.g., a batch of large beef patties versus a batch of small beef patties. Moreover, when flame broiling is particularly desired, varying the thermal intensity between subsequent batches of food product results in inefficient operations and losses of thermal efficiencies.
It has therefore been found desirable to provide an automatic discharge broiler capable of varying the infrared energy radiated at the food product depending on the type of food product and size of the batch to be broiled while avoiding the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Automatic broiler for variable batch cooking


A chemical etching chamber window apparatus includes a window, and a window housing harbored in a frame assembly, where the frame assembly includes grooves and a clamp for securing the window housing within the frame assembly, an opening for entry and removal of the window housing, a lower piece comprising a troth formed at an angle that allows fluid to flow toward the inside of the etching chamber, and weeping holes that allow fluid to drain into the etching chamber.

Chemical spray chambers such as etching chambers often include a window for viewing the spraying activities from the outside of the chamber without the danger of exposure to hazardous chemicals. The windows also allow for access to the mechanical equipment and product inside the chambers for repair or inspection. FIG. 1 shows the existing window for a typical etching spray chamber 106. The windows employ thick glass 101, surrounded by a metal frame 102 of about 20 inches by thirty inches. The frame 102 window 101 assembly is attached to the chamber 106 via ten threaded fasteners 104. Handles are incorporated into the metal frame 105 for handling of the assembly during removal from and attachment to the chamber.
Several problems exist with this design. The first is leaking of the hazardous chemicals from the chamber. Since the frame 102 window 101 assembly is attached by only ten points, the forced chemical spray originating inside the chamber easily leaks past the seal of the window between the fastening points. The acid then dissolves the metal frame 102, fasteners 104 and the acid drips on other equipment in the area resulting in frequent equipment failure. Secondary problems arise from use of the window. The thick glass 101 and metal frame 102 assembly is heavy. In addition the fasteners require twelve minutes to remove and re-install. A total of eighty eight windows are installed on some existing equipment. Simple removal and installation of all of the windows is thus a significant job.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a chemical spray chamber window apparatus that makes it as difficult as possible for pressurized spray to break through the window seal, thus limiting potential leaks of harmful chemicals from the chamber. Assuming that some of the chemicals may leak at some point, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus that mitigates these potential leaks.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a chemical spray chamber window apparatus that is easily accessible. Elimination of threaded fasteners for access to the window in less than 15 seconds is part of this objective.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a chemical spray chamber window apparatus made of economical materials that will not be effected by acids and other dangerous materials sprayed in the chemical chamber. The design of the apparatus should be such that it is adaptable for existing spray chambers, and is reproducible by automated machining.

Easy access chemical chamber window and frame


Free radically curable rubbers are crosslinked with the aid of a free radical initiator and a co-curing agent, which is an acrylate or methacrylate ester of a hydroxybenzene or hydroxynaphthalene compound containing two or more hydroxyl groups, at least two of which are esterified. The rubbers which are used in the present invention are natural rubber and synthetic rubbers derived from a diene monomer. Preferred co-curing agents are acrylate and methacrylate esters of hydroxybenzene compounds in which the ester contains two or three acrylate or methacrylate groups per molecule. The amount of co-curing agent may be about 1-50 parts by weight per one hundred parts by weight of rubber (phr). Outstanding abrasion resistance and air oven aging are observed.

Some of the most commonly used curing systems for curable polymers (including elastomers) are commonly classified as either sulfur curing systems or peroxide curing systems. Peroxide curing systems initiate crosslinking via free radical mechanisms, using as the curing agent a compound which is frequently described as an organic peroxide. Advantages of peroxide curing systems include: ability to cause crosslinking in lower compression set, better chemical and oil resistance, less discoloration, and better color stability with less staining. Problems associated with peroxide curing systems include scorch (premature crosslinking) and poor aging performance.
Coagents have been used in peroxide curing systems in order to ameliorate the disadvantages while capitalizing on the desirable characteristics of peroxide curing systems. By and large, these coagents are low molecular weight monomers and are usually either methacrylates, acrylates, cyanurates or isocyanurates.
Coagents usually increase crosslink density, which results in an increase in the cure state of a peroxide cured elastomer. It is therefore often possible to lower the amount of peroxide required to achieve a given state of cure. A coagent typically does not affect the rate of cure. On the negative side, a coagent may reduce scorch time.
Rubber & Plastics News. Feb. 20, 1989, pages 40-43, describes the use of organic peroxides for crosslinking elastomers. Various organic peroxides and peroxyketals are listed and discussed, as are representative polymers which can be crosslinked with the aid of an organic peroxide. This article also briefly discusses the effect of a coagent; among the coagents (or co-curing agents) mentioned is trimethylol propane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA).
Rubber & Plastic News, Sept. 2, 1991, pages 37-40, is directed primarily to scorch safety in coagent cured elastomers. As stated therein, coagents are used to improve processability and to enhance the physical properties of peroxide-cured elastomers. Coagents are described as low molecular weight monomers which behave as reactive plasticizers and lower the viscosity of the compound mixture. This article notes that they increase crosslink density, thereby often lowering the amount of peroxide required. On the other hand, they do result in shorter scorch time as the article notes. Representative coagents mentioned are 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate (BGDMA), trimethylolpropane trimethacrylate (TMPTMA), zinc diacrylate (ZDA), and zinc dimethacrylate (ZDMA).
U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,378 to Cowperthwalte, et al, describes peroxide curing of elastomers in which a polyfunctional liquid aliphatic acrylate or methacrylate is employed as a coagent. One of the coagents is TMPTMA (SR.350). Mooney scorch time is improved by including in the curing recipe about 0.3-3 parts of either an N-nitroso diarylamine (N-nitroso diphenylamine is specifically illustrated) or N,N'-dinitroso diphenyl-p-phenylene diamine.

Free radical cured rubber employing acrylate or methacrylate esters of hydroxybenzene and hydroxynaphthalene compounds as co-curing agents


A monitoring system includes a picture capturing unit, a storage unit for storing original images composed of still images captured by said picture capturing unit, or a compressed images composed of compressed still images generated by compressing the still images, an image display unit, a designating unit for designating a region in an image displayed on the image display unit, and a control unit. The control unit controls said image display unit to display a panoramic entire image composed of the stored original images or compressed images, and updates only an image in the designated region in the entire image.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a monitoring system and method applied to monitoring cameras, etc., and a program and a recording medium which are used with the system and method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Monitoring systems have conventionally been used for monitoring situations in wide areas. For example, monitoring systems have been used for sea surveillance, river surveillance, restricted area monitoring, wild animal behavior observation, etc. Since pictures of a wide area must be captured, a video camera having a very large number of pixels has been used. Accordingly, the system price is expensive, thus causing a problem in cost. Unlike this type of system, a method has been proposed in which, by capturing still images while sequentially shifting capturing ranges of a camera, and connecting the images, an image in a monitored area is generated. In this method, an extremely high-resolution image can be obtained as an entire image. Thus, when a portion of the entire image is obtained as an enlarged image, the enlarged image itself has a high resolution and is clear. Also, in the above monitoring system, not only captured images can be monitored in real time, but also images captured in the past can be monitored, with the captured images stored in a memory. Moreover, by monitoring the images captured in the past, and analyzing each image, the cause of, for example, a particular event, such as an accident or a disaster, can be clarified.
Nevertheless, the monitoring systems of the related art have a poor operability in that it takes a long time to read and display images stored in the memory. This is because the amount of data per image is very large since each image for image analysis must have a high resolution and clearness.
In addition, it is difficult for the above monitoring systems to monitor a moving object such as a wild animal. This is because it is difficult to shorten intervals at which an image displayed on a display is updated since the data capacity of images is very large. In the monitoring system of the related art, not only captured images can be displayed, but also the captured images can be recorded on a recording medium, and can be transferred to a personal computer through a network. However, since the data capacity of the images is very large, it takes a very long time to perform a process for transferring the captured images from the monitoring system to the personal computer through the network. Also, a process for the monitoring system for recording the captured images on the recording medium, and a process for the personal computer for reading images from the recording medium each require a very long time.

Monitoring system and method, and program and recording medium used therewith


A liquid crystal display device comprising a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal display panel having a liquid crystal layer positioned between the substrates, a transparent protective plate arranged on a front surface side of the display panel, and an optically transparent layer between the display panel and the protective plate, and wherein the protective plate includes fine concavity and convexity configurations on at least a surface thereof toward the display panel.

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particular, to a display device provided on a front surface side thereof with a transparent protective plate. Further, the present invention relates to an appliance provided with such display device.
As display devices mounted on portable appliances such as portable telephones, etc. there are liquid crystal display devices and organic electroluminescence display devices. While these display devices are of a passive drive type and of an active matrix drive type, detailed constructions and operations thereof are well known and so an explanation therefor is omitted.
In the case where these display devices are mounted on portable appliances such as portable telephones, etc., a transparent protective plate is provided on a front surface of a display device in order to prevent an action of a mechanical force applied from outside from disordering or breaking display.
Since a protective plate is different in refractive index from an air, reflection is generated on an interface between the protective plate and an air. That is, with a display device provided with a protective plate, unnecessary interfacial reflection is generated on a front surface and a back surface of the protective plate, so that visibility of the display device is considerably impaired especially in the case where surrounding environment is bright.
As measures to suppress unnecessary reflection generated due to the provision of a protective plate, for example, JP-A-5-11239 discloses a display device, in which an external light reflection preventive layer made of a liquid material having substantially the same refractive index as that of the protective plate is provided between the protective plate and the display device.
In this case, it is possible to suppress reflection on a boundary surface between the protective plate and the external light reflection preventive layer and between the external light reflection preventive layer and the display device.
In the case where an optically transparent layer made of a liquid material is filled as an external light reflection preventive layer between a protective plate and a display device, measures to surround a periphery of the layer with a sealing material becomes necessary in order to prevent leakage of the optically transparent layer from between the protective plate and the display device, thus involving complexity in process and construction.
Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have examined application of a sheet-shaped material as an optically transparent layer instead of a liquid material because the material is favorable in handling and workability. Several problems are caused in application of a sheet-shaped material as an optically transparent layer.
Generally, both a protective plate and a display device are hard, so that in the case where a sheet-shaped material is stuck between hard substances, bubbles are liable to interpose therebetween. In the case where bubbles interpose between an optically transparent layer made of a sheet-shaped material and a protective plate, or between an optically transparent layer and a display device, there is caused a problem that display is degraded in quality since unnecessary reflection is generated in a region, in which bubbles are present.
Also, since a conventional construction includes a clearance composed of an air between a protective plate and a display device, it protects the display device because no force reaches the display device directly even when a mechanical force is applied from outside to deform the protective plate. When a sheet-shaped optically transparent layer is filled between a protective plate and a display device, however, a mechanical force applied to the protective plate from outside becomes liable to be transmitted to the display device and inconvenience attributable thereto is liable to generate.
The invention has been thought of in order to solve such problem in the related art and has its object to realize a display device, in which entrained bubbles are little and display of high quality is obtained.
Also, it is an object of the invention to provide a display device, in which inconvenience is hard to occur even when a mechanical force is applied from outside.
Other tasks and novel features of the invention will be made apparent with reference to descriptions and accompanying drawings of the specification of the present application.

Display device and electrical appliance using the same


A culture medium includes a carbon nanotube structure and a hydrophilic layer. The culture medium is capable of culturing at least one neuron. The hydrophilic layer has a polar surface and is located on a surface of the carbon nanotube structure. The polar surface is located on a surface of the hydrophilic layer away from the carbon nanotube structure, and has a polarity attracted to a polarity of the at least one neuron.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a culture medium, especially to a culture medium for culturing neurons.
2. Description of Related Art
A nervous system is a complex cellular communication network that is mainly composed of neurons and glial cells (neuroglial cells). Glial cells occupy spaces between the neurons and modulate the neurons' functions. The neurons sense stimuli and transmit this information to the brain for processing and storage. For example, the neurons receive diverse stimuli from the environment (e.g. light, touch, sound) and transmit electrical signals, which are then converted into chemical signals to be passed on to other cells.
Neurons exist in a number of different shapes and sizes, and can be classified by their morphology and function. The basic morphology of a neuron includes a cell body and neurites projecting/branching from the cell body towards other neurons. The neurites can also be divided into two types by their functions. One is a dendrite, which branches around the cell body and receive signals from other neurons to the cell body. The other is an axon, which branches from the cell body and grows continually without tapering. The axon conducts the signals away from the neuron's cell body. The end of the axon has branching terminals that release neurotransmitters into a gap between the branching terminals and the dendrites of other neurons. Thus, the information or signal is propagated.
Neuron damage can lead to neurite degeneration and retraction. If the damage is severe, breaks in neurites affect signal transmission and the cellular communication between neurons will cease.
What is needed, therefore, is a culture medium for culturing neurons which can reconnect opposite terminals in broken neurites.

Culture substrate comprising carbon nanotube structure


Au automated laser pressing system assembles and aligns a laser header subassembly to a lens housing. The automated system generally includes a precise press system and a fast fiber alignment system. The press system precisely presses the housing onto the header, or the header onto the housing, and the fiber alignment system keeps a fiber in alignment with light passed through the lens to measure the laser header to lens housing alignment. Feedback from the fiber alignment system to the housing press system is used to precisely and automatically adjust the alignment as necessary before the housing and header are permanently affixed.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present application relates to the field of manufacturing optical components. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices and methods for aligning a laser header subassembly to a lens housing.
2. The Relevant Technology
Computer and data communications networks continue to develop and expand due to declining costs, improved performance of computer and networking equipment, the remarkable growth of the internet, and the resulting increased demand for communication bandwidth. Such increased demand is occurring both within and between metropolitan areas as well as within communications networks. Moreover, as organizations have recognized the economic benefits of using communications networks, network applications such as electronic mail, voice and data transfer, host access, and shared and distributed databases are increasingly used as a means to increase user productivity. This increased demand, together with the growing number of distributed computing resources, has resulted in a rapid expansion of the number of fiber optic systems required.
Through fiber optics, digital data in the form of light signals is formed by lasers or light emitting diodes and then propagated through a fiber optic cable. Such light signals allow for high data transmission rates and high bandwidth capabilities. One method of coupling the light signals from the laser into the optical fiber is a lens which collimates or focuses the light signal (which exits the optical fiber in a divergent pattern) into the optical fiber. The lens must be aligned, however, with the laser to ensure that the optical axis of the fiber is properly aligned with the focal point of the lens.
In addition, the relative spacing between the lens and the laser affects the power of the optical signal. If the focal point of the light exiting the lens is not at the desired point as it is launched into an optical fiber, the optical power of the signal as it is launched into the fiber, and ultimately as it is received at the far end of the optical fiber, will not be within the design specifications. This is particularly important because detectors in optical systems are configured to decode optical signals based in part on the power of the signals. Hence, if the power of and optical signal launched into an optical fiber is not within design specifications because of misalignment between the lens and the laser, the signal may be misread by detectors elsewhere in the optical system.
Optical devices often incorporate the lasers and lenses into a single device, such as a laser package subassembly. However, properly aligning lens and laser in each of the X, Y, and Z directions can be a time consuming manual process with a lower than desired yield. Accordingly, what is needed are systems and methods to more quickly and accurately align components in laser package subassemblies.


A video surveillance system includes a central control station and a plurality of video cameras each mounted inside a dome housing unit. A video data buffer memory, storing compressed video data generated by the camera, is mounted with each camera in the respective dome unit. Data buffered at the dome units may be selectively protected from over-writing in response to alarm signals and then retrieved for display or tape-recording by the central control station. Both live and buffered video signals are transmitted in compressed form over a data network that is also used for command, alarm and status messaging.

A conventional closed-circuit video surveillance system, indicated generally by reference numeral 10, is illustrated in block diagram form in FIG. 1.
The surveillance system 10 includes a host computer 12, which controls the operation of the system, a video switch 14 which selectively interconnects input video signals (represented by dashed lines 16) with outputs of the switch (represented by dashed lines 18). Also included in the system 10 are video cameras 20, monitors 22, control consoles 24, and sensor devices 26. A local area network 28 is provided for interchange of command, status and alarm data between the system host 12 and the cameras 20, control consoles 24 and sensors 26.
A user interface 30 is also provided to permit a system operator to control operations of the system. The interface 30 may incorporate a monitor and a control console which are not shown separately from the user interface 30. Also included in the system 10 are one or more video cassette recorders 32 which are available to record video signals that are generated by the video cameras 20 and selectively routed to the VCRs 32 by way of the video switch 14. Video signals previously recorded by the VCRs 32 can be played back by the VCRs 32 and selectively routed through the switch 14 for viewing on one or more of the monitors 22. As is well known to those who are skilled in the art, system host 12 also controls the video switch 14 so that, in response to control signals entered via the control consoles 24, video signals generated by a selected one of the video cameras 20 is routed for viewing at a selected one of the monitors 22. Sensors 26 generate alarm signals in response to anomalous events such as unauthorized opening of doors, windows or display cases. The system host 12 operates to inform the human operator of the alarm conditions, and predetermined camera movements and routing of corresponding video signals to pre-selected monitors 22 may be automatically actuated in response to alarm signals. Movement of the cameras can also be controlled through commands issued by the system host, in response to pre-programmed surveillance routines, or in response to operator input through the control consoles 24 or the user interface 30.
It is generally a desired goal in video surveillance systems that video signals representative of conditions before, during and after the onset of an alarm event be recorded for current and future reference, subsequent legal proceedings, and so forth, and it is for this purpose that the VCRs 32 are provided. However, surveillance systems frequently include a large number of video cameras (e.g., dozens or hundreds of cameras), and the cost of video cassette recorders is too high to permit recording of the signals generated by more than a few of the cameras at any given time. In conventional systems, video signals indicative of conditions prior to an alarm event cannot be recorded, unless the output of a video camera has been routed for recording by a VCR prior to the time an alarm event occurs.
To maximize the recording capacity of the VCRs, it is known to provide space-division-multiplexed (e.g., quad multiplexed) signals for recording on VCRs 32, and it is also known to operate the VCRs in a time lapse mode, with a reduced frame rate and switching among a number of cameras. When an alarm occurs, the time lapse mode can be automatically stopped in favor of a standard frame rate recording operation for the critical camera or cameras. In addition, critical cameras can be connected at all times for recording by a dedicated VCR. There are, however, disadvantages with all of these techniques. As noted above, it is quite expensive to provide a large number of VCRs, and if space-division-multiplexing is employed, the spatial resolution of the image signal is reduced, which may impair recognition of critical elements of the recorded images. On the other hand, time lapse recording suffers from reduced temporal resolution, so that again critical events may be missed. And, as noted before, if a camera having a view of an alarm event is not being recorded prior to the alarm event, the critical video information may simply fail to be captured.
An "intrusion monitoring system" disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,109,278 and 5,111,291 (assigned to Commonwealth Edison) attempts to address some of these problems by providing an analog-to-digital converter and frame buffers at the output of a video multiplexer. Although the system disclosed in the Com Ed patents provides some capability for capturing and storing signals indicative of conditions at or before the time that an alarm event occurs, the system does not seem to be adapted to operate with a large number of cameras, and the temporal resolution is poor, especially when the system includes more than a minimal number of cameras.

Distributed video data storage in video surveillance system


Disk drive systems and associated methods of fabrication are disclosed for a write head having an integrated coil and shield structure. The write head includes a write pole having a pole tip adjacent to an air bearing surface, and a return pole having a surface adjacent to the air bearing surface. The write pole and the return pole are connected to one another by a back gap section that is distal from the air bearing surface. The write head also includes a coil formed from electrically conductive materials. The coil includes a segment that is formed proximate to the air bearing surface. The coil segment is formed from a ferromagnetic material so that the coil segment acts as a shield for the write pole.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is related to the field of magnetic recording and, in particular, to a write head of a disk drive system that has an integrated coil and shield structure.
2. Statement of the Problem
Magnetic disk drive systems are used in a variety of electrical devices for mass storage of information. The disk drive systems include a hard disk and an assembly of write and read heads. The assembly of write and read heads is supported by a slider that is mounted on a suspension arm. The suspension arm biases the slider toward the hard disk. When the hard disk rotates, an air flow generated by the rotation of the hard disk causes the slider to fly on a cushion of air at a very low elevation (fly height) over the hard disk. When the slider rides on the air, the actuator moves the suspension arm to position the write and read heads over selected data tracks on the hard disk. The write and read heads write data to and read data from, respectively, data tracks on the hard disk. Processing circuitry connected to the write and read heads then operates according to a computer program to implement writing and reading functions.
A write head typically has the structure of a write pole, a return pole, and a back gap section. A coil is wrapped around the write pole or the back gap section, and when current is applied through the coil, a magnetic flux is induced in the write pole which is used to write to the hard disk. There are two types of coils that are typically used in a write head. One type of coil is a spiral coil that is flat on a single plane. The spiral coil begins at an inner radius and loops outwardly to larger radii. Each loop of the spiral coil is referred to as a turn. Another type of coil is a helical coil. A helical coil has a three-dimensional structure where the loops wrap as if around the surface of a cylinder (even though the loops may not have a perfect circular shape).
The write pole has a pole tip proximate to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the write head. Magnetic recording generally takes place from the trailing side and the two track sides of the pole tip, and no recording generally takes place from the leading side of the write pole. To prevent writing to neighboring bits along the track and to neighboring tracks, a wrap around shield (WAS) may be fabricated proximate to the trailing side of the pole tip and to the two track sides of the pole tip. The wrap around shield shunts the magnetic fields emitting from the trailing and the two track sides of the pole tip. Because the trailing side of the pole tip is primarily responsible for recording, the wrap around shield helps sharpen the field gradient of the magnetic fields as well as prevents writing to neighboring bits. Manufacturers of disk drive systems continually strive to find better and more efficient ways to fabricate write heads for disk drive systems. As areal density increases, the need for higher coercivity media is needed to prevent superparamagnetic loss of data.

Write head with integrated coil and shield structure

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands, B.V.


Backlighting systems are disclosed, which include a lightguide with at least one light source optically connected to an edge of the lightguide for supplying light into its interior and a reflective cavity with at least one light source optically connected to the reflective cavity for supplying light into its interior. The reflective cavity may include a first reflector and a second reflector and at least one source may be disposed at an edge of the reflective cavity. Alternatively, the reflective cavity may include a back reflector portion and light sources may be disposed at the back reflector portion.

Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are widely used in electronic display devices, such as computer monitors, handheld devices and televisions. Unlike cathode ray tube (CRT) displays, LCDs do not emit light and, thus, require a separate light source for viewing images formed on such displays. Ambient light illumination is sufficient for some applications, but with most large area and high performance LCDs, ambient light causes glare and is detrimental to readability. Thus, in order to improve readability, most large area and high performance LCDs include a source of light located behind the display, which is usually referred to as a "backlight."
Presently, many popular systems for backlighting LCDs include direct-lit backlights, in which multiple lamps or a single serpentine-shaped lamp are arranged behind the display in the field of view of the user, or edge-lit backlights, in which the lamps are placed along one or more edges of a lightguide located behind the display, so that the lamps are out of the field of view of the user. In order to compete with CRT displays, large LCD displays (e.g., greater than ˜20″ or 50 cm in diagonal) must have high luminance targets, e.g., about 500 nt or more. Such high luminance targets are currently met by single-cavity direct-lit backlights for LCDs.
The use of conventional direct-lit backlighting systems, however, has caused some concerns among manufacturers of large LCDs, such as LCD televisions. One concern is a discrepancy between the intended lifetimes of LCD televisions, which for most consumers may be 10 to 20 years, and the lifetimes of individual lamps in the televisions' backlights, which are approximately 10,000 to 20,000 hours and usually at the lower end of this range. In particular, cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), which are frequently used for backlighting, have varying lifetimes and aging characteristics. If one CCFL burns out in a conventional direct-lit backlight, the result will be a dark line directly across the display. In addition, the spatial color uniformity of a direct-lit display suffers as each CCFL ages differently. Major LCD manufacturers and television set makers currently do not have a model for servicing LCD television backlights that fail in either of these two modes.
Furthermore, light reaching the viewer from multiple sources in a conventional direct-lit backlight usually is not mixed as well as the light in edge-lit backlights. Nonetheless, despite this and other shortcomings, as well as the uniformity and aging disadvantages of conventional direct-lit backlights, they are currently a popular choice for backlighting LCD televisions, because they allow reaching luminance targets that are competitive with CRT televisions. On the other hand, although edge-lit-backlights would appear to be more advantageous in many respects, achieving desired levels of luminance with conventional edge-lit backlights has remained a challenge. One difficulty has been arranging a large enough number of light sources at an edge of a single lightguide to provide sufficient optical power to reach the target luminance. Other difficulties include enhancement film warping in conventional backlights, e.g., due to high thermal gradients and handling problems.
Thus, there remains a need in the field of backlights for large high-performance LCDs for backlighting systems that are capable of achieving high luminance targets and are more efficient. In addition, there remains a need for backlighting systems for large high-performance LCDs that overcome other shortcomings of the currently available backlighting systems described above.


Methods, apparatus, and articles of manufacture control a device or system that has an operational limit related to the rate or frequency of operation. The frequency of operation is controlled at a variable rate calculated to maximize the system or apparatus performance over a calculated period of time short enough that a controlling factor, such as power consumption, does not vary significantly during the period. Known system parameters, such as thermal resistance and capacitance of an integrated circuit (IC) and its package, and measured values, such as current junction temperature in an IC, are used to calculate a time-dependent frequency of operation for the upcoming time period that results in the best overall performance without exceeding the operational limit, such as the junction temperature.

Many electronic and mechanical devices have performance limitations that relate to a maximum allowable temperature of operation. It is known in integrated circuit devices ("ICs") that higher system cycle rates result in increased system performance, but they also result in increased heating of the IC device. This heating may be an issue in some applications, because it results in decreased reliability and decreased IC lifetime. It is known to attach high thermally conductive materials to ICs to form improved heat-dissipation structures, generally known as heat sinks, in order to increase the performance rate of the IC without exceeding the thermal limitation. In the case of an IC, the junction temperature may be the thermal limit. This thermal issue may be very serious in certain applications, since operating an IC at a rate that causes the junction temperature to exceed the allowed limit for the particular technology, results in a greatly decreased IC lifetime. There may be a typically exponential decrease in lifetime as a function of small linear increases in junction temperature for many types of ICs, as well as for many other systems such as electric motors.
The use of heat-dissipating devices improves the thermal limitation capability in ICs and in other electronic devices, by reducing the temperature difference between the outside ambient temperature and the junction area deep within the IC. This may be known as the junction to ambient temperature difference θJA. Even though the performance rate of an IC can be increased without exceeding the junction temperature thermal limit by means of a heat-dissipating device, there may still be a need to increase the performance rate to as high a level as possible. In addition, the use of heat-dissipation structures is expensive, adds yet another component subject to failure to the overall system, adds another step to the assembly process, may require mechanical devices such as fans be added to the system, and may take up more space than may be allowed in personal electronic devices.
Thus there is a need to find methods and apparatus to control the performance rate of an electronic device to a performance level that is as high as it can be, but without exceeding the thermal limitation. This need exists in electronic devices such as ICs that cannot practically employ heat dissipation structures, and in ICs that use heat-dissipation structures but need to optimize their performance rate to the best possible rate in order to obtain a competitive edge in the market. The need to control and optimize the performance rate exists in electrical systems as well as in electronic devices, for example a power transformer. The need to control and optimize the performance rate may also exist in mechanical systems as well as electrical systems, such as a motor operating an electrical generator. Any system that has a thermal limitation that relates to a controllable performance value may need to optimize its performance under various demand levels, while not exceeding the thermal limitation at any time.

Methods and apparatus for optimal voltage and frequency control of thermally limited systems


An electronic device includes a first body and a second body. The second body is slidably connected to the first body. The second body includes a rolling assembly. The rolling assembly includes a rolling member contacting to the first body. When the second body slides relative to the first body, the rolling member rolls on the first body.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to electronic devices and, particularly, to a slide type electronic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Slide type electronic devices have become increasingly popular in the consumer market, as users are able to open or close a sliding cover with only one hand, and the sliding cover is capable of being integrated with various operating interfaces.
A typical slide type electronic device often includes a main body, a sliding cover and a sliding assembly. The sliding assembly includes a first sliding plate, a second sliding plate and an elastic member. The first sliding plate is connected to the main body. The second sliding plate is connected to the sliding cover. The first sliding plate defines two grooves and the second sliding plate defines two guiding portions to be received in the two grooves correspondingly. The elastic member is mounted between the first sliding plate and the second sliding plate. The elastic member is capable of providing an elastic force to the sliding cover. Thus, the sliding cover can slide along the main body by the elastic force.
However, a large sliding friction is often generated between the grooves and the guiding portion. Thus, the second sliding plate may be incapable of sliding smoothly. The friction also causes the portion defining the grooves and the guiding portion to become abraded. Therefore, the sliding assembly has a relatively short lifespan.
Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.


A cooling structure of a power transmission apparatus is provided. The power transmission apparatus has an electromagnetic clutch including a fixed outer member with an exciting coil and a rotary inner member adapted to be fixed to the outer member by controlling electric energy provided to the exciting coil, and a gear device connected to the inner member of the electromagnetic clutch. A cooling apparatus is positioned between the outer member and a gear case member housing the gear device, for cooling both of the electromagnetic clutch and the gear device concurrently.

The present invention relates to a power transmission apparatus used for a clutch or a brake, and particularly to a cooling structure thereof.
In an magnetic particle type electromagnetic clutch having an outer member forming an annular space, an inner member arranged inside of the outer member and electromagnetic powder of magnetic particles interposed between the outer and inner members, when an exciting coil supported by the outer member is charged with electricity to produce a magnetic field, magnetic particles in the electromagnetic powder are magnetized and a linkage of the magnetic particles is formed for connecting the outer and inner members. When the exciting coil is not charged with electricity, the outer and inner members are disconnected so as to freely rotate mutually.
In such a magnetic particle type electromagnetic clutch, a large amount of heat is generated by the exciting coil and slipping of the clutch on connecting and disconnecting to deteriorate stable connection-disconnection function and durability, therefore a forced cooling is necessary in general.
Accordingly, in a magnetic particle type electromagnetic clutch disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. Sho 63-64938 (1988), within an inner member is formed a cooling water passage from a core portion to an outer peripheral portion opposed to an outer member and at the outer peripheral portion is provided a special annular chamber to improve cooling effect.
There is also another example wherein a cooling water passage is formed in an outer member to cool mainly an exciting coil side.
In these examples, the cooling water passage is formed within an inner member or an outer member, so that it is advantageous spatially and the electromagnetic clutch itself does not become large.
However, since the cooling water passage is formed in the inner or outer member, construction of the member becomes complicated and the working is very troublesome. In case of a clutch which is connected and disconnected while both inner and outer members rotate, formation of the cooling water passage at a boundary between a fixed part and a rotating part is difficult. When the cooling water passage is formed in the inner member, cooling effect against heat generation of the exciting coil is small.
Further, the inner and outer members must be worked with high accuracy or sealed surely so that the cooling water passage is blocked surely from the electromagnetic powder and the exciting coil, which are apt to be influenced by liquid, and no leak of the cooling water occurs. This is difficult technically and results in a high cost, sometimes.
When the cooling water passage is formed within the inner or outer member, it is difficult to form fins within a limited interior space resulting in a small heat transmitting area, therefore a large quantity of water must be flowed in order to obtain a high cooling effect. If the cooling water passage is made of iron or steel material apt to rust, there is the possibility that the passage is stopped up by the rust, therefore complications on use such as rust prevention, administration of the cooling liquid, periodical maintenance are accompanied.
Further, when the magnetic particle type electromagnetic clutch is combined with a gear device to constitute a power transmission apparatus and the gear device is also necessitated to be cooled, another cooling apparatus for the gear device has to be provided, that is uneconomical in view of space and cost.

Cooling apparatus of a gear transmission having an electromagnetic clutch


A microwavable material having a structure that may be used to enhance the browning and crisping, and thus improve the taste and appearance, of a food item cooked therein. The material may be in the form of a sheet material or formed as a container such as a bag, pouch, or other suitable structure. The material may have one or more features that help bring the material into close contact with the food item and help conform the bag around the food item. Furthermore, the material may have a structure that avoids substantial contact with liquid released by a food item, may have a venting system suitable for the exiting of moisture, may have a coating, a transparent surface, and when formed as a container, may have a gusseted surface.

Cooking food items in a microwave is often convenient because it takes a much shorter time to cook the food item than in a conventional oven. Microwavable food items, however, often suffer in quality despite their convenience. For example, frequently food items turn out soggy rather than having the crisping and browning characteristics achieved when cooking in a conventional oven. This is particularly true for meats (i.e., chicken, white fish, salmon, pork chops, etc.) cooked in a microwave oven which lack the appearance and taste acquired by cooking on a stove top or in a conventional oven.
A susceptor material may be used to aid the cooking of a food item in a microwave oven. The susceptor material is typically constructed of a material suitable for absorbing, transmitting, or reflecting microwave energy to cook food. Typically the susceptor material includes a metallic layer on a substrate material such as a rigid cardboard or paper. The susceptor/substrate combination is sold with frozen food items and is used to aid in the cooking of the food items in a microwave oven. Although current susceptor materials provide an improvement in cooking food in a microwave without a susceptor material, they still do not provide the browning and crisping of a quality that approaches the quality achieved when a food item is cooked in a conventional oven. Therefore, there is a need for improved bags and sheet materials utilizing a susceptor for cooking food items in a microwave.


A pre-fabricated stage comprising an integrated visible light-source, a device for directing light from the visible light source away from the stage in the form of a beam of light, and corresponding light-detecting devices for detecting such light that is retroreflected back towards the stage. The stage is typically adapted to support the weight of at least one person, and preferably further incorporates a pulse generator associated with each light-detecting device, and a device for generating an electronic instruction code, such, for example, as a MIDI compatible code, in response to an input from the pulse generator for controlling a sound generator or other device. Thus, a person using the stage may play music or control other devices by cutting beams of light directed by the directing device with his/her hands or other parts of the body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pre-fabricated stage incorporating integrant light-actuated triggering means such, for example, as light-to-sound equipment.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,770 and GB-B-2183889 (Sigalov), the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, disclose interactive light-to-MIDI equipment comprising at least one source of visible light and a corresponding light-sensing detector. The detector is connected to a pulse-generator for converting the analogue output of the detector to a MIDI-compatible digital signal. The pulse-generator in turn is connected to a MIDI interface, which interface can be connected to a sound generator or other MIDI-controlled device of the kind well known to those skilled in the art. The MIDI interface can be set-up to transmit a predetermined MIDI instruction to the sound generator or other device in response to a signal from the pulse generator.
Also available to the public is an integrated, single-beam light unit comprising a single light-source and a light-sensing detector. The single-beam light unit can be mounted in any suitable position, for instance on a lighting rig or a stage. In practice a plurality of single-beam units are used, and these are connected to a common MIDI interface, with each unit being used to control a different note or event.
The equipment disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,017,770 and GB-B-2183889 and the single-beam apparatus described above work well in practice, and have been used with excellent results. They have the disadvantage however that they are relatively complicated and time-consuming to install. Moreover, as either form of equipment constitutes, in effect, a musical instrument, a competent musician is required to obtain good results from a musical point of view.
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved interactive, light-actuated triggering equipment, particularly light-to-sound equipment, especially light-to-MIDI equipment.
According to one aspect of the present invention therefore there is provided a pre-fabricated stage.
The present invention thus provides a fully or partially integrated, pre-fabricated stage incorporating light-actuated triggering means that is convenient to install and can easily be transported from one location to another.
In order to facilitate transportation, the stage of the invention may be constructed from a plurality of pre-fabricated staging components, each of which pre-fabricated staging components comprises a platform, supporting means for supporting the platform off the ground, at least one light transmitting means and corresponding light detecting means.
The pre-fabricated stage may thus have a modular construction which is convenient to transport and simple to erect at any location as required.
The pre-fabricated stage may have any shape in plan view. In some embodiments of the invention, the staging components may have various different shapes, so that they can be assembled in a number of different combinations and arrangements to provide stages of different shapes and sizes.
Preferably each staging component comprises a robust housing that is adapted to stand on the ground and has an upper surface constituting the platform. The pre-fabricated stage of the present invention may also be hung from a wall, ceiling or other suitable support, in which case it is not necessary for the stage to be load-bearing.
In another aspect of the present invention, the pre-fabricated stage of the invention comprises a canopy assembly. Said canopy assembly may comprise a roof and roof-supporting means adapted to be connected to the staging components.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a light reflector/detector assembly.
In yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a combined reflector and retroreflector unit.
Further scope of the applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Pre-fabricated stage incorporating light-actuated triggering means


The present invention provides a processing apparatus using a scanning electron microscope, which includes the scanning electron microscope having an electron optical system radiating and scanning a focused electron beam on a sample placed on a stage to image the sample, and an image processing/control section which controls the scanning electron microscope and processes the image obtained by imaging with the scanning electron microscope. The electron optical system of the scanning electron microscope has image shift electrodes comprised of electrostatic electrodes, the image shift electrodes moving a position at which to apply the focused electron beam onto the sample with the stage stopped to thereby shift a region in which the sample is to be imaged.

The present invention relates to an apparatus (measurement inspection apparatus) for carrying out processing such as measurement, observation or inspection or the like of a sample (object) such as a semiconductor substrate, and a method (measurement inspection method) for carrying out measurement or inspection or the like using the apparatus, etc. The present invention relates particularly to a processing apparatus for imaging a sample and carrying out measurement, observation or inspection on a sample with the use of a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and relates to a method provided for the apparatus.
In a semiconductor manufacturing process, the miniaturization of circuit patterns formed on a semiconductor substrate (wafer) has been rapidly advanced. The importance of process monitoring to monitor such as whether those patterns are formed as designed is increasing more and more. For example, in order to detect the occurrence of abnormalities and failures (defects) in the semiconductor manufacturing process at an early stage or in advance, the measurement and inspection of the circuit patterns or the like on the wafer are carried out at the end of each manufacturing step.
Upon the above measurement/inspection, in a measurement inspection apparatus such as an electron microscope apparatus (SEM) using a scanning electron beam system, and a measurement inspection method corresponding thereto, an electron beam is applied to a target wafer (sample) while being scanned, and energy such as secondary electrons generated thereby is detected. Then, an image (measurement image or inspection image) is generated by signal processing/image processing or the like, based on the above detection, and the measurement, observation or inspection is carried out based on the image.
For example, in the case of a device (inspection device, inspection function) for carrying out the inspection of a defect in each circuit pattern, images of similar circuit patterns are compared with each other using the inspection image, and a point large in the difference therebetween is determined and/or detected as a defect. In the case of a device (measurement device, measurement function) for performing measurement on each circuit pattern, the amount of generation of secondary electrons or the like changes depending on the unevenness (surface shape) of a sample. It is therefore possible to acquire a change in the surface shape of the sample, etc. by evaluation processing of a signal of the secondary electrons. In particular, it is possible to measure the dimension values of the circuit pattern or the like by estimating the position of an edge in the image of the circuit pattern, particularly using that the signal of the secondary electrons is suddenly increased or decreased at the edge portion of the circuit pattern. Further, it is possible to evaluate the quality of processing of the circuit pattern, etc., based on the result of measurement thereof.
Further, in the case of a device (review device) for observing in detail, each defect detected by other inspection apparatus, a defect position is detected by a low-magnification secondary electron image, based on the position coordinates of the defect detected by other inspection apparatus. Then, an enlarged image of the defect is picked up by a high-magnification secondary electron image, and the defect is observed based on the enlarged image. Further, the feature amounts on the image of each defect are extracted from the enlarged image to perform defect classification.
In the measurement apparatus using the scanning electron beam system and the measurement method corresponding thereto, it is essential to move an observation point to each of several tens of inspection/measurement positions on the semiconductor wafer at high speed and improve throughput. A high-speed movable sample stage has therefore been developed, but its position accuracy is about several microns.
Mechanically controlling the sample stage in nanometer order is not practical in terms of the moving speed and production cost. To adjust the position of the sample stage with more accuracy, there has normally been adopted an image shift system for electrically moving the scan center coordinates of primary electrons. In this system, the sample stage is fixed. With an electron microscope, a relatively narrow visual field with high magnification is observed in a relatively wide visual field of a low magnification. The relatively narrow visual field is switched by shifting a scanning range of an electron beam.
Thus, in order to acquire the measurement image, the measurement apparatus using the scanning electron beam system needs to be equipped with a deflection scanning function capable of scanning an electron beam with respect to a measurement region lying in a target wafer (sample), and an image shift control function for moving the electron beam to the center of a range targeted for measurement.
There are two types of deflection system, electromagnetic deflection and electrostatic deflection, as a system for position movement and scan control of an electron beam. The electromagnetic deflection system applies a current signal to a coil installed in a column to generate a magnetic field and deflects and controls a passing electron beam by the Lorentz force. On the other hand, the electrostatic deflection system applies a required voltage signal to a multi-electrode electrode plate disposed in a columnar shape to generate an electric field and deflects and controls a passing electron beam by the Coulomb force. When comparing both systems, the electrostatic deflection system that is capacity-load driven has a scan speed that is ten times or more faster as compared with the electromagnetic deflection system that is inductor-load driven, and is used in a high-speed scan. On the other hand, since a mounting space is restricted and the sensitivity of a positional displacement due to electric noise is restricted in the electrostatic deflection system, it is not possible to increase deflection sensitivity (beam moving distance per unit voltage: um/V). Therefore, when the large-view beam movement and the deflection scanning are performed in the electrostatic deflection system, the required deflection voltage is increased.
An electron beam scanning system in a measurement inspection apparatus such as SEM according to a related art example and a method therefor will be described below. For example, a normal scan in a CD-SEM (critical dimension SEM) is called a TV scan or a raster scan or the like. Further, a scan having an n-fold increase in speed with respect to the TV scan is called an n-fold speed scan or the like.
A raster scan system or a TV scan system according to a related art example is accompanied by a problem that a difference occurs in the electrostatic charge quantity of a sample according to the shape or the like of each pattern formed on the sample. That is, a problem arises in that the accuracy of the observation, i.e., measurement or inspection of the surface condition of the sample is degraded, or it becomes impossible, like such as a reduction in image contrast or disappearance of the edge of each circuit pattern in an image obtained by detecting secondary electrons.
To cope with the above problem that the accuracy of the measurement/inspection is degraded, it is effective to shorten the irradiation time per unit region, i.e., decrease an irradiation charge density and reduce the electrostatic charge quantity of the sample or make it appropriate. To this end, raising the irradiation scanning speed of the electron beam like an n-fold speed or providing high-speed scanning is effective. Here, the electrostatic deflection system may be adopted to provide the electron beam deflection scanning function, thereby the high-speed scanning is provided.
Related art examples each related to the above measurement/inspection and electron beam control, there are known technologies described in JP-2006-093251-A (Patent Document 1), Republished Patent Publication No. WO01/033606 (Patent Document 2), JP-2001-283759-A (Patent Document 3), JP-1996-45460-A (Patent Document 4), JP-2012-249078-A (Patent Document 5), etc.
Patent Document 1 describes a technology or the like which measures pattern dimensions at a desired position on a cross sectional shape of each pattern. Patent Document 1 has described a dimension measuring method, comprising: acquiring a secondary electron image of a sample using a scanning electron microscope; creating an image profile of a pattern to measure its dimensions within the acquired secondary electron image using the secondary electron image; retrieving a model profile most matching with an image profile created out of a plurality of model profiles respectively corresponding to a plurality of patterns obtained from respective secondary electron images of a plurality of patterns already known in cross-sectional shape and dimensions stored in advance and different in shape; and determining the size of each pattern using information about the model profile obtained by retrieval. Patent Document 1 also describes an apparatus provided for the method.
Patent Documents 2 and 3 describes a method or the like as regards image shift control, in which even when the amount of movement by an image shift is large, the resolution and dimensional measurement accuracy are high.
Patent Document 4 describes that a response delay of a deflection position of an electron beam in an electron beam lithography apparatus is corrected accurately and at high speed.
Further, Patent Document 5 describes a driver integrated circuit which includes a differential input circuit, a level shift circuit and an output circuit divided. These circuits are arranged in three or more chips different in substrate potential so that an output voltage larger than a process breakdown voltage can be acquired.

Processing apparatus and method using a scanning electron microscope


A method for processing a film. The method impressing the whole surface or a selected surface of the film to form protuberant structures on the film by using a transfer and an impresser which has grain projections formed thereon, wherein the protuberant structures have a protuberant shape with an opening hole on the tip or without an opening hole on the tip.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method for processing a film. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method for forming protuberant structures on the film.
2. Description of Related Art
A typical metal material is commonly used because of its special luster. For example, a signboard or a billboard for decorating is surface finished with metal and is shaped by computerized cutting to attract people's attention. Sometimes the metal is processed by special treatment to produce different feeling of sight and touch. An example of special treatment is the sandblasting treatment used to form fine grains on the surface of the metal to make different reflections and refraction of light, so that the different feelings of beauty can be produced.
However, it is hard to control the surface feature of the metal when using the sandblasting treatment. Furthermore, this sandblasting treatment causes poor uniformity and lower reproducibility, is time-consuming and manpower consuming, and the hardware of the sandblasting is quite expensive. Therefore, the sandblasting treatment has its restrictions and is not suitable for circumstances, which requires high throughput, fineness, high-quality reproduction and good uniformity.


A method, system and computer program product for managing bills issued from applications service providers (ASPs). The method on which the system and computer readable medium are based includes receiving an ASP service request from a remote user, forwarding the ASP service request to an ASP, receiving a service bill from the ASP, and incorporating the service bill into a unified bill and issuing the unified bill to the remote user. Calculating the ASP fee may include determining a discount offered by the ASP. The discount offered by the ASP may be determined on a customer by customer basis or based on a volume usage of a document management system providing access to the ASP for a plurality of users. The accuracy of the service bill from the ASP may be verified, and a discrepancy between a calculated fee and the billing amount may be determined, and negotiations undertaken with the ASP to resolve the discrepancy. Whether the user pays the bill issued may also be monitored.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to methods, computer-based systems and computer program products for managing service bills, and in particular managing bills issued from application service providers.
2. Discussion of the Background
An application service provider (ASP) is an entity, typically a company, that offers users remote access to software applications and related services that would otherwise have to be located on the user's local computer. For example, ASPs can provide searchable databases of legal, medical, financial, educational, scientific, or marketing documents to individuals and/or companies via the Internet. Alternatively, some companies may provide in-house type ASPs whereby shared software applications and services are located on a company computer accessible by the employees via a company network. Thus, as used herein, the term "ASP" has a broad meaning that includes a provider that allows a user to use an application not loaded on the user's local computer.
Today, there are a great number of ASPs providing various kinds of documents and services to a user. For example, one ASP may provide legal documents while another provides marketing, educational, scientific, financial, or medical documents. Moreover, one ASP may provide document storage and retrieval services only, while another ASP provides a service to print and deliver documents by way of the postal service or express mail. An example of a conventional network of ASPs connected to a user is shown in FIG. 1. As seen in FIG. 1, document ASPs 10, 20, 30, and 40 are connected to user 72 via the Internet 50. User 72 includes a personal computer (PC) 80, a printer 90, a local storage device 100 and a medium drive 110, and may be part of a home computer system, for example. In this example, user 72 independently connects to one of the ASPs 10-40 which provides the documents and services needed by the user 72. For example, the user 72 may connect to ASP 30 via the Internet 50 and download documents for viewing on the screen of the PC 80, printing with printer 90, or storing in the local storage device 100 and/or medium drive 110.
Where a user needs different kinds of documents or services, the user 72 may have to find and access many different ASPs. For example, where the user 72 wishes to retrieve a document and print and deliver the same document, the user 72 may have to retrieve the document from one ASP that provides only storage and retrieval services, and access a second ASP which provides a print and delivery service. In this regard, the user will receive many service bills that the user must account for and pay separately. This is a burden on the user, particularly if the user is a company having several employees that uses ASPs on a regular basis.

System, computer program product and method for managing bills issued from application service providers


Computer-aided education systems and methods provide a learner with a pedagogically appropriate interaction, including determining learner information. A state for the interaction is determined based on the determined learner information. A concept pattern is created based on the determined state. The appropriate interaction is then accessed based on the concept pattern and the determined state.

As computer technology becomes more ubiquitous, computer-aided education or instructional (CAI) products are becoming increasingly prevalent. CAI products are currently available for nearly every level of learner, from pre-school and elementary aged children to people taking college courses or specialized courses focusing on a particular topic. These software products may be used on a personal computer or on a computer network. CAI products are also available via the Internet. Some CAI products are directed towards an independent learner, while others are intended for use in a classroom setting, for example, to supplement or enhance the learning provided by an instructor. Despite the wide variety of products available, most CAI programs have similar disadvantages.
Most of the currently available CAI products may be described as "page-turners." This type of software presents the learner with graphical representations of text and pictures. With "page-turner" type products, the learner's experience is much like paging through a book in electronic form in that the presentation is static. For example, regardless of the learner's behavior, the learner will encounter a first page or screen, then a second page or screen, and so on. There is little or no interaction between the learner and the CAI product, nor does the product have pedagogical capabilities. The learner must extract information for himself from the presentation.
Another category of CAI software includes the video-game type of product. The video-game type products often disguise drill and practice problems in the form of a game that, for example, may let a learner advance their score or level by correctly answering questions. The questions presented frequently have nothing to do with the game's theme or scenario. For example, the learner may progress through a forest towards a prize by answering multiplication table questions. If the learner repeatedly answers incorrectly, the software may provide a static tutorial. Video-game type CAI products do represent an improvement over "page-turner" type products, in that the learner remains engaged via an interactive experience. Further, video-game software also may be able to provide some sort of report or feedback on the learner based on a particular skill set, such as multiplication tables. However, these products are still deficient in pedagogical capabilities.
Very few CAI products exhibit any intelligence or pedagogical capability. Of those systems that do exhibit intelligence, most are task-oriented, in that the products execute a sequence of tasks in a pre-determined sequence, regardless of learner input. Such systems may simulate one-on-one tutoring and may include an extensive expert model. The system may also compare learner performance to the expert model and deliver tutoring or coaching intervention whenever it determines that a learner has deviated from the expert model. Because the system includes some intelligent aspects, it may be used to train a learner to work through a complex, multi-step task, such as medical or technical procedures or solving advanced mathematical or scientific problems.
A disadvantage of these types of task-oriented CAI products, however, is that adherence to the expert model is required, whereas human teachers have the ability to approach the problem with learners in a flexible manner. Further, the expert model also requires adherence to a particular procedure for solving the complex problems. These types of products are unable to account for learner input or to alter the procedure for solving a problem based on the learner's problem solving approach. These aspects render these task-oriented CAI systems unsuitable for constructionist learning environments, where problem-solving skills are cultivated and learners are encouraged to find their own paths to solving problems.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an intelligent CAI system and method that has pedagogical and diagnostic capabilities. Further, it is desirable for the intelligent CAI system to focus on a learners' mastery of concepts rather than requiring strict adherence to procedure, thus permitting a flexible approach to learning. Further still, it is desirable to provide a CAI system that can be adjusted to focus on concepts based on a particular syllabus and/or set of priorities.


A vehicle exhaust system component, according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a housing defining an internal cavity to receive exhaust gases, at least one first catalyst received within the internal cavity, at least one filter positioned within the internal cavity downstream of the at least one first catalyst, and at least one second catalyst received within the internal cavity downstream of the at least one filter. A mixer has an inlet that receives exhaust gases exiting the at least one filter and an outlet that directs exhaust gases into the at least one second catalyst. One or more of the at least one first catalyst, the at least one second catalyst, and the at least one filter are serviceable.

Vehicles include an exhaust system that has catalyst components to reduce emissions. The exhaust system includes an injection system with an injector or doser that injects a diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), or a reducing agent such as a solution of urea and water for example, upstream of a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst which is used to reduce NOx emissions. A mixer is positioned upstream of the SCR catalyst and mixes engine exhaust gases and products of urea transformation prior to introduction into the SCR catalyst. The vehicle exhaust system can also include other components such as a diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and diesel particulate filter (DPF), for example. Each of the exhaust components can become less effective over time. The combination of exhaust components can be challenging to package and service.

Serviceable catalyst and mixer unit for vehicle exhaust system

Faurecia Emissions Control Technologies, USA, LLC


In a reciprocating pump, drive power of a drive-power supply member is transmitted to a diaphragm within a diaphragm drive chamber via operating fluid. An operating-fluid-flow regulation chamber for regulating the flow of operating fluid is located between the drive-power supply member and the diaphragm drive chamber. A first gas discharge member and a second gas discharge member are respectively located in an upper part of the inside of the operating-fluid-flow regulation chamber and an upper part of the inside of the diaphragm drive chamber. The first gas discharge member is held in fluid communication with the second gas discharge member so as to constitute a single gas discharge mechanism. This single gas discharge mechanism is provided with a reverse-flow prevention member for preventing a reverse flow of fluid from the first gas discharge member to the second gas discharge member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reciprocating pump and a check valve, and more particularly to a reciprocating pump that is capable of discharging gas therefrom and a check valve used for the reciprocating pump.
2. Related Art
A reciprocating pump for delivering fluid by driving a diaphragm has been hitherto known, which is generally designed to convert rotational motion produced by a driving means such as a motor into linear motion via a cam so as to drive the diaphragm by this linear reciprocating motion. A more specific construction hitherto known is that linear reciprocating motion based upon a motor or the like is transmitted to the diaphragm via operating fluid as an operating medium.
The thus constructed reciprocating pump is so operated that an elastically deformable diaphragm is reciprocated by using operating fluid, which reciprocating motion causes suction and discharge of fluid to be delivered (target fluid). In order to achieve the required degree of elastic deformability and reciprocating motion, the diaphragm is formed with a thinner wall.
The above conventional reciprocating pump, which is constructed by using such a thin diaphragm, may cause undesirable deformation or cracks of the diaphragm, or any other damage thereto due to excessive load applied to the diaphragm.
A known reciprocating pump, which employs a technique to prevent such a deformation or clack of the diaphragm, is disclosed in for example Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. Sho-61-61990 (Reference 1). The disclosed reciprocating pump is provided with a valve unit which is operated along with the diaphragm so that the valve unit limits the motion of the diaphragm and hence controls inflow of operating fluid before excessive load is applied to the diaphragm.
In a fluid delivery passage according to a prior art arrangement, a check valve, which is made up by using a ball or the like, is provided so as to prevent reverse flaw of the target fluid. Particularly, for delivering high viscous fluid (sticky fluid), a know construction as disclosed in for example Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-356274 (Reference 2) employs an urging member such as a spring for moving the ball so as to securely close a fluid passage. That is, when delivering high viscous fluid, frictional resistance is caused on the ball serving as a valve element, which in turn causes delay in seating the ball, during which delay fluid reversely flows in the passage. As a result, the discharge rate of the pump is decreased, thus affecting on the performance of the pump to constantly deliver fluid. Therefore, as described above, the urging member such as a spring is provided on an upper portion of the ball so as to enhance smooth seating of the ball in the conventional arrangement.
However, the conventional reciprocating pump as disclosed in the Reference 1 requires a relief valve (escape valve) for controlling a flow of operating fluid and a degassing member (discharge valve) for removing gas such as air mixed into or generated in operating fluid, and therefore has a problem of causing troublesome work particularly in degassing operation by using this degassing member.
Since the above conventional reciprocating pump is so designed to make the diaphragm reciprocate by means of operating fluid, gas such as air may be mixed into operating fluid during assembling or driving the pump. It is desirable to avoid such mixing of gas into operating fluid in the reciprocating pump having an arrangement with the diaphragm reciprocated by operating fluid. For the purpose of avoiding this, the conventional pump employs a degassing mechanism (a degassing member) provided between the diaphragm and the valve unit so as to properly remove gas in an initial operation subsequent to assembling of the pump and at the time when gas intrudes during the drive of the pump.
The degassing operation by using the above mechanism involves removing a lid member such as a bolt disposed on the degassing member and bringing a suction device or the like into communication with this degassing member. During this degassing operation, operating fluid may overflow from the degassing member along with gas, and therefore an oil pan or the like must be disposed around the degassing member.
Also, gas, which has been mixed into along with operating fluid, may be removed from the relief valve provided near the valve unit. However, in the prior art technique as disclosed in the Reference 1, the construction of the relief valve cannot be ascertained from the disclosure of this Reference so that the relationship between adjustment of operating fluid and degassing cannot be clearly understood.
That is, according to the prior art technique, of the degassing member for gas removal and the relief valve for resultingly achieve degassing, the former involves a troublesome work in gas removing operation, and the latter is of an unknown construction not designed for positive degassing operation, and therefore poses a problem that its effect cannot be clearly expected.
Also, in the check valve according to the prior art technique as disclosed in the Reference 2, the movement of the ball as a valve element is enhanced by the urging member such as a spring so as to securely close the flow passage. This arrangement causes increased resisting force between the valve element and a valve seat and hence cavitation during a suction step, which may deteriorate the pumping performance. Also, when a spring or the like exerting a strong spring force is used, it is necessary to prime fluid into the pump before actuating the pump due to lack of self-feeding of fluid. As another problem, the pressing force, which presses the ball against the valve seat by the spring or the like for closing the flow passage, may cause local or uneven wear-out of the ball, valve seat or the like.
In case of using the reciprocating pump according to the prior art technique for delivering high viscous fluid (sticky fluid), it also causes a problem that fluid cannot be delivered at a constant rate in a proper manner even if the check valve or the like is employed. Specifically, if fluid has high viscosity, fluid is hard to flow, with the result that it cannot be properly sucked by driving the diaphragm or any other reciprocating means, only. Thus, fluid delivery at a constant rate is hardly achieved.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating pump equipped with a gas discharge mechanism that is capable of properly and automatically discharging gas without a troublesome work involved.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a valve seat that is capable of securely closing a fluid passage, while reducing local or uneven wear-out of a ball or the valve seat itself without the necessity to prime fluid.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a reciprocating pump that is capable of delivering fluid at a constant rate even if fluid has high viscosity.


A video endoscope including an operating handle; an insertion tube extending distally from the operating handle; a camera at the distal end of the insertion tube; a working channel extending from the housing to the distal end of the insertion tube; and control cables; the operating handle including: a housing; a control lever comprising a wall and trunnions extending laterally from the wall, the wall comprising a control lever immobilization aperture; a first wall comprising a first support aperture and a first immobilization aperture; a second wall comprising a second support aperture, the first support aperture and the second support aperture receiving the trunnions to facilitate rotation of the control lever, and the control lever immobilization aperture and the first immobilization aperture being alignable to receive a tool and thereby immobilize the control lever in a neutral position during attachment of the control cables to the control lever.

In general, an endoscope comprises an operating handle at the proximal end and an insertion tube extending from the handle towards the distal end. The handle is adapted to be held by an operator and inter alia comprises externally protruding operating members connected to internal control means allowing the operator to control the motion of the distal end of the insertion tube, while advancing the distal end of the insertion tube to a desired location e.g. within a body cavity of a person. Examples of such endoscopes are disclosed in WO2013/071938A1 and WO2010/066789A1.
In modern endoscopes the tip forming the distal end of the insertion tube comprises a camera and illumination means allowing the operator to see his actions on a monitor connected to the endoscope. This necessitates supply and signal cables to be drawn between the tip and the monitor. In the tip space is very limited and generally there is no or little room for electronics, such as an amplifier. The signals from the imaging chip of the camera may thus not be amplified at the source. Transmitting directly weak signals all the way to the monitor, is undesirable because weak signals are more prone to disturbances from noise picked up by long cables, than stronger signals would be. Moreover, weak signals may be prone to attenuation in connectors in the signal path, e.g. the plug and socket connection to the monitor, and would thus require expensive high quality connectors.
It is thus desirable to interpose amplification and signal processing means in the signal path from the tip of the insertion tube to the monitor, preferably at a location where more space is available, such as in the handle of the endoscope.
In the handle, however, there may in some clinical situations be a risk of undesired contact with fluids. Main problem is water, which may disturb or ruin the electronics, in particular aqueous saline solutions, but other electrolytes may also pose problems.
It is therefore necessary to protect the electronics in a protected manner, sealed from such fluids.


A dresser apparatus is provided for a strand of blow-molded articles interconnected by shorter flashings. A first pair of first rollers and a second pair of second rollers are of the gear type and are mounted for rotation to define pinching planes therebetween along which the strand is directed. The second rollers are relatively spaced to engage the articles and flashings passing therebetween, and are spaced from the first rollers such that the second rollers engage each flashing or article while a succeeding article or flashing is being engaged by the first rollers. A second moving device rotates the second rollers at a predetermined speed which is greater than the speed of the first rollers. Thus, each flashing or article is pulled from the succeeding article or flashing. A final pair of final rollers is mounted for rotation and defines a final pinching plane rotated (turned) with respect to the second pinching plane so that deformation of the articles caused by engagement with the first and second rollers is compensated for by passage through the final rollers. The dresser apparatus may include a third pair of third rollers spaced from the second rollers by a distance longer than the flashings but shorter than the articles so that the separated flashings fall between the second and third rollers while the articles are passed from the second to the third rollers.

In the production of plastic (e.g., low-density polyethylene resin) articles such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,452 (and partially shown in FIG. 6 herein), a TGS Rotary Blow Molding Machine by Tokyo Glass Seiki Co., Ltd. of Tokyo, Japan was used. This machine was used to form the bottles in a strand with flashings therebetween. On exiting the machine and associated cooler, the bottles were dressed by separating the shorter flashings from the longer bottles using a system of three pairs of longitudinally grooved rollers driven at predetermined speeds.
In the system, a first pair of first rollers would receive the strand therebetween with a certain compressive force caused by the clearance between the first rollers. A second pair of second rollers would then receive the strand therebetween with a certain compressive force caused by the clearance between the second rollers. By driving the second rollers at a greater speed than the first rollers, the second rollers would then successively pull the flashing or bottle caught therebetween from the succeeding bottle or flashing caught between the first rollers. A vertically-adjustable platform is positioned between the first and second rollers to prevent bottles from tipping or dropping in advance of the second rollers.
From the second rollers, the now separated flashings or bottles would be directed toward a third pair of third rollers. However, as the bottles were longer than the flashings, the third rollers were positioned from the second rollers by a distance such that the flashings would fall therebetween while the bottles would be received between the third rollers. In this manner, the flashings were separated from the bottles, and the bottles were sent forward by the third rollers to be filled. The operation of such a blow-molding machine and dressing rollers is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,276 by Kentaro Hashimoto.
While the disclosed dresser system was satisfactory for use with the noted bottles, the dresser system was not satisfactory at all for an advanced bottle design having a twist-off top which is safe for children. This advanced bottle design is disclosed in commonly-assigned U.S Pat. No. 5,188,250 (and partially shown in FIG. 7) which is hereby incorporated by reference. In particular, and as explained in greater detail subsequently, such a dresser system was found to produce severely deformed bottles or unsatisfactory separation.

Apparatus for dressing of blow-molded articles in a strand