A variety of optical probes and methods have utility in the examination of various materials, especially materials in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways. One type of such optical probe is elongated and includes a distal optical window, a divergent light source, a spatial mixer, and a light collector. Light from the light source is mixed in the spatial mixer to achieve uniform diffuse light in the vicinity of the optical window. The light collector receives light from the target through the spatial mixer. The optical probe may be made of two sections, a reusable section and a disposable. The disposable is elongated and contains a mounting section, an inside surface suitable for the spatial mixing of light, and an optical element which helps to seal the reusable probe section from the target.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to optical probes and optical methods, some embodiments thereof being particularly related to optical probes and methods having utility in the examination of material, especially material in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways, and some embodiments thereof being particularly related to optical probes and methods having utility in the examination of the epithelia and other tissues of anatomical structures within the body cavities and tubular organs and viscera of mammals.
2. Description of Related Art
Various apparatus are known for optically probing the interior of cavities of living and non-living bodies. An early inspection apparatus that uses a disposable sheath and which has particular application to the human cervix is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,371 entitled xe2x80x9cApparatus for Inspection and Sampling in Restricted Aperture Cavities Employing Fibre Optics,xe2x80x9d issued Mar. 23, 1976 to Adelman. The disposable sheath has an upper duct terminating in a protective window for containing either one fiber optic bundle or two fiber optic bundles used in illuminating tissue and collecting a reflected image from the tissue. The light source is a lamp mounted in a reflector that concentrates the light on the end of the fiber optic bundle being used for illumination. By selecting the numerical aperture, or NA, of the fiber materials used in the image collecting fiber optics bundle, different capabilities are achieved. Fiber materials having an NA of 0.56 permit close inspection of the tissues at a viewing distance of 3 mm with low illumination, while fiber materials having an NA of 0.099 permit a general vantage at a viewing distance of 2 cm with high illumination. The possibility of using lenses is mentioned but not elaborated on.
More recently, an optical probe for use in the diagnosis of the tissues of the human cervix using fluorescence and Raman spectroscopies has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,373 entitled xe2x80x9cOptical Method and Apparatus for the Diagnosis of Cervical is Precancers using Raman and Fluorescence Spectroscopies,xe2x80x9d issued Dec. 16, 1997 to Richards-Kortum et al. The probe, which includes 2 excitation fibers and 5 collection fibers, is a type know as xe2x80x9cmulti-point contactxe2x80x9d because it uses discrete collection fibers disposed a substantially fixed distance from the tissue surface to detect fluorescence and/or Raman emissions from tissue regions proximate the distal fiber ends. The fixed distance is maintained by a quartz shield or window which contacts the tissue under investigation. The probe is part of a diagnostic or screening system that includes electromagnetic sources for generating the excitation energy, filters or spectrum analyzers for isolating wavelengths of interest, and computers for processing the wavelengths of interest to determine the tissue properties of interest. Another optical probe using a large number of paired excitation/collection fibers and a shaped contact window is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,795 entitled xe2x80x9cOptical Probe for the Detection of Cervical Neoplasia Using Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Apparatus Incorporating Same,xe2x80x9d issued Dec. 23, 1997 to Richards-Kortum et al. One embodiment uses 31 fiber optic pairs in a bundle while another embodiment uses 357 fiber optic pairs in a bundle.
One disadvantage of the multi-point contact probe is its shallow depth of field, which generally necessitates that the ends of the collection fibers in the distal end of the probe be positioned a short fixed distance from the target. If any portion of the distal end of the contact probe were not properly positioned, the light energy returning from the target would not be accurately detected due to the critical depth-of-field properties of such a probe. Improper positioning of a contact probe can result from operator error or from a target that is angled with respect to the contact probe""s distal end to such an extent that full contact cannot be achieved. Another disadvantage of the multi-point contact probe is its limited resolution, which is a practical result of the difficulty and expense of assembling a large number of very fine fibers into a small probe. Yet another disadvantage of the multi-point contact probe is the lack of uniform excitation and collection of emissions due to the necessary spacing-apart of the excitation fibers and the collection fibers at the distal end of the probe.
Optical devices using lenses avoid some of the disadvantages of point contact optical probes in that they typically have better depth-of-field and better resolution. However, achieving uniform light illumination has remained problematic. Many endoscopes have offset illuminating and observing optical systems and suffer uneven illumination produced by the parallax inherent in the offset arrangement. Some endoscopes have coaxially arranged illuminating and observing optical systems to eliminate the non-uniformity introduced by parallax. For example, European Patent Specification number 0 343 558 B1, published Oct. 12, 1994 and entitled xe2x80x9cImage Picking-Up and Processing Apparatusxe2x80x9d describes an endoscope having an optical fiber bundle arranged such that its end surface surrounds an objective lens used to detect reflected light. However, the illumination achieved by this ring of discrete optical fibers is not uniform. Another type of endoscope described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,671,630 entitled xe2x80x9cIlluminating Optical System for Endoscopes,xe2x80x9d which issued Jun. 9, 1987 to Takahashi, also has coaxially arranged illuminating and observing optical systems to eliminate the non-uniform illumination introduced by parallax. To overcome the non-uniformity of earlier coaxially-arranged illuminating and observing optical systems, Takahashi uses a rectangular parallelopipedal transparent body or prism in front of the objective lens of the observing optical system and introduces light from the side of the prism. Except where the illumination enters, the sides of the prism are reflecting surfaces. Illumination light introduced into the prism is totally reflected on the objective surface due to the difference in the refractive indices of the prism and air and is also totally reflected by the reflecting side surfaces of the prism, but projects out of the object surface due to the higher refractive index of water relative to air in the tissue against which the prism is pressed during normal use. The object surface is thereby directionally illuminated, nearly obliquely so, which exaggerates shadows from irregularities in the tissue and permits a strong stereoscopic image to be achieved. While this type of illumination may be useful for observation by reflected light, its usefulness for observations based on light interactions with tissue other than reflectance is not described. Another type of endoscope described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,700,236 entitled xe2x80x9cEndoscope Attachment for Changing Angle of View,xe2x80x9d which issued Dec. 23, 1997 to Sauer et al., uses a sheath having a distal portion that contains structure for changing the angle of view and/or illumination angle of an endoscope. Structure for changing the view angle include a prism, and structure for changing the illumination angle include a prism, a curved light guide, and an angled optical fiber. However, the illumination achieved by the discrete optical fibers is not uniform for typical light interaction analysis. No measures are described for achieving uniform light using the alternative techniques.
A need, therefore, exists for apparatus and methods of providing uniform irradiation for observation involving light interactions with tissue other than reflectance or in addition to reflectance. For example, while diagonal illumination as described in the aforementioned Takahashi patent may be suitable for use with optical systems that observe reflected light, it is not effective for use with optical systems that are designed to observe light coming from within a target. For example, the aforementioned Richards-Kortum ""373 patent describes systems based on cell fluorescence and/or Raman scattered light, both of which are attributable to light that emanates from within tissue cells and not light reflected from the tissue surface. Optical systems having parallax or producing non-uniform or highly angled light relative to the target surface are not optimal for fluorescence and Raman-based systems, which require uniform diffuse light irradiation capable of penetrating into the target for quantitative or qualitative analysis.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention in various of its embodiments is to front-irradiate target materials with light that is uniform and diffuse with many near-normal rays relative to the general orientation of the target surface, throughout a field of view of the light detection system.
Another object of the present invention, in various of its embodiments, is to provide an irradiation system that uses a separate optical probe section, whether reusable, disposable, or single use, to contact target materials. Some components of the irradiation system are incorporated into the separate section of the optical probe while other components of the light delivery system are incorporated into a reusable section of the optical probe.
Another object of the present invention, in various of its embodiments, is to incorporate only low cost components of an irradiation system into a disposable or single-use section of the optical probe, while other components of the irradiation system, including high cost components, are incorporated into the reusable section of the optical probe.
These and other objects are achieved in various embodiments of the present invention. One embodiment of the present invention is an optical probe having a distally disposed optical window, comprising a light collector, a light source, and a spatial mixer. The light collector has an axis of light collection passing through the optical window and a focal plane generally proximate the optical window. The light source has a light projection pattern about the axis of light collection. The spatial mixer has a proximal end in optical communication with the light source, a distal end in optical communication with the optical window, and an axis of light projection passing through the optical window. The spatial mixer also has a light mixing surface that is partially intersected by the light projection pattern of the light source to establish a distribution of irradiation ray angles proximate the optical window that has a maximum away from normal and near-normal to the axis of light projection. In a variation thereof, the light mixing surface is partially intersected by the light projection pattern of the light source to establish a distribution of irradiation ray angles proximate the optical window that has a maximum near-parallel to the axis of light projection.
Another embodiment of the present invention is an optical probe for examining, through an optical window therein, living tissue in the interior of cavities having restricted access through orifices or passageways, comprising a body, a lens system, a light source, and an elongated inside surface. The body has an elongated distal section containing the optical window, and a proximal section. The lens system is mounted in the body and has an optical axis passing through the optical window of the probe and a focal plane lying generally proximate to the optical window. The light source is mounted in the body about the lens system and is coaxial with the lens system with a direction of light projection generally toward the optical window. The elongated inside surface has one end disposed generally about the light source and another end disposed generally about the optical window, the inside surface comprising a light scattering surface and the light projection at least partially intersecting the light scattering surface to establish a distribution of ray angles proximate the optical window that has a maximum near-parallel to the optical axis of the lens system.
A further embodiment of the present invention is an optical probe having a distally disposed optical window and comprising a light collector, a light source, and a spatial mixer. The light collector has an axis of light collection passing through the optical window and a focal plane generally proximate the optical window. The light source has a plurality of light emitting areas disposed about the axis of light collection. The spatial mixer has a proximal end in optical communication with the light source and a distal end in optical communication with the optical window to establish a direction of light projection generally toward the optical window and generally along at least part of the axis of light collection, the spatial mixer further having a light mixing surface at least partially intersected by rays of light from the light emitting areas to establish a diffuse light proximate the optical window having a distribution of irradiation ray angles that has a maximum away from normal and near-normal to the direction of light projection. In yet a further embodiment, the rays of light from the light source that intersect the light mixing surface establish, along with direct rays of light from the light source, a diffuse light proximate the optical window having a distribution of ray angles that has a maximum near-parallel to the direction of light projection.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a disposable for an optical probe, the disposable having a distal end to contact a target having a fluid associated therewith and a proximal end to mount to a reusable optical probe section. The disposable comprises a body having a mounting surface toward the proximal end and a light mixing inside surface toward the distal end, and an optical window element disposed within the body. The optical window element and the body proximal of the optical window element are barriers to the fluid.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a disposable for an optical probe, the disposable having a distal end to contact a target having a fluid associated therewith and a proximal end to mount to a reusable optical probe section, the disposable comprising a body, an optical element, and a reusable optical probe section connector. The body has an inside surface bounding an interior space extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the inside surface comprising at least in part a light mixing surface. The optical element is disposed across the interior space, the optical element and the body at least proximal of the optical element being barriers to the fluid. The reusable optical probe section connector is integrated with the body.
Another embodiment of the present invention is a disposable for an optical probe, the disposable having a distal end to contact a target having a fluid associated therewith and a proximal end to mount to a reusable optical probe section, the disposable comprising a tubular plastic body, an optical element, and a reusable optical probe section connector. The tubular plastic body has an inside surface bounding an interior space extending between the proximal end and the distal end, the inside surface comprising at least in part a light mixing surface. The optical element is disposed across the interior space, the optical element and the body being barriers to the fluid. The reusable optical probe section connector is integrated with the body.

Optical probe having and methods for difuse and uniform light irradiation


A computer system is disclosed that includes: a communications bus implemented in accordance with an Inter-IC bus specification; a bus controller coupled to the communications bus; a send machine coupled between a host processor and the bus controller; and a first-in first-out (FIFO) buffer coupled to the send machine and coupled between the host processor and the bus controller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to communications buses for use in computer systems.
2. Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art computer system 100 is shown in which three processors 102a-c communicate with each other over a communications bus 108. The processors 102a-c may, for example, be multiple processors within a single multi-processor computer, or processors in distinct computers communicating with each other over a network. As is well-known to those of ordinary skill in the art, processors 102a-c may transmit and receive data and/or instructions over the communications bus 108 using messages encoded according to a communications protocol associated with the communications bus 108. One example of a conventional communications bus is the Inter-IC (I2C) bus.
The processors 102a-c are coupled to bus transceivers 106a-c over local buses 104a-c, respectively. To transmit a message over the communications bus 108 (also called a "system bus" to distinguish it from the local buses 104a-c), a processor queues the message at the corresponding bus transceiver. For example, for processor 102a to transmit a message over the communications bus 108 to processor 102b, processor 102a must transmit the message over local bus 104a to the corresponding bus transceiver 106a, where the message is queued. Bus transceiver 106a then negotiates for control of the communications bus 108 in accordance with the bus protocol to become a bus master, and transmits the message over the communications bus 108 to the destination bus transceiver 106b. Bus transceiver 106b forwards the message to the destination processor 102b, and the originating bus transceiver 106a indicates to the processor 102a (by transmitting an appropriate message over the local bus 104a) that the message has successfully been sent.
Each new generation of multiprocessor computer tends to include a greater number of faster processors coupled to the bus 108 than the previous generation, thereby increasing the bandwidth demands placed on the bus 108. As the number and speed of processors connected to the bus 108 increases, it becomes increasingly important that the bus transceivers 106a-c process messages efficiently, accurately, and without hanging the bus 108.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A filter assembly has a qualified filter element that filters fuel, a filter housing for the qualified filter element and a water-in-fuel sensor that senses presence of water in the filter housing. An electrical resistance of the water-in-fuel sensor changes based upon whether the qualified filter element is installed in the housing. A filter assembly can also have a plurality of magnetic elements disposed on at least one of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. A plurality of wires are disposed on at least the other of the filter housing and the qualified filter element. The control circuit determines that the qualified filter element is installed in the filter housing based on a change in the electrical current in the plurality of wires.

U.S. Pat. No. 6533,926, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety, discloses a replaceable filter cartridge that includes an end plate having a data component electrically coupled to a pair of concentric circuit rings. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor and is configured to provide filtration information to a remote station when the filter cartridge is positioned within the housing of a filtration assembly such that the circuit rings connect with electrical contacts in the housing,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,537,444, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety, discloses a replaceable filter cartridge that includes a filter element and an end plate bonded to an end thereof. The end plate includes at least two electrical contacts and a key way that includes a relief section. Upon proper installation of the filter cartridge into the housing of a filter assembly, a key attached to a centerpost of the housing is received in the relief section of the end plate and the electrical contacts thereof make contact with corresponding electrical contacts in the housing causing a data component to be energized. The data component may include a sensor, data chip, or resistor assembled to an exposed surface of the endplate.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,615,151 and 7,850,845, which are incorporated herein by reference in entirety, disclose filters with installation integrity that permit fluid flow only in a first installation condition and not in a second undesired or mis-installation condition, including improper alignment or mounting of a filter element in a housing, an incorrect replacement filter element, absence of a filter element, and an incorrect housing cover. A magnetically actuated valve has a piston controlling fluid flow according to installation condition.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/092,310, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety, discloses a water sensor for a fuel filtration apparatus that includes a main body with at least one electrical contact disposed proximate the first end of the main body. The electrical contact(s) is operatively connectable to an electronic control unit. Multiple sensor contacts are disposed proximate a second end of the main body. The sensor contacts are configured to detect multiple water levels and provide an output on each water level detected. The electrical contact is configured to send the output to an electronic control unit. The water level information provided by the water sensor can be tracked by a control device to determine if the fill rate of water meets an alarm value.
U.S. Patent Application No. 61/355,401, which is incorporated herein by reference in entirety, discloses a run-safe filter system for confirming installation of a qualified filter element in a housing. An electrical switch has a first electrical condition in response to a qualified filter element being installed in the housing, and a second electrical condition in response to the absence of a qualified filter element installed in the housing.

Filters, filter assemblies, filter systems and methods for identifying installation of qualified filter elements


A fire hydrant lifting harness includes a lifting triangle, a pair of connecting cables, and a pair of rigid paddles. The lifting triangle includes two bracing members, one each at two corners, forming eyelets therein. For each eyelet, a cable passes through it and the cable is wound around itself. The other end of each cable is attached to a respective lifting paddle in a similar manner. The paddle is made from a rigid material and includes a bend, between the two ends, so that the paddle does not contact the head of the fire hydrant. The end of the paddle opposite from where the cable connects includes an aperture designed to accommodate one of the ports from the fire hydrant. For lifting, the port cap is removed, the paddle is placed around the port and against the hydrant, and the port cap replaced. A lifting force then raises the fire hydrant lifting device which in turn raises the fire hydrant.

Fire hydrants are heavy objects, and occasionally must be moved. They are moved during installation, which often coincides with road construction. They are also moved for maintenance of the hydrant, or for maintenance of the water supply line to which the hydrant connects. Because of their weight, hydrants cannot be easily lifted by the installers. Therefore, some lifting force, for example a backhoe or front loader, is used to lift them.
When lifting a hydrant with a backhoe, an installer usually wraps a chain around a head of the hydrant, and connects it to the lifting force. This method has a number of disadvantages. For instance, when wrapped around the head, the lifting part of the chain touches one side and is not centered above the fire hydrant. This causes the fire hydrant to be tilted from the vertical position during lifting, hindering installation. Additionally, the chain may slip over the head of the fire hydrant while being lifted, possibly causing damage to the fire hydrant.
Prior art tools and apparatus for setting fire hydrants are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,989 to Goodin and U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,939 to Gagne. The setting tool of Goodin includes a collar formed by flat steel plates which are placed underneath the head of the fire hydrant. The plates are secured by passing a pin through mounting guides on each plate. Goodin's collar assembly includes components which will become worn with use. Additionally, several assemblies are needed to accommodate differing hydrant sizes.
The setting tool of Gagne is used when separating the fire hydrant from an extension pipe connecting it to the water supply pipe. A mount is slipped around a flange of the extension pipe and secured with a clasping band. This type of tool cannot be used in the initial installation of the hydrant and extension pipe combination, because it uses the extension pipe for support. Further, a lifting chain directly contacts the head of the fire hydrant, possibly damaging it. Finally, coupling plates which slip over port cap studs on the hydrant are not secured, creating the possibility of the plates slipping off the studs when lifting the hydrant.

Taurman Distributing & Manufacturing, Inc.


Detector calibration methods are described which enable the measurement of absolute power. The method includes using a power meter with traceability to the national standard for optical power to calibrate the power of each photodetector device of a detector with photodetector device arrays arranged in one dimension or two dimensions and to calibrate the output signals of the detector making it possible to measure the spatial distribution of a light source's power and also values of optical power with traceability to the national standard directly from the output signals of the detector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a calibration method for detectors and to power measurement instruments using a detector calibrated according to the calibration method. Detectors are, for example, cameras with a photodetector part comprising a plurality of photodetector devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, DNA chips have been used for identification and fractionation (for example, detection of DNAs or detection of whether gene DNAs exist or not) of, for example, biopolymers.
In DNA chips, fragments of known DNAs, for example, in thousands of or tens of thousands of types are fixed in each of the sites on a substrate. When fragments of unknown DNAs are run onto these DNA chips, DNAs of the same type are hybridized and combined. After unknown DNAs that have not been combined are removed through rinsing, excitation light (laser light) is irradiated to the remaining DNAs. Unknown DNAs are labeled with fluorescent substances beforehand. Excited fluorescent substances irradiated by excitation light generate fluorescence. As a result, light and dark areas appear in each site corresponding to whether hybridization has occurred or not.
This observation of light and dark areas is performed with such equipment as fluorescent scanning instruments using confocal laser optical systems as, for example, described in "DNA Analyses and Optical Technologies" by Toru Makino and Kyoichi Kano in "Optical Technologies in Life Science" of the "KOGAKU (Japanese Journal of Optics)" magazine, Volume 28 No. 10 (1999), pages 549 to 552, published in 1999 by the Optical Society of Japan, a division of the Japan Society of Applied Physics. For example, photomultipliers that enable highly sensitive detection are used for detectors in fluorescence observation.
Although power meters are used for detectors in some cases, power meters can only perform detection in zero dimensions in a spaceand, therefore, cannot measure precisely samples with shapes such as biochips including DNA chips or plasma displays.
Because these samples has intensity patterns caused by their shapes.
In the meantime, these conventional detectors such as fluorescent scanning instruments have the following problems because they cannot measure absolute power:
(1) It is not possible to compare values of detectors' output signals among instruments.
(2) Since the amount of gene expression is not known in biochip measurements, the only method is to mix, for example, known genes and perform comparative measurements, thereby causing such instruments to become expensive.

Detector calibration method and power measurement instruments using the method


A split-band coding system combines multiple channels of input signals into various forms of composite signals and generates spatial-characteristic signals representing soundfield spatial characteristics in a plurality of frequency subbands. The spatial-characteristics signals may be generated in either or both of two forms. In a first form, the signal represents measures of signal levels for subband signals from the input channels. In a second form, the signal represents one or more apparent directions for the soundfield. The type of the spatial-characteristics signal may be adapted dynamically in response to a variety of criteria including input signal characteristics. Temporal smoothing and spectral smoothing of the spatial-characteristics signals may be applied in an encoder. Temporal smoothing and spectral smoothing may be applied to gain factors derived from the spatial-characteristics signals in a decoder.

There is considerable interest among those in the fields of audio signal processing to minimize the amount of information required to represent an audio signal without perceptible loss in signal quality. By reducing the amount of information required, signal representations impose lower information capacity requirements upon communication paths and storage media.
There is particular interest in developing ways to convey in real time multiple channels of high-quality digital audio signals over relatively low-bandwidth communication paths such as conventional residential telephone lines. This type of communication path is commonly used to connect personal computers to public networks and, at present, is capable of no more than about 50 k-bits per sec. By conveying audio signal in real time, the audio information represented by the signals can be presented or played back without interruption as the signals are received.
Information capacity requirements can be reduced by applying either or both of two data compression techniques. One type, sometimes referred to as "lossy" compression, reduces information capacity requirements in a manner which does not assure, and generally prevents, perfect recovery of the original signal. Another type, sometimes referred to as "lossless" compression, reduces information capacity requirements in a manner that permits perfect recovery of the original signal.
Quantization is one well known lossy compression technique. Quantization can reduce information capacity requirements by reducing the number of bits used to represent each sample of a digital signal, thereby reducing the accuracy of the digital signal representation. In audio coding applications, the reduced accuracy or quantizing error is manifested as quantizing noise. If the errors are of sufficient magnitude, the quantizing noise will degrade the subjective quality of the coded signal.
Various audio coding techniques attempt to apply lossy compression techniques to an input signal without suffering any perceptible degradation by removing components of information which are imperceptible or irrelevant to perceived coding quality. A complementary decoding technique can recover a replica of the input signal which is perceptually indistinguishable from the input signal provided the removed component is truly irrelevant. For example, split-band encoding splits an input signal into several narrow-band signals and adaptively quantizes each narrow-band signal according to psychoacoustic principles.
Psychoacoustic principles are based on the frequency-analysis properties of the human auditory system that resemble highly asymmetrical tuned filters having variable center frequencies and bandwidths that vary as a function of the center frequency. The ability of the human auditory system to detect distinct tones generally increases as the difference in frequency between the tones increases; however, the resolving ability of the human auditory system remains substantially constant for frequency differences less than the bandwidth of the filtering behavior mentioned above. This bandwidth varies throughout the audio spectrum and is referred to as a "critical bandwidth." A dominant signal is more likely to mask the audibility of other signals anywhere within a critical bandwidth than it is likely to mask other signals at frequencies outside that critical bandwidth. A dominant signal may mask other signals which occur not only at the same time as the masking signal, but also which occur before and after the masking signal. The duration of pre- and postmasking effects depend upon the magnitude of the masking signal, but premasking effects are usually of much shorter duration than postmasking effects. The premasking interval can extend beyond 100 msec. but is generally regarded to be limited to less than 5 msec. The postmasking interval can extend beyond 500 msec. but is generally regarded to be limited to about 50 msec. A masked component of a signal is irrelevant and can be removed without changing the perceptual experience of a human listener.
Split-band audio encoding often comprises using a forward or "analysis" filter bank to divide an audio signal bandwidth into several subband signals each having a bandwidth commensurate with the critical bandwidths of the human auditory system. Each subband signal is quantized using just enough bits to ensure that the quantizing noise in each subband is masked by the spectral component in that subband and possibly adjacent subbands. Split-band audio decoding comprises reconstructing a replica of the original signal using an inverse or "synthesis" filter bank. If the bandwidths of the filters in the filter banks and the quantizing accuracy of the subband signals are chosen properly, the reconstructed replica can be perceptually indistinguishable from the original signal.
Two such coding techniques are subband coding and transform coding. Subband coding may use various analog and/or digital filtering techniques to implement the filter banks. Transform coding uses various time-domain to frequency-domain transforms to implement the filter banks. Adjacent frequency-domain transform coefficients may be grouped to define "subbands" having effective bandwidths which are sums of individual transform coefficient bandwidths.
Throughout the following discussion, the term "split-band coding" and the like refers to subband encoding and decoding, transform encoding and decoding, and other encoding and decoding techniques which operate upon portions of the useful signal bandwidth. The term "subband" refers to these portions of the useful signal bandwidth, whether implemented by a true subband coder, a transform coder, or other technique. The term "subband signal" refers to a split-band filtered signal representation within a respective subband.
Lossy compression may include scaling. Many coding techniques including split-band coding convey signals using a scaled representation to extend the dynamic range of encoded information represented by a limited number of bits. A scaled representation comprises one or more "scaling factors" associated with "scaled values" corresponding to elements of the encoded signals. Many forms of scaled representation are known. By sacrificing some accuracy in the scaled values, even fewer bits may be used to convey information using a "block-scaled representation." A block-scaled representation comprises a group or block of scaled values associated with a common scaling factor.
A lossless type of compression reduces information capacity requirements without degradation by reducing or eliminating components of the signal which are redundant. A complementary decompression technique can recover the original signal perfectly by providing the redundant component removed during compression. Examples of lossless compression techniques include run-length encoding, differential coding, linear predictive coding, and transform coding. Variations, combinations and adaptive forms of these compression techniques are also known.
Hybrid techniques combining lossless and lossy compression techniques are also known. For example, split-band coding using a transform-based filter bank combines lossless transform coding with lossy psychoacoustic perceptual coding.
Single-channel coding techniques such as those discussed above do not provide a sufficient reduction in information requirements to permit multiple channels of high-quality audio to be conveyed over low-bandwidth paths, e.g., conventional telephone lines, for real-time playback. Various high-performance coding systems require on the order of 64 k-bits per second or more to convey in real time audio signals having a bandwidth of 15 kHz. Because multiples of these bit rates are required to convey multiple audio channels, impossibly large improvements in the performance of single-channel coding systems are needed to allow multiple channels of audio to be conveyed in real time over limited-bandwidth communication paths such as conventional residential telephone lines. The needed additional reduction in information capacity requirements is addressed by multiple-channel coding techniques referred to herein as spatial coding techniques.
One form of spatial coding combines multiple signals according to an encoding matrix and recovers a replica of the original signals using a complementary decoding matrix. Many 4:2:4 matrixing techniques are known that combine four signals into two signals for transmission or storage and subsequently recover a replica of the four original signals from the two encoded signals. This coding technique suffers from high levels of crosstalk between signals. A number of adaptive matrixing techniques have been developed to reduce the level of crosstalk but neither the reduction in crosstalk nor the reduction in information capacity requirements is sufficient.
Another form of spatial coding splits multiple input signals into subband signals, generates a vector of steering information representing spectral levels of the channels in each subband, combines the subband signals for all channels in a given frequency subband to produce a summation or composite subband signal, perceptually encodes the composite subband signals, and assembles the encoded composite subband signals and the steering vectors into an encoded signal. A complementary decoder generates a subband signal in a respective frequency subband for each output signal by scaling the appropriate composite subband signal according to the steering vector for that subband, and generates an output signal by passing the scaled subband signals through an inverse filter bank. Two examples of such a coding system are disclosed in Davis, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,583,962, and in "Coding of Moving Pictures and Associated Audio for Digital Storage Media At Up To About 1.5 Mbit/s," International Organization for Standardization, CD 11172-3, Part 3 (Audio), Annex 3-G (Joint Stereo Coding), pp. G-1 to G-4.
Unfortunately, these spatial coding techniques, even when combined with perceptual coding, do not permit multiple channels of high-quality audio to be conveyed over low-bandwidth paths at a bit rate low enough for real-time playback. When the bit rate is reduced sufficiently, these techniques reproduce replicas of the original input signals with undesirable artifacts such as chirps, clicks and sounds that resemble a zipper being opened or closed ("zipper noise").

Method and apparatus for encoding and decoding multiple audio channels at low bit rates using adaptive selection of encoding method

Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation


A particle-moving type orientation sensor including a housing, at least one light emitter, two light receivers, and a plurality of particles. The housing has an accommodating space having four zones, which are circularly arranged. A first opening is formed on the housing and connecting to a first zone. Two second openings are formed on the housing and respectively connecting to a second zone and a fourth zone. The light emitter emits light into the accommodating space through the first opening. The light receivers respectively receive light from the accommodating space through the second openings. The particles are arranged in the accommodating space. While the particle-moving type orientation sensor is tilting, the light emitter is partially blocked by the particles, and one of the light receivers is partially blocked by the particles, the light receivers respectively receive light with predetermined intensities and output electric signals with predetermined strengths.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sensor, in particular to a particle-moving type orientation sensor.
2. Description of Related Art
As the popularization of the portable electronic apparatuses like digital camera or camera phone, it has become normal to watch pictures on the screen of them. Therefore, a picture-rotating function which can rotate pictures on the screen while the apparatuses are rotating is gradually added into the portable electronic apparatuses.
Refer to FIG. 1, a conventional tilt sensor 10 is disclosed by the Taiwan patent application No. 95142815. The tilt sensor 10 is installed into the abovementioned apparatuses and can sense the rotation of the apparatuses. Then, the tilt sensor 10 can output corresponding signals for changing the display orientation of pictures. As FIG. 1 shows, the tilt sensor 10 includes a shell 11 having a V-shaped groove 110, a light emitting device 12 used for emitting light into the V-shaped groove 110, two light receivers used for receiving light from the V-shaped groove 110, and a sliding member 14 used for sliding in the V-shaped groove 110. While the tilt sensor 10 is clockwise or counterclockwise rotated relative to the direction of gravity, the sliding member 14 is going to slide from the central lower position toward the two upper sides of the V-shaped groove 110.
When the sliding member 14 is located at the central lower position of the V-shaped groove 110, the sliding member 14 blocks the light emitting device 12 from emitting light into the V-shaped groove. Then, the light receivers 13 sense no light from the V-shaped groove 110. When the sliding member 14 is located at either upper side of the V-shaped groove 110, the sliding member 14 blocks one of the light receivers 13 so that the light receiver 13 can not receive light from the V-shaped groove 110, but the other light receiver 13 can receive light without any affection. Therefore, the tilt sensor 10 can output a corresponding signal to control the display orientation of pictures.
However, since the sliding member 14 is only able to move between the central lower position, the left upper side or right upper side 14, which means that only three kinds of signals can be outputted by the tilt sensor 10. It will limit the applications of the tilt sensor 10. For example, such a tilt sensor 10 only can switch the display orientations of the pictures at three positions of a predetermined angle, 90 degrees counterclockwise and 90 degrees clockwise. But, the display orientations of the pictures can not be changed in a continuous way while the portable electronic apparatus is continuously changing its tilting angle.


A component stager accepts from developers one or more versions of a component of a product, and associates with each version a time that is one of a number of the periodically recurring times (also called “ticks”), e.g. an upcoming Wednesday, if the periodically recurring times happen on a weekly basis, i.e. every Wednesday. Such associations may be used to identify one or more versions that are associated with a specific tick, e.g. to identify the amount of work done between to ticks and/or to find versions that are currently available for release, which may be based on a most recent tick, or a tick associated with a milestone in the past.

A software program may be formed of a number of modules. For example, a software program that handles contact information of clients of a business may include the following modules: a mail tool, an address book and a calendar. Such modules may be produced separate from one another, individually tested, and then compiled and linked together to produce a single software program (also called "executable image").
Software manufacturers often produce such a software program by modifying a prior version of the software program. To identify a current version from a prior version, such software programs are commonly given a name and a version number, e.g. Oracle 9i. Versions of individual modules of such a software program may be internally tracked by the software manufacturer using a version control system such as ClearCase by Rational Software of Lexington, Mass. (see www.rational.com).
A given version of software may be made available to users using a software release manager as described in an article entitled "Software Release Management" by Andr'e van der Hoek, Richard S. Hall, Dennis Heimbigner, and Alexander L. Wolf, Proceedings of the 6th European Software Engineering Conference, LNCS 1301, Springer, Berlin, 1997, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Another article entitled "Software Release Management" available at www.cs.colorado.edu/serl/cm/SRM-long.html (which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) describes an interface for a software release manager (abbreviated as SRM) to which a developer supplies information, such as the program name, the release number, release date, etc. In addition, the developer supplies the name of an archive file where the release is stored. After software has been released to SRM, it can be retrieved by a consumer using another part of SRM.
SRM allows a consumer to gain insight using a dependence-graph which can be obtained via a "Show Dependency Graph" button. For example, one may see that a release 2.0 of ProDag depends on release 3.1 of LPT, release 3.3 of Q, and release 2.0 of TAOS. However, these three dependencies were indicated by the developer, namely that ProDAG depends on release 3.1 of LPT, release 3.3 of Q, and release 2.0 of TAOS. In addition, one may see that ProDAG transitively depends on release 403.2 of Arpc, since release 3.3 of Q depends on that.


Control limit values may be related to noncomplying points by receiving a user selection indicating one or more datapoints to be used in a control limit operation, calculating control limit values based on the datapoints, wherein the control limit values indicate one or more noncomplying points that are not within an expected range, generating a display relating the control limit values to the noncomplying points, and identifying the noncomplying points in the generated display.

Managing complex development programs such as software development projects may pose several challenges. Because software may include a large intellectual component rather than a physical component, it may be difficult to visualize and understand the development program. Tools may help managers in development programs understand the state of their development programs and, as a result, to better manage the development programs.

Identifying noncomplying datapoints in control charts


Techniques are described for securely managing computing resources in a computing environment comprising a computing service provider and a remote computing network. The remote computing network includes computing and network devices configured to extend computing resources of the computing service provider to remote users of the computing service provider. The network devices include a trusted network device that includes a root of trust. The trusted network device detects that a new device is communicatively coupled to a port on the trusted network device. The trusted network device determines that the new device is not authorized to access computing resources at the remote computing network. The port is isolated at the trusted network device.

A data center may house computer systems and various networking, storage, and other related components. Data centers may, for example, be used by service providers to provide computing services to businesses and individuals as a remote computing service or provide "software as a service" (e.g., cloud computing). Service providers may also utilize edge sites that may include a geographically distributed group of servers and other devices that work together to provide efficient delivery of content to end-users of data center services, with the goal being to provide services with high availability and improved latencies.
Such networks must also provide security for their users. For example, the networks must guard against continuous threats from malicious parties seeking unauthorized access to the networks. Implementing countermeasures, however, is often reactive, where network administrators must wait to identify the newest exploit before deploying a countermeasure. Correctly anticipating, identifying, and blocking new threats is crucial to maintaining security of a network.
It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made herein is presented.

Securing network access at edge sites using trusted network devices


A rotor for a rotary wing aircraft includes a rotor shaft driveably connected to a power source, a rotor hub connected to the rotor shaft, rotor arms inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotor axis and pitch shafts supported on each rotor arm. The rotor arms each support a pitch shaft for pivotable movement about a pitch axis. A pitch beam carries flexures, each connected to a pitch arm at a location offset laterally from the associated pitch axis. The flexures driveably connect the pitch arms to the pitch beam and transmit pitch control motion to the blades as the pitch beam moves along the rotor axis. Each flexure is intentionally displaced by bending radially during installation in a direction that reduces forces among components of the flexure bearings developed during operation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to pitch control systems for helicopter rotors that produce aerodynamic thrust of variable magnitude in accordance with the angular relation of rotor blades to an airstream in which the rotor turns. The invention relates particularly to increasing the service life of rod end bearings that operate to transmit pitch control force to the pitch shafts supported on a rotor hub.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Helicopter rotor hubs are connected driveably to a rotor shaft and the hub-rotor shaft assembly is mounted for rotation about the axis of the rotor shaft. The rotor hub includes several rotor arms, one supporting each rotor blade, each rotor arm angularly spaced about the rotor axis and extending radially along a pitch axis from the rotor axis. Each rotor arm supports a pitch shaft concentrically with the associated pitch axis, about which the corresponding blade moves in accordance with pitch control forces transmitted from a control system.
Each pitch shaft is connected, at a position offset from the pitch axis, to a pitch link or pitch control rod attached to a rotating, axially moveable drive scissors, which moves along the rotor axis in response to actuation by the pitch control system. Connection of the pitch links to the drive scissors and pitch shafts is made by universal joints in the form of rod end bearings carried at opposite ends of each pitch link.
Each pitch arm and pitch shaft is inclined with respect to a plane perpendicular to the rotor shaft; therefore, the end of each pitch link connected to the drive scissors moves along the rotor axis but the other end moves about the inclined pitch axis.
The universal joints accommodate the motion at each end of the pitch links about different axes as the pitch links transmit force from the control system to the pitch shafts by rotating on a spherical surface integral with each rod end bearing.
Centrifugal forces, developed by rotation of the rotor, continually produce contact forces among the components of the rod end bearings. These forces operate to reduce the service life of the rod end bearings on the pitch links because they increase the magnitude of forces on the bearings during operation as pitch control force is transmitted from the drive scissors to the pitch shafts.

Compensation for kinematic foreshortening effect in pitch control system for rotary wing aircraft


A method of configuring a network managed device in a network is described herein. A fallback configuration is determined. The fallback configuration is identified as a configuration that enables the network managed device to be manageable. A working configuration is determined. The working configuration is described by a working set of configuration data that has been updated based on a management command. A commit command is received. The working configuration is saved as a running configuration and verification of the running configuration is initiated. It is determined whether the verification of the running configuration is successful. Where it is not successful, the running configuration is saved as a failed configuration and the running configuration is replaced with the fallback configuration.

In conventional network computing environments, a number of devices are used to interconnect computing systems to efficiently transfer data over the network. In large-scale implementations, hundreds or thousands of devices are deployed to interconnect the computing systems.
Specialized computer systems such as network management systems are dedicated to controlling and monitoring the status of network managed devices, such as network infrastructure devices, hosts, printers, and other interconnected computing systems. However, changes in configurations, initiated by the network management system, may produce unexpected results, such as making a network managed device unreachable. Where such a result occurs, the configuration of the network managed device may be incapable of being corrected via typical methods performed by the network management system.

Methods for configuration management using a fallback configuration


A sulfonium salt comprising (a) a polymerizable substituent, (b) a sulfonium cation, and (c) a sulfonate anion within a common molecule is capable of generating a sulfonic acid in response to high-energy radiation or heat. A resist composition comprising the sulfonium salt as base resin has high resolution and is suited for precise micropatterning by ArF immersion, EB or EUV lithography.

While a number of recent efforts are being made to achieve a finer pattern rule in the drive for higher integration and operating speeds in LSI devices, DUV and EUV lithography processes are thought to hold particular promise as the next generation in microfabrication technology. In particular, photolithography using an ArF excimer laser as the light source is requisite to the micropatterning technique capable of achieving a feature size of 0.13 μm or less.
The ArF lithography started partial use from the fabrication of 130-nm node devices and became the main lithography since 90-nm node devices. Although lithography using F2 laser (157 nm) was initially thought promising as the next lithography for 45-nm node devices, its development was retarded by several problems. A highlight was suddenly placed on the ArF immersion lithography that introduces a liquid having a higher refractive index than air (e.g., water, ethylene glycol, glycerol) between the projection lens and the wafer, allowing the projection lens to be designed to a numerical aperture (NA) of 1.0 or higher and achieving a higher resolution. The ArF immersion lithography is now implemented on the commercial stage. As the exposure technology following the ArF lithography, EB and EUV lithography processes are regarded promising.
As the circuit line width is reduced by the recent rapid advance of technology, the degradation of contrast by acid diffusion becomes more serious for the resist material. This is because the pattern feature size is approaching the diffusion length of acid. Acid diffusion leads to degradations of mask fidelity and pattern rectangularity and non-uniformity of a fine line pattern, i.e., line width roughness (LWR). Accordingly, to gain more benefits from a reduction of exposure light wavelength and an increase of lens NA, an increase in dissolution contrast and suppression of acid diffusion are required more than in the prior art resist materials.
One approach to overcome these problems is to bind a PAG in a polymer. For instance, aiming to improve sensitivity, Patent Document 1 proposes a polymer using an acryloyloxyphenyldiphenylsulfonium salt as a monomer. Patent Document 2 proposes to incorporate the monomer into a polyhydroxystyrene resin for improving the LWR of this base resin. However, since the sulfonium salt is bound at its cation side to the polymer, the sulfonic acid generated therefrom upon exposure to high-energy radiation is equivalent to the sulfonic acids generated by conventional PAGs. These proposals are thus unsatisfactory to overcome the outstanding problems. Also, aiming to improve sensitivity and resist pattern profile, Patent Document 3 discloses sulfonium salts having an anion side incorporated into the polymer backbone such as polystyrenesulfonic acid. The acids generated therefrom are arenesulfonic and alkylsulfonic acid derivatives which have too low an acid strength to sever acid labile groups, especially acid labile groups in acrylate-derived base resins. The acrylate resins are commonly used not only in the ArF chemically amplified lithography offering a fine feature size, but also in the EB and EUV lithography processes. Also a variety of anion-bound resins capable of generating an acid having high acid strength have been developed. Patent Document 4 discloses a polymer having a difluoroethanesulfonic acid anion in the backbone. Patent Documents 5 and 6 disclose a polymerizable sulfonium salt having a partially fluorinated sulfonic acid anion and a resin obtained therefrom. Acid diffusion is suppressed by incorporating a strong acid-generating anion in the backbone of a base resin. Thus, some improvements are made in resist properties including mask fidelity, pattern rectangularity and LWR.
The lithography techniques which are considered promising next to the ArF lithography include electron beam (EB) lithography and extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography. In these techniques, exposure must be done in vacuum or reduced pressure, which allows the sulfonic acid generated during exposure to volatilize, failing to form a satisfactory pattern profile. Such volatile sulfonic acids or volatile sulfonium cation decomposition products (e.g., phenylsulfides) induce so-called "outgassing," causing damages to the exposure system.
Herein Y—H denotes a proton donor such as a polymer matrix, and Xa− is an anion. The photo-decomposed product is exemplary while more complex photo-decomposed products may form. Some approaches are taken to reduce the outgassing from acid generators, as described, for example, in Patent Document 7.

Sulfonium salt, polymer, resist composition, and patterning process


The present invention relates in particular to a method for generating a digital signature (c, d) of a message M as well as a method for authenticating such a signature having the steps of defining a modulo N and a base g, a public key Y, and a private key x, these parameters N, g, Y, and x being linked by the relationship Y=gx (mod N), defining a hash function H the size of whose result has S bits, choosing a number r of T bits with T greater than =2S, calculating u from the following relationship u=gr*Yz where Z=2s, hashing the concatenation of M and u, by function H, the number thus obtained being the value c of the signature, and calculating the value d of the signature by the relationship: d=r+c*x.

The present invention relates in particular to a method for generating a digital signature (c,d) of a message M as well as a method for authenticating such a signature.
The purpose of digital signature methods is to certify the origin of an electronic document. Similarly to a handwritten signature, a digital signature is added to an electronic message to ensure its authenticity. Consider the practical case in which an entity A of a communications system wishes to address a message M to an entity B. In a first signature generation phase the sender A, after writing his message, carries out a number of mathematical operations according to the message M to be signed and operands which can be either secret or public. These calculations will generate a digital entity which will be called the signature. The message M. and its signature, are then transmitted electronically. In a second phase, after receiving the message and the signature, recipient B will in turn perform mathematical operations. The validity of the signature received can be verified from the result of the latter calculations. It should be noted that the goal of the signature function is to authenticate a message M, not to ensure the confidentiality of its content. This message can thus be transmitted either in cleartext or in code by an encryption function that is fully independent of the signature mechanism.
Overall, a digital signature method does the following in a modern communications system:
(a) Definitely authenticates the identity of the message sender.
(b) Ensures the integrity of the contents of a message (verifies that the message was not altered during its transmission).
In digital signature methods, security is based on the extreme difficulty of reversing certain mathematical functions. Because of the power of today""s computers, it is now impossible to solve some of these equations without knowing the secret elements of the algorithm.
At the present time, there are various digital signature methods.
A first type, developed by Rivest-Shamir-Adelman, is based on the difficulty of factoring large whole numbers (see xe2x80x9cA Method for Obtaining Digital Signatures and Public Key Cryptosystems,xe2x80x9d Communications of the ACM, February 1978, Vol. 21, No. 2, pp. 120-126, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,829 referring thereto).
A second type, developed by Taher El-Gamal, proposes signature algorithms based on the discrete logarithm problem involving discrete exponentiation (see xe2x80x9cA Public Key Cryptosystem and a Signature Scheme Based on Discrete Logarithms,xe2x80x9d IEEE Trans. on Inform. Theory, Vol. IT-31, pp. 469-472, July 1985).
Discrete exponentiation has three arguments, the exponentiation base g the exponent x, and the modulo N. The discrete logarithm problem, given the mathematical relationship: Y-gx modulo N (which means: Y is the remainder when gx is divided by N), consists of finding x when N, g, and Y are known.
A method of the same type, but simpler, was disclosed by Schnorr and was the subject of U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,082. It is distinguished from that of El-Gamal by consisting of reducing the size of the exponents of the discrete exponentiations to speed up calculation. Here, an element g generates a subgroup of order q, with q on 160 bits for example. Also, a hash function is used in calculating the signature.
The digital signature thus generated is small in size.
In general, discrete exponentiation be either modular exponentiation in which one is working with whole numbers having a well-chosen number for a modulo, or multiplication by a whole number on an elliptical curve which is an operation similar to modular exponentiation, but is defined in a group noted additively and not multiplicatively.
In numerous applications, the digital signature must be created and verified in real time. Certain methods, such as the El-Gamal method, require a heavy financial outlay because the algorithms demand very powerful computers. To obviate these constraints, optimization of the algorithms simplifies the calculations while retaining comparable security.
The discrete exponentiation solution is today the most broadly used solution in cryptographic systems, and certain improvements have been made to the algorithms to increase the speed of calculation while retaining maximum security.
With this perspective, reducing the size (number of bits) of the exponent is very important because the calculation time of modular exponentiation is proportional to this size.
Also, in algorithms known to date, the cardinal of the group in which one is working must be known. The cardinal of this group is a function of the choice of modulo N. Since the security of the algorithm is based on discrete exponentiation, it must be made impossible to solve. This security implies certain constraints in the choice of modulo N.
In the case of modular exponentiation, the security of discrete exponentiation offered only two options as to choice of modulo in the prior art.
With the first possibility, N is the product of two whole numbers. El-Gamal proposed choosing N so that (Nxe2x88x921)/2 is prime and the divisor used is (Nxe2x88x921).
The second option concerns algorithms based on discrete exponentiation where a subgroup must be known as well as its cardinal, the cardinal of this subgroup being a divisor of Nxe2x88x921 if N is prime, or a divisor of the number of points on the curve in the case of an elliptical curve. Schnorr proposes choosing q as the cardinal of the subgroup, q being such that it divides Nxe2x88x921.
The invention overcomes these drawbacks by proposing a method for decreasing the complexity of the calculations so that one can work in real time with a PC computer.
It also overcomes the aforesaid limitations, as the choice of modulo N is no longer limited to the two above options or calculation of the number of points on the elliptical curve is no longer necessary.
For this purpose, a method for generating a digital signature (c,d) of a message M consists of:
defining a modulo N and a base g, a public key Y, and a private key x, these parameters N, g, Y, and x being linked by the relationship:
Y=gx(mod N)
defining a hash function H the size of whose result has S bits
choosing a number r of T bits with
T greater than =2S
calculating u from the following relationship:
u=gr*Yz
where
Z=2S
by function H, hashing the concatenation of M and u, the number thus obtained being the value c of the signature,
calculating the value d of the signature by the relationship: d=r+c*x.
According to an additional characteristic enabling computing time to be reduced still further, message M is hashed by a function h1 before being hashed by function H then concatenated with u, the functions h1 and H possibly being identical.
According to one particular characteristic, private key x is defined before public key Y, the latter then being calculated by the relationship:
xe2x80x83Y=gx(mod N).
According to another characteristic, characterized in that public key Y is defined before private key x, and in that modulo N is chosen to be not a prime.
According to another characteristic, the number r is a random number.
The invention also relates to a method of authenticating the digital signature (c,d) of a message M generated according to the invention, this method being characterized by consisting, when public key Y, modulo N, and base g and hash function H, hence the value of S, are known, of:
calculating u by the relationship
u=gd*Y(zxe2x88x92c)
with
Z=2S
hashing the concatenation of M and u by the function H,
verifying that the value thus obtained is equal to c if the signature is authentic.
According to an additional characteristic of this method, message M is hashed by function h1* before being hashed by function H then concatenated with u.

Etat Francais Represente Par le Delegue General pour l""Armement


A seat adjuster may include a support member and a fluid bladder. The support member may have a first end and a second end. The first end and the second end may be connectable to a seat frame such that the support member is disposed at least partially below a suspension portion of said seat frame. The fluid bladder may be disposed at least partially between the support member and said suspension portion. The fluid bladder may be configured to support said suspension portion. A change or adjustment of a volume of the fluid bladder may change or adjust the support provided to said suspension portion.

This background description is set forth below for the purpose of providing context only. Therefore, any aspect of this background description, to the extent that it does not otherwise qualify as prior art, is neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the instant disclosure.
Some seat adjusters may be relatively complex, may include several different portions which may be difficult to assemble and operate, and/or may not provide sufficient support to adequately and/or comfortably support a user of a seat assembly.
There is a desire for solutions/options that minimize or eliminate one or more challenges or shortcomings of seat adjusters. The foregoing discussion is intended only to illustrate examples of the present field and is not a disavowal of scope.


A display panel is provided. The display panel includes a display portion and a peripheral portion, the peripheral portion is provided with a bending portion, a demultiplexing circuit, and a data driving circuit. The data driving circuit is located at a side of the peripheral portion that is away from the display portion, and the demultiplexing circuit is located between the data driving circuit and the bending portion. Thus, the bezel of the display panel can be narrowed.

The present invention relates to a field of display technologies, and in particular, to a display panel.
In a conventional display panel, a bending portion is generally disposed in a peripheral portion of the display panel, and devices which are located outside (a side away from a display portion) of the peripheral portion can be accommodated at a back surface of the display panel.
The peripheral portion of the conventional display panel generally further includes a device such as a demultiplexing circuit, the demultiplexing circuit is disposed at a side of the peripheral portion that is close to a display portion. Therefore, the bending portion and the display portion exist a larger gap. When the bending portion is bent, a greater distance exists between an edge line of the display portion and a bending line of the bending portion, that is disadvantageous for achieving a narrow bezel of the display panel.
Therefore, it is necessary to propose a new technical solution to solve the above technical problems.

Circuit structure of narrow bezel bendable display panel

Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor Display Technology Co., Ltd.


A pair of ring-shaped lapping plates 13, 23 are faced to both surfaces of a wafer 1. Each lapping plate 13, 23 has an outer diameter approximately equal to a radius of the wafer 1 and a lapping surface 14, 24 sliding in contact with the wafer 1. Each lapping plate 13, 23 is rotated along a direction reverse from the other, while an abrasion slurry A is fed into cavities 15, 25 of the lapping plates 13, 23 and discharged together with dusts separated from the wafer 1 through grooves engraved in the lapping surfaces 14, 24 and gaps between the wafer 1 and the lapping surfaces 14, 24. The lapping plate 23 is carried toward the stationary lapping plate 13 at a rate corresponding to abrasion of the lapping surfaces 14, 24. During lapping, the wafer 1 is rotated by drive rollers 31 and supported by guide rollers 32. In this way, both surfaces of the wafer 1 are simultaneously lapped.

The present invention relates to a method of lapping both surfaces of a wafer to eliminate defects such as irregular shape and work damages, and an apparatus therefor. The present invention is particularly suitable for processing a large wafer.
A single crystal ingot manufactured by CZ or FZ method is cut into blocks having a predetermined shape, ground at the periphery and then set in a slicer. In the slicer, the crystal block is sliced in to wafers having a predetermined thickness by a high-speed rotating blade.
A slicing blade is representatively an inner diameter saw prepared by cutting a thin stainless steel sheet to a doughnut shape and depositing a Ni plating layer in which diamond abrasives are embedded on an inner edge of the shaped stainless steel sheet.
A wafer obtained by slicing a crystal ingot is likely to deviate in thickness and flatness due to various conditions such as a tension applied to a blade, an adhering state of diamond abrasives onto an inner edge of the blade and dimensional accuracy of a rotation axis of a slicer. If slicing conditions are not appropriate, a work damaged layer which extends from the surface is deeply developed into the inner part of the sliced wafer.
These unfavorable deviations resulting from slicing are eliminated by lapping a sliced wafer.
In a conventional lapping method, a plurality of wafers 1 are set in carriers 2 and located on a lower lapping plate 3, in the manner such that the wafers 1 are uniformly distributed on the lower lapping plate 3, as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b). An upper lapping plate 4 is brought down into contact with the wafers 1, abrasives are fed into a gap between the lower lapping plate 3 and the upper lapping plate 4, and the wafers 1 are rotated and revolved. During rotation and revolution, the wafers 1 are ground with the abrasives. A commonly used slurry is prepared by suspending Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 or SiC grains as abrasives having a particle size of approximately 10 .mu.m in a proper amount of water.
Various methods have been proposed so far, to facilitate setting of wafers in such a lapping machine. For instance, wafers are sucked to an upper lapping plate and then located on a lower lapping plate at proper positions, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication 56-189.
Recently, semiconductor wafers are becoming larger and larger in size, in order to enhance the productivity of electronic devices. In this regard, there is a strong demand for enlargement of a lapping machine to a scale suitable for lapping large wafers or for provision of another type of lapping machine which can lap such large wafers.
If large wafers are lapped by such a conventional lapping machine as shown in FIGS. 1(a) and 1(b), it is necessary to use lapping plates having a radius larger than a diameter of wafers. Consequently, the lapping machine as a whole would be very large in size, various problems on weight, size, operatability etc. would result and automatic operation or control would be extremely difficult.
In addition, a difference in the linear velocity between outer and inner parts of lapping plates increases in proportion to a diameter of lapping plates. The velocity difference causes uneven abrasion of the lapping plates, so that the surface of lapped wafers lacks uniformity.
A lapping machine suitable for lapping a large wafer is proposed in Japanese Patent Publication 52-12956. The proposed lapping machine has a pair of disc-shaped or ring-shaped lapping plates which are pressed onto both surfaces of a wafer. While the lapping plates pressed onto the wafer are rotated, a slurry in which abrasive grains are suspended is supplied downwards to the wafer between the lapping plates at the top of the lapping plates.
However, the abrasive slurry is not sufficiently carried to gaps between the lapping plates and the wafer, since the abrasive slurry is fed from the outside of the lapping plates. The abrasive slurry is not effectively used for lapping the wafer, and only a small amount of the abrasive slurry is carried to the inside of the lapping plates.
For instance, in the case using ring-shaped lapping plates having cavities at their central parts, a downward flow of the abrasive slurry can not be restricted at a lower part of the lapping plate opposite to a slurry supply position. Consequently, a lack of abrasives results at the lower parts of the lapping plates. Although the lack of abrasives could be avoided by increasing the rotation speed of the wafer, the wafer such as a semiconductor wafer does not have mechanical strength sufficiently resistant to such a high speed rotation.
The present invention is accomplished to overcome these problems.
The first object of the present invention is to provide a lapping machine suitable for easily lapping or polishing both surfaces of a wafer, even one which has a large diameter, to a smooth state with high lapping efficiency, and without enlarging the scale of the lapping machine.
The second object of the present invention is to increase the ratio of an abrasive slurry which is effectively consumed for lapping a wafer.
The third object of the present invention is to promote discharge of silicon dusts, which are separated from both surfaces of a wafer being lapped, through ring-shaped lapping plates having contact planes narrow in width.

Method of double-side lapping a wafer and an apparatus therefor

Super Silicon Crystal Research Institute Corp.


A pant-like absorbent garment having a swellable absorbent core positioned between an outer cover and a body side liner at least partially bonded to the outer cover. The swellable absorbent core is swellable to a final thickness (tf) which is at least three times an initial thickness (ti) of the swellable absorbent core; tf≧3ti. The significant swelling renders the garment suitable for use as a toilet training aid.

This invention is directed to pant-like, personal care absorbent garments having an absorbent core that swells significantly as it absorbs a liquid insult, for example urine.
Toilet training a child is often not an easy task and thus training aids are commonly employed to help in training. However, many parents have found that conventional training pants, as well as conventional diapers, are unsuccessful in motivating their child to become toilet trained.
Some conventional highly absorbent training pants and diapers generally are so effective in absorbing insults, for example urine, that the child does not know when he or she is wearing a wet garment. This can confuse a child and possibly delay toilet training. Many parents believe that a wet sensation or a change in feeling experienced by the child during or after urination will discourage the child from wetting his or her garment and will help him or her complete toilet training.
Further, some conventional garments, for example training pants, closely resemble conventional diapers. Many parents believe that if a child cannot distinguish a training pant from a conventional diaper, he or she will not be motivated to keep his or her training pant dry.
There is a need or desire for a toilet training garment that motivates a child to complete the toilet training process.
There is a need or desire for a single insult disposable training pant that is capable of absorbing only one urination and must be changed after each urination, whereby a child wearing the training pant feels and is aware that the training pant is wet or feels different after urination.

High swell absorbent changing a thin underpants-like garment into a thick diaper-like garment


A suction recovery method of an ink jet recording apparatus which can realize a suction operation, in which suction recovery performance can be improved without enlarging a size of apparatus and a number of discharge ports can be held in a good state, is provided. When a negative pressure is generated in a cap which closes discharge ports of a recording head and ink is sucked from the discharge ports, the ink is sucked by a first suction step of sucking at a first, relatively low target negative pressure, which is sufficient to allow the ink which is not suitable for recording to flow from the discharge ports, and a second suction step of sucking at a second, relatively high target negative pressure necessary for sucking bubbles in the discharge ports (particularly, near the discharge ports).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink and a suction recovery method of the ink jet recording apparatus.
2. Related Background Art
An ink jet recording apparatus is an apparatus for recording by discharging ink from discharge ports of a recording means onto a recording material. The ink jet recording apparatus is used not only for general printing apparatuses but also for apparatuses such as a copying apparatus, a facsimile apparatus having a communication system, a word processor having a printing unit, and the like, and further, for an industrial recording apparatus combined as a hybrid apparatus with various processing apparatuses. In the ink jet recording apparatus for recording by discharging ink droplets from micro discharge ports, a viscosity thickening phenomenon of the ink, an increase in concentration of dye of the ink, fixing of the ink, or the like is caused by evaporation of volatilized ink components from the discharge ports of an ink jet recording head. By leaving for a long period of time, there is a case where bubbles are generated in a liquid chamber of the recording head. When the bubble is generated, the normal supplying operation of the ink is obstructed and, at the worst, the ink is not fed to the head and the recording operation is largely obstructed. To avoid such an inconvenience, there has widely been used a suction recovery method whereby a discharge port surface (face surface) of the recording head is capped, the inside of the cap is depressurized by a pump which has previously been provided in the printer, and the ink is emitted from the discharge port.
Kinds of pumps which are used for the suction recovery are mainly classified into a piston pump and a tube pump. FIG. 21 is an explanatory diagram showing a principle of the piston pump. FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a principle of the tube pump. FIG. 23 is a graph showing a negative pressure characteristics curve at the time of the suction operation in the tube pump. According to the method by the piston pump, as shown in FIG. 21, a depressurizing chamber 10 communicated with the cap is depressurized by moving a piston. In the piston pump, a suction amount and a suction pressure can be set by changing a movement amount of the piston. According to the method by the tube pump, as shown in FIG. 22, a negative pressure is generated in the cap by using a restoring force of a tube 121 stroked by a roller (pump roller) 120. According to the tube pump, a suction amount and a suction pressure can be arbitrarily set by changing a stroke amount and a stroke speed.
FIG. 23 shows a change in negative pressure with the elapse of time in the case where the inside of the cap is sucked by the tube pump. Referring to FIG. 23, it will be understood that although the suction pressure (negative pressure) increases with the elapse of time in an area A, the generation of the negative pressure by the pump and the elimination of the negative pressure by the emitted ink are balanced and a balance state is obtained in an area B. The negative pressure which provides the balance state is determined in dependence on a flow resistance of the head and ability of the pump upon suction. Ordinarily, the suction recovery operation is executed in the area A. Strictly speaking, suction recovery performance should be specified by the ink flow speed or flow rate. However, the ink flow speed changes with the elapse of time and it is not easy to measure them and quantitatively specify the suction recovery performance. Therefore, the suction recovery performance is generally managed by the suction pressure and the suction amount.
The suction pressure and the suction amount are determined on the basis of the maximum flow rate of the ink from an ink tank for supplying the ink to the recording head, a volume of an ink flow path from an ink supply port of the recording head to the discharge port of the recording head, and the like. When the suction amount is small, the recording head is not sufficiently filled with the ink and an inconvenience occurs. When the suction amount is large, the ink is wastefully consumed. If the bubbles are inserted into the ink flow path of the recording head because, for example, the ink tank is not attached, the empty consumed ink tank has been attached, or the like, it is necessary to remove the bubble by the suction recovery operation. At this time, when the suction pressure is too low, the bubble cannot be sucked, and when the suction pressure is too high, the ink flow speed from the discharge port of the recording head increases, the ink flow rate exceeds the maximum ink flow rate from the ink tank, and the bubbles instead of the ink are fetched from the ink supply port, so that an inconvenience occurs.
In the suction recovery using the tube pump, as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-063102, the following suction recovery operation is executed: the tube pump is continuously rotated, the inside of the cap is rapidly set to a target negative pressure, and after that, the driving/stop of the tube pump are repeated a plurality of number of times, thereby maintaining the inside of the cap toga value within a predetermined range near the target negative pressure so that the negative pressure curve in which the negative pressure is maintained after the pressure in the cap was made to reach the target negative pressure as shown in FIG. 23 is obtained.
However, in association with the improvement of picture quality and throughput of the ink jet recording apparatus, the number of discharge ports of the recording head increases remarkably, so that it becomes difficult more and more to set the suction pressure and the suction amount and it is difficult to execute the suction recovery operation for keeping all of the discharge ports in a good state. That is, with respect to the removal of the bubbles in the ink flow path, a probability that the discharge ports from which the bubbles cannot be perfectly removed still remain is increasing. According to the conventional suction recovery method, since it is necessary to increase a capacity of the pump in order to cope with the above technical problems, it is necessary to enlarge a size of apparatus by a method whereby the number of tubes of the tube pump is increased, or the like.


A technique is provided for providing virtual services. The technique includes generating a virtual environment comprising a plurality of user interface (UI) objects that corresponds to a plurality of services provided by a service provider. The technique further includes rendering the generated plurality of UI objects on an electronic device of a user in a manner to provide a user experience (UX) to the user that emulates a physical experience of the user with the services provider. The technique further includes processing a request received from the user corresponding to a selection of a UI object from the rendered plurality of UI objects. The technique further includes providing a service to the user that corresponds to the selected UI object.

Conventionally, providing services (for example, in the banks) require customers to be physically present in the premises of the service provider for availing the services. In particular, when the service provider is a bank, this is mandated because of the sensitivity associated with the financial operations. The customer is mandated to be in the in the premises of the bank so that the identities of the customer can be physically verified. For example, there are certain transactions requiring customers to physically sign documents that are verified on the spot for processing the transaction. This prevents chances of the identities of the customer from being counterfeited and for reducing possibilities of fraudulent transactions.
In certain scenarios, the transactions may involve interaction with plurality of bank executives, which becomes particularly convenient if the customer is physically present within the premises of the bank. In certain other scenarios, the customers may be forced to visit the premises due to lack of knowledge about a banking service. In such scenarios, the customers assume that the concierge services at the premises may provide clarification and allow the customer to submit the request for availing the service immediately after.
With increasing pressure with regards to availability of time, it is becoming increasingly difficult for the customers to carve out time to perform banking. Further, the existing online banking solutions provide a limited application suite and often fail to replicate the banking experience. Furthermore, in order to scale presence in the commercial banking space, it is imperative for the banks to have more physical branches which is not feasible and economically viable at times, especially when dealing with sparse customer base in a particular region.
Therefore, there exists a need to provide a system and/or method that facilitates the banks in providing a digital solution addressing the problems noted above. Such a solution should also simplify the overall banking experience and should be easily accessible while securely and digitally offering the services.

Method and system for providing virtual services


A metal core for a rubber crawler, wherein an engaging part with a sprocket is provided at the center thereof, wherein horn members are provided at the outsides of the engaging part, wherein right and left wing parts are provided at the outsides of the horn members, wherein concave parts are formed by intercepting the engaging part lengthwise and crosswise by a rib, and wherein inner surfaces of the right and left horn members are inclined at a fixed angle to the wing portion of the metal core in a top view.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a conventional metal core for a rubber crawler and a rubber crawler in which a plurality of the conventional metal cores are embedded. As shown in FIG. 9, a metal core 101 comprises an engaging part 102 provided at the center thereof for engaging a sprocket, roughly rectangular horn members 103, 104 provided laterally outside the engaging part 102, and right and left wing portions 105, 105 extending at the outsides of the horn members 103, 104. A plurality of the metal cores 101 are embedded at a fixed interval, with the horn members 103, 104 protruding out of rubber material R. An engaging hole 106 in which a sprocket tooth is inserted for transmitting driving force is provided between the adjacent metal cores 101, at the middle of the width direction.
When a rubber crawler travels on uneven ground, sand is taken in on the inner circumference of the rubber crawler. In the conventional rubber crawler, sand is hardly discharged to the outside, because an interval L between adjacent metal cores and an engaging hole 106 are both small. Especially, sand often stays at a space M between horn members 103, 104, because the space M engages with a sprocket s with a slight gap. When the sprocket s engages the engaging part 102 of the metal core, sand is stamped down therebetween, and stored up on the engaging part 102. In consequence, the circumference of the rubber crawler is elongated by the stored sand, thereby causing excess tension thereon. This breaks steel cords and disables the rubber crawler from traveling. Besides it has bad effects on the machine.


A magnetoresistance effect device includes: an insulator layer; a first and second ferromagnetic layer laminated to sandwich the insulator layer; a magnetic bias layer laminated with the second ferromagnetic layer; and a connecting section formed discontinuously on a side face of the insulator layer. The connecting section is not interposed between the second ferromagnetic layer and the magnetic bias layer. The connecting section is made of a ferromagnetic material, and electrically connecting between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer. A method for manufacturing a magnetoresistance effect device includes: laminating a first and second ferromagnetic layer to sandwich an insulator layer, and laminating a magnetic bias layer with the second ferromagnetic layer; and forming a connecting section for electrically connecting between the first ferromagnetic layer and the second ferromagnetic layer by discontinuously forming a ferromagnetic material on a side face of the insulator layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a magnetoresistance effect device exhibiting an especially high magnetoresistance effect, a magnetic memory display/input apparatus, and a method for manufacturing them, a magnetic head, and a magnetic recording apparatus including the magnetic head.
2. Background Art
Recently, magnetic recording density in hard disk drives has rapidly increased, and reproducing sensitivity and reproducing resolution required for the reproducing head have also increased accordingly year by year. The advent of the GMR (giant magnetoresistance effect) head operating on the principle of spin-dependent scattering has dramatically enhanced the output and has been adapted to the increase of recording density. Furthermore, reproducing device structures are proposed for responding to higher recording density.
More recently, nonvolatile solid memory devices have been reported in which domain walls in a metal magnetic material are treated as information. The magnetic moment is determined on the basis of electron spin information, and a domain wall is formed at the boundary of the spin information. Hence studies have been vigorously pursued to drive a domain wall by electron current, which is more adaptable to downscaling, instead of the conventional technique of driving a domain wall by magnetic field.
JP-A 2002-270922 (Kokai) discloses a magnetoresistance device in which a magnetic body having a constricted structure is provided between two magnetic bodies.
There is another device in which a domain wall is confined in a wire having two, large and small, magnetic "constrictions". The large constriction has a low resistance (information "0"), and the small constriction has a high resistance (information "1"). Rewriting between "0" and "1" is conducted by moving a domain wall between the constrictions by current drive. The inventor confirmed a magnetoresistance effect (MR) of approximately 10 to 20% at a point contact that is formed by two-dimensionally and three-dimensionally constricting a sputtered NiFe (permalloy) film by ion milling (Y. Ohsawa, "Current-driven resistance change and magnetoresistance measurements in NiFe films with a nanoconstriction", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 42, No. 10, p. 2615 (2006); Y. Ohsawa, "In-situ magnetoresistance measurements of a nanoconstricted NiFe film with in-plane configuration", IEEE Trans. Magn., vol. 41, No. 10, p. 2577 (2005)).
In these disclosed techniques, a magnetic body is patterned to form a point contact. However, even by the latest lithography technique, it is not easy to form an ideal point contact with good reproducibility, and there is no further enhancement in the magnetoresistance effect.
On the other hand, JP-A 2004-342167 (Kokai) discloses a manufacturing method in which an insulating film is sandwiched on both sides between magnetic layers, which are interconnected by a discontinuous magnetic film, thereby connecting between the upper and lower magnetic layers at a small contact. In this disclosed technique, on a magnetic sensitive layer are formed an insulating section and a reference magnetic section, which are smaller in area than the magnetic sensitive layer. Magnetic bodies are formed on the reference magnetic section and the magnetic sensitive section. As the amount of formation of the magnetic bodies is gradually increased, a portion arises where the stepped portion between the magnetic sensitive section and the reference magnetic section becomes conducting through the formed magnetic bodies. This conducting portion is used as a small contact. Then a domain control section and an upper electrode are formed on the reference magnetic section.
However, in this disclosed technique, the magnetic body serving as a small contact is sandwiched between the reference magnetic section and the domain control section.

Magnetoresistance effect device and method for manufacturing same, magnetic memory, magnetic head, and magnetic recording apparatus