The present invention is directed at a wire-cage mountable multi-part fastener adapted for holding pet accessories. The fastener can be securely attached to a cage by mutually abutted fastener's female and male portions, from the inside and the outside of the cage, respectively. When said female and male portions are pressed into one other by threadable means while having the cage's bars sandwiched between them, the resulting friction allows the fastener to remain in a stationary relation to the cage.

Domesticated birds are one of the most popular choices for pet owners. They bring joy and companionship to millions of families. A bird's cage is his home and should provide the bird all the comforts of the home. A happy bird is a healthy bird, and for the bird to be happy, he must be constantly entertained and stimulated; thus, it is impossible to overestimate the importance of toys and accessories for the bird's well-being.
One of the common problems with many bird cages is the inability to place toys and accessories in the locations within the cage where those toys are needed the most. Many cages restrict where these toys and accessories can be attached due to their designs. A good example of this are dome top-shaped cages. As they are beautifully designed, the dome top restricts a bird owner as to where the toys or accessories can be hung. Due to natural gravity, a vast majority of toys and accessories in the market today cannot be hung in the desired top area of the cage as they will slide down between bars and/or not stay in place. This includes hanging the toys and/or accessories vertically or horizontally. It is important that pet birds do not become bored in their cage environment, and rearranging of their toys and accessories is essential for their stimulation and healthy activity.
Typically, the most common approach to attaching a hanging accessory to the cage is mechanically securing the accessory to the cage by a clip, a hanger, a nut, a padlock, or the like. Other solutions utilize chain repair links, where the accessory is removably attached to one side of the link while the other side is placed over a bar of the cage. While the foregoing solutions are efficient when used on regularly-shaped cages, they are deficient when used on irregularly-shaped cages, such as dome top-shaped cages.
By utilizing common attaching techniques, the pet owner is unable to secure the accessory to a dome top-shaped portion of the cage because the accessory will inevitably slide down to a more horizontal portion of the cage. Thus, all hanging accessories are usually attached to regularly-shaped surfaces of the cage, such as vertical walls or horizontal portions of the ceiling, leaving the most spacious and focal dome- or spherical portions of the cage unutilized. In addition, this unevenly distributed hanging accessories may create unsafe conditions to the pet and damage the cage itself due to scratches.
In light of the foregoing, there is a clear need, particularly in the pet appliance industry, for a simple and inexpensive self-attaching fastener for securing hanging accessories to cages of various shapes and sizes, the fastener that will provide the pet owner with an ability to place the accessory anywhere in the cage without any limitations caused by the cage's shape. In addition, the self-attaching accessory fastener offered by the present invention will allow the pet owner to distribute hanging accessories more evenly; thus, increasing space utilization inside the cage.

Multi-part fastener for attaching accessories to wire cages


The invention relates to a rotor for an electric machine, specifically a transverse flow machine, comprising at least one support disk and at least one annular pole structure arranged on an end face of the support disk, coaxial to the rotor axis, and extending in axial direction. The pole structure comprises two adjacent rows, separated by an intermediate layer of magnetically and electrically nonconducting material (spacer ring), of the peripheral direction alternately magnetized magnet arrays with interposed collector or soft-iron elements. An end ring is coordinated with each pole structure. A plurality of magnet arrays features an inner and an outer magnet. The design of the collector or soft-iron elements adjoining a magnet array in the peripheral direction is such that they form in radial direction an inner stop and an outer stop for the magnet array.. The invention is characterized in that an intermediate element is coordinated with a plurality of magnet arrays. The intermediate element is in a radial direction arranged between the inner and the outer magnet and extends beyond their axial length. The intermediate element is suited for insertion in mating grooves in the rings end ring, spacer ring and central support disk--adjoining the separate rows, of in peripheral direction having alternately magnetized magnet arrays with interposed collector or soft-iron elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a rotor for an electric machine, and more particularly a transverse flow machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electric machines operating by the transverse flow principle are previously known from the following patent documents and patent disclosures:
1. DE 35 36 538 A1 PA1 2. DE 37 05 089 C1 PA1 3. DE 39 04 516 C1. PA1 4. DE 91 16 192 U1 PA1 5. DE 92 00 116 U1 PA1 6. EP 0 642 204 A1 PA1 7. DE 44 00 614 C2.
The basic principle and basic structure of machines operating according to the transverse flow principle are described in detail in these publications. Such electric machines can be operated both as a motor and as that of a generator.
In the described embodiments, the rotor comprises one or several axially stacked concentric rings (active rings) separated from one another by interposed rings of plastic or other electrically nonconducting material and/or a rotor disk, along the periphery of which rings so-called collectors or soft-iron elements, which typically may be constructed of axially stacked laminations, and magnets arranged alternately. These concentric rings are called pole structures.
The stability of the rotor structure, as is generally known, is obtained by gluing, and this joint is additionally secured using plain structural elements, such as bolts, screws, rivets etc. Such designs are known, e.g., from the following documents:
The magnets and collector or soft-iron elements, on the rotor taught in the document DE 91 16 192 U1, are joined together in a support structure of electrically and magnetically nonconducting material. The soft-iron elements are cast or glued together with the permanent magnets; the individual rings (support disk and pole structure) are joined together by gluing. To obtain stability, the pole structures are in a design, according to this document, equipped on both sides of the central support disk with prefabricated receiving rings that feature radially extending pocket type recesses, in which the permanent magnets are centered by themselves and are radially secured and embedded by means of a casting compound or glued. The magnets feature for that purpose, on the two radially opposed boundary faces, different axial dimensions created by an intervening shoulder, the axial dimension of the magnet in the installed position being on the outer boundary face in a radial direction smaller than the boundary face disposed inside, in radial direction. The permanent magnets are in this way precisely fitted sideways and radially, which is meant to permit them to run true with a very fine gap. Providing these receiving rings, however increases the number of components and thus the manufacturing and assembly costs. The receiving ring and adjacent components in the axial direction--for example support disk, spacer and end ring--are axially joined by gluing. The receiving rings themselves feature on their end face away from the insertion side of the magnets, a shoulder and respectively a step, that brings about a fixing of the receiving rings in radial direction, in conjunction with fasteners of complementary design, that is, in the working direction of the centrifugal forces. With varying constraints, however, the properties of the adhesives and casting compounds are very different. Generally, the strength of the adhesive diminishes with temperature and humidity fluctuations, as well as sustained loading, and simultaneously the stability of the stator. Therefore, the number of separating spots is possibly very high.
The rotor design known from the German utility model DE 92 00 116 U1 comprises collector or soft-iron elements which in the axial direction are provided with U-shaped recesses to receive the magnets. The permanent magnets and collector elements are in a peripheral direction joined by an electrically nonconducting insulation layer, for example glue. While such design includes positional fixing of the permanent magnets in a peripheral direction, such as a fixing in the radial direction, however, is given only by the electrically nonconducting insulation layer. In this design, too, the disadvantages associated with the style relative to the German utility model DE 91 16 192 U1 apply as well.
To realize small rotors where a narrow pole pitch is desired, EP 0 642 204 A1 discloses a design in which the rotor features, in the axial direction, a rotor disk attached to the rotor shaft and fastened in a concentric annular arrangement to it, the polarized magnets and magnetizable collector or soft-iron elements. The joint therebetween being established by means of fasteners that traverse the polarized magnets and attach to the rotor disk, respectively to an insulating ring which, in axial direction, is joined to the rotor disk.
A shortcoming of using these fasteners, while counteracting separating stress, is constituted primarily by the appreciable increase in rotor mass and rotor volume, and thus loss-prone active volume. The bores for threaded insert and bolt through holes provided for assembly of the fasteners require a high manufacturing and machining expense. With fasteners traversing the active rings, either the magnets must be split, i.e., provided in twice the number or, with such components traversing in the region of the collector or soft-iron elements, the latter are subject to high machining and assembly expense. In the case of a rotor designed as described in EP 0 642 204 A1, the centrifugal forces occurring at high speeds of rotation cannot be managed economically by frictional and composition-of-matter joining--notably screwing and gluing.
Known from the embodiment disclosed in DE 44 90 614 C2 is a rotor which, in addition to the support disk, comprises at least one pole structure that consists of two adjacent rows, separated by an intermediate layer of magnetically or electrically nonconducting material, of in peripheral direction, alternately magnetizable magnets with interposed collector or soft-iron elements. The magnets arranged in a pole structure in the rings of collector or soft-iron elements and magnets feature, in the installed position, at least one centering aid each on their axial boundary surfaces. Coordinated with these centering aids, on the end faces of end ring, ia a spacer ring and/or support disk facing the magnets, within mating receiving recesses. Additionally, to reduce the separation sensitivity of the adhesive, deformation zones are provided on the adjacent elements consisting of materials resistant to separation. Providing these centering elements offers the advantage of a radial form-fit between the magnets and adjacent components under the effect of centrifugal force. The position of the magnets is accurately fixed on account of the recesses, and thus at the same time the position of the collector or soft-iron elements disposed between the magnets. Providing deformation zones offers the advantage that a separation between magnets and adjacent elements is normally avoided. While such design is distinguished by a lower component expense as compared to the embodiments disclosed in the aforementioned documents, the manufacturing and assembly expense is considerably higher.
Therefore, the objective underlying the invention is to improve a rotor of the initially named type to the effect that the above disadvantages are avoided and the mechanical stability is increased without impairment of the electromagnetic properties. Along with it, the design is meant to be low-cost as it is distinguished by low manufacturing and assembly expense.

Rotor for an electric machine, particularly a transverse flow machine


A DSC type device manufacturing process includes placing a circuit assembly in a mold. The circuit assembly includes a first heat sink, a semiconductor chip mounted on the first heat sink, a second heat sink mounted on the semiconductor chip and a pin block electrically connected to the semiconductor chip. An outer surface of the first heat sink and an outer surface of the pin block are placed in contact with a first inner surface of the mold. A spacer insert is placed in contact with, and positioned between, a second inner surface of the mold and an outer surface of the second heat sink. The mold is filled with an insulating material that is subsequently hardened. After hardening, a resulting device is extracted from the mold with the outer surfaces of the first heat sink, the pin block and the second heat sink exposed.

Generally, any electronic device comprises a chip (or more) of semiconductor material on which an actual electronic component is integrated. The chip is usually encapsulated in a package of insulating material in order to be insulated and protected from the external environment. The package exposes conductive pins, which are coupled with corresponding conductive terminals of the chip. For example, such result is achieved through an injection molding operation of plastic material.
Various types of packages are used in the state of the art, which packages are selected according to the application field of the electronic device.
For example, the scaling process of the electronic devices has led to a wide spread of Surface-Mounting Technology (SMT) electronic devices. Particularly, a type of SMT electronic devices has pins exposed on a (lower) surface for mounting the package of the electronic device on a Printed Circuit Board (PCB)—known in the art as "No-Lead" or "Micro-Lead".
In addition, the SMT electronic devices may also be provided with a (lower) heat sink that is exposed on the mounting surface for dissipating the heat generated by the electronic component during operation (also referred to by means of the acronym EP—Exposed thermal Pad).
The use of electronic components characterized by a high power consumption (for example, power electronic components and central processing units) has led to the development of electronic devices with a further (upper) heat sink, this time exposed on a free (upper) surface of the package opposite the mounting surface, in such a way to dissipate a greater amount of heat produced by the electronic component (also referred to by means of the acronym DSC—Dual Side Cooling).
A known technique (for the manufacturing of electronic devices with exclusively upwards dissipation) provides for forming the package in such a way that the chip is exposed on the upper surface; an upper heat sink may then be fixed directly on the exposed surface of the chip. However, this requires modifying corresponding injection molds of the plastic material (with a consequent increase of the manufacturing costs); furthermore, in the electronic device thus obtained the chip is not insulated from the external environment. Therefore, the operation of the electronic component may be affected by moisture and foreign bodies (e.g., dirt particles) present in the external environment that, by coming into contact with the exposed surface of the chip, may cause malfunctions of the electronic component.
According to another known technique for the manufacturing of electronic devices with upwards dissipation (comprising the DSC electronic devices), the heat sink is fixed onto the chip prior to the molding operation, so that it is fully embedded in the package at the end thereof; at this point, the package is lapped for exposing the upper heat sink. However, this technique involves a mechanical strain for all the elements of the electronic device (chip, package, pins and mechanical connections between them) during the lapping, which may get to damage the electronic device and, consequently, to impair the proper functioning thereof (with subsequent reduction of the manufacturing yield). Moreover, it requires the addition of the lapping operation for the packages, and therefore of machineries necessary for performing such operation (with consequent increase of the manufacturing costs).

Manufacturing of DSC type electronic devices by means of spacer insert


The present invention relates to a power saving apparatus for a hard disk drive in a battery powered computer and to a method of controlling the same in the battery powered computer. CPU of the power saving apparatus is configured to generate a request signal for receiving battery level data from a power control unit, to enable a disk cache to operate in a write back mode if the battery level is available for a predetermined time period, and to control the power control unit to produce a switch off signal after writing all data contained in the cache into the hard disk is completed in response to a power off system management interrupt signal from the power control unit. With this configuration, access to the hard disk drive is restricted and power consumption of hard disk drive is reduced without the loss of data in the cache when there is a sudden system power off.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to disk drives for computers, and more particularly, relates to a power saving apparatus for hard disk drives used in such computers and a power management method for enabling a hard disk cache to operate in a write back mode and restricting access to hard disk drive in order to reduce battery power consumption.
2. Related Art
Most computers in use today includes a hard disk drive which is a random access memory device containing a magnetic head, a motor and one or more disks that store information. The motor turns a disk underneath the magnetic head. The disk contains electrically encoded data that is detected by the magnetic head as the head passes over the disk. The disk can be read from during a read operation or written to during a write operation of the hard disk drive as the magnetic head is moved along a radius of the disk and the disk spins under the magnetic disk.
Unfortunately, constantly spinning the disk in the hard disk drive consumes a large amount of power. Specifically, a motor must be devoted to spinning the disk to allow access to the full physical array of data on the disk. Powering a mechanical device such as a motor consumes a significant amount of power relative to the power consumed by the electronic circuitry within a computer. Consequently, it has become highly desirable to reduce the hard disk power consumption in order to maximize the energy efficiency, particularly when the computers use a rechargeable battery as a power source.
One power management technique commonly used in portable computers is turning off the hard disk drive motor when the hard disk drive has not been used recently. There are several methods of turning off the hard disk drive motor while leaving the remainder of the computer circuitry on. Many computers include a "sleep" button for allowing the user to power down the hard disk drive motor without powering down the entire computer in order to conserve battery power that would otherwise be wasted when the hard disk drive is not being accessed. Other methods of powering down the hard disk drive include programming a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) driver to power down the hard disk drive after the passage of a predetermined time period during which the hard disk drive has not been accessed. Other adaptive power management techniques for hard disk drives are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,574,920 for Method For Controlling Power Down Of A Hard Disk Drive In A Computer issued to Parry, U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,400 for SCSI Disk Drive Power Down Apparatus issued to Belmont, U.S. Pat. No. 5,517,649 for Adaptive Power Management For Hard Disk Drives issued to McLean, U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,670 for Adaptive Disk SPN-Down Method For Managing The Power Distributed To A Disk Drive In A Laptop Computer issued to Douglis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,733 for Method For Managing The Power Distributed To A Disk Drive In A Laptop Computer issued to Douglis et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,452,277 for Adaptive System For Optimizing Disk Drive Power Consumption issued to Bajorek et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,369 for Power Saving System For Rotating Disk Data Storing Apparatus issued to Miura et al. However, none of the conventional power management techniques addresses the balance between reduced power consumption and prevention of loss data to the sudden system power off.
Recent advances in portable computers in which an operating voltage of integrated devices is reduced from 5Volts to less than 3Volts use advanced power management (APM) system to facilitate suspending and resuming the system in order to minimize power consumption during its use. One example of such an APM system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,560,023 for Automatic Backup System For Advanced Power Management issued to Crump et al., in which an automatic backup suspend system is also provided to benefit from the APM but with greater reliability.
Generally, the APM system has the following features: First, it lowers a system clock frequency when a computer system is not in use for a predetermined time period after access has been made to the computer system. Secondly, it automatically shuts off power supply to a display monitor when there is no activity in a keyboard or mouse for a predetermined time period. Finally, it suspends motor drive operation in hard disk drive if no access has been made to the hard disk drive for a predetermined time period. This power management scheme is based on shutting off power supply directed to the energy consuming parts or peripheral of the computer system, if the computer system is inactive for a predetermined time period. The power saving feature is particularly useful to battery powered computer systems using LCD display panels such as laptop and notebook computers, where most of the power consumption is attributed to hard disk drive operation. When the APM system is implemented for the hard disk drive in such portable computers, however, there is a frequent occurrence of the on/off of the driving motor of hard disk drive because of disk buffer cache operation provided between the hard disk and the system main memory.
Conventionally, the disk cache adapted its control algorithm to the well known write through mode to maintain cache coherency and to prevent loss of data at the sudden system power off. The write through mode cache operates such that every time there is a change of data in the cache, the APM system operates the hard disk drive to write the change into the hard disk. Even when the hard disk drive is in the power saving (i.e., standby) mode which turns off the hard disk drive motor, if data in the cache has changed, the motor is still driven to perform the write operation for the changed data. It has been my observation that the frequent power on/off of the hard disk drive motor will cause excessive battery consumption, and under some circumstance it will lead to the worst case that the power saving cannot be realized at all. Furthermore, when the motor is driven, there is a waiting period for the motor to arrive at the normal revolution speed, and this waiting period will lower the system performance.

Power saving apparatus for hard disk drive and method of controlling the same


A system for automatic disconnect of an AC source from a converter that includes a converter and a converter. The converter includes a power supply capable of being connected to an alternating current (AC) power source and converting an AC voltage to a direct current (DC) voltage. The portable device contains a rechargeable battery where the portable device uses the DC voltage to charge the rechargeable battery. The connection of the converter to the AC power source is automatically disconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery reaching a full charge or the portable device being disconnected from the converter and automatically reconnected responsive to the rechargeable battery being below a full charge or the portable device being reconnected to the converter.

The present invention is related to converters, and more specifically to automatic disconnect of an alternating current (AC) source from a converter.
Due to cost and demand, efforts are constantly being made to conserve on the use of energy. This applies even to electricity used when a charging device is still connected to an AC source but the device being charged has been disconnected or is fully charged. Although a device may be disconnected from the charging device or fully charged, due to electronics today, the charging device may still be drawing power and burning energy. A charging device, such as a wall wart, receives AC power and includes a DC charging power supply with a DC converter and an isolation device between the AC source and the DC charging power supply where the DC charging power supply rectifies and steps down the AC power source to produce a suitable DC charging source usable for charging a rechargeable battery on a device. For example, existing phone chargers used to charge cell phones may use a transformer or switching converter that remains powered by the AC supply even when the phone is fully charged and no longer drawing a direct current (DC) charging current. This causes an energy consumption that adds to increased energy costs. This cost is further increased if one or more other devices are drawing unnecessary power. In many cases, a person is unaware of this unnecessary energy use.

Automatic disconnect of an AC source from a converter


A temperature control pin, and the device and the method for supporting a substrate in the ultraviolet (UV) solidifying alignment process are disclosed. The temperature control pins includes a supporting pin for supporting a substrate, a heater being arranged within the supporting pin and is close to a top of the supporting pin, and a cooling system. The heater is controlled by the temperature control system to heat up the supporting pin. The cooling system is controlled by the temperature control system to cool down the supporting pin, and cooperatively operates with the heater to dynamically adjust the temperature of the supporting pins. When being heated, the temperature of the temperature control pins is adjusted by the temperature control system, and the substrate is heated uniformly such that the “Pin Mura” phenomenon is reduced or decreased.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to liquid crystal display (LCD) technology, and more particularly to a temperature control pin, and the device and the method for supporting the substrate in the ultraviolet (UV) curing process.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
UV curing is a very important process during the manufacturing of the LCDs adopting HVA technology. After the liquid crystal cell is filled with the liquid crystal, an electrical field is applied to the glass substrate and then the UV rays are radiated on the liquid crystal. Polymerization reaction is then initiated and the alignment of the liquid crystal is achieved. Key factors of the above process include whether the UV rays are uniformly radiated, the electric field, and the temperature of the polymerization reaction. As shown in FIG. 1, a voltage pin 12 applies a voltage to the glass substrate 11. In order to achieve uniform UV radiation, a plurality of supporting pins 10 is adopted to support the glass substrate 11. However, as the supporting pins 10 are not heat-isolated, the substrate may be non-uniformly heated due to the contact between the supporting pins 10 and the glass substrate 11. Furthermore, the brightness of the LCD may also be non-uniform due to the supporting pins 10, which is commonly referred to as "Pin Mura."
In order to overcome the above "Pin Mura" issue, as shown in FIG. 2, the number of the supporting pins 20 is decreased. In addition, the supporting pins 20 are arranged to contact the non-display area. However, the substrate 21 may be bent while adopting such configuration. Furthermore, defective contact may happen when the voltage pin 22 applies the voltage to the substrate.

Temperature control pin, and the device and method for supporting substrate in UV curing process

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.


A correlation between a received signal and a sync word signal is calculated. A window signal having a time span which is equal to an equalization range for an adaptive equalizer is defined. A power sum of the correlation output signal in each of window signals #1, #2, #3, . . . are calculated by sequentially shifting the window signal in the time domain, and a rising edge of the particular window signal whose power sum maximum defines a symbol sync timing.

An adaptive equalizer is known in the mobile communication as a technology which can be used to eliminate interferences. The adaptive equalizer has long been used to combine and/or eliminate inter-symbol interferences as occurring between direct signals and delayed signals which have different delay times each other from a common origin. A conventional example of a technique of detecting a symbol sync timing for a received signal which is used in an adaptive equalizer will be described below. According to the conventional technique, the symbol timing has been synchronized with the 1st path representing a path having the eariest arrival. An arrangement for this instance is shown in FIG. 1. While not shown, a transmitter initially transmits a long-termed sync word sequence whose pattern is already known to the receiving side, followed by the transmission of data representing information content to be transmitted. On the receiver side, a received signal from the transmitter is amplified and demodulated into a baseband signal, which is then converted into a digital sequence. The received signal in the form of the digital sequence is input to an input terminal 11, and a channel response is estimated by using a correlation between the received signal and a sync word signal from a sync word generator 12 in a correlator 13. The channel response or the output signal from the correlator 13 changes, for example, in a manner illustrated in FIG. 2. The correlation output signal Sigc is compared with threshold signal Ths from a threshold signal presetter 14 in a symbol sync timing generator 15. A first timing t1 when the correlation output signal Sigc exceeds the threshold signal Ths is detected, thus obtaining a symbol sync timing for the 1st arrival path. A sampler 16 samples a digitized received signal from the input terminal 11 with the symbol sync timing signal, and a sampled output signal is fed to an adaptive equalizer 17, which applies an adaptive equalization to the sampled signal to deliver a decided symbol sequence to an output terminal 18.
In the conventional technique in which the symbol sync timing is set to the timing of 1st arriving path, there is a problem that if an equalization rage is limited in the time domain, there may occur a correlation output signal having a substantial power located outside the equalization range, resulting in a failure to achieve significant performances and thus a degradation in the response.

Adaptive equalization apparatus and method


A system for image acquisition with reduced noise using SPADs is configured to perform a plurality of sequential exposure and readout operations. Each exposure and readout operation includes (i) applying a set of shutter operations to configure each SPAD pixel of the SPAD array to enable photon detection, and (ii) for each SPAD pixel of the SPAD array, reading out a number of photons detected during the set of shutter operations. The system is also configured to generate an image based on the number of photons detected for each SPAD pixel during each of the plurality of sequential exposure and readout operations.

Mixed-reality (MR) systems, including virtual-reality and augmented-reality systems, have received significant attention because of their ability to create truly unique experiences for their users. For reference, conventional virtual-reality (VR) systems create a completely immersive experience by restricting their users' views to only a virtual environment. This is often achieved, in VR systems, through the use of a head-mounted device (HMD) that completely blocks any view of the real world. As a result, a user is entirely immersed within the virtual environment. In contrast, conventional augmented-reality (AR) systems create an augmented-reality experience by visually presenting virtual objects that are placed in or that interact with the real world.
As used herein, VR and AR systems are described and referenced interchangeably. Unless stated otherwise, the descriptions herein apply equally to all types of mixed-reality systems, which (as detailed above) includes AR systems, VR reality systems, and/or any other similar system capable of displaying virtual objects.
Some MR systems include one or more cameras and utilize images and/or depth information obtained using the camera(s) to provide pass-through views of a user's environment to the user. An MR system may provide pass-through views in various ways. For example, an MR system may present raw images captured by the camera(s) of the MR system to a user. In other instances, an MR system may modify and/or reproject captured image data to correspond to the perspective of a user's eye to generate pass-through views. An MR system may modify and/or reproject captured image data to generate a pass-through view using depth information for the captured environment obtained by the MR system (e.g., using a depth system of the MR system, such as a time-of-flight camera, a rangefinder, stereoscopic depth cameras, etc.). In some instances, an MR system utilizes one or more predefined depth values to generate pass-through views (e.g., by performing planar reprojection).
In some instances, pass-through views generated by modifying and/or reprojecting captured image data may at least partially correct for differences in perspective brought about by the physical separation between a user's eyes and the camera(s) of the MR system (known as the "parallax problem," "parallax error," or, simply "parallax"). Such pass-through views/images may be referred to as "parallax-corrected pass-through" views/images. By way of illustration, parallax-corrected pass-through images may appear to a user as though they were captured by cameras that are co-located with the user's eyes.
A pass-through view can aid users in avoiding disorientation and/or safety hazards when transitioning into and/or navigating within a mixed-reality environment. Pass-through views may also enhance user views in low visibility environments. For example, mixed-reality systems configured with long wavelength thermal imaging cameras may facilitate visibility in smoke, haze, fog, and/or dust. Likewise, mixed-reality systems configured with low light imaging cameras facilitate visibility in dark environments where the ambient light level is below the level required for human vision.
To facilitate imaging of an environment for generating a pass-through view, some MR systems include image sensors that utilize complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) and/or charge-coupled device (CCD) technology. For example, such technologies may include image sensing pixel arrays where each pixel is configured to generate electron-hole pairs in response to detected photons. The electrons may become stored in per-pixel capacitors, and the charge stored in the capacitors may be read out to provide image data (e.g., by converting the stored charge to a voltage).
However, such image sensors suffer from a number of shortcomings. For example, the signal to noise ratio for a conventional image sensor may be highly affected by read noise, especially when imaging under low visibility conditions. For instance, under low light imaging conditions (e.g., where ambient light is below about 10 lux, such as within a range of about 1 millilux or below), a CMOS or CCD imaging pixel may detect only a small number of photons, which may cause the read noise to approach or exceed the signal detected by the imaging pixel and decrease the signal-to-noise ratio.
The dominance of read noise in a signal detected by a CMOS or CCD image sensor is often exacerbated when imaging at a high frame rate under low light conditions. Although a lower framerate may be used to allow a CMOS or CCD sensor to detect enough photons to allow the signal to avoid being dominated by read noise, utilizing a low framerate often leads to motion blur in captured images. Motion blur is especially problematic when imaging is performed on an HMD or other device that undergoes regular motion during use.
In addition to affecting pass-through imaging, the read noise and/or motion blur associated with conventional image sensors may also affect other operations performed by HMDs, such as late stage reprojection, rolling shutter corrections, object tracking (e.g., hand tracking), surface reconstruction, semantic labeling, 3D reconstruction of objects, and/or others.
Thus, for at least the foregoing reasons, there is an ongoing need and desire for improved image acquisition techniques that reduced noise and that mitigate motion blur.
The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced.

Image acquisition techniques with reduced noise using single photon avalanche diodes


There is provided an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and an information processing apparatus-readable recording medium that are capable of adjusting sound caused by vibration of a vibration output unit that vibrates an input device in accordance with the surrounding situation of a game user. The information processing apparatus includes a vibration control unit. The vibration control unit controls vibration of a vibration output unit to change a sound caused by the vibration of the vibration output unit on a basis of surrounding environment information of an input device including a vibration output unit, the input device being held by a user.

In recent years, in order to provide a user with a more varied sense of presence, a technique of incorporating an actuator or the like in an input device that operates content of a game or the like and providing a tactile stimulation such as vibration to a user holding the input device has been used (for example, see Patent Literature 1).

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and information processing apparatus-readable recording medium


A semiconductor memory cell and device having a tubular formed storage electrode of a capacitor through which a bit line passes. The source, gate and drain of a switching transistor are arranged in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the tubular storage electrode. An active region also is arranged in a parallel or superposing direction relative to the bit line and in a perpendicular direction relative to the word line. A manufacturing method thereof includes forming a switching transistor, forming a part of the capacitor storage electrode connected with the drain of the switching transistor, forming an oxide film side wall, forming a bit line in parallel to a longitudinal axis of the active region, forming a capacitor storage electrode of tubular form, covering the surface of the capacitor storage electrode with a capacitor dielectric film, and forming a plate electrode of the capacitor thereon.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor memory cell and manufacturing method thereof, and particularly to a semiconductor memory cell in which capacitor electrodes are formed like a tunnel, with a bit line passing through the interior thereof so that distortion of patterning is decreased while capacitance of the capacitor is increased.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A structure of a stacked capacitor cell (or "STC") and its manufacturing method are known in the art. Such a conventional cell has been described as a shielded bit line, and is formed with storage capacitors on bit lines. This type of conventional memory cell and manufacturing method and its layout, illustrated in FIG. 1, are considered a technique with some similarity to the present invention. One of these conventional STC cells is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,970,564, issued on Nov. 13, 1990 to Kimura et al.
FIG. 1(E) illustrates a small part of the layout of such a conventional STC cell. Active region 10, where elements are to be formed, is tilted at an angle of 45.degree. with respect to the word line and the bit line that meet at a right angle with each other, enabling storage electrode 18 to be arranged very densely.
FIGS. 1(A) to (D) are cross sectional views taken along line 1A--1A of FIG. 1(E) that illustrate the steps of fabricating such a conventional STC cell.
Referring to FIG. 1(A), field and active regions are partitioned on semiconductor substrate 11, and then source and drain regions 12 and gate electrode 13 are formed. Gate electrode insulating oxide film 14 is deposited and a bit line contact is opened by a photolithographic process. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 1(B), a refractory metal or polysilicon layer (used to form a bit line) and oxide film 16 are deposited, and then bit line 15 is formed by patterning the deposited layers by utilizing a photoresist film as a mask. Thereafter, the photoresist film is removed, resulting in the structure of FIG. 1(B) .
Successively, as illustrated in FIG. 1(C), an oxide film is deposited and etched back without the photoresist film mask, and oxide side wall 17 is formed on bit line side walls, and a buried contact connecting the active region and a storage electrode are formed. As illustrated in FIG. 1(D), storage electrode 18, capacitor dielectric film 19 (an electrical insulator) and plate electrode 20 are formed in turn, and thereby a memory cell is produced.
The conventional memory cell manufactured by the method as described above, as illustrated in FIG. 1(E), is arranged such that bit line 15 and word line 13 intersect orthogonally with each other, and active region 10 is angled relative to bit line 15 and word line 13.
However, since bit line 15 is formed before the capacitor, a contact in the active region between the drain and the storage node (electrode) of the capacitor should be formed at a location over which the bit line does not pass. Accordingly, the active region should be disposed so as to be in a diagonal direction relative to the bit line and word line. Therefore, since the active region of the cell includes a tilted portion making an angle of 45.degree. with respect to word line 13 and bit line 15, distortion occurs in the photolithographic process for patterning the active region. Thus, a difficulty exists with this process, and unit cell area is not decreased.

Semiconductor memory cell and manufacturing method thereof


A scanning device having a cable for connecting various parts is provided. A method is provided using a differential pair of clock generated signals to cancel each other, thereby reducing electromagnetic emissions. The differential pair is characterized by each being in phase with the other with regard to frequency, and each being the reverse of the other in amplitude.

1. Field of Invention
The invention pertains to the field of signal transmission. More particularly, the invention pertains to transmissions between components of a scanning device and a method using paired differential analog signals for the same.
2. Description of Related Art
The scanner is a device having functions disposed between copy machines and cameras. Scanners used to be expensive, and were almost exclusively used by specialists. Recently, due to the advancement in technology, coupled with market competition, the price of scanners has dropped. In fact, scanners have moved into the mainstream of personal computer peripherals.
Scanners can be divided into various categories either according to their sale price or function. Ordinarily, the scanner categories include handheld scanners, paper feeding scanners, card scanners, negative scanners, and the flat panel scanners, etc. Out of the above categories, the flat panel scanner is the most popular. The flat panel scanner is analogous to a flat glass panel. Texts or graphics are placed on top of the flat glass panel, the content of which is read by sensor. Because of simplicity of structure and ease of usage, coupled with the fact that it is highly expandable, flat panel scanners have moved into the mainstream of personal computer industry.
Currently, because the computer interface possesses an ever-increasing speed, scanners need to possess compatible data processing speeds as well. The increased speed results in undesirable electro-magnetic interference (EMI) which is generated as a concomitant of the increased speed.
Referring to FIG. 1, a commonly known prior art scanning device 10 is shown. The scanning device 10 includes an image capturing board 102 and a mainboard 104. By way of example, the image capturing board 102 may be a charge coupled device (CCD) board. A cable couples the image capturing board 102 to mainboard 104.
The above mentioned image capturing board 102 includes an image capturing device 106 which may be CCD. The above mentioned mainboard 104 includes an analog front-end 108 (AFE), analog to digital converter 110, and clock generator 112.
The operation of device 10 is described as follows. Initially, a clock generator 112 of the image capture device 104 generates a clock signal, which is applied to the image capture component 106. This way, the image capture component 106 is driven. Consequently, the image capture component 106 transforms an optic data signal that was captured into an analog electronic signal. At this juncture, the analog front-end 108 transforms the analog electronic signal into an analog front-end electronic signal. The analog front-end electronic signal is subject to an A/D converter 110, wherein the analog front-end electronic signal is converted into a digital signal, and the digital signal is output. But it should be noted that clock generator 112 includes high frequency signals such as shift clock signals (φ1, φ2), which are a pair of opposite phase signals. Opposite phase will be defined infra. It is known that opposite phase signals' electromagnetic interference cancel each other. However, in scanner technology, no known electronic signal transmission uses single end mode transmission.
Referring to FIG. 2, the wave shape of a commonly known electronic signal Vl under single end mode transmission is shown. As can be appreciated, analog signal Vl has a potential level Vos. Typically the electromagnetic interference is in direct proportion to signal potential level, frequency, and transmission distance. Because signal Vl possesses high potential Vos as well as relatively high frequency and long transmission lines, the single end mode transmission can increase the electro-magnetic interference. Therefore, electro-magnetic interference can cause problems that are undesirable. Because the electro-magnetic interference can cause health problems, various jurisdictions have established standards with regard to the same. Therefore, how to reduce a scanning device's electro-magnetic interference so as to comport with the standards is important.
Therefore it is important to provide a scanning method and device wherein actual magnetic interference is reduced.

Scanning device and method using paired differential analog signals


A device and method for simultaneously acquiring a temperature and a respiration rate of a patient. In some embodiments of the invention, the device can include a probe, a temperature sensing element coupled to the probe, a disposable cover that can be positioned over the probe, and a respiration sensing element coupled to the disposable cover. In other embodiments of the invention, the device can include a probe having a temperature sensing element, a transmitter, and a receiver. The device can further include a probe cover having a respiration sensing element that can be positioned over the probe.

It is accepted clinical practice in acute care areas of the hospital to measure patient vital signs on an infrequent basis, at time intervals ranging from one hour to eight hours. In these parts of the hospital, monitors are moved from patient to patient, and the sensors are attached to the patient only for the duration of the measurement. Current multiparameter monitors for use in acute care hospitals provide automated methods for noninvasively measuring blood pressure, pulse oximetry, pulse rate and temperature.

Temperature and respiration acquisition apparatus and method

GE Medical Systems Information Technologies, Inc.


A distinct cultivar of Calathea plant named `Cora`, characterized by its upright and compact growth habit; moderate to rapid growth rate; dark green margin and stripes with light silvery green interveinal areas with reddish overtones on young leaves; and dark purplish red leaf petioles.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Calathea plant, botanically known as Calathea roseo-picta, and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name `Cora`.
The new Calathea was discovered by the inventor in a controlled environment in Schipluiden, The Netherlands, in March, 1989, as a naturally-occurring mutation of the nonpatented Calathea roseo-picta cultivar `Illustris`. The new Calathea was observed as a single plant with different leaf coloration in a group of plants of the parent cultivar. Leaves of plants of the parent cultivar `Illustris` have dark green margins and stripes parallel to the primary veins with light green interveinal areas whereas leaves of plants of the new Calathea have dark green margins and stripes parallel to the primary veins with light silvery green interveinal areas with reddish overtones.
Asexual reproduction of the new Calathea by tissue culture or by division at Schipluiden, The Netherlands, has shown that the unique features of this new Calathea are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


An electrophotographic printer has neutralizing units and a fixing unit that are disposed in the transport path of a print medium. The neutralizing units neutralize a toner image surface of the print medium entering the fixing unit and a non-printed surface of the print medium exiting the fixing unit. The fixing unit includes two rollers. A fixing roller incorporates a heat source that generates heat for fusing a toner image on the print medium. A pressure roller is in pressure engagement with the fixing roller. At least one of the fixing roller and pressure roller includes a resilient member that covers a metal shaft and an insulation layer that covers the resilient member. The resilient member may contain electrically conductive whiskers that extend radially in three dimensions. The whiskers are dispersed such that a surface of the insulation layer and a surface of the shaft are electrically continuous.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic printer in which toner is prevented from migrating from a print medium to a heat roller of a fixing unit during fixing operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 11 illustrates a relevant portion of a conventional electrophotographic printer.
FIG. 12 illustrates a mechanism in which a toner image formed on a photoconductive drum is transferred onto a print medium.
Referring to FIG. 11, the conventional electrophotographic printer has a charging roller 12, an LED head 13, a developing unit 14, a transfer roller 15, and a cleaning roller 17, all of which being disposed around a photoconductive drum 11. These structural elements are disposed in the order in which a photographic process is carried out.
A print medium P travels in a direction shown by arrow A. The transfer roller 15 is disposed under the photoconductive drum 11 and rotates in contact with the photoconductive drum 11, thereby defining a transfer section through which the print medium passes during printing. When the print medium P passes the transfer section, a toner image is transferred from the photoconductive drum 11 onto the print medium P. The charging roller 12 and cleaning roller 17 are disposed downstream of the transfer section with respect to the rotation of photoconductive drum 11. The LED head 13 is disposed above the photoconductive drum 11. The developing unit 14 is disposed upstream of the transfer section with respect to the rotation of the photoconductive drum.
There is provided an endless belt 10 that is entrained about rollers, not shown, and is sandwiched between the photoconductive drums 11 and transfer rollers 15. The endless belt 10 runs in the direction shown by arrow A. The endless belt 10 attracts the print medium P that is fed from a paper cassette, not shown, and transports the print medium P along a transport path from an upstream end to a downstream end of the transport path.
The charging roller 12 uniformly charges the surface of the photoconductive drum 11. An LED array, not shown, of the LED head 13 is selectively energized in accordance with print data to illuminate the surface of the charged photoconductive drum 11 to form an electrostatic latent image on the photoconductive drum 11.
In the developing unit 14, a sponge roller 14b supplies toner to a developing roller 14a. A developing blade 14c is in contact with the rotating developing roller 14a to form a uniform thin layer of toner on the surface of the developing roller 14a. The developing roller 14a rotates in contact with the photoconductive drum 11, thereby depositing negatively charged toner on the latent image formed on the photoconductive drum 11 to form a toner image.
The transfer roller 15 is connected to a high voltage power supply 16 which applies a potential in the range of several hundred volts to several thousand volts across the photoconductive drum 11 and the transfer roller 15, so that the toner T on the photoconductive drum 11 migrates from the photoconductive drum 11 to the print medium P that is transported by the endless belt 10 between the photoconductive drum 11 and the transfer roller 15.
As shown in FIG. 12, dielectric polarization occurs such that toner image-receiving surface of the print medium P is positively charged. When the negatively charged toner T on the photoconductive drum 11 is brought into contact with the positively charged surface of the print medium P, the negatively charged toner T is attracted by the Coulomb force to the positively charged surface of the print medium P. In other words, the toner image is transferred onto the print medium P. A current flows through the print medium P between the print medium P and non-exposed areas, i.e., areas on the photoconductive drum 11 in which no toner exists, so that the residual charges are neutralized. Thus, the toner image-receiving surface of the print medium P is generally negatively charged. The toner transferred onto the print medium P remains attracted to the print medium by weak Coulomb force.
The cleaning roller 17 shown in FIG. 11 removes the toner that remains on the photoconductive drum 11 after transferring.
A neutralizing brush 18 is provided in the transport path of print medium downstream of the transfer section. The free end of the neutralizing brush 18 is in contact with the non-printed surface of the print medium P in order to neutralize the charges deposited on the non-printed surface of the print medium P. The base portion of the neutralizing brush 18 is grounded.
Downstream of the neutralizing brush 18, there is provided a fixing unit 19 that includes a fixing roller 19a and a pressure roller 19b. The fixing roller 19a has a heat source, not shown, that supplies heat to the surface of the print medium onto which the toner image has been transferred. The pressure roller 19b is disposed under the fixing roller 19a and presses the print medium P against the fixing roller 19a.
The heat supplied from the fixing roller 19a fuses the toner deposited on the print medium and the pressure applied by the pressure roller 19b causes the fused tone to penetrate the print medium P. The fixing roller 19a and pressure roller 19b have insulating layers formed thereon such that the toner is easily peeled off therefrom.
With the aforementioned conventional electrophotographic printer, the surfaces of the fixing roller 19a and pressure roller 19b are covered with insulation that facilitates the peeling off of toner. However, the conventional printer suffers from the xe2x80x9coffsetxe2x80x9d problem, i.e., an unintentional or faulty transfer of toner from a print medium to the fixing roller in contact with the print medium.
If the offset problem occurs, the toner deposited on the fixing roller 19a is then deposited to the pressure roller 19b and/or other parts of the print medium. The toner may also be deposited on the following page of print medium such that a ghost image may appear on the following page or the page is simply soiled.
The offset problem will occur if the negative potential on the toner image surface of the print medium P and the positive potential on the non-toner image surface are excessively high when the print medium P passes the fixing unit. For a tandem type color printer, the yellow, magenta, cyan, and black toner images are formed on the print medium attracted to the transport belt. Thus, the potential of the toner image surface of the print medium is apt to be higher for a tandem type color printer than for a monochrome printer. Especially, in a low temperature and low humidity environment, the impedance of the print medium is high and therefore the both opposed surfaces of the print medium tend to be high potential.
The surface of the print medium on which a toner image has not been transferred is easily neutralized by the neutralizing brush 18, the frame or chassis of the printer body. However, the charges on the toner-image surface of the print medium and the non-toner image surface are opposite in polarity and are in equilibrium. Thus, it is very difficult to completely neutralize the charges on the both surfaces of the print medium.
If the negative potential on the toner image surface of the print medium and the positive potential on the non-toner image surface are excessively high, when the print medium P is brought into contact with the fixing roller 19a, a potential difference will develop between the fixing roller 19a and the print medium P, creating an electric field therebetween. The electric field causes the negatively charged toner on the toner image surface of the print medium to migrate to the fixing roller 19a, thereby resulting in the offset problem.
An object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic printer in which the offset problem of a fixing unit is effectively prevented.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrophotographic printer in which the charges deposited on the print medium after transfer are promptly neutralized.
An electrophotographic printer according to the invention incorporates a fixing unit. The fixing unit includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller. The fixing roller has a heat source that generates heat for fusing a toner image transferred by a transfer unit onto a print medium. The pressure roller is in pressure engagement with the fixing roller. At least one of the fixing roller and the pressure roller includes a resilient member that covers a metal shaft and an insulation layer that covers the resilient member. The resilient member contains electrically conductive whiskers that extend radially in three dimensions. The whiskers are dispersed such that a surface of the insulation layer and a surface of the shaft are electrically continuous.
The electrophotographic printer may further include a neutralizing brush that is disposed downstream of the fixing unit in proximity to the fixing unit. The neutralizing brush neutralizes a first surface of the print medium on which the toner image is transferred.
The electrophotographic printer may include a neutralizing roller instead of the neutralizing brush. The neutralizing roller is disposed downstream of the fixing unit and neutralizes a first surface of the print medium on which the toner image is transferred.
The electrophotographic printer may include a metal rod that has a sharp point and is disposed downstream of the transfer unit. When the print medium advances from the transfer unit to the fixing unit, the sharp point is in proximity to a first surface of the print medium to neutralize an excessive charge deposited thereon, the first surface being a surface on which the toner image is transferred.
The electrophotographic printer may further include:
moisture detector that detects a moisture in the air;
moisture calculator that determines an amount of moisture that should be given to the print medium;
a humidifier disposed downstream of the transfer unit and upstream of the fixing unit, the humidifier applying an amount of moisture calculated by the moisture calculator to a second surface of the print medium opposite to a first image on which a toner image is transferred.
Another electrophotographic printer according to the invention incorporates a fixing unit and a neutralizing unit disposed in a transport path of a print medium. The fixing unit includes a fixing roller and a pressure roller. The fixing roller has a heat source that generates heat for fusing a toner image transferred onto a print medium. The pressure roller is in pressure engagement with the fixing roller to form a nip between the fixing roller and the pressure roller. The neutralizing unit is disposed downstream of the fixing unit and neutralizes a charged surface of the print medium discharged from the fixing unit.
The neutralizing unit is disposed to oppose a first surface of the print medium on which the toner image is transferred.
The neutralizing unit is a neutralizing brush.
The neutralizing unit is a neutralizing roller.
Another neutralizing unit may be disposed upstream of the fixing unit and downstream of a transfer section. The another neutralizing unit is disposed to oppose a second surface of the print medium opposite to the first surface.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Electrophotographic printer having offset prevention


A magnetic sensor circuit supplying an excitation current to an MI device, and having a detection signal supplied thereto corresponding to a magnetic field intensity from the MI device based on the excitation current. The magnetic sensor circuit includes a pulse current supplying circuit supplying a pulse current to the MI device; a sample-and-hold circuit maintaining an approximately peak value of the detection signal and outputting a hold signal; and a temperature compensation part compensating temperature characteristics of the magnetic sensor circuit with respect to the hold signal. The sample-and-hold circuit may include a switching circuit and a holding capacitor. The switching circuit may have an opening/closing control signal supplied thereto based on timing of the pulse current. The temperature compensation part may include a temperature detection circuit, a temperature compensation circuit, and an amplification circuit that has an amplification factor higher than that of the temperature compensation circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic sensor circuit and a semiconductor device employed in an MI (magneto-impedance effect) sensor for detecting a weak magnetic field.
2. The Description of the Related Art
As a miniature and high-performance magnetic sensor, a magnetic impedance effect sensor (MI sensor) applying magnetic impedance (MI) effect has been proposed. The MI sensor employs a magnetism sensing device and an MI device, and detects magnetic field intensity applied to a soft-magnetic amorphous wire of the MI device. The MI effect corresponds to a phenomenon that, when a pulse current at a short time duration is made to flow through the soft-magnetic amorphous wire, impedance increases in proportion to magnetic field intensity applied to the soft-magnetic amorphous wire.
There is a MI sensor employing an impedance detection system in which the impedance of the soft-magnetic amorphous wire is detected and another MI sensor employing an inductance detection system in which only an inductance component of the soft-magnetic amorphous wire is detected.
In the impendence detection system, since the MI device only requires the amorphous wire, a structure of the MI device is advantageously simple. However, since output characteristics are symmetrical with respect to a zero magnetic field, a direction of a magnetic field should be measured separately, and a circuit configuration becomes complicated for measuring both positive and negative magnetic fields.
On the other hand, in the inductance detection system, a structure of the MI device is rather complicate since a detection coil is wound on the amorphous wire. However, since a linear output can be obtained with respect to positive through negative magnetic fields across a zero magnetic field, a circuit configuration is relatively simple. As a result, a study has been actively made for utilizing such a type of MI device in an electronic compass or such (for example, see Japanese Laid-open Patent Applications Nos. 2004-119517 and 2000-19235, as well as a journal of the magnetic society of Japan, Vol. 27, No. 11, (2003), pages 1063-1068, 'MI Sensor-based Electronic Compass for Mobile Phone Applications', written by Y. Honkura, H. Aoyama, M. Yamamoto, and E. Kako).
FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of a MI sensor in the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, each of MI devices 101 and 102 measure and output magnetic fields along two axes, i.e., x-axis and y-axis. In this MI sensor 100, a pulse signal generated by a pulse generating circuit 103 is supplied to the x-axis MI device 101 and the y-axis MI device 102 alternately via a timing signal generating circuit 104. Then, detection signals induced in detection coils of the respective MI devices 101 and 102 are held and detected in a sample-and-hold circuit 105, and is amplified and output from a differential amplification circuit 106.
Such an MI sensor is used outdoors in a form in which it is mounted in a portable terminal device such as a cellular phone, an automobile, or such. Therefore, such an environment of the MI sensor is expected as to have a temperature range between a freezing temperature and the order of 40° C.
Therefore, the MI sensor in which a temperature compensation circuit is mounted, so that a detection error in magnetic field intensity is reduced even under a temperature changing environment was proposed(see Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2000-19235).

Magnetic sensor circuit and semiconductor device capable of temperature compensation


An ophthalmic measurement apparatus for measuring a refractive power of an eye to be examined, the apparatus comprises slit projecting optical system for scanning a fundus of the eye by a slit light bundle, detecting optical system for detecting the slit light bundle reflected by the fundus of the eye which is scanned by the slit projecting optical system, the detecting optical system includes plural pairs of photo-receiving elements which are disposed along the meridian direction corresponding to the slit scanning direction of the slit light bundle, and respective pairs of photo-receiving elements are disposed so as to be symmetric with putting an optical axis therebetween at approximately conjugate position relative to a cornea of the eye, and refractive power calculating device for calculating the refractive power of the eye which is varied at the meridian direction, based on respective phase difference signals outputted by respective photo-receiving elements of the detecting optical system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic measurement apparatus, and more particularly relates to an ophthalmic measurement apparatus such as an eye refractive power measurement apparatus for measuring a refractive power of an eye to be examined objectively.
2. Description of Related Art
In the case that the refractive error is corrected by using spectacles or contact lens, a subjective inspection is performed in order to determine a prescribed value thereof. Upon performing the subjective inspection, such method is widely spread that uses measured data which are measured by an eye refractive power measurement apparatus for measuring a refractive power of an eye to be examined objectively. It is known an eye refractive power measurement apparatus that scans slit-shape light bundle and projects it onto a fundus of the eye, and obtains the refractive power of the eye by detecting the light reflected by the fundus of the eye due to the projection of slit light bundles by means of two pairs of photo-receiving elements which are disposed so as to be symmetric with putting an optical axis therebetween at approximately conjugate position relative to a cornea of the eye. The results measured by the apparatus are calculated and outputted by using three parameters S (spherical power), C (astigmatism (cylindrical) power) and A (astigmatism (cylindrical) axial angle), with defining that the refractive power of the eye is symmetric with respect to the corneal center in order to fit to the prescribed value of spectacles or the like.
However, a refractive power of an eye is not always symmetric with respect to the corneal center, and many eyes have irregular astigmatism. In the case of irregular astigmatism such as keratoconus, there is difference between the measured results of S, C and A obtained at the time when the eye looks at the center of the fixation target inside of the apparatus and the measured results of S, C and A obtained at the time when the eye looks at the point except the center of the fixation target. Therefore, measured data of conventional art does not provide sufficient refractive information enough to perform the subjective inspection efficiently.
Also, recently, the keratorefractive surgery which corrects the refractive error by varying the corneal curvature artificially by removing the corneal surface is noticeable, therefore such apparatus is required that confirms the corneal shape in detail at pre-operation and post-operation, and that recognizes the distribution of the refractive power at respective parts of the cornea. The reason for such requirements, the finally purpose of the keratorefractive surgery resides in to make the distribution of the refractive power of the eye be close to emmetropia (or low myopia, low regular astigmatism).
Further, referring to the keratorefractive surgery by using excimer laser beam which is widely known as recent correcting method for refractive error, the corneal curvature is varied by removing the corneal surface, once there exists the axial deviation, the symmetric performance of the cornea is broken. In addition, referring to such an eye to be examined that is not retained symmetric performance of the refractive power as described above, the measured results of S, C and A often tend to be improper. In this case, the inspection performed for spectacles prescription and the like based on the subjective inspection continued thereafter takes much time, therefore the eye is made to be tired, and it often results in making improper prescribed value.

Ophthalmic measurement apparatus having plural pairs of photoreceiving elements


Methods and systems are provided for increasing EGR delivered to an engine. In one example, a method may include determining an EVO timing set point and an external EGR setpoint in parallel, based on an inverse model. The EVO timing may be adjusted based on a combination of the EVO timing setpoint and an EGR cylinder balancing feedback loop, thereby varying internal EGR to the engine to supplement external EGR.

Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) may be implemented in vehicles to mitigate emission of undesirable combustion by-products, such as NOR. Release of NOR to the atmosphere may be reduced by external EGR systems, thereby allowing the NOR to be re-combusted at the engine at less than peak cylinder temperature and a diluted oxygen environment. In recent years, emissions standards have become increasingly stringent, demanding higher delivery of EGR to further mitigate NOR emissions. However, external EGR systems may not be able to meet the demand without becoming increasingly large and costly.
In some examples, an EGR shortcoming may be offset by actuating a throttle plate to decrease an intake manifold pressure. As a result, a larger pressure differential is generated between an exhaust manifold and the intake manifold pressure, drawing higher EGR flow into the intake manifold pressure. Actuating the throttle plate, particularly in a diesel engine, may enhance pumping losses, reduce fuel economy, and may push an operating point of a turbocharger compressor to approach a surge limit, however.
Other attempts to increase EGR include configuring an engine with a dedicated EGR cylinder. One example approach is shown by Ku et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 9,534,542. Therein, an EGR system of an engine includes configuring exhaust valves of a dedicated external EGR cylinder to be selectively opened to recirculate exhaust gas to different locations in an engine, such as at an engine intake downstream of an intake throttle, a pre-compressor location and a post-compressor location. Remaining cylinders of the engine may provide internal EGR by adjusting intake/exhaust valve timing. Delivery and rate of EGR to the different locations via external EGR may be adjusted based on operating conditions and able to maintain engine performance during variations in, for example, torque demand. EGR to the pre-compressor location is introduced at a higher rate during higher engine loads, as compared to a fixed EGR system, and cylinder-to-cylinder balance is improved.
However, the inventors herein have recognized potential issues with such systems. As one example, while varying the distribution of external EGR to the different locations may enable more EGR to be delivered to selected engine regions to increase combustion stability and performance, providing external EGR via a single cylinder does not allow overall EGR flow to be increased. A total amount of EGR, including external EGR at the dedicated cylinder and internal EGR at the remaining cylinders may be constant and therefore unable to adapt to increasing demands for EGR. Furthermore, the EGR system of Ku et al. may only be implemented in an engine with at least one cylinder equipped with multiple exhaust valves. Thus the methods described by Ku et al. may not be readily adapted to a variety of engine types.
In one example, the issues described above may be addressed by a method for determining an exhaust valve opening (EVO) timing setpoint at an engine based on an inverse model, the inverse model continuously updated based on an exhaust gas NOx measurement, determining an external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) setpoint based on the inverse model, the external EGR setpoint determined in parallel with the EVO timing setpoint, and adjusting the EVO timing based on a combination of the EVO timing setpoint and an EGR cylinder balancing feedback loop. In this way, throttle actuation to increase EGR is reduced as well as a dependency on external EGR.
As one example, a nested control system used to adjust an amount of EGR delivered to the engine. The nested control system relies on continuous feedback from engine sensors to update EGR delivery which may be supplied via more than one route, including internal EGR, adjustment of external EGR (low pressure and high pressure EGR) valves and throttle actuation. A continuously variable valve lift (CVVL) mechanism may be used to vary the EVO timing when an amount of EGR delivered to the engine does not meet a demand. The adjusted EVO timing may be determined based on feedback from engine sensors which may be input at the outer loop and applied to an inverse model to infer a target EVO timing. Adjustment to the EVO timing via the CVVL mechanism may be implemented by a closed inner loop of the one or more inner loops, providing feedback to continuously update the EVO timing based on engine operation. Other inner loops of the nested control system may include operations for controlling EGR delivery by external EGR systems as well as by throttle actuation. By utilizing inner loops, balancing of EGR delivery between different delivery routes may be enabled and continuously updated. Increasing internal EGR by adjusting the EVO timing may be prioritized over other methods of increasing EGR delivery, thereby allowing a smaller external EGR to be used as well as circumventing adverse effects on engine performance associated with throttle actuation. Furthermore, by preferentially increasing a reliance on internal EGR, faster response time to engine transients is enabled. It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Valve timing modulation for EGR balancing


A sealing strip disclosed herein comprises a deformable sealing profile with a teardrop cross-section, a channel running along a length of the sealing strip, multiple parallel aligned reinforcement ribs, and an adhesive layer on a first outwardly curved side on an outer surface of the deformable sealing profile. In an embodiment, the sealing strip comprises one of an E-shaped cross-section and about a 270 degree rotated generally T-shaped cross-section. In another embodiment, the cross-section of the sealing profile comprises a vertically aligned rectangular base portion and dovetail portion extending from a first lateral side of the rectangular base portion near the midway on the rectangular base portion. In another embodiment, the rectangular base portion comprises a first wall portion and a second wall portion extending from a first end and a second end, respectively, of the first lateral side of the rectangular base portion.

People who live in environments where excessive dust is generated, for example, desert-like areas, etc., often experience an excessive amount of dust penetration and deposition within the home where they reside or in an office area where they work due to lack of adequate sealing between a window sash and a window frame when the window is closed. Dust may also enter and circulate the home or office through Heating/Air conditioning vents. Dust and other fine particulate matter can also make their way into closed cabinets and drawers, and deposit on pots, pans, clothing, files, etc. In such areas, residents need to spend an excessive amount of time cleaning and disinfecting their home and cabinets due to the dust that infiltrates the house through the windows of the house, and cabinets, etc.
Hence there is a long felt but unresolved need for a sealing strip that can be affixed in a groove in the window sash, window frame, cabinet door, drawer, etc. to minimize ingress of air-borne fine particulate matter and dust through the windows of the house to areas within the house and to the interior of cabinets located within the house. There is also a long felt but unresolved need for a sealing strip that can be affixed to an engagement surface of the window sash, window frame, cabinet door, drawer, etc.


A time-discrete picture signal is formed from an analog picture signal, such as a luminance signal or a chrominance signal. Corresponding to the time-discrete picture signal, a time-discrete filter signal is formed, specifically a so-called “peaking signal,” which has a sequence of peaking signal values, of which one value each is associated with one signal value of the time-discrete picture signal. The discrete peaking signal is formed by a digital peaking filter from the discrete picture signal or by an analog peaking filter from the analog picture signal during subsequent sampling of the analog peaking signal. The peaking filter increases the amplitude of selected frequency components of the picture signal.

The present invention relates to the field of television signal processing, and in particular to an apparatus and method for improving the sharpness of a television picture that is formed from at least one television signal.
A conventional television picture is formed from a luminance signal that contains brightness information, and two chrominance signals that contain color information. These signals are referred to hereinafter as picture signals.
The transmission bandwidth of the luminance signal and the chrominance signals is fixed, and the bandwidth of the chrominance signals is narrower than the bandwidth of the luminance signal. This bandwidth limitation reduces the sharpness of the television picture. The color and brightness information is present line-by-line in each picture signal. That is, chronologically successive values for the picture signals contain the brightness or color information of the successive pixels in a line of the television picture. A change in brightness or color between adjacent pixels of a line results from an increase or decrease over time in the amplitude of the given picture signal. The band width limitation in the transmission of the pictures signals limits the steepness of the slopes of the picture signals so that random color or brightness differences between adjacent pixels cannot be displayed. This bandwidth limitation is especially evident in color edges or brightness edges in a picture in which the brightness transition or color transition proceeds continuously, and not abruptly as desired. Due to the narrower bandwidth of the chrominance signals, the transition at the color edges is slower. That is, it extends over a greater number of adjacent pixels than does the transition for brightness edges.
A known approach to enhancing the slopes of the picture signals is to filter the picture signals with a peaking filter. The peaking filter amplifies the amplitude of high-frequency components. This process can be accomplished, for example, by filtering the picture signal with a high-pass filter or a bandpass filter, and subsequently adding the picture signal and filter output signal.
One problem with slope enhancement of the signal slopes by the peaking method is that overshoots and undershoots occur before and after the slopes of the output signal that distort the brightness or color of the pixels before and after the brightness or color edges.
European Patent Application 0 224 302 A1 describes a circuit for increasing the sharpness of color edges, the circuit determining the slope of the chrominance signal and driving a slope enhancement circuit when the specified slope value is exceeded, the circuit generates a chrominance signal with a steepened slope.
European Patent Application 0 457 931 A1 describes a device and method for color edge improvement. Here the turning points in a chrominance signal are determined. When a turning point occurs, one slope in the region of the turning point is replaced by a steeper slope according to the known method.
The reference Ohara, Kunzmann: "Video Processing Technique for Multimedia HDTV with Digital Micro-Mirror Array", IEEE Transactions on Consumer Electronics, 8–99, Vol. 45, No. 3, pp. 604 et seq. discloses a method for digitally processing a picture signal in which initially a time-discrete picture signal and a signal filter corresponding to the time-discrete picture signal obtained by a digital peaking are determined from the analog picture signal. The following are taken into account with each signal value of the picture signal: a "left" signal value lying a specified number of places before the signal value and a "right" signal value lying a specified number of places after the signal value, and the peaking signal value corresponding to the signal value. If the peaking signal value lies within an interval defined by the left signal value and the right signal value, the peaking signal value is output as the picture signal value. If the peaking signal value lies outside this interval, the left signal value or the right signal value are output as the picture signal value. This method in which the positions of the limits of the interval are fixed for the comparison with the peaking signal value may result in problems, especially for signal curves in which the signal has an oscillating pattern as shown in FIGS. 1A–1C. FIG. 11A is a plot of a time-discrete picture signal s1[k] which was obtained by sampling a continuous signal; FIG. 1B is the curve of an associated peaking signal s2[k]; and FIG. 1C shows a picture signal s3[k] resulting from the known method.
According to this prior art technique, to form a modified picture signal value s3[k0], the associated peaking signal value s2[k0] and a left picture signal value s1[k0−2], and aright signal value s1[k0+2] are compared. The peaking signal value s2[k0] lies in the signal curve in the example outside an interval specified by the left and right picture signal values s1[k0−2] and s1[k0+2] so that the interval limit s1[k0−2] or s1[k0+2] that lies closer to the peaking signal value s2[k0] is output as the modified picture signal value s3[k0]. In the previous picture signal value s1[k0−1] and the following picture signal value s1[k0+1], the associated peaking signal value s2[k0−1] or s2[k0+1] lie within the interval specified by the limits s1[k0−3] and s1[k0+1] or s1[k0−1] and s1[k0+3] so that the peaking signal value s2[k0−1] and s2[k0+1] are selected as the associated picture signal value s3[k0−1] and s3[k0+1]. The selection of the peaking signal values s2[k0−1] and s2[k0+1] as picture signal values s3[k0−1] and s3[k0+1], and the signal value s1[k0−2] or s1[k0−2] as the signal value s3[k0] results in an unwanted "collapse" of the picture signal value s3[k0] relative to adjacent values.
Therefore, there is a need for an apparatus and method for increasing the contrast of a television picture that is formed from at least one picture signal.

Apparatus and method for slope-enhancement of signal transitions in television pictures


Information handling system functions performed with an information handling system operating system in a quiescent state, such as ROM flashing, diagnostics BIOS warning screens and hard disc drive backup, are supported through an operating system quiescent state initiated by a simulated power down state which leaves one or more processing components of the information handling system operational. For instance, an operating system utility sets a BIOS flag and pointer so that an ACPI S3 power down state places the operating system in a quiescent state but an S3 suspend call from the operating system is intercepted and a quiescent state function called by the BIOS. Recovery of the operating system from the quiescent state is initiated with the BIOS so that a reboot of the information handling system is avoided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to the field of information handling system maintenance, and more particularly to a method and system for creating an operating system quiescent state to perform maintenance on information handling system processing components.
2. Description of the Related Art
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems have grown steadily in complexity both in the number and types of hardware components used to build information handling systems and in the software components that rely on these hardware components to perform desired functions. Although the increased complexity generally provides improved performance and greater functionality, it also tends to involve increased maintenance and diagnostics to ensure that components operate properly together. For instance, common maintenance upkeep tasks include performing diagnostics periodically or when problems arise, flashing read only memory (ROM), presenting warning screens by the basic input/output system (BIOS) and backing up the system hard disc drive. Increased hardware component complexity also tends to result in increased demands on the operating system that coordinates interaction between hardware components. The WINDOWS operating system has evolved over time to manage the operation of hardware components including tracking the configuration of the information handling system to coordinate communication between the components.
One difficulty that arises during maintenance and diagnostics of information handling system components is that maintenance and diagnostics operations affects operating system interaction with system components as well as interaction between components themselves. For instance, ROM flashing, performance of certain diagnostics and hard disk drive backup generally require that the operating system be placed in a quiescent state in which configuration information maintained by the operating system is held consistent. As another example, display of BIOS warning screens generally requires an operating system quiescent state so that BIOS assertion of control over the display from the operating system driver does not interrupt the function of critical driver code. The conventional method for placing an operating system into a quiescent state is to boot to a secondary operating system that manages loading and execution of maintenance or diagnostics code and then re-boot into the primary operating system to ensure proper configuration of components and complete execution of the maintenance or diagnostics code. For instance, maintenance and diagnostics on an information handling system with the WINDOWS operating system typically is performed by booting to DOS and configuring the information handling system to execute the maintenance or diagnostics function on the next reboot before loading the WINDOWS operating system. However, placing an operating system into a quiescent state and rebooting to perform maintenance and diagnostics functions generally is a slow process that delays and frustrates information handling system users.

Method and system for operating system quiescent state


Techniques for efficiently authenticating multiple objects and clustering objects based on access patterns are provided. For example, in an illustrative aspect of the invention, a technique for generating and/or reading authentication information, wherein the authentication information provides evidence that a plurality of objects were one of generated and sent by an entity, comprises using one or more object access patterns indicative of whether at least two of the plurality of objects are accessed within a similar time period to group objects together to reduce an overhead for at least one of generating and reading the authentication information.

Content distribution systems include content consumers that consume data and content publishers that publish data to content consumers. In an environment such as the Internet or World Wide Web (WWW or the "web"), content publishers are typically web servers. Content consumers are web clients which access the content of the web server.
Three characteristics of a content distribution system are worth noting.
First, there are usually a large number of content consumers corresponding to one content provider. Moreover, many content consumers have limited computation power. For example, a web client can be a hand-held device. Thus, it is desirable to reduce the overhead associated with retrieving the content provided by content providers.
Second, a content consumer usually selectively retrieves the objects provided by content providers instead of retrieving all of the objects.
Third, content consumers often retrieve content through a third party. The third party should have the capacity to serve a large number of content consumers. After receiving the content from the content provider, the third party can service the requests of content consumers through its cache and thus offload load from the content providers. For example, a consumer can retrieve the content of a web server through a web cache. This scenario is especially common in peer-to-peer and grid computing environments. Thus, the third party needs to have some capacity to convince the content consumer that the content fetched is indeed produced by the content provider.
Content distribution systems may employ the Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) protocol. SSL is a secure web-based transport protocol that allows communication between two parties to be authenticated. By way of example, the SSL protocol is described in detail in A. Freier et al., "The SSL Protocol Version 3.0." Each of the two parties has a public key. In the beginning of the communication, two parties generate a shared key with their public key. The subsequent communication is then encrypted symmetrically with the shared key to reduce overhead of authentication. Authentication with SSL requires both ends of the communication to be trusted and secure. Thus, SSL can not allow authentication to go through an un-trusted or non-secure infrastructure or intermediate layer.
Content distribution systems may also employ techniques for authenticating a stream of packages such as, for example, those disclosed in C. K. Wong et al., "Digital Signatures for Flows and Multicasts," IEEE/ACM Transactions on Networking, pp. 502-513, August 1999. By linking later packets to earlier packets, the overhead of public key signatures of initial packets are amortized over many subsequent packets. Various link structures are proposed to allow the later packets to be reachable through links even when there are packet losses. In a packet stream, packets are produced and consumed in a fixed order, and each packet can not be modified. Whereas in content distribution, objects can be accessed in any order, and objects can be modified in any order.
Accordingly, a need exists for techniques which overcome the above-mentioned and other limitations associated with existing content distribution systems.

Methods for efficiently authenticating multiple objects based on access patterns

International Business Machines Corporation