An improved electrical connector for use in a communications card for interfacing between a shielded media connector and a downsized computer is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the communications card comprises a retractable access portion and a fixed portion. The retractable access portion has an aperture formed therein configured to receive the shielded media connector. A conductive pin block provides electrical continuity between the shielded media connector and the fixed portion. A conductive shielding terminal encounters the shielding jacket on the shielded media connector and provides the shielding path through a distal end encountering a ground path contact such as the conductive cover of a PCMCIA communications card. The conductive shielding terminal additionally employs a spring tab extending into the aperture of the retractable access portion for positive contact with the shielded media connector.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the interface between physical/electrical media connectors and a communications card in a computer system. More specifically the present invention relates to an improvement in the electrical connection therebetween.
2. The Relevant Technology
The field of transmission of data by phone lines or network cables is a rapidly expanding field. Users of personal computers in particular are finding such practice to be of great value. For example, there are numerous public and private networks and databases which store data or programs. Absent the ability to send and receive data over telephone lines through a modem, a user is relegated to relying upon the exchange of discs or tapes in order to receive data suitable for use with their computer.
Similarly, companies performing tasks that are integrated are aided by local area networks ("LANs") which permit personnel to exchange electronically retrievable data. The ability to freely transfer data and information from one computer to another computer over a telephone or network line may dramatically increase productivity and reduce overall production time.
To translate the binary code utilized by a computer into signals capable of being transmitted over the telephone or network lines, modems have been developed to translate and reconfigure binary signals into analog signals capable of propagation over telephone or network lines. For conversion of signals to take place, a modem must be placed between the computer generating the binary signals and the communication line capable of carrying the analog signals.
Typically, in today's practice, a modem at the transmitting computer end of a communication line receives binary digital data from the computer and converts the binary code received from the computer into modem frequency signals. These modem frequency signals are then transmitted over the communication lines to a receiving modem at the receiving computer.
The modem at the recipient's end then converts the modem frequency signal back to binary digital data characters and inputs the data characters to the input port of the receiving computer.
As today's modems serve to provide a compatible interface between the communication lines and the computer, the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and telephone companies require an interface to moderate all signals or energy being input into the phone lines. This interface protects the phone lines and systems from damage, thereby ensuring the integrity and quality of transmissions over the phone lines.
A required part of this interface is a Data Access Arrangement ("DAA") circuit. The DAA circuit provides an impedance match and also serves to isolate the modem and the computer from transient signals and other disturbances coming in over the phone line. The DAA also protects the phone line from disabling influences emanating from the computer or the modem.
For example, damage would occur to the telephone system if instead of transmitting frequency signals, DC power was transmitted over the phone lines. Because the modem is attached directly to the phone line, the modem must incorporate the required FCC interface and must comply with any requirements imposed by local telephone companies.
The ubiquity of the telephone and the need for interactive systems throughout the world have caused standards to be established for the components of a telephonic system. Standardization allows telephone systems and devices using those systems to be interchangeable. The components of the telephone that are most thoroughly standardized are physical/electrical media connectors.
Physical/electrical media connectors are used by almost all telephone and communication companies throughout the world for many applications, the most important of which are interconnection of telephones with telephone lines and networks with network lines. For this reason, stringent standardization of connectors is required if compatibility and interactivity is to be realized.
One popular physical/electrical media connector used in the United States of America is the RJ-11 6-position miniature modular plug physical/electrical media connector. The RJ-11 is used between the telephone line and the telephone itself. Another important standard is the RJ-45 8-position miniature modular plug physical/electrical media connector. The RJ-45 is used primarily for network connectivity.
In contradistinction to the development of telephone lines, transmission or communication lines used in LANs have been developed specifically for the transmission of computer generated signals. Because of the recent development of these transmission lines, a variety of internal configurations for transmission lines have been developed to accomplish the transmission of computer data between computers.
A typical local area network comprises several computers at remote locations throughout a building interconnected with shielded and unshielded twisted pair cable utilizing RJ-type physical/electrical media connectors. The network is typically connected to a file server. A file server is a computer providing shared access to a file system, printer, electronic mail service, or modem. The file server is a combination of hardware and software that contains files shared by everyone connected to the LAN.
As LANs utilizing shielded and unshielded twisted pair cable are capable of transmitting signals at a higher rate than signals traveling through telephone lines, the requirements of the devices used to translate and reconfigure signals from the computer for transmission through lines have consequently been developed with different requirements.
The counterpart to the modem in telephonic communications is the LAN adapter card or data communications card. In a similar fashion to a modem, these communications cards reconfigure the parallel data produced by the computer into a serial form and back. These cards also provide buffering, encoding and decoding, cable access, and transmission.
As the use of LANs increases, it has become increasingly more beneficial for users of portable computers to have the ability to interact with several local area networks at different locations. For example, information at one location may be downloaded to a portable computer that allows a user to manipulate the data during a business trip and load the manipulated data onto the network at a destination. Diagnostics and maintenance are also made easier through the use of common connectors.
As the popularity of twisted-pair cable has increased, the popularity of the most frequently used physical/electrical media connector, the RJ-45 8-pin miniature modular plug, has also increased. This increase in popularity of the 8-pin miniature modular plug has introduced the same problems and solutions into LANs as will be discussed regarding the RJ-11 physical/electrical media connector in the development of modems.
Many modems in use today are configured as external accessory units, housed in their own cases, and attached to the computer. Typically, external modems are electrically connected to the telephone with a telephone extension line utilizing physical/electrical media connectors at each end. External modems are often employed by users of personal computers because they can easily contain a substantial amount of electronic circuitry or hardware, as well as executable programs or software.
With the advent of downsizing technology in computer components, however, smaller portable computers (often referred to as laptop or notebook computers) have taken the place of many of the desktop models which use external modems. With the new-found portability available with laptop or notebook computers, the size of external modems has proved cumbersome and been rendered obsolete in keeping with the portability that buyers of these downsized computers desire.
To overcome the inconvenience and physical limitations of external modems, smaller modems have been developed that are small enough to be built integrally within the housing of a portable computer. As a result, integral internal modems that interface with the ubiquitous RJ-11 and RJ-45 system provides users of portable computers with internal modems having a uniform standard interface for media access devices such as modems. Now, modem manufacturers can build products capable of accepting the RJ-11 and RJ-45 media connectors with confidence that their product can be used in a wide geographical area. Because modems can be built to the RJ-11 and RJ-45 uniform standards, consumers benefit from the ability to interchange and interconnect media access devices without the need for adapters for products made by different manufacturers.
As computer housings have continued to be downsized, internal spatial restrictions have required the establishment of standards for the internal accessories of the computer. One set of standards applicable to memory cards has been developed by the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA). This organization is comprised of hundreds of manufacturers of memory cards and related peripheral equipment. By convention, the PCMCIA has determined that the spatial standard for all memory cards used in down-sized computers should be restricted to a rectangular space approximately 55 mm in width, 85 mm in length, and 5 mm in depth.
In keeping with the PCMCIA standards for memory cards, internal modem manufacturers have adopted the same spatial standards for use with their down-sized communications cards. By complying with the standards established by PCMCIA for memory cards, communications card manufacturers have assured themselves of compatibility and spatial conformity with computers utilizing the new PCMCIA standards.
The constraints imposed by this new PCMCIA standard have resulted in the development of "credit card" communications cards. Most of the components formerly housed within a modem are now contained within a credit card-sized device. Although many of the communication cards serve the functions of a modem, a similar card has been contemplated for use in LANs. Nonetheless, the problem will hereinafter be addressed in terms of the PCMCIA standard communications card.
Since the depth of a PCMCIA standard communications card is limited to 5 mm and the depth of a typical media connector, such as the RJ-11 type or 8-pin miniature modular plug, is approximately 8-12 mm, the typical media connector exceeds the depth restrictions imposed by the PCMCIA standards for internal computer components.
While many prior art devices have tried to solve the depth incompatibility problem between the PCMCIA standard communications card and the media connector, a "pop-out" or sliding interface device has emerged as a popular solution. The pop-out interface device, known commonly as the XJACK.RTM. initially produced by MEGAHERTZ Corp., now owned by 3 Com Corp., solves many of the interface problems posed by prior art devices. Such solved problems include, but are not limited to: (i) the elimination of carrying along an extra interfacing device compatible with both the media connector and the PCMCIA communications card; (ii) the elimination of ensuring a DAA in the interfacing device is compatible with the computer; (iii) the elimination of physical interference between adjacent PCMCIA communication cards in adjacent slots when the PCMCIA communication card has an enlarged portion thereof larger than the conventional 5 mm thickness; (iv) the elimination of potential breakage of the interface connector when not in use; and (v) the elimination of protrusions beyond the normal dimensions of the computer so that the computer portfolio is more compatible with devices typically transporting laptop computers.
With reference to FIG. 1, a typical embodiment of a sliding interface device in the form of a conventional 5 mm thick PCMCIA-architecture style communications card for directly interfacing with a media connector is depicted generally as 20. The communications card 29 defining the interface device 20 has a retractable access portion 22 and a fixed portion 24.
The fixed portion 24 is in electrical communication with a computer (not shown) by means of electronic circuitry connected on a printed circuit board (PCB) housed internally within the communications card 29. For brevity, fixed portion 24 may sometimes be referred to as the PCB 24 although the fixed portion includes more than just the PCB and electronic circuitry. The retractable access portion 22 is in electrical communication with the fixed portion 24 through a flexible printed circuit board 30. During use, in means well known in the art, the retractable access portion 22 slides in and out of a slot 32 formed within the PCB 24. The retractable access portion 22 is urged out of the slot 32 by a spring 34 biased, in a direction external to the computer housing, by a ledge 36 connected to the PCB 24. Although not shown, the computer housing during use is substantially parallel to an edge 37 of the communications card 29. A limiting notch 42 engaged by a biased lever 40 is used to restrict the travel distance of the interface device to a predetermined distance when the retractable access portion is urged in a direction external to the computer housing by the spring 34. After use, a retention notch 38 in combination with the biased lever 40 is used to retain the retractable access portion 22 within the housing of the computer.
An aperture 44 having a plurality of walls 46 is formed within the retractable access portion 22. The aperture 44 is so sized and shaped as to be capable of receiving a physical/electrical media connector. Formed within aperture 44 by means of walls 46 is a broad retention clip groove 48, a narrow retention clip groove 50, and a retention ridge 52. These structures within aperture 44 provide for the retention of a connector pin block of a physical/electrical media connector. A guide track 54 is formed within communications card 29 protruding upwardly from the bottom of communications card 29. Guide track 54 is interengaged with a corresponding guide groove formed in the bottom of retractable access portion 22.
When a user desires to connect a telephone line to the communications card, biased lever 40 is manipulated out of retention notch 38. As retractable access portion 22 is released from the grip of biased lever 40, tension applied by spring 34 urges retractable access portion 22 out of slot 32. The progress of retractable access portion 22 is guided by guide track 54 and is halted when biased lever 40 engages limiting notch 42. A user then inserts a physical/electrical media connector into aperture 44 to provide an electrical connection between communications card 29 and the telephone line. When a user no longer desires to access the retractable access portion 22, the user merely presses retractable access portion 22 back within the confines of the computer housing until the retention notch 38 is engaged by biased lever 40.
Although extremely effective as a device suitable for physically and electrically interfacing a PCMCIA communications card and a media connector, the sliding interface connectors are limited by certain inherent constraints. For example, the retractable access portion 22 is typically manufactured out of a dielectric material such as a plastic that inherently provides electrical insulation between the media connector and the communication card 29. As media connectors tend to transmit higher rate data, media connectors are increasingly more reliant upon the shielding properties available through the use of shielded cables that are terminated by media connectors. Shielded media connectors typically are comprised of a traditional media connector augmented by a peripheral shielding jacket physically located about the external portion of the media connector and, additionally, electrically coupled to the shielding conductor of the shielded media cable. As those familiar with the art of shielding appreciate, effective shielding requires an electrically conductive path from the cable shielding to a reference ground point. Since prior art attempts do not facilitate the electrical connection of the shield associated with the shielded cable to a common ground reference point, the prior art implementations do not facilitate the available benefits of employing the properties of shielded communication channels.
Accordingly, it would be an advance to provide an improved electrical connection between the media connector and the communications card that accommodates the substantial benefits of shielded cable designs.

Electrical connector for use between shielded media connectors and computer communications cards


A method for manufacturing an inexpensive micro gas turbine has an existing compressor-turbine unit divided into two separate parts being a compressor and a turbine. The compressor and turbine shafts are joined. Two existing bearing units are taken, wherein one of them may belong to the existing compressor-turbine unit. The rotor of an existing generator is mounted on the joined shaft. A generator housing is manufactured and connected to the bearing units. The stator of an existing generator is mounted into the generator housing. Energy input into the working cycle of the gas turbine can be implemented by adding either an internal burner or external burner with a heat exchanger. By using inexpensive and often mass produced off-the-shelf components, a cost effective micro gas turbine can be derived.

A micro gas turbine having a compressor, a generator and a turbine is known from EP 1 564 379 A2. In this known gas turbine, the rotor of the generator comprises a shaft which is journaled in bearings which are part of the generator. The compressor shaft and the turbine shaft are coupled to the generator shaft.
The structural and rotordynamic requirements for the coupling between the generator and the compressor and turbine shafts are high because of the high rotational speed. The shafts also impose specific alignment requirements. They also limit the bearing type choice.
Electric motor assisted turbochargers are known from US 2008/0124233 and from US 2009/025386. These are not micro gas turbines. Yet, they incorporate an electrical machine between a compressor and a turbine. There is one bearing unit between the compressor and the electrical machine and another bearing unit between the turbine and the electrical machine. These known turbochargers imply custom design of the electrical machine, shaft-bearing system, compressor and turbine. This leads to high design, development and manufacturing costs.

Method for manufacturing micro gas turbine


A semiconductor device which is greatly reliable and is also advantageous in high-density mounting, as well as the method for producing the semiconductor device, includes a filmy material placed along the peripheral sides of the semiconductor chip and along one surface of the semiconductor chip. The conductor pattern is provided on the filmy material such that one end of the pattern is connected to the corresponding electrode which has been provided on the other surface of the semiconductor chip and the other end is opposed to the back of the semiconductor chip. Hereby a semiconductor device can be realized which is greatly reliable and is also advantageous for high-density mounting. Besides, the semiconductor device is produced in such a way that a cutting and bending process of each lead and the film tape is performed toward the tape carrier package, so that the other end of each lead is opposed to the back of the semiconductor chip, holding the film tape between them. Hereby a method can be realized for producing a semiconductor device which is greatly reliable and is also advantageous for high-density mounting.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a semiconductor device and a method for producing the semiconductor device, and more particularly, is applicable to a TCP (tape carrier package).
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a high-density mounting technology of electronic parts on a circuit board has been achieved, with the miniaturization of electronic components.
For example, as a mounting method for mounting, an IC chip on a board, as shown in FIG. 1, the method is widely used wherein each electrode of an IC chip 1 is connected to the corresponding lead terminal 3 via a gold wire 2, etc. The IC chip 1 and the base portion of each lead terminal 3 are molded integrally with a resin 4, so that a semiconductor package 5 (for instance, QFP (quad flat package)) is formed, and then the tip portion of each lead terminal 3 of the semiconductor package 5 is bonded to the corresponding electrode of the board (not shown) by solder, etc.
However, in this mounting method, the surrounding resin 4 (package), which protects the IC chip 1 from the external environment, is large in comparison with the size of the IC chip which is the mounting object, hence there have been such problems that the whole mounting area becomes so large that it is not suited to high-density mounting.
Therefore in recent years, in order to realize high-density mounting, the method has been proposed and implemented wherein an uncovered IC chip is mounted on the board without molding (hereinafter, this is referred to as the bear-chip mounting method).
The a bear-chip mounting method, includes the TCP (tape carrier package) mounting method, and the flip chip (F/C) mounting method, etc. For instance, in the TCP mounting method, an IC chip is mounted on the board according to the following procedure.
That is, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, at first a lead 11 which is comprised of a copper leaf (for instance, about 30 .mu.m thick) is formed on a film tape 10 made from polyimide, etc. with the stated pattern, and then an inner portion of each lead 11 (inner lead) is bonded to the corresponding electrode of the IC chip 1 via a bump which has been made of tin (Sn) or gold (Au), etc., and then the circuit side 1A of the IC chip 1 is sealed with silicone resins 12, etc., hereby the so-called TCP 13 is formed.
Subsequently, forming of the TCP 13 into the gull-wing shape is performed by bending the tip portion of each lead 11 (outer lead) into the ladle shape, as shown in FIG. 3B, utilizing the forming metal-molds 20A and 20B shown in FIG. 3A, and the excessive tape is cut off. Then, as shown in FIG. 3C, the tip portion of each lead 11 is bonded (outer lead bonding: OLB) on the corresponding land 22 of the board 21 by thermo-compression bonding, etc.
The TCP mounting method like this has the advantages such that the circuit side 1A of the IC chip 1 which generates heat during operation is not opposed to the board 21 but mounted to face upward, hence the thermal radiation property is sufficient. Also, a pad of the IC chip 1 is connected to the corresponding land 22 of the board 21 via a lead 11 (copper leaf) of the TCP 13 which has elasticity and thickness of about 30 .mu.m, therefore stress which is owing to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients can be decreased so that reliability during the heat-cycle is increased.
The F/C mounting method is implemented in such a way that a bump 25 is formed on each pad 1B of an IC chip 1 with solder, gold (Au). As shown in FIG. 4A, these bumps 25 are respectively aligned with the corresponding lands 27 of a board 26 and then mounted to those face-down. Then each bump 25 is exposed to reflowing so that each bump 25 of the IC chip 1 is bonded to the corresponding land 27 of the board 26 as shown in FIG. 4B, then sealing resin 29 is streamed into the gap 28 between the IC chip 1 and the board 26 and hardened, as shown in FIG. 4C. Thus, the F/C mounting method has the advantage such that the mounting area for the IC chip 1 may be merely the size of the IC chip 1 itself, therefore high-density mounting can be performed.
Additionally, as a method for mounting IC chips 1 on the board with much higher density, the method is frequently utilized wherein the IC chip 1 is packaged to the form of ceramic chip carrier (LCCC) or the form of plastic chip carrier (PLCC) which are smaller than the plastic QFP. Lead terminals 32 and 34 of these are placed respectively on the sides of the parts, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. For instance, a LCCC 30 is formed by bonding the IC chip 1 to a carrier 33 of a board of ceramic using the wire bonding method, etc., and a PLCC 31 is formed by sealing the IC chip 1 with molding material similar to a plastic QFP.
However, the TCP mounting method has had the problems such that the IC chip 1 is bonded to the film tape 10, hence the mounting area becomes larger than the size of the IC chip itself, as can be seen in FIGS. 3A to 3C. Therefore it is not suited to high-density mounting, and each lead 11 is very thin so that it is very week to external force and apt to be deformed, bended, or cut.
The TCP mounting method also had problems such that irregularity in lateral direction (skew) and irregularity in vertical direction (coplanarity) of the leads 11 of the TCP which is not mounted yet are apt to be generated. If these skew and coplanarity become worse, at the time of mounting to the board 21, it becomes difficult to position each lead 11 onto the corresponding land 22 of the board 21, and defective connection is apt to be generated owing to floating foot after soldering.
Moreover, the TCP mounting method has had problems such that if some substance touches the film tape 10 of the mounted TCP 13, the lead 11 is deformed and, in a severe case, it may be cut.
On the other hand, F/C mounting method has had the problems such that the soldered portions (the bump 25 and the land 27) are hidden under the IC chip 1 as can be seen in FIGS. 4A to 4C, because the IC chip 1 is mounted on the board 26 by face-down, as a result visual inspection is difficult.
Besides, the F/C mounting method has had problems such that insurance of reliability in heat-cycle is difficult because of stress, which is generated owing to the difference between the thermal expansion coefficients of the IC chip 1 and the board 26, is centralized in the bump 25. Therefore stress is usually dissipated by sealing the gap between the IC chip 1 and the board 26 with sealing resin 29, however it is difficult to select the resin and a high degree of sealing technique is required, owing to the fact that the gap 28 between the IC chip 1 and the board 26 is 50 to 100 .mu.m. Additionally, the F/C mounting method has had the problem such that the normal radiation property is poor because the circuit side 1A of the IC chip 1 which generates heat is opposed to the board 26.
Besides, in the case of the LCCC 30 and the PLCC 31 (FIGS. 5A and 5B) there has been the problem that the size becomes larger than that of the IC chip itself because of using the carrier 33 which has been made from ceramics or plastics (especially, in the case of the PLCC 30, it becomes much larger than the case of the LCCC 31, because it is sealed with molding material), so that they are disadvantageous to high-density mounting.

Semiconductor device and method for producing the same


The invention has an object to provide a catalyst for polymerizing or copolymerizing an α-olefin, catalyst constituent thereof, and method of polymerizing α-olefins with the catalyst, for production of α-olefin polymers or copolymers with high hydrogen response, high polymarization reaction rate, high stereoregularity and excellent melt fluidity. The invention discloses a catalyst constituent of the catalyst for polymerizing or copolymerizing an α-olefin, represented by Formula 37 or 38:Si(OR1)3(NR2R3)Formula 37(where in Formula 37, R1 is a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R2 is a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms or hydrogen; and R3 is a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 12 carbon atoms)RNSi(OR1)3Formula 38(where in Formula 38, R1 is a hydrocarbon group with 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and RN is a cyclicl amino group).

In recent years, in JP-A-57-63310, JP-A-58-83016, JP-A-59-58010, JP-A-60-44507 and others, there have been proposed, for polymerization of alpha-olefin, a number of highly active carrier-supported type catalyst systems comprising solid constituents containing indispensably magnesium, titanium, a halogen element and an electron donor, an organometal compound of a metal of I-III groups in Periodic Table, and an electron donor. Further, in JP-A-62-11705, JP-A-63-259807, JP-A-2-84404, JP-A-4-202505 and JP-A-4-370103, there have been disclosed other polymerization catalysts characterized by containing a specific organosilicon compound as an electron donor. For example, JP-A 2-84404 discloses a method that employs a cyclopentyl(alkyl)dimethoxy silane or di(cyclopentyl)dimethoxy silane as an electron donor. The catalyst systems using such the silicon compounds, however, are not always excellent in hydrogen response. JP-A 63-223008 discloses a catalyst system that employs a di(n-propyl)dimethoxy silane as an electron donor excellent in hydrogen response, which is though not particularly satisfactory at stereoregularity and causes a problem because an α-olefin polymer can not has an increased solidity.
JP-A 9-40714 proposes an alkoxy silane compound having an aliphatic amino substituent. JP-A 8-3215, 8-100019 and 8-157519 propose methodes of manufacturing α-olefins using an alkoxy silane having an aliphatic amino substituent as a catalyst component, which are though not always satisfactory at hydrogen response. JP-A 8-143620 proposes a method of manufacturing α-olefin using a dialkoxy silane having two aliphatic amino substituents as an electron donor, which is though not always satisfactory at polymerization activity and stereoregularity in performance.
JP-A 8-100019 and 8-157519 propose methodes of manufacturing α-olefin polymers having a small molecular weight (or large MFR) using a dialkoxy silane having a hydrocarbon group-containing amino substituent and a hydrocarbon group as a catalyst component. They describe examples of polymers with MFR of 60 g/10 min at most, which are not always satisfactory at hydrogen response in performance.
JP-A 8-120021, 8-143621 and 8-2316663 disclose methodes using cyclic amino silane compounds. When these specifically described compounds are employed as catalyst components, they exhibit high stereoregularity but are not always adequately satisfactory at hydrogen response. In addition, a problem occurs because a molecular weight distribution is not always wide.
JP-A6-25336, 7-90012 and 7-97411 disclose methodes using a nitrogen atom-containing heterocyclic substitutional organosilicon compound that includes a silicon atom directly bonded to any carbon atom in a heterocycle, but they fail to describe any molecular weight distribution. JP-A 3-74393 and 7-173212 disclose methodes using a monocyclic amino group-containing organosilicon compound but fail to describe any molecular weight distribution.
A propylene polymer with a wide molecular weight distribution and high stereoregularity can be produced in such a method that can be considered as comprising: producing a high stereoregularity and low molecular weight propylene polymer and a high crystallinity and high molecular weight propylene polymer previously using a conventional method; and then melting and blending them in a desirable ratio. In this case, production of the propylene polymer with a relatively low molecular weight and wide molecular weight distribution makes it extremely difficult to melt and blend the low molecular weight propylene polymer and the high molecular weight propylene polymer uniformly, resulting in problems associated with gel generation, for example.
JP-A 2000-63417 discloses a method that provides an α-olefin polymer with high activity, high hydrogen response, high stereoregularity and wide molecular weight distribution. This system, however, worsens hydrogen response and greatly sacrifices stereoregularity when the molecular weight distribution is extended to an aimed value. Thus, an improvement is required.
A high hydrogen response is also important. Namely, when hydrogen coexists in a polymerization system to adjust the molecular weight, a low hydrogen response requires a large amount of hydrogen. Therefore, as described above, the use of an excessive chain transfer agent such as hydrogen is required to produce a low molecular weight polymer. Consequently, it is required to lower a polymerization temperature during bulk polymerization in a polymerization device having a pressure-proof limit and reduce a monomer partial pressure during gas-phase polymerization, resulting in an ill effect exerted on the productivity rate disadvantageously.
JP-A8-143620 according to the applicant proposes a method of manufacturing an α-olefin using a dialkoxy silane having two aliphatic amino substitutions as an electron donor. This method, however, may lower stereoregularity (H. I.) and polymerization activity on production of polymers with MFR of 200 or more and is not always satisfactory at performance.
JP-A 8-3215 and 9-40714 also according to the applicant propose an alkoxy silane compound having an aliphatic amino substitution and methodes of manufacturing stereoregularity and melt fluidity (that is, high MFR) using the same. The silane compound described therein, however, is only a dialkoxy silane having both of one amino group containing hydrocarbon group and one hydrocarbon group, that is, a dialkoxy silane represented by R1Si(OR2)2(NR3R4). In addition, specifically exemplified compounds are only dimethoxy silanes, for example, a methyl(diethylamino)dimethoxy silane. As for a trialkoxy silane represented by Si(OR2)3(NR3R4), no specific compound is exemplified. The obtained polymerization result is not always satisfactory because a larger MFR results in a lower stereoregularity.
JP-A 2000-63417 and 2000-204111 disclose methods using organosilicon compounds and polycyclic amino organosilicon compounds. When the compounds described therein are employed as catalysts, they exhibit high stereoregularity but are not always satisfactory at hydrogen response.
The carrier catalyst system using the electron donor described earlier is not always satisfactory at balanced polymerization activity, stereoregularity and hydrogen response in performance, and accordingly a further improvement is required.
In recent years, in the field of injection molding mainly for automobile materials and household electrical materials, for the purpose of thinning and light-weighting of products, α-olefin polymers with high melt fluidity, high solidity and high heat resistance are increasingly needed. It is important to use a catalyst with a high hydrogen response during polymerization to produce such α-olefin polymers. Specifically, it is general to allow hydrogen to coexist as a chain transfer agent in the polymerization system to adjust the molecular weight of the α-olefin polymer. In particular, to increase the melt fluidity of the α-olefin polymer, hydrogen is required to lower the molecular weight. Melt flow rate is employed as an index of the melt fluidity of the α-olefin polymer. The lower the molecular weight of the α-olefin polymer is related with the higher the melt flow rate. A lower hydrogen response requires a large amount of hydrogen in the polymerization system to increase the melt flow rate of the α-olefin polymer. A higher hydrogen response does not require such the amount of hydrogen as is required in the case of the lower hydrogen response to produce the α-olefin polymer with the same melt flow rate. Accordingly, the low hydrogen response requires introduction of an excessive amount of hydrogen into the polymerization system to elevate the melt flow rate of the α-olefin polymer. Consequently, for safety in a production method, the polymerization temperature in the polymerization device having the pressure-proof limit should be lowered in relation to an increased hydrogen partial pressure. This exerts ill effects on the production speed and the quality disadvantageously.
On the other hand, ethylene propylene block copolymers are widely employed for household electrical and automobile materials and required to reduce their production costs. Methodes of manufacturing ethylene propylene block copolymers include a method with the conventional catalyst system, which comprises producing an ethylene propylene block copolymer in a polymerization reactor; and then mixing and kneading a rubber component mechanically, though it has a problem because of its high cost. Therefore, in a method using multistage polymerization devices, a propylene homopolymer is produced at the first stage polymerization device, and a sufficient amount of copolymer is produced during ethylene propylene copolymerization in the following polymerization stages. In this case, such a catalyst system is strongly desired that can produce the so-called linearly polymerized block copolymer of ethylene and propylene so that the produced block polymer has sufficient fluidity.
As for the block copolymer from the conventional catalyst system, if an amount of the polymer in the following stages reaches 10% or more of the polymer in the first state, molding is substantially impossible. This is because the melt fluidity is extremely small unless the rubber component in the block copolymer (a room temperature p-xylene soluble component) has an extremely small value of [η].
As a method of manufacturing ethylene propylene block copolymers, JP-A 8-217841 also filed by the applicant discloses one, which employs a silane compound or bis(dialkylamino)silane as a component of a polymerization catalyst. JP-A8-231663 also filed by the applicant discloses another method, which employs a silane compound or bis(dicyclicamino)silane as a component of a polymerization catalyst. These methodes, however, have a subject associated with insufficient hydrogen response.
To solve the above problems associated with the prior arts, the present invention has an object to provide a catalyst for polymerizing or copolymerizing an α-olefin, catalyst component thereof, and method of polymerizing α-olefins with the catalyst, for production of α-olefin polymers or copolymers with high hydrogen response, high polymerization activity, high stereoregularity and excellent melt fluidity.

Catalysts for polymerization or copolymerization of α-olefins, catalyst components thereof, and processes for polymerization of α-olefins with the catalysts


A patient is first injected with a contrast agent. A complete scan along a plurality of scan lines is then performed, resulting in the destruction of some contrast agent. While some of the contrast agent is destroyed, non-scanned portions of the target, and possibly the scan region, still include at least some contrast agent. A second scan is then sequentially performed sufficiently close in time to the first scan such that reflections from the anatomy remain unchanged. The second frame of data from the second scan will differ from the first frame of data from the first scan by only contrast agent effects. The second frame of data is subtracted from the first frame of data. The resulting data is used to image the contrast agent. By varying the time between each pair of scans, differences in the speed of the contrast agent motion within the body may be assessed. The collateral damage of contrast agents from ultrasound acoustic energy is minimized while the degradation due to various changes is also minimized.

This invention relates to an Ultrasound System and Method for Image Subtraction. In particular, a system and method for image subtraction during contrast agent imaging is disclosed.
Ultrasound systems image anatomy in various modes, such as B-mode imaging. Various aspects of imaging may be enhanced through the injection of contrast agents. The contrast agents may provide more intense echo signals at either fundamental or harmonic frequencies. Since the contrast agents flow through the various arteries, vessels and capillaries, B-mode imaging may be used to identify blood flow and perfusion. However, as acoustic energy from an ultrasound wave interacts with contrast agents, the contrast agents are destroyed or are altered to provide echo signals with a lesser intensity from contrast agents.
One method takes advantage of the destruction of contrast agents. Two successive firings are transmitted along a scan line before any transmission along another scan line. The first transmission results in the destruction of contrast agent and the second transmission results in echoes with little or no intensity provided from contrast agents. The data associated with the second transmission is subtracted from the data associated with the first transmission. This methodology is then repeated for a plurality of scan lines on a scan line by scan line basis to generate an image. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,456,257 to Johnson et al. and European Patent Application EP 0 770352. In one embodiment, a difference in frequency characteristics instead of B-mode intensity is obtained. However, line by line subtraction leads to increased collateral destruction of contrast agents along adjacent lines. As the transmissions are swept through the image plane, the multiple transmissions for each scan line multiply the collateral damage or destruction of contrast agent along an adjacent scan line. The intensity values associated with the first transmission along the second or adjacent scan line may underestimate the concentration of contrast agent.
In another method of contrast agent imaging, a frame of intensity data associated with a plurality of scan lines is obtained prior to the injection of contrast agent. The contrast agent is then injected. A second frame of data associated with the plurality of scan lines is obtained. The second frame of data is subtracted from the first frame of data to generate a frame of image data. See for example U.S. Pat. No. 5,255,683 to Monaghan. However, the delay between obtaining the first frame of data and the second frame of data after the contrast agent perfuses or otherwise flows into the target region may cause degradation due to changes in transducer position, motion in the anatomy and motion associated with the patient positioning or breathing.

Diagnostic medical ultrasonic system and method for image subtraction


A low-noise preamplifier with an electronic amplifying element having an input (2) and an output (4), and with a first transformer (6) having a primary winding (5) and a secondary winding (8) is characterized in that the input (2) of the electronic amplifying element is the base of a transistor, the gate (G) of a field effect transistor (FET) or the grid of a vacuum tube, and the output (4) of the electronic amplifying element is the collector, the drain (D) or the anode, the output current (Ip) being passed from the electronic amplifying element through the primary winding (5) of the first transformer (6) to the output (7) of the preamplifier, wherein the secondary winding (8) of the first transformer (6) is connected to the input (2) of the electronic amplifying element. This preamplifier can be operated with extremely low noise and at any input impedance, in particular, at 50 ohms or 75 ohms.

The invention concerns a low-noise preamplifier with an electronic amplifying element having an input and an output, and with a first transformer having a primary winding and a secondary winding.
A preamplifier of this type has been disclosed by the circuit diagram of a preamplifier in NMR spectrometer CXP 100 of the company Bruker in 1980.
Preamplifiers are used in all electronic fields to amplify signals, in particular currents, to a level suited for a downstream connected electronic component. One fundamentally tries to keep the signal-to-noise ratio large during the amplifying process. The quality factor thereby used is the so-called noise factor.
For the amplification of alternating current signals, the input impedance of the preamplifier must also be taken into consideration. Standardized input impedances of 50 ohms or 75 ohms are usually desired to eliminate reflections, signal losses and resonance detunings e.g. from signal sources.
The conventional preamplifier arrangements normally utilize transistors in the emitter circuit configuration. When GASFETs (gallium arsenide based field effect transistors) are used, very good noise factors in the range of 0.3 dB can be obtained for a narrow frequency range. However, the input resistance of the GASFET preamplifier arrangement is complex, having a real portion of only 1 to 3 ohms. In other preamplifiers which can be used in a broadband range, defined input impedances of e.g. 50 ohms can be established, however, the noise factors which can be obtained are quite high, i.e. approximately 1.2 dB. To adjust the input impedance, a so-called λ/4 transformation (preamplifier decoupling) can be effected. Also known in the art are low-noise preamplifier arrangements having high input impedances in the kohm range.
The circuit diagram of the CXP 100 discloses a preamplifier having the input signal of the preamplifier connected to the emitter of a transistor via the secondary winding of a transformer. The transistor base is capacitively connected to ground, and the collector of the transistor is connected to a direct voltage source via the primary winding of the transformer. The output signal of the preamplifier is tapped from the primary winding of the transformer.
In contrast thereto, it is the object of the present invention to provide a preamplifier with extremely low noise which can be operated at basically any input impedance, in particular, at 50 or 75 ohms.

Low-noise preamplifier, in particular, for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)


The present disclosure relates to a telescoping step system which has at least one stringer assembly having telescopically coupled first and second tubular components. The second tubular component is telescopically extendable relative to the first tubular component. The stringer assembly is operably associated with a structure. The system further has at least one step assembly associated with one of the first and second tubular components. The stringer assembly is telescopically collapsible into a retracted position to form a compact assembly either adjacent to or within a portion of the structure, and extendable into an extended position extending outwardly from the structure. In the extended position the stringer assembly presents the step assembly as a platform which a user is able to step on to, and thus aids the user with ingress into and egress from the structure.

It is known to provide a step assist platform or bar to promote ingress and egress of a vehicle. Typically, most present day step assist platforms are fixedly mounted relative to a frame portion of the vehicle and thus do not articulate. Furthermore, the single, fixedly mounted step assist platform is often disposed at a height that is not practical for all users. Moreover, present day step assist platforms can be subject to high capacity load resulting in deflection or possibly even failure.
Present day articulating step systems are also known and typically employ some type of four bar linkage arrangement. The four bar linkage arrangement is used to deploy and retract a single step bar. The step bar is typically retracted under a rocker panel area of the vehicle, and when deployed extends out from the rocker panel area adjacent a vehicle door. However, such systems typically only make use of a single step, which does not necessarily provide an optimal and comfortable means of ingress and egress relative to an interior area of the vehicle. With modern day vehicles such as vans, pickup trucks and SUVs, RV's, buses, trains, planes, heavy equipment and other vessels requiring ingress and egress of occupant(s), often it would be more comfortable for occupants to be able to use two or more steps when entering or exiting a vehicle. This is so for people of smaller stature, and especially so for small children.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a telescopic step assist system that supports a relatively high capacity load. It is also desirable to provide a telescoping step assist system that affords the user with two or more steps, such that a smaller step height for each step can be implemented, to thus significantly ease ingress into and egress from a vehicle. Such a step system would also need to be relatively compact when in its stowed or fully retracted orientation, would need to be easily mounted to some suitable portion or substructure of a vehicle (such as to a frame portion of the vehicle), but not necessarily limited to only frame mounting.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated, as the same becomes better understood, after reading the subsequent description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Telescoping step assist system and method


A fiber optic switching system which includes an optical switch having a movable actuator and a light fiber coupled to the actuator which terminates at an end surface thereof for conducting light from a light source to the optical switch mechanism. A flexible reflective film whose reflectivity is conditioned to provide at least two different reflective surfaces is positioned such that an end surface of the actuator abuts the film throughout its movement from one position to another. A detector detects light reflected from the film. The actuator is movable so as to direct light from the light fiber from the one reflective surface of the film to another and the detector detects light reflected from the film so as to determine which reflective surface of the film from which light has been reflected.

The development of fiber optic switches has been a result of a need to avoid electrical power in the control lines and switches which can cause explosions in an explosive atmosphere and fatal shocks if in the presence of liquid.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,999,074, issued to Callaghan, discloses the general arrangement of utilizing light transmission to produce a variable electrical output signal to control an electronic switch which, in turn, controls power to a load.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,667, issued to Hanson, discloses a single fiber optical control system utilizing a fiber optic bundle to carry light from a transceiver to an optical selector via a fiber optic bundle. The light in the optical receiver is reflected back down the fiber optic bundle to the transceiver where it impinges on one of several photo-detectors depending upon the switch position. The photo-detectors distinguish the spectrum of coloured light to generate multiple electronic control states.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,147, issued to Harmer, discloses a two-position switch which has an active actuator that intercepts light passing from one segment of an optical fiber to another when the actuator is depressed and which permits such transmission when the actuator is in an extended position. Because of the need to insert the actuator between the fiber segments, there is a gap between the fiber segments which light must traverse in going from one segment to the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,904,044, issued to Tamulevich, discloses a flexible filter oriented between two optical fibers where it serves to filter light passing from one to the other. Again, the filter is spaced apart from each of the two fibers. Moreover, alignment of the two fibers is critical.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,806, issued to Kidder et al., in FIGS. 7 and 8 discloses a flexible filter attached on a carrier. Filters are positionable in front of a fiber by movement of a switch body. Again, a lens and a retro-reflector are used after the filter in order to focus and reflect the light back down the fiber.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,656 issued to Neiger discloses a single fiber control system using a mirror to reflect light received from a fiber back into the fiber when in a reflecting position. Upon moving the mirror into a non-reflecting position, light from the fiber is not reflected back into the fiber. The mirror is attached to the actuator which swings it in and out of position with respect to the fiber tip. The efficiency of the system is very sensitive to parallelism errors between the fiber face and mirror surface.
In any mirror actuator, the coupling efficiency of the reflected light and, therefore, the effectiveness of the signal detection is sensitive to alignment problems. The mirror actuator mechanism must locate the mirror surface parallel and in very close proximity to the fiber face in order to maintain good efficiency. In any system in which there is a gap between an end of the fiber and the mirror, the surfaces of the fiber and mirror will be prone to contamination. Both back scattering and contamination in such systems will cause loss of light and, hence reduced efficiency.


A method for treating a p62-mediated disease (e.g., multiple myeloma) in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subject a therapeutically effective amount of at least one p62-ZZ inhibitor compound.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematologic malignancy, characterized by the dysregulated proliferation of plasma cells and progressive bone destruction in up to 80% patients. Despite the introduction of novel and more potent treatment regimens including thalidomide and bortezomib, MM is still the second most prevalent hematological malignancy. As reported by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Facts 2009-2010), both the MM patient number and new diagnosed cases have markedly increased each year. Therefore, novel therapeutics that effectively inhibits tumor growth and overcome conventional drug resistance are urgently needed.


An image/information display system and method based on temporal psychovisual modulation in the technical field of image/video processing and electro-optical display. The system includes a high speed display device and an auxiliary viewing device cooperating with each other and interacting with a human visual system. The auxiliary viewing device realizes the temporal amplitude modulation of the composition basic sequence by a method of controlling the light intensity transfer rate from the display plane of the high speed display device to the human eye.

The human visual system (HVS) cannot resolve temporally rapidly changing optical signals beyond flicker fusion frequency (around 60 Hz for most viewers and under most conditions). But modern optoelectronic displays can operate at much higher refresh rates, e.g. 120 Hz, 240 Hz and beyond. For example, the new light modulators such as the deformable mirror devices and grating light valve devices can lead to very high refresh rate (up to 88 k Hz) and spatial resolution for digital projectors; even inexpensive mainstream liquid crystal (LC) displays now offer 120 Hz or 240 Hz refresh rate, as demanded by emerging applications of stereoscopy.
A high-speed optoelectronic display device can broadcast in visible spectrum a far greater amount of visual stimuli than any viewer can possibly assimilate. Thus, a single display has extra capacity, i.e., psychovisual redundancy, to generate multiple visual percepts for a plurality of users. A straightforward way of exploiting psychovisual redundancy of high-speed displays is time multiplexing. Sony's dual-view technology presents two game participants their respective views on the same screen but in disjoint time slots (US2010/0177172A1, publication date 2010-07-15, "Stereoscopic screen sharing method and apparatus"; US2010/0177174, publication date 2010-07-15, "3D shutter glasses with mode switching based on orientation to display device"). Kulik et al. proposed a 360 Hz display system to generate six stereoscopic views based on time multiplexing and polarization (A. Kulik, A. Kunert, S. Beck, R. Reichel, R. Blach, A. Zink, and B. F. Yoehlich, "A stereoscopic six-user display for co-located collaboration in shared virtual environments", ACM Transactions on Graphics, vol. 30, no. 6, 2011). But time multiplexing is a very inefficient approach of utilizing psychovisual redundancy of a high-speed display, because it completely ignores statistical redundancy among the output images. As a result, the number of different views K can only increase linearly in the display speed; moreover, the light influx of each view also decreases linearly in K. These constraints greatly limit the number of concurrent views that can be produced by time multiplexing. Another major drawback of multiplexing type of multiview display methods is that they cannot generate meaningful images for viewers who do not use any auxiliary viewing device.

Image/information display system and method based on temporal psycho-visual modulation


The present invention relates to a system and method for applying a stress to a hierarchical memory structure in parallel, testing the memory structure for weak defects. The present invention includes writing a logic 0 into all the memory cells in a memory structure. All the high address predecoded lines and alternating predecoded lines for the lowest address are enabled. A voltage drop between neighboring wordlines and bitlines is affected. A logic I is written into all the memory cells in the memory structure. An opposite voltage polarity is caused on the bitlines due to the logic 1 in the memory cells. A reverse voltage polarity stress is achieved on the wordlines by flipping the state of the lowest predecoded line (i.e., by changing the input address corresponding to that line.

One embodiment of the present invention relates to a system and method for testing hierarchical memory architectures. More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention relates to a system and method for applying stress to memory cells in a hierarchical memory architecture in a parallel fashion.
Hierarchical memory architecture, for example SRAM modules, have become an integral part of modern VLSI systems. Such highly integrated, high performance components for VLSI systems require complex fabrication and manufacturing processes. These processes may experience unavoidable parameter faults, which may impose unwanted defects on the SRAM modules or the larger VLSI systems. In one embodiment, redundancy is built into the memory architecture, providing one-for-one replacement for failed parts or subsystems.
During fabrication and manufacturing, electrical tests may detect defects that cause circuit failures in the VLSI systems or their components including the SRAM modules. Such detected defective systems or components are either repaired or discarded.
However, a class of defects exist that do not cause an immediate electrical failure but more likely results in a field failure after the part has been packaged and shipped. Field failures are costly as well as damaging to the manufacture's reputation for reliability. Such defects are commonly referred to as "weak defects."
As a result, during manufacturing, the systems, subsystems and their smaller components are tested to detect such weak defects. The systems, subsystems and components are subjected to a stress, accelerating an impending failure so that the parts, subsystems or components may either be repaired or discarded before packaging. Logic parts of a chip may be stressed by passing predetermined high voltage test vectors through the chip circuits, subjecting the circuits to a predetermined high voltage and temperature.
Stressing a large memory structure could potentially take an impractical amount of time to complete during a manufacturing process. For example, a 10 megabit memory has 10 million entries, each of which must be tested. Sequentially testing 10 million entries would result in an extremely long test time. Such long test times are expensive.
Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Burn in system and method for improved memory reliability


A device for treating cooling lubricants and chips of machine tools. The device includes a container for receiving the untreated mixture of cooling lubricant liquid and solids, an endless conveyor installed in the container for carrying off the collected solids from the container, at least one filtration unit disposed in the container for separating the cooling lubricant liquid from the solids, whereby the filtration unit is formed so as to be mobile and can be positioned as an insertion in the container over the lower run of the endless conveyor.

The cooling lubricants used during the material-removing machining of workpieces represent a considerable financial factor of the entire operating costs of such machines. The cooling and lubricating liquids used for grinding, milling, turning, boring, for example, are contaminated by the chips and other particles produced during machining. The mixture of cooling lubricant liquid and solids, in particular, chips, produced in the machine tool has to be treated in separate processes outside the machine tool so that the cooling lubricant liquid may be reused and the separated chips utilized. In addition to the separation of relatively coarse and voluminous chips from the liquid medium, the finer-grained particles and dusts, which usually are particularly abrasive, must also be separated from the liquid so that the liquid thus purified may be reused as a cooling lubricant in the respective machine tool. Several prior art devices are presented below as examples of efforts along these lines.
German patent publication, DE-A-199 47 724, discloses a device for purifying liquids such as, for example, cooling lubricants (KSS) of material-removing machine tools wherein the contaminated liquid is subjected to filtration. In a container for receiving the untreated liquid/chips mixture, a scraper conveyor is installed near the bottom thereof, the lower run of which transports the chips deposited in the lower container part in a slantingly upward manner to an ejection end. A filter drum vertically fixedly disposed in the liquid container serves as a filter unit that is inserted in a standing or pending manner from above in the main part of the liquid container and fixed so as to be non-rotating. A wedge wire screen is disposed as a filter means on the outer circumference of the vertically aligned filter drum and a plurality of purifying elements positioned in an angularly offset manner are provided for the purification of the wedge wire screen. Each purifying element consists of a scraper and a brush strip abutting the circumference of the filter drum when the purification device is rotated by a drive. This known treatment device is technically complex and requires considerable space.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,751,006 discloses a unit for treating and cooling a cooling lubricant which has been heated during the operation of the machine tool. The tool comprises a scraper conveyor having transversely aligned scraper strips for conveying off the chips in a storage compartment for the liquid contaminated by solids or chips. In the upper part of the storage compartment, a filter unit is provided that contains a continually driven traveling screen and a non-intermittent paper band filter resting on the same. The paper band of the filter is drawn off a roll, runs through the filtering station on the traveling screen and is rolled on a second roll together with the deposited solids.
Furthermore, European patent EP-B-1,474,268, for example, discloses a device for separating chips and cooling lubricant liquid from the material-removing machining of workpieces which has a storage container for the mixture of cooling lubricant liquid and chips and an endless conveyor disposed in the container. The endless conveyor is in the form of a scraper conveyor that runs over several deflection pulleys in the storage container and conveys the collected solids (chips) to an upper ejector via an oblique discharge portion. In the transition between the horizontal and the oblique portions of the scraper conveyor, a horizontally aligned filter drum is rotatably supported that is driven by the circulating scraper conveyor. A negative pressure is maintained in the filter drum so that the liquid is sucked inside the drum through the filter. The supportive assembly of the filter drum consists of a respective frontal internal and external supporting ring and axis-parallel spring elements and sealing means. The drum is provided with filter clothing on the outer circumference thereof. In this known device, the efforts required for effectively purifying the filter drum and its ancillary units in particular are a disadvantage. Furthermore, special measures are required for adapting the device to different or changing operating parameters of the respectively associated machine tool.


An arc-segment-shaped gate for a photographic film scanning apparatus has a six inch radius from a pivot shaft of the gate to the outermost surface at which the scanning of the film is to occur. The gate is pivoted around a pivot axis through an optical chassis of the scanning apparatus and is driven by a worm-gear segment arrangement via a reversible electric motor. The gate swings through an arc of approximately 61/2.degree. on each side of a vertical initializing position of the gate and has an aperture at which a frame of the film can be held against the gate by a clamping arrangement which is moved with the gate. The gate of the present invention is that the gate is mounted to be adjusted about a spherical bearing by the use of bearings mounted on eccentric shafts against which a wear plate on the gate is registered. Pins and biasing springs mounted on the gate and the gate system drive allow adjustment of the gate in .THETA. X and .THETA. Z directions for obtaining precise optical alignment.

Several types of scanning apparatus for scanning negative still and motion picture films are known and currently used by photographic labs. Eastman Kodak Company now offers a PIW 2200 system which uses a Kodak 2000 scanner having a flat gate for handling film strips and slides to digitize an excellent high resolution image for storage on a compact disc. This scanner cannot handle continuous rolls of film as would be desirable for large numbers of orders. Another type of scanner uses a drum for scanning motion picture film. Other types of drum scanners are known for scanning continuous rolls of film or single negative, although no drum scanner does both. In addition, screw-driven flat bed scanners are known. All of the known scanners have, however, limitations in terms of their versatility in that they are not capable of providing a high resolution scan while, at the same time, avoiding the need for interchangeability for handling first order and reorders for photographic processing labs.
In a known scanning apparatus for digitizing the images on photographic film, a circular drum is used as the gate and has several arcuate portions disposed thereover for handling first order runs consisting of twelve, twenty-four or thirty-six exposures which are spliced, and reorder using the Kodak paper laminate standard and the URS paper laminate standard. It has been found, however, that such a drum is unnecessarily complicated and requires an undesirable space to accommodate the entire drum for handling the different formats. In addition, the movement of the gate is not minimized to perform the scanning operation.

Arc-segment-shaped gate for photographic film scanning apparatus


The present disclosure is related to systems and methods for open-surface navigation for a vehicle based on a time-space map. The method includes determining a time-space map of a first area. The time-space map may include a plurality of time-space grids. Each time-space grid may include temporal information and geographic information corresponding to the time-space grid. The method also includes obtaining obstacle status of each of one or more obstacles corresponding to a first time period. The method also includes determining a plurality of navigable grids and a plurality of unnavigable grids among the plurality of time-space grids, based on the obstacle status. The method further includes determining a path for the vehicle based on the plurality of navigable grids.

The existing methods for local obstacle avoidance of unmanned vehicles are mainly focus on single obstacle, for example, velocity obstacles algorithm, artificial potential field algorithm. However, in a complex and irregular dynamic environments, the automatic navigation system of the unmanned vehicles may have difficulty to plan a path in real time by using these methods, due to a lack of consideration of states of multiple obstacles and multiple constraints, such as International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) and the manipulation performance of the unmanned vehicles. Therefore, it is desirable to provide methods and systems for determining an optimal path for an unmanned vehicles in the automatic navigation system.

Systems and methods for path determination


An individual recognition system uses a mobile communication apparatus to more securely conduct financial data transactions. A call number stored in a mobile communications apparatus is read by a terminal unit and transmitted to a computer. The computer calls the mobile communications apparatus and requests a user to input a personal identification code. The personal identification code is transmitted from the mobile communications apparatus to the computer, so that the transmitted personal identification code is compared with a previously registered personal identification code for verification. As a result of verification, a registered person is confirmed. Then, a price of a purchase is input to the terminal unit and transmitted to the computer. Settlement for payment of the price of the purchase is carried out in a bank account.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an individual recognition system and more particularly, to various individual recognition systems which are utilized for a credit card, a cash card and other data transaction cards which require personal identification and user authorization.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Individual recognition procedures have been executed for various cards such as a cash card, a credit card and the like. Card operating firms issue cards and control card use via customers' information including registration of their bank account numbers, registration of their address and registration of their personal identification numbers and other suitable information. For example, upon shopping with a credit card, an individual recognition procedure is carried out by presentation of the credit card and signature of the cardholder's name so that the purchase can be completed. After that, the price of that purchase is paid from a customer's banking account, so that the settlement for the payment is completed.
In the case of a cash card or ATM card, the card is inserted into a terminal unit of a bank and a personal identification number is input into the terminal unit. The input personal identification number is verified with the personal identification number recorded in the card so as to conduct individual recognition and user authorization. After authorization is received, the customer can withdraw or deposit money. Further, in the case of the prepaid cash card, the cash card can be utilized instead of cash within a predetermined money value range.
Although individual recognition and user authorization is carried out mainly via a personal identification number or signature, recently such confirmation has been inadequate judging from recent increases in card theft and fraud. For example, a personal identification number is inclined to be selected according to an individual telephone number or birth date, so that it is likely to be deciphered easily. Further, in most cases, the personal identification number is recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on the card, so that information recorded in the magnetic stripe can be easily read. Although, the authenticity of a signature contained on the card is verified by comparison with a signature written by a customer at a point of sale, store clerks cannot confirm the authenticity of the signature absolutely because they are not specialists in handwriting and signature recognition and authentication. Anyone can pass a check or conduct a fraudulent credit card transaction easily by imitating a person's handwriting so as to write a similar signature.
Further, many firms issue respective cards such as credit card, cash card, prepaid card and the like. If a person tries to use these cards, he must use a plurality of separate, independent cards, so that it is troublesome to administer and use these cards. If improper use of a card is found or such a possibility is determined, it takes several days or months to take an appropriate countermeasure, thereby leading to expansion of fraud and loss of money.


The present invention relates to a planar optical waveguide device, especially an optical amplifier, comprising: a substrate (11); an active guiding layer (13) arranged on the substrate (11); a bottom layer (12) arranged between the active guiding layer (13) and the substrate (11); a top cladding layer (14) arranged over the active guiding layer (13).. According to the invention, the active guiding layer (13) has the following composition:. ______________________________________ Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 8-20 mol % Na.sub.2 O 5-18 mol % La.sub.2 O.sub.3 6-35 mol %, preferably 10-30 mol % R.sub.2 O.sub.3 >0-6 mol %, preferably 0.5-1.5 mol % P.sub.2 O.sub.5 balance ______________________________________. wherein, R represents Erbium (Er), Neodymium (Nd), or Ytterbium (Yb), or a combination of Er+Yb.

The present invention relates to a planar optical waveguide.
An optical waveguide is an important component in the field of telecommunication. A special type of optical waveguide is a planar optical waveguide, which can be manufactured as a part of an integrated circuit.
Nowadays, optical signals are very important for transmitting information. However, when an optical signal is transmitted through an optical fiber, attenuation will always occur to a certain extent, such that it is necessary to amplify the signal after a certain distance (typically in the order of about 50-100 km). Conventionally, for that purpose an electronic amplifier is used. At the amplifier station, the optical signal must then be converted into an electrical signal, which is amplified in an electronic amplifer, after which the amplified electrical signal is converted back into an optical signal. This involves not only the disadvantage that an amplifier station has a rather complicated structure with rather a large number of parts, among which optical/electrical converters and electrical/optical converters, but this also implies that the bandwith and bit-rate of the overall system is limited by the electronical components.
Therefore, optical fibre amplifiers have recently been developed, i.e. amplifiers which amplify the optical signal directly and do not need a conversion into an electrical signal.
Similarly, integrated planar waveguide amplifiers are of necessity in order to realize all-optical telecommunication. For example, a planar waveguide amplifier can be integrated with a passive splitter as loss-compensating components. Due to their small sizes, planar optical waveguide amplifiers are expected to be of low cost, and more importantly, they offer the promise of integrating passive and active functions on the same substrate.
Materials for planar optical waveguides can be divided into different categories, among which:
(1) crystalline materials (LiNbO.sub.3, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Y.sub.2 O.sub.3, etc.) PA1 (2) glassy materials, such as silicate-glass (based on SiO.sub.2), phosphate-glass (based on P.sub.2 O.sub.5), etc.

Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk Onderzoek TNO


A laser pump module has a ridge waveguide chip with a ridge width that is greater than 4 micrometers (xcexcm). This is a relatively wide ridge for this class of laser chips. Specifically, especially for signal lasers, narrow ridge widths are used in order to control lateral and transverse mode shape and size. In the present invention, however, where a chip is used for pump applications, a wider ridge is used to increase the laser effective gain volume and decrease the loss associated with the lowest order transverse mode to thus maximize the useful power and light that is coupled into the fiber pigtail.

Semiconductor laser devices such as ridge waveguide lasers and laser amplifiers are used in many communications systems. Incremental refinements in their fabrication and packaging have resulted in a class of devices that have acceptable performance characteristics and a well-understood long-term behavior. Moreover, weakly guiding ridge waveguide structures are less complex to fabricate and provide excellent yields as compared to more complex architectures based on buried heterostructures, for example.
In most applications, maximizing the laser""s or amplifier""s useful operating power is a primary design criteria. In signal laser applications, the power output from the device dictates the distance to the next repeater stage, and the number of stages in a given link is a major cost factor in the link""s initial cost and subsequent maintenance. In pump laser applications, where typically multiple pump laser devices are used to optically pump a gain or amplifying fiber, such as a rare-earth doped fiber amplifier or regular fiber in a Raman pumping scheme, useful power output dictates the number of pumps required to reach a required pumping level and/or the distance between pump/fiber amplification stages.
Under current technology, the typical application for pump lasers is fiber amplification systems that utilize rare-earth doped fiber as the gain fiber. These gain fibers are located at attenuation-dictated distances along the fiber link. They typically are comprised of erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA). The laser pumps typically operate at 980 nanometers (nm) or 1480 nm, which correspond to the location of absorption peaks for the EDFA""s in the optical spectrum.
More recently, Raman pumping schemes have been proposed. The advantage is that special, periodic, EDFA amplifier gain fiber is not required to be spliced into the fiber link. Instead, regular fiber can be used. The result is a gain spectrum that is even wider than systems relying on EDFA""s. The bandwidth typically extends over the entire transmission bandwidth for fiber, stretching from 1250 to 1650 nm for some fiber compositions. The pump lasers are designed to operate in the wavelength range of 1060 to 1500 nm in the typical implementation.
Advantages associated with Raman amplification systems surrounds the fact that there is no longer a 3 dB noise penalty associated with each amplifier, as occurs with EDFA""S. Raman amplification, however, is a non-linear process. As a result, relatively high pump powers are required.
In any case, high power pumps are required, regardless of whether EDFA""s or regular/Raman systems are used. Currently, pumps yielding 180 to 200 milliWatts (mW) of power are available. Newer system designs are requiring even higher power pumps, however.
As higher pump powers are required, additional optimizations are required in the pump laser module. One subject for these optimizations concerns the laser pump chip within the module and how light generated in this module is coupled through a fiber pigtail to the gain fiber. Specifically, in the present invention, the ridge width of the laser chip is optimized and this optimization is propagated through the module design to provide higher useful power outputs from the laser module.
Specifically, the present invention concerns a ridge waveguide laser module in which the ridge width is greater than 4 micrometers (xcexcm). This is a relatively wide ridge for this class of laser chips. Specifically, especially for signal lasers, narrow ridge widths of 1-3 xcexcm are used in order to control lateral and transverse modes and obtain a relatively round beam for easy coupling into fiber. In the present invention, however, where a chip is used for high power pump applications, a wider ridge is used to decrease the loss associated with the laser mode as well as maximize the effective pump gain volume to thus maximize the useful power and light that is coupled into the fiber pigtail, which is typically single mode fiber.
The wider ridge results in higher power density at the laser exit facet. This is not a problem, however, because facet failure is typically not the failure mode at this wavelength. Thus, wider ridge can be used, which maximizes the power in the lowest order modes.
In general, according to one aspect, the invention concerns a ridge waveguide pump laser module that is adapted to generate light in the 1,200 to 1,600 nm (1.2-1.6 xcexcm) wavelength range. The module comprises a ridge waveguide laser chip having a ridge width greater than 4 xcexcm. An optical fiber pigtail is also provided. An end of this pigtail is positioned to receive the light generated by the laser chip and transmit that generated light, typically to a fiber amplification system.
In specific embodiments, the ridge width is less than 11 xcexcm at a narrowest region of the ridge. This specification applies regardless of the overall ridge profile. Specifically, the wide ridge can be used where the ridge further widens in the direction of the rear facet or in the direction of the front facet of the chip. Additionally, the invention also applies where the ridge is tapered in the direction of the rear and/or front facets of the laser chip.
In the preferred embodiment, the ridge width is between 6 and 9 xcexcm. Presently, 7 xcexcm is believed to be optimum.
In other aspects of the implementation, because a relatively wide ridge is used, the cross section of the laser light emission from the chip is very elliptical, rather than circular as is found in narrow ridge designs. Special coupling techniques are thus preferably used. Specifically, if discrete lenses are used, a cylindrical or cross-cylindrical lens are preferred between the laser chip and the fiber pigtail to focus the emission from the chip onto the end of the pigtail. Alternatively, or in combination with a discrete lens system, fiber lenses are also useful. Specifically, in one embodiment, a flat-top wedge shaped fiber lens is used to capture the elliptical emission. Wedge shaped lenses, however, can also be implemented, along with double-wedge shaped fiber lenses.
In still other implementations, special-core fiber pigtails improve coupling efficiency of the elliptical beam. Specifically, a fiber pigtail with an elliptical cross-section core is useful. Further, the core is preferably flared in the direction of the end that is positioned to receive the light from the laser chip, such that the core has a larger cross-section in that direction. Further, elliptical cone shaped fiber lenses can also be used.
In general, according to another aspect, the invention also features a ridge waveguide pump laser chip. Specifically, the laser chip is adapted to generate light in the 1.2 to 1.6 xcexcm wavelength range. Further, this chip has a ridge width that is greater than 4 xcexcm.
The above and other features of the invention including various novel details of construction and combinations of parts, and other advantages, will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims. It will be understood that the particular method and device embodying the invention are shown by way of illustration and not as a limitation of the invention. The principles and features of this invention may be employed in various and numerous embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.


Methods, compositions, and products maintain white teeth or prolong the effects of teeth whitening by preventing staining of teeth via a temporary stain repellent. The temporary stain repellent can include a food-grade silicone compound configured to temporarily form a protective layer over teeth or fill the pores of the teeth before and during the consumption of pigmented foods and/or drinks post-teeth whitening.

Field
Embodiments relate to the field of dental care, and, in particular, to methods, compositions, and products for maintaining and prolonging the effects of teeth whitening as well as for maintaining and prolonging the effects of clean naturally white teeth by preventing staining of teeth via a temporary stain repellent.
Description of the Related Art
The benefits of clean white teeth are now recognized by most of the public. People with white teeth are going to great lengths to maintain the white appearance of their teeth while others are spending a considerable amount of money to whiten their teeth, a procedure done by a dentist or hygienist or by applying teeth whitening materials that are sold in the retail market today. With the development of new technologies, various teeth whitening products and procedures are widely available to whiten stained teeth. However, immediately after using such whitening products and procedures, teeth become dehydrated, more porous, and therefore more prone to staining. Susceptibility to staining of teeth can last for several days, or weeks in some cases, after whitening. Accordingly, dental professionals and/or instructions on teeth whitening products generally advise patients and users to abstain from consuming pigmented food and drinks in general and particularly after whitening. Common acidic foods and beverages such as wine, yogurt, and orange juice can also temporarily demineralize or etch the surface of the enamel, thereby also making teeth more susceptible to staining.

Temporary stain repellent for preventing staining of teeth


The present invention relates to an underwater drone which is an unmanned mobile which can move in the water, and more particularly to a communication system for the underwater drone which performs communication between the underwater drone and a land-based controller (or maneuvering device). The present invention also relates to an airlock apparatus for the drone which transfers the drone into or from facilities or containers, or equipment sealed (or closed) against surrounding environment. The communication system for an underwater drone includes an underwater drone (1) configured to move in the water, at least one transmitting and receiving antenna (2) provided in an area where the transmitting and receiving antenna (2) can communicate with the underwater drone (1) by wireless communication, and a controller or a maneuvering device (5) connected to the at least one transmitting and receiving antenna (2) by a wired cable (4) and configured to control the underwater drone (1).

A drone defined as an unmanned mobile which can move in the air or in the water or in both areas is widely used in various fields such as photographing or monitoring, checking or inspecting, or measuring.
The drone moves autonomously according to a preset object or is maneuvered using a wireless means (one of radio wave, visible light, laser beams of every wavelength range, sonic wave, and ultrasonic wave, or any combination thereof) by a human operator, or is controlled wirelessly by an external controller (including a computer).
The drone defined as an unmanned mobile which can move in the air or in the water or in both areas is expected to be utilized for inspection works of whether instruments in various plants or factories, or various infrastructure equipment (wind electric generating facilities, electrical feeder lines, communication wires, various piping, and the like) to which workers cannot come close have problems. As part of such works, the drones are expected to be used for inspection works of interiors of facilities or containers, or equipment, or piping or the like sealed against surrounding environment, or interiors of facilities or containers, or equipment, or piping or the like whose opening portions opened to surroundings are far away from places to be inspected.

Communication system for underwater drone and airlock apparatus for drone


A method of forming arrays of articles comprising providing a stacker having a plurality of compartments for receiving the articles, the stacker traveling along a closed loop path; transporting a plurality of the articles along a first path towards the stacker in sequential fashion; introducing a first portion of the articles into the compartments at a first inlet position located adjacent to the interior of the closed loop path; and removing an array of the articles from the stacker at a stripping location located downstream from the inlet position. An apparatus for performing this method is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for forming arrays of articles for subsequent packaging. More particularly, the present invention provides an array forming apparatus and method wherein the articles are positioned in the arrays in varying orientations.
2. Description of Related Art
Many consumer products or other articles are not of a uniform or symmetrical shape, and thus the packaging of these items can be problematic. If these products are not packaged in an optimal manner, package strength and integrity may suffer and an excessive amount of packaging material may be needed to compensate for such shortcomings. In addition, the resulting package may not be consumer-friendly. It is also usually desirable to load as many articles as possible into a package of a given size in order to minimize slack space. When the articles are not uniform in size, optimal packaging often requires that the articles be packaged in a non-uniform manner. Non-uniform packaging, however, is difficult to accomplish in an automated, mechanical production/packaging process.
One particular type of asymmetrical articles having unique packaging difficulties are absorbent articles such as diapers, adult incontinence pads, sanitary napkins and pantiliners. These products are often profiled, particularly diapers and adult incontinence pads, such that the crotch portion of the products is much thicker than the waist area due to the additional absorbent material placed near the likely areas of discharge. This difference in thickness is even more pronounced when diapers or incontinence pads are packaged, since each diaper or pad is typically folded in half prior to insertion into an outer package. In addition, the diapers or pads are usually compressed prior to insertion into the package, and differences in compressibility caused by the profiling of these products may create additional packaging difficulties.
Diapers, adult incontinence pads, and similar articles typically are produced in sequential fashion such that the articles leave the production area one after another along a conveyor system. In the case of diapers and adult incontinence pads, these products typically leave the production area lying flat on a moving transport device such as a conveyor belt. The diapers or pads are then folded in half, and then rotated to an upright position. In this upright position, the diapers or pads are transported serially with the folded nose portion (referred to herein as the proximal end) leading. The diapers or pads are then deposited into an array forming apparatus which compiles a predetermined number of diapers or pads into an array (or stack) for packaging purposes. This array forming apparatus, often referred to as a stacker or accumulator, converts a series of products advancing sequentially along a conveyor system into an array (or stack) comprising a plurality of the diapers or pads positioned side by side. The product array may then be advanced onward to further packaging steps. Exemplary stacking devices are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos 3,954,165, 4,325,475 and 5,474,168.
In the prior art methods, the diapers or pads of an array are arranged therein in an identical, side by side orientation. For example, each diaper present in an array leaving a stacker is typically in a nose forward orientation. The region of the array corresponding to the nose portions of the diapers therein will often be thicker due to profiling of the diaper core, and the compressibility of the array will not be uniform across due to the pad profiling. Prior art stackers, however, are generally incapable of providing arrays wherein the orientation of the articles alternates within the array.
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for producing arrays of products wherein each product of an array may have one of two distinct orientations, and the orientation of the articles within a particularly array may therefore be varied as desired.

Apparatus and method for forming arrays of articles for packaging