A mechanism for exchanging information between SCSI devices which allows for specifying multiple source or destination buffers. The mechanism includes a first apparatus for generating at least one move instruction which when executed by the SCSI manager either writes or reads the specified number of bytes to or from that buffer address and subsequently adds the offset field value to the buffer address to create a current buffer address. The current buffer address and the buffer address may be non-contiguous. The mechanism also has a second apparatus for generating at least one looping instruction by which the SCSI manager branches the offset number of instructions until the number is exhausted. This allows the SCSI manager to repeat instructions. During each repetition of the move instruction, the buffer address location gets incremented by the value in the offset field. This incrementing allows buffer locations to be accessed that are non-contiguous; thus, multiple source and destinations can be created and they can be non-contiguous.

The Small Computer Standard Interface (SCSI) is a specification of the mechanical, electrical, and functional standards followed when coupling small computers to intelligent peripherals such as hard disks, printers, and optical disks. Typically, a part of the operating system, the SCSI manager, is employed to provide routines and data structures to control the exchange of information between the small computer and the peripheral devices.
Devices are usually connected to a SCSI bus in a daisy-chain configuration. When two SCSI devices communicate with each other, one acts as an "initiator" and the other as a "target." The initiator asks the target to perform a certain operation, such as reading a block of data. Before any operation can occur, the initiator must first gain control of the bus, select a target device, and then instruct the target device regarding which operation is to be performed.
When the command to be performed involves a transfer of data, a pointer must be passed to a transfer instruction block which indicates to the SCSI manager how the data is to be manipulated. In the prior art, data could only be read from or written into contiguous memory locations. Moreover, data transfers which required multiple buffers to be used, would have to be separated into several calls to the operating system. Furthermore, during actual data transfer process, the running of application procedures between calls to the operating system caused a loss of system performance.
As will be seen, the present invention involves a mechanism which allows data to be read from or written into memory non-contiguously. Moreover, a single buffer may be employed repeatedly without having to divide a transaction into several calls to the operating system. The present invention also includes a mechanism which allows for application routines to be called in between data calls of an actual data transfer process without loss to system performance.

Data chaining mechanism for SCSI devices


Systems and methods are disclosed herein for managing the extent of registration signaling that a communication device sends when activating a network process, based on how long the process was turned off. For instance, if the device turns off without deregistering from a communication network and then turns on while the network registration is still current, an example system or method may help the device to recognize this situation and reduce unnecessary signaling associated with restarting a network process.

When a communication device first powers on, the device may be arranged to engage in registration signaling with one or more network entities. Such signaling may function to notify the network that the device is connected, and to give the network an opportunity to authenticate and authorize the device, so that the network may then provide the device with service. For example, when a wireless communication device first powers on, the device may register with a radio access network to facilitate being served by that network, and so that the network will know where the device is located. As another example, when a device powers on and becomes connected with a packet-switched network, the device may register with a packet-gateway and/or a mobile internet protocol (mobile-IP) system to facilitate being served by the packet-switched network. Other examples are possible well.
In practice, after a device initially registers with a network, the network may require the device to reregister periodically or to engage in other network communication as a way of establishing that the device is still connected with the network. If the network does not receive expected reregistration signaling from the device or detects the absence of activity by the device for a threshold period of time, for instance, the network may conclude that the device is no longer connected with the network and may automatically deregister the device. Furthermore, when a device is powering off, the device may be arranged to engage in deregistration signaling with the network, to notify the network that the device is disconnecting from the network, so that the network may similarly deregister the device.
In some cases, a communication device may run a network process that facilitates the device's network registration. A network process may be a stored set of computer instructions that is operable to facilitate network registration. For example, the network process may be a computer program, a set of passive instructions, or a computer application that initiates and directs registration signaling between the device and network entities. The device may start the network process when powering on, and then the network process may facilitate the initial registration signaling with the network. Then, while the device is operating, the network process may continue to manage the device's network registration, for instance, by sending reregistration signaling and/or by responding to network changes (e.g., registering with a new network in response to detecting that the device has moved into a new coverage area). The network process may also function to deregister the device when it disconnects from the network (e.g., when the device powers off or user-input directs the device to disconnect from the network).
In some cases, the network process may stop while the device is still in a power-on state. For instance, a user may activate a process-kill function to stop the network process or the device may enter a non-signaling state (e.g., "airplane mode" or "offline mode") that stops the network process. When the network process restarts, the process may again initiate registration signaling in much the same way that registration is performed after the device powers on.

Methods and systems for managing registration signaling based on off-time duration


Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to synchronization utilizing one or more optimizations through the utilization of metadata. For several embodiments of the present invention, one method for optimizing synchronization is to reduce the overhead required for said synchronization by having each peer only tracking changes for itself and other peers within its change community (or communities) (a.k.a., “Intra-Community-Only Change Tracking Optimization”). For certain embodiments of the present invention, another method for optimizing synchronization is to not create synchronization overhead until required. For numerous embodiments of the present invention, yet another method for optimizing synchronization is to minimize redundant use of a partner's unique global ID—a large and cumbersome number—and to instead maintain a table that cross-references each partner (and its unique global ID) with a smaller and much less cumbersome partner key.

Due to deficiencies in existing data storage and database technologies, there has been a need for an improved storage platform that provides enhanced abilities to organize, search, and share all types of data in a computer system—a storage platform that extends and broadens the data platform beyond existing file systems and database systems, and that is designed to be the store for all types of data. The invention disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/646,646, filed on Aug. 21, 2003, entitled "STORAGE PLATFORM FOR ORGANIZING, SEARCHING, AND SHARING DATA" (hereinafter, the "Storage Platform Application"), satisfies this need. Synchronization services for this storage platform (including conflict resolution methods) are further provided in the invention disclosed by U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/646,646, filed on Oct. 24, 2003, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING RELATIONAL AND HIERARCHICAL SYNCHRONIZATION SERVICES FOR UNITS OF INFORMATION MANAGEABLE BY A HARDWARE/SOFTWARE INTERFACE SYSTEM" (hereinafter the "Synchronization Application") and U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 10/883,621, filed on Jun. 30, 2004, entitled "SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING CONFLICT HANDLING FOR PEER-TO-PEER SYNCHRONIZATION OF UNITS OF INFORMATION MANAGEABLE BY A HARDWARE/SOFTWARE INTERFACE SYSTEM (hereinafter the "Conflict Resolution Application").
As disclosed in Storage Platform Application, the Synchronization Application, and the Conflict Resolution Application (hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Priority Applications," and where one or more of which comprise what is referred to later herein as "WinFS"), peer-to-peer synchronization is achieved by a first peer requesting and receiving from a second peer in a peer community specific metadata pertaining to changes made since the last synchronization that occurred between said first and second peers. Based on a comparision of this received metadata and existing metadata maintained by the first peer regarding previous changes received from the second peer, the first peer then requests specific change units (each change unit comprising specific elemental changes) from said second peer. Upon receipt of these change units and application by the first peer (thereby completing the synchronization), the first peer then updates its own metadata to reflect both the current state of its data as well as the last updates it has received from the second peer.
The metadata maintained by and exchanged between each peer in a synchronization community is essential to the proper synchronization of the peers in said community. However, metadata can also comprise significant overhead for each peer, and the synchronization processes themselves may consume significant resources. Therefore, what is needed in the art are specific utilizations of metadata to optimize synchronization.

Systems and methods for the utilization of metadata for synchronization optimization


A power converter and a clock module employed for providing a clock signal to the power converter. The power converter converts an input voltage to an output voltage based on at least the switching on and off of a main switch. The clock module monitors a deviation of the output voltage from its desired value and compares the deviation with a predetermined threshold window to provide a clock control signal. The clock module further regulates the clock signal in response to the clock control signal.

Most switching power converters are employed to convert an input voltage into an appropriate output voltage through controlling a switch module to switch on and off, thereby regulating power transmitted to a load.
However, when the load changes rapidly, the output voltage may widely vary. For instance the output voltage may drop largely if the load gets heavier and requires a larger current. In this circumstance, it is desired that the output voltage can be regulated to restore to its desired value as quickly as possible.

Power converter, clock module and associated control method

Chengdu Monolithic Power Systems Co., Ltd.


A fluid handling system adapted to provide storage and supply of a number of liquid solutions to an automatic clinical analyzer having three different bottle-like containers, a collapsible plastic-metal-plastic pouch having a mouth-like opening, a fitment to be sealed within mouth-like opening a septum within the fitment, and open meal band or cap to seal the septum into the fitment.

Various types of tests related to patient diagnosis and therapy can be performed by analysis of a sample taken from a patient's infections, bodily fluids or abscesses. These assays typically involve automated analyzers onto which vials containing patient samples have been loaded. The analyzer extracts the samples from the vials and combines the samples with various reagents in special reaction cuvettes or tubes. Frequently, the samples are incubated or otherwise processed before being analyzed. Analytical measurements are often performed using a beam of interrogating radiation interacting with the sample-reagent combination, for example turbidimetric, fluorometric, absorption readings or the like. The measurements allow determination of end-point or rate values from which an amount of analyte may be determined using well-known calibration techniques.
Clinical sample analysis continuously needs to be more effective in terms of providing an increased number of advanced analytical options so as to enhance a laboratory's techniques for evaluating patient samples. Luminescent compounds, such as fluorescent compounds and chemiluminescent compounds, find wide application in the assay field because of their ability to emit light. Particles, such as latex beads and liposomes, have also been utilized in assays. For example, in homogeneous assays an enzyme may be entrapped in the aqueous phase of a liposome labeled with an antibody or antigen. Homogeneous immunoassays in which it is unnecessary to separate the bound and unbound label have previously been described for small molecules. These assays include enzyme channeling immunoassay, and fluorescence energy transfer immunoassay enzyme inhibitor immunoassays; fluorescence polarization immunoassay among others.
In view of this number of available analytical detection techniques, a modern clinical analyzer may include multiple detection units, each detection unit adapted to perform different measurements and follow various analysis protocols that the other detection units. The diversity of analytical detectors allows multiple types of tests to be run on the same system, thereby increasing the likelihood that an analyte can be determined by an assay that is most appropriate for that particular analyte, e.g., an assay that is highly specific for the analyte, is accomplished in a reasonable period of time, and is cost effective. In particular, an analyzer may include a detector adapted to detect luminescence of a reaction mixture in a reaction vessel as well as a photometer or turbidometer detector as well as a nephelometer detector as well as a yet another, different type of detector, such as an ion selective electrode, identified hereinafter as "ISE". Clearly, accurately supplying the various different reagents required for such a range of different analytical detectors is an important aspect of maintaining analyzer throughput.

Storage and supply system for clinical solutions used in an automatic analyzer


A method generates a composite image by painting unfilled regions between micro-objects with other micro-objects to create a multiple layer effect. Another method generates a composite image from as few as one micro-object by changing the average color and/or intensity of the micro-object to match that of an area on the source image. Yet another method quickly generates a preview image of a composite image by saving the micro-objects in multiple resolutions so that the micro-objects at the small resolution can be quickly scaled to build a preview image of the composite image.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to digital image processing and more particularly to a method that generates a composite image from the placement of small individual images.
2. Description of Related Art
Montage refers to the art, style, or process of making a pictorial composition by closely arranging or superimposing many pictures or designs. Similarly, a mosaic is a composite picture assembled from overlapping photographs. Runaway Technology, Inc. of Cambridge, Mass., sells composite pictures assembled from thousands of images by a computer software called Photomosaics™. Other companies, including Infinite Image of Tarzana, Calif., and Photo Creations of Williamstown, N.J., also offer similar products, services, and computer software. In general, the conventional computer software divides a source image using an orthogonal grid. The conventional computer software then creates a composite image by placing small individual images ("micro-images" or "micro-objects") into a grid. Each small image has color and brightness that are the same or similar to an associated area in the source image.
One deficiency of the conventional computer software is the requirement of a large database of micro-images (e.g., 5,000 or more) to build a high quality composite image. A large database of micro-images allows the conventional computer software to select micro-images that closely resemble the color and brightness of each grid location in the source image. Many consumers would like to create a montage but do not have a large database of micro-images. These consumers may not wish to pay the additional cost for inclusion of a large database of micro-images with conventional computer software for creating composite images. Furthermore, consumers may wish to use a small database of their own micro-images (e.g., their own photos and images) to build a composite image. Thus, a need exists for a method that reduces the number of micro-images required to create a high quality composite image.
A goal of photo-montage software is to create an interesting and attractive image. However, current photo-montage software has limited capability in the arrangement of the micro-images, and a system that permits a more complex placement or arrangement of micro-images is desired.
Another deficiency of the conventional computer software is that it takes a long time to compose and display (or print) the composite image because the composite image is generally large (e.g., a poster). The time required for the conventional computer software to compose and display (or print) the composite image is wasted if the user does not like the composite image after it is displayed (or printed). Thus, another need exists for a method that quickly generates a preview of the composite image before the user decides whether or not to compose and display (or print) the composite image.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Photomontage using multiple layer placement and color variation


A method of passively measuring available link bandwidth at a client device that receives media data over a network connection comprising receiving packets of a media stream at the client device, wherein one or more the of packets comprises a unique identifier indicating that one or more the packets are associated with a macro burst sorting the received packets into one or more of the macro bursts based on the unique identifiers, and determining the link bandwidth available to the client device based at least in part on the time intervals between arrival times of the packets sorted into individual macro bursts, wherein the macro bursts each comprise a plurality of packets transmitted together by a sending device to regulate the sending device's transmission rate.

Streaming media such as video and/or audio over networks has become prevalent. Client devices such as personal computers, set-top boxes, mobile devices, and other equipment can receive media streams from content servers and/or other client devices. The media streams can be transmitted over proprietary operator managed networks, and/or over open, publicly available networks such as the internet. In many situations, individual media streams can be available at different quality levels, and client device can request that the media streams be sent at specific quality levels.
When a client device has knowledge of current network conditions, such as a measurement of the available link bandwidth, the client device can request the best quality version of the media stream for the current network conditions. For example, the client device can request the media stream at the highest possible bitrate that can be sent over the currently available link bandwidth, and/or change the requested quality level of the media stream as the available link bandwidth changes over time.
Various methods for measuring network conditions have been developed. However, existing methods do not measure the available link bandwidth using passive methods.
In some measurement methods the client device can measure the rate at which data is received to obtain the link throughput, however the link throughput can differ substantially from the available link bandwidth. A measurement of the link throughput can be useful in some situations, such as when the transmission rate is greater than the available link bandwidth. However, when the transmission rate is lower than the available link bandwidth, the client device is unable to determine how much link bandwidth is actually available above the rate of transmission. Attempts to blindly increase the transmission rate to fit to a best guess of the available link bandwidth can lead to buffer under-flows when too aggressive in estimating a greater bandwidth than available, or lead to less than full use of the available bandwidth when not aggressive enough.
In other methods, active measurement methods can be used that introduce probe packets. In some of these active methods, the packets of a media stream can be piggybacked onto probe packets that are actively measured. For real time media delivery, this can impact the ability for a server to control and regulate its rate of transmission, as the media content delivery rate and timing would be controlled by the active bandwidth measurement tools. In other embodiments, active measurement methods introduce extra probe packets that can lead to traffic bottlenecks on the network.
In another measurement method, packet traces of existing application traffic can be used to estimate available bandwidth. However, these methods can lead to unreliable measurements of available bandwidth because they look at diffusion based on inter-packet arrival times of only a pair of packets, or a train of packets.
Still other measurement methods measure the bandwidth or link capacity of bottlenecks on the network. However, these methods do not look at cross traffic on the network, and therefore do not measure the actual available link bandwidth.
Further, as will be discussed below many adaptive bitrate streaming schemes use HTTP over the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for transport. These schemes rely on TCP throughput for estimating the available link bandwidth. TCP's inefficiency in scaling with high BDP (bandwidth delay product) networks is well-known. Given the advent of high BDP networks in recent times, a mechanism for measuring available link bandwidth independent of TCP's throughput is needed.

Passive measurement of available link bandwidth


A motor assembly includes a motor, a circuit board on which a control circuit to control the motor and a plug unit are mounted, and a supporting member which supports the motor and the circuit board. The motor is provided with a socket unit in which the plug unit is fitted. The supporting member has a board supporting portion to support the circuit board, a motor supporting portion to support the motor, and a supporting member engagement portion. The plug unit has a plug unit engagement portion which is engaged with the supporting member engagement portion. The plug unit engagement portion is engaged with the supporting member engagement portion when the plug unit is fitted in the socket unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a motor assembly used in an outer mirror driving apparatus to turn an outer mirror for a vehicle between a position in which the outer mirror is in a position to be used and a position in which the outer mirror is in a position not to be used.
2. Description of the Related Art
An outer mirror driving apparatus to drive an outer mirror between a position in which the outer mirror is in a position to be used and a position in which the outer mirror is in a position not to be used has been known.
A disk-shaped mirror joining portion configured to be turned within a predetermined angle range is provided on a top portion of the outer mirror driving apparatus.
A disk-shaped base portion is joined on a lower portion of the outer mirror of a vehicle and the base portion is fixed to the mirror joining portion with bolts.
The outer mirror driving apparatus is configured to turn the mirror joining portion so that the outer mirror is turned between a position in which the outer mirror is in a position to be used and a position in which the outer mirror is in a position not to be used.
The outer mirror driving apparatus has a mirror turning shaft, a power transmission mechanism, and a motor assembly.
The mirror joining portion is joined together on an upper end portion of the mirror turning shaft, and the power transmission mechanism having gears, or the like is configured to transmit power from the motor assembly to the mirror turning shaft.
The motor assembly has a motor as a power source, a circuit board on which a control circuit to control the motor is mounted, and a supporting member to fix the motor, the circuit board, and the like.
Harnesses to feed power to the motor are connected to the circuit board, and extend outwardly to an outside of the outer mirror driving apparatus.
A pair of threaded holes are provided on a chassis wall of the motor, in which a driving shaft is projected, so that the motor can be threadably fixed with the pair of screws.
Electrodes of the motor and the circuit board are connected to each other with a pair of lead wires fixed by soldering.
A motor fixing portion and a board supporting portion are formed together on the supporting member, and a driving shaft hole in which the driving shaft of the motor is inserted is provided. A pair of threaded holes are provided on both sides of the driving shaft hole.
A pair of notched portions are provided on the board supporting portion at an interval corresponding to a width of the circuit board and are configured to be engaged with both corners of one end of the circuit board so that the circuit board is supported.
Screws are inserted in the pair of threaded holes provided on the motor fixing portion in a state where the driving shaft of the motor is inserted in the driving shaft hole, and screwed in threaded holes of the motor to fix the motor.
The pair of corners of the circuit board are engaged with the pair of notched portions. The circuit board is fixed on the board supporting portion in a state where the circuit board is disposed at an interval in relation to the motor.
A gear or the like is fixed to the motor and the assembled motor assembly is installed in the outer mirror driving apparatus.
At this time, the circuit board is engaged to be fixed with board locking portions provided in an inside of a case of the outer mirror driving apparatus.
Similarly to the above outer mirror driving apparatus, an electric-powered storing door mirror has been known (see, for example, Japanese Application Publication Number 2004-237817)
However, in conventional motor assemblies, the motor and the circuit board are required to be preliminarily connected to each other with lead wires, and screws are needed to fix the motor. Consequently a connecting process to connect the motor to the circuit board, a fixing process to fix the motor with screws, and the like are required so that production efficiency is decreased due to an increased number of assembling processes.
Moreover, since the lead wires are connected by soldering and the screws are used to fix the motor, there is a problem in that the production cost is increased due to the need for an increasing number of connecting parts.
Furthermore, since only one end of the circuit board is engaged to allow the circuit board to be supported on the supporting member and the circuit board is connected to the motor with the lead wires, the circuit board is fixed to the motor in an unstable state.
Accordingly, if the lead wires are moved when the motor assembly is installed in the case of the outer mirror driving apparatus, the circuit board is also moved so that there is a risk that the circuit board is detached from the board locking portions, the notched portions, or the like.
In addition, if the motor assembly is installed in the outer mirror driving apparatus in a state where the circuit board is detached, there is a risk of the occurrence of a short-circuiting of the control circuit due to interference of the circuit board and the case of the outer mirror driving apparatus, or the like when the outer mirror driving apparatus is used.

Motor assembly usable for an outer motor of a vehicle


When image data to which attribute bits indicating attribute information of each pixel of an image has been attached is compressed, replacement bits for replacing the attribute bits are determined in accordance with the attribute bits. If total size of the attribute bits and image data exceeds a predetermined value, the attribute bits are replaced with the replacement bits and the replacement bits and image data are compressed. A bit string having a compression rate higher than that of the attribute bits before the replacement thereof is used as the replacement bits.

The spread of information processing systems in recent years has been accompanied by greater demand for such systems to create many electronic documents in the form of color data and to output such data to color printers. Accordingly, it is desired that the image quality of color printers be improved.
A known method of improving the image quality of a color printer is to attach attribute bits to image data and execute the appropriate image processing. This method is such that at the stage where a raster image is generated in a host computer or printer, the type of drawing object (character, figure, image, color, monochrome, etc.) that constitutes the raster image is recognized, attribute bits indicative of the type of object are attached to each pixel constituting the object, and the raster data and attribute bits are adopted as the output data. When the output data is printed, the raster data is subjected to the appropriate image processing while reference is had to the attribute bits, whereby a printout having a high image quality can be obtained.
In the above-described method of adopting raster data and attribute bits as output data, the raster data and attribute bits are usually compressed and held in an output buffer. Since irreversible compression can be applied to the raster data at this time, size of the raster data after compression can be controlled by the compression rate. With regard to the attribute bits, on the other hand, the original data is necessary at the stage where image processing is executed and therefore only reversible compression is applied and size after compression is fixed. Consequently, there are occasions where, depending upon the type of data, size after compression is extremely large.
Accordingly, in a case where output buffer size is limited to a fixed value in order to limit system memory, the proportion of the buffer occupied by attribute bits increases if size after compression of the attribute bits is large. This means that the compression rate of the raster data must be raised to reduce the size of the raster data. If this is done, the decline in image quality ascribable to the increase in compression rate of the raster data will surpass the quality-improving effect achieved by use of the attribute bits. The result is a decline in the image quality of the output image.

Apparatus, method and computer program product for performing image compression of image data


Apparatus and methods of for measuring stress incurred by a cover glass of a handheld device when the cover glass contacts a surface during a drop event. A transparent solid piece of material with a drop surface and a back surface is provided and oriented to receive a dropped handheld device so that the cover glass contacts the drop surface. At least two optical detectors are directed at the back surface of the transparent material to obtain image data including a plurality of pixel points.

Knowledge of stresses generated in cover glass in a drop event is one element considered during product design. Currently there are no tools and/or methods to directly measure stresses generated in a cover glass during a drop event. Traditional methods for measuring stresses use optical techniques with lasers and transducers or strain gauges attached to the cover glass. These techniques do not truly reflect an actual drop event because of the cumbersome use of the gauge attachments and wires. Other disadvantages of traditional techniques include, but are not limited to, non-location specific stress measurements. The stress value obtained by these measurements represents an average value over the gauge length or area not area-specific measurements.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for apparatus and methods for measuring the actual stress experienced by cover glass of a handheld device during a drop event.

Apparatus and methods to determine stresses in cover glass of handheld devices


The present disclosure is directed to a method of converting the preferred hydrated alumina oxide, boehmite, into a green particle which is then sintered to form an abrasive alumina particle. The process involves dispersing boehmite in water at a slightly elevated temperature with an acidic pH, then seeding it with alumina seed particles and drying it, then crushing to desired shapes and sizes, calcining the dried precipitate and sintering the calcined material. This forms high quality alumina abrasive grains. The apparatus used for sintering incorporates an elongate hollow tube, an insulative sleeve thereabout to define an elevated temperature zone, and a microwave generator coupled through a wave guide into a microwave cavity incorporated in the tube. The particles are moved through the tube at a controlled rate to assure adequate exposure to the microwave radiation.

Microwave heating has demonstrated itself to be a powerful technique for sintering various ceramics, especially through the past decade. Microwave heating may decrease the sintering temperatures and times dramatically, and is economically advantageous due to considerable energy savings. However, one of the major limitations is the volume and/or size of the ceramic products that can be microwave sintered, because of an inhomogenous microwave energy distribution inside the applicator which often results in a non-uniform heating. Considerable research has gone into making microwave sintering technology viable, but batch processing was always a handicap.
Continuous microwave sintering of alumina is a newly developed process. The principle of the continuous microwave sintering furnace is shown in FIG. 1. The microwave applicator is designed to focus the microwave field in the central area as uniformly as possible. A long cylindrical ceramic hollow tube contains the green alumina which is fed into the microwave applicator at a constant feed speed. As the alumina enters the microwave cavity, it is heated and gradually sintered while passing through the microwave zone. The heating rate, sintering time and cooling rate are controlled by the input microwave power, the feeding speed, and the thermal insulation surrounding the heated alumina. The ceramic hollow tube is also rotated during processing for uniform and homogenous heating. As the green alumina passes through the high temperature zone, the particles are sintered entirely. Since the ceramic hollow tube is moved relatively continuously in the axial direction during the processing, there is virtually no limitation to the length of the product that can be processed by this technique. Consequently, it is possible to scale-up the volume of the ceramic products to be microwave sintered by this technique to provide a continuous process.
This disclosure proves the continuous microwave sintering technique for large quantities of commercial alumina grains with properties required for use as an advanced abrasive grain.
The disclosure also is directed to a novel synthesis method for the manufacture of alumina based sol gel abrasive utilizing the newly developed microwave processing. The process offers a faster, energy efficient route to manufacture abrasive alumina grains. Grains prepared by this method exhibited micro hardness above 2200 kg/mm.sup.2, 98% theoretical density, crystalline uniformity and average size less than 0.5 microns with high abrasion properties.
One aspect of this invention relates to improved preparation of alumina abrasives. The alumina particles are used for both coated and bonded abrasives. They are conventionally produced using arc furnace melting technology with either calcined bauxite or calcined alumina as the starting material and at temperatures above 2000.degree. C.
These conventionally prepared alumina abrasives normally have grain sizes above 150 microns. The conventional process for the production of alumina abrasive grains is through fusion using the known arc furnace. The calcined alumina is melted at temperatures above 2000.degree. C. or calcined bauxite is fused at temperatures above 2000.degree. C. in presence of carbon to reduce its impurities such as titania, iron oxide, silica etc.
In both the above cases, the molten material is cooled, crushed, magnetically screened and graded to obtain the various grit sizes required for abrasive grain preparation. Since the process requires melting of the raw material, the process becomes highly energy intensive; worse, the crystal size of the resulting abrasive grain is more than 150 microns in size.
Subsequently, another process was developed through sol gel route yielding abrasive grains with small crystal sizes of about 0.5 microns consuming low energy. In this route, the major steps so far employed include dispersing the alumina oxide (Boehmite) in water to form alumina in sol state, addition of seeds like alpha alumina either by milling using alumina grinding media or direct addition of micronized alpha alumina particles. Then, selected additives such as magnesia, titania, yttria, etc., added; the material is dried, crushed and sintered using conventional sintering furnace. The conventional sintering furnace is typically an electric or oil or gas fired batch kiln with a rotary kiln. The heating rate is about 20.degree. C./minute as the system applies external heating to the material.
As a rule of thumb, the performance of the abrasives with the same hardness, toughness and density improves with decrease in grain size. It is possible to achieve very small grain sizes with high hardness, toughness and density, using the combination of sol gel and microwave processes thereby improving the abrasive characteristics when compared to the conventional process. This process requires lower temperature, around 1400.degree. C.
By the use of the process of the present invention, it is possible to prepare a new variety of alumina abrasive grains at considerably lower energy with small crystal size, high hardness and density. The process of the present invention also involves use of a microwave sintering technique in which higher heating rates are employed to form finer particles than conventional products. In the process of the invention, microwave heat is generated internally within the material instead of originating from external heating sources and is a function of the material being processed. It is seen that as the temperature increases above a certain point, the dielectric loss begins to increase rapidly and the material begins to absorb microwaves more efficiently. This also raises the temperature very rapidly. In many cases the heating rates are as high as 300.degree. C./minute. Both batch and continuous processing systems can be employed.
The raw material used in the process of the present invention is boehmite dispersed in water with a concentration in the range of 15 to 30 weight percentage. The pH is adjusted between 2 to 4 by controlled addition of an acid such as nitric acid and peptized. The additives such as iron, silicon, titanium, magnesium, yttrium, neodymium, lanthanum etc., are added as their hydroxides, oxides or nitrates. The amount of additives may vary from 0.1 to 7 weight percentage when considered as their oxides. Seeding involves sub micron alpha alumina seeds in the amount of up to 1.5% by weight. Control drying chemical additives may be added in the range of 0.1 to 1.0% to ensure uniform heating of the mixture and to aid pore free drying. The gel prepared is dried at the temperatures of 600.degree. to 800.degree. C. The dried gel is crushed to the required size giving allowance for the shrinkage during sintering. The shape of the grains is modified to suit the end use by selection of a suitable crushing system.
The graded gel is then calcined in the temperature range of 300.degree. to 900.degree. C. for about 30 minutes to drive away the volatiles. The calcined grains are then sintered using microwave technology at temperatures less than 1500.degree. C.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved process for the preparation of alumina abrasive grains having low crystal sizes, high hardness and toughness and density overcoming the drawbacks of the hitherto known processes.
Yet another object of the present invention is to produce an improved process for the preparation of alumina abrasive grains having Micro Vickers hardness above 2100 kg/sq. mm, 90% theoretical density with crystalline uniformity and average crystal size less than 0-6 microns.

Process for the preparation of alumina abrasives

Quarter No. 1 Carborundum Universal Ltd Kalamassery Development Plot

"The Kasl", Yamuna Nagar, South Kalamassery Cochin University P.O.


A system and method for multi-agent reinforcement learning in a multi-agent environment that include receiving data associated with the multi-agent environment in which an ego agent and a target agent are traveling and learning a single agent policy that is based on the data associated with the multi-agent environment and that accounts for operation of at least one of: the ego agent and the target agent individually. The system and method also include learning a multi-agent policy that accounts for operation of the ego agent and the target agent with respect to one another within the multi-agent environment. The system and method further include controlling at least one of: the ego agent and the target agent to operate within the multi-agent environment based on the multi-agent policy.

Multi-robot navigation and autonomous driving applications such as highway merging, four-way stops, and lane changing are examples of situations where interaction is required between multiple mobile agents. For example, two mobile agents may be attempting to make maneuvers that may cross each other's paths. Mobile agent models may be organized into physics-based models that assume that the agents' movement follow laws of physics, maneuver-based models that leverage prototype trajectories or maneuver intention estimation that is assumed to be executed independently from other mobile agents. However, these models do not include adapting to the behavior of time-varying stochastic agents.

System and method for multi-agent reinforcement learning in a multi-agent environment


Provided are a master recording medium and a method of manufacturing the master recording medium. The master recording medium includes: a plate; and a magnetic layer which is formed on the plate for magnetically transferring of a servo pattern that is to be formed on a magnetic recording medium. The method of manufacturing a master recording medium includes: engraving a polymer layer by nano imprinting to form an engraved pattern corresponding to a servo pattern to be formed on a magnetic recording medium; forming a magnetic layer which fills in the engraved pattern of the polymer layer; forming a back plate layer on the magnetic layer; and performing processing to expose the servo pattern on a surface of the magnetic layer that is opposite a surface of the magnetic layer on which the back plate layer is formed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic recording technology, and more particularly, to a master recording medium for magnetically transferring a servo pattern including servo information to a magnetic recording medium and a method of manufacturing the master recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
Hard disc drives (HDDs) using a magnetic recording medium have characteristics of high capacity and fast access and thus are significant as data memory devices of various digital devices, in addition to computers. Also, since industrialization and informatization have rapidly developed, the amount of information that is dealt with has significantly increased and thus higher density HDDs are required.
In order to drive an HDD, servo information should be pre-recorded to a magnetic recording medium so as to allow a magnetic head to be properly positioned at a desired location on the magnetic recording medium. The servo information is recorded by a servo pattern formed by magnetizing a recording layer of the magnetic recording medium to a predetermined pattern and the servo pattern is formed by magnetic transferring a master recording medium on which a shape corresponding to the pattern is formed.
In a high-density HDD, a line-width of the servo pattern should be reduced in accordance with the increasing density of data storage. As such, research into forming a servo pattern corresponding to the high-density recording is needed.

Master recording medium for magnetically transferring servo pattern to the magnetic recording medium and method of manufacturing the same


A method inspects a process performance of a capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus which generates a plasma for a plasma processing by applying a radio frequency power between a first electrode and a second electrode disposed in a processing vessel to face the first electrode in parallel. The method includes measuring an impedance of a radio frequency transmission path ranging from a rear surface of the first electrode to a ground potential part and sweeping a frequency to thereby obtain a frequency characteristic of a real resistance component of the impedance; reading a specific property value of a horn-like peak which appears from the frequency characteristic of the real resistance component; and determining efficaciousness or inferiority of the process performance of the plasma processing apparatus based on the peak property value.

Generally, a capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus includes an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed parallel to each other in a depressurizable processing vessel configured as a vacuum chamber, wherein a target substrate (e.g., a semiconductor wafer, a glass substrate, etc.) is mounted on the lower electrode. Electrons are accelerated by an electric field formed by a radio frequency voltage applied between the upper and the lower electrode and are made to collide with a processing gas. As a result of ionization by the collision between the electrons and the processing gas, a plasma is generated, and a desired process (for example, etching, deposition, oxidation, sputter, etc.) is performed on the surface of the substrate by radicals or ions in the plasma. Typically, a coaxial cable is used as a radio frequency power supply line through which the radio frequency power outputted from a radio frequency power supply is supplied to the electrode inside the chamber. A matching circuit is attached to an end of the coaxial cable. This matching circuit is an LC circuit which serves to match an impedance of the plasma (load) to that of the radio frequency power supply. The matching circuit has a single or plural variable capacitors therein and functions to control the capacity of variable reactance so as to minimize a reflection wave from the plasma (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2005-109183).
Recent researches have found that, in the aforementioned capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus, an impedance of a radio frequency transmission path, which ranges from a front surface (a surface in contact with the plasma) of an ungrounded electrode to a ground potential via the ungrounded electrode, is an important factor that determines an generation amount of harmonic waves or intermodulation distortion. Besides, it is also found that this impedance of the radio frequency transmission path influences a process performance. According to these researches, it is preferable to design each component of the apparatus, particularly, a radio frequency power supply system, such that the impedance of the radio frequency transmission path is of an optimum value or within an optimum range. However, in practice, there frequently occurs a mechanical difference in the radio frequency power supply system between apparatuses (particularly, the mechanical difference is likely to occur due to a difference in the length of the RF cable, the circuit constant of the matching circuit, or the like), and such mechanical difference in the radio frequency power supply system has a great influence on the impedance of the radio frequency transmission path.
In view thereof, a use of an inspection method is under consideration wherein the method involves directly measuring the impedance of the radio frequency transmission path by means of installing a jig of a impedance measuring unit on the electrode front surface inside the chamber in each apparatus; and making a determination that the process performance is normal (good) if the impedance value is within a specific range or that the process performance is abnormal (bad) if the impedance is out of the range. This inspection method does not necessitate plasma ignition or plasma generation, so it can be performed when shipping the apparatus or installing the apparatus at a target place. In the capacitively coupled plasma processing apparatus, however, the electrode front surface, which is in contact with the plasma while radiating radio frequency waves, is the most important part on the process and is the most vulnerable part as well. Therefore, installing the jig on this part is not preferable in the aspect of protecting electrodes and preventing particle generation.

Method and apparatus for inspecting process performance for use in a plasma processing apparatus


A conductive film for use in a touch panel is provided. The conductive film includes a base member including a sensor area and a wire area, a sensor electrode located on the base member in the sensor area and a wire electrode located on the base member in the wire area, the wire electrode being connected to the sensor electrode. At least one of the sensor electrode and the wire electrode includes a nano material conductor having a network shape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a conductive film and a touch panel including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, conductive films including transparent conductive thin films have been applied in various ways to a variety of electronic devices, such as displays, touch panels, and the like. Such a conductive film is acquired by forming a transparent conductive thin film having low resistance on a plastic substrate and patterning the transparent conductive thin film.
A typical transparent conductive thin film is acquired via vacuum deposition of indium tin oxide. However, the indium tin oxide is expensive and vacuum deposition causes low productivity. Further, the indium tin oxide is inflexible and has difficulty in being applied to flexible electronic devices. Furthermore, the indium tin oxide has high resistance and has difficulty in being applied to large area electronic devices.

Conductive film and touch panel including the same


A method and system are provided for image scaling including low resolution text areas. The method may include: determining one or more areas of text in an image to be scaled; scaling the one or more areas of text using two or more scaling algorithms to a required resolution to acquire two or more scaled versions of the text area; selecting the clearest text in a text area from two or more scaled versions of the text area; scaling the overall image to the required resolution; and merging the scaled overall image with the selected scaled version of each text area.

This invention relates to the field of image scaling. In particular, the invention relates to image scaling for images including low resolution text.
There are multiple situations in which modern day applications attempt to increase the resolution of older applications in order to allow them to run effectively on newer monitors. One such example would a video game emulator. The scaling process used to increase the resolution of images works well for most cases. However, when it comes to scaling low resolution text, the most effective algorithms for dealing with images often leave the text unreadable.
To exacerbate further, current emulators only offer the ability to apply pixel scaling to all of the screen or nothing at all. The same is true of all real-time post-processing algorithms for image re-sampling.
Some algorithms which produce readable text do exist, but such algorithms are very computationally expensive and cannot be performed in real time.
The reason that text does become blurry when scaled up, is that good quality image scaling relies on creating blending (akin to anti-aliasing methods) of the new pixels that are added between existing pixels. When this is applied to low resolution text, the resulting characters become blurry and unreadable.
In a standard pixel scaling algorithm, the newly formed pixels' color values are pulled towards those of their neighbors. It is clear that applying this algorithm multiple times to a very simple image that requires hard edges, such as a letter, could cause that image to distort and become unrecognizable.

Image scaling for images including low resolution text

International Business Machines Corporation


The purpose is to provide a large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens applicable to a wider photographing area by equipping a vibration reduction function capable to satisfactorily correct a camera shake and the like with securing superb optical performance. The large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens includes, in order from an object, a first lens group G1 having positive refractive power, a second lens group G2 having negative refractive power, and a third lens group G3 having positive refractive power. The second lens group G2 is moved along an optical axis upon changing focus from infinity to a close-range object. The first lens group G1 has at least two cemented lenses and satisfies a given conditional expression. Either one of the cemented lens satisfies a given conditional expression.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging objective lens suitable for a single-lens-reflex camera and an electric still camera and in particular to a large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens.
2. Related Background Art
In a telephoto lens, optical performance tends to deteriorate so far with increasing longitudinal and lateral chromatic aberrations in accordance with extending the focal length or miniaturizing the optical system by shortening the total lens length. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-201988, for example, it has been known that a focusing mechanism of a large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens is small with securing optical performance by suppressing chromatic aberration such that a low dispersion positive lens having anomalous dispersion such as fluorite and a high dispersion negative lens are used in a front lens group where a paraxial ray height and an off-axial principal ray height passing thereof tend to become relatively high.
However, in a conventional large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens, since the dimension of a focusing mechanism has to be still large, reduction of burden to a motor has not been sufficient. When a telephoto lens of this kind is made to be a vibration reduction lens, it causes problems that the diameters of a focusing lens group as well as a vibration reduction lens group become large and burden to the actuator becomes large.

Large-aperture-ratio internal focusing telephoto lens


A method is directed to using a multifunction printer to identify pages of a printed document that have a specified text string. The method comprises electronically converting, with the multifunction printer, a plurality of pages of the printed document to a plurality of electronic text pages corresponding to the printed pages. The multifunction printer electronically searches the plurality of electronic text pages to identify which electronic text pages include the specified text string. The multifunction printer then communicates the identified electronic text pages to the user.

With the advent of computers, society expected to gain mastery over its information. Hope abounded that we could see a paperless office, and that we could readily find any information that existed in nearly unlimited forms of delivery.
However, we have learned that people still enjoy reading on printed paper. We also have learned that because we read and handle so much information, we frequently remember reading something important to us, but cannot remember where we read it. We then become frustrated in our desire to quickly access the particular source or document where we remember seeing the topic of interest. If an electronic copy of the document or source exists, then we can perform an electronic keyword search with a computer to reveal the desired document and/or passage of text. However, an electronic copy of the document may not be available to facilitate electronic keyword searching and a computer is not always available to assist in that process.
Accordingly, in some respects, the information age appears to have made access to information less convenient, rather than more convenient.

Method and system of using a multifunction printer to identify pages having a text string

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An apparatus for card receival comprises a foldaway portion; a leather element; and two fence elements; wherein the foldaway portion has its two ends to connect with the two ends of the leather element; the two fence elements connecting with the foldaway portion by one side thereof; the leather element comprising a plurality of card receival units, each of which constituting by a plurality of bar openings for cards inserting. As an embodiment, the card receival units are arranged at intervals. The apparatus for card receival may further comprise a coin-receiving bag formed on an outer side of the foldaway portion. The invention also discloses a wallet with such an apparatus for card receival.

At present, referring to FIGS. 1-4, some conventional apparatus for card receival 1 are commonly set in all kinds of wallets (billfolds, notebooks or handbooks). Referring to FIGS. 5-7, as an example, a conventional apparatus for card receival 1 consists of several card receival units, which are stepwisely overlapped together one by one. In the card receival units, each of which consists of a husk 12 and a liner 13 except that one outer card receival unit 11 is made from a piece of overall leather. In the prior art, the husk 12 is jointed to a top edge of the liner 13 to form an inner card receival unit. Then, the so-formed inner card receival units and the outer card receival unit 11 are stepwisely overlapped together by layer to form an apparatus for card receival. One of the card receival units has its bottom edge is glued to the liner 13 of another card receival unit adjacent thereto. Finally, the apparatus for card receival is connected to a main body of a wallet by sewing its outer rim 14 thereto. Generally, the husks 12 are made of leather material to improve its lifespan, while the liners 13 are made of filmy material for dividing the card receival units and avoiding overthickness of the overlapped card receival units.
However, the conventional apparatus for card receival has a complicate structure which results in a higher manufacture cost and time waste. In addition, the liners are easily worn during usage so that the card receival units are in a non-division state, and then the cards received in an upper layer will drop to an lower layer of the apparatus for card receival. Thus, a function of the apparatus for card receival is lost. Furthermore, the apparatus for card receival can not show the information of the cards therein clearly so that it is rather a waste of time to find a desired card in the apparatus for card receival.
Hence it is desired to provide an apparatus for card receival which can overcome the foregoing drawbacks of the prior art.

Apparatus for card receival and wallet with the same


A fabric drying system has an exterior housing and a rotating chamber for containing fabric laden with moisture that is to be dried and uses a combination of microwave energy and an auxiliary convection air heater to heat and vaporize the moisture and expel it with exhaust air so as to dry the fabric. In addition, the fabric drying system employs energy efficiency devices that permit the system to dry the fabric using the least amount of energy. Heat energy from the exhaust air is transferred to the intake in a heat exchanger. Additionally, heat energy from the exhaust air is used by recirculating a portion of the exhaust air and mixing it with the intake air before the air is introduced into the fabric drying chamber. The system also provides for sensors that detect the temperature and/or humidity of the exhaust and the intake air. A controller receives information from the sensors and develops a schedule of operation for controlling the energy sources and the energy efficiency features of the fabric drying system. The controller further monitors one or more sensors and uses the information to adjust the schedule of operations to provide for overall system efficiency.

This invention relates to the field of drying fabric in a rotating chamber by means of microwave energy and/or convection-heated air.
A common method of drying fabric is a clothes dryer wherein moisture-laden fabric is loaded into a chamber that is rotated while convection-heated air is drawn through the chamber. The heated air causes evaporation of the moisture which is then drawn off with the exhaust air and deposited into the atmosphere. Improvements on the convention-heated clothes dryer employ a microwave energy source which is directed at the moisture-laden fabric to heat and vaporize the moisture which is then drawn off with the exhaust air. These microwave systems are superior because they are quicker and more energy efficient. This is so because the microwave energy focuses upon the moisture held by the fabric, rather than the fabric itself, thereby accelerating the drying process and reducing shrinkage. The following U.S. patents disclose microwave fabric drying systems, some of which also have auxiliary convection heating systems: 3,854,219, 4,057,907, 4,250,628, 4,490,923, 4,510,697, 4,523,387, 4,703,565, 4,829,679, and 4,896,010. Some of those dryers use a convection heating system in combination with the microwave energy source so that the microwave energy can be turned off as the clothes approach the dry condition. The convection heater then warms the air circulating through the fabric chamber to remove the last bit of moisture from the fabric. It is necessary to either incrementally throttle down or shut off the microwave energy source as the clothes approach the terminal end of the drying cycle. This is done to prevent arcing of any metal and/or electrical conductor associated with the fabric, such as zippers or golf pencils, because the arcing may burn holes in the fabric. Various sensors are used to detect the almost-dry condition of the fabric and communicate with a controller which shuts off the microwave source. Various patents disclose the use of sensors to monitor the humidity of the intake and/or exhaust air for the purpose of controlling the microwave energy when the clothes are nearly dry; vis: 4,334,136, 4,510,361, 4,771,156 and 4,795,871. In all of the above-described patents the sensor's output is used to control only the on/off condition of the microwave energy source.
One patent discloses using the output of a humidity sensor to modulate the pulse width of a magnetron controller thereby decreasing the microwave power as the exhaust air humidity decreases. U.S. Pat. No. 4,356,640 (col. 4, line 64 to col. 5, line 10).
To prevent leakage of microwave radiation it is necessary to seal the microwave container. The majority of microwave fabric drying systems employ "choke" seals between stationary bodies such as the access door and the main enclosure. Exemplarily, choke designs are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,313,044, 4,742,201, and 4,861,955. One patent discloses a rotary choke seal that is employed between a rotating body and a stationary body, U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,066.
Other means to improve the energy efficiency of standard fabric drying systems include recirculation systems and heat exchangers. A recirculation system, whereby a portion of the exhaust air is recirculated into the fabric chamber, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,892. A heat exchanger whereby heat is exchanged between the warm exhaust air and the cooler intake air, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,095,349.
None of the above dryers employ a full function control system that establishes a schedule of dryer operations based upon the sensor readings of the air flowing through the dryer. Additionally, none of the above dryers integrate alternative energy saving means (such as heat exchangers or recirculation systems) into the drying system under the control of the control system.
By failing to sense the condition of the intake air and use that information to customize the schedule of dryer operation the prior art systems fail to select the optimum efficiency for drying clothes and fabric.


An electronic device 10 includes a touch panel 11, a vibration section 13 configured to vibrate a touch panel 11, and a control sections 20 and 33 configured to control the vibration section 13 based on an existence state of persons other than an operator of the electronic device 10 and being near to the electronic device 10.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to an electronic device including a vibration section configured to vibrate a touch panel, an information providing system including the electronic device, and a method for controlling the electronic device.
2. Description of the Background Art
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2005-335629 discloses an operation device for a vehicle which presents appropriate vibration to an operator of a vehicle, in accordance with the operator's driving condition.
This operation device for a vehicle includes a control section which determines, based on a drive state of the vehicle, whether the operator of a touch panel of the device is concentrating on driving the vehicle. Accordingly, the operation device can present appropriate vibration to the operator of the vehicle, in accordance with the driving condition.

Electronic device, information providing system, and method for controlling electronic device

PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.


A multimode directional coupler is provided. In some embodiments, the multimode directional coupler is configured to receive a primary signal and a secondary signal at a first port of a primary waveguide. The primary signal is configured to propagate through the primary waveguide and be outputted at a second port of the primary waveguide. The multimode directional coupler also includes a secondary waveguide configured to couple the secondary signal from the primary waveguide with no coupling of the primary signal into the secondary waveguide. The secondary signal is configured to propagate through the secondary waveguide and be outputted from a port of the secondary waveguide.

When a higher frequency is desired for satellite communications, an atmosphere propagation study is generally required. For instance, a low power transmitter (e.g., a beacon source) is attached to the satellite. The low power transmitter normally does not transmit any data, but instead transmits a beacon (e.g., continuous waveform (CW) signal) to a receiving station on Earth. The receiving station studies include the CW signal fades, the signal propagation delay and the signal group velocity changes due to weather effects. This study is typically conducted over 3-5 years to obtain sufficient statistics. For instance, if the weather in a certain area has high rate of rain, then the statistics will show that the transmitter power may have to be increased. However, if the receiving station is located in a desert with little or no rain, the statistics may show that the transmitter power may not have to be increased.
However, with a conventional beacon source, as frequency is increased, it becomes a challenge to build a new beacon source for the transmitter on the satellite. This is because at higher frequencies, transistors do not function efficiently and tube manufacturing also becomes a challenge. Thus, a new beacon configuration or architecture may be beneficial.

The United States of America as Represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration


A wavelength measuring device includes: a light receiving element that receive light to be measured; a temperature controller that maintains the light receiving element at different temperatures; and a calculation unit that determines the wavelength of the light to be measured, based on the outputs of the light receiving elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to wavelength measuring devices, light receiving units, and wavelength measuring methods, and more particularly, to a wavelength measuring device, a light receiving unit, and a wavelength measuring method that can be suitably used in the following fields: the optical communication field in which semiconductor laser diodes and semiconductor LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) are used; the fields of processing industries using gas lasers, YAG lasers, and medical lasers; the field of optical pickup technology in which writing and reading are performed on general recording media such as DVDs (Digital Versatile Disks) and CDs (Compact Disks); and the fields of general consumer product industries involving infrared rays or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of optical communications using semiconductor laser diodes and semiconductor LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes), involving WDM (Wavelength Division Multiplexing) in particular, the communication wavelength region is becoming more overcrowded, as the allowed space is becoming smaller. In this trend, there is a need to develop a high-precision wavelength control technique. Also, in the processing industries utilizing gas lasers, YAG lasers, and medical lasers, high-precision wavelength control is required, as the developments in nanotechnology such as micromachining are becoming more and more active. Further, in the field of optical pickup technology for performing reading and writing on general recording media such as DVDs and CDs, the wavelengths in the visible region are rapidly becoming shorter, as higher-density recording media are being more widely used. In the future, higher-precision wavelength control will be strongly required for the use of multi-wavelength pickup LDs or mixed recording density devices that can perform reading and writing on next-generation recording media. Also, the infrared control technique used in remote controllers has been applied to various fields, and there is an increasing demand for a wavelength control technique that can be used in multi-channel or multimedia remote control.
So as to realize a high-precision wavelength control operation in the above described fields, it is necessary to accurately determine the oscillation wavelength from each light source. As a conventional oscillation wavelength determining technique, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application Publication No. 2002-340688 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) discloses the following technique. As shown in FIG. 1, the structure disclosed in Document 1 has photoelectric converter layers 101 and 102 provided in two locations on the light path. The photoelectric converter layers 101 and 102 have different sensitivity characteristics from each other. Based on the ratio between the photoelectric conversion currents outputted from the photoelectric converter layers 101 and 102 (the ratio corresponding to the "sensitivity ratio" in the following), the wavelength is determined.
In the above structure, light receiving elements PD_A and PD_B having different peaks in wavelength sensitivity (the wavelength sensitivities at wavelengths λ_A and λ_B: hereinafter referred to as the "peak wavelengths") are combined, so that a preferable sensitivity ratio can be obtained in the region between the wavelengths λ_A and λ_B (a wavelength determinable range F), as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the wavelength can be accurately determined. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the wavelength determinable range F in the case where the light receiving elements PD_A and PD_B with ideally different sensitivity characteristics are combined. The light receiving elements PD_A and PD_B are equivalent to the photoelectric converter layers 101 and 102, and will be hereinafter also referred to as the light receiving elements PD.
By the technique disclosed in Document 1, however, two or more light receiving elements PD are combined, and accordingly, the wavelength determinable range is restricted by the physical characteristics of each light receiving element PD. For example, if the peak wavelengths in the sensitivity characteristics are almost the same, the wavelength determinable range F becomes very narrow, as shown in FIG. 3. If the peak wavelengths in the sensitivity characteristics are wide apart from each other, the wavelength sensitivity of one of the light receiving elements PD cannot be sufficiently obtained at the peak wavelength of the wavelength sensitivity of the other one of the light receiving elements PD, as shown in FIG. 4. In the case shown in FIG. 4, the ratio of the two photoelectric conversion currents cannot be accurately calculated. In another case where the combination of the light receiving elements PD_A and PD_B is not preferable, the wavelength determinable range F does not cover a desired wavelength determinable range F′ at all, as shown in FIG. 5.
So as to obtain the desired wavelength determinable range F′, light receiving elements PD_A and PD_B having the peak wavelengths that are at such a distance from each other as to sandwich the desired wavelength determinable range F′ should be combined. However, the light receiving elements PD to be employed vary with the desired wavelength determinable range F. Therefore, it is very difficult to select suitable light receiving elements PD for every wavelength determinable range F′.
Document 1 also discloses a structure in which the wavelength determinable range F can be varied by controlling the temperatures of the two light receiving elements PD (the photoelectric converter layers 101 and 102). In that conventional structure, however, both of the light receiving elements PD are controlled at the same temperature. When the temperature rises, as shown in FIG. 6, the wavelength determinable range for simultaneous measurement merely moves from F1 to F2, and cannot be widened. Furthermore, if the light receiving element that decides the lower limit (the light receiving element PD_A in the example shown in FIG. 6) exhibits a greater temperature dependency in the wavelength sensitivity, i.e., a greater shifting amount of the peak wavelength with respect to the temperature change, the bandwidth of the wavelength determinable range F2 after the temperature rise is smaller than the bandwidth of the wavelength determinable range F1 prior to the temperature rise. If the light receiving element that decides the upper limit (PD_B) exhibits a greater shifting amount of the peak wavelength with respect to a change in temperature, on the other hand, the bandwidth of the temperature determinable range after the temperature drop is smaller than the bandwidth of the wavelength determinable range prior to the temperature drop.

Wavelength measuring device for a single light receiving element and wavelength measuring method at different temperatures


A paint container assembly including a container body (8) having an outer surface (10), an inner surface (12) defining an interior (14) containing the paint (16), an opening (20) through which the paint is removed, and a flexible bag (6). The flexible bag (6) has a bottom region (28) used to cover a free surface (18) of the paint (16) and a sidewall region (28) sized to cover the inner surface (12) of the container, a lid mating surface (22), and a portion of the outer surface (10) of the container body (8).

When paint is exposed to air, volatile elements of the paint evaporate and an undesirable crust forms. The thickness of the crust increases over time. The crust will form on all exposed paint surfaces including the interior surface of the container and the free surface of the paint. Thus, paint containers must be substantially air tight to protect the paint in the container from being exposed to air.
Known paint containers include a lid for sealing the container. The lid is removed to access the paint and replaced after removing the desired quantity of paint.
A problem with known paint containers is that after a portion of the paint has been used the container will trap an amount of air equal to the volume of used paint. As mentioned above, the trapped air will cause a crust to form on the interior surface of the container and the free surface of the paint. This problem becomes worse as more paint is removed since the volume of trapped air increases.
A further problem with known paint containers is adherence of the lid to the paint container. Paint is often splattered on the lid mating surface when paint is removed from the container. When the lid is thereafter placed on the lid mating surface the paint trapped between the lid and the lid mating surface hardens over time making removal of the lid more difficult. Also, when the lid is replaced on the container, the lid is often re-sealed using a hammer; this often causes paint in the lid mating surface to spray out onto the painter or onto the surrounding support surface.
Yet another problem with known paint containers is the problem of an imperfect seal between the lid mating surface and the lid due to paint drying on the lid mating surface. An imperfect seal allows air to enter into the container and lead to the above-mentioned crust formation. Simply chipping away paint which dries on the lid mating surface is not a solution to this problem since the dried paint is often discolored. If the dried paint is chipped away, some of the chipped paint will inevitably fall back into the container. The discolored paint which falls into the container will change the color of the paint so that paint from the container will no longer match the color of previous paint applications from that same container.
Several known devices for protecting paint in a paint container provide rigid disks which float on the surface of the paint. One such device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,625,886 to Eisenman. A problem with devices using rigid floating disks is that the disk must be smaller than the opening to insert the disk into the container. This necessarily leaves an annular space adjacent the interior surface which is exposed to air trapped in the container. A further problem with floating paint protection devices is that they do not address the problem of a crust forming on the inner surface of the container nor do they address the problem of adherence of the lid to the container body.
Another known paint protection device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,609,119 to Shilstone. Shilstone discloses a flexible protective cover for preventing the formation of a crust. The protective cover includes a disk and a projecting flange. A problem with Shilstone is that the cover does not protect the entire interior surface of the paint container when the paint level is below the level shown in FIGS. 4-6. Furthermore, Shilstone also does not address the problem of adherence of the lid to the lid mating surface nor the problem of crust formation at the lid mating surface.

Method and device for protecting paint in a paint container


A side rear view mirror spotlight device for providing a directable light source in side rear view mirrors. The device includes a housing with a front portion having an opening into the interior of the housing. A mirror is mounted to the back of the housing. A spot light assembly including a light source located in the interior of the housing is pivotally mounted to the housing to permit pivoting of the light source in the interior of the housing. A handle is coupled to the spot light assembly and extends from the bottom of the housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to side rear view mirrors and more particularly pertains to a new side rear view mirror spotlight device for providing a directable light source in side rear view mirrors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of side rear view mirrors is known in the prior art. More specifically, side rear view mirrors heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art side rear view mirrors include PCT Patent No. WO 97/15471 (Inventor: O'Farrell); U.S. Pat. No. 4,583,155; U.S. Pat. No. 3,266,016; U.S. Pat. No. 1,969,415; U.S. Pat. No. 4,485,430; U.S. Pat. No. 5,212,468; and PCT Patent No. WO 94/13511 (Inventor: Thone).
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new side rear view mirror spotlight device. The inventive device includes a housing with a front portion having an opening into the interior of the housing. A mirror is mounted to the back of the housing. A spot light assembly including a light source located in the interior of the housing is pivotally mounted to the housing to permit pivoting of the light source in the interior of the housing. A handle is coupled to the spot light assembly and extends from the bottom of the housing.
In these respects, the side rear view mirror spotlight device according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a directable light source in side rear view mirrors.


In order to prevent wireless resources from becoming scarce in a Sidelink V2X communication, a UE (10) that carries out the Sidelink V2X communication causes: a free resource search unit (105) to search for free resources within a first resource range; a transmission processing unit (107) to transmit a first transmission packet by using the free resources within the first resource range; a transmission inhibition timer unit (108) to set transmission inhibition time which is time for inhibiting start of a second resource range after the transmission of the first transmission packet within the first resource range; and the free resource search unit (105) to search for free resources within the second resource range after the expiration of the transmission inhibition time.

Utilization of vehicle to everything (V2X) communication has been studied for realizing sophistication of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) services such as self-driving or traffic accident prevention (for example, see NPL1).
V2X communication includes vehicle-to-vehicle communication (V2V communication), vehicle-to-infrastructure, such as a road side unit installed on a traffic light, sign and/or the like, communication, or vehicle-to-cellular network (network) communication (V2I communication/V2N communication), vehicle-to-pedestrian communication (V2P communication), and/or the like. In addition, direct communication between vehicles without passing through a base station is also referred to as sidelink communication.
Introduction of a new telecommunication scheme for V2X communication has been studied. For example, examples of a communication system used in V2X communication include a wireless LAN such as IEEE802.11p, or a cellular network such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G).
In sidelink V2X communication, each vehicle (User Equipment (UE)) transmits a packet by using a radio resource with shared time and frequency. Specifically, the UE reserves a resource in a predetermined resource range during generation of a transmission packet, and transmits the packet using the reserved resource.

Wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method


Methods and apparatus are provided for efficiently implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors. A signal processing core, such as a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) core or a Finite Impulse Response (FIR) core includes a data path and a control path. A control path is implemented using processor components to increase resource efficiency. Both the data path and the control path can be implemented using function units that are selected, parameterized, and interconnected. A variety of signal processing algorithms can be implemented on the same application specific processor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to application specific processors. In one example, the present invention relates to implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of benefits have spurred efforts towards developing more easily customizable signal processing devices. Designers often have difficulty implementing devices with resource, speed, and cost characteristics that match needs and requirements. On one end of the spectrum, a designer can implement an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) that has substantial processing efficiency and small marginal costs on a per unit basis. However, drawbacks include substantial design costs as well as significant risks that a redesign may be needed. A designer can also select an application specific standard product (ASSP) that provides the processing power of an ASIC or DSP but is available as an off-the-shelf component. However ASSPs are typically only available for relatively generic purposes. Some ASICs and ASSPs include some programmability, however the programmability may not be sufficient for customizing the device for a particular use.
Programmable chips can also be selected. Programmable chips can be relatively easily customized for particular uses, however the marginal costs on a per unit basis may be more significant and some processing power may be sacrificed. Furthermore, implementing programmable devices is often not straightforward. In many instances, a non-optimal design is often selected because of ease of implementation. The non-optimal design may require more logic resources than necessary and therefore require a more expensive programmable chip. Tools used to simplify implementation, such as tools that convert high level language code to hardware description language files, also often do not take advantage of the specific hardware architectures.
Designers can also select devices with both hard coded logic and programmable logic, but the hard coded logic may be inefficiently used.
Mechanisms for implementing signal processing devices in a cost effective and resource efficient manner are limited. Consequently, there are continued efforts to provide devices that overcome at least some of the drawbacks noted above.

Implementing signal processing cores as application specific processors


The burn-in apparatus according to the present invention comprises a fixing unit for accommodating and fixing a plurality of semiconductor integrated devices and a unit for accommodating the fixing unit with the devices so as to keep a thermal condition therein. The fixing unit and the unit for accommodating the fixing unit are combined as one body to be carryable. The apparatus further comprises a unit for connecting the semiconductor integrated devices with a power supply disposed outside of the apparatus. When a burn-in test is conducted, the fixing unit and the unit for accommodating the fixing unit are combined as one body, and this combined body is fitted with a connector. After the burn-in test is finished, by detaching the unit for accommodating the fixing unit, the fixing unit can be used as trays for conveying the devices to the next test process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a burn-in apparatus for operation of semiconductor integrated devices under normal or extreme condition, prior to actual use.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to assure the quality and reliability of semiconductor integrated device, it is absolutely necessary to conduct a so-called burn-in, which is a screening test under high temperature in order to stabilize its characteristics and eliminate early failures, before shipment. The burn-in system can be classified into the following three types according to the operating condition of a semiconductor integrated device under test.
a. Static burn-in system: there is provided with a pyrostat and a DC power supply, and a constant voltage is applied to the semiconductor integrated devices in the pyrostat from the DC power supply.
b. Dynamic burn-in system: the dynamic system further comprises a pulse generator for imitating an operation of the device under actual use. A constant voltage is applied to the devices in the pyrostat from the DC power supply and a signal close to an actual operating state is input to the semiconductor integrated devices from the pulse generator.
c. Monitored burn-in system: the system has a monitoring function for measuring continuously or at intervals output signals from the semiconductor integrated devices in a dynamic burn-in, and then an accept-reject decision is made to eliminate devices with a defect during the burn-in.
In such a burn-in system, there is provided with a plurality of burn-in boards each having a connector for connecting with the DC power supply, the pulse generator or a monitor unit. A plurality of semiconductor integrated devices are accommodated in the sockets respectively, and the burn-in boards each having a plurality of semiconductor integrated devices are accommodated in the pyrostat for setting specified temperature and environmental conditions. For the monitored burn-in system, it is necessary to additionally provide a comparing and decision-making test device for making a pass-reject decision.
With the increasing number of pins, the progressing integration and the growing capability of the semiconductor integrated devices, the use of higher-function larger-scale burn-in equipment has become widespread and the investment in equipment for burn-in processes has been on the steady increase. Meanwhile, the trend toward the low-volume greater-variety production has been strengthened in recent years, and therefore, it is necessary to have various kinds of burn-in equipment to be ready for production of various types of semiconductor integrated devices. Above all, it is required to make ready a large variety of pyrostats so as to be meet different setting conditions for different types. The growing storage space and cost of the pyrostats have become no small problem.

Burn-in apparatus for semiconductor integrated device


A process of forming a wireless communication channel among moveable vessels (MCPs) involves establishing a directed wireless communication chain between the MCP to a fixed antenna, and at least one MCP of the MCPs utilizing two antennas to form the chain.

Multiple moving communication platforms (MCPs, e.g., ships, trucks, trains, busses) may come into communication range of multiple shore-side antennas (antennas fixed to the surrounding area). Communication between antennas on-board the MCPs and the shore-side antennas should be established in an efficient and logical manner, and any satellite bandwidth utilized by the MCPs should be efficiently managed according to dynamic factors.

WiFi coordination of satellite channels between moving vessels

Maritime Telecommunications Network Inc.


There is provided a process for preparing a polydiene comprising polymerizing a diene selected from the group consisting of butadiene, isoprene, or a mixture thereof under polymerization conditions in a gas phase reactor optionally in the presence of an inert particulate material and in the presence of a catalyst comprising (i) a rare earth metal component, (ii) a transition metal component selected from the group consisting of nickel compound, cobalt compound or titanium compound, and (iii) cocatalyst.

Commercially, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and copolymers of butadiene and isoprene have been prepared from solution or bulk polymerization processes using a transition metal catalyst such as those having a precursor component of a nickel or cobalt compound or using a rare earth metal catalyst such as those having a precursor component of a neodymium compound. In solution or bulk polymerizations using almost any cobalt or nickel transition metal catalyst or any neodymium rare earth metal catalyst, the polymers produced have commercial range molecular weights (MW), and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD). In these bulk and solution polymerization procedures, shorter residence time, chain transfer agent addition, and/or higher reaction temperature are used to control MW and/or MWD. Due to process limitations in the solution system the ranges of polymer molecular weight and MWD are restricted. The commercial polymers produced in solution and slurry processes are produced from the reactor in bale-like form and require additonal pulverization steps.
Only recently, it has been discovered that polybutadiene and polyisoprene can be prepared in the gas phase, particularly in the gas phase fluidized bed reactor. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,994,534; 5,453,471; and also WO 96/04322; and WO 96/04323. Unfortunately, many of the catalysts employed in solution/bulk polymerizations, when used in fluidized reactors, particularly gas phase fluidized reactors, produce polymers having low MW, and narrow MWD.
Accordingly, there is an ongoing need to be able to utilize these catalysts in fluidized polymerization processes to produce polymers (e.g., polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and copolymers of butadiene and isoprene) having any desired molecular weights and MWD, especially molecular weights and MWD equivalent to commercially available polymers produced by solution/bulk polymerizations processes. In addition, there is a need to utilize these same catalysts in gas phase polymerizations to produce polymers with much higher molecular weights and broad or bimodal MWD. This is believed to be necessary because it is thought that by increasing the MWD of the polymer, subsequent end-use processing would become easier (see EP 754,705-A2 and an article by E. Lauretti, B. Miani, and F. Mistrali in Tire Technology International, 1993, pp. 72-78).

Resin particle produced by diene polymerization with rare earth and transition metal catalysts

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation