A delta-sigma modulator includes a first combining circuit, a loop filter circuit, a quantizer circuit, a truncator circuit, a first digital-to-analog converter (DAC) circuit, and a compensation circuit. The first combining circuit generates a first analog signal by combining an analog feedback signal and an analog input signal. The loop filter circuit generates a loop-filtered signal according to the first analog signal. The quantizer circuit outputs a first digital signal that is indicative of a digital combination result of at least a truncation error compensation signal and the loop-filtered signal. The truncator circuit performs truncation upon the first digital signal to generate a second digital signal. The first DAC circuit generates the analog feedback signal according to the second digital signal. The compensation circuit generates the truncation error compensation signal according to a truncation error resulting from truncation performed upon the first digital signal.

The present invention relates to delta-sigma modulation, and more particularly, to a delta-sigma modulator with truncation error compensation and an associated method.
In a conventional delta-sigma modulator with a multi-bit quantizer, a multi-level digital-to-analog converter (DAC) is required to feed back an output signal of the delta-sigma modulator and to work with a loop filter and a quantizer to implement a closed-loop system for noise-shaping function. However, a mismatch between the DAC cells contributes mismatch errors. Since the digital input to the feedback DAC determines the selection of DAC cells included in the feedback DAC, these mismatches result in non-linearity in the analog output of the feedback DAC. A dynamic element matching (DEM) function is a well-known strategy to address the mismatch issue of the multi-level feedback DAC, but the hardware complexity grows exponentially as a bit number of the feedback DAC increases. Thus, there is a need for an innovative feedback DAC reduction technique in a delta-sigma modulator.

Delta-sigma modulator with truncation error compensation and associated method


A method for forming functional structures for a liquid crystal display, in accordance with the present invention includes providing a substrate and patterning a first color filter layer on the substrate. A second color filter layer is patterned on the first color filter layer and the substrate such that the first color filter layer and the second color filter layer overlap at predetermined locations. A third color filter layer is patterned on the second color filter layer and the substrate such that an overlap region exists between the first, second and third color filter layers at the predetermined locations. The overlap region includes a thickness of the first, second and third color filter layers. A dielectric layer is provided to form the functional structures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays, and more particularly to a display structure which provides improved performance and a method for fabricating pretilt structures, spacers and dams in a single lithographic step.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal displays (LCD) are an important component for notebook or laptop computers. Lightweight and cost effective LCDs have enabled these portable computers to be cost effective and reliable digital tools. LCDs have even penetrated the desktop market. Therefore, improvement of LCD performance is strongly desirable.
Contrary to the desire to improve performance, approaches to improve the display performance usually increase the manufacturing cost. It should be understood that the fabrication cost of an active matrix LCD (AMLCD) is approximately proportional to the number of photo lithographic steps needed. More complicated structures are often associated with performance improvements. These additional structures typically require additional photolithographic patterns and steps.
Therefore, a need exists for a structure and fabrication method which reduces photolithographic steps while improving LCD performance.
A method for forming functional structures for a liquid crystal display, in accordance with the present invention, includes the steps of providing a substrate, patterning a first color filter layer on the substrate, patterning a second color filter layer on the first color filter layer and the substrate such that the first color filter layer and the second color filter layer overlap at predetermined locations. A third color filter layer is patterned on the second color filter layer and the substrate such that an overlap region exists between the first, second and third color filter layers at the predetermined locations. The overlap region includes a thickness of the first, second and third color filter layers. A dielectric layer is patterned on the overlap region to form the functional structures.
In alternate methods, the predetermined locations may include a periphery of the display device and the step of patterning a dielectric layer on the overlap region to form the functional structures may include the step of patterning the dielectric layer to form dam structures on the overlap regions about the periphery of the display device. The predetermined locations may include areas between pixels in an array of pixels formed on the substrate of the display device, and the step of patterning a dielectric layer on the overlap region to form the functional structures may include the step of patterning the dielectric layer to form post spacers. The step of patterning a dielectric layer on the overlap region to form the functional structures may include the step of patterning pretilt structures on pixel electrodes formed on one of the first, second, and third color filter layers other than on the overlap region.
The step of patterning pretilt structures may include patterning at least one of trenches and ridges on the pixel electrodes. The step of patterning a dielectric layer on the overlap region to form the functional structures may include the step of concurrently forming dams, post spacers and pretilt structures by patterning the dielectric layer be employing a single lithographic process.
A method for forming dams, post spacers and pretilt structures in a single lithographic step for a liquid crystal display includes the steps of providing a first substrate and a second substrate. The second substrate has at least one electrode formed thereon. A first color filter layer is patterned on the first substrate. A second color filter layer is patterned on the first color filter layer and the first substrate such that the first color filter layer and the second color filter layer overlap at predetermined locations. A third color filter layer is patterned on the second color filter layer and the first substrate such that overlap regions exist between the first, second and third color filter layers at the predetermined locations. The overlap regions include a thickness of the first, second and third color filter layers. At least one electrode is formed on the first, the second and the third color filter layers of the first substrate other than on the overlap regions. A dielectric layer is formed on the overlap regions and the at least one electrode on the first substrate to concurrently form the dams, the spacer posts on the overlap regions and the pretilt structures on regions other than the overlap regions.
In other methods, the step of assembling the first substrate and the second substrate together such that the post spacers provide a gap distance between the at least one electrode on the first substrate and the at least one electrode on the second substrate is preferably included. The method may include the step of assembling the first substrate and the second substrate together such that the dams provide a seal to prevent leakage of liquid crystal material disposed between the first and second substrates. The step of patterning a dielectric layer on the overlap regions may include the step of patterning pretilt structures which include a ridge or a trench. The overlap region may include a thickness of about one half the gap distance. The dielectric layer may include a thickness of about one half the gap distance.
Another method for forming functional structures for a liquid crystal display includes the steps of providing a substrate, patterning a first color filter layer on the substrate, patterning a second color filter layer on the first color filter layer and the substrate such that the first color filter layer and the second color filter layer overlap at predetermined locations and patterning a third color filter layer on the second color filter layer and the substrate such that an overlap region exists between the first, second and third color filter layers at the predetermined locations. The overlap region includes a thickness of the first, second and third color filter layers which is equal to a cell gap distance for the liquid crystal display.
In other methods, the predetermined locations may include a periphery of the display device, and the step of forming dam structures about the periphery of the liquid crystal display from the overlap region may be included. The predetermined locations may include areas between pixels in an array of pixels formed on the substrate of the liquid crystal display, and the method may further include the step of forming post spacers from the overlap region. The method may include the step of patterning a dielectric layer to form pretilt structures on pixel electrodes formed on one of the first, second, and third color filter layers other than on the overlap region. The step of patterning a dielectric layer to form pretilt structures may include patterning at least one of trenches and ridges on the pixel electrodes.
A liquid crystal display device, in accordance with the present invention includes a first substrate having a color filter layer formed thereon,: and the color filter layer includes at least two color filter portions. Each color filter portion corresponds to a different color. A color filter stack is formed on the color filter layer, and the color filter stack includes the color filter layer and an overlapped portion of at one least other color filter portion. A dielectric material is formed on the overlapped portion to provide a gap structure between the first substrate and a second substrate to provide a gap distance for liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
In alternate embodiments, a conductive layer may be formed on the color filter layer to form at least one electrode. The dielectric material may include a pretilt structure formed on the at least one electrode. The pretilt structure may include one of a trench structure and a ridge structure. The device may further include a conductive layer formed on the second substrate to form at least one electrode. The dielectric material may include a pretilt structure formed on the at least one electrode. The pretilt structure may include one of a trench structure and a ridge structure. The gap structure may include at least one of a dam for sealing the liquid crystal in the gap and a post spacer for providing the gap distance. The at least two color filter portions may include three color filter portions and the overlapped portion of at one least other color filter portion may include an overlapped portion of the three color filter portions. The overlapped portion of the three color filters may be about one half the gap distance in thickness or the whole gap distance. The dielectric material may be about one half the gap distance in thickness.
Another liquid crystal display device, in accordance with the present invention, includes a first substrate having a color filter layer formed thereon. The color filter layer includes at least two color filter portions, and each color filter portion corresponds to a different color. A color filter stack is formed on the color filter layer, and the color filter stack includes the color filter layer and an overlapped portion of at least one other color filter portion. The overlapped portion has a thickness employed for forming at least one of a dam structure and a post spacer to provide a gap structure between the first substrate and a second substrate to provide a gap distance for liquid crystal disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate.
In alternate embodiments, the display device may include a conductive layer formed on the color filter layer to form at least one electrode. The device may further include a dielectric material patterned on the at least one electrode to form a pretilt structure. The pretilt structure may include one of a trench structure and a ridge structure.
These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

Wide viewing angle liquid crystal with ridge/slit pretilt, post spacer and dam structures and method for fabricating same

International Business Machines Corporation


A hot water heating system having a water tower with a cold water inlet at the upper end and a hot water outlet at the lower end has a large diameter combustion inlet opening in the sidewall. A combustion chamber is secured to the water tower at the combustion inlet so that products of combustion of fuel consumed in the combustion chamber pass into the water tower and are exhausted through a vent. An outer shell surrounds the combustion chamber providing an annular chamber having a water inlet. A port communicates the upper interior of the annular chamber with the interior of the water tower. Water is circulated from a hot water storage through the annular chamber and through the port into the interior of the water tower. The recirculated water thus accomplishing the dual functions of cooling the combustion chamber and salvaging heat extracted from the combustion chamber to augment the heat of the water in the storage tank. In a preferred arrangement, the interior of the combustion chamber is provided with fins to augment the transfer of heat from the combustion chamber to water in the annular area.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hot water heating system which sometimes is referred to as a "demand hot water system" and is of the type used primarily for industrial and commercial applications for producing high volumes of hot water at a very high efficiency rate.
II. Background of the Invention
In hot water heating system of this invention, fuel is combusted to produce a flame and products of combustion are contacted directly with water to be heated to thereby achieve maximum transfer of the heat of combustion to the water resulting in extremely high efficiency. An advantage of the hot water heating system of this invention is that by directly contacting the water to be heated with the products of combustion, a higher degree of sterilization of the water is obtained, that is, a higher percentage of any entrained bacteria is killed compared to other hot water heating systems wherein a membrane, whether metal or some other material, separates the source of heat from the water itself.
A good reference to form a background of the present invention is U.S. Pat. No. 4,773,390 issued Sep. 22, 1987 and entitled "Demand Hot Water System". This patent describes a high efficiency hot water system in which fuel is combusted with the products of combustion contacting water to be heated within a water tower. The present invention includes significant improvements, refinements and innovations over the basic concept of the demand hot water system described and illustrated in this patent.
For additional background information relating to hot water heating systems of the type commonly employed in industrial and commercial applications, reference may be had to the following previously issued United States patents:
______________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. INVENTOR TITLE ______________________________________ 1820755 McMullen Method of Preparing Liquid Fuel For Burning 2218281 De Ridder et al Method For Cooling Flue Gas 2975594 Eastman Generation of Power From Ash-Forming Hydrocarbons 3183864 Stengel Method and System For Operating A Furnace 3741712 Delatronchette Supply System For A Light Hydrocarbon-Water Emulsion Burner 3749318 Cottell Combustion Method and Apparatus Burning An Intimate Emulsion Of Fuel and Water 3797992 Straitz, III Crude Oil Burner 3814567 Zink et al Smokeless Flare Using Liquid Water Particles 3860384 Vulliet et al Method To Control Nox Formation In Fossil-Fueled Boiler Furnaces 4089633 Barghout et al Combustion Vapor Generator 4089639 Reed et al Fuel-Water Vapor Premix For Low Nox Burning 4368035 McCartny et al Method and Apparatus For Heating Aggregate 4394118 Martin Method and Arrangement For Reducing Nox Emissions From Furnaces 4406610 Duijvestijn Process and Burner For The Partial Combustion of A Liquid or Gaseous Fuel 4538981 Ventrurini Combustion Catalyzing System For Commercial Grade Fuels 4634370 Chesters Flare 4773390 Watts Demand Hot Water System 5249957 Hirata Emulsion Producing Apparatus and Its Combustion System ______________________________________
In addition to these previously issued patents, the references cited against them that are not specifically enumerated hereinabove also form good background material relating to the subject of this invention.


An apparatus capable of performing a photo alignment process on a plate-shaped member and realizing high productivity is provided. An irradiating unit irradiates an irradiated area with polarized light, and a stage movement mechanism transports first and second stages on which substrates are mounted alternately to the irradiated area and returns the same. A space larger than a length by which the substrate on the second stage passes through the irradiated area is secured between the first stage positioned at a first substrate mounting-and-collecting position and the irradiated area, and a space larger than a length by which the substrate on the first stage passes through the irradiated area is secured between the second stage positioned at a second substrate mounting-and-collecting position and the irradiated area.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a polarized light irradiating technology to be performed for photo alignment.
2. Background Art
In recent years, a technology referred to as Photo Alignment which is a technology for performing alignment by light irradiation when obtaining an alignment layer in an alignment film or an angle of view field compensation film of an liquid crystal display device exemplified principally by a liquid crystal panel has started to be employed. Hereinafter, the film or the layer in which alignment is caused by using the light irradiation is collectively referred to as photo alignment film. The term "alignment" or "alignment process" means giving a directional property to a certain property of an object.
Photo alignment is achieved by irradiating a film for photo alignment (hereinafter, referred to as a "film material") with polarized light. The film material is formed of a resin such as polyimide, and the film material is irradiated with polarized light polarized in a desired direction (the direction to be aligned). With an irradiation of polarized light having a predetermined wavelength, a molecular structure (for example, a side chain) of the film material is aligned with the direction of the polarized light, so that a photo alignment film is obtained.
The photo alignment film is increased in size in association with an increase in size of liquid crystal panel in which the photo alignment film is used. Therefore, a required width of the irradiation area of the polarized light is increased to 1500 mm or wider. Examples of the polarized light irradiating apparatuses having a wide irradiated area includes an apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4815995. The apparatus includes a rod-like light source having a length corresponding to the width of the irradiated area, and a wire grid polarized light element configured to polarize light from the light source, and is configured to irradiate a film material transported in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the light source with polarized light.
In the polarized light irradiating apparatus for photo alignment described above, there are a case where an object (work) of the polarized light irradiation is a film material having a continuously extending elongated shape (hereinafter, referred to as an elongated work), and a case where a film material is already provided on a liquid crystal substrate and hence the liquid crystal substrate with a film material is a work.
Japanese Patent No. 4815995 discloses an apparatus in which the elongated work is wound into a roll, and an elongated work drawn from the roll is irradiated with polarized light. The elongated work irradiated with the polarized light at the time of roll-to-roll transport is cut at a predetermined position and adhered to the liquid crystal substrate. In contrast, as regards the polarized light irradiating apparatus configured to irradiate the liquid crystal substrate with the film material with the polarized light, no Cited Reference which discloses a configuration of an apparatus which has a performance of efficient processing (in a short tact time) is found.

Polarized light irradiating apparatus and method of irradiating polarized light for photo alignment


A method of manufacturing a sintered body, in which a material powder composed of metallic powder or alloy powder, a getter material having a higher oxidation potential than that of the material powder, and a hydride, which constitutes a hydrogen source, are sealed under reduced pressure in a metallic container, and subjected to pressurized sintering while being heated. The pressurized sintering is performed by keeping the metallic container at pressure not higher than 50 MPa and at temperature not lower than 500° C. for 1 to 50 hours, and then sintering the metallic powder and the alloy powder at pressure higher than 50 MPa and at temperature not higher than 1340° C.

Powder sintering methods are classified into one with no pressurization and one with pressurization such as hot pressing and hot isostatic pressing. While the sintering method with no pressurization enables reduction of oxygen in a sintered body by virtue of performing sintering in a reducing atmosphere such as hydrogen or the like, it is thought in the powder sintering method with pressurization such as hot isostatic pressing or the like that it is difficult to remarkably reduce oxygen after sealing because powder is confined in a capsule such as metallic container or the like to be subjected to sintering, and so the method depends much upon reduction of oxygen quantity in a material powder.
Recently, proposed as a method of oxygen reduction in a sintered body is, for example, a method of moving and reducing oxygen from a material being sintered, by having a getter metal, from which an oxide is formed at a sintering temperature to be lower in oxygen dissociation pressure than an oxide formed from a metallic material being sintered, existing in an inner portion of a metallic capsule in contact with the material being sintered, when hot isostatic pressing is carried out (for example, JP-A-2000-144396).
JP-A-2000-144396 discloses removal of oxygen from a material being sintered, by having a getter material existing in an inner portion of a metallic container in contact with the material being sintered, to permit oxygen existing in the material being sintered to diffuse on a surface of the material being sintered, to combine with the getter material.
In the case where a getter material together with a material being sintered is sealed in a metallic container in a manner to be made existent in a portion of the metallic container in contact with the material being sintered, and pressurized sintering is performed, however, effectiveness of oxygen removal caused by the getter material is liable to appear in only that surface layer portion of a sintered body, which comes into contact with the getter material, and oxygen in the sintered body cannot be adequately reduced, so that there remains a problem that it is not possible to generally evenly reduce oxygen remained in the sintered body.


A system (500) and method (400) are presented for calibrating an analog signal path (200) associated with an Ultra Wideband (UWB) receiver (103). The analog signal path includes a plurality of analog gain stages (210, 212-214, 216), a local oscillator mixer stage (211), a compensation stage (218), and a converter stage (219). An information signal includes whitened symbols (306). When a predetermined number of whitened symbols are accumulated for one of a plurality of gain configurations, an arithmetic mean is calculated and used an offset value. The offset value is retrieved whenever the gain configuration is activated and applied at the compensation stage to reduce the offset.

Ultra Wideband (UWB) receivers face unique challenges in signal reception due to low signal levels, high signal frequencies, large bandwidths, and the like associated with the UWB signal environment. In particular, given that, for reasons understood in the art, UWB receivers are required to rapidly and accurately process low power, high speed incoming analog signal components, the analog signal path must be free from the influences of biases and offsets, particularly DC biases which may manifest themselves, for example, as an offset in a conversion stage. Such an offset causes a reduction in the useful conversion range and can lead to signal clipping and other undesirable anomalies capable of disrupting signal detection, recovery, accuracy, and so on.
Still further, to take advantage of digital signal processing, and to improve overall accuracy and detection capability across the input range, any bias or offset must be compensated for prior to conversion. However, because a large number of devices are manufactured at once and due to process variances, not all circuits will have the same bias. It will be appreciated that in application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), analog sections of the circuit are extremely sensitive and can be affected differently by small variations in fabrication tolerances. To address these variances, calibration is usually necessary involving manual termination of the RF signal input stage by manually attaching a signal ground or other terminator to the input of a signal path. Such manual calibration is time consuming, expensive, and subject to human and systematic error and is therefore undesirable.
Still further, manual calibration methods ignore problems associated with bias drift caused by temperature variations occurring during operation and the like. When an operating environment experiences temperature variations the initial calibration may no longer be valid and can lead to poor reception, loss of information, and the like.
Thus it would be advantageous for a receiver to be capable of providing calibration during signal reception without the need for manual termination of the RF signal input stage. Still further, such calibration could be performed whenever necessary, such as periodically, when device operating temperatures rise, on demand, or the like.

System and method for calibrating an analog signal path during operation in an ultra wideband receiver


A method for stacking and bonding wafers in precision alignment by detecting alignment marks provided on wafer edges, comprising the steps of: (a) providing at least a first wafer having at least a first pattern and at least a second pattern disposed on the cross-section thereof, at least a second wafer having at least a third pattern and at least a fourth pattern disposed on the cross-section thereof, and at least a sensing device, while pairing the first pattern with the third pattern and pairing the second pattern with the fourth pattern; (b) actuating the first wafer and the second wafer for enabling the first to parallel the second wafer and to be a distance apart from the second wafer; (c) actuating the first wafer and the second wafer for bringing the two wafers to move toward each other while enabling the sensing device for detecting and determining whether or not the first pattern is in a position capable of matching with the third pattern and the second pattern in another position capable of matching with the fourth pattern; (d) bonding the first wafer and the second wafer while the first pattern matches the third pattern and the second pattern matches the fourth pattern.

Generally, in a semiconductor process, alignment of wafers to each other is critical during the bonding step. It is noted that the common alignment system of an exposure apparatus used in the manufacture of semiconductor devices is capable of detecting alignment marks or reticle provided on a mask and a wafer so as to bring the mask and the wafer into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detected positional relationship between the mark and wafer, wherein the mask is usually transparent. Nevertheless, in additional to a simple stacking and bonding wafers in precision alignment, wafer bonding in the Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) field may further consist of the bonding of face-to-face and face-to-back wafer stack. Currently, most bonding devices adopted the concept of the conventional exposure apparatus for aligning wafers to be bonded, that is, a first wafer with alignment marks etched thereon is first fed into a bonding device for detecting and recording the image of the first wafer by a photo-detecting means, and then a second wafer with alignment marks etched thereon is fed into the bonding device to be detected by the photo-detecting means and thus for bonding with the first wafer by aligning the second wafer with the recorded image of the first wafer. Moreover, a variation of the foregoing alignment process is achieved by simultaneously detecting the two wafers to be bonded by a combination of lens of the photo-detecting means. Also for enabling the simultaneously detection and alignment of wafers to be bonded, an infrared light is used for "see through" the wafers and acquiring images thereof since most devices are adapted for wafers having alignment marks etched on a surface thereof. The alignment error of these systems can be huge.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which is a schematic view of an alignment system as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,166,754. The alignment of an upper wafer 10 and a lower wafer 12 is performed by the sequence of: using a coupled charged device (CCD) lens 14 to detect an alignment mark 100 disposed on the upper wafer 10 through a via hole disposed on the lower wafer 12; and then bringing the upper wafer 10 and the lower wafer 12 into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detecting of the alignment marks 100 through the via hole 120 by using a adjustment device (not shown).
In another prior-art alignment system as shown in FIG. 2, an alignment mark 200 is disposed on an upper wafer 20 while an alignment marks 220 is disposed on a lower wafer 22 such that the alignment of the upper wafer 20 and the lower wafer 22 is performed by the sequence of: feeding the upper wafer 20 to a predefined position for enabling a CCD to detect and record the location of the alignment mark 200; feeding the lower wafer 22 to the predefined position for enabling the CCD to detect and record the location of the alignment mark 220; and then, bringing the upper wafer 20 and the lower wafer 22 into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detected positional relationship between the alignment marks 200, 220 by using an adjustment device (not shown).
It is yet another prior-art alignment system as shown in FIG. 3, where an CCD 34 is arranged at a predetermined position enabling the same to be able to detect an alignment mark 300 of an upper wafer 30 and an alignment mark 320 of a lower wafer 32 simultaneously so as to bring the upper wafer 30 and the lower wafer 32 into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detected positional relationship between the alignment marks 300, 320 by using an adjustment device (not shown).
Further, another prior-art alignment system disclosed both in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,479,371 and 4,019,109 is shown in FIG. 4, in which both the alignment mark 400 disposed on a upper wafer 40 and the alignment mark 420 disposed on a lower wafer 42 are irradiated by a penetrating light source, such as X-ray, for enabling a CCD 44 to be able to detect the alignment mark 400 and the alignment mark 420 simultaneously so as to bring the upper wafer 40 and the lower wafer 42 into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detected positional relationship between the alignment marks 400, 420 by using an adjustment device (not shown).
Please refer to FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C, which are schematic diagrams showing an alignment sequence performed by an alignment system with dual-CCDs according to prior arts. The alignment of an upper wafer 50 and a lower wafer 52 is performed by the sequence of: using an upper coupled charged device (CCD) 54 to detect and record an alignment mark 520 disposed on the lower wafer 52 while the upper wafer 50 is at a withdrawn position as shown in FIG. 5A; feeding the upper wafer 50 to a predefined position while withdrawing the lower wafer 52 for enabling a lower CCD 56 to detect and record an alignment mark 500 disposed on the upper wafer 50 as shown in FIG. 5B; bringing the upper wafer 50 and the lower wafer 52 into a predetermined positional relation on the basis of the detected positional relationship between the recorded alignment marks 500, 520 by using an adjustment device (not shown). Accordingly, the actuating error introduced by the mechanism that brings the two wafers in contact can be minimized since the initial interval between the two wafers 50, 52 is minimized.
From the above description, it is noted that the actuating error still can not be avoid while the two wafer is brought into contact by a mechanism. Therefore, a method for stacking and bonding wafers in precision alignment is required.

Alignment method of using alignment marks on wafer edge

Industrial Technology Research Institute


A rack, and particularly a pallet rack which comprises at least two pairs of spaced, parallel rails. The pairs of rails typically carry at least one rolling cart for receiving a pallet. The rails are carried on at least a first beam and a second beam, the beam is being positioned and spaced in generally parallel relation to each other, and positioned transversely of the rails. A plurality of spaced, first columns are connected to and support the first beam, while a plurality of spaced second columns connect to and support the second beam. There are present a greater number of second columns than first columns, with the second columns being more closely spaced together than the first columns. By this, a greater load may be carried by the second beam, preferably without the second beam being stronger.

In Konstant U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,773,546; 4,915,240; 4,982,851; and 5,080,241, as well as Konstant et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,613,270, various rack systems are disclosed in which pairs of rails are provided for receiving rolling carts. Pallets for storing goods may be placed on the rolling carts, and then pushed rearwardly along a pair of rails to make room for another pallet to be placed in front. Thus, considerable space saving is achieved.
Such racks typically have many bays containing parallel tracks for storing many pallets in side-by-side relation. Additionally, the racks may be adapted for storing typically two to five pallets in linear array along the rails in a convenient manner so that the pallets may be retrieved, one by one, from the front of the rails, with the carts rolling forwardly toward the front when they are permitted to do so. Arrays of rails may be placed one above each other, with adequate spacing so that pallets may be inserted onto carts which are in rolling relation with various pairs of the rails. Thus a rack may be provided which has a very high storage volume and storage density of pallets, for use in a warehouse, with a reduction in the number of aisles.
The various rows of rails of such racks are carried on horizontal beams, which are typically perpendicular to the rails. It has been found that the front beam typically carries less of a load than does an inner beam, which is parallel to the front beam and typically spaced inwardly along the rails about the length of one pallet or more. Because of this, it has been generally desirable to use a heavier, stronger second beam, to reduce flex of the second beam in response to the heavier load.
In accordance with this invention, a rack such as a pallet rack is provided in which inner beams which are subjected to greater loads do not have to be made of heavier, stronger material, for a simplification of the construction of the rack and for a savings in cost. Nevertheless, undue flexing of a lighter beam can be avoided in the face of heavier loads, with cost savings.

Rack having beams and columns of differing numbers


Two objective lens systems are disposed at a forward end of an elongated insertion part in spaced relation to the left and right so as to have a parallax in left- and right-hand directions. Images of an object due to respective objective lens systems are image-formed respectively onto CCDs. Image signals which are photoelectrically converted by the respective CCDs are converted into left- and right-hand image signals by a stereo-image-signal processing circuit and are displayed in time division on a monitor. The image signals are observed through left- and right-hand liquid crystal spectacles, whereby it is possible to stereoscopically view the image signals. In order to electrically correct mutual variation due to the two objective lens systems and the two CCDs, distortion which is generated individually, or the like, the image signals of the respective CCDs pass through an image correction circuit which corrects positional shift, inclination, magnification and distortion of an image independently of each other to process correction of the image. A monitor displays the image which is superior in quality.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stereoscopic-vision endoscope system which can be used for medical treatment and for industry and which electrically corrects distortion of an image with respect to left- and right-hand image signals having a parallax, independently of each other, such that left- and right-hand variations are so dissolved as to be able to practice stereoscopic vision.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, in an endoscope for medical treatment which is used in observation and therapy of, chiefly, the stomach, the large intestine, the bronchus and the like, and, in an endoscope for industry which is used in observation of pipes such as gas pipes, water pipes or the like, and for internal observation of engines or the like, there has been remarkable improvement in image quality. Particularly, various solid-state image pickup elements, such as a charge coupled device (hereinafter, referred to as "CCD"), has advanced miniaturization and produces a high image quality of an electronic endoscope in which the CCD is disposed at a forward end thereof. In keeping therewith, there is a need for increased stero image observation in endoscopes used for medical treatment, where surgical operation is practiced under the endoscope, and, in case, in the endoscope for industry, where the magnitude and the depth of each of flaws, cracks or the like are measured, and the like.
In other fields, stereo observation technique has already been advanced, and it is considered that this technique is applied to the endoscope. As the technique of the stereo observation, a stereoscopic-vision observation system has been developed in which two television cameras are used, two slightly-different images which are generated by a difference in positions of right- and left-hand cameras, that is, a parallax, is acquired to thereby fetch the stereoscopic-view image, and these images are presented on both eyes of a human being, for example, independently of each other, to thereby produce a stereoscopic sense of perspective.
Methods of presenting the stereoscopic-vision image to the human being include a method shown in FIGS. 1A to 3. A method shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is formed such that a monitor 121L for a left-hand eye and a monitor 121R for a right-hand eye are respectively arranged in opposed relation to left- and right-hand eyes 122L and 122R.
In FIG. 1A, for example, the arrangement is such that images on the monitors 121L and 121R are reflected respectively by two mirrors 123L and 124L and 123R and 124R and are seen respectively by left and right eyes 122L and 122R.
The arrangement in FIG. 1B is such that the images on the monitors 121L and 121R are refracted to the left and the right respectively by prisms 125L and 125R and are observed. Further, the arrangement in FIG. 1C is such that the image on the monitor 121L is observed by the left eye 122L, and the image on the monitor 121R is reflected by a mirror 126 and is observed by the right eye 122R.
The arrangement in FIG. 2 is such that polarizing plates 127L and 127R which are set in a perpendicular polarizing direction are arranged respectively in front of display surfaces of the monitors 121L and 121R for the left eye and the right eye, polarizing plates 128L and 128R which are set in the perpendicular polarizing direction are disposed respectively also in front of the left and right eyes 122L and 122R, and the images on the monitors 121L and 121R are seen respectively by the left and right eyes 122L and 122R through a half mirror 129.
FIG. 3 shows that a single monitor 121 is used; and a polarizing member 129 capable of varying the polarizing direction is disposed in front of the monitor 121. The polarizing plates 128L and 128R which are set in the perpendicular polarizing direction are disposed respectively also in front of the left and right eyes 122L and 122R. In the case where left-hand image data of a left-hand-image-data output circuit 130L are displayed on the monitor 121, the polarizing direction of the polarizing member 129 is set to the same direction as the polarizing plate 128L by a left- and right-hand changeover circuit 131; and, in the case where right-hand image data of a right-hand-image-data output circuit 130R are displayed on the monitor 121, the polarizing direction of the polarizing member 129 is set to the same direction as the polarizing plate 128R by the left- and right-hand changeover circuit 131, whereby the left- and right-hand images which are displayed on the single monitor 121 can be observed in separation by the left and right eyes 122L and 122R.
In addition to the above, there is a method of separating images from each other by the use of an electronic shutter.
A prior art example of a stereoscopic-vision system 132 using a single monitor is shown in FIG. 4. A camera 133L for a left-hand image and a camera 133R for a right-hand image respectively photograph images having a parallax between both eyes. The images which are acquired by the left- and right-hand cameras 133L and 133R become digitized image signals, respectively through A/D converters 134L and 134R, and are recorded onto frame memories 135L and 135R. Recording signals thereof are read out alternatively by a double-speed stereo converter 136. Double-speed stereo image signals thereof are converted respectively to analog signals by a D/A converter 137 and are projected onto a double-speed scan monitor 138. Liquid-crystal spectacles 139 are arranged such that left- and right-hand shutters are alternately opened and closed synchronously with the double-speed scan monitor 138.
Accordingly, the left-hand image is seen only by the left eye of an observer, while the right-hand image is seen only by the right eye. Thus, because of the parallax of both eyes, the observer can perceive the image as a stereo image. There is also an arrangement which utilizes polarization in place of the liquid crystal.
Moreover, in order to raise the accuracy of the stereo image, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. HEI 4-108288 (108288/1992), two television cameras are disposed such that normals of respective image pickup surfaces thereof are parallel to each other, signals are processed such that an interval between image pickup points corresponding respectively to image centers of the two image pickup surfaces is greater than an interval between the centers of two lenses, and lines tying the centers of the lenses and the image pickup points corresponding, respectively, to the image centers to each other are intersected with each other in front of the stereo camera. Since the image pickup surfaces are disposed in parallel to each other, and since the image signals of the two cameras can be shifted in parallel to adequate locations, accurate stereoscopic vision can be practiced which has no distortion.
By the way, the most important matter in the stereoscopic vision which is practiced by the use of the two cameras is that no mutual variation exists between the two cameras. Examples of the variation include image falling-down which occurs when the image pickup surface (CCD surface, for example) of one of the cameras is rotated with respect to a center of an optical axis; inconsistency of the magnitude of the image due to the fact that focal distances of respective lens systems are slightly different from each other and positional shift between the left- and right-hand images due to positional shift of the CCD; distortion of the image due to eccentricity of partial lenses of a lens system and the like.
If the variation occurs mutually, it is impossible to acquire a correct stereo image, and correction is applied by eyes of the observer whereby, if observation is practiced for a long period of time, the observer is liable to be very tired. For this reason, in order to correct the mutual variation, the camera of the prior art example uses a lens barrel which is provided with a CCD position adjustment mechanism and a lens adjustment mechanism, to practice mutual adjustment.
By the way, it is desired for the endoscope to observe a wide range at a time. A minute or microscopic objective lens which has a wide angle-of-view as compared with a general television camera (equal to or more than 60.degree.-140.degree.) and, further, which is disposed at a forward end of an insertion part having a narrow or reduced diameter is used. Accordingly, a variation resulting from working of the lens unit and a variation resulting from assembling of lens parts increase relatively more than in the case where large objective lenses are used.
It is desirable that the forward end of the endoscope is reduced in diameter as much as possible in order to reduce pain resulting from insertion into a patient, or the like. For this reason, the objective lens which is disposed at the forward end must be made as simple a structure as possible. It is difficult to provide a complicated adjustment or regulation mechanism.
In view of the above, an arrangement is proposed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. HEI 6-59196 (59196/1994) in which shift between left- and right-hand object images is electrically corrected. However, this is arranged such that amounts of shift of the left- and right- hand images are detected from a shift between outlines of the respective images, or the like, and readout addresses of the respective images which are temporality stored in a memory are controlled, or the like, to correct such that both the images coincide with each other.
In this prior art example, a relative amount of shift between the left- and right-hand images is detected to correct such that both the images are coincided with each other, from the amount of shift. Accordingly, principally, correction is carried out such that one of the images is made to coincide with the other image. Thus, in the case where vertical directions of the CCDs are both inclined with respect to a vertical direction of an endoscope body, it is difficult for this prior art example to correct the inclination. Further, also in the case where the magnitudes of the left- and right-hand images are different from each other caused by variations or the like of the left- and right-hand objective lenses, it is impossible to solve this problem by mere correction of the addresses. Similarly, also in the case where distortion of the images due to eccentricity or the like of an optical system is generated on both objective lens systems, correction is carried out on the basis of the relative amount of shift between both the distortions. Accordingly, it is impossible to correct distortion portions which are commonly generated. Thus, there is a problem that it is impossible to acquire a natural stereo image which is arranged so as to faithfully reproduce an object.
Moreover, since there are few degrees of freedom of the layout of the forward end, it is difficult to acquire a parallax which is optimum or adequate to practice stereo observation. What is meant by the optimum parallax means the relation in which inward angles .THETA. of the respective two cameras 133L and 133R, for example, satisfy 2.degree.<.THETA.<20.degree. with respect to an observation object S shown in FIG. 5. If the inward angle .THETA. is equal to or less than 2.degree., a stereo sense or a three-dimensional feeling cannot be acquired.
If the inward angle .THETA. exceeds 20.degree., the left- and right-hand images form double images so that ocellus suppression is generated such that it is impossible to recognize the left- and right-hand images as a single image, and that only a picture on one side is seen. Thus, a deficiency also occurs such that it is impossible to carry out the stereo observation.
In a prior-art general stereo camera, movement means (not shown) is provided so as to be able to set a desired interval between two television cameras, the interval between the cameras is adjusted in accordance with the distance with respect to an observation object, and the inward angle is determined so that a proper parallax is acquired.
In the endoscope, however, it is almost impossible for such movement means to be provided. The interval between the objective lenses corresponding to the two cameras is determined on the basis of the relationship between the inward angle and the distance of the practical range to the observation object. Specifically, the inward angle upon accession increases, while the inward angle upon observation of a great distance decreases. In case of the endsocope for medical treatment, however, it is desired that the interval between two cameras be set such that the inward angle is equal to or less than 20.degree. upon accession or proximity. Assuming that an object distance to the observation object upon accession shown in FIG. 5 is Lnf, and the interval between the two cameras is D, then, the interval D must be set that the following relationship is held: EQU (D/2).times.(1/Lnf)=tan (.THETA./2) EQU D<0.35Lnf (because of .THETA.<20.degree.)
If for example, it is supposed taht the distance Lnf upon accession is 10 mm, the distance D between the two cameras must be made to a value equal to or less than 3.5 mm. Here, whenever a high image quality of the stereoscopic vision is desired, it is necessary to provide multiple picture elements of the CCD so that teh size of the CCD increases. Then, it is necessary to increase the objective lens interval such that an interference of a package of the CCD does not occur. For this reason, it becomes difficult in the endoscope of the prior art example to satisfy the above-described relationship.

Stereoscopic-vision endoscope system provided with function of electrically correcting distortion of image or the like with respect to left- and right-hand image signals having parallax, independently of each other


A power management scheme for a computer system prioritizes battery charging. The scheme includes determining when the output of a power adapter, which powers a computer and a battery subsystem, has reached or is about to reach a threshold which may be the power budget for the computer system. When this happens, rather than throttling battery charging, the system throttles back an aspect of the computer. Alternatively, after the computer has been throttled back, if the power budget still is being exceeded or is about to be exceeded again, then battery charging can be throttled back. In yet another embodiment, battery charging can be throttled first, followed, if necessary, by computer throttling.

Not applicable.
Not applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a battery-powered electronic device. More particularly, the invention relates to a power management protocol in which various system functions can be prioritized when the system conserves power.
2. Background of the Invention
Most every computer system with a rechargeable battery uses an external AC to DC converter (sometimes called an xe2x80x9cadapterxe2x80x9d) which converts the AC line voltage to a lower DC voltage. Due to its size, the adapter has often been referred to as the xe2x80x9cbrick.xe2x80x9d The brick is usually external to the computer shell and is often an awkward part of the system to store and carry. While using AC power, the brick supplies power both for the normal operation of the computer and also for recharging the battery.
Typical AC/DC converters are provided with an input of 100 to 240 VAC and generate an output voltage of 18 VDC with a total power output capacity of 50 to 70 watts. The size (i.e., power capacity) of the AC adapter is normally established by estimating a reasonable xe2x80x9cpower budgetxe2x80x9d for the CPU. The power budget is a total of the maximum power consumption of the computer""s internal devices (the CPU, core chipset, LCD panel, hard drive, etc.) plus some allocation for externally powered devices (e.g., USB, PS/2, or external storage). As discussed below, sometimes the power required for charging the battery is added to the power budget.
Older notebook computers with small LCD screens and low power processors typically consumed a maximum of 10 or 15 watts while operational. Today""s notebooks, however, with 15xe2x80x3 high resolution screen, multiple internal storage drives, and gigahertz processors can easily consume 50 to 60 watts of power. Moreover, performance requirements have demanded bigger AC/DC adapters which are designed to be sufficient for the worst case power consumption of the system.
While the power demands for portable computers continuously increases, the pressure to make the system xe2x80x9cmobilexe2x80x9d places pressure on the system designer to make the AC/DC brick as small as possible. Ergonomics discourages large AC/DC adapters which dissipate proportionately more heat. Further, cost pressures prohibit the use of more powerful or more efficient AC/DC bricks. Yet, at the same time, it is desirable for the computer to be able to charge the battery as quickly as possible. In sum, many consumers desire portables that have high performance (e.g., fast CPUs, bright displays, etc.), recharge batteries very quickly, are lightweight and small, inexpensive, and do not become hot to the touch.
To date, the concession to AC/DC size has been to xe2x80x9cthrottlexe2x80x9d battery charge when the rest of the system is under full loading. In many older systems, the xe2x80x9cpower budgetxe2x80x9d and AC/DC adapter size were calculated by estimating the consumption of the computer""s devices, and then adding an amount of power allocated directly for recharging the internal battery. Today, the one common concession towards power budget allocation is that power for the recharge of the battery itself is not included. This means that most adapters today are rated to provide sufficient power for the system at full load but not charging the battery. Thus, notebooks today measure the core system power consumption and then allocate the remaining AC/DC power (if there is any remaining power) to charge the battery. Examples of these types of systems are the Compaq Armada xe2x80x9cconstant powerxe2x80x9d AC/DC converter computers (starting with the Armada 4000, 1500 and continuing until the Armada 7800) and xe2x80x9cconstant voltage AC adapterxe2x80x9d systems, as featured by Dell Computer""s xe2x80x9cExpressChargexe2x80x9d (U.S. Pat. No. 5,939,862). In these systems the power capability of the AC adapter is prioritized to maintain operation of the CPU and other core logic, and if there is any left over power, such power is allocated for battery charging. If there is no power in excess of the power required by the CPU and core logic, then the battery will not be charged.
Although generally satisfactory, such power management systems have two notable shortcomings. First, under heavy CPU usage, the power consumed by the notebook may nearly consume all of the power available from the AC adapter, so that little power is available for battery charging. This may cause the system to take an annoying long period of time (e.g., hours) to recharge the battery. Second, under worst case loading of the system, it is possible to exceed the power output capability of the AC/DC adapter. This can happen, for example, if an operator connects peripheral devices (e.g., PCMCIA cards, USB devices, etc.) that cause the total power consumption of the system to exceed the power rating of the AC adapter. Under such a condition, the AC adapter may xe2x80x9ccollapsexe2x80x9d thereby disabling its output power to the system which, in turn, causes the system to xe2x80x9ccrash.xe2x80x9d A solution to the aforementioned problems is needed.
The problems noted above are solved in large part by a power management scheme for a computer system that prioritizes battery charging. The scheme includes determining when the output of a power adapter, which powers a computer and a battery subsystem, has reached or is about to reach a threshold which may be the power budget for the computer system. When this happens, rather than throttling battery charging, the system throttles back an aspect of the computer (e.g., CPU speed, display brightness). This keeps the battery charging at a faster rate than would have occurred in conventional power management schemes. Determining when the power budget is about to be exceeded can be accomplished by measuring the output current of the adapter or by monitoring the charge on the battery.
In an alternative power management scheme, after the computer has been throttled back, if the power budget still is being exceeded or is about to be exceeded again, then battery charging can be throttled back. This alternative scheme thus provides a two-tiered throttling protocol. In yet another embodiment, battery charging can be throttled first, followed, if necessary, by computer throttling.
These and other advantages will become apparent upon reviewing the following disclosure.

Prioritization-based power management protocol in a computer system

Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.


Methods and apparatus for bridging network protocols are disclosed. A protocol bridge may be used to function as a target for a network processor while performing a target mode operation, while functioning as an initiator on behalf of the network processor while performing an initiator mode operation. In one embodiment, the protocol bridge determines the mode of operation based on information in a received frame's header. In another embodiment, the protocol bridge couples a Fibre Channel device to a storage processor on a packet-over-SONET network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to data networks and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for terminating a Fibre Channel protocol and bridging to an SCSI protocol over POS.
2. Background of the Invention
Fibre Channel is a computer communications protocol designed to provide for higher performance information transfers. Fibre Channel allows various existing networking protocols to run over the same physical interface and media. In general, Fibre Channel attempts to combine the benefits of both channel and network technologies.
A channel is a dosed, direct, structured, and predictable mechanism for transmitting data between relatively few entities. Channels are commonly used to connect peripheral devices such as a disk drive, printer, tape drive, etc. to a workstation. Common channel protocols are Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) and High Performance Parallel Interface (HIPPI).
Networks, however, are unstructured and unpredictable. Networks are able to automatically adjust to changing environments and can support a larger number of connected nodes. These factors require that much more decision making take place in order to successfully route data from one point to another. Much of this decision making is done in software, making networks inherently slower than channels.
Fibre Channel has made a dramatic impact in the storage arena by using SCSI as an upper layer protocol. Compared with traditional SCSI, the benefits of mapping the SCSI command set onto Fibre Channel include faster speed, connection of more devices together and larger distance allowed between devices. In addition to using SCSI, several companies are selling Fibre Channel devices that run Internet Protocol (IP).
As Fibre Channel continues to expand into the storage markets, there will be an increasing need for being able to access mass storage devices quicker and from greater distances using such applications as multimedia, medical imaging, and scientific visualization. As such, there is a need for an improved system for processing information in the Fibre Channel arena.

Method and apparatus for bridging network protocols


A system (10) is provided for monitoring services or products. The system (10) includes an interface (12, 18) which can receive criteria information (14) specifying an unacceptable level for services or products. The interface (12, 18) can also receive services or products information (20) relating to the services or products. A database (16), which is coupled to the interface (12, 18), stores the criteria information (14). A processor (22, 27) is coupled to the database (16) and the interface (12, 18). The processor (22, 27) can identify non-random patterns in a predefined danger zone in order to determine when the services or products are approaching the unacceptable level specified in the criteria information (14), thereby monitoring the services or products.

In the modern world, almost every business entity is a provider of either products or services, or both. Typically, the products or services must meet one or more criteria which are established by the provider or its customers who purchase such products or services. For example, a customer which purchases information processing services may require that ninety-five percent of the customer's trivial, interactive transactions be processed within one second after a provider has received information for the transactions.
In order to ensure that a provider is meeting these criteria, the provider must monitor the manufacture, distribution, performance, or delivery of the products or services. Previous systems and methods for monitoring were capable of alerting a provider that products or services had failed to meet the appropriate criteria after the failure had occurred. Unfortunately, these systems and methods provided no mechanism to warn a provider before such failures occurred so that the provider could prevent or reduce the impact of the failures. Furthermore, the prior systems and methods did not identify the cause of the failures.

Monitoring of service delivery or product manufacturing


Trays for reproduction-only media and trays for recordable and reproducible media are individually fixed in a single magazine and the recordable and reproducible media are protected by making ejection difficult, thereby providing an auto-changer and a magazine for dual-purpose use or mixing of the reproduction-only media and the recordable and reproducible media. A tray (27a) and a tray (27b) stored in a magazine (21) are fixed to the magazine (21) by respective locking member. A magazine holder (53) of the auto-changer is provided with a release lever (49) and a release layer (50) which are assisted by a release spring (51) and a release spring (52), respectively When the magazine (21) is inserted into the magazine holder (53), the locking member (47) and the locking member (48) are pushed by the release levers, respectively, whereby the lock of the trays (27a) and (27b) in the magazine (21) is released, and the trays (27a) and (27b) can be freely taken out of the magazine (21).

Recently, with an increase in storage capacity and an increase in data recording/reproducing speed, optical disk media have attracted a lot of attention not only as external memories for computers but also as media for image processing, and medium automatic interchange apparatus (hereinafter referred to as auto-changers) capable of managing and processing mass data have been marketed Besides, in recent years, a small-sized auto-changer has been demanded in view of its installation space, and an auto-changer that stores plural media disposed on trays to improve storage efficiency as well as handling simplicity has been proposed.
Hereinafter, a conventional magazine system auto-changer will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.
FIG. 7 shows a conventional auto-changer. Reference numeral 1 designates a tray carrier unit that takes a tray 8, on which a medium (not shown) is disposed, from a magazine 2, and moves in the arrow a direction to send the tray onto a drive 3. The tray carrier unit 1 is guided by a guide shaft 4 and driven by a motor 7 through a pulley 6 and a belt 5. As seen from FIG. 8, the tray 8 is provided with a medium storage recess 9, an opening 10 in which a pickup 14 and a turn table 13 on the drive 3 can enter, positioning holes 11 for positioning of the tray relative to the drive 3, and a notch 12 by which the tray carrier unit 1 performs ejection/insertion of the tray from/in the magazine 2. Further, the drive 3 installed on the auto-changer is provided with a turn table 13 that rotates with a medium disposed on it, a pickup 14 that reads signals from the medium, and positioning pins 15 corresponding to the positioning holes 11 of the tray 8.
Next, the operation will be described. The tray carrier unit 1 is driven by the drive motor 7 through the belt 5 in the arrow a and b directions, moves to a position corresponding to a specified tray 8, and takes the tray 8 from the magazine 2 using the notch 12. Next, the tray carrier unit 1 having the tray 8 moves in the arrow a direction and performs positioning of the tray 8 relative to the drive 3 by fitting the positioning holes 11 of the tray 8 to the positioning pins 15 on the drive 3. At this time, the turn table 13 and the pickup 14 on the drive 3 enter in the opening 10 of the tray 8, centering of the medium disposed on the tray 8 is performed on the turn table 13, and the medium is fixed onto the turn table 13 by clamping means (not shown) constructed on the tray carrier unit 1. Thereafter, the turn table 13 rotates, and reading of signals is carried out by the pickup 14. In this state, the tray 8 is positioned by the drive 3 and held in the tray carrier unit 1 at such a height that it does not contact the medium.
The operation to return the tray 8 for which reproduction has ended will be performed as follows. When the turn table 13 stops, the tray carrier unit 1, which has been positioned by the drive 3, is moved in the arrow b direction by the drive motor 7. Thereby, clamping of the medium onto the turn table 13 is canceled, and the medium being disposed on the tray 8 is sent to a prescribed position of the magazine 2 and returned into the magazine 2 using the notch 12.
In the conventional structure mentioned above, however, the tray is not provided with means for detecting the kind of the medium, and the installed drive is either a drive for reproduction only or a drive for both recording and reproduction. Hence, it can deal with only one of a medium for reproduction-only and a medium for both recording and reproduction and, therefore, it is not applicable to an auto-changer using a mixture of reproduction-only media, such as CD-ROMs, and recordable and reproducible optical disk media, which media perform such as image processing that has attracted attention in recent years. Further, in an auto-changer using a single magazine, since recordable and reproducible optical disk media are sensitive to finger prints and flaws in handling, they cannot be used in a mixture in a magazine which is changeable freely by the user.

Read-write, read-only medium automatic interchange apparatus and magazine with tray medium discriminating means

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


An apparatus for power production from low velocity fluid flow includes a lateral support arm assembly extending from a vertical drive shaft. A power blade is pivotally secured to the distal end of the support arm, and constrained to pivot within a defined operating angle. The center of force on the power blade is proximal to the power blade pivot, so that at the limit of travel of the support arm the thrust on the power blade moves the power blade into an over-center position, causing the power blade to pivot in retrograde fashion. The pivoted power blade then drives the support arm away from the extreme position, through a neutral position, to the opposite angular position, where the process reiterates and reverses. Thus the lateral support arm is driven continuously in oscillating, lateral motion. An exciter blade joined to the proximal end of the support arm creates a force that augments the torque created by the power blade, and drives the arm past the over-center point of the power blade, causing the power blade to rotate and drive the arm retrograde toward the neutral position. A latch maintains the exciter blade aligned with the arm as it pivots from the neutral (midline) position toward the angular limit of the arm.

The field of the present invention comprises power generation, and more specifically, power generation by renewable resources that have not yet been exploited.
There are two major factors that will control the continued success and survival of the world's peoples: population growth and energy consumption. Population growth is a social and cultural issue that cannot be resolved through invention. Energy consumption, however, can be addressed by technological innovation.
In industrialized areas of the world, most energy is consumed in the form of electricity and fossil fuels. Although non-industrialized countries often rely on wood or coal for energy, as countries become more modernized there is a trend toward greater use of electricity and fossil fuel. As a result, petroleum and proven petroleum resources are being consumed far faster than they are being discovered. The long-term implications are simple: an increasingly large world population, containing peoples desiring modern living standards, will consume constantly growing quantities of petroleum as the petroleum becomes increasingly scarce. To avoid a catastrophe, it is necessary to develop power resources that are renewable.
Renewable power resources include wood combustion, solar heating and photoelectric cells, wind generators, wave generators and hydroelectric power, and nuclear power. Nuclear power is fraught with problems, including safety issues, disposal of high level radioactive byproducts which persist for thousands of years, the relatively short useful life of a reactor due to degradation of materials from radiation exposure, and the expense of decommissioning a reactor. Wood combustion creates environmental problems when used on a large scale, and cannot produce electricity in an efficient manner. Sun power, including solar heating, photoelectric cells, and wind generators are erratic and require unusual concentrations of the source to be effective; i.e., an extremely sunny and clear location, or a very windy locale. Hydroelectric power generators generally require a large pressure head to be effective, which demands a high dam storing a large amount of water. As a result, hydroelectric power projects tend to be enormous, consuming a large amount of capital and natural resources. In addition, most sites suitable for hydroelectric generation have already been exploited.
Wave generators have also been developed to exploit the large amounts of energy present in ocean waves. However, wave motion tends to vary significantly in accordance with wind patterns, storm fronts, tidal flows, and the like.
There are many locations throughout the world where large masses of water flow in a constant and reliable manner, although the flows are at low velocity. Such locations, which provide great opportunities for exploitation of potential energy, include tidal flows, river flows, and deep ocean currents. For example, the Kuroshio Current flowing past the coast of Japan at Shikoku moves at a rate up to 5.5 knots, without the variations common to wind power and solar power. Likewise, the Gulf current flows along the Atlantic coast of the United States at a similar velocity. Tidal flows in places such as the Pentland Firth in Scotland, the Cook Inlet in Alaska, or the Bay of Fundy in Newfoundland provide reliable flows at higher velocities. Also, many large rivers of the world provide large masses of water flowing at relatively low velocity. Clearly, any technology that can exploit these low velocity energy sources could provide electricity both to industrialized and underdeveloped areas throughout the world.

Oscillating, lateral thrust power generator


A dishwasher that enables a user to adjust a load of a spring depending on material and weight of a cover that is attached to a door of the dishwasher. The dishwasher includes a housing having a bottom, a rear, and side covers, a door rotatably installed on a front surface of the housing, a door hinge installed onto each lower end of the door while being rotatably coupled to the housing, a spring configured to adjust a rotation of the door, and an apparatus of adjusting the spring configured to adjust a load of the spring. The apparatus includes a movable bracket connected to the spring, an adjustment member which enables the movable bracket to move up and down, and a support bracket configured to support the adjustment member. A position verification hole is perforated through the housing such that the apparatus is checked from outside the housing.

1. Field
Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to an apparatus for controlling a spring according to a weight of a door of a dishwasher.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a dishwasher is an apparatus made to clean tableware easily and sanitarily, and includes a wash water pump to spray wash water through spray nozzles. The wash water sprayed through spray nozzles is ejected with high pressure, and splashes on a surface of tableware placed on a tableware rack. Therefore, by the pressure of wash water splashed on the surface of tableware, dirt remained on the surface of tableware is removed.
A door of a dishwasher is rotatably installed onto a main body of the dishwasher using a hinge member. The bottom of the door is assembled to the hinge member, while one end of a spring fixed onto the main body of the dishwasher is connected to the hinge member to pull the door of the dishwasher.
Therefore, as a user pulls a door using a doorknob, the door is open by a pulling force. While the door is open completely, the weight of the door surpasses a force of restoration by a spring; and therefore, the door remains open.
Lately, however, so called a "built-in" type of a dishwasher is being used, as the build-in-type dishwasher is installed into furniture in order to increase space efficiency while offering a sense of monolithic beauty at the same time.
In addition, at the time of when a built-in-type dishwasher is installed, a cover having the same design and color to furniture is coupled to a front door of the built-in-type dishwasher in order to give a sense of monolithic beauty.
If a cover is coupled to a door, depending on material and weight of the cover, a weight of the door coupled with the cover changes, and therefore, a tension of a spring which controls a rotation of the door needs to be adjusted.
In order to adjust a tension of a spring of a door, a case of the door needs to be inconveniently taken off or disassembled by a user or a service technician and adjusts the tension of the spring of the door, according to a weight of the door, by hooking the spring to a hole which is appropriately positioned for the weight of the door.


A case (1) has a bottom (2) which has a first screw thread (7), and a lid (3) with a second screw thread capable of engaging with the first screw thread (7), in order to screw (or unscrew) the lid onto (or from) the bottom. A connector (16) is capable, when the first screw thread (7) is not engaged with the second (8), of forming an articulation between the lid (3) and the bottom (2) so as to allow the case to be opened (or closed). The connector (16) is at least in part free to rotate with respect to either the bottom (2) or the lid (3) and connect the bottom (2) to the lid (3) regardless of their respective angular positions.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a case of the makeup case type, used particularly in the field of cosmetics, for packaging and presenting products such as foundation in the form of a cream, a powder, a gel, or a paste, the products to be applied to the hair, or other make-up or body-care products. The invention can also be applied to other applications, particularly in the household domain. The invention is particularly suited to the packaging of products with a high content of solvent, especially water, and which have to be kept as airtight as possible so as to limit the evaporation of the solvent or solvents which they contain.
Cases suited to such products are described, in particular, in patent application EP-A-0,615,744. In this document, the case is of the type comprising a lid articulated to a bottom, closure means allowing the lid to be locked removably onto the bottom. A sealing means of the gasket type is arranged in the case, all around a recess capable of containing the product. The gasket consists of a water-absorbing material. Such a case, although simple to produce, does not offer sufficient sealing for certain applications.
Cases of a far more sophisticated design are described in patent application EP-A-0,614,629. In this document, the case comprises an internal lid mounted so that it is free to turn on an outer lid, and an internal bottom, mounted so that it is free to turn on an outer bottom. The internal lid can be screwed onto the bottom so that the product contained in a recess formed in the internal bottom can be kept under sealed conditions. The outer lid is articulated to the outer bottom so that once the internal lid has been detached from the external lid, the case can be opened by pivoting so that product can be applied using a powder puff contained in an auxiliary recess. Apart from being relatively bulky, this case suffers from a major drawback connected with its complexity, with the difficulty of using it (especially opening it), with its fragility and with its cost.
Still other cases are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,318 or in patent FR 2,412,474. These cases are of a relatively complicated design. Furthermore, the seal they achieve is insufficient for some applications.
Still other cases are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,466,295; 533,590; 5,632,394; and 5,542,561. All these cases have major drawbacks. One drawback relates to the complexity of their design, their bulk, and their aesthetic appearance, which is often incompatible with the demands of certain fields, such as that of cosmetics. Furthermore, some of them do not offer sufficient latitude in terms of the opening of the case and the accessibility of the product it contains. In the case of others, the sealing is insufficient or requires the presence of auxiliary sealing means, which therefore impinge adversely on the cost of the case.


The object of the present invention is to provide a video compression coding apparatus which, in the case where a code quantity variation allows a greater margin, can compress video data while suppressing any degradation of a video quality. First, input video data, after being transformed by a DCT section to a DCT coefficient, is quantized, by a quantizing section, with a quantization level designated with quantization control data. This quantized data is input to a variable length coding section where it is compression-coded in a block unit corresponding to a field or frame. A code quantity detecting section detects a code quantity of this coded data and delivers a result of detection to a quantization control section. The quantization control section has a given coding quantity-quantization level control characteristic representing a relation, to the quantization level, of the code quantity which obtains an average code quantity of initially input video data. The quantization control section determines a quantization level of the next block on the basis of the control characteristic and code quantity information from the code quantity detecting section and generates corresponding quantization control data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video compression coding apparatus utilized for video data transmission and recording and to a video compression recording/playback apparatus for recording and play back video data on a highly efficiently compressed form.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, upon transmission, video data is often transmitted on a compression-coded form in view of the limited capacity of data transmission on a transmission circuit line and a cost involved. Even on the video recording apparatus, video data is sometimes recorded on a compression coded form in view of the cost, etc., of a recording medium.
In such a conventional video compression coding apparatus for performing compression coding process on the video data, control is effected to make a code quantity per unit time constant so as to correspond to the capacity of the transmission circuit line or of a recording medium.
In a practical application, if more code quantity is involved for a target code quantity, the video quality, that is, a quantization level is lowered to decrease the code quantity, while, on the other hand, if less code quantity is involved in that situation, the video quality, that is, the quantization level is enhanced to increase the code quantity.
At that time, the code quantity varies in accordance with the control of the quantization level. The code quantity levels, on the average, are fitted to the target code quantity and it is possible to accommodate a variation of the code quantity with the use of a buffer memory which is provided at an output stage. By so doing, the code quantity, after being compressed, is prevented by the type of image from being varied so that the code quantity is maintained constant.
In the video compression coding apparatus for making the code quantity constant as set out above, the video quality varies greatly by the type of image.
In the conventional video compression recording/playback apparatus, on the other hand, much difficulty is encounted in varying the per-unit-time reading rate of a magnetic medium, such as a recording medium and, for this reason, video compression is carried out with the use of a recording data quantity of at least a given field or frame unit. In a such video compression system, however, the compression rate is too high with respect to a quantity of information in the type of image containing more high-pass components, thus sometimes producing an image degradation upon playback.

Video compression coding apparatus and video compression recording/playback apparatus


A method for refreshing a memory capacitor is provided. First, the refresh controller provides a refresh control signal. The pre-decoded row address counter counts and outputs a regular pre-decoded row address in response to the refresh control signal. The regular pre-decoded row address is inputted to the pre-decoded row address re-driver to obtain a row address. The memory capacitor in response to the row address is refreshed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to refresh memory capacitor, and more particularly to independently refresh memory capacitors without an address driver and latch.
2. Description of Related Art
Memory devices storing data are indispensable to personal computers and other electronic equipment. Memory devices include two main categories: Read Only Memory (ROM) and Random Access Memory (RAM). RAM is readable and rewritable. Dynamic RAM (DRAM) can represents binary data (0 or 1) by using capacitors storing or not storing charges. A capacitor represents a bit, where a capacitor with charges represents a binary "1"; a capacitor without charges represents a binary "0". A byte usually being used as a unit for digital date storage consists of eight bits. A unit for digital data storage in a memory device is called a memory cell. Memory cells are arranged in arrays. The combination of a specific column and a specific row represent an address for a specific memory cell. Memory cells in the same column or same row are serial-connected by a common conducting line.
The word "Random" in Random Access Memory means that this type of memory cell in DRAM allows to be read from any memory address; "Access" means DRAM is readable and rewritable, which is the major difference from ROM. A memory device consists of a plurality of memory cells. A conventional method for accessing a specific memory cell is the row-column addressing method, which orderly decodes the row address and the column address of the specific memory cell.
Referring to FIG. 1, which is a structural view depicting a 2 KB memory. First, a row address signal 118 is sent. At the same time a row enable signal 115 is sent to activate the row address decoding latch (a row decoder driving signal) in order to enable the 6×64 row decoder 106. The 6×64 row decoder 106 decodes the row address signal to obtain the row address and sends the row address to the memory. Row 27 is exemplary as depicted in FIG. 1. After decoding the row address, a column enable signal is sent to activate the column address decoding latch (a column decoder driving signal) in order to enable the 6×64 column decoder 103. The 6×64 column decoder 103 decodes the column address signal to obtain the column address and sends the column address to the memory. Notice that column 35 is exemplary in FIG. 1. After obtaining the column and column addresses, the memory cell 109 at address 27×35 is found, and is ready to be accessed later.
The Row Address Strobe (RAS) comprises the first step for memory address decoding; whereas the Column Address Strobe (CAS) comprises the second step for memory address decoding and memory accessing. The step of RAS further comprises decoding and latching, which requires an address latch and an address driver. The address latch is a circuit to maintain the present status via triggering clock or recovered control signal before receiving the next clock signal even input changes. Hence, the row address is latched until the column address is acquired.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a conventional apparatus for refreshing memory capacitors. Referring to FIG. 2, while refreshing the memory capacitors, refresh controller 204 will output a refresh control signal to trigger the refresh counter 202 outputting a refresh address signal to the address driver 206. Then the address driver 206 outputs an address driving signal to the row address pre-decoder 210. The row address pre-decoder 210 outputs a pre-decoded row address to the pre-decoded row address re-driver 214 for re-driving. Then the re-driven pre-decoded row address is sent to the core device 212 to refresh the memory capacitor. While reading/rewriting the memory cell, the address register 208 provides the address driver 206 with an address signal. Then the reading/rewriting operation can be performed via the row address pre-decoder 210, the pre-decoded row address re-driver 214, and the core device 212.
It is required to use an address driver in the conventional method while refreshing the capacitors or accessing the memory cells. However, the address driver is a power-consuming device, thus it is worth considering to reduce power consumption during standby mode from this point of view.

Method and apparatus for independently refreshing memory capacitors


A network node, a device and methods therein are provided for handling of devices based on group membership. The method performed by the network node comprises obtaining of information indicating a group membership and further indicating reachable gateways of a set of devices. The method further comprises initiating a command to a number of devices out of the set of devices belonging to the same group, G1, to connect to one of the indicated gateways, gateway W, selected for the number of devices based on group membership.

The so-called "Internet of Things" (IoT) concept aims at scenarios with massive numbers of small wireless devices. Experts estimate that the IoT will consist of almost 50 billion objects by 2020. These small wireless devices are envisioned to only be equipped with short-range radios, operable according to protocols for short-range communication, such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and Wi-Fi. In order to obtain long-range connectivity, e.g. to transfer data to a cloud storage or receiving commands from a management system, such devices need to connect to a gateway that provides long-range connectivity. A gateway has both one or more short-range interfaces and one or more long-range (e.g. 3G or 4G cellular) interfaces, and transfers data between those.
A particular type of IoT Networks is multi-hop networks. In these networks, all devices do not have direct radio connectivity to a gateway. A device outside the range of a gateway connects to another device, which is inside the range of the gateway. This device relays the traffic between the other device and the gateway. Several such relaying devices may exist on the path between a device and the gateway.
Because of the high number of devices in an IoT scenario, it is more efficient to manage these devices on a group basis, rather than on a device by device basis. A group is typically defined as devices with similar properties. For example, all devices of a certain type can form one group, e.g. streetlights, pollution detectors, electric meters etc. A device may belong to multiple groups. For example, a group may additionally be defined as the devices at a certain location, e.g. streetlights on Abbey Road. By using groups, it is possible to address a message to a set of devices, for example in order to switch on all streetlights in a certain region.
Multicasting is a well-known technique for distributing a message to a group of devices. Many Local Area Networks (LANs), as well as short-range wireless networks support local multicasting. Thus, on the link layer, a single multicast message may be sent, that is received by a group of devices. This technique is used in a high number of protocols operating within a single LAN. On the other hand, in Wide Area Networks (WANs), multicasting is typically not supported, since it requires lots of management, configuration and support from all devices, e.g. in the form of a multicast routing protocol.
The market for connected devices is growing tremendously. Even though there are industry standards available that cater for the connectivity requirements of the devices in Internet, it would be beneficial to improve the handling of groups of devices, e.g. such that groups of devices could be managed and addressed efficiently.

Handling of devices based on group membership