In a method and apparatus for delaying propagation time of an external synchronizing signal transmitted from a receiver to transmitters which transmit a video signal to the receiver, each transmitter has an adjustable propagation delay timer which delays propagation of the external synchronizing signal. The receiver includes a detection circuit for detecting a time coincidence or a time difference between the external synchronizing signal and a sync portion of a video signal selected by a selector to be transmitted to the receiver, and a circuit which modifies the external synchronizing signal to produce a fluctuated external synchronizing signal when the detection circuit detects the time difference between the external synchronizing signal and the sync portion of the selected video signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for generating video signals and television cameras used in close circuit television for a monitoring system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a monitoring television system used as one of information transmission systems, at least one television monitor is connected through a selector to a plurality of television cameras via a plurality of transmission lines. Picture images picked up by one or several TV cameras are displayed on the TV monitor through the selector that employs an electronic switch. The electronic switch provides selection of any individual television camera or sequentially switches a plurality of television cameras for displaying a picture image of one camera after another on the television monitor or for recording into a video recorder.
In such an information transmission system it is preferable to mutually lock the internal synchronizing signals of a plurality of television cameras and the switching time to an external synchronizing signal in order to prevent the picture image on the monitor from being disturbed during and immediately after the switching operation from one television camera to another.
As devices for synchronizing a plurality of television cameras, there are known apparatuses for transmitting a vertical synchronizing signal or a vertical synchronizing signal and a horizontal synchronizing signal, or a composite synchronizing signal used in a television system.
In any of the known devices of the type under discussion, as the transmitted synchronizing signal itself is a train of pulses, which can be easily influenced by noise, the transmission of a synchronizing signal requires the use of coaxial cables with their high shielding effect or fiber optic cables, which makes it costly for the systems with a plurality of television cameras.
Another known apparatus for synchronizing a plurality of television cameras, is an apparatus for transmitting an external synchronizing signal from an external synchronizing generator to the television cameras by injecting the external synchronizing signal into the video signal transmission line and locking an internal synchronizing signal generator of the television camera by means of the transmitted external synchronizing signal. Such an apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,352, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Furthermore, in such an information transmission system, a selector which is disposed at the monitor site is connected to a plurality of coaxial cables or other transmission lines such as twisted pair, fiber optics for selectively receiving video signals. If several cameras of such a system are installed apart, from near and up to distant locations, the plurality of coaxial cables and/or other transmissions lines with random stretches of length cause different time delays for the propagation of the external sync toward the cameras and for the return propagation of the video signals toward the receiving end, and this causes synchronizing timing errors at the receiving end and thereby loss of synchronization.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and an apparatus for adjusting a time delay circuit associated with each of the television cameras and its transmission line to delay the application of external sync pulses to the internal sync generators of the cameras commensurating with the length of each transmission line, so that the timing of the internal sync of each television camera is adjusted to coincide with the timing of the external synchronizing pulse and the internal sync of all the other cameras at the receiving end, to thereby, overcome random timing errors.
Further, as the television cameras are scattered into distant locations the individual adjustment of each camera at its site is time consuming, another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for remotely adjusting a time delay circuit associated with each of the television camera and its transmission line.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method and an apparatus for an automatic self adjustment of a time delay circuit associated with each of the television cameras and its transmission line in a closed loop process between the cameras and a receiver.
According to the present invention an external synchronizing signal injected into the transmission line leading from the receiver to the transmitters or television cameras is modified in the receiver so as to produce a fluctuated external synchronizing signal.
The term xe2x80x9cfluctuated external synchronizing signalxe2x80x9d which is used throughout the present application means a broader term for changing identifying a synchronizing signal that includes changing of an amplitude or level of the synchronizing pulse and/or its width and/or its polarity and/or removal of one or a number of pulses from the pulse train, thereby altering or fluctuating the external synchronizing signal which is recognized by those video transmitters or television cameras which need to be adjusted.
The terms xe2x80x9ctransmitterxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9ctelevision camerasxe2x80x9d used throughout the application means a video signal generating apparatus, analog or digital, incorporating an internal sync generator that can be synchronized or locked to an external synchronizing signal for outputting an externally synchronized composite video signal or a digital video signal.
The term xe2x80x9ctransmission line(s)xe2x80x9d used throughout the application means physically connected transmission lines such as coaxial cables or twisted pairs or optical fibers. It also means wireless communications such as a micro wave link, or a satellite link, or a combination of any of the above, being interconnected or routed via trunks, a public telephone network or Local Area Network (LAN) that provide two way communications between a transmitter and a receiver.
The above and other objects of the invention are attained by a method for a remote adjustment of time delay circuits of a plurality of television cameras, which method comprises the steps of transmitting an external synchronizing signal from a receiver to said television cameras through a plurality of transmission lines, and receiving a composite video signal from a selected television camera among said plurality of television cameras through a selected transmission line for displaying said received composite video signal on a monitor, and for identifying a timing error between the timing of said external synchronizing signal transmitted from said receiver to said selected television camera and the timing of the sync portion of the received composite video signal from said television camera, wherein said external synchronizing signal is modified in said receiver to produce a fluctuated external synchronizing signal whenever said receiver identifies a timing error and wherein a delay circuit in said television camera will gradually adjust a time delay thereof when it identifies that the external synchronizing signal is fluctuated or stop a time delay adjustment thereof when the external synchronizing signal is no longer fluctuating.
The objects of the present invention are further attained by a remote adjustment of a time delay apparatus for a television system which comprises a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a composite signal or a digital video signal; a receiver for receiving said composite signal or a digital video signal; and a plurality of transmission lines for transmitting and receiving information between said transmitters and said receiver, said receiver including a generating circuit for generating an external synchronizing signal, a transmitting circuit for transmitting said external synchronizing signal to said transmitters through said transmission lines, a detecting circuit for detecting time errors between the time of said external synchronizing signal and time of the sync portion of said received composite video signal and for outputting time error signal, and means for modifying the external synchronizing signal for producing a fluctuated external synchronizing signal when a time error signal is received, each of said transmitters including a detecting circuit for detecting said external synchronizing signal for applying the detected synchronizing signal to an internal sync generator to lock said internal sync generator to said external synchronizing signal, an adjustable timer circuit for delaying an application of said detected synchronizing signal, a sensor circuit for detecting a fluctuated external synchronization signal and feeding a fluctuated signal to said adjustable timer for adjusting the delay time.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the circuits for fluctuating the external synchronizing signal and for detecting the fluctuated synchronizing signal are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,014, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The external synchronizing generator may include a circuit for generating external synchronizing pulse signals having a level higher than the white level or lower than the black level of the composite video signal generated by the transmitters, injecting the synchronizing pulse into the video transmission lines connected to the transmitters, and synchronizing the internal synchronizing generators of the transmitters on the basis of the injected synchronizing pulses.
The transmitters preferably each include a level comparator circuit for separating the external synchronizing pulse signals from the composite video signal on the basis of a level difference and applying the separated external synchronizing pulses to the transmitters.
According to the present invention, as the transmitters are synchronized by a pulse signal propagated from the receiver through the video transmission line and the propagation time delay is adjusted by fluctuating said pulse signal the adjustment of the time delay circuit can be carried remotely from the receiving end.
The foregoing and other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method and apparatus for remote adjustment of a time delay circuit of externally synchronized video transmitters


According to one embodiment, a synchronous rectification type power circuit includes a first power terminal to which a voltage on a high potential side is supplied, a second power terminal to which a voltage on a low potential side is supplied, an output terminal that outputs an output voltage to a load having an inductance and a capacitor, a first switch unit connected between the first power terminal and the output terminal, a second switch unit connected between the second power terminal and the output terminal, a control signal generating circuit which controls ON/OFF of the first and second switch units, and a control circuit that compares the output voltage with a predetermined reference voltage for a predetermined period when the second switch unit is turned OFF. A timing for turning OFF the second switch unit is adjusted based on a result of the comparison.

As illustrated in FIG. 23, a synchronous rectification type power circuit includes a high-side switch (101) for supplying a voltage (Vdd) on a high potential side to an output terminal (103) and a low-side switch (102) for supplying a voltage (Vss) on a low potential side to the output terminal (103), and these switches are alternately turned ON/OFF to output a desirable voltage to the output terminal (103). An output inductor (106) and an output capacitance (107) are connected to the output terminal (103). In order to prevent an inductor current (IL) from flowing reversely to the low potential side in a light load, resulting in a reduction in an efficiency, there is a DCM mode (Discontinuous Conduction Mode) for turning OFF the low-side switch (102) to provide a period in which both of the switches are turned OFF. An optimum control in the DCM mode, that is, a timing for turning OFF the low-side switch (102) is equivalent to a moment that the inductor current (IL) reaches zero. For this reason, there are proposed various control methods for turning OFF the low-side switch (102) in an optimum timing. In an output voltage of the output terminal (103), ringing is generated by a parasitic capacitance possessed by an inductor or the like after the low-side switch (102) is turned OFF and an output current then reaches zero. There is also a possibility that the voltage influenced by the ringing might exceed a power supply voltage depending on an input/output voltage or a characteristic of the inductor. For this reason, a countermeasure against the ringing of the output voltage is required for the control in the DCM mode, which is not sufficient.

Synchronous rectification type power circuit and method of adjusting the same


Provided is a mixer faucet configured such that a lubricant can be effectively supplied. The mixer faucet includes a fixed valve body and a movable valve body. The fixed valve body includes a hot water supply hole, a cold water supply hole, a drain hole, a first sliding surface, and a lubricant retention portion. At least a part of the lubricant retention portion is provided in a circumferentially extended region of the hot water supply hole and a circumferentially extended region of the cold water supply hole. In the circumferentially extended region, only the first sliding surface is present between the hot water supply hole and the lubricant retention portion. In the circumferentially extended region, only the first sliding surface is present between the cold water supply hole and the lubricant retention portion.

A single lever mixer faucet including a fixed valve body and a movable valve body that slides on the fixed valve body has been known. In such a mixer faucet, a lubricant such as grease is used in order to reduce the sliding resistance between the fixed valve body and the movable valve body. JP 2002-22040A discloses a fixed valve body including a recessed portion filled with a lubricant.


Provided is an image capturing system, including an image capturing section that includes a plurality of first light receiving elements that receive light in a specified wavelength region and light in a first wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region, and a plurality of second light receiving elements that receive light in a second wavelength region, which is different from the specified wavelength region; and a control section that controls a spectrum of the light received by the plurality of first light receiving elements. The control section, at a first timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the first wavelength region from a subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region and, at a second timing, causes the plurality of first light receiving elements to receive light in a wavelength region including the specified wavelength region from the subject and causes the plurality of second light receiving elements to receive light in the second wavelength region.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an image capturing system, an image capturing method, and a program. In particular, the present invention relates to an image capturing system and an image capturing method for capturing an image, and to a program used by the image capturing system.
2. Related Art
A known electronic endoscope includes a plurality of light receiving elements arranged in a matrix on a single semiconductor substrate, and is provided with a solid image capturing element on a tip thereof that can obtain visible light image information and fluorescent light image information, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2004-329583. An endoscope apparatus is known that creates a fluorescent observation image using (i) an image signal of a subject captured by an image capturing means when a light source irradiates the subject with illumination light and (ii) an image signal of a subject captured by an image capturing means when a light source irradiates the subject with excitation light, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-43289.
In the electronic endoscope described above, the illumination light and the excitation light are emitted sequentially with prescribed time cycles, so that the illumination light image cannot be captured while the excitation light is being emitted. In the endoscope apparatus described above captures images as red, green, and blue light is emitted sequentially, and therefore cannot obtain a visible light image with a single image capture. For these reasons, the devices disclosed in the above patent documents cannot capture images at a high frame rate, such as those viewed by a doctor, and often skip frames in a resulting video. Therefore, this video appears choppy to the viewer.

Image capturing system, image capturing method, and recording medium


A system and a method are both described for transferring data throughout computer systems, computer networks, data transmission facilities, and the like from an originating location to destination devices (50) at various physical locations. An electronic package data structure (10) is also described that includes document references (14), destination references (16), and package attributes (18, 28, 40). The document references (14) may be document names and locations or actual document contents. Destination references (16) identify printers, e-mail addresses, facsimile machines, electronic pagers and the like. A graphical user interface or GUI (140) serves to allow a user (52) to select documents, destinations, and additional package attributes that create the electronic package data structure (10). Once the components and attributes are assembled, the GUI is used to send the package (10) to a delivery service (12). The delivery service (12) receives the package (10) and operates on instructions and data in the package to interpret the instructions and actually deliver the documents in the package to the desired destinations.

This invention relates to distributing one or more pieces of information in one or more forms to different types of destinations or resources such as printers, fax machines, e-mail boxes the world wide web, and pagers, for example using a delivery service system. More particularly, the invention relates to a system and method for creating electronic packages containing information to be delivered, destinations to which the information is to be delivered, and delivery instructions, and then distributing the information to the various destinations.
There has been a recent proliferation of techniques by which information may be communicated from one place to another. For example, information in the form of a document file associated with a personal computer may be transmitted via a fax modem and telephone lines to a fax machine. Other examples are sending messages via a suitable wireless transmission system to a pager, sending e-mail to an e-mail address, and transferring information in the form of a document from a personal computer to a printer for printing a hard copy of the document. In each of these four examples, information is sent to a different destination type, namely a fax machine, a pager, and a printer. The communication possibilities have escalated even more due to networks of computers such as local area networks (LANs) or wide area networks (WANs) in which a user can access or share resources connected in the network, such as printers, fax modems, pagers, and e-mail boxes, for example. A single LAN or WAN user may be able to send information to any resource associated with the network or use the resources shared on the network to communicate to others around the world.
Although the proliferation of methods for transferring or communicating information represents a vast technological improvement in itself, the various communication possibilities also present problems to the user. The basis of the problems presented by the wide variety of communication techniques now possible is that each technique has been separately used, operated, and controlled.
For example, a LAN user might have wished to fax a document to a distant fax machine through a fax modem that the user could access. In that case, the user ran the software program controlling the fax modem and entered the instructions necessary to fax the desired document to the desired fax machine. If the user also wanted to print the document on a printer accessible via the network, the user had to run the software program used to control the printer, usually the document creating or word processing software, to send the document to the printer. Thus, generally each time a user wanted to send a document or information to a particular destination or resource, the user had to separately run the particular software that controlled the transmission process or resource. Also, the delivery of a particular document or information to a certain destination often required changing the format of the document to a format acceptable to the destination. This process of separately running multiple software products to transmit information to various destinations was time consuming and required that the user have knowledge of the software controlling each transmission or resource. Having to separately format the information for each destination also required that the user have knowledge of the format needed to ensure the information looked correct when it is was sent to the target devices.
Another problem with many individual or resource specific information transmitting or distributing techniques was that the user had little or no control over the delivery process. For example, to send a document to a resource such as a printer connected in a LAN, the user often had no way to control that the job printed at a certain time or to expedite the print job. Also, there was often no way for the user to know if the document was successfully printed. The user had to call someone at the printer location to manually confirm that the print job was successfully performed.

Apparatus and process for distributing information using an electronic package representation


The present invention is directed to compositions and processes that are useful in making organosilicon polymers, including cross-linked organosilicon networks. The invention is also directed to articles that incorporate the cross-linked organosilicon networks.

Dielectric materials with low dielectric constant (k) are used in making the interconnect structure of integrated circuits (IC), and new materials with improved properties are the focus of much current research. In addition to having a low dielectric constant, to be useful in electronic devices, the materials must also be thermally and chemically stable; mechanically robust; free of corrosives or mobile charges; and compatible with current IC manufacturing processes. It is especially desirable to be able to form a layer of dielectric material via spin-coating. Additional requirements may include strong adhesion to other component or layers of an IC and low shrinkage.
One promising class of materials is highly crosslinked organosiloxanes. These materials are prepared by the platinum-catalyzed crosslinking of polyhydrosiloxanes with polyvinylsiloxanes. The material derived from D4Vi (tetramethyltetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane) and D4H (tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane) is a "hard, glassy material", with excellent thermal stability up to 450° C. Both siloxanes are low viscosity liquids and thus solvents are not required to form liquid mixtures. Also, the hydrosilation reaction proceeds smoothly and with high conversion at very low platinum concentration. (See M. J. Michalczyk et al., Chemistry of Materials, Vol. 5 (12), 1993, pp 1687-1689; and S. U. A. Redondo et al., Polymer 42 (2001) 1319-1327.)
JP 2005298606 discloses a process for preparing heat-resistant curable cyclosiloxane compositions by heating a mixture of two different siloxane polymers and a hydrosilation catalyst. In one example, a composition comprising a 6:1 reaction product of 1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (I) and 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane (II), a 1:6 reaction product of (I) and (II), and a Pt-vinyltetramethyldisiloxane complex was applied on an Al board and heated at 150° C. for 2 hr to give a coating that reportedly has good adhesion and no surface cracks.
There is a continuing need for dielectric materials that have suitably low k properties, are thermally and mechanically robust, and can be prepared by processes that are compatible with current IC fabrication steps.


The invention discloses a portable electronic device cover comprising renewable thermoplastic polyamide compositions having a carbon content, wherein the carbon content comprises at least 50 percent modern carbon, as determined with ASTM-D6866 method.

Portable electronic devices, such as mobile telephones, personal digital assistants, laptop computers, tablet computers, global positioning system receivers, portable games, radios, cameras and camera accessories, and the like are becoming increasingly widely used globally. The portable electronic device industry and their suppliers are increasingly concerned about the environmental footprint, greenhouse gas emissions and depletion of natural resources. Therefore it is increasingly desirable or necessary to use materials derived from renewable resources and having overall low negative environmental impact.
Portable electronic device covers are a particularly demanding materials application. They provide protection of internal components from impact and from contamination. It is thus important that the materials used for portable electronic device covers have high impact resistance. The poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a polymer derived from renewable resources used in limited cases in portable electronic device covers. But PLA has low mechanical properties and is not widely used.
Additionally, hand held electronic devices such as mobile phones often have antenna inside of housing protected by cover. For optimal functioning of a mobile telephones it is often necessary for the cover be as transparent as possible to electromagnetic radiation having frequencies in the range of about to 40 MHz to 6 GHz and that the material's response to such electromagnetic radiation not vary significantly as a result of environment conditions such as temperature and relative humidity. Otherwise, the amplitude of the radio signals sent and received by the telephone can be affected, resulting in a lost or weakened connection or requiring increased power consumption to maintain a signal at a desirable level. Polycarbonate/acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) has good radio transparency and good impact resistance, and has been a standard material for mobile phones covers. However it does not contain any renewable content.
Thermoplastic polyamide compositions are desirable for use in making mobile telephone covers because they exhibit good physical properties and are conveniently and flexibly molded into a variety of articles of varying degrees of complexity and intricacy. However, many polyamides absorb significant amounts of moisture when exposed to atmospheric conditions, which may decrease the transparency of the compositions to 40 MHz to 6 GHz electromagnetic radiation. Typically, the greater the level of moisture absorbed by the composition, the less transparent the composition is to 40 MHz to 6 GHz electromagnetic radiation. Polyamide 12, for example, has good resistance to moisture absorption, but it typically does not contain any renewable carbon content. Polyamide 11 is derived from renewable resources and has low moisture absorption but exhibits low tensile modulus. Thus, when used in covers does not provide sufficient mechanical protection.
Another important attribute of hand held electronic device covers is that they be readily painted. Polyamide 11 and Polyamide 12 are very difficult to paint.
Thus there is a need for hand held electronic covers that includes a polyamide composition, being partially or entirely derived from renewable resources; and also having a combination of good mechanical properties, low moisture absorption and paintability.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Portable electronic device cover comprising renewable polyamide resin composition


A method and device for winding a paper web to form a reel. The web is wound onto a shell that is predominantly centrally driven to introduce a torque that winds the web on the shell into a reel. A pressure element extends over the width of the web and acts continuously on the outer surface of the reel being wound in order to squeeze out air. A web threading roll comes adjacent the shell during web threading. Once the web is threaded, the shell is moved generally horizontally from the web threading toward the main winding position where the web is wound. A compensation device supports the reel being wound. The first pressure element in contact with the reel may move away, and a second pressure element closer to the compensation device may press upon the reel, after the first pressure element has moved away.

The invention relates to a method and a device for winding a running paper web to form a reel. The following prior art are relevant:
(1) DE 40 07 329 PA1 (2) DE 32 44 510 PA1 (3) FR 15 13 694 PA1 (4) GB 12 97 812 PA1 (5) U.S. Pat. No. 1,923,670 PA1 (6) EP 0 483 092 A1
Winding machines for winding paper webs are arranged either at the end of a papermaking machine, to wind the paper web accumulating there into a reel, or they are also used for rewinding a finished reel in order to produce reels with a quite specific winding quality.
In every case, the roll is intended to have quite specific properties, particularly related to the winding hardness. The winding hardness is intended to fall from a specific starting value to a final value, as a hard core winding is particularly important at the beginning. The decrease in hardness is intended to be as uniform as possible from the first to the last wound layer. The decrease is intended to have a specific gradient, that is to not be too severe or too weak. The profile of the winding hardness is intended in no case to have jump points, i.e., a sudden drop. No radial or tangential stresses should occur in the roll which might impair or destroy the paper web.
All this has previously been sought, but not achieved. Known winding machines instead produce, for example, rolls in which the core is either extremely soft or extremely hard and also in which there is a sharp drop in the winding hardness toward the end of the winding, at about four-fifths of the roll diameter. The first part, that is, the extremely soft or hard core, is unusable, specifically because the web suffers longitudinal compression in this region and splits. This part of the web has to be discarded as broke. In the final end region, in which the roll is not wound sufficiently hard, there is lateral displacement of the layers in relation to one another, so that the ends of the finished reel have a frayed appearance and the web edges can easily be damaged.
A poorly constructed core, with too low or too great a hardness, specifically does not allow satisfactory construction of the rest of the roll. The problem is particularly serious for pressure sensitive papers, for example, for self copying (NCR) papers. For these papers, close limits are placed on the pressing of the shell, with the roll being produced which is located on the shell, against the outer surface of the carrier drum.

Method and device for winding a paper web to form a reel


Apparatus for objective determination of auditory thresholds for intelligible speech in a human subject including apparatus for presenting a sequence of at least one intelligible speech stimuli to a human subject at a respective sequence of stimulus intensities, and apparatus for monitoring at least one physiological response of the human subject that varies with the human subject's reception of each stimulus.

Tests determining auditory thresholds in human subjects are well known in the art. Typically these tests include the presentation to a subject of a signal, typically a pure tone, over a range of signal intensities and recording the lowest intensity at which the subject reports that he hears the signal. This report typically includes a voluntary response such as pressing a button or raising a hand.
Also known in the art are tests determining auditory thresholds for intelligible speech. These tests determine the minimum intensity at which an auditory stimulus, consisting of spoken meaningful words, must be presented for the words to be heard and understood. Typically, tests determining the auditory threshold of intelligible speech include presenting a stimulus including spoken words to a subject over a range of intensities, having the subject repeat the words he hears, and recording the lowest intensity at which the words are correctly repeated.
It is well established that electrical patterns of the human brain, as recorded in an electroencephalogram (EEG), can reflect cognitive processes. For example, Kutas, M. and Hillyard, S. A. (1988, Contextual effects in language comprehension Studies using event-related brain potentials. In Plum, F. ed., Language, communication and the brain. Raven Press, New York) have studied event related potentials (ERP's) in the EEG pattern in relation to contextual effects in language comprehension. These authors have reported that when human subjects are presented with a sentence on a CRT display and the last word of the sentence is incongruent (i.e. does not make sense in the context of the sentence) the subjects show a specific ERP. This ERP, which is called N400, is a slow negative potential peaking at about 400 msec from the presentation of the last word. This N400 response is not present in subjects presented with a sentence that ends in a congruent word (i.e. a word that makes sense in the context of the sentence).
Similar results have been reported by McCallum et al. (1984, The effect of physical and semantic incongruities on auditory event related potentials. Electroencephalogr. Clin. Neurophysiol., 59, 477-488) with respect to auditory stimuli. These results suggest that N400 ERP's are the subjects' response to incongruity in language, regardless of whether the language is written or spoken.


A scale or leaf for a berry picking machine and a collector scale assembly including the scale. A freely rotating circular disc on the free end of the scale when attached to a rail of the machine is the most distinctive feature of the comma shaped scale.

Blueberry bushes are arranged in long parallel rows. Blueberry harvesting machines are several feet long and look like an inverted U when observed from the front to back. The machines straddle the bushes as they move along the rows to pick the berries. Various means are used to loosen the berries from the bushes and dropping them onto leaves or scales that fill the space inside the bottom of the inverted U to collect the berries. The leaves are arranged in two parallel rows with a pivot on one end of each leaf connected to a bearing in a rail. The rails are attached to the inside surface or frame of the machine and run parallel to the rows of bushes when the machine runs over the bushes. The pivots are arranged on the rails so the leaves are tilted upward from front to back so they partially overlap one another like the scales on a fish. The free ends of the leaves in each row are also tilted slightly upward toward the center of the machine and slightly overlap the free ends of their mirror image counterparts on the opposite side of the machine. A row of leaves on one side of the machine is positioned directly opposite its mirror image counterpart in on the other side of the machine. They are called "leaves" apparently because they are roughly shaped like leaves or "scales" apparently because they overlap one another like the scales on a fish. For convenience, the word "scales" will be used hereinafter except when referring to prior art that uses the word "leaves".
As the machine moves over the bushes the scales contact the bushes and rotate on their pivots while maintaining contact with the bushes. A spring connects each scale to the rail and by resisting movement of the scale helps to maintain the contact and return the scale to its resting position. Blueberry bushes do not have a single trunk or stem. Instead they branch out from the bottom into several stalks arranged in a roughly circular pattern. Since the scales are tipped upwards toward the center of the machine, the berries will roll from the center of the machine toward conveyers arranged along the sides of the machine. The conveyers then transport the berries into containers that are used to collect and store the berries. A description of typical blueberry picking machines can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,134,251, 5,113,644 and 5,259,177.
An important problem with the machines is their inability to harvest all of the berries that fall from the bushes. Since the scales can't cover all of the space under the bushes, a significant portion of the berries will fall onto the ground and are wasted. This results in a very substantial loss to berry farmers. It is highly desirable therefore to design the scales in such a way that they catch as many berries as possible. It is also highly desirable to avoid damage to the bark of the stalks when contacted by the scales. The bushes become more susceptible to disease when the bark is damaged.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,526 attempts to address the problem of waste by providing a collector leaf construction that includes a primary and a secondary leaf portion and claims that the separate movement of each portion covers more of the space under a blueberry bush thus reducing the waste from 35-50 percent to 15 percent (column 4, lines 53-59). U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,888 also addresses the problem of waste by employing a collector leaf having a particular shape, primarily a concave leading edge and a convex trailing edge. FIGS. 4 and 5 of that patent illustrate how that shape covers more of the space around a plant trunk or trellis post such as support grape bushes thereby producing a saving of 12 to 15 percent (column 4, lines 64-65). The rationale could not be equally applicable to blueberry bushes that do not have a single trunk or a supporting post. Instead they branch into several irregularly placed stalks.
The present invention not only addresses the objective of reducing waste but also reduces damage to the blueberry bushes. Because raspberries grow on several stalks per plant like blueberry bushes, the present invention is also useful for harvesting raspberries.


An induction pressing plate type real-time monitoring apparatus, including a fixing portion, an abutting portion, and an inductor. The fixing portion has a hole for fixing and connecting a fastener to an upper or lower platform of a forming device. The abutting portion is connected to the fixing portion, and the abutting portion in at least part of a pressure surface region is configured to press a tested piece to be induced. The inductor is disposed at the abutting portion, and has an induction unit for inducing actual information transmitted to the abutting portion by the direct contact of the tested piece and converting the actual information into measurable data, an output unit for outputting the data, and a power supply unit for providing power to the induction unit and the output unit.

At present, in the development of intelligent machinery in Taiwan, management systems developed based on the Internet of Things technology is more mature. However, it is difficult to break through the technical problems due to the industry Know-How. For example, as early as 20 years ago, manufacturers have proposed the requirement of preventing punch breakage during the operation of stamping dies.
However, traditionally, general factories determine whether to replace mechanical parts mostly by experience. In the most conservative way, the factory master predicts the replacement timing of the parts. The case that "the part is replaced immediately because of the time, even if the part may still be used" often results in unnecessary waste of parts.
At present, intelligent applications based on the Internet of Things technology are equipment availability monitoring, power consumption management, etc., which belongs to the "data information management" technology. However, it is not easy to develop the applications involving industrial expertise, especially the Know-how of processing technology, in large scale in a short period of time. "It still takes time for development", for example, a monitoring system induces abnormal signals through sensors, but the key is the installation positions and quantity of sensors. Finding the most sensitive and most important factors affecting the processing quality is the most difficult part in the whole technological development.

Induction pressing plate type real-time monitoring apparatus

NATIONAL KAOHSIUNG UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


The invention provides methods and materials for conversion of cytosine to uracil. In some embodiments, a nucleic acid, such as gDNA, is reacted with at least one bisulfite salt having the formula X+HSO3− or Y+2(HSO331)2; wherein X+ is ammonium ion, a tetraalkyl ammonium ion, or a group 1A ion other than sodium; and Y+2 is a group 2A ion or a group 7B ion; under conditions effective to convert at least one cytosine nucleobase to a uracil nucleobase. In some embodiments, X+ comprises at least one of lithium ion, potassium ion, ammonium ion, tetraalkylammonium ion, magnesium ion, manganese ion and calcium ion. In some embodiments, the reacting is performed optionally in the presence of a polyamine catalyst and/or a quaternary amine catalyst. Also provided are kits that can be used to carry out methods of the invention.

Assessment of methylation of DNA is useful in many research, diagnostic, medical, forensic, and industrial fields. Particularly, methylation of cytosine in genomic DNA has been correlated with lack of gene expression, and in some instances can be indicative of early and frequent alterations found in some cancers. Thus, the ability to assess the methylation status of DNA is significant.
Key to this assessment is converting cytosine to uracil. One basic method for such conversion, employing sodium bisulfite, is well known. Over the years, the method has been improved in attempts to overcome disadvantages that include tedious procedures, lengthy reaction times, and DNA degradation. The most commonly used protocol is taught by J. Herman, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 93, 9821-26 (1996), incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. This method involves denaturation, reaction with sodium bisulfite in the presence of hydroquinone, and subsequent completion of the modification by treatment with NaOH. Despite the attempts to improve the protocol, current procedures require pre-denaturation of the genomic DNA (gDNA) to single stranded DNA (ssDNA), preparation of fresh solutions of sodium bisulfite (NaHSO3), typically about 3M, and inclusion of an antioxidant (e.g., hydroquinone). The protocol also involves long reaction times and tedious clean-up procedures.
In addition, the currently employed sodium bisulfite protocols are plagued by reports of incomplete conversion, irreproducible results, and other problems. In some cases, the reaction can result in significant DNA degradation (reportedly as high as 96%), making it difficult to obtain enough sample for further analysis. See. S. J. Clark et al. Nucleic Acid Research 2001, 29 no. 13, e65. Given the importance of assessment of DNA methylation, it can be seen that there is a need for improved methodologies for conversion of cytosine to uracil.
It has been discovered that bisulfite methods that employ magnesium bisulfite, polyamine compounds, and/or quaternary amine compounds provide useful alternatives to sodium bisulfite conversion reactions. These discoveries are the subjects of co-owned applications entitled "Method And Materials For Polyamine Catalyzed Bisulfite Conversion Of Cytosine To Uracil" (U.S. application Ser. No. 60/499,113 filed Aug. 29, 2003, and also application Ser. No. 60/520,942 having the same title and filed Nov. 17, 2003), "Method And Materials For Quaternary Amine Catalyzed Bisulfite Conversion Of Cytosine To Uracil" (U.S. application Ser. No. 60/499,106 filed Aug. 29, 2003, and also application Ser. No. 60/523,054 having the same title and filed Nov. 17, 2003), and "Method and Materials for Bisulfite Conversion of Cytosine to Uracil" (U.S. application Ser. No. 60/499,082 filed Aug. 29, 2003, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. Improvements in clean-up procedures associated with conversion of cytosine to uracil are also the subject of co-owned applications entitled "Improved Bisulfite Method" (U.S. application Ser. No. 60/498,996 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and also application Ser. No. 60/520,941 having the same title and filed Nov. 17, 2003) all of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Method and materials for bisulfite conversion of cytosine to uracil


This Invention provides for a method and system for speed measurement verification. The method comprises the step of automatically measuring the speed of a vehicle traveling on a surface which includes a fixed marker at a predetermined distance from a point where the speed of the vehicle is measured. The measured speed is automatically compared to a predetermined speed limit and if the speed limit is exceeded, the next step involves automatically calculating a time delay, which time delay is calculated according to the measured speed and the predetermined distance so as to predict when the vehicle, if traveling at the measured speed, will reach the marker. An image is then captured with a camera directed at the marker after expiration of the time delay so that, if the measured speed is accurate, the vehicle will be positioned proximate the marker so that the captured image showing the vehicle relative to the marker is able to serve as verification of the accuracy of the measured speed.

Systems for measuring the speed of a vehicle are known. Examples include radar guns, pressure sensors placed across a road, and/or the like. These systems typically provide an image, e.g. a photograph, of a vehicle caught speeding. In certain situations, it has become necessary to provide a secondary independent verification of the accuracy of these systems to corroborate the evidentiary value of these measurements when prosecuting speeding motorists. Various methods of providing such independent verification exist, but the known methods require elaborate measurements and additional hardware. This Invention proposes a possible simple and efficient solution whereby independent speed verification may be accomplished.

System and method for speed measurement verification


A computer-based method of collecting and processing incident reports received from witnesses who observe incidents such as criminal acts and legal violations. The method automates the collection and processing of the incident reports and automatically sends the incident reports to the appropriate authority so that the observed incidents can be acted on in an appropriate manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer-based method of collecting and processing incident reports filed by witnesses who observe incidents such as criminal acts and legal violations. The method automates the collection and processing of the incident reports and automatically sends the incident reports to the appropriate authority so that the observed incidents can be acted on in an appropriate manner.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Citizens frequently observe criminal acts, legal violations, and other incidents that they wish to report to the appropriate authority or authorities. However, many people do not know who the appropriate authority is or how to contact them and therefore either report the incident to the wrong authority or fail to report the incident at all. Even when people know who the appropriate authority is, they often decide not to report their observations for fear of getting involved in a criminal matter.
The 911 emergency telephone system has been developed in the United States to provide a convenient way for citizens to report emergencies. However, this system is intended for use in emergencies only, not for reporting incidents in general. Moreover, the 911 system is geographically limited in that each city or zone in the country must set up and operate its own emergency phone system. Moreover, 911 systems are expensive to operate because they rely upon human operators. Another problem with reporting incidents by telephone is that witnesses often fail to provide complete information about their observations because they are excited or in a hurry, making it difficult for the appropriate authority to accurately act on the observations.


In the method for constrained optimization for compander design for OFDM PAPR, wherein the improvement comprises the step of converting a Rayleigh amplitude distribution from which superior performing companders are derived, whereby a constrained optimization problem may be solved using Lagrange multipliers.

Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) is a method of encoding digital data on multiple carrier frequencies. OFDM has developed into a popular scheme for wideband digital communication, used in applications such as digital television and audio broadcasting, DSL Internet access, wireless networks, powerline networks, and 4G mobile communications.
For a sufficiently large number of tones, OFDM signal values are Gaussian, or normally, distributed, by the central limit theorem, which states that, given certain conditions, the arithmetic mean of a sufficiently large number of iterates of independent random variables, each with a well-defined expected value and well-defined variance, will be approximately normally distributed, regardless of the underlying distribution.
The Gaussian distributed signal components generate Rayleigh distributed signal amplitude values, Rayleigh distributions being continuous probability distributions for positive-valued random variables, specifically the distribution of the magnitude of a two-dimensional random vector whose coordinates are independent, identically distributed, mean 0 normal variables. In signals typical of the current state of the art, the Rayleigh distribution is typically heavy-tailed, i.e. a larger proportion of its population rests within its tail than would under a normal distribution. The long tail of the Rayleigh distribution, i.e. the portion of the distribution having a large number of occurrences far from the "head" or central part of the distribution, indicates the presence of large amplitude values, resulting from constructive interference. These large amplitude values can saturate the power amplifier, used in the processing chain, thus creating signal distortion which reduces demodulation performance.
This causes existing techniques for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) to suffer from large peak-to-average power ratio (PAPR). The PAPR is the peak amplitude squared (giving the peak power) divided by the mean square value squared (giving the average power).
Many techniques have been developed to mitigate the PAPR problem, including signal companding. Companders are attractive because of their simplicity and effectiveness. Companders apply an amplitude weight to the signal, generally downweighting large amplitude values, while upweighting smaller values to maintain constant power. The large amplitude downweighting, while simultaneously maintaining the same power level, reduces the PAPR. The amplitude weighting introduces signal distortion, so it is important to design companders that introduce minimal distortion to limit demodulation errors, while also providing out-of-band power rejection.
Early solutions adapted companders from speech and audio coding, such as μ-law and A-law companders. Subsequent approaches decomposed the amplitude interval into disjoint regions over which different amplitude weighting functions were used. Modern companders are derived by transforming the Rayleigh amplitude distribution into a more favorable distribution to reduce PAPR. Among these transformations, piecewise transformations, i.e. a function composed of straight-line sections, have been used, either uniform, linear, nonlinear, or piecewise linear.
A need still exists, however, for solutions which minimally alter the original Rayleigh amplitude distribution.

Constrained optimization approach to compander design for OFDM PAPR reduction

BAE Systems Information and Electronic System Integration Inc.


An airbag includes at least one panel defining an interior of the airbag, and a divider positioned in the interior so as to divide the interior into a first chamber and a second chamber. The divider includes at least one divider opening enabling fluid communication between the first and second chambers. A valve mechanism is operatively coupled to the divider and has a first cover structured to restrict gas flow from the second chamber into the divider opening. The first cover has an opening. A second cover is attached to the first cover and is structured to restrict gas flow through the first cover opening in a direction from the first chamber toward the second chamber.

The embodiments described herein relate a valve mechanism structured to restricting gas flow between interior chambers of a multi-chamber airbag.
To achieve a desired inflation profile and occupant cushioning effect in certain designs of multi-chamber vehicle airbags, it is sometimes necessary to selectively restrict gas flow between the airbag chambers. This may be achieved by incorporating a flow control valve mechanism into the airbag to regulate gas flow between the chambers in a desired manner. In some applications, it is desirable to ensure that gas flows from a first chamber into a second chamber at a first flow rate, while also ensuring that any flow from the second chamber back into the first chamber occurs at a second rate different from the first flow rate. Thus, an ongoing need exists or a valve mechanism that enables such asymmetric gas flow rates to be achieved and adjusted for particular applications as well as for different sizes or masses of occupants.

Two-way valve for multi-chambered airbags


A disk drive having: (a) at least one data disk; (b) a brushless DC motor coupled to the data disk, the motor having: (i) multiple phase windings arranged as a stator, and (ii) a rotor having a permanent magnet or a DC current excitation winding for rotating the data disk; (c) a transducer for writing data to or reading data from the data disk; (d) a carrier supporting the transducer; (e) a voice coil motor coupled to the carrier for moving the carrier radially across the disk; (f) a drive controller coupled to the brushless DC motor and to the voice coil motor; and (g) a support for supporting the brushless DC motor, the voice coil motor and the drive controller. The drive controller periodically samples the rotor position and then drives the motor by energizing appropriate phase windings in relation to the rotor position that provide maximum forward torque to the rotor. While driving the motor, the drive controller also applies a series of current pulses to the VCM to oscillate the head carrier radially in and out. The combined application of maximum torque to the rotor and oscillation of the head carrier overcomes stiction between the slider and the surface of the disk to rotate the disk.

Disk drives are utilized in many information and processing systems for storing data. A typical disk drive includes a spindle motor for rotating a data disk, and an actuator for moving a head carrier that supports read/write heads radially across the disk to access data stored on concentric data tracks on the disk. Many disk drives include a plurality of disks separated by spacer rings and stacked on a hub attached to the spindle motor, a plurality of read/write heads, and a plurality of of head carriers, each head carrier supporting at least one head. A head carrier typically includes an air-bearing slider that rides on a bearing of air above a disk surface when the disk is rotating at its operational speed.
A data disk surface is typically very smooth in order to increase storage capacity of the disk and to maintain consistent magnetic properties across the disk. However, a smooth disk surface causes stiction when a head carrier slider comes into stationary contact with the disk surface. Stiction causes the slider to stick to the disk surface, resisting rotation of the disk.
Stiction can be caused by static friction, and adhesion forces between the disk surface and the slider created by the lubricant on the disk surface. Stiction has a step function characteristic with a maximum value when the disk and the slider are in stationary contact and a minimum value when the disk and the slider are moving relative to one another. Therefore, when disk rotation is initiated, stiction between the slider and the disk instantly drops from the maximum value to the minimum value, causing the slider to suddenly break free of the disk. Further, in many low power disk drives such as used in laptop computers, despite application of full power to the spindle motor, the spindle motor cannot overcome stiction between the slider and the disk. In that case, the disk drive is not operational and none of the data on the disk can be accessed.
To prevent the slider from sticking to the disk, some disk drives, such as contact start/stop disk drives, provide a parking zone for the slider, away from the smooth surface of the disk. In contact start/stop disk drives, the slider is in contact with the disk surface during start and stop operations when there is insufficient disk rotational speed to maintain an air bearing between the slider and the disk surface. The disk includes a landing zone in a specially textured non-data region of the disk where the slider is parked during stop and start operations. In other disk drives, the slider is mechanically unloaded from the disk when the disk is not operating, and then loaded back on when the disk has achieved sufficient rotational speed to provide an air bearing for the slider. To unload the slider, a ramp is included in the disk drive housing to contact the head carrier when the head carrier is rotated to the outer periphery of the disk. The ramp lifts and suspends the slider off the surface of the disk.
However, the slider can come into stationary contact with, and stick to, the disk when, for example, the slider is displaced from the landing zone or the ramp due to external shock or actuator failure. If the spindle motor cannot overcome stiction between the slider and the surface of the disk to rotate the disk, none of the data stored on the disk can be accessed. The disk must be physically removed from the disk drive and the date stored thereon accessed by other means.
To start the disk rotating, some disk drive manufacturers have incorporated a dithering function into the actuator controller. The actuator controller applies a train of short duration pulses to the actuator and dithers the head carrier radially to gradually break it free of the disk. Specifically, at startup, a normal startup routine attempts to rotate of the disk. If the normal startup routine fails to rotate the disk, an emergency startup routine is initiated where power is applied to the spindle motor and the head carrier is dithered for a period of time to break it free of the disk. If at the end of the dithering period the disk is rotating, the emergency routine ends. Otherwise, the procedure is repeated until the disk begins rotating or a timeout occurs.
A problem with such disk drives, however, is in the way power is applied to the spindle motor to start the motor and accelerate it to its operational speed. A typical disk drive spindle motor is a brushless DC motor having multiple phase windings arranged as a stator, and a rotor having a permanent magnet for rotating the disk. During an acceleration phase, the motor is commutated to start from standstill and accelerated to its operational speed. Thereafter, the motor is commutated to maintain that operational speed, by sequentially energizing appropriate phase windings based on the location of the rotor to the phase windings. The energized windings generate torque inducing magnetic fields relative to the rotor magnet that rotate the rotor.
However, in such disk drives, the position of the rotor relative to the phase windings at startup is not known. Frequently, inappropriate phase windings relative to the rotor are energized, generating magnetic fields that induce little or no torque to rotate the rotor. As a result, despite application of full power to the spindle motor and dithering of the head carrier, the motor cannot overcome stiction between the slider and the surface of the disk. Further, energizing inappropriate phase windings relative to the rotor can generate magnetic fields that turn the rotor and the disk in the wrong direction, damaging the slider and the read/write heads.
In order to ensure that proper phase windings are energized, sensing devices, such as Hall sensors, can be used to determine the rotor position relative to the windings at startup. Once the rotor position is determined, appropriate windings can be energized to provide maximum torque to the rotor. The rotor position can also be used to energize appropriate windings to rotate the rotor in the correct direction every time. However, such sensors must be precisely positioned and the sensor components are expensive and take up physical space in the motor. Further, environmental variations such as temperature fluctuations severely affect their accuracy.
Some disk drives include indirect position detection systems, such as back electromotive force (emf) detectors, that do not require sensors. Back emf detectors sense back emf transitions in the phase windings, due to magnetic flux caused by a moving rotor, to identify the proper phase windings to be energized. However, such detection systems do not provide rotor position information when the rotor is stationary relative to the windings or when the rotor is not rotating at or above a certain speed. For example, when the rotor is not rotating due to stiction between the disk and the slider, there are no back emf transitions in the stator windings to hint at the rotor position.
In order to detect rotor position at startup, some disk drives include a detector for injecting short current pulses in different phase windings. The times required for the currents in each phase to reach a predetermined level are measured and subtracted from one another. The magnitude and sign of the results are then utilized to determine rotor position relative to the windings at startup. Thereafter, appropriate windings are energized by open loop commutation of the motor based on timing tables pre-stored in memory. The timing tables include information for energizing selected windings at the most beneficial times and for providing torque to the rotor in the correct direction.
However, a problem with such drives is that timing of the commutations is based on expected rotational positions of the rotor relative to the windings. In particular, after the rotor position is initially determined and the appropriate phase windings are energized to start rotation of the rotor in the correct direction, the timing of the commutations is based on the predetermined timing tables. Therefore, if the rotor does not rotate to the next commutation point in a predetermined time, as expected, the commutation timing will be off. Thereafter, the phase windings energized for commutating the rotor may not provide torque to the rotor at the most beneficial time. Improper commutation timing can impede rotation of the rotor, slow the rotor to a stop, and cause irregular rotor rotation speed. This is particularly problematic where stiction between the head carrier slider and the smooth surface of the disk, impedes rotation of the disk at startup. In that case, the time necessary for the rotor to rotate to the next commutation point is vastly different from that predicted by the timing tables.
A further disadvantage of open loop commutation is that a commutation timing table developed for a particular disk drive may be unusable for another disk drive with different physical characteristics. For example, the number of disks in a disk drive directly affect the frictional and inertial forces present in the disk drive. The friction forces in turn affect the rate of rotation of the rotor, requiring a different commutation timing. As such, disk drives with differing number of disks require differing commutation timing tables, increasing the cost and complexity of all disk drives. The commutation timing tables also take up precious memory space, such as ROM.
Other disk drives include rotor position detectors for applying short duration current pulses to each motor phase and monitoring the motor current responses to each pulse. Typically, the amplitude of one of the motor current responses is higher than the rest, and the motor phase producing the higher amplitude indicates rotor position. However, a problem with such drives is that the difference between the pulses returned from the different phases may be very small. As such, determining rotor position based on the differences is difficult and unreliable. Further, measurement accuracy is affected by temperature and differences between the phase inductances or phase resistances.
There is, therefore, a need for a disk drive capable of overcoming stiction between head carriers and one or more disks, and accelerating the disks from standstill in the correct direction, while reliably and consistently applying maximum forward torque to the disks.

Disk drive with closed loop commutator and actuator oscillator


In a system for controlling a plant (engine) 10 having an input u, there are provided with applying device (vibration signal) 100 for applying a component p that changes at a predetermined cycle to the plant, parameter calculating device (Washout Filter) 102 for calculating a parameter h based on an output y of the plant, integrating device (finite interval integrator) 104 for integrating a value j obtained by multiplying the calculated parameter h by the applied component p in an interval of integral multiple of a cycle of the component p, and input calculating devices (infinite interval integrator 106a, multiplier 106b, adder 106c) for calculating the input u based on the integrated value g obtained by the integration. Owing to this configuration, it becomes possible to provide a system that can optimize the output y, while preventing the resonance of the control system while, thereby enabling to control the output of the plant to the extremum point.

In an internal combustion engine, when, for example, ignition timing is controlled at MBT (Minimum Spark Advance for Best Torque), indicated mean effective pressure Pmi, which indicates combustion efficiency, becomes optimum. As shown in FIG. 20, the indicated mean effective pressure with respect to the ignition timing has an extremum characteristic.
Conventionally, such control is conducted by calculating the indicated mean effective pressure using a detected in-cylinder pressure and crank angle, averaging the result, determining the operating condition from the engine speed and load and, based on change of the indicated mean effective pressure when the ignition timing is made varied under the determined operating condition, controlling the ignition timing so that the ignition timing is to be the maximum value of the indicated mean effective pressure, as taught by, for instance, Patent Reference 1. The calculation of the indicated mean effective pressure is explained in Patent Reference 2 in detail.
However, the technique disclosed by Patent Reference 1 is not necessarily satisfactory in terms of control accuracy and response performance and, when a difference between predetermined ignition timing and optimum ignition timing occurs due to the manufacture variance or aging of the engine, the change of fuel property or the like, disadvantageously cannot compensate it.
Meanwhile, a theory called the Extremum-Seeking-Control is proposed as one of control theories, the details of which are described in, for example, Non-Patent Reference 1. The Extremum-Seeking-Control (hereinafter called "ESC") is particularly efficient for searching the extremum in a plant having a non-linear characteristic. When the aforesaid ignition timing control is conducted, for instance, the use of this control theory can improve control accuracy and response performance and also enables to cope with the manufacture variance or aging of the plant, e.g., an internal combustion engine, the change of fuel property or the like. The similar extremum characteristic can be seen in a NOx emission characteristic of an engine, for example.
Patent Reference 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2536243
Patent Reference 2: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2695243
Non-Patent Reference 1: Real-Time Optimization by Extremum-Seeking Control (Kartic B. Ariyur and Miroslaw Krsitic: WILEY-INTERSCIENCE, 2003)
In the ESC, an input f for optimizing an output y is calculated by mixing a vibration input (perturbation input) p for detecting the relationship between output change and input change with an input u to be sent to a plant (controlled object), multiplying a change amount h of the output y at that time by the vibration input p and integrating the product.


A stacked image sensor and method for making the same are provided. The stacked image sensor includes an upper chip with a pixel array thereon. The second chip includes a plurality of column circuits and row circuits associated with the columns and rows of the pixel array and disposed in respective column circuit and row circuit regions that are arranged in multiple groups. Inter-chip bonding pads are formed on each of the chips. The inter-chip bonding pads on the second chip are arranged linearly and are contained within the column circuit regions and row circuit regions in one embodiment. In other embodiments, the inter-chip bonding pads are staggered with respect to each other. In some embodiments, the rows and columns of the pixel array include multiple signal lines and the corresponding column circuit regions and row circuit regions also include multiple inter-chip bonding pads.

Solid state image sensors, such as charge-coupled devices (CCD) and CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) image sensors (CIS) are commonly used as input devices for electronic video and still cameras, robotic/machine vision and other imaging devices. These image sensors include a light sensing element, i.e. a photodiode, within an individual pixel. The pixels are arranged into two-dimensional rows and columns as pixel arrays. The light data captured by the plurality of the light sensing pixels arranged in the pixel array is processed using associated logic and analog circuits. The various circuits include column circuits associated with a column of pixels of the pixel array and row circuits associated with rows of pixels of the pixel arrays. The circuits perform various functions and each column of the pixel array has an associated column circuit and each row of the pixel array has an associated row circuit. In two-dimensional CMOS image sensors, the column circuits and row circuits surround the pixel array.
In today's rapidly advancing electronics industry, and especially in the electronics imaging industry, there is a continued push for increased miniaturization of the various components, including the chips upon which image sensors are formed. There is also a drive to produce image sensors with maximized imaging capabilities. An image sensor with minimal foot print is essential for the compact camera modules used in mobile devices like smart phones and tablet computers.

3D-stacked backside illuminated image sensor and method of making the same

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


Disclosed are methods for preparing SiO.sub.2 layers in semiconductor devices by the rapid thermal oxidation of silicon in an ozone ambient.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to methods for preparing SiO.sub.2 layers in semiconductor devices by the rapid thermal oxidation of silicon in an ozone ambient.
2. State of the Art
Integrated circuit fabrication requires the formation of numerous circuit elements (e.g., transistors such as MOS transistors in very large scale integration devices) on the surface of a silicon substrate and subsequent connection of some of these elements. Such fabrication requires the formation of numerous SiO.sub.2 layers in semiconductor devices, including formation of SiO.sub.2 gate oxide layers, SiO.sub.2 dielectric (insulating) layers, etc.
For example and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, transistor elements, such as transistor element 2, are found on surface of substrate 1. Substrate 1 is part of a silicon wafer which has been processed by conventional techniques to produce a plurality of individual dies or chips. In general, the entire wafer will be subject to the processing steps which are described hereinafter. The drawing, however, illustrates only a small portion of the wafer substrate.
Further in this regard, transistor element 2 generally contains a source site 3 and a reciprocal drain site 4 which are connected by channel 5. In some cases, as shown by FIG. 2, the transistor element 2 is contained within a well region 9. The latter situation is well-known in the art for CMOS transistor fabrication. The substrate I, source site 3, drain site 4, channel 5, and well region 9 are typically doped with Group III element(s) (P-type) such as boron or with Group V element(s) (N-type) such as phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and the like. Typically, the dopants for substrate 1 (or well region 9, if employed) are different in type as compared to that for source site 3 and drain site 4 (e.g., if substrate 1 employs a P-type dopant, then source site 3 and drain site 4 will use an N-type dopant). The dopant in the source 3 and drain 4 sites serves, in part, to electrically isolate the source 3 and drain 4 sites from the substrate 1 (or well region 9, if employed); and to provide an electrically conductive path to the channel region 5. The dopant in the channel 5 is chosen, in part, to determine the desired voltage threshold (i.e., turn-on or turn-off voltage) of the transistor 2.
In transistor element 2, silicon dioxide (SiO.sub.2) layer 6 is deposited or grown on the surface of substrate 1 over channel 5, or the region which will become channel 5. SiO.sub.2 layer 6 serves as a "gate oxide" to electrically isolate the gate 7 from the channel 5. One method for forming SiO.sub.2 layer 6 onto substrate 1 is by the furnace oxidation of silicon in either a oxygen or ozone ambient at high temperatures (i.e., >800.degree. C.). However, when silicon is heated to a high temperature for extended periods of times, dopants in the silicon can migrate and create problems in the fabrication of active devices.
Specifically, in very large scale integration ("VLSI") and other semiconductor devices, the regions of dopant in silicon wafer are precisely controlled. Thermal treatments, however, can cause the dopants to diffuse and thereby reduce the control of their concentration and locations. For devices fabricated with feature sizes below about 2.0 .mu.m (e.g., in a 0.25-2.0 .mu.m range), dopant diffusion (both vertically and horizontally) must be reduced to maintain shallow junctions, controlled gate lengths, etc. Contrarily, when SiO.sub.2 layer 6 is formed by thermal (furnace) oxidation, dopant diffusion in channel 5 is difficult to control because the large thermal mass of the susceptors, wafer boats, and reactor walls in the furnace requires that such oxidation be conducted at elevated temperatures for extended periods of time. Similarly, if dopants are introduced to form source site 3 and its reciprocal drain site prior to the formation of SiO.sub.2 layer 6, dopant diffusion of the source 3 and drain 4 sites is also difficult to control during such thermal oxidation.
In view of the above, the maximum acceptable amount of dopant diffusion in the device during oxidation of the silicon to silicon oxide is often referred to as a "thermal budget" which amount is both temperature and time dependent. Specifically, at a given temperature, there is a maximum time (or the maximum temperature for a given time) permitted to form a SiO.sub.2 layer 6 to a required depth and within permissible levels of dopant migration. As this temperature is lowered, the oxidation can proceed for a longer period of time without exceeding the maximum acceptable amount of dopant diffusion.
With all other factors being equal, the specific thermal budget which can be employed is a variable which is directly related to the amount of dopant migration which can be tolerated in a given semiconductor process technology. In turn, the level of tolerable dopant migration depends, in part, on the short channel transistor performance. Specifically, short channel transistor performance characteristics are negatively impacted when dopant migration exceeds defined levels.
In order to reduce thermal budget and, accordingly, minimize loss of short channel transistor performance, rapid thermal oxidation ("RTO") in an oxygen ambient has been employed. While this procedure results in a significant reductions in thermal budget as compared to furnace oxidation, the continued decrease in feature sizes associated with an increase in the number of circuit elements per chip requires an even lower thermal budget.

Rapid thermal oxidation of silicon in an ozone ambient


The invention relates to a wall holder for at least one musical instrument having a neck or a similar taper, in particular a guitar or bass guitar, including a mounting which is fastened or can be fastened to the wall and at least two support elements which are arranged on the mounting can be inserted between those of the neck of the musical instrument, the neck and/or the head of the musical instrument abutting against the support elements, and is characterized in that the mounting has at least one guide bar bracket for the support elements via which the support elements can be moved relative to one another.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a wall holder for at least one musical instrument having a neck or similar taper, in particular a guitar or bass guitar.
2. Description of the Related Art
Musical instruments, in particular string instruments such as guitars, bass guitars and the like, are very sensitive to external mechanical influences. When the instruments are not being used, then they must be stored in such a way that the sensitive components do not come into contact with the wall, floor or other surfaces and generally prevent damage to the musical instruments, for example, due to tipping over or falling down.
For storing string instruments, numerous musical instrument stands are known in which the instruments can be placed and thus securely stored. If the guitars, bass guitars and the like are to be stored for longer periods of time, a wall holder is also available for musical instruments. In comparison to a musical instrument stand, a wall holder is very space-saving and the instruments are, moreover, also better protected against damage.
Wall holders for guitars, bass guitars and the like are known in various embodiments. A known embodiment of a wall holder is a rack in which the string instrument can be placed upright or laid down and which supports the string instrument both at the neck or at the head or even on the body in a suitable manner. In a string instrument, the neck is generally designated as that area which carries the strings which are, in turn, fastened to the head of the string instrument. The body of the string instrument is the resonance box.
A by far simpler known embodiment of a wall holder for guitars, bass guitars and the like is a rack having two support arms projecting away from the wall between which the neck of the string instrument can be inserted. After the string instrument has been lowered, the head, which usually has a widening in comparison to the neck, rests on the support arms. In this case, it is important that the support arms adjoin the neck of the string instrument as closely as possible, so that the head and thus the instrument can not slip out of the mounting.
It is generally desirable if a wall holder can be used for several different string instruments; for example, for various guitars or bass guitars, but also for a fiddle, a violin, a ukulele, a banjo or similar string instruments. However, just with respect to guitars or bass guitars of various manufacturers or different models, the dimensions of the instrument neck and head already vary greatly. Therefore, for a flexible use, i.e. for the use of a wall holder for different string instruments, it is necessary that the wall holder can be adapted to various dimensions.
DE 195 07 681 C2 discloses a guitar wall holder which can be used for instruments of different neck widths. The guitar wall holder comprises a mounting case that can be fastened to the wall and on which two support arms are fastened which protrude in the manner of a fork with two prongs and form a seat for a guitar head, at least one support arm being arranged on the mounting case so as to be movable in direction of the other support arm. The movable support arm is supported on the mounting case with an end piece of an angular lever section which is pivotable about its longitudinal axis extending in direction of the wall and can be turned about said axis with a rotating motion.
The support arms can be adapted to various neck diameters by means of this construction. Friction-increasing means between the support arm and the mounting case are to ensure that the support arm remains in the assumed position. The support arm is first set by hand, so that the instrument neck can be easily inserted. The support arms are then moved toward one another by the weight of the instrument. In addition, the support arms can be slightly inclined toward one another, so that the instrument is prevented from slipping out.
The effect that the support arms remain in a set position due to the friction-increasing means can also be disadvantageous. This is true, in particular, if the guitar wall holder according to DE 195 07 681 C2 is to be used alternately for instruments having very large dimensions and instruments with very small dimensions. The desired aperture width is then first set by hand in most cases before the instrument can be inserted. However, often, the musician does not have a free hand when storing or putting them away since he is transporting several instruments or accessories at the same time.
Furthermore, the instrument can also get caught when being removed, above all, if the support arms are also slightly inclined. For example, during removal, the support arms can be carried along upward and again be brought very close together there, so that they lock the instrument in.
It is now the object of the invention to provide a wall holder for musical instruments in which the aforementioned disadvantages of the prior art are at least partially overcome and at least reduced.