An image forming apparatus, comprises an image carrier for carrying a toner image, a charging device for charging the carrier, wherein the charging device includes a discharge member and a grid which is arranged between this discharge member and the image carrier and has at least a surface made of gold; and a discharge product removing device for removing discharge products generated by the charging device from a portion of the image carrier to where the charging device is located to face.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus based on electrophotographic technology comprising a charging device.
In an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on electrophotographic technology, a photoconductor as an image carrier is provided with uniform charging by a corona discharge type charging device as a charging means, and the image is exposed by an image exposure means to form a latent image. Then a toner image is created by a development means, and a toner image is transferred onto a recording medium by a transfer device.
The corona charge type charging device used in the image forming apparatus of this type can be broadly classified into two types; a wire discharge type and a pin discharge type (pin electrode type and serrated electrode type). A grid for controlling the potential of the photoconductor is arranged between a discharge member such as a wire and pin, and a photoconductor.
When the photoconductor is exposed to a discharged product such as ozone generated by corona discharge, the photoconductor is subjected to deterioration. Even when subjected to exposure, the potential of the photoconductor remains close to the level of discharge potential without dropping to a predetermined level. Thus, an image is not formed, and a white streak in the horizontal direction (axial direction of the photoconductor) appears in the image.
Such a phenomenon tends to occur particularly when image formation operation is restarted some time after completion of the previous image formation operation. This is because ozone and other discharge products remain in the charging device and these remnants spread over the surface of the photoconductor, with the result that the photoconductor is deteriorated.
To prevent such deterioration of the photoconductor, the following methods are known in the prior art, for example; a technique of removing ozone and others by blowing air flow into the charging device (Patent Document 1), and a technique of rotating the photoconductor a predetermined time after completion of printing, so that ozone and others are removed by the flow of air during the rotation of the photoconductor (Patent Document 2).
[Patent Document 1] Official Gazette of Japanese Patent Tokkaihei 5-313470
[Patent Document 2] Official Gazette of Japanese Patent Tokkaihei 4-104267
Either of the aforementioned prior art techniques has failed to solve the problem of photoconductor deterioration.
Through concentrated study efforts to analyze the cause of this problem, the present inventors have found out the following:
A wire grid using a stainless steel or tungsten, or a plate-formed grid with a pattern formed on a sheet metal of stainless steel and others by etching is utilized as a grid arranged between the photoconductor and discharge member to control the charging potential of the photoconductor. The grid in particular has a large surface area and is characterized by powerful adhesion of ozone and other discharge products on such a material as a stainless steel or tungsten. Ozone and other discharge products attached onto the grid surface cannot be removed sufficiently by flow of air by rotation. When the image formation operation is stopped thereafter, ozone and other discharge products will spread gradually over the surface of the photoconductor, with the result that the photoconductor deteriorates. In particular, the grid is arranged close to the photoconductor, and this influence is very serious.
Especially in recent years, there is an active demand for downsizing and high speed processing of the aforementioned image forming apparatus. To meet this requirement, it is necessary to reduce the diameter of the photoconductor drum, to minimize the dimensions of a corona charging device, image exposure means development means and others arranged in the peripheral area, and to lessen the space between processing means. Further, when a photoconductor drums are arranged for each color, the space between these photoconductor drums must be minimized. This arrangement reduces the space of the image forming apparatus as a whole, and ozone and other discharge products generated from the charging device remain around the photoconductor without being removed. A white streak appearing in the image resulting from deterioration of the photoconductor presents a big problem for downsizing and high speed processing of the apparatus.

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


An insulating, serving urn assembly(10) with an extra closure assembly(40) releasably mounted within the neck(28) of an urn body(22) for reducing the loss of heat from within the urn during brewing of beverage into the urn assembly(10) by passing the beverage into the urn body through a relatively small drain opening(73) of a brew guide(46) mounted to an extra closure member(42) that closes off the inner opening(26) of the urn. After,brewing is complete but before serving from the urn assembly(10), the beverage is additionally insulated by a lid(36) that fits over the outer opening(24) of the urn assembly(10) and a brew guide closure(76) that is mounted to the underside(36B) of the lid(36). During service a relatively small, extra closure service opening (50) located adjacent to a spout (34) in the extra closure member(42) is opened with movement of a rotatably mounted door(44) to an open position to enable pouring out of the beverage while still covering most of the inner opening(26). The drain hole(73) is located asymmetrically opposite of the extra closure opening and the spout(36) to prevent its submersion into the beverage and functions as an air hole during pouring to enhance smooth flow.

This invention generally relates to beverage urns and more particularly to insulated beverage urns and methods of using insulated beverage urns to brew into and distribute beverage with an insulated beverage urn.
Insulated beverage urns such as used to temporarily store and serve hot coffee or hot water for tea are well known. It is also known to brew hot beverage, such as hot coffee, directly into the insulated urn rather than first brewing the coffee into a larger intermediate container and then dispensing the coffee into the urn through a spigot. This is done to ensure that the coffee enters the insulated urn in its freshest and hottest state after just passing through the coffee grounds. If coffee is kept heated artificially for very long in a separate intermediate it deteriorates with respect to desirable flavor and aroma, and if not heated looses heat until the temperature is too low for acceptable coffee service.
An excessive heat loss problem with known coffee urns of the type which are designed for direct receipt of freshly brewed beverage, or direct brew coffee urns, has been noted by the present inventor. Those with lid closures have large mouth openings that are open not only during the brew flow period during which hot water is continuously added to the brew basket that contains the ground coffee or other ingredient within a filter through which the hot water seeps but remain open during two to three minutes of so-called xe2x80x9cdripping timexe2x80x9d. During dripping time, it has been observed that with the temperature of the beverage drops approximately 25 degrees Farenheit from approximately 190 degrees to approximately 165 degrees due to heat loss through the open top. Even after the dripping time is over and the lid is closed for temporary storage, heat continues to be lost through the spout opening and trough the lid itself which is often not well insulated.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide an insulated coffee urn assembly and method of using coffee urn assembly to reduce heat loss during direct brewing into the urn, during dripping time and during waiting time.
This objective is achieved in part by provision of a beverage urn assembly with an insulated body with a supportive bottom, an open top portion with an upper urn opening, and a lower, inner urn opening, a neck extending between the upper top opening and the lower urn opening, and an enclosing inner insulating side wall extending between the bottom and the inner urn opening to define an interior insulated space communicating with the inner urn opening for receipt and insulated storage of a beverage; an insulating extra closure assembly fitted within the neck between the upper opening and inner opening, and having an insulating extra closure member closing passage through the neck except through an extra closure opening that is substantially smaller than the inner opening, and an extra closure opening door movably mounted to the extra closure member for movement between a closed position in which movement of fluid and gases through the extra closure opening are blocked, and an open position in which the movement of beverage and gases through the extra closure opening are not blocked.
The objective is also achieved in part by providing a hot beverage urn assembly with an insulated body having a supportive bottom, an open top portion with an upper urn opening, and a lower, relatively smaller inner urn opening, a neck extending between the upper urn opening and the lower inner urn opening, and an enclosing inner insulating side wall extending between the bottom and the inner opening to define an interior insulated space communicating with the inner entrance opening for receipt and insulated storage of a beverage; and an insulating extra closure assembly snugly fitted within the neck between the inner opening and the spout including an insulating extra closure member mounted snugly within the neck and having a closure opening, said closure opening being substantially smaller than the inner opening, said insulating closure member closing passageway through the neck except through the substantially smaller closure opening to reduce thermal transfer, and a brew guide mounted to the closure member and having a drain hole for passing beverage into the interior insulated space, said drain hole being located to provide an inlet for air during pouring of the beverage from the interior insulated space.
In the preferred embodiment of the insulated urn assembly the brew guide has a a brew guide inlet opening located opposite of the outlet drain hole, said drain hole being substantially smaller than the brew guide inlet opening, and a substantially solid tapered wall assembly with a bottom wall that extends generally inwardly and downwardly and away from the extra closure opening and the brew guide inlet opening to the drain hole in a funnel-like fashion, said drain hole being asymmetrically located to prevent blockage by the beverage during pouring, and means for mounting the brew guide to the extra closure assembly. Preferably, another closure is provided as a lid pivotally mounted to the upper portion for movement between a closed position in which the upper opening is covered by the lid, and an open position in which the upper opening is uncovered, and in which the brew guide is mounted to the extra closure assembly with the brew guide inlet opening located beneath the upper opening to enable movement of the lid to the closed position.
In addition, in the preferred embodiment the beverage urn assembly includes a brew guide closure for closing the brew guide against passage of steam and hot air through the drain hole when operatively engaged with the brew guide. The lid that is pivotally mounted to the top portion of the insulated body has an outer side that faces away from the outer opening and an opposite inner side the brew guide closure is mounted to the inner side of the lid to be carried by the lid into operative engagement with the brew guide to close the brew guide when the lid is moved to the closed position. Preferably, the brew guide closure is a plug that fits snugly into the brew guide to close the brew guide against the escape of steam and hot air from the interior insulated space through the funnel drain hole.
An advantageous feature of the invention is that the extra closure member and the brew guide attached to the extra closure member are releasably attached to the neck and the extra closure member is releasably attached to the neck by means of a releasable connection to a mounting member carried by an interior surface of the neck between the top opening and the inner opening. This enables easy removal for cleaning or replacement.
Another advantageous feature is that the extra closure assembly is provided with a closure opening door movably mounted to the extra closure member for movement between a closed position in which movement of fluid and gases through the extra closure opening are blocked, and an open position in which the movement of beverage and gases through the extra closure opening are not blocked.
In accordance with the preferred method of serving freshly brewed beverage the beverage is passed directly into an inner urn opening of an insulated urn having an insulated interior by passing the beverage through a drain hole substantially smaller than the inner urn opening of a concave brew guide of an extra closure assembly that is mounted in blocking relationship within the inner urn opening to reduce thermal loss from the interior of the urn during filling of the urn with beverage. The outer lid is returned to a closed position to close an upper urn opening located above the inner urn opening and above the extra closure assembly and the brew guide. The urn is then moved from a brewing location to serving location, and the door to the extra closure opening of the extra closure member that is substantially smaller than the inner opening is opened and beverage is poured out of the interior of the urn through the inner urn opening, through the extra closure opening and out of the upper opening at the serving location after the door has been opened.
Preferably, the method includes the step of closing the door to the extra closure member while passing the freshly brewed beverage into the urn to reduce loss from within the urn and closing the brew guide with a closure after the urn has been filled and before serving.

Insulated urn with heat retentive closure and method

Food Equipment Technologies Company, Inc.


A tissue handling apparatus is provided comprising a support and a locator, for processing and embedding tissue samples. The support and cover form a chamber, within which a tissue sample is oriented prior to processing. After processing, the tissue sample within the chamber is embedded and the locator is removed, leaving the tissue sample correctly oriented in embedding material, mounted to a support, ready for microtoming.

In general, the term "tissue handling procedure" can be used to describe procedures for preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination and, traditionally, comprises embedding the tissue sample in paraffin wax and sectioning the paraffin-embedded tissue sample very thinly with a microtome. Thereafter, the thin sections may be floated onto glass slides, stained and finally coverslipped for microscopic examination. In histopathology, not only are the size and shape of the cells considered, but also the tissue structure. It is therefore useful to orient the tissue properly so that the plane of cutting by the microtome produces a cross section of tissue suitable for examination. Prior to embedding, the tissue sample may undergo tissue processing in a tissue processor, in which the sample is processed with various fluid materials appropriate to assist in preparing the sample for the examination. In a typical tissue processing operation the tissue sample may be fixed, dehydrated, cleared, and then infiltrated with molten paraffin wax. Then, depending on the examination to be conducted and subsequent to embedding and sectioning, the tissue sample may be stained for a particular analysis methodology. The fluid materials used in tissue processing steps may comprise formaldehyde, alcohol, xylene or other solvents, and paraffin wax. In recent developments being the subject of co-pending patent applications by the present applicant, xylene-free processing is now possible.
Therefore, the term "tissue handling procedure" is used herein to refer to any one of the abovementioned procedures that are performed in preparing tissue samples for examination.
A histology laboratory processes a number of tissue samples for examination and it is important that the tissue samples be prepared as efficiently as possible.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,674,396 to McCormick discloses cassettes in which a tissue sample is both prepared for embedding through exposure to various solutions and is then embedded in proximity to the cassette. The '396 McCormick patent discloses a process wherein the tissue sample is statically exposed to the various fluids required for preparation of the tissue samples. In the cassettes of the '396 McCormick patent, perforated walls are used to enclose the tissue samples while providing access to the tissue samples for the various solutions and finally to molten paraffin wax. After subjecting the tissue sample to the various tissue processing fluids, molten embedding material may be poured into the well of a mold. The treated tissue sample may then be removed from the cassette and oriented in a specific manner in the embedding material in the well of the mold. Typically the mold is then placed onto a cold surface to harden the bottom layer of embedding material to ensure the tissue stays in the correct orientation, before applying further embedding material to fully embed the tissue. Additional molten embedding material is then poured over the tissue sample. The cassette used to process the tissue sample is then placed over the well in the mold and additional molten embedding material is poured into the cassette. After the embedding material solidifies, a cast block is formed that comprises the cassette as its base and a protruding portion having the tissue specimen disposed adjacent its front surface. The size of various cassettes, which have been developed for processing tissue samples, has been relatively standardized so that the cassette may be used, inter alia, to clamp the block into a microtome for sectioning. U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,869 to McCormick describes a typical cassette presently used for processing tissue samples. The cassette of the '869 McCormick patent is stackable and may be used for preparing a plurality of specimens. The cassette generally comprises a plurality of apertures disposed in the walls of the cassette for passage of processing fluids in a direction both orthogonal and parallel to the plane of the bottom wall of the cassette. The cassette also comprises a sloping extension of the front wall of the cassette for ease in placing indicia on the cassette for identification of the sample.
In the majority of histology laboratories, tissue samples are processed in a cassette that has come to be manufactured in accordance with at least one de facto industry standard, for example, along the lines of the above noted '396 McCormick patent and thereafter the above noted '869 McCormick patent. One cassette is typically used per tissue sample in order to ensure samples may be uniquely identified and labelled to ensure accurate diagnosis. For diagnostic reasons samples may vary greatly in size, from samples that almost fill a cassette completely to small biopsies that may be less than 1 mm in diameter. With respect to prior art tissue cassettes, the tissue specimen is held loosely and individually in a cassette to segregate it from other samples. After tissue processing, the next step is usually embedding the tissue sample in paraffin wax. The embedding procedure typically comprises the following steps:                Specimen is taken out of the cassette at some time after tissue processing is completed;        The histologist selects the correct size mold to use;        A small volume of wax is dispensed to the bottom of the mold;        The tissue specimen is placed into the mold and orientated carefully by the laboratory technician using wax to orient the tissue;        A holding fixture for the microtome (ordinarily a portion of a tissue cassette) is placed on the top of the mold. The fixture also provides an identification label;        Additional wax is dispensed by the technician to attach the fixture to the tissue sample, now enclosed in a block of wax;        The wax block is then cooled and solidified;        The wax block is then removed from the mold and ready to be mounted on the microtome via the fixture for sectioning.
The above procedure requires the histologist to spend time removing the tissue from the cassette after tissue processing and then orienting the samples in wax in their own mold.
Any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an admission that any of the material formed part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art on or before the priority date of the invention disclosed herein or, any claims defined herein.

Method and apparatus for handling tissue samples


Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for position determination are presented. In some embodiments, a method for position determination includes selecting at least one of a plurality of access points based on a measure of response time variability associated with the at least one access point. The method further includes sending, from a device, a communication to the selected at least one access point. The method also includes receiving, from the selected at least one access point, a response to the communication. The method additionally includes calculating a distance from the device to the selected at least one access point based on a round trip time associated with the response to the communication.

Aspects of the disclosure relate to wireless communication. More specifically, aspects of the disclosure relate to Wi-Fi access point (AP) positioning and navigation systems.
Modern navigation systems have typically used satellite-based global positioning system (GPS) for position determination. However, the recent proliferation of Wi-Fi access points has made it possible for navigation systems to use these access points for position determination, especially in urban areas where there is usually large concentration of Wi-Fi access points. WLAN navigation systems can be advantageous over GPS navigation systems because of limitations of GPS signal coverage. For example, while GPS signals may not be readily available inside a shopping mall, wireless signals generated by Wi-Fi access points inside the shopping mall would be more readily detectable by a mobile communication device.
More specifically, for WLAN navigation systems, the locations of the Wi-Fi access points are used as reference points from which well-known trilateration techniques can determine the location of a mobile device (e.g., a Wi-Fi-enabled cell phone, laptop, or tablet computer). The mobile device can use the round trip time (RTT) of signals transmitted to and from the access points to calculate the distances between the mobile device and the access points. Once these distances are calculated, the location of the mobile device can be estimated using trilateration techniques.
When using RTT techniques to determine the distances between the mobile device and the visible Wi-Fi access points, the geographic locations (e.g., latitude and longitude) of the access points need to be known. A number of online databases can be used to determine the locations of large numbers of actively deployed Wi-Fi access points according to their unique basic service set identifier (BSSID) values. For example, companies including Google©, Skyhook©, Devicescape©, and WiGLE™ have built databases of BSSID values and the geographic locations of the corresponding access points.
However, such WLAN navigation systems are inherently imprecise because different make-and-models of Wi-Fi access points typically have different RTT characteristics. For example, different access point products (even those manufactured by the same company) may have different response times associated with transmitting a beacon signal in response to a probe signal generated by the mobile device. Not knowing the exact response time of a particular access point introduces inaccuracies in the measured RTT. Thus, because of the relatively short broadcast range of Wi-Fi access points (e.g., typically less than 30 meters) in relation to the propagation speed of the Wi-Fi signals, inaccuracies in the calculated RTT resulting from unknown variations in the access points' response times can lead to large errors in the calculated position of the mobile device.
Conventional WLAN navigation and positioning systems typically assume the same estimated RTT characteristics for all APs, irrespective of their make and model. Thus, because distance calculations using RTT techniques depend upon processing delays that are specific to individual access points, which in turn typically vary between devices manufactured by different companies and even between different products produced by the same company, such conventional WLAN navigation systems are prone to errors that hinder their accuracy.
Accordingly, there is a need for a system that can consider the varying RTT delay characteristics of a variety of different Wi-Fi access point devices when determining position information of a mobile device using Wi-Fi access points.

System and method for selecting a Wi-Fi access point for position determination


Embodiments of wireless communication devices and methods for protecting broadcasted management control messages from insider forgery in wireless network are generally described herein.

In many wireless networks, a managing communication station, such as an access point, may broadcast network management and control messages as well as other information, to associated communication stations. These broadcasted messages may request that the associated communication stations perform some type of network management and/or control function. One problem is that these network management and control messages may not have originated from the access point and may have been forged by one of the associated communication stations. These forged messages may cause many different network management problems, which may for example, reduce network performance and increase power consumption and can lead to denial of service situations.
Thus, there are general needs for systems and methods that protect broadcasted management control messages in wireless networks. There are also general needs for systems and methods that also detect and recover from the transmission of forged broadcasted messages in wireless networks.

Wireless communication device and methods for protecting broadcasted management control messages in wireless networks


A tool fixing device for machine tools has a tool holder with a tool holder body for bearing the tool, and a tool carrier with a tool station. The tool station has a support surface and a receiver for receiving a shaft from the tool holder. An aligning device operative between the tool holder body and the tool carrier is used to position the tool holder body relative to the tool carrier, such that the tool holders in the respective tool station of the tool carrier need not be readjusted each time they are inserted. The aligning device has two aligning elements, one on the tool carrier, and the other on the tool holder body. When the shaft from the tool holder is clamped in the receiver on the tool station, the aligning elements fix the tool carrier so as to be aligned in a single position using form-fitting elements which engage in one another without clearance.

The invention relates to a tool fixing device for machine tools, comprising a tool holder with a tool holder body bearing the tool and having a contact surface and a shaft projecting therefrom for clamping the tool holder, a tool carrier with a tool station comprising a support surface and a receiving means for the shaft, wherein the contact surface abuts on the support surface when the tool holder is clamped in the receiving means with its shaft, and an aligning device operative between tool holder body and tool carrier for positioning the tool holder body relative to the tool carrier, in particular with respect to rotation about a longitudinal axis of the shaft.
Such a tool fixing device is known from DE-PS 39 29 802.
With this device, two projections are arranged on the tool holder body out of necessity and these each bear a screw as adjusting element, in addition, wherein the tool holder body can be aligned relative to the tool carrier by means of adjusting elements acting on the two opposite end faces of the tool carrier.
This solution has the disadvantage that for each insertion into the tool station each tool holder body has to be adjusted by means of the adjusting devices in the inserted position since alterations in the surfaces of the tool carrier acted upon by the adjusting devices relative to the receiving means and, thus, inaccuracies result during multiple removal and insertion of the tool holder.
The object underlying the invention is therefore to improve a tool fixing device of the generic type such that the tool holders in the respective tool station of the tool carrier need not be readjusted each time they are inserted.


A mobile communication system comprises a mobile communication device provided with a touch screen; and a speech activity analyzer suitable to receive from said touch screen data indicative of pressure applied to an area of said touch screen, and of changes thereto with time.

Mobile communication devices have evolved substantially in the last decade and this evolution has led in many cases to the elimination of the distinction between portable computers, such as PDAs, and telephone devices, such as cellular or cordless telephones. Users are capable of communicating through VoIP or cellular-enabled PDAs pretty much like they do using cellular or cordless telephones. Products such as the IPHONE® available from APPLE Corporation of Cupertino, California and the GALAXY® available from SAMSUNG Corporation of Seoul, South Korea have completely blurred the line that distinguishes between different types of devices. For the sake of simplicity reference will be made in many cases in the description to follow to "phone", it being understood that the term encompasses all possible communication devices, including the ones referred to above.
The widespread use of phones has turned them into devices that are used in different environments, under very different conditions and when the user is engaged in a variety of activities. For instance, the same phone can be used at one time in a silent room, or in a noisy environment at a party, or outside under windy conditions. Moreover, phones are used when the user is engaged in other activities, with only one, or possibly no free hand to perform additional activities, such as pushing actual or virtual buttons on the phone.
One particularly challenging area relates to the recognition of the speech activities of the user, both for the purpose of improving the quality of communication, particularly in noisy environments, and for performing any other activity that is conditioned by the user's speech.
A need therefore exists for methods and apparatus that detect parameters related to a user's speech in a communication device, which parameters can be used to perform further processes inside the communication device.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple and relatively inexpensive way to exploit the touch screen provided in a communication device, to detect parameters associated with the speech of a user of the communication device.
It is another object of the invention to provide a communication device that is capable of detecting parameters associated with the speech of a user.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

System, device and method for detecting speech


A self-excited inverter circuit, includes: a booster transformer with a secondary coil, a feedback coil, and a primary coil respectively wound thereon, the primary coil including a center tap to which operating power can be supplied; a first N-channel FET having a drain to which is connected one terminal of the primary coil, and having a gate to which is connected one terminal of the feedback coil; and a second N-channel FET having a drain to which is connected the other terminal of the primary coil, and having a gate to which is connected the other terminal of the feedback coil, wherein: using a high voltage drive output generated in the secondary coil when the first and second N-channel FETs are turned on alternately, a discharge tube is driven and turned on; and the first and second N-channel FETs are both formed in a single package.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a self-excited inverter circuit which, using a high voltage drive output generated in a secondary coil when two FETs with their respective drains connected to a primary coil are turned on alternately, drives and turns on a discharge tube serving as the light source of the back light of a liquid crystal panel and, more specifically, the invention relates to a self-excited inverter circuit arranged such that two FETs are formed in a single package.
2. Related Art
As a circuit for driving a cold cathode tube serving as the light source of the backlight of a liquid crystal display device having a size of about 15 inches, there is used such a self-excited inverter circuit as shown in FIG. 2. That is, in this inverter circuit, when a pair of N-channel FETs (which are hereinafter referred to as FETs simply) 11, 12 are turned on alternately, there is generated a high voltage drive output in a secondary coil L2, and the thus generated high voltage drive output is used to drive and turn on a cold cathode tube 4. Also, for the FETs 11, 12, there is used an element (for example, a PW-MOLD type element) formed in a package which can be mounted on a soldered surface and the respective drains of the FETs 11, 12, as shown in FIG. 4, are connected through patterns 81, 82 to a primary coil L1 (in a package 91, there is formed the FET 11; and, in a package 92, there is formed the FET 12).
As described above, the FET 11 and FET 12 are different elements which are respectively formed in mutually different packages. Therefore, the gate threshold voltage of the FET 11 and the gate threshold voltage of the FET 12 can differ greatly from each other due to variations in production. In this case, there is generated a relatively large difference between the turn-on period of the FET 11 and the turn-on period of the FET 12. And, in the FET the turn-on period of which is long, the heat value thereof is larger than that of the other FET and thus the element temperature thereof is higher. As a result of this, on the side where the element temperature is higher, the gate threshold value voltage becomes low and thus the turn-on period thereof increases further. That is, between the two FETs, a difference in the turn-on periods thereof increases. And, when the difference in the turn-on periods between the two FETs increases and thus imbalance between the switching operations increases, the wave form of the high voltage drive output for driving and turning on the cold cathode tube 4 is distorted. This incurs an inconvenience that a given level of luminance cannot be obtained, or the like.
In view of the above circumstances, there has been proposed a technique to be disclosed below (which is herein referred to as a first conventional technique). That is, in this technique, bias voltages to be applied to the gates of switching FETs are generated using a voltage divider circuit. And, the bias voltages generated in the voltage divider circuit are guided to the respective gates of the switching FETs through resistors so provided as to correspond to their respective switching FETs. Also, there are provided a diode with its cathode connected to the drain of one FET and its anode connected to the gate of the other FET, a diode with its cathode connected to the drain of the other FET and its anode connected to the gate of one FET. Therefore, on the side of the FET to be turned on, a voltage to be applied to the gate thereof is automatically controlled so as to provide a proper value in the vicinity of the threshold value. That is, even when the gate threshold value voltage varies, the voltage to be applied to the gate is controlled so as to correct such variation. As a result of this, there can be prevented the occurrence of a situation that the turn-on period of one FET is longer than that of the other FET, which can in turn prevent the occurrence of the distorted wave form of the high voltage drive output (for example, see JP-A-11-235052).
Also, there has been proposed another technique to be discussed below (which is herein referred to as a second technique). That is, this technique is applied to a half bridge type inverter circuit. Specifically, this technique is applied to a circuit which, as switching elements, uses a pair of elements composed of a complementary combination of an N-channel FET and a P-channel FET. And, with regard to the two FETs, namely, the N-channel FET and P-channel FET, there is employed a structure in which they are formed in the same package. Also, as for a pair of Zener diodes to be connected between the gate of one complementary FET and the source of the other complementary FET as well, there is used a structure in which the pair of Zener diodes are formed in the same package. As a result of this, the area of the circuit necessary for mounting the elements can be reduced, thereby being able to enhance the mounting efficiency of the elements (for example, see JP-A-2003-317988).


A first interpolation processing apparatus that engages in processing on image data which are provided in a calorimetric system constituted of first˜nth (n≧2) color components and include color information corresponding to a single color component provided at each pixel to determine an interpolation value equivalent to color information corresponding to the first color component for a pixel at which the first color component is missing, includes: an interpolation value calculation section that uses color information at pixels located in a local area containing an interpolation target pixel to undergo interpolation processing to calculate an interpolation value including, at least (1) local average information of the first color component with regard to the interpolation target pixel and (2) local curvature information corresponding to at least two color components with regard to the interpolation target pixel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interpolation processing apparatus that engages in interpolation processing on color image data to supplement a color component and a luminance component missing in pixels and a recording medium having an interpolation processing program for achieving the interpolation processing on a computer, that can be read by a computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some electronic cameras generate color image data by employing an image-capturing sensor having three color (R, G and B: red, green and blue) color filters provided at specific positions (e.g., a Bayer array). In such an electronic camera in which the individual pixels at the image-capturing sensor each output color information corresponding to only a single color component, it is necessary to implement interpolation processing to obtain color information corresponding to all the color components for each pixel.
In an interpolation processing method proposed in the prior art, spatial similarity manifested by an interpolation target pixel undergoing the interpolation processing is judged and an interpolation value is calculated by using the color information output from pixels positioned along the direction in which a high degree of similarity is manifested.
For instance, in the art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,734, a green color interpolation value G5 for the interpolation target pixel is calculated through one formula among formula 1 through formula 3 when the color information corresponding to individual pixels is provided as shown below, with A5 representing the color information at the interpolation target pixel (a pixel with the green color component missing), A1, A3, A7 and A9 representing color information from pixels provided with color filters in the same color as the color of the filter at the interpolation target pixel and G2, G4, G6 and G8 representing color information from pixels provided with green color filters.
A1G2A3 G4 A5 G6 A7G8A9
If a marked similarity manifests along the horizontal direction, the green color interpolation value G5 for the interpolation target pixel is calculated through;G5=(G4+G6)/2+(−A3+2A5−A7)/4  (formula 1).If a marked similarity manifests along the vertical direction, the green color interpolation value G5 for the interpolation target pixel is calculated through;G5=(G2+G8)/2+(−A1+2A5−A9)/4  (formula 2).If roughly equal degrees of similarity manifest along the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, the green color interpolation value G5 for the interpolation target pixel is calculated throughG5=(G2+G4+G6+G8)/4+(−A1−A3+4A5−A7−A9)/8  (formula 3).It is to be noted that in order to simplify the subsequent explanation, the first terms ((G4+G6)/2, (G2+G8)/2) in formulae 1 and 2 are each referred to as a primary term and that second terms ((−A3+2A5−A7)/4, (−A1+2A5−A9)/4) in formulae 1 and 2 are each referred to as a correctional term.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,734, assuming that the image data undergoing the interpolation processing manifest marked similarity along the horizontal direction with A3, G4, A5, G6 and A7 provided as indicated with  marks in FIG. 17, A4 representing the average of A3 and A5, and A6 representing the average of A5 and A7, the value of the correctional term in formula 1 is equivalent to the vector quantity (α in FIG. 17) representing the difference between A5 and the average of A4 and A6. In addition, the green color interpolation value G5 is equivalent to a value achieved by correcting the average of the values indicated by the color information from pixels adjacent along the horizontal direction (corresponds to the value of the primary term in formula 1) by α.
In other words, in the art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,734, a green color interpolation value is calculated by assuming that the color difference between the green color component and the color component (the red color component or the blue color component) at the interpolation target pixel is constant ((A4−G4), (A5−G5) and (A6−G6) in FIG. 17 match) and correcting the average of the values indicated by the color information from the pixels that are adjacent along the direction in which a high degree of similarity is manifested with color information corresponding to the same color component as that of the interpolation target pixel.
Optical systems such as lenses are known to manifest magnification chromatic aberration. For instance, if there is magnification chromatic aberration at the photographic lens of an electronic camera having an image-capturing sensor provided with color filters in three colors, i.e., R, G and B, arranged in a Bayer array, images corresponding to the red color component and the blue color component are formed at positions slightly offset from the position at which the image corresponding to the green color component is formed, as shown in FIGS. 18B and 18C.
If the photographic lens is free of any magnification chromatic aberration and color information corresponding to the individual pixels is provided as indicated by the  marks in FIG. 19A (the image data undergoing the interpolation processing manifest marked similarity along the horizontal direction, the color information corresponding to the green color component indicates a constant value and the values indicated by the color information corresponding to the red color component and the color information corresponding to the blue color component both change gently in the vicinity of the interpolation target pixel (the pixel at which A5 is present), the value of the correctional term in formula 1 is 0 and, as a result, the average of G4 and G6 (the primary term) is directly used as the green color interpolation value G5 without correction.
However, when A3, A5 and A7 each represent color information corresponding to the red color component and each set of color information corresponding to the red color component is offset by one pixel to the right due to a magnification chromatic aberration at the photographic lens, the color information from the individual pixels undergoes a change as shown in FIG. 19B. Consequently, the value of the correctional term in formula 1 is not 0 and the primary term is over-corrected (hereafter referred to as an "over-correction") in such a case, resulting in the green color interpolation value G5 that should be similar to the values indicated by G4 and G6 becoming larger than the G4 and G6 values (hereafter this phenomenon is referred to as an "overshoot"). If, on the other hand, A3, A5 and A7 each represent color information corresponding to the blue color component and each set of color information corresponding to the blue color component is offset by one pixel to the left due to a magnification chromatic aberration, the color information from the individual pixels undergoes a change as shown in FIG. 19C. Thus, the value of the correctional term in formula 1 is not 0, resulting in the green color interpolation value G5 that should be similar to the G4 and G6 values becoming smaller than those corresponding to G4 and G6 (hereafter this phenomenon is referred to as an "undershoot") through an over-correction.
In other words, the art disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,629,734 poses a problem in that color artifacts occur in the color image obtained through the interpolation processing due to a magnification chromatic aberration.
An over correction also occurs at a color boundary where the color difference changes as well as when there is a magnification chromatic aberration. For instance, the color information corresponding to the individual pixels is provided as indicated by the  marks in FIGS. 20A and 20B (when the color information corresponding to the green color component is constant and the values identified by the color information corresponding to the red color component or the blue color component change drastically near the interpolation target pixel (the pixel at which A5 is present)), the value of the correctional term in formula 1 is not 0 and, an overshoot or an undershoot occurs due to an over correction with regard to the green color interpolation value G5, which should be similar to the values indicated by G4 and G6.
Thus, in a color boundary where the color difference changes, a color artifact occurs as a result of interpolation processing even if there is no magnification chromatic aberration. It is to be noted that such a color artifact as that described above may occur when calculating a red color interpolation value or a blue color interpolation value as well as when calculating a green color interpolation value.

Interpolation processing apparatus and recording medium having interpolation processing program recording therein


A foldable pet feces pickup device includes a handle, upper operating stick, and a lower operating stick. The device further includes a linkage accessory connecting the upper operating stick to the lower operating stick. The linkage accessory has an elongated shape with round convex parts. The device further includes a pair of picking-up members for picking up an object; and a shaft connecting the lower operation stick and the pair of picking-up members. If the upper operating stick is moved toward the handle, the pair of picking-up members moves away from each other to open. If the upper operating stick is moved away from the handle, the pair of picking-up members moves toward each other to close. The device is foldable at the linkage portion.

China's industrial development has been gradually moving toward the direction of intensive, energy conservative and low-carbon. With the development of society and the improvement of living standards, people are constantly in pursuit of spiritual life; while they are enjoying their material life. Raising pets can bring a lot of happiness to the keepers; and add fun to their life. However, the cleanup for pet wastes has brought much inconvenience due to the limitations of living environments. In this context, the foldable pet feces pickup device (Patent No. ZL200920256496.3) has made cleaning work more convenient. It helps to alleviate the sufferings of patients with lumbar diseases and the difficulties for the old people to bend and stoop. Nevertheless, following a long period of use, this foldable pet feces pickup device would bring inconvenience to the pet keepers, such as the issues of rope wearing off, breakage, repair, and inconveniences associated with rope repair and replacement. In order to solve these problems, many pet lovers have made improvements. Although some progress has been made, they all so far failed to completely solve these problems.

Jiangsu Zhongheng Pet Supplies Co., Ltd.


A flexible light emitting module includes: a flexible substrate; and a flexible multi-layer structure formed on the flexible substrate, and including a plurality of light emitting bare chips that are disposed on the same level and that cooperatively define a spacing thereamong, a dielectric material that fills the spacing and that cooperates with the bare chips to form a light emitting layer, and first and second conductive layers sandwiching and adapted to connect the light emitting layer to a power source.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a flexible light emitting module, more particularly to a flexible light emitting module including a flexible multi-layer structure, having a plurality of light emitting bare chips, formed on a flexible substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,299,337 discloses a conventional flexible multiple LED module that includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes (LEDs), which are in the form of packaged chips, bonded to a flexible circuit board, which is supported on rigid boards, through surface mount techniques. However, since the packaged chips are rigid, the conventional flexible multiple LED module thus formed has a poor flexibility and is not suitable for rolling into a roll for application, transport, or storage purposes due to the rigidity of the packaged chips and the presence of the rigid boards.


An intracranial stent includes a proximal end, a distal end, and a tubular sidewall extending there between and a patch covering at least a portion of the sidewall; wherein the patch is capable of diverting blood flow past the neck of an intracranial aneurysm. The patch may be made of a photon-activatable material or a tightly woven metal material with a density greater than a density of the sidewall itself.

Endovascular treatment of a cerebral aneurysm is currently carried out using either embolic substances or devices delivered inside the aneurysm, such as coils or liquid embolic agents, or by diverting blood from the orifice of such an aneurysm by placing an intravascular stent across the orifice. In the former case, it is desirable to employ a device or substance that takes up as much space inside the aneurysm as possible, simultaneously excluding blood and facilitating thrombosis. In the latter case, it is desirable to use a device that mimics or reconstructs the vascular wall, and in so doing most effectively prevents blood in the normal vascular lumen from penetrating the stent and entering the orifice of the target aneurysm. This goal is accomplished by using a stent with smaller fenestrations, or more metal density for a given surface area.
It is also desirable, in the case of intracranial blood vessels, known to be supremely fragile and tortuous, to utilize a stent with the greatest flexibility and navigability possible, in order to minimize damage to the highly sensitive endothelium of such vessels. As the properties of flow diversion (accomplished with smaller fenestrations, or greater metallic density per unit area of vessel wall) and atraumatic navigability/flexibility (usually accomplished with pliable materials and larger fenestrations, or lesser metal: vessel wall surface area) are at odds, it would be desirable, for the purpose of flow diversion or intracranial vascular reconstruction, to employ a stent characterized by flexibility and navigability, that is subsequently transformed by a chemical process once it is in position, into a device with smaller fenestrations and less permeability.

Photo-activatable gel coated intracranial stent and embolic coil


A detector for liquid chromatography has light sources that generate light in an ultraviolet region and in a near-infrared region; a flow cell, through which sample liquid flows; an optical system to let light generated from the light sources become incident on the flow cell concurrently; a detection element that detects light in the ultraviolet region that passes through the flow cell; a detection element that detects light in the near-infrared region that passes through the flow cell; and an arithmetic operation part that performs arithmetic operation of a first signal value obtained from the detection element and of a second signal value obtained from the detection element. The arithmetic operation part combines the first signal value and the second signal value to calculate a signal value with a reduced baseline fluctuation resulting from a mobile phase during a gradient analysis.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a detector for liquid chromatography and a method to correct a detection signal thereof.
Background Art
In general-purpose liquid analyzers including a liquid chromatograph, absorbance detectors have been widely used because of its high detection sensitivity and user-friendliness. Especially an ultraviolet wavelength band that is short wavelengths of 300 nm or less includes excitation wavelengths of various functional groups in organic compounds, and so all industrially-useful organic compounds can be a detection target in such a wavelength band. Specifically transitions of σ→σ*, n→σ*, n→π* and π→σ* correspond to electron transitions in this wavelength region, in which hydroxyl groups, carboxyl groups, carbonyl groups and ether groups, for example, have absorption peaks, and so ultraviolet-region absorbance detectors have a potential to be a detector having universal responsivity, and so have been studied repeatedly so far. Such an ultraviolet-region absorbance detector, however, has a problem that its baseline changes greatly when a gradient analysis is applied in the liquid chromatographic field, thus failing to yield a good chromatogram. The gradient analysis is a method of successively changing the concentration of the mobile phase from aqueous solution to organic-solvent based solution such as methanol or acetonitrile. Since such an organic solvent has a strong absorption in the ultraviolet wavelength band compared with water, the baseline changes with the change in composition ratio of the organic solvent during a gradient analysis, and so the applicable range thereof is limited.
To solve this problem, the following correction method has been proposed (Patent Document 1). Firstly, a blank sample is introduced to acquire a baseline fluctuation value resulting from the mobile phase only. Next, a sample is introduced to acquire a signal fluctuation value resulting from the sample and the mobile phase. Finally, a correction factor is multiplied, and a difference therebetween is calculated, thus reducing a baseline fluctuation resulting from the mobile phase.


Disclosed is a circuit in which for conducting the scan path test, test clock terminals are provided in a number smaller than that of user clock domains, and a test clock control circuits on respective test clock lines to control whether the pulses of the test clock are propagated or blocked.

A scan path test is available as a technique (DFT) for facilitating detection of faults in a semiconductor integrated circuit. In a case where operating frequencies differ for respective ones of a plurality of clock domains that exist in user mode, there are instances where a speed test is conducted for each individual clock domain. In order to perform fault analysis when a failure occurs in a specific clock domain, a scan path test is conducted for each individual clock domain. Here "user mode" is an operational mode and is used to distinguish it from the scan path test mode that is set when a scan path test is executed. It signifies an operational mode in which the internal functions of a semiconductor integrated circuit operate as usual at times other than when the scan path test mode is in effect. Although it can also be referred to as "normal mode", the term "user mode" will be employed in the description that follows. Further, an operational clock supplied at the time of operation in the user mode will be referred to as a "user clock" in order to distinguish it from a test clock supplied at the time of the scan path test, and a terminal at which the user clock is supplied will be referred to as a "user clock terminal".
In a large-scale semiconductor integrated circuit having a large number of terminals, use is made of a scan path test that involves providing test clock terminals the number of which is the same as or approximately the same as the number of individual clock domain in user mode, and controlling each of the clock domains individually.
On the other hand, in the case of a small-scale semiconductor integrated circuit with a small number of terminals or a semiconductor integrated circuit the number of test terminals of which is limited for the purpose of multiple parallel testing, a test structure that employs fewer test clock terminals is sought. There is also a need to avoid, to the extent possible, an increase in additional circuits for testing.
Patent Document 1 discloses a method of testing a circuit, which has two or more clock domains, at respective domain test clock rates and under the control of a main test clock. FIG. 1 illustrates the arrangement disclosed in Patent Document 1. This circuit has core logic 26 and a plurality of scannable memory elements each having a clock input, an input connected to an output of the core logic 26 and/or an output connected to an input to the core logic 26. The dashed line represents the boundary between two clock domains. The circuit is configurable in the scan path test mode in which memory elements 20, 22, 28, 30 are connected to define one or more scan chains in each domain, and in the user mode in which the memory elements are connected to the core logic in normal operational mode. The method comprises configuring the memory elements in the scan path test mode and simultaneously clocking a test signal into each scan chain of each clock domain. With regard to each clock domain having a domain test clock signal synchronous with respect to the main test clock signal, clocking includes clocking the test signal at a shift clock rate derived from the main test clock signal and, with regard to each clock domain having a domain test clock signal which is asynchronous with respect to the main test clock signal, clocking all but a predetermined number of bits of the test signal at a first domain shift clock rate derived from the main test clock signal followed by clocking the predetermined number of bits of the test signal at a second domain shift clock rate corresponding to the domain test clock rate. The method further includes configuring the memory elements of each scan chain in the user mode in which the memory elements of each scan chain are interconnected by the core logic in the normal operational mode; clocking each memory element in each scan chain at its respective domain test clock rate for at least one clock cycle; configuring the memory elements in the scan path test mode; and clocking a test response pattern out of each of the scan chains at its respective domain shift clock rate during a respective scan-out interval. All respective scan-out intervals overlap in time for a plurality of clock cycles at the highest of the respective clock rates.
Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a scan chain connecting method (see FIG. 2) for preventing wiring congestion when all scan chains are configured by connecting groups in a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a plurality of scan chain groups have been configured. Shown in FIG. 2 are an input/output cell area 101, scan chain groups 102 to 110, a scan input cell 111, a scan output cell 112 and centroids 113 to 121 of respective scan chain groups. In this scan chain connecting method of configuring all scan chains by connecting scan chain groups after scan chains have been connected in individual scan chain groups, the sequence in which scan chain groups are connected together is decided based upon a prescribed evaluation relating to layout position information of cells concerning the respective clock systems of the scan chain groups. In accordance with this method, it is possible to decide a sequence for connecting scan chain groups together, so as to shorten the connection wiring between scan chains, based upon a prescribed evaluation of layout position information of cells concerning the clock systems within the scan chain groups. This makes it possible to prevent wiring congestion when configuring scan chains in the overall semiconductor integrated circuit. On the basis of the prescribed evaluation, the sequence for connecting scan chain groups is in order of decreasing mutual distance between centroid coordinates of all flip-flop layout positions included in respective scan chain groups; in order of decreasing mutual distance between coordinate positions of gated cells present in a clock group system of a scan chain; or in order of decreasing mutual distance between coordinate positions of any pre-designated marked cells in a clock system of a scan chain group. Alternatively, on the basis of the prescribed evaluation, sets of flip-flops having the shortest mutual distance in position coordinates between different scan chain groups are decided upon as flip-flop candidates for connecting scan chains, and the sequence for connecting scan chain groups is in order of decreasing mutual distance between flip-flop candidates for connecting scan chains.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Kohyo Publication No. JP-P2003-513286A
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Kokai Publication No. JP-P2005-223171A
Patent Document 1 discloses a test circuit and test method which, when a scan path test is conducted, are for individually controlling a plurality of clock domains having different test clock rates and testing the plurality of clock domains simultaneously. In the system according to Patent Document 1, each of a plurality of clock domains having different test clock rates can be tested, and the plurality of clock domains can be tested simultaneously. However, with regard to the state of internal logic that has been stored in the scannable memory elements (scanned flip-flops), the result of compression by an MISR (result compression circuit) in a BIST controller is observed from an external terminal in the scan-out interval (i.e., in the scan shift operation). Consequently, it is very difficult to specify fault location in a case where the fault exists in the internal logic. Furthermore, since the result is compressed and output by the MISR, a circuit configuration in which the state of the internal logic is indeterminate is not allowed. Accordingly, a problem which arises is that it is necessary to add on a test circuit for the purpose of avoiding undefined circumstances.
Further, in the system according to Patent Document 1, a BIST function is used as an arrangement that controls a plurality of clock domains having different test clock rates. As a result, it is necessary to add on large-scale circuitry such as an auxiliary controller and BIST controller. This invites a major increase in the circuit area of a small-scale semiconductor integrated circuit. It is difficult, therefore, to actually employ Patent Document 1.
The system of Patent Document 2, on the other hand, illustrates a method of preventing wiring congestion when all scan chains are configured by connecting groups in a semiconductor integrated circuit in which a plurality of scan chain groups have been configured. In order to deal with a limitation in the number of scan chains that can be implemented in a semiconductor integrated circuit, this is a technique that reduces the wiring congestion of all scan chains by constructing a scan chain for every individual clock group system and then taking the physical positional relationship of flip-flops, etc., in the layout into consideration when deciding the sequence for connecting clock groups in which the scan chains have been constructed. However, the number of scan path test clock terminals separately required in a case where a scan path test is conducted cannot be reduced.
This causes an increase in the number of terminals of the semiconductor integrated circuit. Problems which arise are an increase in the chip cost of the semiconductor integrated circuit; an increase in the area of the mounting chip occupied, which is attendant upon an increase in package size; and a decline in test efficiency and an increase in test cost owing to a limitation in quantity at the time of parallel testing for testing a plurality of circuits simultaneously by an LSI tester.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device and method of testing same


A circuit comprises first, second, third, and fourth transistors. The first transistor has a first current electrode, a control electrode for receiving an input signal, and a second current electrode. The second transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the second current electrode of the first transistor for providing an output signal, a control electrode coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor, and a second current electrode coupled to a first power supply voltage terminal. The third transistor has a first current electrode coupled to a second power supply voltage terminal, a control electrode, and a second current electrode coupled to the first current electrode of the first transistor. The fourth transistor has a first current electrode coupled to the control electrode of the third transistor, a control electrode coupled to the control electrodes of the first and second transistors, and a second current electrode coupled to the control electrode of the first transistor.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to electronic circuits, and more specifically, to a single-supply, single-ended level conversion circuit for multiple power supply integrated circuits.
2. Related Art
Lower power consumption has been gaining importance in integrated circuit data processing systems due to, for example, wide spread use of battery powered portable and handheld applications. Reducing leakage current is becoming an increasingly important factor in extending battery life.
In multi-core system-on-a-chip (SoC) integrated circuits, two or more power supply domains are used to achieve optimum speed, power, and reliability. Logic signals are conveyed from one power supply voltage domain to another power supply voltage domain using level conversion circuits implemented at a boundary between the domains. A leakage current path may develop if the power supply voltage from one domain is insufficient to fully turn off certain transistors of the level conversion circuit. A conventional level converter circuit may require two stages to fully level convert the logic signal. A first stage is supplied with the power supply voltage from one domain and a second stage is supplied with the power supply voltage from the other domain. However, using a level conversion circuit supplied by two power supply voltages causes routing congestion at the boundary between the two power supply domains. Also, there may be constraints on which power supply voltage is higher and constraints regarding power up and power down sequences. In addition, a conventional level conversion circuit may require differential input signals. Further, a conventional level conversion circuit may require the use of lower threshold voltage (VT) transistors or dynamic precharge circuitry synchronized with data and clock signals, adding complexity to the level conversion circuit.
Therefore, what is needed is a level conversion circuit for use in an integrated circuit having multiple power supply voltage domains that solves the above problems.

Single-supply, single-ended level conversion circuit for an integrated circuit having multiple power supply domains


A dual-mode converter for converting power from an input voltage level to an output voltage level, the dual-mode converter including an inductor section having an input side and an output side, the input side receiving an input signal and the output side outputting at least one output signal based on a power value of the input signal, a feedback loop section which receives a feedback signal from one or more of the at least one output signals, the feedback loop section including a first transistor, a second transistor and a comparator unit which outputs a comparator output signal based on a comparison of the feedback signal to a comparator reference signal, wherein the respective states of the first and second transistors configure the feedback loop section to function as either a linear mode or a comparator mode, a current mode controller unit which receives the input signal, the feedback signal, and a current sense signal representing a sensed current flowing through the input side of the inductor section, the current mode controller unit outputting an output control signal based on the received input signal, the feedback signal, and the current sense signal, and a control gate that enables the current flow through the input side of the inductor section when either the output control signal or the comparator output signal is greater than a predetermined threshold.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally directed to a dual mode converter which converts power and which has a feedback loop that operates in a linear mode during continuous input loads and which operates in a comparative modes during a step input load.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of electric circuits, converters are used in many applications such as power conversion in which the voltage level from a power source is decreased to a desired voltage. In many applications using conventional converters, linearity errors can cause distortion, which limits the performance of the system that relies on the converter. For example, such distortion can decrease the operational bandwidth of the system which uses the converter.
In addition, many conventional converters use linear feedback which does not perform as well for step input loads as it does for continuous input loads. Such converters often result in overshoot or undershoot output voltage in response to a discontinuous step load. Many converters that are used to work with discontinuous step loads have slow transient response. Also, many conventional converters require feedback loop compensation because such converters are inherently unstable. The use of feedback loop compensation adds additional complexity and cost to the converter, and often requires adjustment of the compensation parameters when the converter is implemented into a specific application, thereby requiring additional setup time.
Converters are used in many applications in which the converter must work well with both continuous loads and non-continuous step loads. These applications, such as require converters that operate in a high performance mode for both continuous and discontinuous loads.
Accordingly, it is desirable invent a converter that can operate in a high performance mode for both continuous and discontinuous loads, that is inherently stable, and that uses fewer and less complex components, thereby reducing size and cost.

Dual-mode converter with linear and comparative feedback modes


An animated toy comprising a toy body which itself includes at least one shoulder member and a pair of waist members, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to the shoulder member. The toy body further includes a pair of leg members having upper ends which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of respective ones of the leg members. The lower ends of the leg members are pivotally connected to respective ones of a pair of foot members. Rotatably connected to a shoulder member is a pair of arm members of the toy body which is mechanically coupled to the upper ends of respective ones of the waist members so as to be alternately moveable in different directions thereby. In addition to the toy body, the animated toy comprises a drive unit mounted to the toy body and including a reversible motor which is mechanically coupled to the leg members and operative to reciprocally tilt the leg members in first and second directions.

(Not Applicable)
(Not Applicable)
The present invention relates generally to motion toys, and more particularly to an animated toy comprising a plurality of structural elements pivotally connected to each other in a manner defining a human body, and a reversible motor which is cooperatively engaged to the structural elements and operative to cause portions of the body defined thereby to alternatively tilt or sway in different directions.
There is currently known in the prior art a wide variety of animated or motion toys which employ the use of one or more motors and associated transmission gear trains to facilitate the movement of various parts of the toy. These animated toys include figurines which have the shape of a human body, with the motor(s) and gear train(s) thereof being operative to cause various parts of the body, such as the arms, legs and/or head, to move separately and/or in unison.
One such animated or motion toy currently known in the prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,617 issued on Jun. 15, 1999 to Chou. The motion toy disclosed in the Chou patent differs from those known in the prior art by, among other things, the capability of the upper and lower parts of the body thereof to alternatively tilt inwardly and outwardly in reverse directions. To achieve this particular range of motion, the motion toy disclosed in the Chou patent comprises a pair of waist cover shells, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to respective ones of a pair of shoulder cover shells, with the lower ends of the waist cover shells being pivotally connected to respective ones of a pair of foot cover shells. Also included in the motion toy is a pair of trunk cover shells which are connected to respective ones of the shoulder cover shells and a motor mount which is mounted within a cavity collectively defined by the waist, shoulder and trunk cover shells. A reversible motor is attached to the motor mount and mechanically coupled to the foot cover shells via a pair of main racks which are integrally formed on respective ones of the foot cover shells.
Though the body of the motion toy disclosed in the Chou patent is uniquely configured in a manner wherein the upper and lower parts thereof alternatively tilt inwardly and outwardly in reverse directions, such motion toy possesses certain deficiencies which detract from its overall utility. These deficiencies include the inability of the upper and lower parts of the body to tilt or sway at differing speeds. In this respect, the reversible motor of the animated toy disclosed in the Chou patent operates at only a single speed or frequency, thus resulting in the speed or rate at which the upper and lower parts of the body tilt inwardly and outwardly being a constant during the operation of the motion toy. Additionally, the motion toy disclosed in the Chou patent is devoid of any structures which provide for the movement of the arms and head of the toy which are attached to the shoulder cover shells thereof. As will be recognized, such movement of the arms and/or head would provide a more life-like, appealing appearance during the operation of the motion toy. Moreover, the structures employed to facilitate the mechanical coupling of the reversible motor to the foot cover shells, and more particularly to the main racks thereof, creates an imbalance during operation which gives rise to a susceptibility for the motion toy to fall over onto one of its sides upon reaching the limits or extremes of its inward and outward movements. Indeed, in the commercially marketed embodiment of the motion toy disclosed in the Chou patent, the foot plates which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of respective ones of the foot cover shells are themselves attached to a common base plate for purposes of providing support to the motion toy and preventing the same from falling over due to the above-described imbalance condition.
The present invention provides an animated or motion toy similar in structure and operation to that disclosed in the Chou patent, but eliminating the above-described deficiencies. More particularly, the animated toy of the present invention is provided with an internal cam arrangement which facilitates the alternating upward and downward movement of the arms attached to the shoulder member of the body thereof. This cam arrangement also provides for the rotation of the head attached to the shoulder member in a back and forth motion. Additionally, unique electronic circuitry is provided in the animated toy of the present invention which is in electrical communication with the reversible motor thereof. This electronic circuitry is capable of operating the reversible motor at differing speeds, thus allowing for variations in the speed or rate of the swaying motion of the upper and lower portions of the body which are in time with the music played by the animated toy during its operation. Moreover, the animated toy of the present invention is provided with discrete rack members which are used to mechanically couple the reversible motor to the leg members in a manner maintaining the balance and stability of the present animated toy through its complete range of tilting movement, thus eliminating the need for additional support structures such as a base plate attached to the foot members thereof. These and other unique attributes of the present invention will be discussed in more detail below.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an animated toy which comprises a toy body. The toy body itself comprises a shoulder member and a pair of waist members, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to the shoulder member. The toy body further comprises a pair of leg members, the upper ends of which are pivotally connected to the lower ends of respective ones of the waist members, and a pair of foot members which are pivotally connected the lower ends of respective ones of the leg members. In addition to the shoulder, waist, leg and foot members, the toy body includes a pair of arm members and a head member which are each rotatably connected to the shoulder member.
In addition to the toy body, the animated toy of the present invention comprises a drive unit which is mounted to the toy body and includes a reversible motor which is mechanically coupled to the leg members and operative to reciprocally tilt the leg members in first and second directions. The tilting of the leg members in the first and second directions occurs in unison. The drive unit preferably comprises a motor mount which is pivotally connected to the shoulder member and extends between the waist members. The reversible motor is itself preferably attached to the motor mount, with the tilting of the leg members in the first direction causing the motor mount to be tilted in the second direction, and the tilting of the leg members in the second direction causing the motor mount to be titled in the first direction.
In the present animated toy, the arm members of the toy body are mechanically coupled to the upper ends of respective ones of the waist members so as to be alternately movable in different directions thereby. More particularly, the mechanical coupling of the arm members to the waist members is accomplished such that the tilting of the waist members in the first and second directions causes the arm members to alternately move in different (i.e., opposite) directions. Similarly, the head member of the toy body is mechanically coupled to the motor mount such that the tilting of the motor mount in the first and second directions causes the head member to alternately rotate in different directions. The toy body may further include front and back trunk plates which are each attached to the motor mount and, together with the waist members and shoulder member, collectively define an interior cavity which accommodates the motor mount and hence the reversible motor.
To facilitate the alternating movement of the arm members, each of the waist members preferably includes a cam portion which defines the upper end thereof and has a slot formed therein Additionally, each of the arm members preferably includes an arm pin which protrudes therefrom and is received into the slot of a respective one of the cam portions. The tilting of the waist members in the first and second directions causes the cam portions to act against the arm pins in a manner facilitating the alternate rotation of the arm members in opposite directions.
To facilitate the alternate rotation of the head member, the motor mount preferably includes a pair of cam levers which protrude therefrom in spaced, generally parallel relation to each other. The head member itself defines a central axis and includes a head pin protruding therefrom in radially off-set relation to the central axis. When the head member is rotatably connected to the shoulder member, the head pin is extended between the cam levers such that the tilting of the motor mount in the first and second directions causes the cam levers to act against the head pin in a manner facilitating the alternate rotation of the head member in opposite directions.
The animated toy of the present invention may further comprise a variable speed control unit which is disposed within the toy body and in electrical communication with the reversible motor. The control unit is operative to selectively increase and decrease the speed of the reversible motor, and hence the rate at which the waist members are tilted in the first and second directions thereby. Also included in the animated toy of the present invention is a speaker which is mounted to the toy body, and a music unit which is disposed within the toy body and in electrical communication with the speaker and the control unit. The music unit is operative to produce music signals, with the control unit being operative to increase and decrease the speed of the reversible motor in time with the music signals produced by the music unit and transmitted to the speaker. Both the music unit and the control unit are preferably disposed within one of the foot members of the toy body.
The animated toy of the present invention may further comprise a pair of rack members which are rotatably connected to respective ones of the leg members, and each include a rack portion and a spring portion. The spring portion of each of the rack members is cooperatively engagable to a respective one of the leg members, with the tilting of the leg members in the first and second directions being limited by the alternate engagement of the spring portions of the rack members to respective ones of the leg members. Such engagement of the spring portions to the leg members occurs when the leg members reach the extreme limits of their tilting movement in the first and second directions, and prevents excess tilting as could result in the animated toy falling onto one of its sides. The dampening effect facilitated by the spring portions of the rack members may be complemented by a pair of dampening members which are attached to the motor mount and alternately engagable to the waist members during the tilting thereof in the first and second directions.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the waist members of the toy body are pivotally connected to only the motor mount, and thus have no physical contact with the shoulder member. In this alternative embodiment, the motor mount is itself formed to include the cam portions, with such cam portions being mechanically coupled to respective ones of the arm members. As such, the back and forth tilting of the motor mount in the first and second directions results in the cam portions thereof acting against the arm pins of the arm members in a manner facilitating the alternate rotation of the arm members in opposite directions.


A tattooing apparatus, which have a tattoo needle traveling back and forth to a skin to allow a staining solution for tattoo contained in the apparatus to penetrate into the skin and thus to get a tattoo and which can adjust a concentration of the staining solution for tattoo, is disclosed. The tattooing apparatus includes a chamber pressure adjusting member to adjust a degree of opening and closing an inlet of a storing chamber in which the staining solution for tattoo is stored, thus to adjust a pressure in the storing chamber.

In general, a tattooing apparatus is an apparatus, which represents signs, letters, a pattern or picture, such as figures, on a skin of humans by using a staining solution for tattoo and a tattoo needle.
For convenience of tattoo procedures, a conventional tattooing apparatus is configured, so that the tattoo needle automatically travels back and forth and the staining solution for tattoo rides the tattoo needle down while it travels back and forth. Here, since the tattoo needle moves while sticking at a given depth on the skin, a tattoo of given shape is represented on the skin as a tattoo practitioner intended.
However, there are frequent occasions when the tattoo represents various colors and shadings as well as shapes. For this, in representing the tattoo, it is necessary for the practitioner practitioner to perform the tattoo procedures with changing colors of the tattoo in concentration. In this case, the practitioner practitioner usually adjusts a force of pressing the tattooing apparatus against the skin in the process of performing the tattoo procedure, thereby controlling the concentration of the tattoo (the picture or design, the letters, etc.) to be represented. According to this, when changing the staining solution for tattoo in concentration, the practitioner practitioner requires a high degree of skills. Thus, there was a problem in that in case of the practitioner not well trained, it is difficult for her or him to carry out an operation of uniformly representing the tattoo in various concentrations.

Tattooing apparatus capable of adjusting the concentration of pigment fluid for tattoos or semi-permanent tattoos


When usage command information is received from any one of player terminals, an integrated attack determiner determines whether or not an attack action by an attack command is to be an integrated attack action, in which the attack actions by the attack commands included in a usage history are integrated, on the basis of a current position of the user terminal. The integrated attack determiner also determines attack power specification information capable of specifying the attack power in the case where it is determined that the attack action is to be the integrated attack action. An attack instruction information transmitter transmits attack instruction information indicating a determination result of the integrated attack determiner to the player terminal. A usage history information updater updates the usage history information by adding the received usage command information to the usage history of the attack commands.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technique for controlling at least part of progress of a video game played on each of a plurality of player terminals, which a plurality of players respectively operate, via a communication network.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, various kinds of so-called network delivery type games are presented. Such a network delivery type game is supplied to a mobile communication terminal such as cellular phone terminal via a communication network such as the Internet. In such a network delivery type game, there are various games such as a role playing game as the video game (RPG; that is, a game in which a player plays a role of a character in a world of the game, and accomplishes a predetermined object while enjoying a process that the character grows through various experiences), for example.
Further, heretofore, there is a game in which positional information is used for control of progress of the game when the game is provided to a mobile communication terminal (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-96069 and Japanese Patent No. 3,767,741).
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-96069 discloses an identification number of a neighboring base station, which is to obtained when a mobile communication terminal such as a cellular phone terminal and a personal handyphone system (PHS) makes a communication with a server, is used not only for communication but also progress of a game when the game is played in the mobile communication terminal. More specifically, depending on which base station a player is located within the range of, an obtainable item, an entering character and/or a scenario to be selected are differentiated in the game. Thus, it is possible to differentiate game contents depending on a location to play the game even in the same game. This makes it possible to diversify the game contents.
Further, Japanese Patent No. 3,767,741 discloses that positional information of a player obtained by means of measurement using a global positioning system (GPS) is used as data for a game.
In the conventional technique as described above, the contents of the game is associated with a player's own position, by which the game contents are allowed to be diversified. However, in this technique, multiple kinds of characters, items and patterns of scenarios are prepared in advance, and a specific character, an item and a pattern of a scenario are merely selected in accordance with the positional information. Therefore, there has been a problem that diversification of the game contents has a limitation.

Video game control system and a video game control server


An air conditioning system includes a heat source unit, an air supply device that supplies the outside air to the room as the ventilation air, a water supply type humidifier for humidifying the ventilation air, a heating medium circuit, and a supply water heating device. The heat source unit heats a heating medium that is used for heating the room in a heating medium—refrigerant heat exchanger. The heating medium circuit includes at least one room heating device that releases the heat of the heating medium heated in the heating medium—refrigerant heat exchanger into the room, and circulates the heating medium between the room heating device and the heating medium—refrigerant heat exchanger. The supply water heating device uses the heat generated from the heat source unit in order to heat water to be used in the humidifier.

As an air conditioning system capable of heating the room, conventionally known is a system configured by connecting room heating devices such as a radiator and a fan convector to a heat source unit having a vapor compression type refrigerant circuit (for example, see Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-50035, 2003-172523 and 2003-50050). Such an air conditioning system heats the room by heating the floor and indoor air.
In addition, as a heat source unit of such an air conditioning system, a unit having a refrigerant circuit that uses CO2 as the refrigerant is used in some cases. In such a heat source unit that uses CO2 as the refrigerant, the refrigerant temperature on a discharge side of a compressor can be increased, and therefore, for example, when an air conditioning system is configured such that the heat of a heating medium heated by a utilization side heat exchanger in the heat source unit is released into the room in the room heating devices, the temperature level that can be used for heating a room in the room heating devices can be increased. This will achieve comfortable room heating.


Systems, methods, and devices of the various embodiments provide modified frequency hopping patterns that enable synchronization of a wireless tracking device with a beacon signal that defines a predetermined area (i.e., beacon fence). In an embodiment, a beacon may transmit a beacon signal according to a modified frequency hopping pattern and a wireless tracking device may receive the beacon signal by tuning a receiver according to the frequency hopping pattern. In an embodiment, the modified frequency hopping pattern may include a reference frequency generated at a high redundancy pattern multiplexed with a pseudo random sequence of frequencies. In an embodiment, the packets of the beacon signal transmitted at the reference frequency may include an indication of the next frequency according to the modified frequency hopping pattern.

A common use of wireless technologies involves tracking an asset (e.g., a pet, car, person, etc.) using a portable and wireless tracking device. In one approach to such uses, the wireless tracking device may communicate wirelessly with one or more beacons to determine when the wireless tracking device enters, remains inside, and/or leaves a predetermined area or areas (i.e., a beacon fence).
Frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) transmission methods provide a robust and efficient way to provide the wireless communications between a wireless tracking device and a beacon in such applications. However, FHSS methods require synchronization between the beacon and the wireless tracking device in order to coordinate the sequence of pseudorandom frequency hops of the carrier signal. If the wireless tracking device and beacon lose synchronization, the wireless tracking device may consume significant amounts of power trying to reestablish synchronization with the beacon. For example, once out of sync with the beacon, the wireless tracking device would not know the next frequency hop and would have to expend power guessing frequencies to try to find the beacon again. A wireless tracking device could waste substantial amounts power by guessing incorrectly or guessing while the wireless tracking device is out of range. High power consumption in such situations may be undesirable since wireless tracking devices usually have a limited power supply (i.e., a battery). Additionally, a wireless tracking device using traditional FHSS methods may waste substantial amounts of time searching for the frequency hopping pattern transmitted by the beacon because in traditional FHSS methods all the pseudorandom frequencies must be searched by the wireless tracking device to reestablish synchronization with the beacon.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Low energy signaling scheme for beacon fencing applications