A thick-film strain-sensing structure for a media-compatible, high-pressure sensor. The strain-sensing structure generally includes a metal diaphragm, at least one electrical-insulating layer on the diaphragm, an interface layer on the electrical-insulating layer, and at least one thick-film piezoresistor on the interface layer for sensing deflection of the diaphragm. The interface layer and the electrical-insulating layers are preferably formed by thick-film processing, as done for the piezoresistors. For compatibility with the metal diaphragm, the electrical-insulating layer has a CTE near that of the diaphragm. The interface layer is formulated to inhibit and control diffusion of the electrical-insulating layers into the piezoresistors. For this purpose, the interface layer is formed from a composition that contains, in addition to a suitable organic media, alumina, zinc oxide, and at least one glass frit mixture comprising lead oxide, a source of boron oxide such as boric acid, silica and alumina. Additional constituents of the interface layer preferably include titania, cupric oxide, manganese carbonate as a source for manganese monoxide, and cobalt carbonate as a source of cobalt oxide.

There is a continuous effort to develop pressure sensors that are lower in cost and smaller in size, yet are characterized by high reliability, sensitivity and linearity. Sensors finding wide acceptance on the basis of furthering these characteristics include those that utilize semiconductor materials with a micromachined sensing diaphragm, a notable example being micromachined single-crystal silicon pressure transducer cells manufactured using semiconductor fabrication processes. In the processing of such cells, a thin diaphragm is formed in a silicon wafer through preferential chemical etching. Ion implantation and diffusion techniques are then used to drive doping elements into the diaphragm, forming piezoresistive elements whose electrical resistance changes with strain (this ratio being termed the "gage factor"). As a result, deflection of the diaphragm causes a change in resistance value of the piezoresistive elements, which can then be correlated to the magnitude of the pressure applied to the diaphragm.
Diaphragms of single-crystal silicon pressure transducer cells are typically small, rarely exceeding a few millimeters in width, and are very thin, with a thickness of often less than 100 micrometers. The use of standard single-crystal silicon wafers and standard semiconductor device fabrication processes allows many such cells to be fabricated from a single wafer, providing some economy of scale. However, silicon is susceptible to chemical attack and erosion by various media, particularly in applications where a high-pressure medium is to be sensed, e.g., automotive applications that involve sensing brake fluid, oil, transmission fluid, hydraulic fluid, fuel and steering fluid pressures. For such applications, a pressure sensor must also be physically rugged and resistant to the hostile environment of the sensed medium, necessitating that a micromachined silicon pressure transducer cell include some form of protection in order to realize its advantageous operational characteristics in the chemically hostile environment. Current methods for producing media-compatible, high-pressure sensors include enclosing a silicon sensing chip in an inert fluid, such as a silicone oil or gel, and then further separating the sensing chip from the medium to be sensed with a metal diaphragm, such that pressure must be transmitted through the metal diaphragm and fluid to the sensing chip. While achieving some of the operational advantages of silicon pressure transducer cells, the manufacturing processes for these sensors are relatively expensive and complicated. As a result, these sensors are not suitable as mass-produced sensors for automotive applications.
As known in the art, alternative approaches include ceramic capacitive pressure sensors and ceramic diaphragms that use thick-film piezoresistors as strain sensing elements. However, each of these also have certain disadvantages, such as complex circuitry to detect capacitance changes, the requirement for ceramic-to-ceramic bonds, and a maximum pressure capability typically not exceeding about 1000 psi (about 7 MPa). For higher pressures, metal diaphragms have found use as the sensing element. Because metal diaphragms generally deflect more for a given thickness and pressure than ceramic diaphragms, sensing is performed by thin-film polysilicon or metal deposited on the metal diaphragm. The diaphragm must first be coated with a dielectric layer to electrically insulate the diaphragm from the thin-film resistors and conductors. A thin-film polysilicon layer is then deposited to form the piezoresistors, followed by thin-film metallization to provide electrical interconnects. As is conventional, the thin-film layers are typically deposited by such processes as chemical or physical vapor deposition. The equipment necessary for these processes is expensive, and deposition rates are extremely slow. Deposition of the thin-film layers requires multiple patterning, exposure, developing and stripping steps for the required thin-film photoresists and metallization, and must be carried out in a controlled environment to assure that no air borne particles are present on the surface to be coated. In addition, because such processes deposit thin-films usually no thicker than 10,000 angstroms, the surface of the metal diaphragm must be extremely smooth to avoid rough surface features penetrating through or producing discontinuities in the deposited thin films. Finally, the resistance of the resulting polysilicon thin-film piezoresistors can vary dramatically with temperature.
While achieving some of the operational advantages of silicon pressure transducer cells, metal diaphragm pressure sensors of the type described above have complicated manufacturing processes that render the sensors incompatible with mass-production applications. Media-compatible, high-pressure transducer cells that combine a corrosion-resistant metal diaphragm and thick-film piezoresistors have been proposed, as taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/954,266 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,867,886 to Ratell et al. (Attorney Docket No. H-198882). Such sensors are capable of sensing very high pressures while being chemically and mechanically robust, readily manufacturable, and relatively insensitive to temperature variations. At least one thick-film dielectric layer is required to electrically insulate the metal diaphragm from the thick-film piezoresistors. For compatibility with the metal diaphragm, the dielectric layer applied directly to the diaphragm must be formed of a material that will adhere to the metal diaphragm, withstand the strains induced as the diaphragm deflects, faithfully transmit such strains to the thick-film piezoresistors, and compensate for the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between the metal diaphragm and piezoresistors. A complication is that metal oxide constituents of dielectric materials found suitable for this purpose have been found to diffuse into the thick-film piezoresistor and react with metal oxides present in the frit component of the piezoresistor, thereby significantly increasing the sheet resistivity of the piezoresistor, e.g., above the 3 to 10 kilo-ohm/square (k.OMEGA./.quadrature.) range typically desired. Accordingly, improved performance could be achieved if diffusion between the electrical-insulating layers and the thick-film piezoresistors was inhibited or at least controlled. While there have been suggestions to compensate CTE mismatch with temperature compensation electronics instead of manipulating the composition of the required insulating material, doing so undesirably increases processing and costs of the sensor.

Diffusion-barrier materials for thick-film piezoresistors and sensors formed therewith


A power source switching device includes a first switch circuit provided between a first power source and a load section, a second switch circuit provided between a second power source and the load section, a third switch circuit provided between the first power source and the load section in series with the first switch circuit, a fourth switch circuit provided between the second power source and the load section in series with the second switch circuit, a logic circuit that controls the third and the fourth switch circuits to prevent at least one of the third and fourth switch circuits from turning on while both of the first and second switch circuits are in an on state, and a control circuit that controls the first switch circuit, the second switch circuit, and the logic circuit.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a power source switching device which performs switching control to switch among a plurality of batteries for use, and an electronic appliance provided with the power source switching device.
2. Related Art
Some conventional electronic appliances such as digital cameras have a plurality of batteries so that they can switch the batteries to use any one of the batteries.
For example, JP 2007-89350 A discloses a configuration having a main power source and a sub-power source. According to the configuration, when detecting malfunction of power supply state of the main power source, the power supply from the main power source is maintained for a predetermined time period and then the power supply from the main power source is cut off while starting power supply from the sub-power source.
A conventional electronic appliance having such a configuration might be in a malfunction state of having the plurality of batteries connected directly (shorted) in the case where a control unit (controller, microcomputer) for performing switching control of the power supply cannot perform a normal operation (in the case of runaway of a control unit) for some reason. As a result of such a case, a charging operation is performed by one of the batteries to the other of the batteries, which causes an adverse effect on the batteries and the electronic appliance body.

Power source switching device and electronic appliance

Panosonic Intellectual Property Management Co., Ltd.


A backlight driving circuit includes a transformer, a controllable switch connected in series with a primary side of the transformer, a voltage collection unit receiving a voltage of the primary side of the transformer, and a comparing unit coupled to the voltage collection unit. When an output voltage of the voltage collection unit is less than a preset reference voltage, the comparing unit drives the controllable switch to turn on.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes and LCD panel and a backlight unit including a light emitting diode (LED) light bar and an LED backlight driving circuit. Each of LED light bars is formed by a plurality of LED lamps. When a number of the LED lamps increases, an output voltage outputted by the backlight driving circuit accordingly increases, where the output voltage is usually greater than 100V, which requires use of an isolated boost circuit, as shown in FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B. A driving signal is used to control a controllable switch Q1 to turn on/off, where the controllable switch Q1 is a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET). A transformer T is used to increase the output voltage outputted by the backlight driving circuit, where a ratio of a primary coil turn and a secondary coil turn of the transformer T is 1:N. If an input voltage of the transformer T is Vin, and an output voltage of the transformer T is Vo, an equation of the output voltage of the transformer T is: Vo=Vm*N*D/(1−D).
After the controllable switch Q1 turns off, a voltage of a drain electrode of the controllable switch Q1 is great, when the controllable switch Q1 turns on again, a power loss of the controllable switch Q1 is great. Additionally, temperature of the controllable switch Q1 increases, which shortens working life of components.

Backlight driving circuit, LCD device, and method for driving the backlight driving circuit


A test fixture has a base, a positioning board, multiple probes, a cushion board, multiple springs and multiple inner bolts. The base has a recess defined in the base. The positioning board is mounted in the recess. The probe is mounted on the positioning board and each probe has a top contacting end. The cushion board is mounted slidably in the recess and has a socket hole to hold a semi-finished chip package. The springs are mounted in the positioning board between the recess and the cushion board and press and bias the cushion board upward. The inner bolts are mounted slidably through the cushion and the springs and the are mounted securely in the base. The cushion board and springs reduce the impact from the semi-finished chip package to the probes so that the probes would not be damaged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a test fixture, and more particularly to a test fixture and a method for testing a semi-finished chip package. The test fixture keeps the semi-finished chip package from deforming during the test method so that a chip or a circuit in the semi-finished chip package would not be damaged.
2. Description of Related Art
To keep a quality and a production rate of chip packages, finished chip-packages experience a final test. Moreover, semi-finished chip packages that are not encapsulated would experience an intermediate test to determine whether chips in the semi-finished chip packages function well or not.
With reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, a test system implements the intermediate test to semi-finished chip packages (90) un-encapsulated and having an outer edge and multiple contacts. The test system has a vacuum suction head (80) and a test fixture (70).
The vacuum suction head (80) may be connected to a vacuum pump and has an annular bottom edge and a through hole. The through hole is defined through the vacuum suction head (80) and communicates with the vacuum pump so a suction force from the operating vacuum pump passes through the through hole and holds one semi-finished chip package (90) on the annular bottom edge of the vacuum suction head (80).
The test fixture (70) is aligned and cooperates with the vacuum suction head (80) to test the semi-finished chip package (90) and has a top, a recess (71) and multiple probes (72). The recess (71) is defined in the top of the test fixture (70) and has an inner bottom surface. The probes (72) are conductive, are mounted through the test fixture (70), protrude up from the inner bottom surface of the recess (71) and are connected electrically to a testing device.
When test system implements the intermediate test, the vacuum suction head (80) provides a suction force and holds one semi-finished chip package (90) with the annular bottom edge abutting the outer edge of the semi-finished chip package (90). The vacuum suction head (80) then moves the semi-finished chip package (90) into the recess (71) and the annular bottom edge presses outer edge of the semi-finished chip package (90) to with a downward mechanical force. The contacts of the semi-finished chip package (90) respectively contact the probes (72) so that the testing device may test the semi-finished chip package (90) through the probes (72).
However, the annular bottom edge of the vacuum suction head (80) pressing the outer edge of the semi-finished chip package (90), the suction force sucking a central area of the semi-finished chip package (90) causes the semi-finished chip package (90) to be deform and curve. The deformation and curve of the semi-finished chip package (90) make a circuit or a chip on the semi-finished chip package (90) be damaged. Furthermore, semi-finished chip package (90) impacts the probes (72) without any cushions so that the probes (72) breaks easily.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a test fixture and a method for testing a semi-finished chip package to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.

Test fixture and method for testing a semi-finished chip package


An energy transferring system for transferring energy from an occupant's knees through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee drives the instrument panel assembly into the cross beam as a result of an external load placed on the vehicle. The system having an elongated member projecting from the cross beam towards the instrument panel assembly, and an instrument panel assembly having an energy transferring member and a recess registered to said elongated member. Said elongated member and recess working in concert to prevent said cross beam from slipping past said energy transferring member thereby increasing the energy transferring from an occupant's knees to other vehicle structures.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for transferring energy through an instrument panel assembly to a vehicle cross beam when an occupant's knee forces the instrument panel assembly into contact with the cross beam as a result of an external load on the vehicle. Specifically, an elongated member and a recess work in concert to prevent the cross beam from slipping past an energy transferring member disposed on the instrument panel assembly and thus reducing the energy transferring qualities thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A system for mitigating impact on an occupant's knee when an external load forces the knee into an instrument panel assembly is well documented. Such systems attempt to either absorb the energy in the instrument panel assembly itself or transfer the energy to other noncritical vehicle structures such as the door, floor, or the cross beam. However such systems require the addition of material and can therefore increase the cost of production. Furthermore, prior art does not show a system for preventing a cross beam from slipping past an instrument panel assembly.
U.S. Pub. No. 20070182189 discloses a glove compartment assembly mounted to an instrument panel which dissipates energy when the glove compartment is subjected to force from an occupant's knee. The publication teaches a deformable glove compartment box that dissipates energy from the knee impact by incorporating a deformable lid lined with a honey comb structure incorporated therein and by having the structural projection impact the cross beam. The structural projection has an arcuate profile which is designed to engage a cross beam having a circular shape.
German Patent No. DE102006016607 to Biesdorf et al. discloses a U-shaped reinforcement plate disposed near a vehicle cross bean that guides the energy in the cross beam during a side collision. The U-shaped reinforcement plat has corrugations for converting impact energy from a side collision into deformation energy.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,128 to Davis, Jr. et al. discloses a pair of energy absorbing brackets capable of holding a cross beam. The brackets are spaced apart from each other and have a U-Shaped portion in which the cross beam is placed. Davis, Jr. et al. teaches a pair of universal brackets capable of being mounted on cross beams of a number of different vehicle lines for supporting different knee and glove box configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,196,588 to Sugawara discloses a knee guard disposed between the instrument panel and cross beam. The knee guard is a U-shaped bracket. The bracket engages the cross beam and abuts the instrument panel. Specifically, the ends of each bracket are connected to the cross beam and the base of the bracket is in contact with the interior of the instrument panel. The brackets are fitted with a folding portion which crumples under a predetermined force of a knee impact.

Instrument panel energy transferring system

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.


Methods and apparatuses of for providing a spinnaker pole are disclosed herein. A spinnaker pole as disclosed herein comprises a first elongated face, a second elongated face, a third elongated face, a first tapering, and a second tapering. The first elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The first elongated face can have two longitudinal sides. A second elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The second elongated face has two longitudinal sides. One of the two longitudinal sides of the second elongated face is joined to one of the two longitudinal sides of the first face at a first spinnaker pole edge. The third elongated face concaves towards the longitudinal axis of the spinnaker pole. The third elongated face has two longitudinal sides. One of the two longitudinal sides of the third elongated face is joined to one of the longitudinal sides of the first elongated face at a second spinnaker pole edge. One of the two longitudinal sides of the third elongated face is joined to one of the longitudinal sides of the second elongated face at a third spinnaker pole edge. The first tapering is formed by the convergence of the first spinnaker pole edge, the second spinnaker pole edge, and the third spinnaker pole edge towards a first end of the spinnaker pole. The second tapering is formed by the convergence of the first spinnaker pole edge, the second spinnaker pole edge, and the third spinnaker pole edge towards a second end of the spinnaker pole.

1. Field of the Disclosure
This disclosure generally relates to spars for sailing. In particular, this disclosure relates spinnaker poles, and other spars used to stabilize headsails.
2. General Background
A spinnaker pole is spar used in sailing. Such spars help stabilize and control headsails such as the spinnaker. Because of the multiple forces that spinnaker poles are exposed to, they must be built to withstand a minimum threshold of different forces.


An apparatus and method for wrapping a palletized load is provided. The apparatus includes a non-powered conveyor load wrapping surface, at least one non-powered conveyor load storage surface, and a pusher assembly for moving the load between the wrapping and storage surfaces. The non-powered conveyor load wrapping surface is provided on a surface of a rotatable turntable and is isolated from any electrical or fluid power source by the rotatable turntable. The pusher assembly includes at least one pusher arm rotatable between an upright home position and a horizontal pushing position. The apparatus may also include a load building surface in a hand palletizing area. Hand palletized loads are pushed from the load building surface onto either a load storage surface or the load wrapping surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to wrapping a load with packaging material, and, more particularly, to stretch wrapping.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various packaging techniques have been used to build a load of unit products and subsequently wrap them for transportation, storage, containment and stabilization, protection and waterproofing. One system uses stretch wrapping machines to stretch, dispense, and wrap stretch packaging material around a load. Stretch wrapping can be performed as an inline automated packaging technique which dispenses and wraps packaging material in a stretched condition around a load on a pallet to cover and contain the load. Pallet stretch wrapping, whether accomplished by turntable, rotating arm, or rotating ring typically covers the four vertical sides of the load with a stretchable film such as polyethylene film. In each of these arrangements, relative rotation is provided between the load and a packaging material dispenser to wrap packaging material about the sides of the load.
Conventionally, fork trucks were used to deliver loads to and remove loads from a wrapping area. The fork truck would bring an unwrapped load to a wrapping area, set the unwrapped load aside, remove a wrapped load from a wrapping station and set it aside, place the unwrapped load on the wrapping station, initiate the wrapping sequence, and pick up and remove the wrapped load from the wrapping area. Such a process requires multiple handling of each load, a large amount of maneuvering on the part of the fork truck, and requires the fork truck driver to exit the fork truck in order to initiate the wrapping sequence. Alternatively, more than one fork truck was used to deliver and remove the loads from the wrapping station. However, use of more than one truck led to inefficiency.
Conveyorized wrapping apparatus have been used to reduce fork truck usage during the wrapping process. Powered conveyors may be used to deliver and remove a load from a wrapping station. Such powered conveyors require a large amount of space and are expensive to build and maintain. Powered conveyors mounted on turntables have been used to eliminate multiple handling of the load. However, such devices are mechanically complex and therefore are costly to maintain. In addition, such devices generally require an electrical or pneumatic transfer device under the turntable to effectuate transfer from the wrapping station, which increases the cost and complexity of the device. Dual turntables without conveyors have also been used to provide dual wrapping stations, however, problems with material handling interfaces and synchronizing of the infeed and outfeed flow exist. Finally, non-powered conveyors on turntables have been used, but such conveyors require the operator to push the load along the conveyor surface, leading to safety and stress problems.
In light of these drawbacks, there is a need to move the load to and from a wrapping station in a simple, reliable, and inexpensive manner.

Method and apparatus for wrapping a load


A method of manufacturing a plurality of secondary containment panels and assembling and installing the panels in a secondary containment system of an above-ground liquid storage tank or other retention facility includes forming a plurality of flexible substrate pieces. A liquid impermeable coating is applied to the upper surface of each piece such that an edge segment of the piece remains uncoated. The coating is applied to the substrate piece in an indoor enclosure using a computer controlled robotic sprayer that applies a uniform coating. Metal plates are embedded in the floor used for quality control testing of the coating thickness using magnetic gauges. At least a pair of the pieces are juxtaposed relative to one another such that a first one of the pieces overlaps the uncoated segment of the second piece to form a seam.

Above-ground petroleum storage tanks, chemical storage tanks and similar facilities typically utilize a secondary containment system for capturing hazardous liquid that leaks or spills from the tank. Secondary containment is also used for retention ponds, lakes and similar facilities to prevent polluting substances such as drill water, acids, gasses and unsafe chemicals from entering the water table. Conventional secondary containment systems employ an impermeable or impervious liner that extends across a basin or retention area. The liner, which is designed to prevent petroleum, chemicals or other hazardous materials from seeping into the ground, typically comprises a plurality of juxtaposed geotextile fabric panels. These panels are cut as required, arranged across the containment area and then sprayed with a polyurea coating that renders the panels impermeable to the passage of liquids discharged from the tank or otherwise held in the retention facility.
Assembling and installing secondary containment panels onsite presents a number of problems. Most significantly, when the polyurea is sprayed onto the geotextile fabric in the field, a significant amount of the impermeable coating is apt to be dissipated, lost and wasted due to wind and/or rain. Outdoor weather conditions tend to complicate the application process considerably. In order to provide the completed panels with a stippled, slip-resistant surface, the polyurea coating must be sprayed onto the geotextile fabric from a distance of about several feet or more. This separation causes at least some of the sprayed coating to dissipate and miss the fabric entirely, particularly under windy conditions. Indeed, in a typical secondary containment system, as much as 25% of the coating material can be wasted when it is applied outdoors and onsite. The evenness or uniformity of coating coverage on the surface of the fabric also varies tremendously.
An additional disadvantage accompanying conventional coating application procedures is that large amounts of polyurea coating and affiliated applicator equipment must be transported to and from the secondary containment site. The coating itself is typically transported to the site in 55 gallon drums. After the drums are emptied and the coating applied to the geotextile fabric, the drums must be removed for disposal. In addition, bulky applicator equipment including pumps, hoses, etc. must be transported to and from the secondary containment site. All of this adds to the complexity and expense of installing the secondary containment system.

Secondary containment panels and process for making and installing same


The present invention has an object to achieve soft ionization more easily when a slight amount of substance is ionized under an atmosphere pressure. The present invention provides an ionization method for a substance contained in a liquid, including: supplying the liquid to a substrate from a probe and forming a liquid bridge made of the liquid containing the substance dissolved therein, between the probe and the substrate; oscillating the substrate; and generating an electric field between an electrically conductive portion of the probe in contact with the liquid and an ion extraction electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ionization method for a substance and a mass spectrometry method using the ionization method. The present invention also relates to an extraction method and purification method for a substance.
2. Description of the Related Art
A mass spectrometry method that is one of component analysis methods involves ionizing components in a sample and measuring and analyzing the mass-to-charge ratio (mass number/charge number) thereof.
In recent years, techniques of creating an image of the distribution of components existing on a solid sample surface are developed. The distribution of a particular component is visualized as a mass image, whereby conditions of a sample can be determined. As an example of such techniques, a method of showing data that serves as the basis for a pathological diagnosis, based on a mass image of a pathological specimen including cancer tissue is developed. A mass image is generally acquired by: ionizing a sample at a plurality of measurement points; obtaining the mass-to-charge ratio of the generated ions for each measurement point; and associating a position on the sample surface with ion information. Hence, in order to improve the spatial resolution of the obtained analysis result, a technique of ionizing a micro region on the sample surface is required.
Patrick J. Roach et al., "Nanospray desorption electrospray ionization: an ambient method for liquid extraction surface sampling in mass spectrometry" Analyst, 135, pp 2233-2236 (2010) proposes a method of: imparting a solvent to a micro region on a solid sample surface such that components existing in the micro region are dissolved; and ionizing the dissolved components under an atmosphere pressure. This method uses: a first capillary configured to provide the solvent for dissolving the components in the solid sample, to the sample surface; and a second capillary configured to move a mixture solution in which the components are dissolved in the solvent, to an ionization site. In the state where the two capillaries are close to the solid sample surface, the solvent is provided thereto by the first capillary, whereby a liquid bridge is formed between the leading ends of the two capillaries and the sample surface. In the liquid bridge, only a contact portion of the solid sample is dissolved, and the dissolved portion is then introduced to the second capillary. A high voltage is applied to the solvent, and ionization is performed at the leading end of the second capillary. This method enables the ionization of the micro region. Further, because the ionization is performed under an atmosphere pressure, the time required for measurement can be shortened, and the size of an apparatus can be reduced. Hence, this method is advantageous when a large number of samples are analyzed.
International Publication No. WO 2011/060369 proposes a method of: irradiating a mixture solution containing a sample dissolved therein, with a surface acoustic wave; and thus ionizing the contained components under an atmosphere pressure. According to this method, the mixture solution in which the sample is dissolved in a solvent is placed on a substrate, and is irradiated with the surface acoustic wave, thus achieving liquid atomization and then sample ionization. Moreover, according to International Publication No. WO 2011/060369, the ionization efficiency can be improved by applying voltage to the mixture solution.
A technique of detecting biological components as multiply charged ions is also required in mass spectrometry for materials of biological origin such as biological tissue. In the case where the molecular weight of a detection target component is relatively large, if the mass-to-charge ratio is made lower by imparting many electric charges, the component can be easily detected by even a detector whose detectable mass-to-charge ratio is low.

Ionization method, mass spectrometry method, extraction method, and purification method


A method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data in which audio data is hierarchically encoded, and at least one extension data of the audio data is encoded using at least one encoding method, and decoding is performed in the same manner, thereby ensuring fine grain scalability (FGS) and unlimited extendibility of the audio data.

1. Field of the Invention
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data, and more particularly, to a method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data with extension data that can be used to extend the audio data.
2. Description of the Related Art
When encoding and/or decoding audio data, the audio data can be processed using extension data that provides information for extending the available uses for the audio data. As an example, extension data may include data for extending a channel of audio data, data for extending a bandwidth of audio data, data for generating a code for checking for transmission errors in the received audio data, etc. In addition, extension data may further include metadata of audio data, a fill element of audio data, etc.
FIG. 1A illustrates a conventional syntax for audio data and extension data, and FIG. 1B illustrates a corresponding table of exemplary values of the "extension_type" illustrated in FIG. 1A.
A portion of the syntax identified by reference numeral 100 in FIG. 1A is for the hierarchical decoding of the audio data, and another portion of the syntax identified by reference numeral 110 is for the decoding of the extension data. Referring to reference numeral 110, the recited "extension_type" appears after "zero_code", which is a code indicating the termination of a payload corresponding to the audio data. This syntax "extension_type" is an identification code indicating the type of extension data and enables a decoding unit to parse the type of the extension data in a payload transmitted from an encoding unit. According to the syntax in FIG. 1A, using extension data, the channel or the bandwidth of audio data can be extended, or the bandwidth of the audio data can be extended and a code for checking for transmission errors in the received extension data, the bandwidth of audio data, can be generated.
However, multi-channel audio coding, which can be a very useful Spectral Band Replication (SBR) tool, cannot be implemented by the conventional syntax of FIG. 1A. In other words, the channel and the bandwidth of audio data cannot be simultaneously extended using the extension data in the syntax of FIG. 1A. For example, in a payload shown in FIG. 1C, for bit sliced arithmetic coding (BSAC), the "BSAC Center" indicated by reference numeral 130 cannot be identified by a decoding unit and cannot appear in an encoding terminal. Therefore, with such conventional encoding and decoding of audio data, there is a limit to the available extending of the extension data of the audio data using various methods.

Method, medium, and apparatus encoding/decoding audio data with extension data


A lifting desk includes a desk top, a support frame and a base. The support frame has an inner pipe with a top end, a bottom end, and an outer pipe. The inner pipe is movably inserted into the outer pipe, the top end of the inner pipe pivotally joining the desk top, the bottom end of the outer pipe pivotally joining the base; a connecting bar and a drawing bar, one end of the connecting bar pivotally joining the center position of the inner pipe, the other end slidably connected to the bottom surface of the desk top, one end of the drawing bar pivotally joining the base, the other end of the drawing bar slidably connected to the outer pipe. The desk top, the inner pipe and the connecting bar form a link mechanism. The outer pipe, the base and the drawing bar form a second link mechanism.

The height of a lifting desk can be adjusted as needed to meet the needs according to the different users' heights. However, the lifting desk, in addition to the desk top, also has a support frame to support the desk top and support legs to ensure the stable standing of the support frame. The desk top and the support legs are disposed at the top and bottom ends of the support frame. The desk occupies a large space and is inconvenient to store, move and transport, and particularly inconvenient to load into a container.


An allocation determining unit determines a bandwidth allocation for each of a plurality of subscriber devices in each data-collection cycle. A history managing unit takes a history of a request increment from a bandwidth request amount acquired from more than one time of data collections and an allocation amount allocated by the allocation determining unit for the bandwidth request amount, and presents a bandwidth request amount for the allocation determination to the allocation determining unit by dividing the bandwidth request amount into a plurality of request increments indicated by the history.

As a system in which a station-side communicating apparatus connected to a communication network performs one-to-N communication with a plurality of subscriber devices via a time-division-multiple-access (TDMA) line to connect the subscriber devices to the communication network, there are various communication systems, such as a wireless communication system, a passive optical network (hereinafter, "a PON system"), and a local-area-network (LAN) system. In this type of communication system, an upload bandwidth that is used by the subscriber devices to transmit packet data to the station-side communicating apparatus is shared by the subscriber devices.
Various methods have been proposed for the station-side communicating apparatus to allocate the upload bandwidth in response to bandwidth requests from the subscriber devices and according to service levels of the subscriber devices. The first literature Japanese application patent laid-open publication No. 2001-53711, for example, discloses the bandwidth allocation method in the wireless communication system. The second literature "Dynamic Bandwidth Allocation Algorithm for GE-PON (International Conference on Optical Internet ((OJN2002))", for example, discloses the bandwidth allocation method in the PON system. The third literature Japanese application patent laid-open publication No. 2000-244527, for example, discloses the bandwidth allocation method in the LAN system.
For easy understanding of the present invention, the conventional dynamic bandwidth-allocation method will be described below (FIGS. 1 to 4) with reference to the PON system disclosed in the second literature. Note that because the second literature does not clearly specify the transmission type, the description below uses the transmission type disclosed in the third literature. FIG. 1 is a block diagram for illustrating a general configuration of the PON system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram for illustrating an example of a configuration of a subscriber terminating apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram for illustrating an example of a configuration of a portion of a station-side communicating apparatus shown in FIG. 1, which relates to a bandwidth allocation. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a processing procedure for a conventional dynamic bandwidth-allocation method.
As shown in FIG. 1, the PON system includes a station-side communicating apparatus 1, and a plurality of subscriber devices (hereinafter, "subscriber terminating apparatuses") 2a, 2b, and 2c. The subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c connect to the station-side communicating apparatus 1 through an optical transmission path (optical fiber 3, optical coupler 4, and optical fibers 5a, 5b, and 5c). More specifically, the optical fiber 3 connected to the station-side communicating apparatus 1 is divided into a plurality of optical fibers 5a, 5b, and 5c at the optical coupler 4. The optical fibers 5a, 5b, and 5c connect to the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c, respectively. The station-side communicating apparatus 1 connects to a network 6. The subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c connect to, for example, terminal devices 7a, 7b, and 7c, respectively.
The station-side communicating apparatus 1 exchanges packet data with the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c through the TDMA line. During each data-collection cycle, the station-side communicating apparatus 1 obtains request data amount sent from the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c. According to the request data amount, the station-side communicating apparatus 1 allocates the upload bandwidth to each of the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c. The station-side communicating apparatus 1 can set the contract bandwidth for each of the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c.
Each of the subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c includes a buffer memory unit 22 that stores the packet data input from a terminal device. The subscriber terminating apparatuses 2a, 2b, and 2c inform the station-side communicating apparatus 1 of the data amount accumulated in the buffer memory unit 22 as the bandwidth request. When each of the subscriber terminating apparatuses has a plurality of terminal devices connected thereto, it includes a buffer memory unit for each of the terminal devices, and informs the station-side communicating apparatus 1 of the accumulated data amount in each buffer memory unit.
As shown in FIG. 2, the subscriber terminating apparatus 2 includes a data receiving unit 21, the buffer memory unit 22, a data-amount counter unit 23, a control-signal generating unit 24, a transmission-timing adjusting unit 25, and a data transmitting unit 26.
The data receiving unit 21 stores the packet data input from the terminal device in the buffer memory unit 22. The data-amount counter unit 23 counts data amount stored in the buffer memory unit 22 and informs the amount to the control-signal generating unit 24. The control-signal generating unit 24 uses the data amount counted by the data-amount counter unit 23 as a basis to generate a control signal for a request to the station-side communicating apparatus 1 for the bandwidth. The data transmitting unit 26 transmits the control signal to the station-side communicating apparatus 1 at the timing specified by the transmission-timing adjusting unit 25. The data transmitting unit 26 also transmits the packet data accumulated in the buffer memory unit 22 to the station-side communicating apparatus 1. The data transmitting unit 26 transmits the packet data in the order in which the data is stored in the buffer memory unit 22 at the own transmission timing specified by a transmission-timing adjusting unit 55.
In this manner, the subscriber terminating apparatus 2 can inform the station-side communicating apparatus 1 of the request data amount by transmitting the control signal. The subscriber terminating apparatus 2 can also transmit the packet data input from the terminal device to the station-side communicating apparatus 1.
As shown in FIG. 3, the station-side communicating apparatus 1 has a configuration for the dynamic bandwidth-allocation. The configuration includes a control-signal receiving unit 30, a request-data-amount collecting unit 31, an allocation determining unit 32, a bandwidth adjusting unit 33, a transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34, and a control-signal transmitting unit 35. The station-side communicating apparatus 1 dynamically allocates the upload bandwidth in the sequence shown in FIG. 4. According to FIG. 4 and referring to FIG. 3, a description is given of how the station-side communicating apparatus 1 dynamically allocates the upload bandwidth.
As shown in FIG. 4, the control-signal receiving unit 30 receives the control signal which includes the stored data amount transmitted by the subscriber terminating apparatus. After receiving the control signal, the control-signal receiving unit 30 informs the request-data-amount collecting unit 31 of the stored data amount of the subscriber terminating apparatus that is indicated in the control signal. The request-data-amount collecting unit 31 thus collects the request data amount from all the subscriber terminating apparatuses (step ST1).
For the request data amount from each subscriber terminating apparatus held in the request-data-amount collecting unit 31, the allocation determining unit 32 sequentially determines the allocation (step ST2) in the determination order previously set by the bandwidth adjusting unit 33. The allocation determining unit 32 determines the allocation by determining whether the allocation to the selected subscriber terminating apparatus #n causes the total allocation amount more than a bandwidth-allocation amount previously set per one bandwidth-update cycle (step ST3).
If the allocation is possible to the selected subscriber terminating apparatus #n ("NO" at step ST3), the allocation determining unit 32 permits the allocation to the subscriber terminating apparatus #n, and informs the transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34 of the request data amount as the transmission-permitted amount (step ST4), then the flow proceeds to step ST5.
At step ST5, the allocation determining unit 32 determines whether the allocation is completed for all the subscriber terminating apparatuses. Until the allocation is completed for all the subscriber terminating apparatuses ("NO" at step ST5), the allocation determining unit 32 performs the allocation to all the subscriber terminating apparatuses by repeating the process from step ST2 to step ST4. If the allocation is completed for the entire subscriber terminating apparatuses ("YES" at step ST5), the flow proceeds to the operation of the transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34 (step ST6).
In repeating the processes from step ST2 to step ST4, if the allocation is not performed to the selected subscriber terminating apparatus #n ("YES" at step ST3), the allocation determining unit 32 informs accordingly the transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34. The allocation determining unit 32 then stops the allocation determination to the subscriber terminating apparatus #n, then the flow proceeds to step ST6. This means that a subscriber terminating apparatus occurs which does not receive the allocation determination.
The transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34 generates the transmission-permission-signal which indicates the transmission-permitted amount informed from the allocation determining unit 32. The control-signal transmitting unit 35 transmits the transmission-permission-signal to the subscriber terminating apparatus to which the allocation is permitted (step ST6). If there is a subscriber terminating apparatus to which the allocation is not performed, the transmission-permission-signal generating unit 34 informs accordingly that subscriber terminating apparatus.
Based on the data amount which is determined to be allocatable by the allocation determining unit 32 and on the contract bandwidth of the each of the subscriber terminating apparatuses, the bandwidth adjusting unit 33 determines (or updates) the order in which the next allocation determination is performed (step ST7). The above-described bandwidth-update cycle is the cycle during which the bandwidth adjusting unit 33 determines (or updates) the order in which the allocation determination is performed.
The dynamic bandwidth-allocation method in the conventional technology can periodically perform the set of the processes shown in FIG. 4 and can dynamically allocate the bandwidth according to the bandwidth request from each subscriber terminating apparatus. If more bandwidth is allocated to the subscriber terminating apparatus than its contract bandwidth, its allocation order can be postponed as lower priority in the next allocation determination, thereby limiting the bandwidth allocation. If less bandwidth is allocated, on the other hand, to the subscriber terminating apparatus than its contract bandwidth, its allocation order can be brought forward as higher priority in the next allocation determination, thereby increasing the bandwidth allocation.
The dynamic bandwidth-allocation method in the conventional technology can set the data amount requested from each subscriber terminating apparatus as the transmission-permitted amount to eliminate the useless bandwidth allocation, thereby making it possible to effectively use the bandwidth shared by the subscriber terminating apparatuses.
In the dynamic bandwidth-allocation method in the conventional technology, however, if a plurality of subscriber terminating apparatuses provides a large request data amount, an allocation permitted to a small number of subscriber terminating apparatuses may cause the total allocation amount more than a bandwidth-allocation amount per one bandwidth-update cycle, permitting no allocation to the remaining subscriber terminating apparatuses. Some subscriber terminating apparatuses have thus less opportunity for allocation, thereby increasing the time for the packet data input from the terminal device to be output from the subscriber terminating apparatus.
To solve the above-described problems, it is readily inferred that a portion of each request data amount may preferably be allocated. In this case, however, the station-side communicating apparatus needs to determine the transmission-permitted amount without considering the delimitation in the variable-length packet data which is stored in the buffer memory unit in the subscriber terminating apparatus. When the station-side communicating apparatus determines the transmission-permitted amount for each subscriber terminating apparatus without considering the delimitation in the variable length packet, the subscriber terminating apparatuses need to separate the variable-length packet data stored in the buffer memory unit to use all of the allocation permission. The station-side communicating apparatus needs a means for differentiating the separated packet data and non-separated packet data and a means for recombining the separated packet data. A problem thus arises in which redundant functions have to be added to the station-side communicating apparatus and subscriber terminating apparatus.
To transmit the packet data with the same delimitation as that in the variable-length packet data stored in the buffer memory unit, the subscriber terminating apparatuses need to use not all the transmission-permitted amount. The subscriber terminating apparatuses alternatively need to use only a portion of the transmission-permitted amount that allows the transmission of the packet data amount without separating it. In this case, the remaining portion of the transmission-permitted amount is unnecessary allocation, which may prevent the effective use of the upload bandwidth shared by the subscriber terminating apparatuses.
As described above, the dynamic bandwidth-allocation method in the conventional technology sets the request data amount as the transmission-permitted amount for the purpose of effectively using the shared bandwidth, which leads to a longer data-transmission waiting time of the subscriber terminating apparatuses. On the other hand, increasing the allocation occasions to decrease the data-transmission waiting time may cause a problem in which redundant functions need to be added or unnecessary allocation need to be generated for effectively using the shared bandwidth.
The present invention is accomplished in light of the above-described problems. An object of this invention is to provide a station-side communicating apparatus which can detect packet data delimitation in the request data amount and can allow the allocation for a portion of the request data amount, thereby effectively using the shared bandwidth and allocating the upload bandwidth to decrease the data-transmission waiting time.


Apparatus and a method are provided. One example of the apparatus comprises: a housing, defining a through-hole, configured to retain an electronic device in the through-hole; at least one coil configured to receive energy wirelessly; and an electrical connector configured to provide energy received by the at least one coil to an electronic device retained in the through-hole.

Energy may be transferred to an electronic device, such as a mobile telephone, using inductance. For example, a charging base station may use a first induction coil to create an alternating electromagnetic field. The alternating electromagnetic field induces a current in a second induction coil positioned in the electronic device, thus transferring energy from the charging base station to the electronic device.


A magnetoresistive (MR) sensor having a decreased electrical profile due to a confining of the device sense current within a conductive nanoconstriction. The MR sensor includes a giant magnetoresistive (GMR) stack and a layer of high resistivity material within the GMR stack. The layer of high resistivity material includes a nanoconstriction precursor. When a punch current is applied at the nanoconstriction precursor, a conductive nanoconstriction is formed through the layer of high resistivity material at the nanoconstriction precursor.

The present invention relates generally to the field of magnetic data storage and retrieval systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transducing head including a current perpendicular to the plane (CPP) read sensor having a sense current-confining conductive nanoconstriction.
In a magnetic data storage and retrieval system, a magnetic recording head typically includes a reader portion having a magnetoresistive (MR) sensor for retrieving magnetically encoded information stored on a magnetic disc. Magnetic flux from the surface of the disc causes rotation of the magnetization vector of a sensing layer or layers of the MR sensor, which in turn causes a change in electrical resistivity of the MR sensor. The sensing layers are often called "free" layers, since the magnetization vectors of the sensing layers are free to rotate in response to external magnetic flux. The change in resistivity of the MR sensor can be detected by passing a current through the MR sensor and measuring a voltage across the MR sensor. Depending on the geometry of the device, the sense current may be passed in the plane (CIP) of the layers of the device or perpendicular to the plane (CPP) of the layers of the device. External circuitry then converts the voltage information into an appropriate format and manipulates that information as necessary to recover the information encoded on the disc.
The essential structure in contemporary read heads is a thin film multilayer containing ferromagnetic material that exhibits some type of magnetoresistance. Examples of magnetoresistive phenomena include anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR), giant magnetoresistance (GMR), and tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR).
AMR sensors generally have a single MR layer formed of a ferromagnetic material. The resistance of the MR layer varies as a function of cos2α, where α is the angle formed between the magnetization vector of the MR layer and the direction of the sense current flowing in the MR layer.
GMR sensors have a series of alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The resistance of GMR sensors varies as a function of the spin-dependent transmission of the conduction electrons between the magnetic layers separated by the nonmagnetic layer and the accompanying spin-dependent scattering which takes place at the interface of the magnetic and nonmagnetic layers and within the magnetic layers. The resistance of a GMR sensor depends on the relative orientations of the magnetization in consecutive magnetic layers, and varies as the cosine of the angle between the magnetization vectors of consecutive magnetic layers.
A typical GMR read sensor configuration is the GMR spin valve, in which the GMR read sensor is a multi-layered structure formed of a nonmagnetic spacer layer positioned between a synthetic antiferromagnet (SAF) and a ferromagnetic free layer, or between two ferromagnetic free layers. In the former case, the magnetization of the SAF is fixed, typically normal to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the GMR read sensor, while the magnetization of the free layer rotates freely in response to an external magnetic field. The SAF includes a reference layer and a pinned layer which are magnetically coupled by a coupling layer such that the magnetization direction of the reference layer is opposite to the magnetization of the pinned layer. In the latter case, the magnetizations of the two free layers rotate freely in response to an external magnetic field. The resistance of the GMR read sensor varies as a function of an angle formed between the magnetization direction of the free layer and the magnetization direction of the reference layer of the SAF, or as a function of an angle formed between the magnetization directions of the two free layers. This multi-layered spin valve configuration allows for a more pronounced magnetoresistive effect, i.e. greater sensitivity and higher total change in resistance, than is possible with anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) read sensors, which generally consist of a single ferromagnetic layer.
TMR sensors have a configuration similar to GMR sensors, except that the magnetic layers of the sensor are separated by an insulating film thin enough to allow electron tunneling between the magnetic layers. The tunneling probability of an electron incident on the barrier from one magnetic layer depends on the character of the electron wave function and the spin of the electron relative to the magnetization direction in the other magnetic layer. As a consequence, the resistance of the TMR sensor depends on the relative orientations of the magnetization of the magnetic layers, exhibiting a minimum for a configuration in which the magnetizations of the magnetic layers are parallel and a maximum for a configuration in which the magnetizations of the magnetic layers are anti-parallel.
For all types of MR sensors, magnetization rotation occurs in response to magnetic flux from the disc. As the recording density of magnetic discs continues to increase, the width of the tracks on the disc must decrease, which necessitates smaller and smaller MR sensors as well. As MR sensors become smaller in size, particularly for sensors with dimensions less than about 0.1 micrometers (μm), the sensors have the potential to exhibit an undesirable magnetic response to applied fields from the magnetic disc. MR sensors must be designed in such a manner that even small sensors are free from magnetic noise and provide a signal with adequate amplitude for accurate recovery of the data written on the disc.
To sustain a compound annual growth rate in areal density of 60% or more over the next few years, read widths of less than 40 nm will be required. At these dimensions, the capability of conventional lithographic steppers and etch/strip processes to maintain adequate targeting and sigma control is uncertain. Alternative technologies that relax lithographic line width requirements while hitting electrical and magnetic width targets are desirable.
One promising technique to reduce the effective dimensions of MR sensors is to incorporate current confining paths, or "pinholes," in a layer or layers of the MR stack. The current confining paths are formed such that they offer a path of lower resistance through which the sense current flows. The sense current is thus confined to a smaller portion of the MR stack, thereby reducing the electrical profile of the MR sensor. Typically, these current confining paths are formed either by etching a current confining path into a layer or layers of the MR stack, or by incorporating a layer of granular or porous material into the MR stack having naturally occurring current confining paths. Both of these techniques for including current confining paths in an MR sensor are described in, for example, patent application Pub. 2002/0051380 by Kamiguchi et al. The present invention is a more controllable approach to forming current confining paths in an MR sensor which allows for an increased magnetoresistive signal.

Method of making a current-perpendicular to the plane (CPP) magnetoresistive (MR) sensor


Measuring the size of a distant object using a gauge sized according to a range to the object is provided. A user may select an initial target scale size and use an aiming mark to align a rangefinder with the object before determining the range. Indicia may be associated with the gauge, both of which could be displayed in a field of view of an optical sighting device, such as a rangefinder, riflescope, or spotting scope. In addition, the gauge or the indicia, or both may be alterable in response to the determined range. While looking through an eyepiece of the optical sighting device, the user may align the gauge with the object and estimate its size by visually comparing the gauge and object with reference to the indicia. The gauge may be geometrically shaped and may contain a series of spaced apart measuring marks having a logarithmic spacing.

This disclosure relates to devices and methods for measuring the size of a distant object, or feature thereof, in a field of view of an optical sighting device, such as a handheld rangefinder, riflescope, or binoculars.
Knowing a dimension of a distant object is essential for many people, such as game hunters, foresters, and property owners. For example, game hunters may not only need to ensure an animal's antlers or horns are of sufficient size to satisfy hunting regulations but they may also wish to determine a trophy quality of the animal before taking it. Similarly, foresters may need to determine a size of a stand of trees to estimate board feet. Likewise, a property owner may wish to estimate the amount of fencing material needed for a stretch of land without manually measuring the dimensions. However, accurately judging the size of the distant object, such as the trophy size of an animal, is difficult even for experienced hunters and guides.
Reticles used with riflescopes and rangefinders and laser surveying instruments are known to allow a user to estimate a range to a distant object and adjust an aiming point for elevation holds. For example, The Leatherwood Sporter™ sold by Hi-Lux, Inc., Torrance, Calif., USA, contains an Auto/Range Reticle that automatically compensates for bullet trajectory based on a range to the target. This reticle contains framing marks that allow the user to overlay, or frame, a known dimension at the target to achieve an elevation adjustment in the scope. By way of example, an average sized deer has a chest height of about 18 inches, deer and antelope are about 54 inches tall, a wild pig is about 48 inches long, and a coyote is about 36 inches long. When the target is located in the riflescope's field of view, the appropriate framing mark is overlaid on the target. For example, if the user is aiming at an adult buck, the user could overlay an 18 inch vertical framing mark on the chest cavity. The magnification of the scope is adjusted until the framing mark frames the dimension of the target. These steps automatically adjust the riflescope relative to the rifle's barrel to compensate bullet drop at the determined range. The user can align the center of the riflescope's crosshairs on the intended point of impact without further adjustment and fire the bullet.
Other known riflescopes having range-finding capability utilize a ratio of known dimensions to approximate range. For example, a riflescope could have reticle features, such as dots, cross-hair pairs, gaps, or posts, having known dimensions. When the reticle and riflescope are properly calibrated, the apparent size of a dot, for example, as viewed through the riflescope will subtend a known angle. By comparing the apparent size of the dot to an image of the target having a known height as viewed through the scope, the range to the target can be estimated. By way of example, the scope and reticle may be calibrated so that the dot covers a circular area having a six inch diameter at a range of 100 yards (i.e. the dot is subtending 5.7 MOA). If the dot covers only ⅔ of a target estimated to be 18 inches high (i.e. the dot covers a circular area having a 12 inch diameter at the unknown range), the estimated range can be calculated using the following formula: Estimated Range=(12 inches/6 inches)×100 yards=200 yards. As these examples have shown, the hunter must perform calculations and use estimations to determine the range to the distant target. This may not only yield inaccurate results, but may require the hunter to receive specialized training or carry additional equipment, such as a calculator or numerous conversion tables.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,262 of Dunne describes a sighting scope having means for measuring the apparent width of a target. The user aims the sighting scope at the target, determines the number of reticle markings between left and right edges of the target, and manually enters the number of reticle markings into a microcontroller using a keypad. The microcontroller then uses the number of markings, reticle marking data, and a target distance as determined by a laser rangefinder to calculate the actual width of the target.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,738,148 of Dunne et al. describes a device having a tree diameter function. First, the horizontal distance to the target tree stem is either entered manually using a keypad or determined by a laser rangefinder. Next, the user depresses increase or decrease buttons on the keypad to position visual brackets so that the brackets adjoin a visual image of a perceived stem diameter at a desired point on the tree stem. After the user depresses the accept button, a processor determines a vertical angle to the point on the tree, calculates the actual height and diameter of the tree at the selected point, and displays the calculated height and diameter on a housing-mounted display of the device. Dunne et al. also describes the device having an upper stem diameter function. The horizontal distance to the target tree stem is either entered manually using a keypad or determined by a laser rangefinder. Next, the user can enter a fixed width at the upper stem and the processor will automatically set visual brackets to the selected upper stem width for the horizontal distance to the target tree. The user can aim the device at the tree stem until the visual brackets are aligned with the left and right sides of the target tree and depress the accept button. After the processor calculates the height at the fixed width selected based upon the horizontal distance to the tree and angle of inclination, it displays the height on the housing mounted display of the device.
However, Dunne and Dunne et al. do not disclose an aiming mark to help aim the rangefinder at the target. In addition, the brackets are positioned at equal intervals which may obstruct the view of the target. Furthermore, the user must divert attention away from the target to the external keypad to enter data or position the visual brackets and the housing mounted display to view the height and/or diameter of the target.
The present inventors have recognized a need for improved devices and methods for measuring the size of a distant object in a field of view of an optical sighting device.

System and method for measuring a size of a distant object


An exercise machine for performing both a hack squat exercise and a leg press exercise is disclosed. A hack squat platform is operably mounted to a frame for use in performing a hack squat exercise. A collapsible seat is operably connected to either the frame or the hack squat platform for use in performing a leg press exercise. The collapsible seat and the hack squat platform are provided as alternative configurations whereby only one of either the collapsible seat or the hack squat platform can be used by the user at one time.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to exercise equipment and machines for home commercial use.
2. Description of the Related Art
Specialized exercise and fitness equipment and machines are typically designed to focus resistance forces to work particular muscle groups of a user. Exercise machines and other fitness equipment are often designed to provide more than one type of exercise. Such combination designs are more resource efficient than exercise machines that only provide one exercise, both in terms of cost and accommodation. Cost savings are realized if one machine or piece of equipment can offer multiple exercises in lieu of many machines or pieces of equipment individually offering only one of the exercises. More efficient accommodation is realized because combination exercise machines generally occupy less space than the multiple exercise machines otherwise required to offer the same exercises.
Often, however, combination fitness equipment or exercise machines can be difficult to reconfigure, requiring actual dismantling or physical detachment and relocation of pieces of portions of the equipment or machine. Such difficulties have heretofore been the norm when attempting to provide exercises using an inclined weight sled. Two of the more popular exercises using an inclined weight sled are a hack squat exercise and a leg press exercise. In order to perform a hack squat exercise with a weight sled, an inclined foot plate must be provided for the user to stand upon. To reconfigure the weight sled for a leg press exercise, the inclined foot plate must be removed and replaced with an inclined seat. Further, the shoulder engagement assembly used when performing a hack squat must be removed and replaced with a foot plate attached to the weight sled.

Collapsible seat for combination hack squat and leg press machine


Structures including a photodetector and methods of fabricating such structures. The photodetector is positioned over the top surface of the substrate. The photodetector includes a portion of a semiconductor layer comprised of a semiconductor alloy, a p-type doped region in the portion of the semiconductor layer, and an n-type doped region in the portion of the semiconductor layer. The p-type doped region and the n-type doped region converge along a p-n junction. The portion of the semiconductor layer has a first side and a second side opposite from the first side. The semiconductor alloy has a composition that is laterally graded from the first side to the second side of the portion of the semiconductor layer.

The present invention relates to photonics chips and, more particularly, to structures including a photodetector and methods of fabricating such structures.
Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) is a laser-mapping technology that measures distance to a target by illuminating the target with pulsed laser light and measuring pulses reflected from the target with a sensor. LIDAR is used in, for example, autonomous robots and self-driving cars. The sensor employed in a LIDAR system, and also in other infrared wavelength motion detection systems, is a germanium photodetector. Germanium is characterized by high absorption in the infrared wavelength range.
Typically, a LIDAR system is implemented by a two-chip construction in which one chip includes one or more germanium photodetectors and a second chip includes a trans-impedance amplifier as well as associated logic and input/output. Each germanium photodetector converts incident reflected pulses received from the target into current as photons of electromagnetic radiation are absorbed in the germanium. The trans-impedance amplifier amplifies the current generated by the photodetector and converts the current into a voltage.
In certain applications such as vehicles operating at normal highway speeds, the laser of a LIDAR system may require a higher power to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. The power increase may require laser operation at longer wavelengths, such as a wavelength of about 1.5 microns. Photodetectors must be capable of operating at such longer wavelengths to promote the improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio.
Improved structures including a photodetector and methods of fabricating such structures are needed.

Photodetectors with a lateral composition gradient


A day running lamp includes a laser light source, a light splitting element, a number of light path adjusting elements, a number of scattering elements, and a lampshade. The laser light source is configured for emitting a single laser beam, and the splitting element is configured for splitting the single laser beam into a number of divided beams. Each of the light path adjusting elements is configured for adjusting a light path of corresponding divided beams into parallel beams. The scattering elements are configured for diffusing the parallel divided beams onto the lampshade.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to day running lamps and motor vehicles having the day running lamps.
2. Description of Related Art
Traffic signal lamps, such as day running lamp are mainly used when driving in foggy or rainy weather. However, the traffic signal lamps usually include multiple light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a light source to achieve a required brightness, which may cause accumulation of heat.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a traffic signal lamp for use in a motor vehicle to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

Day running lamp for motor vehicle and motor vehicle having same


Vulnerability testing of a web application can be done using external testing, wherein an external test system runs with permissions of a user of the web application and interacts with the web application over a network, the external test system might obtain a schedule for a vulnerability test, execute the schedule using the external test system, log at least portions of responses of the web application to interactions of the external test system with the web application, compare portions of the responses to expected possible responses associated with particular possible vulnerabilities of the web application, thereby detecting possible vulnerabilities of the web application and, for at least one detected possible vulnerability, generating a retest script that comprises at least instructions to place the web application in a state at least similar to the state at which the at least one detected possible vulnerability was detected during execution of the schedule and that comprises at least instructions to interact with the web application in an attempt to recreate the detection without requiring reexecution of the schedule.

There are a number of different configurations of network client-server interfaces available today, but the most common network in use is the Internet, a global internetwork of networks and networks that use Internet protocols and/or interfaces, such as extranets, intranets, local services, and other variations. In the general case, to which inventions described herein apply, clients connect to servers over the network and clients are not always trusted computers. As a result, the designers of the servers need to ensure that untrusted clients cannot perform malicious acts or access unauthorized portions of the server through the network.
One approach to ensure that servers cannot be accessed in an unauthorized manner is to only provide access to secured and trusted clients. However, in many situations, that is not possible. For example, if a merchant was running an on-line store, the merchant would want to allow most anyone who has a computer to access the servers providing the on-line store functionality, but do so in a way that still prevents unauthorized interactions with the servers.
Server security is more than just requiring a username and password from each client before responding to client requests, since even a logged in user might try for unauthorized access and a typical service provided by a server might include content and functionality for use by unauthenticated and unlogged-in clients. One approach to server security is to review all of the code that runs on the server and verify that it does not include statements that allow for unauthorized activity and review all the files present on the server and their respective permissions, side-effects, etc. While this might be practical for a small installation, say an FTP server that serves up predefined files to all comers, it is often not practical with complex, interactive applications that have many response modes.
One common use of servers in this environment, but not an exclusive use, is that of a web application. As used herein, "web" refers to a collection of documents/files, some of which have references, or links, to other documents/files in the collection. One example of a web is the World Wide Web ("WWW"), a collection of files served up by WWW servers (also called "web servers") using HTTP protocols or something similar. The "WWW" gets its name from the fact that most of these documents/files can be almost anywhere in the world and can be accessed anywhere in the world where there is Internet connectivity.
A web application is an application that runs on one or more server and provides some functionality or service in response to client requests received over a network using web protocols (i.e., HTTP, HTTPS, or something similar). An example of a web application is a database interface, wherein a database runs on a database system and clients can access data in that database system by sending a request for service over the network to a web application server. The web application server receives the request for service and decides, according to how it is programmed, what to do with the request. It can ignore the request, send an error message back to the client, or trigger an operation with the database system and respond to the client's request by sending the client the results of the database operation.
In a highly specific example, suppose a client computer system is operated by a customer seeking to configure and purchase a laptop computer. The customer would direct the client computer system to access a web application server operated by a vendor of laptop computers. The client computer system might send a request to the web application server via the network requesting a home page of the vendor. The web application server might respond with a home page that includes features allowing the client to interact with content on the home page (such as by selecting from available model names, features, etc.), send a subsequent request to the server, etc.
All the while, the web application server is making decisions about what is appropriate to send and what is not appropriate to send, based on its programming. For example, if the client computer sends a request for an updated page with updated pricing for new options selected by the customer, the web application server might perform some calculations, perform some database look-ups, generate a new dynamic web page and return that web page to the client computer in response to the request. However, if the client computer sends a request to see data about what someone else ordered, or internal data from the database server, the web application should properly refuse to respond to the request.
Because web applications are so complex, securing a web application and testing for security vulnerabilities, often involves an automated testing of the web application. Client-side web application testing refers to tests that are run from a client's point of view. For example, a client-side test suite might have logic for logging in to a web application, applying valid and invalid requests to the web application, noting the web application's responses and evaluating those responses. For example, if the test suite sends a request to the web application for ordering products where the prices have been altered and the response is "invalid order", the test suite might note that the web application is secure in that regard, but if the response is "thank you for your order", the test suite might note that the web application is not secure.
Once vulnerabilities have been identified, they can be brought to the attention of a web application designer for handling. Of course, if vulnerabilities are missed by the automated web application test suite, those vulnerabilities might never get fixed. Ideally, these vulnerabilities can be spotted programmatically, so that an analyst does not have to manually review all of the responses of the web application. Unfortunately, the wide variety of possible responses of a web application precludes trivial response checking.
In view of the above, the inventions described herein provide improvements over existing approaches.

Method and apparatus for managing security vulnerability lifecycles


This system for illuminating a liquid-crystal screen comprises a light source which emits an unpolarized light beam (F). A polarizing splitter device (PBS) receives this unpolarized light beam and retransmits, onto the liquid-crystal screen, a first and a second beam (F1, F2) which are polarized in the same polarization direction. The axes of the two beams make a defined angle (2.beta.) between them. A matrix of microlenses is provided with one microlens (.mu.L) for at least two adjacent picture elements (EL1, EL2) in the liquid-crystal screen. Each microlens directs that part of the first beam which it receives onto one (EL1) of the two picture elements and that part of the second beam which it receives onto the other picture element (EL2).

The emergence of liquid-crystal screen technology offers an excellent outlet for video projection techniques. The light emitted by an arc lamp is modulated by a liquid-crystal cell. The image formed by the liquid-crystal display device is projected by an optical system onto a screen. The so-called AM-TFT TNLCD technique (that is to say twisted-nematic liquid-crystal display controlled by an active matrix of thin-film transistors) is regarded as essential for liquid-crystal screens, each picture element (pixel) being controlled by a transistor. The light incident on the liquid-crystal screen must be linearly polarized. The major drawback of this technique is its low efficiency.
In fact, 1 to 2% of the light reaches the screen. Three main parameters limit this efficiency, namely:
1--more than 50% of the light is lost (-60%) since the light coming from the lamp is not polarized; PA1 2--the filling factor of the cell is limited, especially for the definition of a large image and the small diameter of the liquid-crystal modulator. The filling factor or OAR (Open Aperture Ratio) is about 50%; PA1 3--since the lamp is not small, the illumination of the small diameter of the LCD liquid-crystal display (the light beam being defined by the solid angle adapted to the contrast of the LCD display) decreases the light efficiency. Screens of 16:9 format have a light efficiency of less than 40%. PA1 E(mm.sup.2.sr)=S(circular area).times..OMEGA. PA1 where: PA1 2E=(2S).times..OMEGA., which is not acceptable because of homogeneity and space problems; PA1 2E=S.times.(2.OMEGA.)--the current techniques demonstrate that many systems do not achieve this minimum value (i.e. 2.OMEGA.), but higher than this. PA1 2f.times.tan (.beta..sub.glass).ltoreq.active area PA1 where:
Other factors cause attenuation, such as colour rendition, white balancing and Fresnel losses.
Many solutions have been proposed to improve the light efficiency of these projection systems. Some solutions propose the conversion of the second polarization (see, for example, the document "Large Aperture Polarized Light Source and Novel Liquid Crystal Display Operating Modes" S. V. Belayev, M. Schadt, M. I. Bamik, J. Funufschilling, N. V. Malimoneko and K. Schmitt. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 29., April 1990, pp. L634-L637) in the illumination box, and others recommend the use of microlenses intended to concentrate the light in the active area of the pixels in the screen (see for example the document "Brightness Enhancement of an LCD Projection by Planar Microlens Array", H. Hamada, F. Funada, M. Hijikigawa and K. Awane, SID 92 DIGEST, pp. 269-272).
The invention relates to a high-performance polarizing converter which can be combined with conventional microlenses so as to obtain a high-efficiency projector, characterized by a performance which is superior, possibly by up to a factor of 3, compared to a conventional system.
In order to illustrate the various improvements made to the proposed systems, we have worked on the basis of the useful geometrical extent or analysis of the extent.
The value of the extent of a light beam through a surface S is the product of the area of the said surface multiplied by the solid angle defining the light beam:
.OMEGA.=2.pi.1-cos (.beta.)!, PA2 .beta. being the illumination half-aperture. PA2 the active surface area of the pixel is equal to the pixel area less the area of the black matrix (masking matrix), i.e. size of the pixel--black matrix; PA2 f is the thickness of the liquid-crystal screen; and PA2 .beta..sub.glass is the illumination half-angle within the glass of the LCD display.
The lamp used in the liquid-crystal projection display system has a spatial extension (that is to say a non-zero spatial extension); it may be characterized by its extent: E.sub.lamp or Flux (Flux=E (Extent).times.(L (Luminance), if L is constant).
Moreover, the contrast of the LCD liquid-crystal display is largely dependent on the illumination aperture. If .beta.<.+-.10 deg., the contrast will be always acceptable for projection. Thus, .OMEGA. is limited to a value .OMEGA.1. The said limitation is also associated with the objective lens used for the projection.
Furthermore, liquid-crystal screens having quite a small diameter have been chosen so as to decrease the cost of the said systems and their optical components, resulting in a small illumination area S1.
If the product of S1.times..OMEGA.1, that is to say E1, is less than E.sub.lamp, the light efficiency will be poor and equal to the ratio E1/E.sub.lamp.
If E1 is greater than E.sub.lamp, that is to say the light efficiency will be equal to 100%.
If E1 is equal to E.sub.lamp, the system will be satisfactorily optimized.
The polarizing conversion system doubles the value of the extent E since the light from the two polarization components is spatially split into two directions.
After having passed through the polarization splitter, the light E becomes 2E. At this stage, 2 cases may be considered:
Analysis of the extent may be applied to the method of focusing the light onto the pixels in the liquid-crystal screen. For conventional focusing using a matrix of spherical microlenses--one microlens for each pixel for 100% focusing--hence the need to obtain a filling factor of 100% and no longer 50% (or less); the reason for this is that the focusing area is less than or equal to the active area of the pixel, that is to say:
Knowing the parameters of the system--f, .beta..sub.glass, size and dimensions of the LCD display--it is thus possible to define the quantity of light passing through the screen after focusing:
E.sub.focusing =S (circular area at the periphery of the LCD display).times.2.pi.1-cos (n..beta..sub.glass)!,
where n is the refractive index of the glass of the LCD display.
As mentioned previously, the total efficiency is the ratio of E.sub.focusing to E.sub.lamp.
Conventional illumination systems provided with polarizing or focusing-based conversion devices cannot actually be used because of the extension of the value of extent, characteristic of the polarizing converter for example, thereby cancelling out the advantage of the focusing, even if the lamp has a restricted geometrical extent. The invention solves this problem and gives a gain of greater than 3 in the light flux.
Furthermore, extension of the solid angle .OMEGA. may be performed in various ways--either in the direction of the orifice or in another direction (horizontal or vertical with respect to the distribution of the isocontrast of the LCD display). Extension in the correct direction for the contrast of the screen is possible in this case.

System for illuminating a liquid-crystal screen


Provided is a method for controlling an inverter, the method comprising calculating an optimal speed, determining a final speed as the optimal speed when a command speed is higher than a rated speed level of a motor, and determining the final speed as the command speed when the command speed is lower than or equal to the rated speed level, or higher than a predetermined optimal speed level.

1. Field of Endeavor
The present disclosure relates to a method for controlling an inverter.
2. Background
In general, a power inverter, or inverter, is an electrical power converter that changes DC (Direct Current) to AC (Alternating Current) at any required voltage and frequency through PWM (Pulse Width Modulation) switching operation by being connected to a three-phase commercial AC power source to generate a desired power and supplies the power to a motor, where the motor controlled by the inverter in turn generates a torque to drive a load.
In general, a load applied by a motor-driving inverter system may be largely classified to a blower load, a hoist load, a drawbar load and a tension control load. The hoist load refers to a vertically moving mechanical system such as a crane, a hoist and an elevator, and particularly the crane and the hoist vary in work efficiency in response to a driving speed of a motor. That is, in a case a motor driving a crane is operated at a maximum speed within an allowable rated scope, the crane can be enhanced in work efficiency.
FIGS. 1a and 1b are flowcharts illustrating a method for controlling an inverter according to prior art. In a conventional inverter control, an output optimization function of the inverter is set (S110). A hoist load requires a deceleration/acceleration torque (50˜200%) of a torque necessary for a constant velocity operation, and in this case, a motor and a driving system must be able to supply a torque 150% more than a rated torque during the deceleration/acceleration time.
In the hoist load, torques of forward and backward directions of a motor are generated, where a torque direction is checked (S120) to set a control of a forward direction is set (S130), and to set a control of a backward direction is set (S140).
A motor must generate a forward direction torque and a backward direction torque for deceleration/acceleration of the system, and the motor must be able to change to a forward direction and a backward direction, which leads to necessity of setting a limit on forward and backward torque directions which is performed by the abovementioned S120˜S140.
Thereafter, torques to load are accumulated (S150), and in a case a set time has lapsed (S160), the number of torques accumulated during the set times and accumulated torques are calculated to obtain an average torque (S170). Successively, an optimal speed is calculated using the calculated average torque, the forward and backward torque limits set up at S130 and S140, and a rated speed of the inverter (S180). Furthermore, the optimal speed calculated at S180 is limited within a maximum frequency range (S190), whereby an optimal speed can be calculated. It is assumed that an entire operation of FIG. 1a is S100 of FIG. 1b.
FIG. 1b is a flowchart illustrating a set of a final speed command of a motor. In a case an optimal speed is calculated at S100, a determination is made as to whether the optimal speed is applied as a final speed command (S210), and if the optimal speed is applied as a final speed command, the optimal speed calculated at S100 is determined as a final speed command (S220), and if the optimal speed is not applied as the final speed command, a command speed is determined as a final speed command (S230), and then a final speed is outputted (S240).
FIG. 2 is a graph illustrating a maximum torque curve of a motor speed, where 'a' refers to a region where a predetermined torque is lasted under a rated speed of a motor, and 'b' refers to a region where a predetermined torque is above the rated speed. In the figure, a torque outputtable by the motor at 'b' decreases in reverse proportion to an increased speed of the motor.
As explained above, a motor needs deceleration/acceleration torques during deceleration/acceleration operations, and in a case the motor keeps accelerating to excel the command speed while maintaining the deceleration/acceleration, the maximum speed is a speed capable of maintaining the deceleration/acceleration torques during the deceleration/acceleration, which can be expressed by the following Equation.(Optimal speed)=(rated speed)×(forward or backward torque limit)/(torque load)  [Equation 1]
An optimal speed or a command speed is set as a final speed command using the optimal speed calculated by the above Equation 1 as shown in FIG. 1b, and a final speed is outputted, whereby the output is optimized. However, referring to FIG. 2, this suffers from a disadvantage in that an optimal speed is determined through output optimization during an operation over a rated speed, and a predetermined speed is provided at an operation less than the rated speed, whereby the output optimization is impossible at the operation less than the rated speed.
Thus, there is a need to provide an apparatus for controlling an inverter capable of solving the aforementioned disadvantages or problems.


A vehicle step assembly uses hinged pedestals, attitude links and an energy storage device to position step stringers and an attached step beam in a generally horizontal and elevated deployed position, while permitting a space-saving tucked-in stowed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a step apparatus which may be deployed to allow ready access to a portion of a motor vehicle, such as a pickup box.
2. Disclosure Information
Vehicles such as pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles frequently utilize large tires and wheels and high ground clearance, so as to enable such vehicles to negotiate more rugged terrain and difficult road surfaces such as those piled with snow and loose soil. Although high ground clearance has the benefit of promoting vehicle mobility, a drawback is inherent with such construction, insofar as high ground clearance renders access to vehicle load carrying structures such as a pickup box, utility body, or roof rack, a difficult proposition. Various designers have attempted to provide foldaway steps which would allow vehicle operators to gain access to a pickup box or other vehicle body. Such foldaway steps have met with mixed success, and one reason for this shortfall is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,641,158, which discloses a step having a mechanism which actually lowers the height of the step when the step is moved from its stowed position to its deployed position. This lowering of height is undesirable because it partially defeats the purpose for the step by placing the user at less of an advantage than would be the case were the step to be moved upwardly as it is moved to its deployed position.
It would be desirable, therefore, to have a step which not only tucks up out of the way when in a stowed position, but moves upwardly into the deployed position.