A wireless communication apparatus supports at least a second wireless communication scheme between a first wireless communication scheme and the second wireless communication scheme. The first wireless communication scheme requires that a wireless medium is determined to be busy when a reception level is equal to or greater than a minimum reception sensitivity level of a physical scheme. The apparatus includes a first processing unit and a second processing unit. The first processing unit is configured to set a value lower than a maximum transmission power of the first wireless communication scheme, for a maximum transmission power of the second wireless communication scheme and set a value greater than the minimum reception sensitivity level of the physical scheme, for a carrier sense level, when the second wireless communication scheme is used. The second processing unit is configured to carry out carrier sense using the carrier sense level.

As a wireless communication scheme based on carrier sense, for example, IEEE 802.11 is known. In IEEE 802.11, a carrier sense level is uniquely determined for each physical scheme. Thus, according to IEEE 802.11, a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses using the same physical scheme can share the same wireless medium for coexistence.
However, problems may occur if the wireless communication apparatus (referred to as a first wireless communication apparatus in BACKGROUND for convenience) controls the maximum transmission power based on a wireless communication scheme (which is based on carrier sense), for example, IEEE 802.11, to implement close proximity wireless communication with a communication range limited to the order of, for example, several centimeters. Specifically, the equal coexistence between the first wireless communication apparatus and another wireless communication apparatus using the normal maximum transmission power (in BACKGROUND, this wireless communication apparatus is referred to as a second wireless communication apparatus for convenience) is difficult if the second wireless communication apparatus uses the same wireless medium as that for the first wireless communication apparatus and if the first wireless communication apparatus is present within the communication range of the second wireless communication apparatus. The following situation may occur, for example: signals transmitted by the first wireless communication apparatus fail to reach the carrier sense level of the second wireless communication apparatus; however, signals transmitted by the second wireless communication apparatus reach the carrier sense level of the second wireless communication apparatus. Hence, the second wireless communication apparatus can transmit signals regardless of the status of transmissions from the first wireless communication apparatus. However, the first wireless communication apparatus is prevented from transmitting signals depending on the status of transmissions from the second wireless communication apparatus. That is, the first wireless communication apparatus is in an inferior position compared to the second wireless communication apparatus.
Furthermore, the conventional wireless communication scheme based on carrier sense assumes that a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses communicate with one another. Moreover, the wireless communication scheme is designed based on the policy that even if a communication link is degraded, an attempt is made to maintain the communication link. On the other hand, in the close proximity communication, the communication among a plurality of wireless communication apparatuses is not always necessary, and point-to-point communication often has to be only implemented. Moreover, requirement specifications for the close proximity communication include a reduction in the time required until data exchange is started and distinct disconnection of a communication link when a communication distance becomes longer than a certain level.


An image display device includes: a display to output an image; a frame to cover at least a partial upper portion of a rear surface of the display and form an appearance; and a back cover coupled to the frame to cover the rear surface of the display, wherein the back cover includes a first cover disposed in a horizontal direction and detachably coupled to the frame; a second cover coupled to the first cover and disposed to overlap with the first cover; and a fixing member disposed at an inner side of the first cover and the second cover and fixes the second cover to the first cover.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure relates to an image display device including a back cover formed with vent holes.
2. Background
An image display device includes both a device of recording and/or reproducing images and a device of recording and/or reproducing audio. Examples of the image display device may include a TV set, a monitor, a projector, a tablet, and the like.
As image display devices become multifunctional, image display devices are implemented in the form of multimedia players supporting complex functions such as capturing still images or video, playing games, receiving broadcasts, and the like, in addition to outputting broadcast or playing images.
Many efforts are undergoing to support and enhance various functions such as multimedia player in view of hardware or software improvements. Various attempts corresponding to hardware portion include structural change and improvement to simplify an assembly structure of image display devices.
As one of example of the structural change and improvement, various studies and proposals on image display devices having a flexible display unit which may be varied in shape have been actively ongoing. A middle cabinet assembly covering a panel is configured to be bent when a flexible display unit is bent.
When a back cover covering a rear surface of a display unit is formed through injection molding, an appearance thereof may lack having a high-end product feeling or having elegance, thereby having a limitation in creating classy appearance thereof, and when vent holes are formed through pressing, the vent holes are highly visible, degrading a design of the back cover.


An approach for estimating and removing crosstalk and other interference in a communications receiver is disclosed. The approach enables crosstalk and interference of arbitrary origin and power spectral density to be removed from a received signal, thereby improving the signal to noise ratio (SNR). A receiver samples the received signal at a rate N times the required sampling rate, and splits the signal into N separate observation sequences, all at the required sampling rate. The N observation sequences are separated into a data signal and a crosstalk signal. The crosstalk signal is discarded, while the data signal is passed to equalization and demodulation circuits of the receiver.

Communications systems are characteristically susceptible to cross talk and other types of interference. The sources of such interference vary widely depending upon the environment in which particular communications systems are implemented and include, for example, other transceivers and communications systems. Interference can causes a decrease in the overall quality of a communications system, as indicated by the Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) of a communications system. Consequently, improving the SNR will result in a corresponding improvement in the quality of the received signal. Fundamental theories, such as the Shannon Capacity Theorem, suggest that the capacity (amount of data which can be transferred error free) of a communications system is a function of the SNR.
Communications receivers typically process a received signal by sampling the received signal at a specified minimum sampling rate known as the Nyquist rate. The ability to monitor the interference affecting a communications system is limited by the sampling rate, which in conventional communications systems is the minimum sampling rate. Consequently, the degree to which the interference may be mitigated or compensated for is limited by the sampling rate of the receiver. By increasing the sampling rate, the effects of interference may be more optimally monitored and mitigated, thereby improving the SNR.
Based upon the foregoing, there is a need for an approach for processing data received from a communications channel to compensate for cross talk and other interference that does not suffer from the limitations of prior approaches.

Method and apparatus for removing crosstalk and other interference in communications systems


A golf club head includes a golf club head body having a toe and an engaging portion to which a striking plate is mounted, a hosel mounted to a side of the golf club head body, and a heel between the hosel and the engaging portion of the golf club head body. The heel includes a hole for reducing a weight of the heel, thereby shifting a center of gravity of the golf club head toward the toe of the golf club head body and increasing an inertial momentum of the golf club head.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf club head. In particular, the present invention relates to a golf club head the weight of which is reduced for adjusting the center of gravity of the golf club head.
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a typical golf club head 1 made of metal. The golf club head 1 includes a golf club head body 10, a striking plate 11, a heel 12, and a neck or hosel 13 to which a shaft (not shown) is mounted. The heel 12 connects the hosel 13 to the striking plate 11. The center of gravity 14 of the golf club head 1 is relatively close to the hosel side, as the hosel 13 has a considerable weight. Thus, the center of gravity 14 is not located in the sweet spot of the striking plate 11. As a result, the inertial moment of the golf club head 1 is reduced and the twist-resisting property of the golf club head 1 is adversely affected. Thus, the momentum imparted from the golf club head 1 to the golf ball is thus reduced. The striking effect of the golf club head 1 is adversely affected accordingly.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,609 discloses an improvement in iron golf clubs in which a hollow hosel is provided to thereby reduce weight of hosel and bridge that can be redistributed to the blade to increase the momentum that can be imparted to a golf ball. In an embodiment of the U.S. Pat. No. 4,995,609, as illustrated in FIG. 2 of the drawings, the golf club head 1 includes a golf club head body 10, a striking plate 11, and a hosel 13 to which a shaft 15 is mounted. A step 101 is formed in a lower end of a heel 12 between the hosel 13 and the golf club head body 10 to reduce the weight of the hosel side, thereby shifting the center of gravity 14 toward the toe 16 of the golf club head 1; namely, outwardly away from the heel 12, thereby increasing the inertial moment of the golf club head 1 that would lead to improvement in the striking effect of the golf club head 1 (i.e., the flying distance of the golf ball). However, although the center of gravity 14 is shifted outwardly away from the heel 12 through provision of the step 101 of the golf club head 1, the step 101 adversely affects the structural strength of the heel 12 of the golf club head 1. Further, the weight of the lower portion of the golf club head 1 is reduced since the step 101 is located in the lower end of the heel 12. Thus, the center of gravity 14 of the golf club head 1 is not only shifted outwardly away from the heel 12 but also shifted upward. As a result, the sweet spot of the striking plate 11 is thus too high. Essentially, provision of the step 101 in the golf club head 1 neither improves the striking effect nor increases the inertial moment of the golf club head 1. Further, the possibility of breakage or twist of the golf club head 1 is increased.


xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 is a new variety of calla lily having an inflorescence with a purple colored spathe and a yellow and purple colored spadix and producing 1-6 inflorescences per tuber. The leaves are dark green with whitish spots and have a leathery texture.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of calla lily, botanically known as Zantedeschia sprengeri and hereinafter referred to by the cultivar name xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99.
xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 is the product of a planned breeding program which had the objective of creating Zantedschia hybrids for cut flower production in a wide range of colors with a large, classic flower shape. The breeding program began in 1989 and the new cultivar is a seedling selected from the crossing of a Zantedeschia sprengeri variety known as xe2x80x98Cameoxe2x80x99, seed parent (unpatented), with a Zantedeschia sprengeri variety knows as xe2x80x98Best Goldxe2x80x99, pollen parent (unpatented). xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 was originated in 1995 by the inventor in ""t Zand, The Netherlands, as one flowering plant among the progeny of the stated cross. xe2x80x98Cameoxe2x80x99 has pink colored spathes and xe2x80x98Best Goldxe2x80x99 has yellow colored spathes, while xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 has purple colored spathes with yellow edges.
The first act of asexual reproduction of xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 by tissue culture was performed by the inventor in August 1995 in ""t Zand, The Netherlands. Subsequent asexual reproduction by tissue culture at the same location has demonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivar are retained through successive generations of asexual reproduction.
The following traits have been repeatedly observed and determined to basic characteristics of xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99 which, in combination, distinguish this calla lily as a new and distinct cultivar:
1. Purple spathe with a yellow edge;
2. Purple/yellow spadix;
3. Number of inflorescences per tuber.

Variety of calla lily plant named xe2x80x98Purple Hazexe2x80x99


Combinations of compounds utilized to minimize the sensory irritating character of non-smokeable tobacco products or non-smokeable products containing tobacco extracts or materials derived from tobacco.

Smokeless tobacco is tobacco that is placed in the mouth and not combusted. There generally are considered to be three types of smokeless tobacco: chewing tobacco, moist smokeless tobacco, and dry snuff. Chewing tobacco is coarsely divided tobacco leaf that is typically packaged in a large pouch and used in a plug or twist. Moist smokeless tobacco is moist, more finely divided tobacco that is provided in loose form or in a pouch form and is typically placed between the cheek and gum. Dry snuff is finely ground tobacco is used nasally or is placed in the mouth loose or as a component in a portioned product. Smokeless tobacco may be associated with sensory irritation. Thus, a need exists in the art for newly designed smokeless tobacco products that reduce or eliminate the sensory irritation experienced during consumption.

Inhibition of sensory irritation during consumption of smokeless tobacco products using a combinatorial approach


A system for scanning a surface includes a radiation emitter configured to emit at least one beam of radiation, and a rotating deflector for deflecting the beam(s) onto a scanning surface. The deflector is movable along a translation axis to modify the path of the deflected beam(s) and thereby correct for any mispositioning of the beam(s) with respect to the scanning surface.

Modern electronic prepress operations utilize laser scanning systems to write or record images for subsequent reproduction or to scan a prerecorded image at a predefined resolution rate. Such scanning systems may write or record images or scan prerecorded images on various prepress media including, photo or thermal sensitive paper or polymer films, photo or thermal sensitive coatings or erasable imaging materials mounted onto an image recording surface or photo or thermal sensitive paper, polymer film or aluminum base printing plate materials, all used in electronic image reproduction. Such media are mounted onto a recording surface which may be planar but which is more typically curved and scanned with a recording or scanning beam or beams. The primary components of such a system include a recording surface, usually a drum cylinder and a scan mechanism disposed and movable within the drum cylinder or drum movable relative to scan mechanism. The system also includes a processor, with an associated storage device, for controlling the scanning mechanism and for scanning a prerecorded image, a photodetector and detector processor. The processor and associated storage device may be housed within the system itself or separate from the system with appropriate interconnection to the system.
The processor, in accordance with stored programming instructions, controls the scanning mechanism to write or read images on the plate or other medium mounted to the inner drum cylinder wall by scanning one or more optical beams over the inside circumference of the drum cylinder while the drum cylinder itself remains fixed.
The scanning and hence the recording are performed over only a portion of the cylinder inner circumference, typically between 120 and 320 of the circumference of the drum cylinder. The optical beam(s) are typically emitted so as to be parallel with a central axis of the cylinder and are deflected, by for example, a spinning mirror, Hologon or Penta-prism deflector so as to form a single scan line or multiple scan lines which simultaneously impinge upon the recording surface. The deflector is spun or rotated by a motor about an axis of rotation substantially coincident with the central axis of the drum cylinder. To increase the recording speed, the speed of rotation of the beam deflecting device can be increased. To even further increase the recording speed, multiple beam scanning has been previously proposed.
One such proposed multiple beam scanner has utilized a spinning dove prism with a single light source, as discussed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,528. Using a dove prism beneficially allows the use of a multiple beam source, e.g. a laser diode array, while eliminating the need for multiple beam correction elements and associated hardware. Additionally, for reasons which need not be discussed here, the scan speed of multiple beam systems using a dove prism can exceed that of other types of proposed multi-beam systems.
In a typical multibeam scanning system, a dove prism is disposed in the optical path between the beam source and the deflector. The prism is caused to rotate about an axis coincident with the rotational axis of the deflector (or an optical axis which becomes coincident therewith) at half the rotational speed of the deflector. Since the rotation of the dove prism produces a 2.times. axial rotation of all light beams passing through the prism, the multiple beams leaving the prism will rotate in lock step with the rotation of the deflector. Accordingly, by passing the multiple light beams through a spinning dove prism, crossing of the multiple scan lines formed by the spin mirror is avoided. For a more detailed description of the operation of a dove prism with respect to a multibeam scanning system, reference may be made to U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,528.
In scanning systems of the foregoing description, beam positioning errors adversely affecting image quality will result if the rotation axes of the dove prism (or similar beam rotation element) and of the deflector are not perfectly aligned. Misalignment of the dove prism and deflector rotational axes may be caused by, for example, a wobble or other dynamic anomaly associated with the dove prism shaft and/or deflector shaft, or an error in mounting the dove prism and deflector relative to one another. Rather than forming straight scan lines on the scanning surface, a scanning system having a misalignment will produce scan lines that are bowed or have an otherwise curved aspect. Curving or bowing of the scan lines, in the aggregate, may substantially compromise the quality of the scanned image.
Furthermore, because the prism rotates at half the rotational speed of the deflector, beam misalignment arising from a wobble or other dynamic anomaly, can cause a twinning effect between groups of multiple beams. If the twinning effect is excessive, the system will be restricted to scanning only every other rotation of the deflector to avoid twinning and thereby obtain scans of acceptable quality. Thus, a two beam system would have an effective scanning rate equal to that of a single beam system, a four beam system will have an effective scan rate only twice as fast as a single beam system, and so on.
It is possible to reduce the aforementioned beam positioning errors through various techniques, such as utilizing tight mechanical tolerances with respect to mounting of the dove prism and deflector, or by increasing the ratio of the beam diameter at the dove prism to the diameter at the deflector. However, these techniques are generally insufficient to completely eliminate beam mispositioning with respect to the scanning surface, and imaging artifacts will continue to be present even if such techniques are employed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,351 discloses a multibeam system which employs a controlled movable reflector in place of a dove prism, and requires that each of two beams follow a separate optical path, each path having separate focussing and collimating optics and acousto-optic modulators. The controlled reflector is positioned in only one of the optical paths and is driven to rotate the beam in synchrony with the rotation of the spin deflector. Beam positioning errors, detected by a quadrature photodetector array, are corrected by driving the reflector to adjust angular alignment during scanning operations. However, the complexity of the foregoing system makes practical implementation thereof a difficult proposition.

Scanning system with error-correcting deflector


A microwave device includes a number of parallel-plate resonators that include at least one dielectric substrate and first and second plates arranged on either side of the substrate. At least one of the plates of each of a number of the parallel-plate resonators includes a current interrupting device such that the current lines of at least one undesired mode are interrupted at their maxima to suppress the undesired mode. There is also described a method of interrupting undesired modes in a microwave device having a number of parallel-plate resonators.

The present invention relates to microwave devices comprising a number of parallel-plate resonators allowing selection of modes. The invention also relates to a method of suppressing undesired modes in a microwave device.
It is often desirable to be able to select the modes of microwave devices such as microwave resonators and filters. WO 98/32187 shows the use of aperiodic gratings for mode conversion/selection. However, the grating structures/surfaces are of complex shape and long. These devices furthermore suffer the drawback of being complicated and costly to fabricate and it is also difficult to obtain a mode selectivity which is as accurate as would be desired. Still further they can not be used for thin film resonators for which the thickness is less then xcexg/2, xcexg being the wavelengths of the microwave signal in the resonator. In several implementations it is however desirable to be able to use such resonators. Still further, the size of the resonators is changed when structures as in WO 98/32187 are used.
The Swedish patent application SE 9502137-4, which is the counterpart of allowed U.S. application Ser. No. 08/989,166, filed Dec. 11, 1997, discloses parallel-plate resonators, specially with superconducting plates for low-loss narrow-band filter applications. In xe2x80x9cLower Order Modes of YBCO/STO/YBCO Circular Disc Resonatorsxe2x80x9d, IEEE Transactions on Microwave Theory and Technics, Vol. 44 (10), pp. 1738-1741, 1996, it is shown that in electrical thin resonators (the thickness being smaller than xcexg/2), the higher order TM modes, so called whispering gallery modes, have higher quality factors. It would thus be desirable to utilize these modes in low loss narrow band filter applications. It is however a drawback related to using higher order modes since due to the resonant frequencies of these modes being very close to each other, the rejection bands of for example filters have parasitic undesirable transmission poles, i.e. in other words they are not free of spurious components. SE 9701450-0 xe2x80x9cArrangement and method relating to microwave devicesxe2x80x9d suggests one way to overcome this problem through the use of special mode selective coupling loops. However, such a device is comparatively bulky and most suitable for input/output coupling of resonators in multiresonator filters. Furthermore, since the coupling loops are quite bulky for certain applications, the parasitic modes will not be sufficiently suppressed. Still further such coupling loops are not possible to use in the resonators away from the input/output ports of for example filters.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,105 shows high power, high temperature superconductor filters having TM0i0 mode circular shaped high temperature superconductor planar resonators. To suppress interfering non TM0i0 modes, radially directed slots are provided which are positioned parallel to the current of the desired operating mode and perpendicular to the current of an undesired mode. However, these slots are centered at the radius of the disk. They do not cut the maxima. Moreover such slots will affect the useful modes. Thus this device will not work as efficiently as needed. Moreover, this document merely contemplates the TM0i0-modes as attractive for selection.
Therefore microwave devices, particularly microwave resonators and filters, are needed which are mode selective, particularly with a precise mode selectivity. Particularly, devices are needed wherein means enabling mode selectivity are provided which are suitable for use for input/output coupling as well as away from input/output ports of resonators of filters. Particularly a device is needed which is small and for example comprises thin resonators, particularly having a thickness smaller than xcexg/2, xcexg being the microwave wavelength in the resonator. Still further a device is needed through which it is possible to use higher order TM modes in low loss narrow band filter applications. Particularly a device is needed through which higher order modes having close resonant frequencies can be used and through which parasitic and undesirable transmission poles can be avoided. Particularly a device is needed through which any standard thin film fabrication technology can be used and through which mode selectivity is enabled without changing the size of the resonators. Still further a device is needed which generally is inexpensive and easy to fabricate and through which the use of higher order TM modes is enabled without problems being caused by the close resonant frequencies of such modes. A method of suppressing undesired modes in such devices is also needed. A device and a method respectively is also needed which is more efficient in suppressing undesired modes than hitherto known devices at the same time as the effect of the suppression of undesired modes on the desired modes is minimized. Further yet a device and a method respectively is needed through which any mode can be selected or suppressed.
Therefore a microwave device is provided which particularly comprises a number of parallel-plate resonators. Each parallel-plate resonator comprises at least one dielectric substrate with first and second conducting (superconducting) plates arranged on either side of said dielectric substrate. The field (the field produced by coupling arrangement or similar, e.g. discussed in the applications by the same applicant which are incorporated herein by reference above) generates currents in both of the plates of the parallel-plate resonator or resonators (the resonator is thin). At least one of the first and second plates of each of a number of the parallel-plate resonators is patterned or formed in such a way, or comprises current interrupting means, that the current lines of at least one undesired mode are interrupted at their maxima (where the current lines have a maximum) to suppress the undesired mode or modes, thus providing for selectivity. The current interrupting means may be provided in a number of different ways, as actual means or as a particular pattern in, or forming of, the resonators. According to one embodiment the current interrupting means are constituted of cuts in at least one resonator plate of one or more parallel-plate resonators. Particularly the resonator plates comprise metal and the current interrupting means consists of metal being removed except for along the current lines of the desired modes which, in other words, means that the parallel-plate resonator is patterned or formed in such a way.
In an alternative embodiment, the resonator plates comprising metal strips, are the current interrupting means formed by resistive strips arranged along the current lines of the undesired modes, thus replacing the metal strips. This is particularly convenient if the device comprises a number of electrically tunable resonators requiring whole resonator plates, i.e. resonator plates which should not contain any cuts or similar. Also in other implementations requiring xe2x80x9cwholexe2x80x9d resonator plates this implementation consisting of replacing metal strips through resistive strips, is appropriate.
For parallel-plate resonators, or devices built of or including parallel-plate resonators, the current interrupting means may either be provided on one only of the resonator plates of a respective parallel-plate resonator or current interrupting means may be provided on both plates. In a particular implementation the device comprises one or more circular parallel-plate resonators.
Particularly one or more modes are suppressed. In some embodiments the current interrupting means, i.e. the cuts, resistive films or removed metal parts, are arranged to interrupt the current lines of for example one or more of the TM210, TM310 and TM410 modes respectively. Then a number of current interrupting means are arranged which are directed substantially towards the center of the circular parallel-plate resonator. The current interrupting means are so formed that they have a larger width at the edge of the disc whereas the width is substantially zero, or zero, at the midpoint or at a distance from the midpoint thus promoting the desired modes, or not affecting the desired modes.
In one embodiment the current interrupting means are arranged at a distance from the periphery and along at least a part (exceeding 180xc2x0) in the form of a stripe or similar of at least one plate to suppress the TM020 mode. In one embodiment current interrupting means are arranged to suppress the TM110 mode and the current interrupting means are then arranged along a diameter of at least one of the resonator plates and forming substantially 90xc2x0 of the current lines to suppress the mode.
In alternative embodiments a parallel-plate resonator is rectangular, square-shaped or of any appropriate regular or irregular shape.
In a number of alternative embodiments current interrupting means are provided for both plates of a parallel-plate resonator. The current interrupting means of each of the plates of a parallel-plate resonator may then be similar and symmetrical. Also in this case a parallel-plate resonator may be circular, square-shaped, rectangular or of any other convenient shape.
In a particular embodiment the device relates to a filter formed of a number of parallel-plate resonators as referred to above. In a particular implementation the filter is a narrow-band filter.
The electric substrate of the resonator may consists of different materials such as alumina (Al2O3), sapphire, quartz, STO etc. The plates may be normal metal plates, superconducting plates or particularly high temperature superconducting. The inventive concept is particularly applicable on devices as disclosed in the Swedish patent application xe2x80x9cTunable Microwave Devicesxe2x80x9d, 9502137-4, which is the counterpart of allowed U.S. application Ser. No. 08/989,166, filed Dec. 11, 1997 and is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The device enabling exact mode selectivity can advantageously be used in wireless communication systems.
A method of suppressing undesired modes in a microwave device which comprises a number of parallel-plate resonators wherein each resonator includes a first and a second plate and wherein a field generates currents in both of said electrode plates is disclosed which comprises the step of interrupting the maximas of the current lines of the undesired modes in at least one of said plates. According to one implementation the method comprises the step of providing cuts/slots to interrupt the current lines of the undesired mode or modes in the maximas in at least one of the plates. In a particular implementation symmetric cuts/slots are provided in both electrode plates.
In an alternative embodiment a method comprises the step of removing electrode plates throughout at least one of the plates except for along the current lines of the desired mode or modes. In still another embodiment a method includesxe2x80x94the step of arranging resistive strips along the current lines of undesired modes as a replacement for existing metal strips of said resonator plate or plates.
According to the invention the cuts/slots/resistive strips/removed material are positioned predominantly at the maximas of the current lines or current distribution of the modes to be suppressed and at the minimas of the current lines (distribution of the desired modes).
The cuts/slots/resistive strips/removed material may in general have a rectangular shape, but preferably their shape is selected based on the current distribution of undesired modes such that they are maximally suppressed while leaving the desired modes to the highest possible extent unaffected. Thus a careful observation of the maximas of current lines of undesired modes is highly important.
Moreover, according to the inventive concept also other modes than the TM020 or particularly TM020, can be selected as desired modes. Such other modes may have a higher Q-factor which make them very attractive for the fabrication of the filters.

Parallel plate microwave devices having tapered current interrupting slots


A timing analysis apparatus in an integrated logical circuit according to the present invention includes a jitter information generation unit for generating period jitter information of an operational clock in response to a power supply/ground noise, a jitter information storage unit for storing the generated period jitter information, and a timing analysis unit for performing a timing analysis of the integrated logical circuit based on the stored period jitter information.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a timing analysis apparatus and a method of timing analysis, and particularly to a timing analysis apparatus and a method of timing analysis considering influences of a power supply/ground noise.
2. Description of Related Art
The influences of a power supply/ground noise is becoming more and more apparent, designing a high-speed logical circuit. Especially a jitter of a clock signal input to the logical circuit (the jitter of the clock signal hereinafter merely referred to as a jitter) is conventionally known as one of the influences of the power supply/ground noise. The jitter is an important design index in a circuit generating a high-speed signal such as a PLL (Phase Locked Loop), DLL (Delay Locked Loop), USB (Universal Serial Bus), and DDR I/F (Double Data Rate I/F).
Conventionally analysis and design with a consideration over the jitter have been performed in a timing analysis in a circuit design so as to prevent from a malfunction in the logical circuit due to the power supply/ground noise.
However in recent years, circuit design is becoming more complicated along with higher speed of the logical circuit. Further, a level of designing the logical circuit becomes higher and higher, it is more difficult to design a logical circuit that satisfies the design index considering the jitter. Therefore, a more appropriate method to consider the jitter has been demanded.
There are known two jitters generated in a clock signal (operational clock) supplied to the logical circuit, which are a period jitter and a timing jitter. The period jitter and timing jitter are described hereinafter in detail with reference to FIGS. 22A to 22C. FIG. 22A is a basic cycle of the clock signal. FIG. 22B is the period jitter for deviation of clock signals. FIG. 22C is the timing jitter for deviation of clock signals.
As shown in FIG. 22B, the period jitter is a jitter generated between adjacent edges or two clock edges of a constant interval, and a maximum value of an amount of deviation from the basic cycle aggregated by each edge. As shown in FIG. 22C, the timing jitter expresses a blur width of an edge generated for a long time.
FIG. 23 is a configuration of a conventional timing analysis apparatus. In the conventional analysis apparatus, a power supply/ground noise waveform is stored at a power supply/ground noise waveform storage unit 901. A power supply voltage calculation unit 902 calculates power supply voltage information based on the power supply/ground noise waveform and store it to a power supply voltage information storage unit 903.
A delay time calculation unit 906 calculates delay information based on the power supply voltage information and the netlist and a delay library. And the delay time calculation unit 906 stores the delay information to a delay information storage unit 907. Incidentally, the netlist is stored in a netlist storage unit 904. The delay library is stored in a delay library storage unit 905. Timing constraint information is stored in a timing constraint storage unit 908. A timing analysis unit 909 performs a timing analysis according to the timing constraint and the delay information. Then the timing analysis unit 909 stores a result of the analysis to a timing analysis result storage unit 910.
In a conventional timing analysis apparatus, a timing jitter value is used to consider the influence of the power supply/ground noise to timings. A timing window (not shown) may be used together.
The power supply voltage calculation unit 902 calculates a maximum value VMAX and a minimum value VMIN between a power supply (VDD) and a ground (VSS) from the power supply/ground noise waveform using:
                              V          MAX                =                                            MAX                              t                =                                  -                  ∞                                            ∞                                                  (                                                                    V                    DD                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                  -                                                      V                    SS                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                              )                                                                                and                                    (                  Equation                                                              1                )                                                      V            MIN                    =                                    MIN                              t                =                                  -                  ∞                                            ∞                                                  (                                                                    V                    DD                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                  -                                                      V                    SS                                                                          (                    t                    )                                                              )                                      ,                            (                  Equation                                                              2                )            and creates power supply voltage information. Further, when using the timing window together, time range to refer to the maximum value VMAX and the minimum value VMIN is limited depending on the time range.
Further, the delay time calculation unit 906 refers to the power supply voltage information, and calculates a maximum value TMAX and a minimum value TMIN of a delay time that corresponds to the maximum value VMAX and the minimum value VMIN of the power supply voltage value, using:TMAX=f(VMAX, AnotherParameters . . . )  (Equation 3)andTMIN=f(VMIN, AnotherParameters . . . ),  (Equation 4)and generates the delay information. The delay information includes a delay time in a logical cell or a register cell, a delay time between cells (lines), a setup time or a hold time of the register cell and so on.
Further, the timing analysis unit 909 performs the timing analysis using the delay time included in the delay information. At this time the maximum value TMAX and the minimum value TMIN of the delay time are combined in a way that a result of the timing analysis becomes a worst case. The timing analysis unit 909 considers the influence of the power supply/ground noise in this manner. In the timing analysis, a setup analysis for analyzing that a signal is delivered before a subsequent clock, and a hold analysis for analyzing that a signal is delivered after a current clock are performed.
FIG. 24A is an example of the Setup analysis. FIG. 24B is an example of the Hold analysis. In this example, a path diverges to P901 and P902 after clock path 3. The two paths P901 and P902 are input in common to a register 2. As shown in FIG. 24A, the maximum value TMAX of the delay time is used to the path P901 that passes clock path 1, register 1, data path 1, the register 2 in this order. The minimum value TMIN of the time delay is used to the path P902 that passes clock path 2, the register 2 in this order. Further as shown in FIG. 24B, contrary to the setup analysis, the minimum value TMIN of the delay time is used to the path P901, and the maximum value TMAX of the delay time is used to the path P902 in the hold analysis.
As a conventional timing analysis apparatus, techniques disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-092885 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-141434 are known.
As described in the foregoing, with a consideration over the influence of the power supply/ground noise, only the timing jitter has been covered as in equations 1 to 4 in the timing verification, because the timing jitter can be easily calculated from the power supply/ground noise jitter waveform.
However it has now been discovered that using the timing jitter in the timing verification of the logical circuit decreases verification accuracy (analysis accuracy) of the timings and also hinders from speeding up the logical circuit. That is, using the timing jitter in the timing verification could lead to misjudging a timing violation where no timing violation occurs actually. This creates a strict analysis that a timing violation is easily determined, thereby making it difficult to speed up the logical circuit.

Timing analysis apparatus and method of timing analysis


There is provided a multilayer ceramic capacitor including a ceramic body including a plurality of dielectric layers and having first and second main surfaces, first and second side surfaces, and first and second end surfaces; a first capacitor part including a first internal electrode exposed to the first end surface and a second internal electrode exposed to the second side surface and a second capacitor part including a third internal electrode exposed to the first side surface and a fourth internal electrode exposed to the second end surface; an internal connection conductor exposed to the first and second side surfaces; and first to fourth external electrodes electrically connected to the first to fourth internal electrodes and the internal connection conductor, wherein the internal connection conductor is connected to the first and second capacitor parts in series.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multilayer ceramic capacitor and a board for mounting the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A multilayer ceramic capacitor, a multilayer chip electronic component, is a chip-shaped condenser mounted on the printed circuit boards of various electronic products such as display devices, for example, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs) and the like, as well as computers, smartphones, mobile phones, and the like, to serve to charge and discharge electricity therein.
Since such a multilayer ceramic capacitor (MLCC) has advantages such as a small size, high capacitance, ease of mounting, or the like, such a multilayer ceramic capacitor may be used as a component in various electronic devices.
The multilayer ceramic capacitor may have a structure in which a plurality of dielectric layers and internal electrodes having different polarities are alternately stacked while being interposed between the dielectric layers.
Recently, in the case of multilayer ceramic capacitors used in the automotive and medical fields, demand for high degrees of reliability and relatively long lifespans has increased.
In addition, measures for preventing sudden breakdowns in device functionality or performance degradations in an apparatus or an electronic circuit in advance have been further demanded, and in a passive component used therein, fail safe mechanisms or overload detection functions have been demanded as safety measures against initial failures or incases in which components are exposed to unexpected stress.
Therefore, research into multilayer ceramic capacitors having little influence on degradations in performance and in which overload detecting functions are excellent has been required.
More specifically, even in the case that a crack is generated in a multilayer body due to thermal impact or mechanical stress after a multilayer ceramic capacitor is mounted in an apparatus, a multilayer ceramic capacitor having a significantly reduced influence on operations of an electronic circuit has been demanded.
In addition, a multilayer ceramic capacitor capable of being used to detect leakage current of a condenser or to protect the condenser from over-current or over-voltage has been demanded.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Multilayer ceramic capacitor and board for mounting the same


A method of fabricating a plurality of inkjet nozzles on a substrate, each nozzle comprising a nozzle chamber having a roof spaced apart from said substrate and sidewalls extending from said roof to said substrate, said chamber having an entrance for receiving ink from at least one ink inlet defined in said substrate, said at least one ink inlet having at least one priming feature extending from a respective rim thereof, said method comprising the steps of:                (a) providing a substrate having a plurality of trenches corresponding to said ink inlets;        (b) depositing sacrificial material on said substrate so as fill said trenches and form a scaffold on said substrate;        (c) defining openings in said sacrificial material, said openings being positioned to form said chamber sidewalls and said at least one priming feature when filled with roof material;        (d) depositing roof material over said sacrificial material to form simultaneously said nozzle chambers and said at least one priming feature;        (e) etching nozzle apertures through said roof material, each nozzle chamber having at least one nozzle aperture; and        (f) removing said sacrificial material.By introducing a priming feature into the plane of the inlet aperture, the surface tension in the ink meniscus can be redirected to pull the ink along the intend flow path rather than push it back into the inlet.

The present invention involves the ejection of ink drops by way of forming gas or vapor bubbles in a bubble forming liquid. This principle is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,120 (Stemme). Each pixel in the printed image is derived ink drops ejected from one or more ink nozzles. In recent years, inkjet printing has become increasing popular primarily due to its inexpensive and versatile nature. Many different aspects and techniques for inkjet printing are described in detail in the above cross referenced documents.
Distributing ink through micron-scale conduits to individual MEMS nozzles in an inkjet printhead is complicated by factors that do not arise in macro-scale flow. A meniscus can form at small apertures and, depending on the geometry of the aperture, the meniscus can 'pin' itself to the lip of the aperture quite strongly. This can be useful in printheads, such as bleed holes that vent trapped air bubbles but retain the ink, but it can also be problematic if stops ink flow to some chambers. This will most likely occur when initially priming the printhead with ink. If the ink meniscus pins at the ink inlet opening, the chambers supplied by that inlet will stay unprimed.

Method of fabricating inkjet nozzles having associated ink priming features


The organopolysiloxane compositions are prepared by mixing. (1) organopolysiloxanes which contain on average at least 2 aliphatic carbon-carbon multiple bonds per molecule, PA1 (2) prehydrophobized oxidic reinforcing fillers having a carbon content, obtained by the hydrophobizing, of at least 0.5% by weight and PA1 (3) compounds which are chosen from PA1 (3a) silanol compounds of the formula EQU R--[SiR.sub.2 --O--].sub.a H (I) PA1 R is identical or different monovalent, C.sub.1 - to C.sub.10 -hydrocarbon radicals which are free from aliphatic carbon-carbon multiple bonds and PA1 a has values from 1 to 10, and PA1 (3b) saturated C.sub.1 - to C.sub.18 -alkanols.. in which

Compositions of organopolysiloxane and hydrophobic oxidic reinforcing filler can be prepared by two basic processes:
In the first process, hydrophilic filler and organopolysiloxane are mixed in the presence of a hydrophobizing agent for the filler. However, the process has the disadvantage of a long batch running time and high emissions, which occur at many points and are difficult to control. Specific control of the hydrophobizing is scarcely possible, and corrections to the filler contents of the compositions are no longer possible, since suitable fillers are lacking.
In the second process, prehydrophobized filler and organopolysiloxane are mixed. A process for hydrophobizing oxidic reinforcing filler is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,057,151 where the hydrophilic filler is subjected to mechanical stress in an excess of hydrophobizing agent. Excess hydrophobizing agent is then removed and recycled to the process.
During prehydrophobizing of the filler, it is possible to control the degree of hydrophobizing specifically and to vary it within wide limits, high and/or uniform degrees of hydrophobizing being possible, which is a prerequisite for many uses. The prehydrophobizing process allows the filler to be hydrophobized such that crosslinkable organopolysiloxane compositions can be prepared by simple mixing of the hydrophobized filler with organopolysiloxane. The use of previously hydrophobized filler leads to a significant increase in the capacity of the mixing units. Emissions are limited to a central unit and as a result are easier to control. The consumption of hydrophobizing agent can be reduced significantly compared with the in situ process. The filler content of the compositions can easily be corrected by addition of further filler.
Organopolysiloxane compositions which comprise a prehydrophobized reinforcing filler, such as pyrogenically prepared silicic acid, show an increase in viscosity during storage. For example, the increase in viscosity can be so severe that after a storage time of a few weeks the mass shows rubber-elastic properties and therefore is no longer processible. In the case of peroxidically crosslinking organopolysiloxane compositions, the increase in viscosity can be compensated for by addition of a low-viscosity organopolysiloxane. This is not possible in the case of organopolysiloxane compositions which crosslink by addition.

Process for the preparation of storage-stable organopolysiloxane compositions comprising oxidic reinforcing fillers


A pulse wave measuring apparatus extracts a direct current component from a pressure value obtained from a sensor pressure, and defines the pressurization force of the cuff as the optimum pressurization force when that direct current component is stable. Following determination of the optimum pressurization force, the pulse wave measuring apparatus monitors whether the direct current component obtained from the pressure sensor is optimum or not, and adjusts the pressure, when not. By determining the rising sharpness of the peak and waveform distortion in the sphygmographic waveform, determination is made whether the pressurization force of the cuff is appropriate or not to carry out further adjustment of pressure, as necessary.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pulse wave measuring apparatus and a pulse wave measuring apparatus control program product. Particularly, the present invention relates to a pulse wave measuring apparatus and a pulse wave measuring apparatus control program product that can obtain optimum pressurization force of a pressure sensor.
2. Description of the Background Art
In pulse wave measuring apparatuses detecting pulse waves, the pressurization force to press the pressure sensor against a measurement site of a subject is an important parameter.
One such method of obtaining an optimum pressurization force is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2798682.
In such a conventional sphygmograph apparatus, the function of separating a pulse wave of each beat from the voltage signal obtained from the pressure sensor is required to obtain the optimum pressurization force. There is a problem that the operation processing has become more complicated to render difficult reduction in size of the apparatus.
Furthermore, the sphygmograph apparatus disclosed in the aforementioned Japanese Patent No. 2798682 has the problem that waveform distortion and the like at the maximum blood pressure region is not taken into account since attention is focused on the change at the lowest blood pressure region of the pulse wave when the pressurization force is altered.

Pulse wave measuring apparatus that can obtain optimum pressurization force of pressure sensor


The generation and selection of addresses to be employed in a verification environment are tightly coupled to ensure that the addresses a user desires to be selected have been generated. Addresses are generated based on one or more defined selection attributes. The generated addresses are maintained in a database structure that also includes any attributes associated with the addresses. At least one address is selected from the database structure via a filter and forwarded to a component under test.

A component under test is typically a simulated component that has test scenarios applied thereto to verify whether the component is behaving as expected. The test scenarios are selected to stress the component to ensure that the component when stressed still acts appropriately. For example, if the component under test is a unit of memory, then test scenarios are applied against the unit of memory to verify that the data ultimately stored in the memory is the correct data.
One test scenario that is typically applied to a component under test is a scenario that causes stressful address conflicts. Addresses are provided to requestors and those requestors target the component under test using the provided addresses. The goal is to stress the component under test to verify how well the component responds.
The success of the test, however, depends on the addresses that are provided to the requesters. Previously, techniques have been employed to generate and select addresses to be used by the requesters. However, the generation and selection techniques have heretofore been disjoint causing the selection of addresses that did not meet the needs of the requesters. For example, stressful address conflicts were unable to be created or were difficult to create.
Thus, a need exists for an enhanced capability to generate and select addresses to be used in a verification environment. For example, a need exists for a capability that tightly couples the generation and selection of addresses.

Controlling the generation and selection of addresses to be used in a verification environment

International Business Machines Corporation


In accordance to embodiments, a base station may transmit to a first user equipment (UE) a downlink control information (DCI) message for uplink (UL) scheduling of a second UE. The DCI message may indicate resources for sending a UL message by the second UE to the base station such that the first UE can at least partially decode the UL message based on the information in the DCI message. The base station may receive the UL message from the second UE. The base station may send a downlink (DL) message to the first UE. The UL message and the DL message may overlap at least partially in time and frequency. If the DL UE cannot successfully decode the UL message, the base station may send a helper message for the UL message to help the DL to decode the UL message.

A full-duplex communications device can communicate data in two directions simultaneously. In contrast, a half-duplex communications device can communicate data in two directions, but not simultaneously. The half-duplex communications device can only communicate data one direction at a time.
In a full-duplex wireless system, a base station is often capable of simultaneous communications in both the uplink (UL) direction and the downlink (DL) direction. However, the user equipments (UEs) are often half-duplex. As such, the full-duplex base station often selects a pair of different UEs to perform simultaneous UL and DL communications, respectively. During the UL and DL communications, the base station usually handles the downlink to uplink (DL2UL) interference. On the other hand, the uplink to downlink (UL2DL) interference may or may not exist depending on the inter-UE channel between the served UEs in the UL direction and in the DL direction. Traditionally, to avoid the UL2DL interference, a base station selects two UEs that are far from each other, one UE in the UL direction, and the other UE in the DL direction. With the densification of the wireless networks, the traditional UE selection approach may no longer be feasible. Thus, it is desirable to improve the interference mitigation in the full-duplex wireless systems. In addition, the inter-UE channel (i.e., a sidelink) allows for direct information transmission from one UE (e.g., a UL UE) to another UE (e.g., a DL UE). The inter-UE channel enables new communication scenarios/applications in addition to the UL and DL communications to/from the base station. So, it is also desirable to improve the quality and efficiency of sidelink communications in the full-duplex wireless systems.

Full-duplex assisted communications with interference mitigation

THE GOVERNING COUNCIL OF THE UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO


An invention is disclosed for a programming method and system of implementing parameterization of data types and/or categories to convert an example “instance” of using a software application into an actual product of program use by customizing the example to make it suitable for user needs. A parameter modeling component along with a parameterization component and an instantiation component are used to create parameterized example instances (“p-instances”) and tooling instructions are then invoked to customize a “p-instance” into a real instance reflecting creation of a document or file or other program artifact (i.e., data product) resulting from actual use of the software application.

Software application products are getting more complicated with the consequence that learning to use them has become increasingly difficult for the user. "Self-help" documentation is a secondary medium of assistance and is usually not the most effective way to learn use of a complex application product, while "jump-start" user interfaces (UI) such as "wizards" are helpful only for creating simple instances of use of a product.
A software application product is developed in accordance with "design schemas" or models that are programmed to produce "instances" of the documents and other files or program artifacts (i.e., the data products) created when the application is actually used for a real purpose. Presenting a software programming model framework for creating example instances that are invoked as a starting point for use of the product through parameterization (i.e. "p-instances") is simpler than revamping wizards and other UI features to reflect changes caused by evolving use of the product. Such a parameterization model framework allows software application developers to create "p-instances" utilizing graphical user interface (GUI) features and elements that allow users to create complex real instances of program use without completely mastering the application. Since a "p-instance" is a closer starting point to an actual instance than a wizard, it has the potential to allow users to achieve competence with the software application in less time than it would have otherwise taken to learn use of the software product with help documents and wizards.
Complex software applications require a different approach to parameterization than that used for simple applications, since textual "in place" substitutions (such as those used in working from an example "template" for a Microsoft Word® document file) are not suitable when there are multiple UI features or elements interacting with each other to produce and update documents or files or other program artifacts that may reference each other in ways that cause user actions to affect them in a complex and continuously evolving manner. The invention provides a mechanism for creating parameterization "tooling" (i.e. instructions) that can be used for producing "p-instances" in complex software applications.

Method and system for providing tooling instructions through parameterization as an aid for software application development


A new snap connection battery system that makes it easier to install batteries in the correct direction within electronic components. The inventive device includes a battery having a battery body with first and second opposite ends, a positive terminal located at the first end and a negative terminal located at the second end. The positive terminal comprises a male member projecting from the first end with either an annular rib or a plurality of spaced dimples formed on an exterior surface of the male member. The negative terminal comprises a female recess extending into the battery body from the second end with either an annular groove or a plurality of spaced indentations formed in the side wall which defines the recess. The battery is connected with adjacent batteries which are similarly shaped by inserting the male member into the female recess of an adjacent battery, and inserting a male member of an additional adjacent battery into the female recess of the first battery. Adapter caps are provided so as to allow use of the batteries within conventional electronic equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to batteries and more particularly pertains to a new snap connection battery system that makes it easier to install batteries in the correct direction within electronic components.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of batteries is known in the prior art. More specifically, batteries heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art batteries include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,992,227; 3,933,522; 3,980,387; 4,394,059; and 4,943,498.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new snap connection battery system. The inventive device includes a battery having a battery body with first and second opposite ends, a positive terminal located at the first end and a negative terminal located at the second end. The positive terminal comprises a male member projecting from the first end with either an annular rib or a plurality of spaced dimples formed on an exterior surface of the male member. The negative terminal comprises a female recess extending into the battery body from the second end with either an annular groove or a plurality of spaced indentations formed in the side wall which defines the recess. The battery is connected with adjacent batteries which are similarly shaped by inserting the male member into the female recess of an adjacent battery, and inserting a male member of an additional adjacent battery into the female recess of the first battery. Adapter caps are provided so as to allow use of the batteries within conventional electronic equipment.
In these respects, the snap connection battery system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of making it easier to install batteries in the correct direction within electronic components.


An apparatus for capturing images is provided. The apparatus for capturing images includes a control unit that determines whether an internal memory is available for use, and a process-driving unit that loads background processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of and apparatus for capturing images, and more particularly, to a method of and apparatus for capturing images, in which an initialization process is executed by a processor as a background operation and the apparatus is immediately operated using an internal memory.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, digital still cameras (DSCs) have become popular, supplanting conventional film cameras. In addition to single lens reflex (SLR) cameras for professionals, cameras for other types of users are being manufactured. Specifically, ultra-compact cameras that are easy to carry and can quickly capture images when needed are becoming popular with users due to their stylish designs, high performance, and small size.
Digital cameras use memory chips instead of film to capture images, and may control the number of capturable images or give different intensity to pictures. In addition, the digital cameras display images by generating electrical signals according to the brightness of the scene via a charged coupled device (CCD), and control analog digital converter (ADC) chipsets or JPEG chipsets via a central processing unit (CPU) chipset.
The JPEG chipset compresses digital signals converted in the ADC chipset that receives data from the CCD, and stores them in .jpg file in an external memory. JPG is a standard compression technique for efficiently adjusting the size of the image file while maintaining nearly the same picture quality as the original. The image processed in the JPEG chipset is 2 to 4 MB, and is stored in a flash memory.
The digital cameras have information on the date the image was captured, an index, and data for a monitor in JPEG-image data. The exchangeable image file (Exif), digital print order format (DPOF), PictBridge, camera image file format (CIFF), and design rule for camera file system (DCF) are file formats used by most digital cameras. DPOF stores image output information in a memory card MISC folder, selects images that will be output using the information, and determines the number of copies of the images.
Generally, DCF contains information on the structure of a directory, the name of a file, the structure of the file, thumbnails, and screen nail images. In addition, when determining the name of an image data (file), DCF reads information on images stored in an external memory before storing it therein, and names the file afterwards.
In order to record captured images, the digital cameras use an external memory such as a multimedia card (MMC), a smart media (SM) card, a compact flash (CF), or a memory stick.
When a user turns the power on, the digital camera reads management information of the external memory, which stores information on available memory, determines whether there is enough memory to capture more images, and computes the number of images the digital camera can capture according to the available memory.
In addition, the read management information is recorded in a memory, e.g., a main CPU cache or a main CPU memory in the digital camera.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart illustrating the initialization process of a conventional digital camera.
When a system is booted, a digital camera executes an initialization.
First, a CPU memory, (e.g., SRAM), a universal asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART), and a flash are initialized S11.
Then, a CCD, an image-processing unit, and digital camera hardware are initialized S21, S31, S41. For example, an image-processing DSP, a motor, a video bus, a USD device, an LCD, and a button are initialized. The initialization processes may be performed during the initialization of an OS or in a different order depending on the system, and the OS may initialize hardware.
Once the basic initialization process of the system has been completed, an external memory (e.g., a memory card) is initialized in order to store captured image data S51.
The initialization of the external memory will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 2.
Once the initialization process of the external memory has been completed, an image is captured, DCF information (list) is renewed, and the captured image is stored in the external memory S61 and S71. Generally, the DCF format contains information on the structure of a directory, the name and structure of a file, thumbnails, and screen nail images. In addition, when determining the name of an image file, the DCF reads information on images stored an external memory before storing it therein, and names file afterwards. The aforementioned steps may be sequentially or concurrently executed. In some cases, the process may be executed in a different order.
FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the initialization process of the external memory in FIG. 1.
First, the initialization process is initiated, and the mounting process is carried out in order to access to a file system of an external memory S53.
In addition, available memory space and the number of images that can be captured are determined S55.
Next, when storing captured image data, information on existing image data, which is stored in the external memory, is read in order to name the file S57. Here, "DCF" may be used as a part of the filename, and the file (image data) may be managed using DCF information.
Then, the file is named via the read information, and the DCF information is renewed. The aforementioned steps may be sequentially or concurrently executed. In some cases, the process may be executed in a different order.
A digital camera should take the least amount of time to boot so that a user can capture images quickly. However, as described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the initialization process requires a significant amount of time, and thus hinders immediate use of the camera.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application No. 2001-128107 discloses a digital camera that stores captured data (image data) in a temporary memory, determines whether a removable recording medium (e.g., a memory card) can be used, and records the captured data in the temporary memory of the removable recording medium.
However, the invention does not disclose information on steps the camera executes to determine whether the removable recording medium can be used while storing the captured data in the memory, and the aforementioned steps have a significant impact on the initialization of the system. Accordingly, a solution to the aforementioned problems is required.
In addition, even though the initialization is executed in a basic system and an image-processing device, a time lag still exists in initializing an external memory, mounting files, or renewing DCF information, resulting in degradation of system initialization, which is a problem.

Apparatus and method for capturing images


A method of manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a reflection reducing film on a film having a high reflectance and forming a photoresist on the first reflection reducing film. When the photoresist is patterned by selectively exposing the photoresist to an exposure light through a photomask by photolithography technology, the photoresist is not exposed by a light reflected by the film having high reflectance, thereby allowing a pattern of the photoresist to be formed which corresponds to the photomask.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device which has a film having high reflectance deposited under an insulating film.
Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 2, in order to make a contact hole on an insulating film 2 formed on a film 1 having high reflectance, a photoresist 4 is applied on the insulating film 2, a thin mask pattern 5 is photolithographed on the photoresist 4 by photolithography technology using a photomask 6 to pattern the photoresist 4, and then the insulating film 2 is etched by using the photoresist patterned 4 as a mask.
In the above method, when the photoresist 4 on the insulating film 2 is patterned by photolithography technology, an exposure light 7 penetrates the photoresist 4 and the insulating film 2 and is reflected by the film 1 having high reflectance under the insulating film 2. A light 8 reflected by the film 1 having high reflectance exposes a part of the photoresist 4 that should not be originally exposed, which results in the formation of a pattern of the photoresist 4 that does not correspond to the pattern of the photomask 6 used to pattern the photoresist 4.

Method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a reflection reducing film


In a picture coding apparatus, even though conditions such as a bit rate are changed, a burden of overhead information arranged in a picture signal is reduced, and the picture signal is coded according to an optimum coding mode without lowering a coding efficiency. A coding mode judging unit 2 has two coding mode tables A and B including identification numbers of coding modes selectable for a picture-to-be-coded, one of the coding mode tables 1 and 2 is selected according to coding mode table selection information, a coding mode corresponding to a better coding efficiency is selected from a plurality of coding modes of the selected coding mode table, and a coded picture signal is obtained.

The present invention relates to a picture coding method, a picture coding apparatus, a picture decoding method and a picture decoding apparatus for selecting an optimum coding mode of a picture signal to be coded and the picture signal to be decoded (hereinafter, called a picture-to-be-coded signal) from a plurality of coding modes registered in advance, according to conditions such as a bit rate in the transmission of a coded bit stream, and for coding and decoding the picture-to-be-coded signal.
A background art relating to the present invention in a general picture coding apparatus and a general picture decoding apparatus and drawbacks of the background art are described.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a structure of a coded bit stream generally transmitted and received between a picture coding apparatus and a picture decoding apparatus.
As shown in FIG. 1, a coded bit stream is, for example, produced for each frame (or each image plane) of a time and is composed of picture-to-be-coded header information and coded data of each of blocks 1 to N in cases where one frame is, for example, divided into N blocks.
In the picture-to-be-coded header information, quantization method selection information is, for example, included in cases where a method for changing over from a quantization method to another quantization method on coding and decoding sides is adopted.
The coded data of each of the blocks 1 to N is composed of compressed picture data and overhead data, for example, composed of coding mode information, quantization step information and motion information respectively corresponding to each quantization mode.
Therefore, in cases where the number of coding mode types is small, an information amount of the coding modes in the coded data becomes small, so that an overhead information amount can be made small. However, there is a case that an optimum coding mode depending on a picture-to-be-coded signal does not exist, so that there is a drawback that the picture-to-be-coded signal cannot be effectively coded and a picture quality is lowered.
In contrast, in cases where a large number of coding modes for various picture-to-be-coded signals are registered in advance to improve a quality of a decoded picture, the amount of the coding modes existing in the coded data is increased, so that the amount of the overhead information is increased. Therefore, in cases where a size of the coded data is predetermined because of a fixed length coding or a variable length coding, the amount on a compressed picture data side becomes small, a picture quality is lowered on the contrary, so that there is a drawback that a coding efficiency is lowered. In particular, this drawback becomes remarkable in case of a low bit rate in which a small size of the coded data is only allowed.
Next, the above drawbacks are concretely described in a case that a picture coding method and a picture decoding method are specialized to a picture coding apparatus and a picture decoding apparatus corresponding to MPEG-4 (Moving Picture Experts Group Phase-4) which is currently in progress toward standardization by ISO/IEC JTC11/SC29/WG11.
In a video VM8.0 (ISO/IEC JTC1/SC29/WG11/N1796), it is proposed to encode each of macro-blocks in a Bidirectionally predictive-Video Object Plane (B-VOP) coding by selecting one of four macro-block coding modes (hereinafter, called MBTYPEs).
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an MBTYPE table (MBTYPE-0) for the B-VOP coding proposed in the VM8.0. In this VM8.0, it is proposed to encode each macro-block by selecting one of four coding modes specified in the MBTYPE-0 to MBTYPE-4. As a selection criterion, it is recommended to use a predictive error electric power which is out of a standardization range. In FIG. 2, a symbol xe2x80x9cXxe2x80x9d indicates data (DQUANT, MVDf, MVDb or MVDB) used in each coding mode. The detail is described in 3.5.5 item of page 77.
As is described above, because the coding modes are limited to 4 in the VM8.0 proposal, there is a case that the macro-block cannot be effectively coded, so that there is a drawback that a picture quality is lowered.
Therefore, the above proposed B-VOP coding method is extremely shifted to deal with the low bit rate, the 4 types of coding modes are insufficient, so that a using flexibility of the B-VOP coding method is low. To prevent the drawback of the B-VOP coding method, it is proposed to prepare ten or more coding modes for each macro-block of the B-VOP. However, though the flexibility of the B-VOP coding, method in the coding is improved, the number of bits of code-words expressing each coding mode is undesirably increased, an adverse influence of the increase of the overhead information becomes large in the low bit rate coding, and a coding efficiency is lowered. In particular,, in the B-VOP coding which is not used for the prediction and in which it is sufficient to display a picture for a moment, it is sure that a ratio of Discrete Cosine Transformation (DCT) coefficients to the compressed picture data in the B-VOP coding becomes lowered as compared with that in an Intra-Video Object Plane (I-VOP) coding or a Predictive-Video Object Plane (P-VOP) coding, a ratio of the overhead information to the compressed picture data is heightened in the B-VOP coding to the contrary, so that a coding efficiency is undesirably lowered.
The present invention is provided to solve the above drawbacks, and an object of the present invention is to provide a picture coding method, a picture coding apparatus, a picture decoding method and a picture decoding apparatus in which an optimum coding mode is selected from a plurality of coding modes registered in advance to perform the coding and decoding of a picture signal, even though the condition of a bit rate is changed, while reducing the burden of overhead information included in the picture signal without lowering a coding efficiency or lowering a picture quality.
Also, in cases where the present invention is specialized to a picture coding apparatus and a picture decoding apparatus corresponding to the MPEG-4, another object of the present invention is to provide a picture coding method, a picture coding apparatus, a picture decoding method and a picture decoding apparatus, in which an optimum coding mode is selected from a plurality of coding modes registered in advance to perform the coding and decoding of a picture signal according to the B-VOP coding, even though the condition of a bit rate in the transmission of the picture signal is changed, while reducing the burden of overhead information included in the picture signal without lowering a coding efficiency or lowering a picture quality.
In a picture coding method, in which an input picture is coded while changing over a coding mode to another coding mode for each of prescribed blocks of the input picture, according to the present invention, a coding mode group is selected from a plurality of coding mode groups, which each are obtained by registering a coding mode selectable for each prescribed block, according to prescribed coding mode group selection information, a coded bit stream is produced by coding each of the prescribed blocks of the input picture according to the selected coding mode group, the prescribed coding mode group selection information is added to the coded bit stream, and the coded bit stream with the prescribed coding mode group selection information is output.
Therefore, even though the number of coding modes is increased, an amount of coding mode information is not increased, and there is an effect that a picture coding method, in which the coding can be effectively performed, can be obtained.
A picture coding apparatus, in which an input picture is coded while changing over a coding mode to another coding mode for each of prescribed blocks of the input picture, according to the present invention, comprises a plurality of coding mode groups, which each are obtained by registering a coding mode selectable for each prescribed block, coding mode group selecting means for selecting a coding mode group to be used in a coding processing according to prescribed coding mode group selection information, coding mode selecting means for selecting a coding mode from a plurality of coding modes registered in the selected coding mode group for each prescribed block, coding means for coding each block according to the selected coding mode and outputting a piece of coded data, and multiplexing means for multiplexing the coding mode group selection information, the coding modes and the pieces of coded data with each other and outputting those as a coded bit stream.
Therefore, even though the number of coding modes is increased, an amount of coding mode information is not increased, so that there is an effect that a picture coding apparatus, in which the coding can be effectively performed, can be obtained.
In a picture coding apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of coding modes respectively selectable for each of macro-blocks, which each denote a unit of a picture-to-be-coded, is registered in each of the plurality of coding mode groups, and the coding mode group selecting means selects a coding mode group to be used for the coding from the plurality of coding mode groups according to the coding mode group selecting information for each of video object planes which each denote a picture indicating a condition of a video object at a time and each are composed of the macro-blocks.
Therefore, even though the number of coding modes is increased, an amount of coding mode information is not increased, so that there is an effect that a picture coding apparatus corresponding to the MPEG-4, in which the coding can be effectively performed, can be obtained.
In a picture coding apparatus according to the present invention, the coding means comprises a plurality of quantization means different from each other, and quantization selecting means for selecting one of the quantization means according to quantization method selection information, wherein a quantization is performed by using the selected quantization means in a coding, and the coding mode group selecting means uses the quantization method selection information as the coding mode group selection information.
Therefore, even though the number of coding modes is increased, an amount of coding mode information is not increased, so that the coding can be effectively performed on given conditions. Also, because the already-existing quantization method selection information is used as the coding mode group selection information, there is an effect that a picture coding apparatus, in which a more effective coding can be performed, can be obtained.
In a picture coding apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of coding mode groups comprises a coding mode group corresponding to a low bit rate in which a plurality of coding modes corresponding to the low bit rate lower than a prescribed standard bit rate are registered, and a coding mode group corresponding to a high bit rate in which a plurality of coding modes corresponding to the high bit rate higher than the prescribed standard bit rate are registered.
Therefore, there is an effect that a picture coding apparatus, which can correspond to various bit rates widely ranging from the low bit rate to the high bit rate, can be obtained.
In a picture decoding method, in which a coded bit stream obtained by compressing and coding a picture is input and the picture is decoded for each of prescribed blocks of the picture, according to the present invention, coding mode group selection information is decoded from the coded bit stream, a coding mode group indicated according to the coding mode group selection information is selected from a plurality of coding mode groups in which a coding mode selectable in a coding of one block is registered for each block, and coded data is decoded from the coded bit stream for each block according to the selected coding mode group.
Therefore, even though an amount of the coding mode information existing in the coded bit stream is made small, the coded data can be accurately decoded, and there is an effect that a decoding method, in which the decoding can be effectively performed on given conditions, can be realized.
A picture decoding apparatus, in which a coded bit stream obtained by compressing and coding a picture is input and the picture is decoded for each of prescribed blocks of the picture, according to the present invention, comprises a plurality of coding mode groups in which a coding mode selectable in a coding of one block is registered for each block, coding mode group selection information decoding means for decoding coding mode group selection information from the coded bit stream, coding mode group selecting means for selecting a coding mode group indicated by the coding mode group selection information from the plurality of coding mode groups, coding mode decoding means for decoding a coding mode used in the coding of one block from the coded bit stream for each block by using the selected coding mode group, and decoding means for decoding coded data of each block from the coded bit stream according to the coding mode.
Therefore, even though an amount of the coding mode information existing in the coded bit stream is made small, the coded data can be accurately decoded, and there is an effect that a decoding apparatus, in which the decoding can be effectively performed on given conditions, can be realized.
In a picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention, a plurality of coding modes respectively selectable for each of macro-blocks, which each denote a unit of a picture-to-be-coded, is registered in each of the plurality of coding mode groups, and the coding mode group selecting means selects a coding mode group to be used for the decoding from the plurality of coding mode groups according to the coding mode group selecting information for each of video object planes which each denote a picture indicating a condition of a video object at a time and each are composed of the macro-blocks.
Therefore, even though an amount of the coding mode information existing in the coded bit stream is made small, the coded data can be accurately decoded, and there is an effect that a decoding apparatus corresponding to the MPEG-4, in which the decoding can be effectively performed on given conditions, can be realized.
In a picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention, the decoding means comprises a plurality of inverse quantization means different from each other, and inverse quantization selecting means for selecting one of the inverse quantization means according to quantization method selection information, wherein an inverse quantization is performed by using the selected inverse quantization means in a decoding, and the coding mode group selecting means uses the quantization method selection information as the coding mode group selection information.
Therefore, even though an amount of the coding mode information existing in the coded bit stream is made small, the coded data can be accurately decoded, and the decoding can be effectively performed on given conditions. Also, because the already-existing quantization method selection information is used as the coding mode group selection information, there is an effect that a picture decoding apparatus, in which a more effective decoding can be performed, can be obtained.
In a picture decoding apparatus according to the present invention, the plurality of coding mode groups comprises a coding mode group corresponding to a low bit rate in which a plurality of coding modes corresponding to the low bit rate lower than a prescribed standard bit rate are registered, and a coding mode group corresponding to a high bit rate in which a plurality of coding modes corresponding to the high bit rate higher than the prescribed standard bit rate are registered.
Therefore, there is an effect that a picture decoding apparatus, which can correspond to various bit rates widely ranging from the low bit rate to the high bit rate, can be obtained.

Image encoding method, image encoder, image decoding method, and image decoder


A connector assembly for use in securely joining together elongated structural members, which extend angularly with respect to one another. The connector assembly is ideally suited for use in interconnecting wooden structural members that make up playground equipment for use by young children and includes specially designed connector plates that are uniquely designed to provide both longitudinal and transverse stability to the structure formed by the interconnected structural members. Each of the gripping plates is lanced out to form a plurality of penetrating tabs that are adapted to penetrate the structural members as the gripping plates are cinched down by through bolts so as to provide still further rigidity to the assembled structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to structural connectors. More particularly, the invention concerns a flanged connector assembly for use in connecting together elongated structural members that extend at an angle with respect to one another.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Various types of connectors have been suggested in the past for joining together structural members, such as lengths of dimension lumber, structural wood beams, and the like. Often the prior art connectors take the form of clamp assemblies that are used to join together perpendicularly arranged structural member to form permanent and temporary structures such as scaffolds and playground structures.
As a general rule the prior art clamp assemblies comprise shaped gripping members that are formed of sheet metal by a combination of cutting, punching, stamping and bending operations. The formed gripping members are typically apertured to receive one or more bolts that are used to interconnect the gripping members with the structural members that are to be joined together.
Exemplary of a connector assembly used to construct playground structures is the connector assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,110 to Sammann. The Sammann device comprises a clamp assembly for joining perpendicularly arranged, square, elongate, structural remembers to form a framework. The clamp assembly comprises a pair of shaped gripping members aligned in a confronting relationship respective to one another. The gripping members have parts that form opposed sockets, which are arranged perpendicular to one another. One of the sockets receives an end of one structural member therewithin, and the other of the sockets receives a medial length of the other structural member to secure the perpendicularly arranged structural members together. Two bolts, which extend perpendicular through a part of the gripping members and in between the elongate structural members, is tensioned to force the pair of gripping members to bear against the structural members.
A drawback of certain of the prior art connector assemblies resides in the fact that the connector assemblies, while providing generally lateral stability to the structure that embodies the connector assembly often fails to provide adequate longitudinal stability to the structure. It is this deficiency that the connector assembly of the present invention seeks to overcome by providing a novel flanged connector assembly which includes strategically located side support brackets which effectively resists off center, longitudinal loading that may be exerted in the structure.