A data transmission and reception system and method that make it possible to transmit and receive more types of information without changing the existing communication system include a broadcasting base station which has a subID adding unit, which arranges in the transmission data region the subIDs of the transmission data arranged in the transmission data region, and a transmission processing unit, which performs transmission processing on the transmission data as data transmission cycles. A portable information communication terminal has an input unit, which sets IDs and subIDs, a comparison unit, which has the address information comparison function of comparing the ID arranged in the selection call part and the ID set by the input unit and obtaining the result of the address information comparison, as well as the identification information comparison function of comparing the subID arranged in the transmission data region and the subID set by the input unit and obtaining the result of the identification address comparison, and a data reading unit, which performs reception control on the transmission data based on the address information comparison result and identification information comparison result obtained from the comparison unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention concerns a data transmission method and data transmitter that transmits data to which address information has been added, a data receiver and data reception method that receives transmission data based on address information, and a data transmission and reception system that adds address information and transmits and receives data.
2. Description of Prior Art
Wireless call systems or radio paging systems (merely referred as a radio paging system, hereinafter) that transmit information input by telephone have long been available. In a radio paging system, a so-called pager is used as an information reception terminal.
In recent years, information broadcast services have become available in which various information is provided using this radio paging system. This information broadcast service makes it possible, for example, to receive on a pager or pager terminal various information such as information about public events or weather forecast information.
A pager receives various information broadcast from various broadcast base stations based on ID information, etc. arranged in the same data frame.
As shown in FIG. 1A, in the format of the data frame used heretofore, the frame consists of 15 groups G1, G2, G3, G4, . . . , G14, G15 as data transmission cycles.
As shown in FIG. 1B, each group consists of synchronization signal 201, address/message discrimination signal 202, multiple selection call signals 203, 204, and a phase compensation signal 205. Here each frame has a period of, for example, 29 seconds.
Synchronization signal 201 is the part for synchronizing the group to which the pager corresponds and belongs and receiving the selection call signal, among said synchronized group, that is addressed to the pager.
As shown in FIG. 1C, selection call signals 203, 204 consist of address signal 211 and message signal 212, and the constituent units of both signals are, for example, error-correcting code word [BCH(31,16)] (Bose-chaud-huri-Hocquenghem code). For example, this selection call signal consists of a total of 155 bits with its content set to 31-bit units and is expressed specifically with an address signal of 61 bits and a message signal of 93 bits.
Address/message discrimination signal 202 shows in code word units how address signal 211 and message signal 212 are lined up within the selection call signal. This allows the pager to efficiently retrieve address signal 211 alone.
Address signal 211 is set to the address that identifies the pager. The address signal 211 consists of unique call numbers that correspond to each pager. The pager distinguishes this address signal 211, and if it confirms that it is its own address signal (hereafter called its self-address), it sounds a tone, decodes the message signal, and displays the content. The self-address is set to be variable.
Phase compensation signal 205 is a signal that is used on the base station side to cause the phase of transmission signals to match between broadcast base stations.
The pager belongs to some one group within the frame, is synchronized by receiving the synchronization signal of the group to which it belongs, and receives a selection call signal within its group. Then, if its self-address is present within the received selection call signal, the pager sounds a tone and displays the content of the message signal.
The address of a pager has been limited physically to a relative small number, such as a maximum of 8. Because of this, the types of information the pager can receive is limited by the number of its self-addresses, making it difficult to handle a wider variety of information.
Different information can be received by rewriting the self-address, but, as may be expected, the number that can be received simultaneously is limited by the number of self-addresses, and if the number of items of information to be received is greater than the number of self-addresses, it becomes necessary to rewrite the self-address frequently. But it is generally not easy or realistic to rewrite the self-address.
Thus the purpose of this invention, which was devised in consideration of the above situation, is to provide a data transmission method and data transmitter, data receiver and data reception method, and data transmission and reception system that make it possible to transmit and receive more types of information without changing the existing communication system.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Data transmission method, data transmitter, data receiver, data reception method and data transmission and reception system


It is object to provide an oversampling circuit and a digital-to-analog converter which have small circuit scales and component costs of which are reduced. The data input at predetermined intervals is multiplied by the multiplying section 1 by four types of multiplicators, and the multiplication results are cyclically held in data holding sections 2-1 through 2-4. The data selectors 3-1 through 3-4 sequentially read out the four types of multiplication results held in the data holding sections 2-1 through 2-4 one to one corresponding respectively to the data selectors 3-1 through 3-4 in a predetermined order, thereby outputting predetermined step functions. Each step function corresponding to each of the four pieces of data inputted sequentially is generated at a different timing, each of the integrating sections 4-1 through 4-4 performs a digitally integrating process two times on each step function, and the results are added up, thereby performing the oversampling process to give a pseudo-rise of a sampling frequency to each piece of input digital data.

The present invention relates to an over sampling circuit for interpolating input data discretely and a digital-to-analog converter to which the oversampling circuit is applied. In this specification, it is assumed that a case where function values have finite values except zero in a local region and become zero in regions different from the region is called a xe2x80x9clocal support.xe2x80x9d
A recent digital audio apparatus, for example, a CD (Compact Disk) player, uses a D/A (digital-to-analog) converter to which an over-sampling technique is applied to obtain a continuous analog audio signal from discrete music data (digital data). Such a D/A converter generally uses a digital filter to raise a pseudo sampling frequency by interpolating input digital data, and outputs smooth analog audio signals by passing each interpolation value through a low-pass filter after generating a staircase signal waveform with each interpolation value held by the sample holding circuit.
A data interpolation system disclosed in WO99/38090 is well known as a method of interpolating data into discrete digital data. In this data interpolation system, differentiation can be performed only once in the whole range, and a sampling function is used such that two sampling points each before and after an interpolation point, that is, a total of four sampling points, can be considered. Since the sampling function has values of a local support unlike the sinc function defined by sin (xcfx80ft)/(xcfx80ft) where f indicates a sampling frequency, there is a merit that no truncation errors occur although only four pieces of digital data are used in the interpolating operation.
Generally, oversampling is performed by using a digital filter in which the waveform data of the above mentioned sampling function is set to a tap coefficient of an FIR (finite impulse response) filter.
If the oversampling technology of performing an interpolating operation for discrete digital data using the above mentioned digital filter, a low pass filter having a moderate attenuation characteristic can be used. Therefore, the phase characteristic with a low pass filter can approach a linear phase characteristic, and the sampling aliasing noise can be reduced. These effects are more outstanding with a higher oversampling frequency. However, if the sampling frequency becomes higher, the number of taps of the digital filter is also increased. As a result, there arises the problem of a larger circuit. In addition, the performance of the delay circuit or multiplier comprises the digital filter is also sped up. Therefore, it is necessary to use expensive parts appropriate for the quick performance, thereby increasing the cost of the required parts. Especially, when the oversampling process is performed using a digital filter, an actual value of a sampling function is used as a tap coefficient. Therefore, the configuration of a multiplier is complicated, and the cost of the parts furthermore increases.
Moreover, although a digital-to-analog converter can be configured by connecting a low pass filter after the oversampling circuit, the above mentioned various problems with the conventional oversampling circuit have also occurred with the digital-to-analog converter configured using the circuit.
The present invention has been achieved to solve the above mentioned problems, and aims at providing an over sampling circuit and a digital-to-analog converter having a smaller circuit at a lower cost of parts.
In an oversampling circuit according to the present invention, a plurality of step function generation unit generate a step function corresponding to each of plural pieces of digital data input at predetermined intervals in synchronization with the input timing of the digital data. After each of a plurality of integrating unit performs digital integration plural times on the data having the value of each step function, addition unit performs an adding operation. Thus, by adding up results of digital integration operations performed after generating a step function corresponding to each of input digital data, output data can be obtained with the values smoothly changing. When the frequency of oversampling is to be set high, it is necessary only to speed up the digital integration operation without the conventional complicated configuration, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing the costs of parts. Especially, since reset unit resets the operation of the integrating unit at a predetermined timing, it prevents an error generated by an integrating operation, etc. from being accumulated.
Furthermore, each value of the above mentioned step functions is desired to correspond to each of the values of step functions obtained by differentiating plural times piecewise polynomials for a predetermined sampling function configured by the piecewise polynomials. That is, by integrating plural times the above mentioned step function, a waveform corresponding to the predetermined sampling function can be obtained. Therefore, a convolutional operation using a sampling function can be equivalently realized by generating a step function. As a result, the contents of the entire process can be simplified, and the amount of necessary processes for the oversampling process can be reduced.
In addition, the above mentioned step function is desired to equally set the positive and negative areas. Thus, the divergence of integration results of the integrating unit can be prevented.
Furthermore, it is desirable that the above mentioned sampling function has a value of local support with the whole range differentiable only once. It is assumed that a natural phenomenon can be approximated if the whole range is differentiable only once. By setting a smaller number of times of differentiation, the times of the digital integration performed by the integrating unit can be reduced, thereby successfully simplifying the configuration.
In addition, it is desirable that the resetting operation by the reset unit is performed at timing when the value of the sampling function is 0, and is more desirable that the operation is performed at timing when the value of a sampling function of local support converges into 0 while maintaining the differentiability. In the position where the value of the sampling function is 0, since the integration result by each integrating unit can also be 0 theoretically, the operation of each integrating unit can be reset at this timing without influence on the oversampling process, and with error prevented from being accumulated. Furthermore, at the timing (at both ends of sampling function) when a sampling function of local support converges into 0 while maintaining the differentiability, the values are theoretically 0 in all digital integration operations performed plural times. Therefore, each operation of the digital integration can be separately reset, thereby further preventing the accumulation of errors.
Additionally, it is further desirable that the above mentioned step function contains an area of eight sectional areas of equal width weighted by xe2x88x921, +3, +5, xe2x88x927, xe2x88x927, +5, +3, and xe2x88x921 in a predetermined range corresponding to five pieces of digital data arranged at equal intervals, and that every two of the eight weight coefficients correspond to the input intervals of the digital data. Since simple weight coefficients represented by integers can be used, the mechanism of generating a step function can be simplified.
In addition, it is desirable that the digital integration can be performed two times, and the data can be output from the integrating unit with the value changing like a quadric. To smoothly interpolating plural pieces of discrete data, it is necessary at least to change a value like a quadric. Since it can be realized only by setting the number of times of the digital integration to 2, the configuration of the integrating unit can be simplified.
Furthermore, the digital integration performed by the integrating unit is a process of accumulating input data, and it is desirable that the process is repeated n times in a period of inputting digital data. Thus, the operation of accumulating data can be realized only by adding input data to held data. Therefore, the configuration of the integrating unit can be simplified, and the process can be easily and more quickly repeated. As a result, the value of the multiple n of the oversampling can be set to a large value without complicating the configuration and largely increasing the cost of parts.
In addition, the digital-to-analog converter can be configured only by providing voltage generation unit and smoothing unit at the stage after the above mentioned oversampling circuit. Accordingly, the digital-to-analog converter according to the present invention can be realized with a simplified configuration and reduced cost of parts. Furthermore, the above mentioned oversampling circuit can easily set a high oversampling frequency without complicating the configuration or largely increasing the cost of parts. As a result, the distortion of the output waveform of the digital-to-analog converter to which the oversampling circuit is applied can be minimized.

Oversampling circuit and digital/analog converter


A make system includes an overlay make tool for graphical presentation of user-friendly data regarding build operations updating multi-file software architecture. The make system includes a make program building files into executable programs, and a make tool which updates files requiring updating according to an update method relying upon a dependency tree and date stamp information.

The UNIX environment includes a bundled "make" utility which runs in the UNIX shell, to enable software having multiple source files to be rebuilt into executable or other final form during maintenance. Software maintenance includes updating and modifying software files and then rebuilding files and code dependent upon the changed files. Software being maintained typically includes multiple independent software modules (e.g., .o's). According to the bundled UNIX "make" utility, rebuilding or "build" is accomplished serially by recompiling one source module at a time and then relinking the resultant object files into an executable software product which can be shipped to the customer. According to the prior current source files can be recompiled in parallel at a selected local data processing machine. The cross-referenced applications incorporated herein provide background and details of a current implementation of make. In particular, the make utility identifies source files to be used in rebuilding, compiles the source files serially or in parallel at a single processing node with a suitable compiler, and links the resultant object files into a new rebuilt executable program or other file. A C++ compiler is used to recompile modified .cc object files. A C compiler is used to recompile modified .c object files.
The make utility is useful because it processes many make jobs during build processing which result in creation of an updated resultant software entity which incorporates changes made in precursor code elements used to construct the final entity. The complexity and the workload of the make utility reduces speed of performance. Accordingly, it would be desirable to develop make methods, apparatus and computer program which speed the build process and enables more speedy and effective software maintenance and file modification operations. Furthermore, the software programmer performing build jobs on multiple files or code elements has little oversight over the status of individual build jobs are completed or interrupted due to error nor on what data processing node a particular job is performed. Additionally, a technical difficulty exists ineffective resolution of errors occurring during make or build jobs. Error diagnosis is thus currently difficult and cumbersome.

Graphical distributed make tool methods apparatus and computer program products


A plasma display panel includes a first and a second substrate, a plurality of first sustain electrodes and second sustain electrodes formed in parallel on the first substrate, a plurality of address electrodes formed on the second substrate, and a flexible printed circuit (FPC) having a plurality of bonding pads formed at one side of the FPC. The first sustain electrodes and second sustain electrodes form a plurality of sustain electrode pairs. The first sustain electrodes have a plurality of first electrode terminals and the second sustain electrodes have a plurality of second electrode terminals formed on one end of the first substrate. The address electrodes extend in a direction intersecting the plurality of first sustain electrodes and second sustain electrodes. The plurality of bonding pads formed at one side of the FPC are coupled to the plurality of first electrode terminals and second electrode terminals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasma display panel (PDP) for a plasma display device, and more particularly, to a PDP with a single-sided driving circuit structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Invented in 1897, the cathode ray tube (CRT) has been used for the vast majority of televisions and is still the most common display type today. In a CRT television a gun controlled by a video signal fires electron beams toward phosphors covering the surface of a vacuum tube, and an image is produced by lighting up different areas of the phosphor coating with different colors at different intensities. Though a simple and mature device, the CRT features several drawbacks such as bulky size, weight, and high power consumption. The high-voltage field, oscillating magnetic field, and X-rays generated by electrons hitting the screen have been regarded as hazardous for long-term use.
Recently flat panel display (FPDs) with their flat, thin form factor and high-resolution image quality are getting more and more attention and undergoing explosive growth in the consumer market. The major types of FPDs include the plasma display panel (PDP), the liquid crystal display (LCD), and the rear projection display, featuring several shared benefits (their flat, thin form factor and undistorted, fixed-pixel image rendering) and their own unique advantages. Among them PDP continues to best fill the needs of home theater enthusiasts seeking premium-quality large-screen display devices due to several inherent benefits of the technology: premium display quality with rich, accurate and lifelike colors; wide viewing angle with equivalently stunning brightness; high contrast in both light and dark rooms; and excellent motion handling and screen integrity over the long haul. As a result PDP technology remains the benchmark and de facto standard that consumers seek when considering the purchase of flat panel home theater display devices.
A typical PDP has two parallel sheets of glass, which enclose a gas mixture usually composed of neon and xenon that is contained in millions of tiny cells sandwiched in between the glass. Electricity, sent through an array of electrodes that are in close proximity to the cells, excites the gas, resulting in a discharge of ultraviolet light. The light then strikes a phosphor coating on the inside of the glass, which causes the emission of red, blue or green visible light. According to the driving methods, there are two kinds of plasma display device: an alternating current (AC) plasma display device and a direct current (DC) plasma display device. These are defined depending on whether the polarity of voltage applied to maintain discharge is varied with time or not. The AC plasma display device is the mainstream of this display technology because of lower power consumption and longer lifetime.
An AC plasma display device comprises a PDP having two glass substrates disposed opposite to each other and a circuit for controlling and driving the PDP. One of the two glass substrates has a plurality of address electrodes disposed in parallel, and the other glass substrate has a plurality of sustain electrodes disposed in parallel and perpendicular to the address electrodes. The sustain electrodes include a plurality of common electrodes (X-electrodes) and a plurality of scan electrodes (Y-electrodes). Display cells are formed between adjacent X-electrodes and Y-electrodes. The circuit part includes several driving circuits for supplying driving voltages to the electrodes of the substrate. The electrodes of the glass substrates are formed linearly in such a manner as to extend substantially across the substrates, and electrode terminals are formed at the ends of the glass substrates. The driving circuits are disposed on a chassis mounted on the outer surface of one of the glass substrates, whereby the driving circuits are disposed within an area occupied by the glass substrate having a large area, this helping prevent a further increase in the overall size of the plasma display device. In other words, the plane in which the electrode terminals of the glass substrate are disposed is different from the plane in which the driving circuits are disposed. Therefore the use of flexible printed circuits (FPCs) is reasonable and effective for connecting the electrode terminals of the glass substrate with the driving circuits on the chassis. A plurality of bonding pads are disposed on one end of a flexible printed circuit and connected to the electrode terminals of the glass substrate, while the other end of the FPC is connected to the driving circuits directly or via an intermediate circuit board connected to the driving circuit, with the intermediate portions of the FPC being bent.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a part of a conventional PDP 10. The PDP 10 includes two glass substrates 12 and 14, a plurality of address electrodes 16 arranged parallel to each other on one glass substrate 12, and a plurality of sustain electrodes 18 arranged, on the other glass substrate 14, parallel to each other and perpendicular to the address electrodes 16. The driving circuits are disposed on a chassis 13 mounted on the outer surface of the glass substrate 12. An FPC 35 and an FPC 37 are used to connect the sustain electrodes 18 of the glass substrate 14 to the driving circuits on the chassis 13.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a prior art PDP 20. The PDP 20 includes a plurality of X-electrodes 22 and a plurality of Y-electrodes 24 formed in parallel on a glass substrate 14, a plurality of address electrodes 16 formed on another glass substrate 12 disposed opposite to the glass substrate 14, a plurality of X-electrode terminals 32, a plurality of Y-electrode terminals 34, two FPCs 42 and 44, two driving circuits 52 and 54, and a control board 60. In the PDP 20, adjacent X-electrodes 22 and Y-electrodes 24 form a plurality of sustain electrode pairs, which form a plurality of display cells 55 with the address electrodes 16. The X-electrode terminals 32 are formed at one end of the glass substrate 14 and the Y-electrode terminals 34 are formed at the other end. In other words, each sustain electrode pair has two electrode terminals formed at the opposite end on the glass substrate 14. Since the terminals of the electrode pairs are located at different sides of the glass substrate, two FPCs 42 and 44 are required for connection. The FPC 42 connects the X-electrode terminals 32 to an X driving circuit 52 through a plurality of bonding pads 62 disposed on the FPC 42, and the FPC 44 connects the Y-electrode terminals 34 to a Y driving circuit 54 through a plurality of bonding pads 64 disposed on the FPC 44. A control board 60 sends signals to the X driving circuit 52 and the Y driving circuit 54 for PDP operations.
The prior art PDP 20 has several drawbacks: The PDP 20 needs two FPCs and two driving circuits that increase manufacturing cost and lower production yield. Due to different locations at the opposite sides of the substrate, the two driving circuits receive signals with different amounts of delay from the control board and this largely influences PDP performance. Also, magnetic interference caused by driving circuits affects a larger area in this two-sided-FPC structure.

Plasma display panel with single sided driving circuit


A liquid dispenser comprises a sprayer device and volume meter connected together to form an integral unit that prevents the sprayer device and volume meter from being disconnected without damaging the dispenser. The volume meter has an inlet end portion and a gauge member downstream of the inlet end portion that responds to liquid flowing through the dispenser to provide a visual readout indicating the volume of liquid flowing through the dispenser. A common passageway extends through the sprayer device and volume meter through which liquid flows from the inlet end portion of the volume meter, past the gauge member, and exits the sprayer device at a head end thereof.

Sprayer devices are commonly used to dispense liquids such as, for example, water. They come in a variety of configurations. Some enable a user to adjust the type of spray pattern: for example, at one extreme, a spray pattern comprising a plurality of separate, small diameter streams that have a high velocity; at another extreme, a spray pattern comprising a plurality of separate, large diameter streams that have a low velocity; and intermediate cases where the spray pattern comprises a plurality of separate streams that have different diameters and velocities in between the extremes. These sprayer devices include a mechanism to control which of these spray patterns is being used. They may also include a manually operable valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the sprayer device.
Volume meters are used to measure the volume of liquid flowing through the meter. These meters may, for example, be connected to an outlet of a garden hose. They may include an impeller seated in the stream of liquid flowing through the volume meter. The impeller is connected through a gear system to an indictor gauge. The indicator gauge, as the flowing stream of liquid turns the impeller, moves an indicator needle in proportion to the rate of rotation of the impeller. The indicator needle points to a scale to show the volume of liquid flowing through the meter. In some meters a screen is located at its outlet end to restrict the flow of liquid through the meter. This insures that sufficient liquid is retained in the volume meter so the impeller remains at least partially submerged in the liquid flowing through the meter. An example of this type of volume meter is disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/100,470, entitled "Compact Portable Water Meter," filed Jul. 30, 1993 (now abandoned).


Embodiments related to dual mode rotatable input devices that permit both resistive and non-resistive rotation are disclosed. One embodiment comprises a stationary hub, a rotatable member rotatable around the stationary hub, and a resistive rotation mechanism forming an interface between the stationary hub and the rotatable member. The resistive rotation mechanism comprises a resistive surface and a movable interface member configured to selectively contact the resistive surface, wherein the resistive surface and the movable interface member move relative to one another with rotation of the rotatable member. The resistive mechanism further comprises a biasing mechanism that urges the movable interface member into engagement with the resistive surface when a rotational velocity of the rotatable member is below a threshold velocity, and allows separation of the interface member and the resistive surface when the rotational velocity of the rotatable member is above the threshold velocity.

Many electronic devices utilize rotatable inputs to allow a user to make an input by rotating a dial, wheel, or the like. As one example, computer mice often include scroll wheels rotatable by a user to scroll a list, a document, or other object displayed on a graphical user interface of a computing device.
Various rotatable input devices include mechanical features that facilitate fine-scale input control. For example, some scroll wheels may include indexing features that cause the scroll wheels to rotate in a stepped manner, while other scroll wheels may utilize frictional resistance to allow fine control over a continuous range of positions. However, in either case, such fine control mechanisms may impede rapid scrolling through large lists.


A baluster lighting assembly and method using illuminated intermediate baluster members in which balusters or pickets can be adjustably spaced along a power cord. A plurality of light sources mounted in each of a plurality of balusters or pickets are electrically connected to a power cable through connector housings mounted in each of the balusters or pickets. Each connector housing includes pierce connectors for penetrating the insulation of the power cable and coming into electrical, non-shorting contact with the power cable's live and ground wires along any selected location of the power cable.

A baluster is a vertical picket (sometimes called a guard or spindle or picket) or molded shaft, typically made of stone, metal, plastic or wood, that supports the top rail of a balcony, deck, or fence, the handrail of a staircase, or even the coping of a parapet. Balusters are frequently made with decorative and ornamental features. The complete system of balusters and rails is often referred to as a "balustrade."
Lighting has been used in connection with balusters. One known way of lighting balusters or pickets has been to illuminate them with a series of external lights at the top of exterior of the balusters or pickets. Another known way of lighting balusters or pickets has been to illuminate them with an external spot light. There is a need for baluster lighting assemblies with illuminated center baluster members.
There is also a need for an easy-to-assemble baluster or picket lighting assembly in which the balusters or pickets can be adjustably spaced along a power cable.


Provided is a fingerprint recognition circuit, including a resetting sub-circuit, a fingerprint sensing sub-circuit, a signal acquiring sub-circuit, and a driving sub-circuit, the resetting sub-circuit is connected to the reading node, the resetting port, a first port for resetting the reading node; the fingerprint sensing sub-circuit is connected to the reading node for acquiring fingerprint information, converting it into a detection signal to output to the reading node; the signal acquiring sub-circuit is connected to the reading node, the driving sub-circuit and a power port to output a signal of the reading node to the driving sub-circuit; the driving sub-circuit is connected to a reading port, the signal acquiring sub-circuit, an output port and a second port, outputs the signal output by the signal acquiring sub-circuit through the reading port in a fingerprint recognition stage, outputs the signal of the reading port to the output port in a display stage.

Fingerprint is a characteristic that is inherent in the human body, is unique and distinguishable from others. Fingerprint consists of a series of ridges and valleys on a surface of skin of a finger tip. The details of the ridge and the valley usually include branches of the ridge, ends, arches, tent-shaped arches, left loop, right loop, whorl or double loop whorl of the ridge, etc., which determine the uniqueness of each fingerprint. Fingerprint recognition technology developed based on fingerprint is an early technology for personal authentication. According to different methods of fingerprint collection and input, the fingerprint recognition technologies, which are widely used and well-known, include: an optical imaging method, a thermal sensor method, a human body infrared sensor method, etc.

Fingerprint recognition circuit and method for driving the same, display panel


A golf bag accessory, for indicating the removal of a golf club from a golf bag, has a base member consisting of supporting ring elements. An indicator member with an open top is made of two layers of low friction material surrounding a rubber boot element. The two material layers and the boot element are connected between the ring members. The indicator member extends down from the base member to circumscribe a golf club positioned within the golf bag. Upon removal of the golf club from the golf bag, the indicator member is drawn upwards, ultimately extending up from the base member and out of the golf bag to provide notice to the golfer that a club has been removed and needs to be replaced.

During a round of golf, a player will certainly encounter more than one occasion when he or she has played the ball close to or just off the green. In these cases, the golfer will routinely withdraw both the wedge and putter from his or her golf bag at the same time in order to finish the hole, leaving the bag behind. This saves time and the extra steps otherwise required to remove the wedge, hit the ball, replace the wedge, retrieve the putter and then walk back to the green to play the ball. Once on the green, the golfer who is carrying the two clubs, will lay the wedge on the ground, pick up the putter, and hole out. However, all too often the golfer will replace the putter in the bag, but forget about the wedge on the ground, as he or she moves on to the next hole. The result, at the very least, is the frustrating need to return to the hole, once the golfer finally realizes the omission. At worse, an expensive golf club is never located and is lost.

Golf bag accessory for indicating removal of a club from the bag


An optoelectronic component contains a semiconductor chip (1) and a carrier body (10), which are provided with a transparent, electrically insulating encapsulation layer (3), the encapsulation layer (3) having two cutouts (11, 12) for uncovering a contact area (6) and a connection region (8) of the carrier body, and an electrically conductive layer (14) being led from the contact area (6) over a partial region of the encapsulation layer (3) to the electrical connection region (8) of the carrier body (10) in order to electrically connect the contact area (6) and the electrical connection region (8) to one another. The radiation emitted in a main radiation direction (13) by the semiconductor chip (1) is coupled out through the encapsulation layer (3), which advantageously contains luminescence conversion substances for the wavelength conversion of the emitted radiation.

Optoelectronic components of the aforementioned type, such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs), for example, generally have two opposite contact areas, the first contact area often being mounted onto an electrically conductive carrier, for example onto a region of a chip housing that is provided with a metallization layer.
The electrical contact-connection of the opposite second contact area of a semiconductor chip usually turns out to be more difficult since it generally does not adjoin the carrier body's second connection region provided. This second contact-connection is conventionally produced by means of a bonding wire. In order to produce an electrically conductive connection between the bonding wire and the chip surface to be contact-connected, a region of the chip surface is provided with a metallic layer, the so-called bonding pad. This metal layer has the disadvantage, however, that it is optically non-transparent and a portion of the light generated in the chip is thereby absorbed. However, a reduction of the area of the bonding pad technically possible only to a limited extent and increases the production outlay.
In order to decrease the problem of the shading of part of the surface of an optoelectronic component that is provided for the coupling out of radiation, it is known from JP 09283801 A for an electrode arranged on the surface of the semiconductor chip to be contact-connected in a wire-free manner by means of an electrically conductive transparent layer composed of indium tin oxide (ITO). In this case, the lateral flanks of the semiconductor chip are electrically insulated from the conductive transparent layer by an insulating layer made of SiO2.
It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,861 A for an optoelectronic semiconductor chip that is contact-connected by means of a bonding wire in a conventional manner to be embedded into a potting composition containing luminescence conversion substances in order to convert at least a portion of the radiation emitted by the semiconductor chip toward longer wavelengths. In this way, mixed-color or white light can be generated for example with a semiconductor chip that emits blue or ultraviolet light.

Optoelectronic component with a wireless contacting


A myeloid-specific c-fms-rtTA/(TetO)7-CMV-MMP12 bitransgenic mouse model was created. Induction of MMP12 abnormally elevated frequencies and numbers of common myeloid progenitor (CMP) and granulocyte/macrophage progenitor (GMP) populations, and decreased the frequency and number of the megakaryocyte/erythrocyte progenitor (MEP) population in bone marrow. CD11b+/Gr-1+ immature cell population increased in multiple organs. An immunosuppressive function on T cell proliferation and function by CD11b+/Gr-1+ immature cells was seen in vitro and in vivo from MMP12 over-expression. MMP12 stimulated (Lin−) progenitor cells to differentiate into CD11b+/Gr-1+ immature cells showing immunosuppression on T cell proliferation and function in vitro. Regulatory T cells were increased. In the lung, concentration of interleukin (IL)-6 was increased, which activated oncogenic signal transducer and increased expression of Stat3 downstream genes in epithelial tumor progenitor cells. Spontaneous emphysema and lung adenocarcinoma sequentially developed after MMP12 over-expression. MMP12-induced myeloid cell autonomous defect led to abnormal myelopoiesis, immune suppression and lung adenocarcinoma.

Smoking-induced lung cancer is the leading death in cancer patients worldwide22. Persistent inflammation plays a major role in promoting lung cancer in humans and animals and has also been implicated in a wide variety of diseases from heart conditions to metabolic syndrome. A better understanding of the molecular and cellular mechanisms governing this pathogenic process are integral to developing new therapies to treat and perhaps prevent conditions related to this metabolic state. One class of enzymes that may be involved in diseases such as lung cancer are the zinc-dependent matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).
Given their possible role in tumorigenesis and perhaps other pathologies, there is a need for better model for determining the tissue specific role that MMPs plays in human and animal pathology. Some aspects of the instant invention provide tools that provide better insights into these processes.

Transgenic mouse conditionally expressing MMP12 for studying myelopoiesis, immunity and tumorigenesis

Indiana University Research and Technology Corporation


A floating dock mover that utilizes electrically powered devices to aid in relocating a floating dock whenever water levels change in a lake or reservoir. Electrical powered winching mechanisms are used to adjust cables lengths to maintain a position, or aid to obtain a new position of the dock in relation to the shoreline. Additionally, a motorized speed reducer is used to turn the wheels on the dock walkway, which moves the walkway and dock away from, or toward the shore. By electrically powering winch cable lengths, plus electrically powering the walkway wheels, the dock can be relocated horizontally and vertically and maintain a relative desired position in relation to a moving shoreline. An additional electrically motorized unit is used to operate an anchor which aids in maintaining a dock in a desired position.

It is a common necessity of floating dock owners, and property caretakers of lake front property to periodically relocate a dock in relation to the shoreline. On many lakes and reservoirs in the United States water level changes frequently. With water level changes, the shoreline changes, thereby requiring relocation of the dock. If the dock isn't relocated, it can become inaccessible and therefore unusable.
When water level decreases, the shoreline moves inward toward the main body of water. The dock can become beached if it's not relocated accordingly inward toward the body of water. When water level rises, the shoreline changes toward the beach. The dock will need to be relocated toward the beach or it can become isolated. When it becomes isolated, there is no access to the dock without going through water.
Thus, it is desirable to maintain the floating dock at a relative fixed distance from the moving shoreline so the end of the dock walkway is supported by, and accessed by, dry land and the entirety of dock be in water deep enough to allow boats and other recreational vehicles easy access to the main body of water. This requires dock movement to be both horizontally and vertically to changes in the water level.
Floating docks are typically held in place in relation to a shoreline by means of cables and shore anchor points. Typically, there are two anchor cable assemblies, one on each dock corner closest to the shore. The shore anchor points are secured above the high water level. Typically, hand operated winches are attached to the dock and used to control the length of anchor cables, thereby controlling the distance from the shore.
This invention provides an easy to operate and useful means of relocating a dock. The system comprises of an assembly of winches, cables, guide mechanisms, an electrical power source, an electrical box, and a control box with switches.
Throughout this patent, the referenced 'dock assembly' will refer to a novel dock, walkway, walkway wheels with axle, and a walkway ramp. The dock assembly may comprise of a boat dock and include a single or plurality of boats and other recreation equipment.
There are prior systems that aid in relocating said dock assembly. But they are found to be time consuming and difficult to operate. It is common among docks that require relocating to comprise of two hand crank manually powered cable winches. These manual winches attached to the dock on the two corners closest to the shoreline. The winch cables run from the manual winches to anchor points on the beach. This system requires a lot of manual effort to get the dock moving toward shore and to keep it moving in a desired perpendicular path to shoreline.
To relocate said dock assembly away from shore, manually powered winches securing the dock to the shore are released, thereby causing the cables securing to the shore to let out. Then, by manually pushing the walkway wheels, or pushing the dock assembly toward the body of water, the dock assembly moves away from the shoreline. This manual process of moving the dock assembly is difficult and typically requires a plurality of people. Windy conditions can make it near impossible to move it without additional manual help.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,050,947 (1962) to Burton involves a stationary shore supported stairway 10, an articulated walkway 12, and boat dock platform 14 anchored at the top shoreline and to the bottom of the body of water. Because it utilizes a permanent anchor to the bottom of the body of water, the stairway would not be permitted on many lakes and reservoirs. Furthermore, this patent would not be practical if the beach angle and angle of dirt just below the shoreline is a low angle. A 10 feet water level drop may require a guide mechanism and stairway over 100 feet in length. Furthermore, the bottom engaging anchor 152, free weight 148, and chain 144 are safety concerns to swimmers and recreational vehicles.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,088,287 to Berry (1963) frame 10 and base 13 are not permitted on many bodies of water because no portion of the dock are allowed to contact the ground surface of the beach or below the body of water. In addition, the guide rails are not practical for lakes or bodies of water that have a low angle of beach because they would have to be long in length. This patent will work for a steep beach angle, but not for a gradual slope of beach and shoreline. There are many dock locations where the water level may drop 10 feet and the shoreline moves inward toward the main body of water 100 feet. To work, this patent stairway 16 would need to be over 100 feet in length to compensate for a 10 feet drop in water level. This would not be practical.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,276,211 to Drake (1966) does not allow for horizontal relocation of the Dock.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,683,838 to Godbersen (1972) utilizes anchor points secured to the bottom land beneath the body of water by anchor 58. This would not be permitted on many lakes and reservoirs that require only floating docks. Chains 13 is a potential safety hazards for boaters, swimmers, and other water recreation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,238,324 to Dettling, Jr. (1993) provides a portable boat dock and boat lift that can be used to relocate the wheeled boat dock and lift to another shore accessible area of the body of water. It has a ball receiver end 66 for connecting to a towing vehicle. It is not a dock mover that is easily moved in and outward from the shoreline. The anchor system is manually positioned 59 and 60 stake members and therefore not practical for relocating a dock due to changing water levels. Additionally, it is not tethered to the shore with cables or the like and in windy conditions can easily get turned and off perpendicular with the shoreline.
Ratchet 26 in U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,435 to Chapman (1994) is made to touch and drag the surface along the bottom of the body of water. This will disturb the land below the water and eventually wear a pathway groove in the bottom surface 30. Lower anchor 22 must be secured to the bottom, which is not be permitted on most lakes and reservoirs requiring floating docks.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,295,944 to Lovett (2001) utilizes a constant force spring mechanism to provide constant force. This would be impractical if the traveling distance was more than a few feet in either direction, or a steep direction. Slippage of the tires in mud or slick bottom would release the spring pressure and the boat dock many not move. Upon slippage, hand crank 20 is used to input additional spring tension. Manually inputting additional spring pressure utilizing hand crank 20 would be difficult to provide enough spring force to allow the boat dock to move up a steep beach.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the embodiment of my floating dock mover are:                a) To provide a vast improvement over prior art in design, construction, and ease of use to relocate a floating dock assembly both vertically and horizontally when lake or reservoir water level increases and decreases;        b) A method to electrically power an anchor mechanism for the dock assembly when a desired new location is achieved;        c) To provide an electrically powered method to raise and lower a walkway ramp attached to the end of a dock walkway.
Additional objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing summary, description, and drawings.


A body structure of an automobile is provided in which a body floor includes a floor panel having a bulge portion bulging upward formed on the rear part on opposite side parts in the vehicle width direction, and a side member disposed in the fore-and-aft direction along the upper face on opposite side parts in the vehicle width direction of the floor panel and having integrally formed therewith the rear pillar rising upward from the upper face of the bulge portion. Due to the mounting structure of a rear side frame and the roof side rail support member, it is possible to enhance the strength and stiffness of the rear part of the body floor made of CFRP by the bulge portion and the rear pillar and to strongly mount the rear side frame and the roof side rail support member on the rear part of the body floor.

An arrangement in which a suspension member 84 having a closed cross-section and extending in the vehicle width direction is provided on a rear part of a body floor of an automobile, and left and right rear suspensions are supported on the suspension member 84 is known from Patent Document 1 below.


The present disclosure relates to synchronizing the rendering of video frames included in media file segments with the rendering of auxiliary media. A method implementation of this technique comprises the step of determining, from a sequence of media file segments, a sub-sequence of media file segments, wherein rendering of the sub-sequence is to be overlaid by rendering of auxiliary media starting in a first media file segment of the sub-sequence. The method further comprises determining control information enabling a media client to determine how much rendering of the auxiliary media has progressed upon rendering of each media file segment of the sub-sequence, and initiating a tagging of the media file segments of the sub-sequence with the control information.

Video streaming over the Internet has become increasingly popular among media consumers. Modern streaming protocols such as Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH), also known as MPEG-DASH, enable streaming of video content (e.g., a TV program or a movie) over the Internet from conventional HTTP web servers. Such streaming protocols break a media file including the video content into a sequence of small HTTP-based media file segments, wherein each media file segment contains a short interval of the overall video playback time of the video content.
In adaptive streaming scenarios, the video content and, thus, the file segments are made available at a variety of different bit rates. While the video content is being rendered by a media client, the media client automatically selects the proper bitrate version of the next file segment to download and render based on the prevailing network conditions. Generally, the media client selects the file segment with the highest bit rate possible that can be downloaded in time without causing stalls or re-buffering events in the rendering and playout.
It is often desirable to overlay the video content with auxiliary media such as sub-titles, banners, animated graphics, consumer information, graphical effects and overlays. To this end, the video content and the auxiliary media are typically encoded jointly into a series of video frames. As such, all media consumers see the same auxiliary media at the same time and with the same quality upon rendering the video frame stream. Moreover, when media consumers seek back and forth in a video frame stream, the auxiliary media will always be in synchronicity with the video content as the two have been "glued together" upon video frame encoding.
A drawback of mixing auxiliary media and video content prior to encoding is the fact that the auxiliary media and the video content cannot be separated on the side of the media client. For this reason the video content and the auxiliary media would have to be encoded into different media file versions to adapt the language (or other aspects) of the auxiliary media to a geographical location of the media consumers, a broadcasting time of the video content, and so on. In case of personalized auxiliary media, a dedicated encoding even has to be performed per media client.
To avoid the resulting encoding overhead, the video content can be encoded individually and the auxiliary media can be distributed separately from but linked to the encoded media file segments. In an exemplary DASH scenario, such links may be created using so-called events. Events are defined in the DASH standard as periodic information signalled to the media client either in a so-called Media Presentation Description (MPD) or "inband" within a DASH segment (see ISO/IEC 23009-1, Information technology—Dynamic adaptive streaming over HTTP (DASH), Part 1: Media presentation description and segment formats, May, 2014).
Now consider an implementation as illustrated in FIG. 1 with a DASH segmenter 10 that segments encoded video content into individual DASH segments, an origin server 20 that provides the DASH segments for download by a DASH-compliant media client 30, an HTTP server 40 with access to a repository 50 for providing auxiliary media in the exemplary form of an HTML-based layover banner. The layover banner is to be rendered in synchronicity with a number of file segments from the encoded video content.
The media client 30 starts by fetching a DASH MPD associated with the video content to be played out in step 1. The MPD contains an indication that custom event messages are inserted in the stream of DASH segments. For each custom event message a so-called listener is created that is triggered when the media client 30 receives a DASH segment carrying the associated event message.
When the listener detects that the media client 30 has received a DASH segment with an associated event message in step 2, the event message is handed over to a custom message handler (i.e., a layover banner handler in the present case). The handler parses the message in step 3 and triggers the media client 30 to fetch an HTML representation of the banner element as referenced in the custom message (steps 4 and 5; the banner element may alternatively be embedded in the DASH segment to avoid steps 4 and 5). Finally, in step 6, the banner element is rendered as overlay to the video segments. DASH inband event messages allow defining a time offset, so that banner rendering does not need to start at DASH segment boundaries.
HTML renderers like browsers always start rendering "from the beginning" of a webpage and once the webpage is completely loaded. This also applies to other HTML elements such as the HTML banner overlay in the scenario of FIG. 1. When the media client 30 has started rendering of the video content before the banner element is to be overlaid with the video content, then the procedure illustrated in FIG. 1 works fine. In particular, the layover banner can be rendered with the desired synchronicity relative to the video content. The media client 30 will start rendering the banner overlay from the beginning once the event message is received.
However, when the media client 30 seeks into the middle of an on-going banner overlay, problems occur since there is no mechanism to indicate "the progress" of an HTML element such as the banner overlay (e.g., to mimic "render the element and adjust its timing as it would have been loaded 20 sec ago"). That is, once the media client 30 receives a media file segment containing the event message associated with the banner overlay, the banner overlay will run from start to the end with its own timing, not taking into consideration the video content being rendered.
In many cases such as a traditional TV program scenario, the auxiliary media are complementary to the video content, so if the media consumer decided to rewind or skip few seconds of the video content rendering, rendering of the auxiliary media is expected to react exactly as rendering of the video content. However, in case of a DASH event message implementation with HTML-based auxiliary media, the HTML-based auxiliary media will run separately from the video content, which leads to a lack of synchronicity as will now be explained with reference to FIG. 2.
FIG. 2 illustrates a scenario in which an animated banner overlay is scheduled to be rendered in a TV program assuming that "t" is the timeline for the TV program (media presentation time) and "t′" is the timeline for the animated banner overlay. For simplicity, the banner overlay is an HTML element containing animated content of a man walking linearly along the banner. At t=15 sec of video playout time ("media time"), the media client 30 receives an event message in file segment x. Once segment x is received, the media client 30 starts rendering the HTML element on top of the video content and the man starts walking from the left side of the banner towards the right side thereof (i.e., at t′=0 sec and t=15 sec). After 15 sec the man reaches the right side of the banner. Finally, the banner disappears at t=30 sec and t′=15 sec.
FIG. 3 illustrates a similar scenario as FIG. 2. Here, it is assumed that the media consumer decided to seek forward by 10 sec after the media client 30 has received segment x and rendering of the banner overlay has started from t′=0 sec. The expected behaviour is that the banner overlay is also seeking forward. That is, once the playout resumes after the seek forward, the walking man should appear at t′=10 seconds. However, the animation in the banner overlay is running with its own timing and, therefore, the animated man will keep walking linearly without being affected by the seek forward command. Such behaviour will cause the banner overlay to be out of synchronicity with the video content (i.e., the TV program).
A similar scenario occurs when the media consumer seeks forward outside the time boundary of the banner overlay. Assume that the media consumer seeks to t=40 sec. In a consistent scenario, the banner overlay should disappear. However, in the scenario illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the banner overlay will continue rendering.
Another scenario is shown in FIG. 4. The media consumer starts playout of the TV program at t=0 sec and seeks directly to t=20 sec. In this case the media client 30 misses the event message ingested in segment X and will therefore not render the banner overlay at all.

Technique for synchronizing rendering of video frames with rendering of auxiliary media


The present invention provides a process for producing a polycrystal silicon film which comprises a step of forming a polycrystal silicon film by light irradiation of a silicon film set on a substrate, and a step of selecting substrate samples having an average grain size in a plane of the sample of 500 nm or more. According to the present invention, stable production of a high-performance poly-silicon TFT liquid crystal display becomes possible.

The present invention relates to a process for producing a poly-silicon (hereinafter abbreviated as poly-Si) film for liquid crystals and semiconductor devices, and a method for inspecting the poly-silicon film.
The reason why a poly-silicon film is superior to an amorphous silicon (a-Si) film as the active layer of a thin film transistor (TFT) used as a driver element in a liquid crystal display is as follows: in the case of the poly-silicon film, since the mobility of a carrier (electrons in n channel or holes in p channel) is high, the cell size can be reduced, so that the precision and minuteness of the liquid crystal display can be enhanced. In addition, the formation of a conventional poly-Si TFT requires a high-temperature process at 1,000° C. or higher. On the other hand, a TFT having a high carrier mobility can be formed in a low-temperature process permitting employment of an inexpensive glass substrate, when there is adopted a low-temperature poly-silicon formation technique in which annealing of only a silicon layer with a laser does not make the temperature of the substrate high.
In this laser annealing, as shown in FIG. 13, an a-Si film formed on a glass substrate is scanned while being irradiated with light absorbable thereby, to make the whole a-Si film into a polycrystal, whereby a poly-Si film is obtained. As shown in FIG. 14, the poly-Si grain size varies with the surface density of irradiation energy (fluence) of a laser, so that the stability of the laser reflects on the grain size distribution of the poly-Si. The carrier mobility of the poly-Si film increases with an increase of the grain size. In order to attain high TFT characteristics with in-plane uniformity, it is necessary to make the grain size distribution uniform and maintain a large grain size. To attain the large grain size, employment of a fluence in the D region shown in FIG. 14 is sufficient. However, if the fluence shifts upward owing to the instability of the laser, or the like, the fluence enters a region shown as the E region in FIG. 14, i.e., a region where the poly-Si film contains micro crystals with a grain size of 200 nm or less. In this case, the carrier mobility is decreased, resulting in a faulty device. The grain size varies not only with the laser fluence but also with the nonuniformity of thickness of the a-Si film before the laser annealing. Therefore, in order to form the poly-Si film so that its grain size may always be in a definite range, the laser instability and the thickness change of the substrate have to be kept slight. For this purpose, control of the grain size is necessary. Accordingly, it becomes important to control the poly-Si grain size to keep it constant, by checking the poly-Si grain size and feeding back the check result to the laser annealing conditions.
As a method for the control, measuring the grain size itself of the poly-Si is the most reliable. The grain size has been measured by incorporating a sample for the check into an initial or intermediate production lot, or by randomly sampling a product and directly observing the grain size of a poly-Si film formed in a production process, by an electron microscope or a scanning tunnel microscope. As other prior arts, there are the following methods. Japanese Patent. Kokai No. 10-214869 discloses a method in which a poly-silicon film is evaluated on the basis of its transmittance. According to this method, the grain size cannot be estimated, though insufficient crystallization due to the insufficient fluence of laser beams can be monitored on the basis of the ratio between a-Si and a poly-Si by utilizing the difference in absorption coefficient between a-Si and the poly-Si. Japanese Patent Kokai No. 11-274078 discloses a method in which a poly-silicon film is evaluated on the basis of its surface gloss (reflectance). In this method, the change of the gloss with the poly-Si grain size is utilized and the gloss is considered to be minimal at an optimum poly-Si grain size. This optimum poly-Si grain size corresponds to a grain size at which the reflectance becomes minimal, namely, the surface roughness becomes maximal.


A system for managing vehicular traffic on a roadway includes a sensing unit positioned within a vehicle traveling on the roadway. The sensing unit is configured to determine occupancy data based on the number of passengers within the vehicle. An ambient light sensor is operatively associated with the sensing unit such that upon sensing an intensity of ambient light, an adjustment is made to the system to aid in the determination of occupancy data. The occupancy data is configured to be communicated to one or more receiving units positioned above or proximate the roadway.

Vehicular traffic on roadways continues to increase as populations increase and become more concentrated in certain areas, particularly urban locations. Many urban jurisdictions have constructed special lanes or implemented methods to reduce vehicle traffic and congestion. Among these, high occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes encourage higher occupancy within vehicles, thereby decreasing the number of vehicles on roads. HOV lanes traditionally have permitted access to segregated and less populated lanes by vehicles having a driver and at least one other passenger. Other methods for managing vehicular traffic include toll roads and car pool tax credits.
While extra-vehicular cameras have been implemented to assess tolls to vehicles on toll roads by automatically recognizing a license plate in a photograph of a vehicle as it passes a toll station, enforcement of occupancy requirements in HOV lanes has remained primarily a manual process performed by state and local law enforcement agencies. Unlike vehicle-identification systems that track owner information based on a vehicle's license plate, extra-vehicular camera-based systems are not able to easily determine the number of passengers in a vehicle due to multiple factors including glare and the inability to view some areas within the vehicle.


A drink stand is provided having a base portion that is designed to rest on the ground or other horizontal surface. A top portion is designed to be affixed to the base portion through a support rod. The top portion is surrounded by a continuous loop that includes stemware holders where a portion of the loop is bent inward to form an opening. The top portion includes a centrally located large vessel holder. Cup holders with a gap adapted to receive a handle are affixed between the loop and the large vessel holder. A support rod is included with the cup holder that has a bent floor portion that effectively forms a planar surface that supports the bottom of the cup.

This present disclosure relates to drink stands that are made to rest on a surface. The current art is populated with various devices that will either sit on the ground or be driven into the ground and provide a table or tray portion that can hold a drink. Many of these have moving parts, require assembly, are complicated, do not store in a compact fashion, or are simply not stable. Many are made with plastic that can crack or break and does not hold up to rough handling. Further, they do not provide any flexibility for various types of drinks, such as wine glasses, cans of soda, and cups that have handles. An improved drink holder is needed.


There is provided a gas analyzer apparatus including: a sample chamber which is equipped with a dielectric wall structure and into which only sample gas to be measured is introduced; a plasma generation mechanism that generates plasma inside the sample chamber, which has been depressurized, using an electric field and/or a magnetic field applied through the dielectric wall structure; and an analyzer unit that analyzes the sample gas via the generated plasma. By doing so, it is possible to provide a gas analyzer apparatus capable of accurately analyzing sample gases, even those including corrosive gas, over a long period of time.

Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2017-107816 discloses a technology relating to the provision of a filament for emitting thermions with a long working life, which improves the analysis accuracy of a mass spectrometer that uses such filament for emitting thermions. The cited reference discloses a filament for emitting thermions equipped with a core material through which an electric current flows and an electron emitting layer formed so as to cover the surface of the core material, where the electron emitting layer is sufficiently dense to effectively shut out gases.
In Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2016-27327, the sample holder in a glow discharge optical emission spectrometry (GD-OES) is provided with an electrode (second electrode) that has a sample fixing surface and an outer cylinder portion and an inner cylinder portion (contact portions) inside which the sample fixing surface is disposed. In a state where the sample has been moved away from the opening of a glow discharge tube, the open end of the inner cylinder portion is placed in contact with the peripheral edge of the opening. The inside of the glow discharge tube, the outer cylinder portion, and the inner cylinder portion that have become connected is depressurized, and then argon gas is supplied. After this, the inner cylinder portion is moved relative to the outer cylinder portion to bring the sample closer to the tip of the cylindrical portion (end portion) of the anode (first electrode) of the glow discharge tube, a refrigerant is caused to flow on a flow path (cooled portion) to cool the sample, and a voltage is applied to the electrodes so that analysis can be performed of the light emitted by glow discharge.


A solar-powered flag light designed to affix to a flagpole or flag stand and thereby illuminate the flag for easy viewing. The solar-powered flag light includes an elongated housing having an exterior surface and an interior surface. The elongated housing has an arcuate shape. A channel is on the interior surface along a central axis designed to receive a pole therein. A plurality of lights is along the interior surface and a plurality of solar cells are disposed along the exterior surface. At least one power source is within the housing and operably connected to the plurality of lights and the plurality of solar cells, such that the solar cells power the lights. In this way, a user is able to illuminate a flag, such that individuals may easily view the flag.

The present invention relates to lighted flags. More specifically, the invention provides an elongated housing having a channel along a central axis configured to fit overtop a flag pole or a flag stand with one or more clamps to secure and a plurality of lights on an interior surface and a plurality of solar cells configured to power the lights disposed on an exterior surface.
Many people enjoy hanging flags outside their home, garage, shed or other structure, on a straight or angled flagpole extending from their porch or on a garden pole to denote a specific country, state or sports team, or to display an ornamental, seasonal or holiday design. Additionally, a flag stand, such as a garden-style flag stand may be utilized to display the flag apart from a structure. However, when it gets dark or if the weather is overcast or foggy, it becomes difficult to view the details of the flag. Although a user could position a spotlight or floodlight at a base of the pole to illuminate the flag, this casts a shadow of a portion of the flag, thereby making it difficult to view both the front and the rear of the flag.
Furthermore, when traditional flag lights are utilized to provide light to a flag pole or flag stand, light is typically directed upward. In addition to being less effective, these methods also contribute to luminous pollution of light in the areas surrounding the flag pole or flag stand. Thus, an improved solar-powered flag light that can efficiently light a flag from both the front and the rear, while utilizing downward facing lights, is desired.


A multiple stage matched filter for a wireless receiver comprises a receiver configured to develop a received signal, the received signal comprising a bit stream of signal samples, and a multiple stage matched filter configured to parallel process the received signal such that multiple codes are analyzed simultaneously to determine a frequency offset and code location.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to frequency and code acquisition in a wireless portable communication device. More particularly, the invention relates to multiple simultaneous frequency and code acquisition in a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system.
2. Related Art
With the increasing availability of efficient, low cost electronic modules, mobile communication systems are becoming more and more widespread. For example, there are many variations of communication schemes in which various frequencies, transmission schemes, modulation techniques and communication protocols are used to provide two-way voice and data communications in a handheld, telephone-like communication handset. The different modulation and transmission schemes each have advantages and disadvantages.
Regardless of the type of communication system, a portable transceiver operating in a communication system must acquire a signal from a transmitter located at a base-station, so that the portable transceiver may synchronize, with respect to frequency and time (or code for a CDMA communication system), with the communication network. It is desirable to minimize the amount of time required for the portable transceiver to synchronize to the network. One of the main factors that influences the amount of time needed for synchronization is the accuracy of the frequency reference source in the portable transceiver. The frequency reference source is typically referred to as an "oscillator." If the frequency reference source is highly accurate, fewer frequencies must be searched to acquire the signal from the base station. For example, some transceivers use a temperature controlled crystal oscillator (TCXO) to derive the proper frequency reference signal. Generally, a TCXO is accurate to within a few parts per million (ppm), such that frequency acquisition time is minimized. For example, a frequency reference source that is accurate to within 2-3 ppm allows less frequency drift than a frequency reference source that is accurate to within 20 ppm.
Unfortunately, the accuracy of the oscillator is directly proportional to its cost. In other words, a highly accurate TCXO will cost significantly more than, for example, a capacitor controlled crystal oscillator (CCXO), which may have a frequency accurate to within, for example, 15-20 ppm.
With the continued drive in the industry toward reducing cost, it would be desirable to reduce the cost of the portable communication device by reducing the cost of the oscillator. For example, in a portable communication device, it would be desirable to use a CCXO instead of a TCXO as the frequency reference source. Unfortunately, because the CCXO is less accurate than other available frequency references sources, in some circumstances the frequency acquisition time of a portable communication device using a CCXO may exceed the allowable time.
In a 3G application for a system operating in the wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) communication system, a synchronization channel, or signal, referred to as the synchronization channel (SCH), is used for cell search and code acquisition. The SCH comprises two sub-channels, the primary SCH (PSCH) and the secondary SCH (SSCH). In WCDMA, a 10 millisecond (ms) radio frame for the PSCH and the SSCH is divided into 15 slots, each slot having a length of 2560 chips. A WCDMA radio frame is shown in Table 1.
The PSCH comprises a modulated code having a length of 256 chips and is referred to as the primary synchronization code (PSC), denoted as cp, and is transmitted once per slot. The PSC is the same for every cell in the WCDMA system.
TABLE 1
The SSCH comprises the repeated transmission of a sequence of codes having a length of 256 chips and is referred to as the secondary synchronization code (SSC). The SSC is referred to as csi,k where i=0, 1, . . . 63 is the number of the scrambling code group, and k=0, 1, . . . 14 is the slot number. The SSC is transmitted in parallel with the primary synchronization code (PSC) in the PSCH. Each SSC is chosen from a group of 16 different codes having a length of 256 chips. The SSC sequence on the SSCH indicates to which of the code groups the cell's downlink scrambling code belongs.
The primary and secondary synchronization codes are modulated by a symbol referred to "a." The symbol "a" indicates the presence or absence of space time transmit diversity (STTD) encoding on the primary common control physical channel (P-CCPCH) and is given by the following Table 2.
TABLE 2P-CCPCH STTD encodeda = +1P-CCPCH not STTD encodeda = −1
Regarding channel acquisition, including frequency and primary code (PSC) acquisition on the PSCH, if a large frequency error exists between a transmitter and receiver, the correlation of the 256 chips will suffer significant degradation. Because the PSC only transmits one symbol (256 chips in this example) in each slot, it typically must be averaged over many slots (for example, 60 slots) to be accurately decoded. In such a case, the frequency error causes the symbols in the received signal to drift. Furthermore, averaging the PSC over many slots causes significant performance degradation.
Therefore, it would be desirable to minimize the acquisition time of a portable communication device, while allowing the use of a low-cost frequency reference source.

Multiple simultaneous frequency and code acquisition for a code division multiple access (CDMA) communication system


Provided are ATP-binding cassette transporters (ABC transporters). More specifically, the present disclosure relates to ABC terpenoid transporters, nucleic acid sequences, amino acids, proteins, vectors, cells, transgenic organisms, uses, compositions, methods, processes, and kits thereof.

Pine trees and processed wood (lumber and logs) are colonized by ascomycete ophiostomatoid fungi that include pathogens and saprobes. To colonize conifers (e.g. lodgepole pine), including to survive and become established in a pine tree, fungi and their bark beetle vectors have to cope with the host's preformed and induced defense chemicals, which include terpenoid and phenolic compounds. It is an object herein to provide molecules that induce tolerance to such chemical defenses, and methods based thereon.

ABC terpenoid transporters and methods of using the same


Some embodiments herein disclose a network node (QQ160) for handling communication in a narrowband internet of things network or a machine type communication network. The network node is configured to transmit an indication to a user equipment, UE, (QQ110) while the UE (QQ110) is in a connected mode or is released from the connected mode, wherein the indication indicates an update of at least a part of a system information, SI, of a service area of the narrowband internet of things network or the machine type communication network.

Generally, all terms used herein are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the relevant technical field, unless a different meaning is clearly given and/or is implied from the context in which it is used. All references to a/an/the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc. are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any methods disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless a step is explicitly described as following or preceding another step and/or where it is implicit that a step must follow or precede another step. Any feature of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to any other embodiment, wherever appropriate. Likewise, any advantage of any of the embodiments may apply to any other embodiments, and vice versa. Other objectives, features and advantages of the enclosed embodiments will be apparent from the following description.
There has been a lot of work in 3GPP lately on specifying technologies to cover Machine-to-Machine (M2M) and/or Internet of Things (IoT) related use cases. Most recent work for 3GPP Release 13 and 14 includes enhancements to support Machine-Type Communications (MTC) with new UE categories (Cat-M1, Cat-M2), supporting reduced bandwidth of up to 6 physical resource blocks (PRBs), and Narrowband IoT (NB-IoT) UEs providing a new radio interface (and UE categories, Cat-NB1 and Cat-NB2).
We will refer to the LTE enhancements introduced in 3GPP Release 13, 14 and 15 for MTC as enhanced MTC "eMTC", including (not limiting) support for bandwidth limited UEs, Cat-M1, and support for coverage enhancements. This is to separate discussion from NB-IoT (notation here used for any Release), although the supported features are similar on a general level.
There are multiple differences between regular LTE and the procedures and channels defined for eMTC (likewise for NB-IoT). Some important differences include new physical channels, such as the physical downlink control channels, called MTC Physical Downlink Control Channel (MPDCCH) in eMTC and Narrowband Physical Downlink Control Channel (NPDCCH) in NB-IoT, and a new physical random access channel, Narrowband physical random access channel (NPRACH), for NB-IoT. For system information, SI, (both eMTC and NB-IoT) there is no dynamic scheduling of either SIB1-Bandwidth Reduced (BR)/SIB1-NB (scheduling information included in MIB/MIB-NB), or system information messages (fixed scheduling inside system information window provided in SIB1-BR/SIB1-NB). Both eMTC and NB-IoT support coverage enhancements and the UE may have to accumulate several repetitions of system information broadcast in order to be able to successfully decode it. This means that system information acquisition time will in practice be longer the worse coverage the UE is in. In order to combat this, more dense repetitions for some physical channels and system information was introduced in eMTC and NB-IoT Release 13. The drawback of this is an increase in system overhead, i.e. more radio resources are consumed by continuous ("always-on") control signaling broadcast. The system acquisition procedure is in general the same for eMTC and NB-IoT as for LTE; The UE first achieves downlink synchronization by reading Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS) and/or Secondary Synchronization signals (SSS), then it reads Master Information Block (MIB), then System Information Block 1 (SIB1), and last the SI-messages are acquired (each possibly containing multiple SIBs).
For eMTC and NB-IoT UEs, the system information (SI) is considered to be invalid 24 hours after it was successfully considered to be valid. For "normal" UEs the system information is considered to be invalid after 3 hours. It is also possible to configure eMTC to use the 3 hours validity range by using parameter si-ValidityTime [TS 36.331].
During Release 14 some problems related to long system information acquisition time were identified by working group RAN4. Reducing the system acquisition time is also one of the agreed work item objectives for Release 15, which is common to both eMTC and NB-IoT:
Improved latency:                Reduced system acquisition time [RAN1 lead, RAN2, RAN4]                    Improved cell search and/or system information (including MIB and SIB1-BR) acquisition performance
Reduced system acquisition time [RAN1 lead, RAN2, RAN4]                Improved cell search and/or system information (at least MIB-NB) acquisition performance, for all operation modes
This is a fairly broad Work Item (WI)-objective description and any improvement for reducing to time spent to read SI, and hence reducing UE power consumption, can be included in this WI-objective, e.g., reduced acquisition time upon system information update.
System information change can be indicated to UEs by using Paging message, according to TS 36.331 v.13.0.0 section 220.127.116.11:
When the network changes (some of the) system information, it first notifies the UEs about this change, i.e. this may be done throughout a modification period. In the next modification period, the network transmits the updated system information. These general principles are illustrated in figure 184.108.40.206-1, in which different colours indicate different system information. Upon receiving a change notification, the UE not configured to use a DRX cycle that is longer than the modification period acquires the new system information immediately from the start of the next modification period. Upon receiving a change notification applicable to eDRX, a UE in RRC_IDLE configured to use a DRX cycle that is longer than the modification period acquires the updated system information immediately from the start of the next eDRX acquisition period. The UE applies the previously acquired system information until the UE acquires the new system information. The possible boundaries of modification for SystemInformationBlockType1-BR are defined by SFN values for which SFN mod 512=0 except for notification of ETWS/CMAS for which the eNB may change SystemInformationBlockType1-BR content at any time. For NB-IoT, the possible boundaries of modification for SystemInformationBlockType1-NB are defined by SFN values for which (H-SFN*1024+SFN) mod 4096=0.
The Paging message is used to inform UEs in RRC_IDLE and UEs in RRC_CONNECTED about a system information change. If the UE is in RRC_CONNECTED or is not configured to use a DRX cycle longer than the modification period in RRC_IDLE, and receives a Paging message including the systemInfoModification, it knows that the system information will change at the next modification period boundary. A UE in RRC_IDLE that is configured to use a DRX cycle longer than the modification period, and receives in an eDRX acquisition period at least one Paging message including the systemInfoModification-eDRX, shall acquire the updated system information at the next eDRX acquisition period boundary. Although the UE may be informed about changes in system information, no further details are provided e.g. regarding which system information will change, except if systemInfoValueTagSI is received by BL UEs or UEs in CE.
However, unlike for legacy LTE, eMTC and NB-IoT UEs do not have to monitor for SI change in RRC Connected:
In RRC_CONNECTED, BL UEs or UEs in CE or NB-IoT UEs are not required to acquire system information except when T311 is running or upon handover where the UE is only required to acquire the MasterInformationBlock in the target PCell. In RRC_IDLE, E-UTRAN may notify BL UEs or UEs in CE or NB-IoT UEs about SI update, and except for NB-IoT, ETWS and CMAS notification and EAB modification, using Direct Indication information, as specified in 6.6 (or 6.7.5 in NB-IoT) and TS 36.212 [22]. It should be noted that upon system information change for BL UEs, UEs in CE, or NB-IoT UEs in RRC_CONNECTED, E-UTRAN may initiate connection release.
Thus, UEs may not have the latest SI resulting in a reduced or limited performance in the wireless network.

Network node, user equipment (UE) and methods for handling communication in a narrowband internet of things (NB-IoT) or machine type communication (MTC) network


A method is presented to produce a change in the optical path length in the gap between two single mode optical fibers proportional to the lateral displacement of either fiber end normal to its axis. This is done with the use of refraction or diffraction at the interface between a guiding and non-guiding media to change the direction of propagation of the light in the gap. A method is also presented for laying a waveguide on a cantilever so that the displacement of the tip of the cantilever produces a proportional path length change in the gap by distancing the waveguide from the neutral axis of the cantilever. The fiber is supported as a cantilever or a waveguide is deposited on a micromachined cantilever and incorporated in an interferometer which is made totally on a silicon substrate with the use of integrated-optic technology. A resonant element in the form of a micro-bridge is incorporated in the ridge waveguide and produces a frequency output which is readily digitizeable and immune to laser frequency noise. Finally, monolithic mechanical means for phase modulation are provided on the same sensor substrate. This is done by vibrating the cantilever or micro-bridge either electrically or optically.

Optical sensors have clear advantages namely sensitivity; accuracy; wide dynamic range; and the inherent immunity to thermal and electromagnetic disturbances. Fiber-optic sensors offer the advantage of compactness.
Fiber-optic sensors may be classified in two major categories: intrinsic, where the measured parameter interacts with the guided light inside the fiber; and extrinsic where the measured parameter interacts with the light outside the fiber. In extrinsic sensors the fiber or waveguide is used only to guide light to the location of the interaction.
In intrinsic sensors long loops of fiber (up to a few hundred meters for hydrophones) are needed to accumulate appreciable signal because sensitivity of optical characteristics of the fiber to a measured parameter is small. However, such long fiber cables become more sensitive to parameters other than the one being sensed. Fiber optic hydrophones which are used for sensing sound transmitted through water, for example, are more susceptible to random fluctuations in temperature along the fiber than to pressure variations. Further, the optical fiber supports two orthogonal modes of polarization. This creates mode hopping, i.e. the state of polarization of the output fluctuates in a long fiber and introduces extraneous noise. Also performance of intrinsic sensors is critically dependent on opto-mechanical properties of the fiber which may vary from batch to batch or over time, thus requiring frequent calibration.
Extrinsic sensors, on the other hand, do not rely on the length or properties of the fiber to amplify the signal and are therefore more compact, reliable, and less susceptible to outside disturbance. Further, volume between fibers in an extrinsic sensor can be reduced tremendously to produce true point sensors, desirable in situations where the field to be measured varies appreciably along the length of a transducer.
Fiber optic sensors can be further classified as interference or intensity types depending on the property of light modulated by interaction with the measured parameter. Interference is a phenomenon where the superposition of two or more waves creates a change or redistribution in the intensity of the light which is related to the relative phase difference between the waves. The phase change is caused by the parameter which we desire to measure. Thus the parameter can be inferred from the phase measurement. Phase modulation by interference is more accurate and sensitive than intensity modulation because the path length change is referenced to the wavelength of light. Interference sensors have better performance and wider dynamic range than intensity sensors because of the elaborate feedback schemes commonly used in conjunction with phase modulation.
Interferometric sensors employ single mode fibers or waveguides where the core diameter is of the order of a few wavelengths (5-10 microns), while intensity type sensors use multimode fibers whose core is up to 100 microns in diameter. In extrinsic sensors light must reenter a fiber after interaction with the parameter to be measured. This is very difficult to do with a single mode fiber because of tight alignment tolerances that must be observed. This explains in part why most optical fiber sensor development in the last one and a half decades since its inception have been either intrinsic interferometric or extrinsic intensity type sensors. Two authors who have written extensive surveys on fiber optics sensors: D. H. McMahon in "Fiber-Optic Transducers," IEEE Spectrum, December 1981, pages 24 and 26; and W. B. Spillman in "Multimode fiber-optic hydrophone based on a schlieren technique," Applied Optics, February 1981, page 465, assert that single mode (interference) sensors are mostly intrinsic whereas multimode (intensity) type sensors are usually extrinsic. No mention is made of extrinsic interferometric sensors. U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,384 discloses an extrinsic fiber-optic acoustic sensor where coupling mechanism across air gap between two multimode fibers depends on frustrated total internal reflection which is an intensity rather than interference effect. Also U.S. Pat. No. 4,293,188 discloses an extrinsic fiber-optic displacement sensor with a gap between two multimode fibers effecting intensity modulation. It uses cylindrical GRIN lenses at fiber ends centered on fiber axis. A variation uses diffraction gratings on facets of fiber ends to shadow parts of light beam and produce intensity modulation. Lack of progress based on extrinsic interferometric principles is in part due to lack of transduction techniques to convert small displacements into proportional phase changes.
In an extrinsic sensor light is ejected from the end of a fiber or waveguide and reflected off an external mirror either into the same or another fiber. Between the two fiber ends light is unguided, and it may or may not be collimated. A displacement sensor measures motion of external mirror relative to the rest of the interferometer as affected by environmental excitations such as acceleration, displacement or acoustic signal. Motion of the mirror alters the path length of the light and produces phase modulation in the interferometer. If the sensor measures displacement or proximity of a nearby object then the mirror is detached from the rest of the interferometer and affixed to the moving body. For example the Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) has a tiny mirror attached to the tip of a miniature cantilever beam which is made to track the surface topography of a sample down to subatomic resolution. If a sensor measures acceleration or vibration, the mirror is mounted on a flexible element such as a thin diaphragm or a cantilever beam and the whole interferometer is attached to the vibrating body. Mirror displacement can also result from subjecting the interferometer to an acoustic signal as in hydrophones. D. A. Jackson, et al. describes a "high sensitivity fiber-optic accelerometer" having a spherical mirror mounted on a thin flexible diaphragm in Optics Letters, Feb. 15, 1989, page 251.
Extrinsic interferometric displacement sensors currently available require an external mirror which is mounted on a cantilever beam or a diaphragm. This adds bulk and expense to system because the cantilever must be fabricated separately, mirrored and then attached to the interferometer. Miniaturization is desired in order to take full advantage of batch fabrication techniques which are well established in microelectronic and integrated-optic industries, where a whole sensor or interferometer is fabricated in a few steps on a semiconductor substrate. Thus, configurations currently used requiring addition of an external cantilever beam do not lend themselves to miniaturization.
In the scanning AFM a sharp stylus on the tip of a microfabricated cantilever is made to track surface topography of a sample as the sample is scanned in its own plane. Interferometry has been used for the measurement of cantilever deflection. A single mode optical fiber is brought within a few microns of the cantilever tip as described by D. Rugar et al in "Improved fiber-optic interferometer for atomic force microscopy," Applied Physics Letters, Dec. 18, 1989, page 2588. This is necessary to reduce acoustic noise generated in the air gap and the effect of light source frequency fluctuations since a resolution of 0.1 Angstrom is required. This configuration which utilizes an external mirror in the design of the AFM presents a few problems. Precise positioning of the fiber over the cantilever is a major alignment problem in any extrinsic interferometer. Another problem which arises in conjunction with the AFM is scanning large samples. Since the scanning range of a sample is limited it is often desirable to scan the cantilever along with its optical interrogation system, that is the interferometer instead of the sample. This is a particular problem with bulky optical systems which utilize heavy focusing lenses and laser sources, but also with fiber-optic systems in which the fiber is directed normal to the plane of the cantilever.
One solution to these problems is to lay the fiber or waveguide on top of the cantilever. Fiber cantilevers have been proposed for the extrinsic measurement of displacement. Sometimes the fiber was strapped onto a thin cantilever or a thin film waveguide was deposited on a microfabricated cantilever. However, all these sensors have been of the intensity modulation type because the fiber or waveguide is aligned with the neutral axis of the cantilever. This is certainly true when the fiber itself is used as the cantilever. In the other instances a microfabricated cantilever is thin enough so that the fiber is substantially aligned with the neutral axis. It is known that a neutral axis moves only transversely to itself under cantilever flexure. It has remained a problem, however, to transduce a path length or phase change proportional to this lateral displacement. This explains why most extrinsic sensors have been of the intensity type. Proportionality is important to simplify signal processing and to obtain a sizable signal in the case of small displacements.

Interferometric fiber optic displacement sensor