A liquid crystal material and a liquid crystal display panel includes a liquid crystal material including liquid crystal molecules, a polymerizable monomer, and an auxiliary alignment agent. A structural formula of the auxiliary alignment agent is:

With development of display technology, liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and other display panel devices have advantages, such as high image quality, power saving, thin body, and widely used, for wide applications in mobile phones, televisions, personal digital assistants, digital cameras, notebook computers, desktop computers, and other consumer electronics products, and have become mainstream in display devices.
Most liquid crystal display devices on the current market are backlit liquid crystal displays, which comprise liquid crystal display panels and backlight modules (BM). A working principle of the liquid crystal display panel is to dispose liquid crystal molecules between two parallel glass substrates. There are many vertical and horizontal small wires between the two parallel glass substrates. The liquid crystal molecules are controlled to change direction by energizing or not energizing for refracting light of the backlight module to generate a picture.
Thin film material layers are disposed on a CF substrate and a TFT substrate of a liquid crystal display, respectively. Its main function is to align the liquid crystal molecules in a certain direction. We call it an alignment film (usually polyimide (PI) material). The alignment film mainly includes a frictional alignment PI material and a photo-alignment PI material. However, each kind of alignment material has its own disadvantages. First of all, friction alignment can easily cause dust particles, static electricity residue, brush marks and other problems, thereby reducing process yield. Photo-alignment materials can avoid these problems. However, due to limited material properties, poor heat resistance and aging resistance, and an ability to anchor LC molecules simultaneously is weak, and quality of a panel is affected. Secondly, PI material itself has high polarity and high water absorption, storage and transportation of the PI material are prone to spoilage resulting in uneven alignment, and the PI material is expensive. A process of film formation of the PI material on TFT-LCD is also more complicated, resulting in increased panel costs.
Therefore, there are some small-molecule additive materials that can replace the PI materials. It mainly includes alkyl chain-containing silanes, cage-type silsesquioxanes, alkyl chain-containing alcohols, and the like. These small-molecule additive materials mainly rely on their own polar groups to adsorb on a surface of a substrate, so that the liquid crystal molecules can be vertically oriented. A liquid crystal material containing the additive material is called a self-aligned liquid crystal material.
Applying this material to TFT-LCD panels often has problems, such as LCD panel topography surface difference. A main reason is that a surface structure of the TFT-LCD panel is a "*" slit pattern. An area where a pixel electrode is located is divided into an area covered by an ITO pixel electrode and an area not covered by the ITO pixel electrode, while the area not covered by ITO pixel electrode is mainly a passivation layer. The passivation layer is generally comprises a inorganic material silicon nitride and an organic material insulating film PFA (Polymer Film on Array). When a PI alignment layer is not applied, and the additive material is adsorbed on the surface of the substrate for alignment, due to the weak interaction between the additive material and the SiNx/PFA, a difference in an acting force between an auxiliary alignment agent and the surface of the substrate leads to poor alignment. It is easy to cause drawbacks, such as dark lines or bright lines, after a voltage is applied.
Thus, it is necessary to improve the additive material so as to improve a function of anchoring the substrate, and solve the problems of alignment force difference, the drawbacks of the bright lines and the dark lines due to pixel electrode differences, thereby achieving uniform alignment.

Liquid crystal material and liquid crystal display panel

Abstract: The A group includes at least one oxygen atom, at least one nitrogen atom, or at least one oxygen atom and at least one nitrogen atom, the Sp group essentially is a —(CH2)n— group, the Z group is selected from:

Abstract: and any combination thereof, the R group is a straight or branched first alkyl group containing 5 to 20 carbon atoms, and the L group is selected from:

Abstract: and any combination thereof.

SHENZHEN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS SEMICONDUCTOR DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


An improved float valve according to the present invention includes a packer 10 for positioning within a joint of the casing C while at the surface of the well, the packer including a float valve receptacle therein for at least partially receiving a float valve. The float valve body includes a valve seat 56 and a valve member 54 is positioned for selective engagement and disengagement with the valve seat. A guide nose 58 may be optionally provided for positioning within the casing joint between the valve body and the pin end of the casing joint. The float valve body may be reliably fixed and sealed to the packer body. After the packer setting operation, the casing joint and the packer and the float valve may then be positioned as an assembly within the well.

The present invention relates to float valves of the type commonly used in hydrocarbon recovery operations when conducting cementing operations. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved float valve which may be reliably secured inside a tubular irrespective of the type of threads on the end of the tubular casing grade, and casing weight. This invention includes an improved method of reliably securing the float valve inside a tubular.
Those familiar with hydrocarbon recovery operations appreciate the importance of reliably cementing the well casing within the hole. It is thus common practice within the cementing operations to install one or more float valves in the lower portion of the casing string. These float valves may be in the form of a float shoe or a float collar, and typically consist of a float valve housed within a steel casing which in turn becomes an integral portion of the casing string, i.e., the float valve housing is threaded between two joints of casing. The float valve is preferably fixed into the steel housing with a special blend of cement which subsequently facilitates drilling out the float valve.
Float shoes and float collars are thus commonly stocked by service companies in popular casing sizes, weights, and casing threads, which are conventionally either API 8-round or Buttress. A partially composite material or plastic material float valve body according to the prior art was thus conventionally secured to the steel housing with threads at both ends of the steel housing, with the float valve body being secured by a cement liner provided when the poured cement is cured to secure the float valve body to the steel housing. When the customer, typically an oil company, elects to use well casing that employs a non-API casing thread, special pieces of floating equipment may have to be custom built to match the casing size, weight, grade, and thread profile. In addition, if a stage cementing job is to be performed, additional float equipment commonly in the form of a baffle adapter must be supplied which is compatible with the particular casing string being used. These requirements interject significant expense in the cost of the well program and require pre-planning on the part of both the customer and the vendor of the float equipment to insure that the required equipment will be available when needed.
Prior art float valves are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,997,009 and 5,379,835. The Baker Line Model F Drill Pipe Float Valve is disclosed in Technical Manual Number 480-13. Valves and sealing assemblies commonly used in cementing operations are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,624,316 and 5,450,903.
The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome by the present invention. An improved float valve and technique for securing the float valve within the interior of a casing string is hereinafter disclosed. The float valve and technique of the present invention provide a universal float valve which may be used on a particular range of casing sizes and weights without regard to the casing thread type and pipe grade. The present invention provides a float valve with improved drill-out capability, high reliability, and reduced equipment inventory and rig-time costs compared to prior art equipment and techniques. The disadvantages of the prior art are thus overcome by the invention as described subsequently.
In a preferred embodiment, the basic components of the system include a modified composite packer, a plug seat, a float valve, and an optional guide nose. According to the method of the present invention, the drillable composite packer may be inserted into a joint of casing at the surface and then set utilizing a hydraulic setting tool. Once set, the setting mandrel and upper shoe may be retrieved from the joint of the casing, and the cannister type float valve then inserted into the receiving cavity of the body of the set packer. The float valve may be retained within the set packer by various conventional mechanisms including glue, a lock-ring, or threads. A hydraulic seal between the float valve body and the set packer may be effected by a glue joint and/or elastomeric seals. If the tool is to be used as a float shoe, a suitable composite nose piece with a desired shoe profile may be inserted into the pin end of the casing.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved float valve and a method of securing the float valve within a casing joint, wherein the float valve body may be reliably secured within a casing joint within manageable variations in the internal bore diameter of the casing joint, but also without regard to the threads at the ends of the casing joint being used. It is another object of the present invention to provide improved method of securing a float valve within a casing joint at the surface. The method offers the benefits of saving valuable rig time. The present invention may also eliminate the need to fixedly cement the float valve within the casing string.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide an improved float valve which is easily drillable after the cementing operation, utilizing a conventional PDC drill bit. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a float valve which may be used as either a float collar or a float shoe (with the addition of a nose profile), depending upon the desires of the operator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tool which replaces both conventional and specialized floating equipment and baffle adapter pieces. A single tool according to the invention is compatible for use in a range of oilfield casing sizes, irrespective of the weight, grade, or casing thread within the permissible size range of the given tool.
It is a feature of the invention that the universal aspects of this float valve significantly reduce inventory and the need to maintain stocks of equipment and drawings to support the myriad of possible casing threads, casing grades and weights, and combinations for each of the various casing sizes.
It is a further feature of the present invention that the components of the float valve preferably are formed of composite materials and little if any aluminum components are used, thereby enhancing the drillability of the float valve.
It is a further feature of the invention that the float valve has enhanced reliability by utilizing proven packer technology and reducing concerns about float body cement fracturing due to over-pressure.
It is a further feature that the method of the present invention streamlines manufacturing operations by eliminating the need to pour float body cement and maintain quality control on the cement product.
A significant advantage of the present invention is the high cost savings attained by using universal downhole equipment rather than equipment which inherently must be configured to threadably mate with the threads of the various weights and thread profiles of the different casing strings.
These and further objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, wherein reference is made to the figures in the accompanying drawings.


Systems and methods for generating a furnishing plan for a property are disclosed. An exemplary system includes a communication interface configured to receive a floor plan of the property and a neural network model. The system further includes at least one processor configured to obtain structural data of the property based on the floor plan and learn furnishing information by applying the neural network model to the floor plan and the structural data. The furnishing information identifies one or more furnishing objects, positions of the respective furnishing objects placed in the floor plan, and dimensions of the respective furnishing objects. The at least one processor is also configured to generate the furnishing plan for the property based on the furnishing information.

Property owners may need assistance with interior design at various occasions, such as, when they would like to remodel a space, refurnish a space, or stage a space before putting the property on the market. One challenge with interior design has been imposed by the difficulty to access how the design plan may adapt to the actual space before the plan is executed. For example, when a person is browsing online to search for a piece of furniture for his living room, while the furniture may be well depicted with multiple images or videos, the user could not visualize how it may fit into his living room. It is usually not clear to the property owner until the piece of furniture is purchased and placed into the living room that the dimensions of the piece may not fit or the style of the piece does not match with other decorations in the room.
In addition to furnishing, interior remodeling also requires the remodeling plan to adapt to the actual floor plan. For example, the remodeling design should take into consideration such as the size of the space, the layout, intended function of the space, and furnishing preferences, etc. Sometimes, during a kitchen remodeling project, it is hard for the property owner to decide whether to knock off a wall to reduce it to a half wall, let alone how to make it happen.
Therefore, interior designing can greatly benefit from intelligently generated design plans (e.g., remodeling plans or furnishing plans) and the ability to visualize the design in the actual space before the design will be implemented in that space. To address these needs, embodiments of the disclosure provide artificial intelligence systems and methods for generating interior design plans (e.g., remodeling and/or furnishing plans) and visualization of such interior design.

Artificial intelligence systems and methods for interior design


Video processing methods comprise receiving input data of a current block, checking whether the current block is a root block by considering one or more predefined criteria, applying a mode constraint, a chroma split constraint, or both the mode and chroma split constraints to the current block if the current block is set to be a root block, and encoding or decoding the current block. The mode constraint restricts all blocks split from the current block to be processed by a same prediction mode and the chroma split constraints prohibits chroma components of the current block to be further partitioned while allowing a luma component of the current block to be partitioned into smaller blocks.

The High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standard is the latest video coding standard developed by the Joint Collaborative Team on Video Coding (JCT-VC)) group of video coding experts from ITU-T Study Group. The HEVC standard relies on a block-based coding structure which divides each slice into multiple Coding Tree Units (CTUs). A coded picture is represented by one or a collection of slices, each slice includes an integer number of CTUs. The individual CTUs in a slice are processed according to a raster scanning order. In the HEVC main profile, minimum and maximum sizes of a CTU are specified by syntax elements in the Sequence Parameter Set (SPS) among the sizes of 8×8, 16×16, 32×32, and 64×64. Sample values of each block in a Bi-predictive (B) slice are decoded using intra picture prediction or inter picture prediction using at most two motion vectors and reference indices. Sample values of each block in a Predictive (P) slice is decoded using intra picture prediction or inter picture prediction using only one motion vector and reference index. An Intra (I) slice is decoded using intra picture prediction only. Each CTU is further recursively divided into one or more Coding Units (CUs) according to a quadtree (QT) splitting process to adapt to various local motion and texture characteristics. An example of the quadtree block partitioning structure for splitting a CTU into multiple CUs is illustrated in FIG. 1, where solid lines indicate CU boundaries in CTU 100. Each CTU is either a single CU or split into four smaller units of equal size, which are nodes of a coding tree. If a node is not further split, it is a leaf node of the coding tree, and each leaf node is a CU. The quadtree splitting process can be iterated until the size of a node reaches a minimum allowed CU size specified in the SPS.
The prediction decision is made at the CU level, where each CU is either coded by inter picture (temporal) prediction or intra picture (spatial) prediction. Since the minimum CU size can be 8×8, the minimum granularity for switching different basic prediction type is 8×8. Once the splitting of CU hierarchical tree is done, each CU is subject to further split into one or more Prediction Units (PUs) according to a PU partition type for prediction. FIG. 2 shows eight PU partition types defined in the HEVC standard. Each CU is split into one, two, or four PUs according to one of the eight PU partition types shown in FIG. 2. The PU, together with the associated CU syntax, works as a basic representative block for sharing the prediction information as the same prediction process is applied to all pixels in the PU and prediction relevant information is conveying to the decoder on a PU basis. A specified prediction process is employed to predict the values of associated pixel samples inside the PU. After obtaining a residual signal generated by the prediction process, residual data of the residual signal belong to a CU is split into one or more Transform Units (TUs) according to a Residual QuadTree (RQT) block partitioning structure for transforming the residual data into transform coefficients for compact data representation. Dashed lines in FIG. 1 indicate TU boundaries. A TU is a basic representative block for applying transform and quantization on the residual signal and transform coefficients respectively. For each TU, a transform matrix having the same size as the TU is applied to the residual signal to generate the transform coefficients, and these transform coefficients are quantized and conveyed to the decoder on a TU basis. A transform unit is composed of a Transform Block (TB) of luma samples of size 8×8, 16×16, or 32×32, and two corresponding transform blocks of chroma samples in a picture coded according to a 4:2:0 color format. An integer transform is applied to a transform block and the level values of the quantized coefficients together with the other side information are entropy coded in the video bitstream.
The terms Coding Tree Block (CTB), Coding block (CB), Prediction Block (PB), and Transform Block (TB) are defined to specify two-dimensional sample array of one color component associated with the CTU, CU, PU, and TU respectively. For example, a CTU consists of one luminance (luma) CTB, two chrominance (chroma) CTBs, and its associated syntax elements. In the HEVC system, the same quadtree block partitioning structure is generally applied to both luma and chroma components unless a minimum size for chroma block is reached.
Binary-tree (BT) splitting structure is an alternative structure to the quadtree splitting structure which recursively divides a block into two smaller blocks. The most efficient and simplest binary tree splitting types are symmetric horizontal and symmetric vertical splitting types. For a given block of size M×N, a flag is signaled to indicate whether this block is split into two smaller blocks, if true, another syntax element is signaled to indicate which splitting type is used. In a case when the given block is partitioned by the symmetric horizontal splitting type, the given block is split into two blocks of size M×N/2, otherwise, the given block is split into two blocks of size M/2×N. The binary tree splitting process can be iterated until the size, width, or height of a block reaches a minimum allowed block size, width, or height defined in a high level syntax element. Both the minimum allowed block width and height are specified as there are horizontal and vertical splitting types in the binary tree splitting process. The horizontal splitting type is implicitly prohibited when the splitting results in a block height smaller than the specified minimum height. Similarly, the vertical splitting type is implicitly prohibited when the splitting results in a block width smaller than the specified minimum width. The binary tree structure can be used to partition a block into multiple smaller blocks, for example, it can be used to partition a slice into CTUs, a CTU into CUs, a CU into PUs, or a CU into TUs.
The binary tree structure is more flexible than the quadtree structure as more partition shapes can be supported, which is also a source of coding efficiency improvement. However, the encoding complexity is also increased as the encoder needs to determine a best partition shape from variety of partition shapes. A new splitting structure called QuadTree plus Binary Tree (QTBT) structure balances the coding efficiency and the coding complexity of the quadtree splitting structure and the binary tree splitting structure. An exemplary QTBT structure is shown in FIG. 3A, where a CTU is firstly partitioned by a quadtree structure then a binary tree splitting structure. The CUs can be recursively partitioned by quadtree splitting until a current CU size reaches a minimum allowed quadtree leaf node size. Each leaf quadtree block may be partitioned by binary tree splitting if the leaf quadtree block size is not larger than a maximum allowed binary tree root node size. The binary-tree splitting may be recursively applied until the current CU size, width, or height reaches a minimum allowed binary tree leaf node size, width, or height or the binary tree depth reaches a maximum allowed binary tree depth. Only horizontal symmetrical splitting and vertical symmetrical splitting are the two allowed binary tree splitting types in QTBT splitting. The resulting leaf CUs from QTBT splitting may be employed for prediction and transform processing without any further partitioning. FIG. 3A illustrates an example of block partitioning structure according to the QTBT splitting structure and FIG. 3B illustrates a corresponding coding tree diagram for the QTBT splitting structure shown in FIG. 3A. Solid lines in FIGS. 3A and 3B indicate quadtree splitting while dashed lines indicate binary tree splitting. In each splitting node (i.e., non-leaf) of the binary-tree structure, one flag indicates which splitting type is used, 0 indicates horizontal symmetrical splitting and 1 indicates vertical symmetrical splitting. For CTUs coded in I-type slices, the QTBT coding tree representation for chroma CTBs may be different from the QTBT coding tree representation for a corresponding luma CTB. For CTUs coded in P-type and B-type slice, the same QTBT coding tree representation is applied to both chroma CTBs and luma CTB except when a certain minimum size is reached for a chroma block. In the QTBT splitting structure, the minimum allowed quadtree leaf node size, the maximum allowed binary tree root node size, the minimum allowed binary tree leaf node width and height, and the maximum allowed binary tree depth and height are indicated in the high level syntax such as in the SPS.
The QTBT splitting structure can be used for partitioning a block into multiple smaller blocks, for example, the QTBT splitting structure is used to partition a CTU into CUs, and the CUs are further processed by prediction and transform coding. In other words, a leaf node f the QTBT splitting structure is a basic unit for both prediction and transform coding. In one example, a size of a CTU is 128×128, a minimum allowed quadtree leaf node size is 16×16, a maximum allowed binary tree root node size is 64×64, minimum allowed binary tree leaf node width and height are both 4, and a maximum allowed binary tree depth is 4. Each CTU is partitioned by a quadtree splitting structure in this example, so a leaf quadtree unit may have a size ranging from 16×16, the minimum allowed quadtree leaf node size, to 128×128, the size of the CTU. If a leaf quadtree unit is 128×128, it cannot be further split by binary tree splitting since the size of the leaf quadtree unit exceeds the maximum allowed binary tree root node size 64×64; otherwise, the leaf quadtree unit with a size less than or equal to 64×64 can be further split by binary tree splitting. When splitting a leaf quadtree unit by binary tree splitting, this leaf quadtree unit is also the root binary tree unit, which has a binary tree depth equal to 0. When the binary tree depth reaches 4, the specified maximum depth, splitting is implicitly prohibited. Similarly, when a width or height of a binary tree node equal to 4, horizontal or vertical splitting is implicitly prohibited, respectively. The leaf nodes of the QTBT splitting structure are further processed by prediction and transform coding.
Intra prediction has been widely adopted in various image and video coding standard to process an initial picture or to periodically insert I-picture or I-blocks for random access or for alleviation of error propagation. Intra prediction is designed to exploit spatial features in the picture such as smooth area, vertical line or edge, horizontal line or edge, and diagonal line or edge within a picture or within a picture region. Intra prediction is also useful for regions with high motion or scene changes. For a block-based video coding standard, intra prediction for a current block is relied upon samples in neighboring blocks that have been processed. For example, if blocks in a picture or picture region are sequentially processed row by row from top to bottom and from left to right, neighboring blocks on the top and neighboring blocks on the left of the current block can be used to form an intra predictor for predicting samples in the current block.
Inter prediction, including Inter mode, Merge mode, and Skip mode, is designed to exploit temporal correlations between a current picture and one or more reference pictures. A motion vector is used to represent a displacement between a current block in a current picture and a corresponding reference block in a reference picture. A technique called Intra Block Copy (IBC) is very effective to encode screen contents by searching a similar pattern in the current picture. It is similar to the block matching process in inter prediction, a Block Vector (BV) is used to represent a displacement between a current block and a corresponding reference block in the current picture. The corresponding reference block is a previously reconstructed block within the same picture as the current block.

Method and apparatus of encoding or decoding video blocks with constraints during block partitioning


A staple-driving gun includes a gun body having a hollow housing configured with first and second air chambers separated by a partition, and a staple-discharging member mounted on the housing. A piston unit includes an operating member connected fixedly to a sleeve disposed movably in the first air chamber, and a piston rod disposed movably in the sleeve. The operating member is operable so as to move a valve end portion of the sleeve away from the partition such that compressed air flowing from the first air chamber into the second air chamber via a valve hole in the partition urges the piston rod to move toward the staple-discharging member for staple discharging. A biasing member biases the sleeve to a standby position, where the valve end portion of the sleeve seals the valve hole in the partition.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a staple-driving gun, more particularly to a staple-driving gun with safety protection.
2. Description of the Related Art
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional staple-driving gun is shown to include a gun body 1, a staple cartridge 3 and a piston unit 2.
The gun body 1 includes a handle 102, a staple-discharging member 103 formed with a staple-discharging hole 1032 that extends along an axis, and a hollow housing 101 connected fixedly to the handle 102 and having a first open end 1011, and a second open end 1012 opposite to the first open end 1011 along the axis and connected to the staple-discharging member 103. The housing 101 is configured with an inner surface that is divided into first and second air chambers 105, 106 by a partition 104 that is disposed fixedly in the housing 101 and that is formed with a valve hole 104′. The housing 101 is formed with an air inlet 109 in spatial communication with the first air chamber 105 for permitting compressed air to be fed into the first air chamber 105 therethrough.
The staple cartridge 3 is attached fixedly to the staple-discharging member 103, and is capable of receiving a row of staples (not shown) so as to feed the staples into the staple-discharging hole 1032 in the staple-discharging member 103 one at a time.
The piston unit 20 includes: a sleeve 201 disposed in the first air chamber 15, and having a coupling end portion 205 disposed movably in the first open end 1011 of the housing 101, and an enlarged valve end portion 207 disposed movably in the second air chamber 106 and having an outer diameter larger than a diameter of the valve hole 104′ in the partition 104; an operating member 206 connected fixedly to the coupling end portion 205 of the sleeve 201, disposed outwardly of the housing 101, and movable along the axis; and a piston rod 202 disposed movably in the sleeve 202 and having a diameter-increased first piston end 2021 that is in slidable and sealing contact with the sleeve 201, and a second piston end 2022 opposite to the first piston end 2021 along the axis, extending outwardly of the sleeve 201, and disposed movably and sealingly in the second air chamber 106. The second piston end 2022 of the piston rod 202 has a fixed staple-striking piece 204 that extends along the axis into the staple-discharging hole 1032 in the staple-discharging member 103.
The operating member 206 is operable so as to move the sleeve 201 from a standby position, where the valve end portion 207 of the sleeve 201 is in sealing contact with the partition 104 so as to seal the valve hole 104′ in the partition 104 such that flow of the compressed air from the first air chamber 105 into the second air chamber 106 through the valve hole 104′ in the partition 104 is prevented, as shown in FIG. 1, to a staple-discharging position, where the valve end portion 207 of the sleeve 201 is separated from the partition 104 so as to allow for flow of the compressed air from the first air chamber 105 into the second air chamber 106 through the valve hole 104′ in the partition 104 such that the compressed air flowing from the first air chamber 105 into the second air chamber 106 via the valve hole 104′ in the partition 104 urges the second piston end 2022 of the piston rod 202 to move toward the second open end 1012 of the housing 101, thereby discharging one of the staples in the staple-discharging hole 1032 in the staple-discharging member 103 in response to one strike of the staple-striking piece 204 thereon, as shown in FIG. 2.
However, if the operating member 206 is moved to the staple-discharging position due to an unintentional operation while the conventional staple-driving gun is in an unused state, i.e., the compressed air is not applied, as shown in FIG. 3, once the compressed air is applied to the conventional staple-driving gun, the undesired staple-discharging operation is performed, thereby resulting in danger during use.

Staple-driving gun with safety protection


Clock circuits, memories and methods for generating a clock signal are described. One such clock circuit includes a delay locked loop (DLL) configured to receive a reference clock signal and generate an output clock signal having an adjustable phase relationship relative to the reference clock signal, and further includes a clock jitter feedback circuit coupled to a clock tree and the DLL. The clock jitter feedback circuit is configured to synchronize a clock jitter feedback signal and a DLL feedback signal that is based on the output clock signal. The clock jitter feedback circuit is further configured to provide the clock jitter feedback signal to the DLL for synchronization with a buffered reference clock signal. The clock jitter feedback signal is based on and generated in response to receiving a distributed output clock signal from the clock tree circuit and the buffered reference signal is based on the reference clock signal.

Periodic signals are used in a variety of electronic devices. One type of periodic signal are clock signals that can be used to establish the timing of a signal or the timing at which an operation is performed on a signal. For example, data signals are typically coupled to and from memory, such as synchronous dynamic random access memory ("SDRAM"), in synchronism with a clock or data strobe signal. More specifically, read data signals are typically coupled from a memory in synchronism with a read data strobe signal. The read data strobe signal typically has the same phase as the read data signals, and it is normally generated by the same memory device that is outputting the read data signals. Write data signals are typically latched into a memory device in synchronism with a write data strobe signal. The write data strobe signal typically has a phase relative to the write data signals so that a write data strobe signal transitions during a "data eye" occurring at the center of the period in which the write data signals are valid.
Internal clock signals generated in electronic devices, for example, memory devices or memory controllers, are often synchronized or have some other controlled phase relationships relative to external or internal clock signals. For example, with reference to a memory, a clock signal used for both latching write data and outputting read data may be generated in the memory to which the data are being written. The clock signal is typically generated in the memory device from an internal clock signal that is also derived from the system clock signal.
Various techniques can be used to generate a clock signals or read/write data strobe signal. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional clock circuit 100 providing an output clock signal ICLK to a clock tree circuit 140. When enabled by an active CkEn signal, the clock tree circuit 140 distributes the ICLK signal as a DCLK signal to various circuitry that operate according to the DCLK signal. In FIG. 1, the DCLK signal is provided to data output circuitry 150. In particular, the DCLK signal clocks a data register 154 which provides data to an output buffer 158 to generate a data output signal DQ. The clock circuit 100 generates an ICLK signal that when delayed through the clock tree circuit 140 results in a DCLK signal that is synchronized with a reference clock signal RCLK (and its complement RCLK/). The clock generator includes a delay-locked loop (DLL) 102 and a duty cycle correction (DCC) circuit and output buffer 116. The DLL includes an input buffer 104 that provides a buffered reference clock CLKS to a DLL delay line 108. The delayed buffered reference clock signal is output to the DCC and output buffer 116 for correction of the duty cycle and buffering before being output as the ICLK signal. The ICLK signal is also provided to a model delay 120. The model delay 120 models propagation delay through the output buffer and the clock tree circuit 140. A feedback clock signal FBCLK is output from the model delay 120 and provided through model delay 124 to a phase detector circuit 128 as the DLLFB signal. The model delay 124 models the propagation delay of the input buffer 104. The phase detector circuit 128 detects a phase difference between the CLKS and DLLFB signals. A phase difference signal indicative of the phase difference between the CLKS and DLLFB signals is provided to shift logic 132 that generates a control signal based on the phase difference signal to adjust the delay of the DLL delay line 108. The delay is increased or decreased in order to synchronize the CLKS and DLLFB signals. When synchronized, the clock circuit 100 is said to be "locked."
Although the timing of the ICLK signal relative to the RCLK (and RCLK/signal) is set by the clock circuit 100 so that the DQ signal output by the clock tree circuit 140 is synchronized with the RCLK signal, there may be a "jitter" in the DQ signal. The clock jitter may be caused by the resolution of adjustment in the DLL delay line 108, and also the resolution of the phase detection by the phase detector circuit 128. Clock jitter may also be caused by varying operating conditions, such as varying power, voltage, and temperature. For example, the ICLK signal may need to be driven over a relatively long signal line to be input in the clock tree circuit 140. Although the propagation delay to the clock tree circuit 140 and through the clock tree circuit 140 is modeled by the feedback model delay 120, the actual propagation delay due to the signal line may vary under changing operating conditions, thus, resulting in clock jitter.

Clock jitter compensated clock circuits and methods for generating jitter compensated clock signals


The well regions of pumping units of charge pump circuits are maintained electrically floating. By maintaining the wells electrically floating, reduced impact from the body effect may be obtained. More specifically, integrated circuit charge pump circuits boost a first voltage from a voltage source to a second voltage at an output terminal. The charge pump circuits include a plurality of pumping units in an integrated circuit substrate of first conductivity type, that are serially connected between the voltage source and the output terminal. Each of the pumping units includes a well region of second conductivity type in the integrated circuit substrate of first conductivity type. The well region of second conductivity type is electrically floating. Each pumping unit also includes a transistor of the first conductivity type in the floating well region of second conductivity type, and a capacitor that is electrically connected to the transistor of the first conductivity type in the floating well region of second conductivity type.

Integrated circuit charge pump circuits are widely used to provide boosted voltages in integrated circuits. These boosted voltages may be used, for example, to erase and program flash Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memories (flash EEPROMs).
There is a continuing trend toward lowering the power consumption in portable computers. Accordingly, the integrated circuits in personal computers are being designed to run at lower voltage levels, such as 5V, 3.3V or less. Unfortunately, some desirable features in portable computers may require higher voltages. For example, flash EEPROM has been used to store Basic Input/Output Startup (BIOS) programming for the personal computer. This flash EEPROM may be erased and reprogrammed without being removed from the computer by running a small update program when the BIOS program is to be changed. However, erasing and programming flash EEPROM generally requires up to 10V or more, which is generally not available from the lower voltage batteries that are provided in portable computers. Accordingly, a charge pump circuit may be used to produce the higher voltage from the lower voltage source. Charge pump circuits may also be used for other applications in integrated circuit memory devices and other integrated circuit devices.
A conventional charge pump circuit is disclosed in a publication entitled "On-Chip High-Voltage Generation in NMOS Integrated Circuit Using Improved Voltage Multiplier Technique" by Dickson, IEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-11, No. 3, June 1976, pp. 374-378. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of charge pump circuits as disclosed in Dickson.
As shown in FIG. 1, the integrated circuit charge pump circuit boosts a first voltage from a voltage source Vcc to a second voltage Vpp at an output terminal T1. The charge pump circuit includes a plurality of pumping units that are serially connected between the voltage source and the output terminal. Each of the pumping units includes a coupling capacitor C1-Cn, and a switching NMOS enhancement transistor MN1-MNn. A precharging transistor MNO connects the first voltage Vcc at terminal T2 to the pumping units. The drain region of each pumping transistor is electrically connected to its gate, and is also electrically connected to the source region of an immediately succeeding pumping unit. The bulk regions of the transistors MN1-MNn are held at ground.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pumping units are alternatively activated in response to pumping clocks P1 and P2, having complementary phases. Thus, P1 is applied to the odd-numbered capacitors C1, C3 . . . , and P2 is applied to the even-numbered capacitors C2, C4 . . . . Thus, initially, node N1 is charged to Vcc-Vth, where Vth is the threshold voltage of MN0. In response to the rising and falling of P1 and P2, voltage levels from N2 to T1 are stepwise increased to reach a level of Vpp.
Unfortunately, during the pumping operation, the voltage between the source and bulk region of each transistor, VSB, may gradually increase so that the source voltage rises while the bulk region is maintained at ground. This effect is often referred to as the "body" effect. As shown in FIG. 3, the source-to-bulk voltage VSB may increase from about 0V to about 3V, which may shift the gate voltage Vgs from 0.8V to 1.3V, for 0 drain-to-source current Ids. Threshold voltage Vt may thereby increase as shown in FIG. 3 in proportion to VSB. The shift in threshold voltage may degrade the efficiency of the charge pump circuit. Accordingly, a sufficiently high voltage for erasing and programming may not be obtained.

Charge pump circuits having floating wells


A wireless charging device may be worn as a wristband wearable on a user's wrist. The device includes one or more energy collection components located on the wristband. The energy collection components may collect ambient energy and convert the ambient energy to electrical energy. One or more energy storage components located on the wristband and electrically coupled to the energy collection components may store at least some of the electrical energy from the energy collection components. One or more energy transmission components may be located on the wristband and electrically coupled to the energy collection components and the energy storage components. The energy transmission components may wirelessly couple with a mobile device to wirelessly transmit at least some of the collected electrical energy to the mobile device for charging a battery on the mobile device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a wearable device for charging electronic devices. More particularly, the invention relates to a wearable device that converts ambient energy to electrical energy, stores the electrical energy, and wirelessly charges electronic devices in proximity to the wearable device using the stored electrical energy.
2. Description of Related Art
The ability to conveniently recharge a mobile device (e.g., wireless device) when needed has become more and more desirable as the popularity, usage, and sophistication of wireless devices increases. For example, users increasingly use their mobile devices for power draining processes such as data transmission and taking video and/or photographs. While battery technology is continuously being explored to provide longer batter lifes, people still often find the need to charge their mobile devices in situations where there is no easy charging means available. Thus, there has been motivation to provide portable charging systems. Most current solutions involve wired charging of the mobile device (e.g., connecting a USB-type cable to the mobile device). Using wired charging may, however, be cumbersome and make continuous use of the device difficult. Therefore, the ability to charge a mobile device without wires or physical connections may be useful in a variety of situations (e.g., at events or gatherings).
Additionally, in some situations, lighting devices may also be useful for enhanced visibility, performance, and/or security. For example, law enforcement officers often use flashlights in dark hours for viewing and/or identification purposes. While handheld flashlights are often used, these may occupy the officer's hand and thus, does not allow "hands free" light operation. In addition, many lighting devices require charging or battery replacement. Wireless charging of the light device may be useful to ensure that the lighting device is substantially always ready for use.
Many wrist mounted illuminating devices have been disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,521,832 to Barbour; U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,631 to Fuller; U.S. Pat. No. 4,812,953 to Ask; U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,971 to Jewell; U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,619 to Yu; U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,982 to Lynch; and U.S. Patent Appl. Pub. No. 2011/0310592 to Smith, each of which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein, disclose many different types of wrist mounted illumination devices. These devices, however, fail to provide a lightweight, ambiently charged, wrist mounted illumination device that provides desirable directed light. Additionally, these devices do not provide any means for charging a mobile device.


An oscillator of a phase-locked loop (PLL) or frequency-locked loop (FLL) may include two inputs. The two inputs may include a first analog input and a second digital input. The second digital input may receive a digital signal setting a desired output clock frequency of the oscillator and/or indicating an approximate frequency of frequency range for output by the oscillator. The first analog input may receive a voltage representative of a desired frequency for the output clock frequency of the PLL or FLL to fine-tune the output frequency from the approximate frequency set by the second digital input. The first analog input may be generated from a master clock input signal. When the master clock input signal disappears, the second digital signal controls the output frequency of the oscillator to allow redundant operation of the PLL or FLL even when no master clock input signal is present.

Integrated circuits may include many components, and each of the components may operate from and/or be synchronized with a clock signal. When the clock signal becomes unavailable, the components may fail to operate and/or fall out of synchronization. The integrated circuits then begin producing erroneous output and eventually cease operating. For example, when the output of one component is communicated to the input of another component, the two components may be synchronized such that the second component knows when the first component has output data intended for reading by the second component.
A phase-locked loop (PLL) is one component that operates from a clock signal. The phase-locked loop (PLL) receives an input clock signal and generates a clock signal that may be used to operate and/or synchronize other components. In particular, a phase-locked loop (PLL) generates an output clock with a phase and/or frequency that has a determined relationship to an input clock's phase and frequency, such as the master clock's phase and frequency. The output clock signal from the phase-locked loop (PLL) may be used to operate, for example, audio components such as an audio amplifier.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional phase-locked loop (PLL). A phase-locked loop (PLL) 100 may include a phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102, which receives a master clock signal MCLK. A charge pump 104 and a loop filter 106 are coupled to the phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102 to condition an output of the phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102 for input to a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) 108. The oscillator 108 generates a clock signal, such as a square wave, based on the input to the oscillator 108 from the phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102, the charge pump 104, and the loop filter 106. A divider 110 closes a feedback loop from the oscillator 108 to the phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102. The divider 110 may allow the oscillator 108 to generate a different frequency clock signal than the clock frequency of the master clock input signal MCLK.
The oscillator 108 is dependent upon the master clock input signal MCLK. If the master clock signal input MCLK disappears, then the phase-locked loop 100 will cease functioning correctly. Before the oscillator 108 entirely shuts down, the oscillator 108 may generate an incorrect clock signal output. Components receiving the incorrect clock signal output may then also generate erroneous output. For example, if audio components are operating from the output clock signal of the oscillator 108, then the audio components may generate undesirable noise from a speaker when the master clock signal input MCLK disappears.
The master clock signal input MCLK may disappear due to, for example, glitches in other components coupled to the phase-locked loop (PLL) 100, a malfunction in the system that generates the master clock, or an external broken link in the master clock distribution network. Regardless of the reason for the loss of the master clock signal input MCLK, it is undesirable that the phase-locked loop (PLL) 100 generate an erroneous clock signal output that may negatively impact components, such as the audio components.
One conventional solution is to open the phase-locked loop (PLL) 100 by disconnecting the voltage-controlled oscillator 108 from the charge pump 104 when the master clock input signal MCLK disappears. After disconnecting the oscillator 108, a fixed voltage input may be provided to the oscillator 108 to allow the oscillator 108 to continue to output a clock signal. However, the fixed voltage input to the oscillator 108 will produce a different frequency output signal than that generated when the phase-locked loop (PLL) 100 is closed and providing input to the oscillator 108.
A conventional phase-locked loop (PLL) may attempt to set a fixed voltage at the input to the oscillator 108 similar to the voltage level at the oscillator 108 before the master clock input signal MCLK disappears. However, the voltage level will have changed before the phase-locked loop (PLL) can determine the master clock input signal MCLK has disappeared. Thus, the voltage level locked and input to the oscillator 108 will not be the needed voltage level to hold the oscillator 108 at the desired frequency.
Shortcomings mentioned here are only representative and are included simply to highlight that a need exists for improved phase-locked loops (PLLs), particularly for consumer-level devices. Embodiments described here address certain shortcomings but not necessarily each and every one described here or known in the art.

Dual-input oscillator for redundant phase-locked loop (PLL) operation


A roll paper supplying device and a recording apparatus include an unwinding shaft and a bearing that support a roll having a roll paper wound around a core in a manner that the roll paper can be fed out from the roll, a fixed braking section and a movable braking section that is configured to come into contact with an outer peripheral end face of the roll and brake a rotation of the roll in feeding out of the roll paper, and a radial direction movement section that is configured to move the fixed braking section and the movable braking section in a radial direction of the roll according to a diameter of the roll which decreases as the roll paper is fed out.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates to a roll paper supplying device and a recording apparatus.
2. Related Art
As an example of roll paper supplying device, a paper supplying device which includes a torque limiter connected to a spool shaft for supporting a roll paper is known as disclosed in JP-A-2012-193032. The paper supplying device includes the spool shaft with a flange on which the roll paper is attached, a driven gear provided on one end of the spool shaft, a driving motor that feeds the roll paper in a reverse direction for a start operation, a driving gear provided on an output shaft of the driving motor, and a rotational force driving mechanism disposed between the driving gear and the driven gear. Further, the rotational force driving mechanism is formed by a gear train composed of a plurality of gears. In this gear train, a one-way clutch that allows a power to be transmitted only in reverse rotation of the roll paper, and a torque limiter that brakes the rotation of the roll paper are incorporated. As the roll paper is fed out by a registration roller and a pressure roller, the spool shaft, the driven gear and part of the gear train rotate while applying a back tension to the roll paper fed out via the spool shaft.
In such a paper supplying device, the torque limiter needs to be provided at a position where the roll paper is supported in order to ensure a stable tension to be applied to the roll paper. When the torque limiter is provided at a position where the roll paper is supported, a tension applied to the roll paper changes in inversely proportional to a diameter of the roll regardless of a constant braking torque, since the diameter of the roll gradually decreases as the roll paper is fed out. The tension applied to the roll paper is small when the diameter of the roll is large, and increases as the diameter of the roll becomes small. As a result, a constant tension is not applied to the roll paper.

Roll paper supplying device and recording apparatus


In at least some embodiments, a system comprises a hardware unit and a plurality of software agents that couple to and utilize at least one function of the hardware unit. The system further comprises a consensus module coupled to the hardware unit and the software agents. The consensus module is configured to detect an event that changes a state of the hardware unit, notify the software agents of the event before the state changes and selectively permit the state to change based on responses from the software agents.

When applications utilize cryptographic hardware such as the Trusted Platform Module (TPM), there are cases when a TPM state change command such as a "disable" command deems a device or a computer system unusable. For example, if the TPM is utilized to authenticate a user before the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) boots a system, executing a TPM disable command without first notifying the BIOS causes the system to fail to boot at the next power cycle. Also, if the TPM is utilized to encrypt and un-encrypt data (e.g., data on a hard disk), executing a TPM disable command without first notifying parties (or programs) that depend on the encrypted data prevents the parties from later "unwrapping" the encrypted data. Not being able to recover encrypted data may result in a permanent loss of data as well as a loss of access to the computer system.

Methods and systems that selectively permit changes to a cryptographic hardware unit's state

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A microorganism manipulating apparatus that has a low cost and that uses optical trapping to concurrently acquire a plurality of microorganisms, comprises: an optical trapping device, including a single laser beam output unit for emitting a laser beam, an optical system for condensing the laser beam, and a single galvanoscanner for making the laser beam scan and emitting the laser beam to a microorganism to be manipulated to acquire the microorganism; and a multi-trap controller, for controlling a laser output control unit and a galvanoscanner driver so that the optical trap device can concurrently acquire a plurality of microorganisms in a time-sharing manner. With this arrangement, the cost required for equipment of an expensive laser projection system and an expensive scanning/optical system, can be reduced, and inexpensive equipment can be used to perform an efficient microorganism operation.

The present invention relates to a microorganism manipulating apparatus and to a microorganism manipulating method for acquiring and/or moving microorganisms, such as germs or animal/plant cells.
In various tests and analyses employed in the biochemistry field, there is performed an operation that a specific microorganism is identified, acquired and separated among microorganisms, such as germs or animal/plant cells, which are present in a sample. Recently, laser tweezers have been employed to acquire individual microorganisms. To do this, the laser tweezers emit and condense a laser beam directed toward a microorganism in a sample solution, and form an optical trap by which the microorganism is acquired. In the laser tweezers, there are such many merits that a microorganism can be acquired without contact and without damage, and that a microorganism which has been acquired by performing a scanning operation using the laser beam can be moved to an arbitrary location in a sample.
An object to be acquired or to be picked from others is not always simply an individual microorganism, and a plurality of microorganisms may be handled simultaneously. In such a case, if the above described laser tweezers are employed, a plural sets of the laser tweezers apparatuses are required to acquire the microorganisms. However, since the laser tweezers apparatus is constituted by delicate and expensive optical devices, such as a laser radiation device and a laser beam scanning device, if such optical devices were provided in proportion to the number of objects to be operated, the cost would be very high. Therefore, conventionally, manipulating apparatuses or the like have been put to practical use, in which only a plurality of laser beam scanning devices and optical systems are provided and a laser radiation device is used in common by splitting a laser beam so as to reduce cost. However, even then the cost is high, and further cost reduction is presently required.
It is, therefore, one objective of the present invention to provide at a low cost a microorganism manipulating apparatus in which a plurality of microorganisms can be simultaneously acquired with an optical trap, and a microorganism manipulating method therefor.
To achieve the above objective, a microorganism manipulating apparatus according to the present invention comprises:
optical trapping means, in which single laser beam radiation means emits a laser beam, an optical system concentrates the laser beam, and single laser beam scanning means uses the concentrated laser beam to scan a microorganism so as to emit the laser bean to the microorganism and to acquire the microorganism; and multi-trap control means for controlling the optical trapping means to simultaneously acquire a plurality of microorganisms in a time-sharing manner.
According to the present invention, a microorganism manipulating apparatus may include laser output control means for controlling the output of the laser beam radiation means, and the laser output control means may be controlled by the multi-trap control means to change the output of a laser at the time of acquisition and of non-acquisition of the microorganism to be manipulated.
According to the present invention, provided is a microorganism manipulating method in which multi-trap control means controls optical trap means, in which single laser beam radiation means emits a laser beam, an optical system concentrates the laser beam, and single laser beam scanning means uses the concentrated laser beam to scan a microorganism to be manipulated so as to emit the laser beam to the microorganism and to acquire the microorganism, and thus, a plurality of microorganisms are simultaneously acquired in a time-sharing manner.
According to the microorganism operation method of the present invention, the output of a laser for the laser beam radiation means may be changed at the time of acquisition and at the time of non-acquisition of the microorganism to be manipulated.
According to the present invention, since single optical trap means is employed to simultaneously acquire a plurality of microorganisms in a time-sharing manner, inexpensive equipment can be used to perform an efficient microorganism operation.

Microorganism manipulating apparatus and microorganism manipulating method therefor

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A device for dampening the movement of a pivotally supported structural part, for example, a flap or closure within an automobile, comprises a pivot arm attached to the structural part, and a rack operatively connected to the pivot arm. A housing is rotatably supported upon a support surface or member, and a rotor is rotatably disposed within the housing along with a viscous fluid which tends to dampen rotary motion of the rotor. The rotor also comprises a pinion which is enmeshed with the rack, and the housing comprises a pair of guides for confining movement of the rack in a translational or rectilinear mode while maintaining the rack enmeshed with the rotor pinion. Consequently, when the flap or closure is either opened or closed, the flap or closure is moved in a dampened mode due to the movement of the pivot arm and the rack relative to the dampened rotor pinion. As a result of the rotary mounting of the housing, and the provision of the rack guides, the rack undergoes both rotary and translational movements while being maintained enmeshed with the rotor pinion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to dampening devices, and more particularly to a device for dampening the movement of a pivotally supported structural part, such as, for example, a flap or closure within an automobile. It has become known to dampen pivotal movements of structural parts in the interior of an automobile, for example a flap for closing a glove compartment, an ashtray or the like or even a handle. To this end rotary dampers are usually used. Conventional rotary dampers include a rotor which is rotatably mounted in a housing. A braking fluid such as a silicone oil between the rotor and the housing provides for a dampening action when the rotor is being rotated in the housing. Usually a pinion in engagement with a tooth segment is mounted upon the rotor shaft. The tooth segment is of circular arc shape due to the rotary movement of the structural part to be dampened. The design of the circular arc shaped tooth segment is to be adapted to the mounting location because the radius depends on the mounting location. Furthermore guidance of the tooth segment at the pinion may cause problems, in particular noise problems. Unprecise engagement between the rack and the pinion may generate unacceptable noises. At substantial loads the pinion may slide along the rack.
2. Object of the Invention
The primary object of the invention is to provide a device for dampening the movement of a pivotally supported structural part, in particular a flap in an automobile, under use of a rotary damper dampening a translatory movement.

Device for dampening the movement of a pivotally supported structural part, for example, a flap in an automobile


A tool for chip removing machining, including a long narrow basic body having an envelope surface which is concentric with a center axis, and two opposite ends, and a replaceable loose top which is connected to the basic body via a first coupling that includes a first seating formed in one end of the basic body and a first male element formed in one end of the loose top. The basic body includes a primary part body made of a first material having a first modulus of elasticity, and a secondary part body which includes the first seating and is made of a second material having a second modulus of elasticity which is lower than the first modulus of elasticity. The two part bodies of the basic body are interconnected via a second coupling which includes a second seating in the secondary part body as well as a second male element that is formed on the primary part body and has one or more precision machined flank surfaces that are arranged to apply, together with one or more co-operating and precision machined flank surfaces of the second seating, joining axial forces to the part bodies by turning the part bodies in relation to each other.

The invention has its origin in problems associated with slender cutting tools of the type that include two parts interconnected via an interface or a coupling, the parts being a long narrow basic body and a cutting body or wear part that is detachably connected with the same and of the type that is denominated loose top by those skilled in the art. In practice, such tools may be rotatable and be in the form of drills or milling cutters, e.g., shank-end mills or contour mills. In these tools, the basic body is usually manufactured from steel and the loose top from cemented carbide or the like, i.e., a material that is harder than steel by having a considerably greater modulus of elasticity than steel. The most common type of coupling between the basic body and the loose top makes use of a male member that protrudes from the rear end of the loose top and is inserted into and locked in a seating in the front end of the basic body. Many tools of the kind in question are fairly slender so far that their length is many times greater than the diameter. It is then—with the purpose of counteracting bending phenomena and vibrations—desirable to improve the stiffness and stability of the basic body by manufacturing the same from a material that has a greater modulus of elasticity than steel, e.g., cemented carbide. However, if the male and female coupling between the basic body and the loose top require grinding or another precision machining, such as is the case with thread couplings, problems arise, because internal machining in cemented carbide is difficult, if not impossible, to carry out with good precision.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, it has previously been tried to solder a steel body onto the front end of a part body of cemented carbide or the like, in the front end of which steel body a female thread can be ground internally. However, this solution has turned out to be unreliable because soldering is a manual operation, which lacks accurate repeatability. In other words, the important coaxiality between the steel body and the cemented carbide body may be difficult to attain. In addition, the soldered seam forms in practice a permanent joint, which entails that the basic body in its entirety has to be discarded also in such cases when only the front steel body is damaged, but not the rear cemented carbide body.
Another proposed solution is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,312,201 B1, which shows a cutting tool of the initially generally mentioned kind. More precisely, the cutting tool in question includes front and rear tool bodies of cemented carbide or the like, which are formed with male members each surrounded by a ring of steel, which is, shrunk onto the male members. However, the shrink fit has the disadvantage that replacement of worn loose tops become highly intricate and time-consuming. In addition, the coaxiality of the loose top and basic body may be impaired if the generation of heat in the tool becomes great.
The present invention aims at obviating the above-mentioned disadvantages of previously known tools of the kind in question and at providing an improved tool. Therefore, an object of the invention is to provide a tool, the basic body of which can be generally made of cemented carbide or another stiff material, and in spite of this be formed with a seating that can be machined internally at high accuracy. In particular, it should be possible to form the seating of the basic body with a precision-machined female thread for the co-operation with an externally ground male thread of a male element included in the loose top, with the purpose of attaining a good coaxiality and a reliable interconnection of the loose top and the basic body.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tool, the coupling of which between the loose top and the stiff basic body allows quick mounting and dismounting of the loose top.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a tool, the basic body of which to a major extent can be re-used, even if the front part thereof adjacent to the seating would be damaged or in another way become unusable.

Tool for chip removing machining as well as a basic body therefore


A remote control vehicle includes a cart, an ultraviolet radiation tube and a remote control device. The cart has a video device, a control signal antenna and a video signal antenna. The control signal antenna and the video signal antenna are disposed by the video device. The remote control device is used to send out control signals to the control signal antenna so as to control the motions of the cart. In use, users place the cart in an air conduit of an air conditioning system and steer it with the remote control device so that the cart may reach every part in the air conduit. Also, the ultraviolet radiation tube is activated to kill all the bacteria and microorganisms in the air conduits. Such that, the users will not be exposed to the ultraviolet radiation emitted by the tube, and hence the safety of use is assured.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to a remote control vehicle with UV sterilizer. More particularly, the invention relates to a remotely controlled ultraviolet radiation disinfecting cart which may be used in the air conduits of offices, labs, wards, factories, etc. to disinfect and which may move freely in such air conduits.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally speaking, bacteria and microorganisms would grow in the air conduits of an air conditioning system after a period of use. Hence, these bacteria and microorganisms may flow out of the conduits and endanger the health of the relevant people and negatively affect the quality of the product therein.
Conventionally, a mobile structure with a vacuum cleaner was utilized so as to carry out vacuum cleaning in the air conduits; though it may reach every part of a conduit, it can not eliminate the bacteria in the conduits. Therefore, an ultraviolet radiation lamp was developed; however, such lamp was disposed at a fixed location within a conduit and hence its ultraviolet radiation can not reach every part of a conduit and other conduits.
Whence, the traditional devices have disadvantages and need to be improved.
To eliminate the disadvantages, the inventor has put in many years of effort in the subject and has come up with the remotely controlled ultraviolet radiation disinfecting cart of the present invention.

Remote control vehicle with UV sterilizer


A system for lightning-protection of an aircraft skin panel that includes a nonconductive skin panel substrate and a series of spaced apart electrically conductive strips embedded in and extending along an outer surface of the nonconductive skin panel substrate. A series of electrically conductive fasteners extend through the nonconductive skin panel substrate to affix it to the airframe of the aircraft. The fasteners are arrayed along peripheral regions of the nonconductive skin panel substrate. Each of the electrically conductive strips is in electrical communication with the aircraft airframe through at least one fastener located proximate each end region of each strip.

It is generally known that areas on an aircraft in flight are subject to direct lightning strike attachment. For an aircraft that has metallic exterior skin, which is made up of electrically conductive metal panels, this poses insignificant hazard. When lightning attaches to a conductive skin, the charge is usually conducted through the skin, the underlying aircraft structure and to a grounding system, via fasteners and other skin-to-structure connections, with negligible damage to the skin. However, when the aircraft skin is not electrically conductive, lightning strikes may cause significant damage including puncture of the skin. A non-electrically conductive skin cannot dissipate the electrical energy of the lightning strike and this localization of the energy may cause physical damage, such as possible puncture of the skin. Such a puncture raises a potential risk of lightning attachment to underlying aircraft systems. Such attachment may be very hazardous, depending upon which underlying system is affected.
One solution to the issue of lightning damage to nonconductive aircraft panels is to completely cover the outer surface area of each panel 10 that is vulnerable to lightning attachment with a conductive metal liner 12, as shown in FIG. 1. The panel 10 is attached to the aircraft underlying structure 15 via a series of metal fasteners 18 that are in electrical contact with the metal liner 12. Accordingly, electrical energy from the lightning strike 20 onto panel 10 is dissipated across the metal liner 12 to fasteners 18 and thence to the aircraft structure 15, as shown by arrows in FIG. 1. In order to reduce weight, the metal liner 12 may be of an expanded aluminum or other alloy. Nonetheless the use of a metal liner on each panel vulnerable to lightning strikes adds weight to the aircraft design and reduces aircraft payload.
Accordingly, there is a need for a lighter-weight lightning protection system as an alternative to the use of electrically-conductive metal liners that completely cover the entire outer surfaces of panels of aircraft that has a skin of nonconductive panels. Other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Light weight system for lightning protection of nonconductive aircraft panels


The invention provides a method for fastening a polymeric label to a glass, plastic or metal container or surface by means of a water based adhesive composition by the following steps:    (a) applying a layer of a hydrophilic solid material to a polymeric label to form a hydrophilic layer;    (b) applying water or a water based adhesive to the hydrophilic layer to form a fastenable polymeric label;    (c) fastening the fastenable polymeric label to a glass, plastic or metal container or surface; and    (d) allowing said the polymeric label to dry on the glass, plastic or metal container or surface.

Plastic and glass containers or bottles are prevalent in a wide variety of shapes and sizes for holding many different types of materials such as detergents, chemicals, motor oil, beer, etc. These containers are glass or plastic (mono or multi layers) of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester or vinyl along with other specialty blends for specific barrier and product resistance performance. Generally such containers are provided with a label which designates the trade name of the product and may contain other information as well. The early art which still is prevalent today employed the use of labels manufactured from paper substrates that were applied with a water based adhesive. Subsequently, dry pressure sensitive self adhesives and in mold labels manufactured from paper have been and continue to be used. The shortcomings of paper labels with regard to tearing, wrinkling, creasing and the like due to age and moisture, or due to a lack of deformability when applied to a deformable plastic substrate have been well documented in the labeling industry. Because of this and the need to produce recyclable plastic containers, over the years a great deal of effort has been expended to develop container decoration techniques and durable film substrates which would overcome these shortcomings.
Film facestocks for container decoration which have resulted from these efforts can be applied to glass and plastic containers as self adhesive pressure sensitive labels as described in the prior art. The use of self adhesive paper and film "pressure sensitive adhesive" (PSA) labels that have been preprinted and supported on a release liner is not a cost effective option because of the added cost of the release liner used to support and render processable the self adhesive face stock. The cost of this type of structure combined with the added cost of disposal of the liner does not make pressure sensitive labeling a desirable option from an economic or environmental standpoint. In addition, new capital intensive labeling equipment is required to transition from wet applied Post Mold Labels (PML) to self adhesive PSA labels plus the effect of a new process on an existing packaging line in terms of learning cure and experience.
Another film face stock labeling technique that has evolved is the use of heat activated in-mold labels as described in the prior art where a preprinted plastic label with a heat activated adhesive is placed in the mold before the molten plastic resin is injected or blown into the mold cavity at elevated temperature and pressure which activates the adhesive and fuses the label substrate to the container in-mold. The use of film based in-mold label substrates presents a more cost effective alternative then self adhesive pressure sensitive labels in terms of substrate cost but as this technology has progressed, it has been found that productivity is impacted by the label feeding step into the mold which is performed in a complex, continuous and rapid manner which results in large amounts of scrap material. Also, the initial capital investment required to tool up for a container specific in-mold label process for new molds and the complex electromechanical maintenance intensive feeding devices is significant. Another detriment for this process is the potential inventory carrying costs for varieties of labeled containers that come into play with predecorated containers such as in-mold for those who would choose to apply the label immediately pre or post filled.
Post mold decoration of glass and plastic containers in the current art can also be accomplished by direct screen printing on the container. Direct screen printing on the container is not a cost effective process and also presents the aforementioned inventory problems along with added cost for freight to and from a screen printer. The graphical possibilities for label copy are limited in terms of cost and quality with this technique. Commodity products can not support the cost of this labeling technique.
Another post mold technique that has been popular is the "Therimage" process. This process transfers a reverse printed image from a transfer release sheet under temperature and pressure to produce decorated containers. The "Therimage" technique of transferring a reverse printed image is costly because of transfer sheet costs and presents the same disposal problems and costs with the transfer sheet as occurs with the aforementioned release liner used in conjunction with self adhesive labels. Graphic design and quality is limited with this technique.
Other techniques for labeling various plastic and glass containers with preprinted paper or film label substrates include the use of hot melt adhesives which are applied to the label substrate or container in a molten state with container and substrate subsequently married while the hot melt is molten. When the hot melt adhesive cools, it sets up and bonds the label substrate to the container.
This technology requires the use of sophisticated melting and application equipment that must be operated, cleaned and maintained at elevated temperatures. This technology works well with complete 360 degree wrap around labels but has not evolved to the point to allow consistent labeling of a die cut or square cut label with less than 360 degree wrap. Affixing a cut label to an area on a container with 100% or patterned adhesive application using hot melt adhesives has not been commercially perfected. Complete wrap around hot melt applied labels where one end of the label is affixed to the container while the other end is wrapped around the container and affixed with hot melt to the label substrate is proven hot melt label application technology that works well for film and paper label substrates. This technology requires that the container be round and does not fit for individually labeled panels on a containers such a rectangular oil, contoured detergent or beer containers where a neck and front label only are applied. Another drawback is the added cost for label substrate when this technique is used since more label substrate is required because of the 100% wrap around.
Lastly, and still one of the most prevalent labeling techniques is the application of paper based labels to glass and plastic containers using natural and synthetic labeling adhesives such as BL300 produced by Henkel Adhesives or OC363-20 produced by O.C. Adhesives Corp. which are known to the art.
This is a safe (water based) proven technology that has grown and been employed for many years and consequently there are many existing machines that have been installed for this type of labeling technique such as from Krones, Neutraubling, Germany that run cut precut labels or Koyo, Japan which runs roll stock that is cut on machine to the label size. The cut label techniques and associated adhesives work well with paper based substrates applied to glass, plastic or metal containers because the wet adhesive wicks (absorbs) into the paper substrate from the applicator roll, pad or pallet which breathes and allows the moisture from the water carrier to be absorbed by and dry thru the paper base.
This technique obviously will not work with non-porous polymeric substrates as the adhesive can not wick into the polymeric substrate for initial tack and adhesive transfer to the label or drying thru the plastic. Typically, wet applied cut label machines work where glued pallets remove the label out of the label holding magazine while simultaneously gluing the back side of the label. This is accomplished by applying a thin glue film to the pallet which is then pressed in intimate contact against the first label in the stack.
After its removal, the label sticks on the entire glued area of the pallet until transferred to a "gripper" cylinder and removed from the pallet. The gripper cylinder than transfers the label to the container to be labeled. The various machine designs and techniques are well known within the labeling industry and to those skilled in the art. The "Krones Manual Of Labeling Technology" by Hermann Kronseder dated December 1978, is hereby incorporated by reference.
Attempts have been made to use polymeric substrates with high moisture vapor transmission rates (MVTR) and tacky or pressure sensitive adhesive on conventional labeling equipment with little success. The tacky adhesive required to stick to the water impervious polymeric substrate causes machining problems by gumming up the adhesive application system and creates cleanup issues. The high MVTR substrates also did not have good wet tack with existing commercially available adhesives that would machine without problems and did not dry rapidly enough making the labels prone to "swimming" or moving from the desired application area during down stream processing. In addition, the adhesives do not wet out and apply uniformly to non hydrophilic surfaces with the crude adhesive metering and application systems currently in use on existing paper labeling machinery. Without uniform application, wet out and wet tack, it will be impossible to apply a clear label that has the no label look because of adhesive and application imperfections.
Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide a polymeric label particularly adapted for use in post mold wet applied labeling of polymeric, glass and metal containers that would readily feed from the label magazine or gripper, adhere with sufficient tack without moving through post labeling handling and processing including but not limited to conveying, filling, case packing and pelletizing.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a polymeric label particularly adapted for use in post mold wet applied labeling of polymeric and glass containers that would have sufficient wet tack and affinity for water, a water based solution or adhesive used to allow for transfer of the water, water based solution or water based adhesive to the polymeric label substrate from the applicator roll(s), pad(s) or pallet(s) of the labeling machine.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a polymeric label for use in post mold wet applied labeling of polymeric and glass containers that would have a coefficient of expansion or contraction under the conditions which the container sees which is the same or compatible with that of the polymeric resin, glass or metal from which the container is made so that expansion and contraction of the container will not wrinkle or otherwise affect the integrity of the label.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a polymeric label for use in wet applied post mold labeling which would combine suitable properties of modulus of elasticity and flexibility and would not be degraded by handling and flexing of the subsequent container. Finally, it would be desirable to provide a label for use in wet applied post mold labeling of polymeric containers which does not have to be removed from such containers in order to recycle or regrind defective or post consumer polymeric containers.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Techniques for labeling of plastic, glass or metal containers or surfaces with polymeric labels


A signature circuit, i.e., a random-number generating circuit, is provided in a memory test apparatus. Also, a signature circuit is provided in each of devices-under-test. This configuration allows the large number of semiconductor integrated-circuit devices to be tested at one time with a high efficiency. This condition realizes a tremendous reduction in the test cost.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor testing apparatus, a semiconductor integrated-circuit device, and semiconductor integrated-circuit device testing method and fabricating method. More particularly, it relates to a technology that is effective when applied to the implementation of a high efficiency in the memory test for a synchronous DRAM or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, in a semiconductor integrated-circuit device, various types of tests are carried out before the shipment thereof or the like. One example is a function test for confirming whether or not the semiconductor memory operates exactly in accordance with a predetermined function as was expected. These tests make a selection between a good die and a defective one.
FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a tester 30 that the present inventor has devised and examined. The tester 30 tests the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, e.g. the synchronous DRAM.
The tester 30 includes a pattern generator 31, a comparator 32, interface circuits 33, and the like. The pattern generator 31 generates an application pattern to be applied to input pins of the semiconductor memory, i.e., device-under-test and an expectation pattern expected of output pins thereof, respectively.
The comparator 32 makes a comparison between a response pattern from the semiconductor memory and the expectation pattern thereof, thereby judging whether the semiconductor memory is passing or defective. The interface circuits 33 are interfaces located between the tester 30 and the semiconductor integrated-circuit device.
The tester 30 includes n units of the interface circuits 33. Each interface circuit 33 includes drivers 33a and comparators 33b, which are connected to the pins of the semiconductor integrated-circuit device.
If the tester 30 has the interface circuits that are equivalent to, e.g., 128 pins in number (i.e., 128 units), in the case of a semiconductor integrated-circuit device having 32 pins, it turns out that 4 units of the semiconductor integrated-circuit devices at the maximum are connected to the tester and are tested simultaneously.
The drivers 33a are connected to the input pins of the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, respectively. The application pattern is applied to the input pins of the semiconductor integrated-circuit device via these drivers 33a. The comparators 33b, based on voltage-level judgements, convert the output response, which is outputted from the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, into logical values (: H/L), then outputting the logical values to the comparator 32.
Also, FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram for illustrating an example of the test pattern used in the tester 30, and FIG. 15 is an operation timing chart therefor.
FIG. 14 illustrates, from the left to the right, the following information, respectively: Commands outputted from the tester 30 to the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, i.e., the device-under-test, signal states in the data pins of the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, states of the signals inputted/outputted into/from the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, and signal states inside the semiconductor integrated-circuit device.
FIG. 15 illustrates, from the above to the below, the following information, respectively: The commands outputted from the tester 30 to the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, the signal states in the data pins of the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, the signal states inside the semiconductor integrated-circuit device, and the states of the signals inputted/outputted into/from the semiconductor integrated-circuit device.
In this example, subsequently to a 'Write' command, 2 'Nop' commands and a 'Read' command are given one after another. At this time, the data pins provide write data at an input mode into the semiconductor integrated-circuit device. Otherwise, at the time of a read operation, the data pins receive read data that is returned thereto at an output mode from the semiconductor integrated-circuit device.
Also, some of the semiconductor integrated-circuit devices integrate therein a testing circuit for testing the logical gates from a small number of external terminals and with a high efficiency.
As a configuration of this testing circuit, there exists, e.g., the BIST (: Built In Self Test). The BIST integrates therein tester functions such as a test-pattern generating circuit, a test-output compressing circuit, and a test-result judging circuit. Namely, the BIST is a circuit that makes it possible to carry out the self test without using an external tester.
As the test-pattern generating circuit, an apparatus such as the LFSR (: Linear Feedback Shift Register) is employed which generates a random number. The test-pattern generating circuit has allowed the running of the pseudo random test and that of the all-number test for testing all the patterns.
Moreover, the test-output compressing circuit also employs the LFSR therein. The use of the LFSR allows the output-response pattern sequence to be compressed. Then, a comparison is made between a value that remains last and a correct expectation value, thereby carrying out the test.
Incidentally, as an example that has given a detailed explanation concerning this type of tester, there exists JP-A-2000-97998. This literature has disclosed a semiconductor testing apparatus that is capable of testing a semiconductor device such as the system LSI in a short time.

Semiconductor device, and the method of testing or making of the semiconductor device


The disclosed airbag for a motor vehicle for supporting the knees of a vehicle occupant in the event of a crash, comprises an inflatable portion, a first fastening region for fastening the airbag to a motor vehicle part, at least one second, detachable fastening region for fastening the airbag to the same or different motor vehicle part, and a connection located between the second, detachable fastening region and the inflatable portion. The second, detachable fastening region is configured to detach from the inflatable portion if a force exceeding a predetermined value acts on the connection between the second, detachable fastening region and the inflatable portion.

The invention relates to an airbag for a motor vehicle which, in the event of a crash, can be inflated with gas in order to support the knee of a vehicle occupant.
Airbags for supporting the knee of a vehicle occupant are conventionally referred to as knee bags and serve, in an inflated state, to provide impact damping or to support the knee of the vehicle occupant in the event of high accelerations of the motor vehicle. This acceleration relates in particular to negative accelerations in which, as a result of an accident, the motor vehicle is braked in a short time span from a driving movement state.
Airbags of said type have a fastening region with which they are fastened to a motor vehicle part. The airbags are arranged in particular in the region of the lower instrument panel of a motor vehicle.
In the case of known airbags, there is the problem that the design of the instrument panel in the knee region of the vehicle occupant usually makes the arrangement of a knee bag difficult. There is often no space for an airbag directly at the knee region, or the associated knee airbag module must be cumbersomely configured such that it is matched to the design of the instrument panel in the knee region. As a result of the airbag being fastened to a motor vehicle part, it can also be the case that, as a result of the design of the motor vehicle part, the airbag unfolds away from the vehicle part at an unfavorable angle.


The invention relates to a method and device for estimating an estimated value (U2max) dependent on the maximum (Umax) of a single-frequency signal sampled via a succession of sampled values (d(n)), wherein each of a predetermined number (N) of sampled values (d(n)) is squared and the predetermined number (N) of squared sampled values (d2(n)) is summated.

As is known, a digital signal is composed of a succession of sampled values. The sampled values, separated from one another in time by the sampling period, are situated at regular intervals along the operating course of the sampled continuous-time signal. Thus a sampled value will not necessarily be situated at the maximum of the sampled continuous-time signal. For a variety of applications, it is necessary to determine or estimate from the sampled sequence the maximum of the sampled continuous-time signal. One possible application, for example, is in an automatic gain control (AGC) in which a preamplifier arranged ahead of the analog/digital converter is switched on or off as a function of the level of the signal to be sampled, or is adjusted with respect to its gain factor. This procedure increases measuring dynamics and reduces quantification noise, by making better use of the range of values of the analog/digital converter. So that the preamplifier can be switched on or off, or adjusted, as a function of signal amplitude, the maximum of the sampled signal must be estimated. The method and device of the invention serve this purpose.

Method and device for acquiring an estimated value dependent on the maximum of a single-frequency signal


A system and method for determining an extreme value of data in various applications including audio, video and image encoding schemes. The system and method are used to generate a hierarchical data structure by partitioning the data values and then generating a hierarchy using indices of these data values, with the apex containing the index of the extreme value. The system and method allow for changes in the data values in the base level of the hierarchy to result in the ripple through of the indices to the apex in an efficient manner.

The task of finding an extremum or extreme value (e.g., a maximum and/or minimum data value) of a data set is commonly undertaken using computing systems. For example, system performance may be evaluated by calculating a cost function over the ranges of P parameters yielding a P-dimensional data set of cost function values to be searched. It may be necessary to search the entire resulting data set at least once to find a desired number of extrema. If, however, one or more data values subsequently change, the entire data set may need to be searched again to find any new extrema.
Some applications, for example, some video encoding schemes, involve searching large data sets for extrema. Such data sets may be subject to repeated, sparse updating of the data values. Repeatedly searching the entirety of such updated data sets for new extrema wastes computing resources and may be too slow for many applications.

Hierarchical update scheme for extremum location with indirect addressing