A surgical implant system for the stabilization of a human spine by fixation of the vertebra utilizing a stabilization cross-link spinal implant system. The system utilizes self-tapping screws having bifurcated protruding members to support an alignment rod, the protruding members available for placement of a fixed or variable traverse cross-link member that couples to the protruding members by use of threaded nuts corresponding to the threaded portion of the outer surface of the protruding members. The externally threaded coupling method can also be use for pedicle, caudal, cranial, thoracic and the like hooks. Also shown is a two plate system for anterior cervical spine fixation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to spinal implants and, in particular, to a spinal implant having a novel top-loading bolt attachment for support and alignment rods with cross links and ancillary components for stabilization of the vertebrae as well as a two plate system for cervical spine fixation.
2. Background of the Invention
Surgical implants are well known in the art for treatment of curvatures of the spine including anterior, trauma, deformity, and/or degenerative spinal conditions. The purpose of the implant is to reinforce the spine by use of strategically placed attachment screws capable of supporting alignment support rods placed bilateral along the vertebrae as well as cross-link members that bridge the sagittal of the spine.
The problem which this invention addresses is the method of fastening the spinal implants during surgery. Conventionally, the placement of an attachment screw provides the functional base for the support rod, cross-link, caudal facing hooks, cranial facing hook and the like components that form a spinal implant system. The conventional method of fastening utilizing a goal post mounting screw from which a bolt and nut is coupled perpendicular thereto for mounting to the component. This side attachment frequently requires the movement of muscle and other tissue during operation which increases the difficulty of the operation, is a time consuming effort, and can be a major trauma to a person.
In addition, the use of the prior art devices required pre-thought to where the cross-links are to be placed. Once the base screws are installed, they cannot be moved and if the screws are placed incorrectly, the cross-link will not fit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,048, issued to Jacob et al., entitled "Implant for Vertebrae With Spinal Stabilizer" discloses a vertebrae implant having a stabilizing element which is articulated to accommodate a pair of bone screws wherein each bone screw includes a clamp disposed between a shoulder in a spherical surface which is all coupled together by the use of a clamping nut directly on the end of the bone screw. The device allows for support of an alignment rod along the side of the bone screw, but fails to provide any type of cross link or ancillary component attachment devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,041,939, issued to Hall, entitled "Surgical Implant Spinal Screw" discloses a spinal implant utilizing a screw having a centrally disposed aperture for placement of a metal cable therethrough with a nylon insert that will permanently secure the cable in a fixed position once attached. The device is best used in an operation for the correction of scoliosis.
Another problem with prior art is the use of anterior cervical plates. The prior art employs a single plate that is attached by the use of small bone attachment screws. After installation, the screws have a tendency of working their way out of the bone resulting in the loosening of the cervical plate causing the patient pain and typically resulting in further surgery to correct the problem.
Therefore there exists a need to correct the aforementioned problems by use of a top loading spinal implant system and associated cervical plate attachment cover.


A mixing device for a water treatment facility with an open channel, with a base body which is designed in a plate-shape or strip-shaped manner for attachment to a wall of a channel such that a lower face which faces towards the wall of the channel during operation and an upper face which faces away from the wall of the channel during operation, whereby a plurality of protrusions is provided which extend from the base body, which are inclined away from the lower face and which extend over a plane formed by the upper face, and in that a plurality of recess is provided, and whereby each recess is arranged between two adjacent protrusions.

It has been known for a long time that UV radiation has a germicidal effect and that the naturally occurring UV radiation in sunlight has a disinfecting effect at sufficient intensity and duration. UV radiation is used in small and large facilities for the disinfection of water and waste water. It is possible to distinguish between facilities in which UV emitters are arranged in closed channels and facilities in which the UV emitters are in channels which are open at the top, known as open channels. The second type of construction with open channels is primarily used in waste water technology. The purified waste water is guided through an open channel into the UV system and exposed to UV radiation in order to reduce the number of germs to a level such that the purified waste water can, for example, be discharged into normal waters. The level of disinfection can be so high as to allow the water to be discharged into bathing water.
Waste water treatment facilities are normally designed so that the water flows from an inlet through the various different treatment levels to an outlet solely by the force of gravity, without the need for any pumps. For this reason, in UV treatment systems in waste water technology too, the aim is to keep the flow resistance as low as possible in order to achieve as low a loss in pressure as possible from the intended throughflow rate. In the operation of the facility, a loss of pressure of this type would manifest itself as a height difference between the water level in the inlet and the water level in the outlet. The aim is to keep this height difference as low as possible.
Otherwise, the disinfection capacity of the system must be ensured, with the level of effectiveness of the system being expressed in the ratio between disinfection achieved and electrical power used. This level of effectiveness should be optimised for economic reasons. For this reason, UV emitters, which are generally elongated gas discharge lamps, are placed in the channel, preferably in rows transverse to the flow. Several rows are arranged one after the other and offset against one another such that the emitters in one row are arranged in the centre between the emitters in the row arranged upstream. The water that flows between the first emitters will then hit the subsequent emitter which is in the centre behind the gap. This arrangement results in different spaces between the emitters in the different rows and the lateral, adjacent wall of the channel. In areas in which there is a large gap between the emitter and the wall of the channel, the dose of radiation is lower than in the other areas. This effect should be compensated for in order that every flow pathway which can occur in practice receives a sufficient and, where possible, equal dose of UV.
Various different solutions for this are known from the prior art. Essentially, the known solutions are based on continuous, beam-shaped elements with various different cross sections being arranged on the wall of the channel which reduce the space between the adjacent UV emitter and the wall of the channel, thereby narrowing the gap there. Document . . . for example shows a channel with four rows each of four UV emitters which are arranged one after the other in the flow direction and the flow passes by them transverse to their longitudinal axis. In the open channel, the emitters therefore hang vertically. A rib with a triangular cross section is arranged next to the emitter which is the farthest from the wall, which rib narrows the cross section of the gap between the wall and the emitter through which water can flow freely. Document WO 2008055344 A1, which is incorporated by reference herein, shows various different solutions which also work with ribs with a triangular cross section, whereby the ribs on the one hand narrow the free cross section and on the other deflect the flow.
Document EP 0893411 B1, which is incorporated by reference herein, shows a solution in which an L-shaped profile is arranged laterally on the wall of the channel and here, with the rows of UV emitters arranged behind one another and offset against one another in the area where the UV emitter closest to the edge is farthest away from the wall of the channel. The L-profile is arranged continuously along the entire length of the adjacent emitter on the wall. It deflects the water flow in this area essentially completely. The aim here is to divert the flow of the water in the edge area completely to the emitter arranged at a distance from the wall.
The technical solutions described therefore aim to impact the flow pathways of the water or waste water flowing through the channel such that in the area in which the radiation intensity is higher they also reach the areas where the emitter is at a greater distance from the adjacent wall of the channel. In practice, this results in two problems. On the one hand, the complete deflection of the flow pathways by the installations which extend with the same shaped cross section over the entire length of the adjacent emitter along the wall of the channel significantly narrows the free cross section of the channel, so the loss in pressure between the upstream side of the channel system and the downstream side of the channel system increases. On the other hand, the flow is accelerated in the region of these installations, so the flow pathways are deflected in the region in which there is higher intensity, but the length of time spent in this area is shorter. The goal of increasing the dose of UV applies to the flow pathway is not optimally achieved in this way.

Mixing device for open channel UV water treatment plants


In a brush-type processing device, a base portion of a processing brush is fixed to a reciprocating rotating shaft provided to a drive source. A brush portion extends from the base portion to one side along the radius of the reciprocating rotating shaft. When the reciprocating rotating shaft reciprocatingly rotates, a plurality of brush bristles of the brush portion reciprocatingly oscillates in a circumferential direction of the reciprocating rotating shaft. Accordingly, an object to be removed on a processed surface can be scraped off by allowing distal ends of the brush bristles to be pressed against the processed surface. In this case, the distal ends of the brush bristles that reciprocatingly oscillate repeatedly collide with the object to be removed from both sides in a reciprocating oscillation direction, thereby making it possible to effectively remove the object to be removed.

A processing brush disclosed in Patent Literature 1 mentioned below has a structure in which a rotating shaft is coaxially provided on one side surface in an axial direction of a base unit which is formed in a disk shape, and a brush unit is mounted on the other side surface in the axial direction of the base unit. In such a processing brush, the rotating shaft of the base unit is mounted to a drive source (rotation actuator) to rotate the entire processing brush, thereby allowing the brush unit to be pressed against a processed surface. This leads to a removal of an object to be removed (such as a flash) from the processed surface.

Processing brush and brush-type processing device


An inboard thrust surface is provided for a spindle motor that maintains fluid flow through a journal bearing and generates an added offset pressure to avoid any subambient pressure within a journal. In an aspect, journal bearing asymmetry is minimized or eliminated and axial span is increased between journal bearings, reducing wobble or run-out between relatively rotating components. In another aspect, journal axial length is decreased for low profile disc drive memory systems and other spindle motors. In an aspect, two separate thrust surfaces provide an axial force in the same direction, opposing an axial bias force created by interaction of a stator and a magnet, and minimizing power consumption.

The recent new environments for usage of disc drive memory systems have intensified design and performance needs including miniaturization and reduced power consumption. Besides traditional computing environments, disc drive memory systems are used more recently by devices including digital cameras, digital video recorders, laser printers, photo copiers, jukeboxes, video games and personal music players. Disc drive memory systems store digital information that is recorded on concentric tracks of a magnetic disc medium. Several discs are rotatably mounted on a spindle, and the information, which can be stored in the form of magnetic transitions within the discs, is accessed using read/write heads or transducers. A drive controller is conventionally used for controlling the disc drive system based on commands received from a host system. The drive controller controls the disc drive to store and retrieve information from the magnetic discs. The read/write heads are located on a pivoting arm that moves radially over the surface of the disc. The discs are rotated at high speeds during operation using an electric motor located inside a hub or below the discs. Magnets on the hub interact with a stator to cause rotation of the hub relative to the stator. One type of motor is known as an in-hub or in-spindle motor, which typically has a spindle mounted by means of a bearing system to a motor shaft disposed in the center of the hub. The bearings permit rotational movement between the shaft and the sleeve, while maintaining alignment of the spindle to the shaft. The read/write heads must be accurately aligned with the storage tracks on the disc to ensure the proper reading and writing of information.
Spindle motors have in the past used conventional ball bearings between the sleeve and the shaft. However, the demand for increased storage capacity and smaller disc drives has led to the design of higher recording area density such that the read/write heads are placed increasingly closer to the disc surface. A slight wobble or run-out in disc rotation can cause the disc to strike the read/write head, possibly damaging the disc drive and resulting in loss of data. Conventional ball bearings exhibit shortcomings in regard to these concerns. Imperfections in the raceways and ball bearing spheres result in vibrations. Also, resistance to mechanical shock and vibration is poor in the case of ball bearings, because of low damping. Vibrations and mechanical shock can result in misalignment between data tracks and the read/write transducer. These shortcomings limit the data track density and overall performance of the disc drive system. Because this rotational accuracy cannot be achieved using ball bearings, disc drives currently utilize a spindle motor having fluid dynamic bearings between a shaft and sleeve to support a hub and the disc for rotation. One alternative bearing design is a hydrodynamic bearing.
In a hydrodynamic bearing, a lubricating fluid such as gas or liquid or air provides a bearing surface between a fixed member and a rotating member of the disc drive. Hydrodynamic bearings eliminate mechanical contact vibration problems experienced by ball bearing systems. Further, hydrodynamic bearings can be scaled to smaller sizes whereas ball bearings have smallness limitations. Dynamic pressure-generating grooves are conventionally formed on a surface of the hydrodynamic bearing journal to generate a localized area of high pressure and provide a transport mechanism for fluid to distribute fluid pressure within the bearing and between the rotating surfaces, enabling the spindle to accurately rotate. These grooves typically include an asymmetric shape to overcome any taper effects formed in a journal bearing and to provide for fluid flow.
Demands of the market and advances in technology have lead to the reduction in the physical size of disc drives. Efforts have been made to design smaller profile disc drives without loss of performance. In reducing size, there is a trend to reduce the axial height of the fluid dynamic bearing motor. One axially reduced sized disc drive currently on the market is the one-inch disc drive used with a CF card type II form factor. However, as motors become shorter in axial height, the spacing between bearing components decreases thereby minimizing the angular or rocking stiffness of the bearings. It has become essential in the industry to design disc drives having even smaller dimensions while maintaining motor stiffness and reduced power consumption. What is needed is a hard disc drive having increased journal bearing stiffness and reduced power consumption for current usage environments.

Inboard thrust surface fluid recirculation pump


A device for forming a sheet pile in a delivery of a sheet-fed printing press includes jogging plates for jogging edges of the sheet. The jogging plates are disposed perpendicularly to a lateral surface of the sheet pile and are drivable so as to move in a stationary sheet guide and to a sheet stop, respectively. The jogging plates are elastically suspended, without any other guide elements, in at least one of the stationary sheet guides and the sheet stop. An oscillation exciter is connected to each of the jogging plates for respectively oscillating and vibrating the jogging plates independently of a cycle of the delivery.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for forming a sheet pile in a delivery of a sheet-fed printing press, the device having jogging plates for jogging edges of the sheet, the jogging plates being disposed perpendicularly to a lateral surface of the sheet pile and driven so as to be movable in a stationary sheet guide and to a sheet stop, respectively, the sheet stop being adjustable, if necessary or desirable.
Devices of this general type have become known heretofore. The published German Patent Document DE 29 42 855 C2, for example, describes a device wherein jogging plates are disposed at vertical sheet-pile sides of a delivery and are attached to an electromagnetic oscillating drive. The jogging plates thus execute oscillating movements in an approximately horizontal direction, thereby thrusting against the sheet edges. With this heretofore known device, the oscillation frequency is preferably of 10 Hz, i.e., far below the mains or line frequency and only slightly above the sheet-depositing frequency of high-speed sheet-fed offset printing presses which are presently capable of delivering three to five sheets per second. Moreover, the jogging plates, with respect to the jogging movement thereof, remain mechanically guided, which results in wear and tear and in a reduction of the service life of the jogging device.
It is also been known heretofore to use mechanical drives such as crank drives, cam-type drives, and the like as drives for jogging plates, such as is described, for example, in the published German Patent Document DE 42 21 660 A1 and the German Patent DE 30 01 356. Furthermore, German Patents DE 27 51 525 and DE 30 01 354 disclose pneumatic mechanical jogging drives. None of these drives, as well, is free of wear and tear, and consequently has to be maintained, i.e., serviced, or replaced after a given period of operation.
Moreover, most of the prior-art jogging devices are operated in accordance with the cycle of the sheet delivery and an integral multiple of the delivery frequency, respectively.
With increasing machine speeds, this conventional type of drive causes problems such as an excessive development of noise, in addition to the aforementioned wear and tear. Furthermore, with these heretofore known devices, the quality of the sheet piles which are delivered is not always satisfactory.

Device for forming a sheet pile in a delivery of a sheet-fed printing press


A method and a device for determining the condition of roadway surfaces includes transmitting electromagnetic radiation at at least two different frequencies in the GHz range, reflecting and/or scattering the electromagnetic radiation by the roadway surface and subsequently receiving the electromagnetic radiation at the at least two frequencies. The condition of the roadway surface is determined on the basis of a comparison of the radiation intensities received at the different frequencies.

A prerequisite for the safe forward movement of a vehicle is the reliable optimum adherence of the vehicle tires to the roadway.
Suddenly appearing slippery or wet surfaces affect this adherence considerably and are therefore frequent causes of accidents, often with grave consequences. The specific problem here is that the vehicle's driver often does not recognize the slippery or wet surface or recognizes it too late, and therefore quickly loses control of the vehicle.
To overcome this dangerous situation, different systems have been proposed which support the driver in estimating the condition of the roadway surface and/or initiate automatic accident prevention measures.
Thus, for example, German Patent Application DE 197 18 623 A1 describes a system in which the condition of the roadway surface is determined using radar beams. However, the problem with this approach is that the known method does not provide clear results, and does not ensure reliable determination of the roadway condition.
Another approach to the above-mentioned problem is to draw conclusions regarding the condition of the roadway surface, in particular the coefficient of friction between tires and roadway surface, on the basis of the deformation of the tire profile as the tire rolls on the roadway. To do so, however, a certain number of sensors must be installed in the tires, which raises considerable implementation problems due to the specific installation site (wearing parts, high accelerations, difficult contacting for signal transmission).
In German Patent Application DE 29 12 645 A1, a device for warning of a slippery surface is proposed, in which the condition of the roadway surface is determined using reflected electromagnetic waves at different frequencies. The device disclosed in the cited document, however, has considerable disadvantages. For example, the device described therein exhibits increased susceptibility to changing propagation conditions of the used electromagnetic signals. Changes in the propagation conditions may be caused by geometric changes, for example, short-term changes in the distance of the sensors from the roadway surface.

Method and device for determining the roadway condition


A delay locked loop circuit includes: a delay locked loop block receiving an external clock and generating a delay locked internal clock; a duty cycle correcting block connected to the delay locked loop block and correcting the duty cycle of the internal clock; and an error detecting unit comparing the voltages of first and second pumping output nodes of the duty cycle correcting block to detect an operation error of the duty cycle correcting block.

1. Technical Field
Exemplary embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a delay locked loop circuit, and more particularly, to a delay locked loop circuit to detect an operation error of a corresponding duty cycle correcting block and a semiconductor memory device including the same.
2. Discussion of Related Art
A clock signal may be used as a reference signal in electronic systems or circuits to synchronize the processing of operations according to a desired schedule. However, the internal circuitry of a semiconductor device may introduce a time delay into a clock signal input externally, thereby causing a clock skew. A delay locked loop circuit may be used to compensate for the time delay to ensure that the internal clock signal and the external clock signal have the same phase.
In the operation of certain semiconductor circuits, maintaining the duty ratio of the rising period to the falling period of the clock may have a higher priority than ensuring that the delay of the clock be locked to a particular delay value. Accordingly, certain semiconductor circuits may include a duty cycle correcting function.
However, even after a duty cycle correcting function is used, a duty correction error may be caused by a variation in process, voltage, and temperature (PVT), thereby resulting in a phase delay.
It is desirable that a correction circuit implementing the duty cycle correction be able to generate an internal clock having a constant duty ratio regardless of the duty ratio of an external clock. However, when the correction circuit is shorted to a ground voltage or a power supply voltage, it can be difficult to maintain an internal clock having a constant duty ratio.

Delay locked loop circuit and semiconductor memory device including the same


A mobile station adapted for channel switching comprises an input unit adapted to receive user input associated with selection of content. The mobile station also comprises a timer generating unit operatively coupled to the input unit, adapted to generate a timer related to transmission of a command derived from the user input to a content server in response to the user input. The mobile station also comprises a transmitting unit operatively coupled to the input unit, adapted to transmit the command derived from the user input to the content server in response to expiration of the timer. The mobile station also comprises a receiving unit operatively coupled to the transmitting unit, adapted to receive the content from the content server in response to receipt of the command derived from the user input by the content server.

Mobile communication services provide functions such as wireless Internet access, VoD (Video on Demand) service, text and multimedia message transmissions, and on-line gaming.
The VoD service uses a media player to display packets transferred from a server using a streaming method. When a user accesses the VoD service, a server (e.g., content server) provides content (e.g., content packets) requested by the user, and the mobile station delivers the received content packets to the media player to display the content, in real time.
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a VoD channel switching method, according to a related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, to receive a VoD service using the mobile station, the user connects to the content server using the mobile station. The content server transmits lists of content (e.g., channel lists) to the mobile station (S110). The mobile station arranges the channel lists and displays the channel lists on a display screen. The user selects desired content to receive from the channel lists (S112).
In the step S112, after the user selects the content, the mobile station drives a media player to connect to a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the selected content. Once the mobile station connects to the URL, the mobile station transmits a start command to the content server to allow the content server to transmit a content packet (e.g., a packet containing the selected content) (S114).
After the content server receives the start command through the URL, the content server transmits the selected content via the content packet(s) using a Real Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) or a Real Time Protocol (RTP). The mobile station then displays the received content on a display screen, in real time (S116).
When the mobile station displays the selected content, if the user does not press a channel-switching key (e.g., channel up/down key and/or direction key), the content being currently displayed continues to be displayed (S120). After the selected content is completely displayed, the mobile station re-displays the channel lists on the display screen to enable the user to select other content (S120 and S122).
If the user wants to receive other content while the present content is being displayed and therefore presses the channel-switching key to select new content, the mobile station transmits a message to inform the content server to terminate transmission of the present content packet(s) (S124). Then, when a connection to the URL associated with the new content is obtained, the mobile station transmits a start command to the content server to allow the content server to transmit the packet associated with the new content (S114).
After receiving the respective transmission termination command and the transmission start command, the content server stops transmission of the present content packet(s), and starts transmission of the new content packet(s). The mobile station, in turn, receives the new content packet(s) and displays the new content on the display screen (S114 and S116).
However, the content server requires sufficient time to recognize and perform the commands transmitted from the mobile station. Thus, if the user frequently switches channel lists in less time than a command processing time, or, if the mobile station transmits plural commands, the content server may not have the required time for processing such commands. Therefore, many commands may be lost.


An accelerometer (10) features a housing (12) having an passage (14) of rectangular cross-section formed therein, and one embodiment the width dimension gradually increases with increasing displacement along a central longitudinal axis (16) away from a first end (24) of the passage. A puck-shaped magnetic sensing mass (26) is located within the passage and oriented so that its magnetic axis extends in a direction normal to a basal surface (18) of the passage. A pair of magnetically-permeable pole pieces (22) extend from a coil (21) parallel to the passage (14) to magnetically-interact with the sensing mass so as to bias the sensing mass towards a first position within the passage. A pair of electrically-conductive nonmagnetic plates (32) on the housing magnetically interact with the sensing mass to damp the movement thereof within the passage. The coil (21) provides both test and reconfiguration functions.

The present invention generally relates to acceleration sensors having an inertial or "sensing" mass which moves in response to acceleration from a first position within a passage to a second position therein.
Known accelerometers used to control actuation of vehicle passenger safety restraints typically comprise a housing having a cylindrical passage formed therein; a spherical or cylindrical sensing mass located within the passage; a means for providing a return bias on the sensing mass, i.e., for nominally biasing the sensing mass to a first position within the passage; and a switch means mounted on the housing so as to be operated by the sensing mass when it moves in response to an acceleration input from its first position within the passage to a second position therein. Such accelerometers are typically of the "integrating" variety, i.e., the movement of the sensing mass within the passage is retarded through the use of friction damping, fluid damping or magnetic damping. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 4,329,549 to Breed (gas damping through use of ball moving in closely-toleranced tube); U.S. Pat. No. 4,827,091 to Behr (magnetic damping through use of a magnetic sensing mass in combination with encompassing conductive, nonmagnetic rings).
Such known accelerometers work well when experiencing acceleration inputs which are coincident with the sensing axis thereof, i.e., the axis of the cylinder defining the passage in which the sensing mass moves. Thus, where the sensing axis of the accelerometer is aligned with the longitudinal axis of a motor vehicle, the accelerometer is most useful in detecting a "head-on" impact.
Correlatively, however, such known accelerometers are less suitable for use in detecting so-called "off-axis" impacts. Specifically, when the vehicle experiences an acceleration input along an impact axis which forms an impact angle .theta. relative to the accelerometer's sensing axis, the resultant force acting on the accelerometer's sensing mass along the sensing axis is significantly reduced, with an attendant reduction in the degree of passenger protection afforded by a restraint system controlled by the accelerometer. Stated another way, the accelerating force A.sub.x exerted on the mass in an off-axis impact is merely a component of the applied accelerating force A as projected upon the sensing axis, with a further retarding frictional load F which is itself proportional to the normal reaction component N of the applied accelerating force A. The effect may be summarized using the following equation: ##EQU1## Thus, for a given acceleration input A applied to the vehicle at a relative impact angle .theta. of, say, thirty degrees (i.e., where the acceleration input is applied thirty degrees off of the sensing axis of the accelerometer) and a coefficient of sliding friction .mu. of 0.20, the resulting acceleration force A.sub.x exerted upon the mass is only 76.6 percent of the applied acceleration input A. The end result is an effective increase in the triggering threshold of the accelerometer in the event the vehicle experiences off-axis acceleration inputs, with a corresponding reduction in passenger safety.
This distortion of the accelerometer's threshold in the event of off-axis impacts can be reduced by setting the side walls at an angle .phi.. The effect may be summarized using the following equation:. ##EQU2## Thus, if an accelerometer is provided with a passage having an eight degree side-wall angle and a coefficient of sliding friction .mu. of 0.20, the application of an acceleration input A at a relative impact angle .theta. of thirty degrees produces an accelerating force A.sub.x on the sensing mass which is approximately 84.4 percent of the applied acceleration input A--a substantial improvement over the 76.6 percent figure calculated above with respect to parallel-walled accelerometers. Indeed, evaluation of the above equation indicates that the percent increase in transmitted acceleration from off-axis impacts is roughly equal to the side-wall angle .phi. in degrees.
Accordingly, the prior art teaches accelerometers having angled side walls to accommodate off-axis impacts. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,128 to Orlando teaches an accelerometer featuring a ball-shaped sensing mass which travels within a horizontally-flared passage, i.e., within a passage having diverging side walls, in response to an acceleration input directed within the included angles of the passage's side walls. Specifically, the ball-shaped sensing mass is biased to a "ball seat" or rest position within the passage by a permanent magnet. An planar ferritic exterior bracket provides a suitable flux path for the magnetic return bias while further exerting a downward bias on the sensing mass to limit bouncing.
Unfortunately, however, the use of angled side walls in an accelerometer is not a panacea: while such accelerometers suffer from less distortion of their firing thresholds in the event of off-axis impacts, accelerometers such as the one taught by Orlando must necessarily be characterized as being of the nonintegrating type, inasmuch as they lack sufficient means for damping the movement of the sensing mass within the passage due to its changing cross-sectional dimensions. Moreover, where such accelerometers employ a magnetic return bias, as the side wall angle increases, increasingly complex magnetic circuits are required to ensure useful force-versus-displacement curves for all included angles, with an ultimate limit as to side wall angle .phi.. Still further, the use of angled side walls presents problems relating to contact design and achievable contact dwell, particularly where multiple circuit contacts are desired; and the additional degree of freedom (yaw) can be a disadvantage in controlling system dynamics and the contacts interface. Finally, known accelerometers having angled side walls are more difficult to manufacture than their parallel-walled counterparts.
Therefore, what is desired is an integrating accelerometer having angled side walls and featuring nearly identical return-bias-force-versus-displacement curves for sensing mass displacement along all included angles, increased contact dwell, and multiple circuit capability, as well as featuring improved testability and reconfigurability functions.

Accelerometer having lateral pole piece biasing elements


A system is provided for causing hemostasis at a puncture and a puncture tract. The system includes an inner member comprising an expandable member at its distal end and an inflation lumen that extends from inner member proximal end to an interior of the expandable member. The system further includes an outer member comprising a lumen sized and shaped to allow the inner member to slide therein, an occlusion balloon at its distal end, and an inflation lumen that extends from its proximal end to the interior of the occlusion balloon. The expandable member can be inflated by fluid flowing through the inner member inflation lumen so that the expandable member can close a puncture in a subcutaneous vessel of a living being. The occlusion balloon can be inflated by fluid flowing through the outer member inflation lumen so that the occlusion balloon can contact and apply pressure to a puncture tract extending from the skin of the living being to the puncture.

A system and methods are known for accessing a patient's vasculature percutaneously, e.g., to perform a procedure within the vasculature, and for sealing the puncture that results after completing the procedure. For example, a hollow needle may be inserted through a patient's skin and overlying tissue into a blood vessel. A guide wire may be passed through the needle lumen into the blood vessel, whereupon the needle may be removed. An introducer sheath may then be advanced over the guide wire into the vessel, e.g., in conjunction with or subsequent to one or more dilators.
A catheter or other device may be advanced through the introducer sheath and over the guide wire into a position for performing a medical procedure. Thus, the introducer sheath may facilitate introducing various devices into the vessel, while minimizing trauma to the vessel wall and/or minimizing blood loss. Upon completing the procedure, the device(s) and introducer sheath may be removed, leaving a puncture extending between the skin and the vessel wall.
To seal the puncture, external pressure may be applied to the overlying tissue, e.g., manually and/or using sandbags, until hemostasis occurs. This procedure, however, may be time consuming and expensive, requiring as much as an hour of a medical professional's time. It is also uncomfortable for the patient, and may require the patient to remain immobilized in the operating room, catheter lab, or holding area. In addition, a risk of hematoma exists from bleeding before hemostasis occurs.
Various systems and methods have been suggested for sealing a percutaneous puncture instead of using external pressure. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,421 to Fowler discloses a collagen plug that may be delivered into a puncture through tissue. In one embodiment, a catheter is inserted through the puncture into the blood vessel. A balloon on the catheter is expanded and retracted until the balloon is disposed adjacent the puncture at the wall of the vessel. The plug may be advanced into the puncture until the plug contacts the balloon, thereby preventing the plug from entering the vessel. Once the plug is positioned within the puncture, the balloon may be deflated and withdrawn, leaving the plug therein to expand and seal the puncture and/or to promote hemostasis.
Alternatively, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,192,302 and 5,222,974 issued to Kensey et al. describe a biodegradable collagen plug and rigid anchor that may be delivered through an introducer sheath into a puncture site. The disclosed plug, however, may be difficult to position properly with respect to the vessel, which may be significant since it is generally undesirable to expose the collagen material within the bloodstream where it may float downstream and cause an embolism. In addition, the disclosed plug may not completely occlude the puncture site, resulting in incomplete hemostasis and vascular complications.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,979 issue to Khosravi et al. describes a balloon that may be delivered through an introducer sheath into a puncture site. The balloon is withdrawn to seal the puncture, and a hydrogel sealant is introduced into the puncture. The balloon is then removed, relying on the hydrogel sealant to occlude the tissue tract. The sealant may not completely occlude the puncture site or tissue tract, resulting in incomplete hemostasis and vascular complications.
Accordingly, the present invention's system and methods for sealing punctures may have multiple advantages. Similarly, to assessing hemostasis with manual compression, the occlusion balloon may be deflated to assess hemostasis, and reinflated until hemostasis has been confirmed. When other devices, as noted above, fail to achieve hemostasis, the only option is manual compression. With the present invention, prolonged balloon inflation is localized to the puncture tract with nothing intravacular to impair blood flow, does not require additional manpower or beyond standard supervision, may not be uncomfortable for the patient, and it may be possible for the patient to move or even ambulate with the device inflated and secured in the tissue tract. In addition, the device may be scalable for larger punctures, which may require more prolonged and possibly overnight balloon inflation to achieve hemostasis.


A wafer processing method for use with a wafer processing apparatus having a liquid cooling jacket with a built-in coolant liquid circulation path and a ceramic plate as attached onto the liquid cooling jacket and having therein a heater and an electrode for an electrostatic chuck. The method enables performance of wafer processing while letting a wafer be mounted on the ceramic plate by a wafer transport. The method includes causing the wafer transport to transport the wafer onto the ceramic plate, pre-heating the wafer while the wafer is held on the ceramic plate for a predetermined length of time, and mounting the preheated wafer on the ceramic plate.

In recent years, certain materials including but not limited to ruthenium and its oxides or platinum or the like are thought to be the top-rated candidates for the capacitor electrode material of semiconductor devices of the next generation, owing to congeniality with currently available capacitor dielectric films high in dielectric constant and the like. In addition, materials which are considered to be employable as gate dielectric films in place of silicon oxides may include zirconium oxides and hafnium oxides or else whereas PZT (Pb(Zr,Ti)O3) and BST ((Ba,Sr)Tio3) are being considered for use as capacitor dielectric films. In this way, various kinds of "new" materials are under consideration for use as prospective semiconductor device materials. Unfortunately these new materials are thermally and chemically stable in nature and thus stay extremely low in volatility—in this respect, these are called non-volatile materials among experts in the semiconductor device art.
It is thus inevitable for performing etching treatment of these nonvolatile materials to maintain the temperature of a wafer being presently processed at high temperatures. Although in prior known etch processing apparatus or equipment it is a standard way that the wafer temperature is set to range from a low temperature of approximately −50° C. up to about 100° C., this temperature range is deemed insufficient in order to successfully etch the above nonvolatile materials due to the chemical stability thereof. Thus it is required that the nonvolatile materials be processed or micromachined within a high temperature range of from 200° C. to 500° C.
To realize a processing apparatus for processing wafers at such high temperatures, it is essential to employ a wafer stage capable of not only heating up wafers at high temperatures but also performing temperature control for establishment of a uniform wafer temperature distribution while increasing responsibility even in cases where heat input from a plasma is present.
A method for controlling the temperature of a wafer being processed with good responsibility is disclosed in Published Japanese Patent Application No. 7-176601 (JP-A-7-176601), wherein a gas gap space is provided between a pedestal for support of a wafer and its associative heat source and heat sink being provided thereunder for controlling the pressure of a gas being introduced into this gas gap space to thereby control the wafer temperature.
Another approach is disclosed in JP-A-2001-110885, wherein a heat transfer gas chamber capable of sealing and exhausting gases is provided between a support member for holding a wafer and a cooling member for performing cooling while further providing a heating element(s) on the support member side to thereby maintain the wafer at a high temperature.


A substrate having a microstrip line structure is provided comprising a trench provided at least in one main surface of a base body constituting the substrate having an inner surface geometry of an unbent curved surface and corresponding to the pattern of the microstrip line; a laminate film having a ground conductive layer and an insulating layer formed along the inner surface geometry of the trench; and a signal line layer constituting the microstrip line formed on the laminate film; where the signal line layer has a configuration separated for each trench.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a substrate having a microstrip line structure composed of a base body that is a semiconductor or an insulator, a semiconductor device having a microstrip line structure, and a manufacturing method of a substrate having a microstrip line structure.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, in the field of semiconductors, the scale down of process technique has been regarded as an important index of product development, and miniaturization, high-level function, and low electric power consumption of large scale integration (LSI) have been realized by process technology similar to a system on a chip (SOC) to integrate a variety of functions on one chip.
In a SOC, however, there are the problems of a short period of product cycle and difficulties in reducing the development cost associated therewith. For the purpose of complementing this, there has been used a technique by means of a multi chip module (MCM) for mounting a wide variety of dies/chips on a single package. Since the technique is able to appropriate directly a developed die/chip in the MCM, there are the merits of a short period of development and a reduction in development cost. In addition, the point of enabling integration of large-capacity flash memories and DRAMs, which has been difficult in a SOC and a problem in the manufacturing process, also can be said to be an advantage of the MCM.
Recently, the difficulties in complying with an increase in mounting a number of parts, which is caused by a deficiency of mounting area and the like, become significant in equipment having a semiconductor device, particularly portable equipment, and the limit of mounting by the SOC is also pointed out.
The solution to this problem shows increasingly the tendency to decrease the mounting area by, for example, a MCM of a stack type in which a plurality of chips are stacked vertically. That is, the understanding of the MCM is changing from one means for complementing a SOC to the main mounting technique in semiconductor technology.
In this MCM, a substrate constituting an interposer having a microstrip line structure is used.
On the other hand, there was proposed the formation of a microstrip line structure on the surface of a substrate composed of silicon (for example, Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-336114 (FIG. 1, paragraph No. "0006").
Meanwhile, in the case of applying voltage to two adjacent conductors, if the voltage is direct current, or even if it is alternating current, but the frequency is low, only the influence due to the resistances possessed by the two conductors is exerted on the mutual conductors and their internal currents. In contrast, if the frequency enters the microwave band in alternating current, the mutual influence occurs even by the electric field caused by the inductance of the conductors themselves and the capacitance between the conductors.
The influence of this problem is further increased by the nature of the microwave, resulting from its frequency height, which flows intensively in the vicinity of the surface of a conductor rather than the inside, which is generally called "skin effect."
Hence, in a substrate having a microstrip line structure, the mutual influence in each wiring is liable to occur than in a general substrate, and as a result, it might interfere even with the overall operation of a semiconductor device having this substrate.
Therefore, in general, when manufacturing a MCM, also in view of the tendency to elongate the wiring of a SOC, if a substrate is one having difficulties in adding an allowance for the distance between respective wiring, such as an interposer, it is desirable to reduce the mutual influence between the respective wiring as much as possible.
In addition, although attempts also have been made to form a wiring part of a microstrip line structure by cutting trenches in a substrate, of which a cross section is a rectangle, the microstrip line structure with this construction suffers from problems due to poor coverage in the interlayer adhesion, such as between an insulating layer and a conductive layer, as well as defects in respective layers and the occurrence of leaks due to the defects.

Substrate having microstrip line structure, semiconductor device having microstrip line structure, and manufacturing method of substrate having microstrip line structure


A radiator casing (1) on a bumper (3) of a vehicle, particularly of a motor car, is achieved using a mounting such that the radiator casing (1) is movable, be means of bearings (7,9) arranged on both sides of the radiator, on a swivel axis (13) disposed transversely to the direction of travel, on the one hand downwards diagonally with respect to the direction of travel into a stop position and after reaching the stop is pivotable in the direction of travel into a lockable basic position and on the other hand in the event of a collision is movable into and unlockable in a deflected position which can be moved back in the opposite direction to the direction of travel.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a mounting for a radiator casing on a front bumper of a vehicle, particularly a motor car.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
JP 5 631 846 A discloses a front end part wherein the bumper and the radiator casing part are joined together by means of a latching connection. This latching connection comprises separate components which first have to be inserted in the bumper. Then the radiator casing part has to be pushed into these separate components from behind. Corresponding mounting work is needed to attach the radiator casing to the bumper.
EP 0 484 641 B1 discloses a mounting for a radiator of a motor car which is arranged underneath the bumper bar adjacent to a front end casing part of the bumper bar. In the event of impact on the front end part or the bumper the radiator remains undamaged and fully operational as it is able to deflect resiliently and uniformly counter to a spring force about a swivel axis.
Finally, DE 35 23 909 discloses a front bumper for vehicles, particularly motor cars, wherein a radiator grill is secured to the bumper by means of a latching connection. The latching connection comprises a latching peg integrally formed on the radiator grill in the lower part thereof and engaging in a shaped hole which tapers towards the front in the upper wall portion of the bumper. The latching connection is not made until the latching peg has moved upwards in the shaped hole. Disengagement of the radiator grill in the event of impact is prevented by barb-like securing lugs which engage in corresponding longitudinal holes in the upper wall portion of the bumper in the mounted position of the radiator grill and each abut with a substantially vertical locking surface against the rear boundary of the associated oblong hole. In the event of a person hitting the front end part of a motor car, even if the car is traveling at low speed, this does not prevent either damage to the radiator grill or injury to the person.

Mounting for a radiator casing in a motor vehicle


A heat-sensitive stencil including a thermoplastic resin film, and a porous resin layer formed thereon. The porous resin layer contains fibers having an average length in the range of 30 .mu.m to 10 mm. The stencil is produced by applying a coating liquid over a surface of a thermoplastic resin film to form a coated layer, and drying the coated layer. The coating liquid has a viscosity of 80-250 cp at 25.degree. C. and contains a resin and fibers having an average length in the range of 30 .mu.m to 10 mm.

This invention relates to a heat-sensitive stencil and to a method of fabricating same.
One known heat-sensitive stencil is composed of an ink-permeable thin paper serving as an ink support and a thermoplastic resin film bonded with an adhesive to the support. The stencil is heated imagewise by, for example, a thermal head to perforate the heated portions of the thermoplastic resin film, thereby obtaining a printing master for reproducing images by mimeographic printing. The conventional stencil, however, poses problems because (1) the adhesive tends to be accumulated in interstices between fibers to form "fins" which prevent the thermal perforation during the master forming step and the passage of an ink during the printing step, (2) the fibers per se prevent smooth passage of an ink and (3) the paper support is relatively expensive.
To cope with the above problems, JP-A-54-33117 proposes a stencil having no paper support and composed substantially only of a thermoplastic resin film. While this stencil can completely solve the above-mentioned problems, a new serious problem arises; i.e. it is necessary to significantly increase the thickness of the stencil in order to obtain satisfactory stiffness required for transferring the stencil master during printing stage. An increase of the thickness results in the lowering of the thermal sensitivity.
JP-A 62-198459 discloses a method of fabricating a stencil wherein a multiplicity of closed patterns such as circular patterns are formed by gravure printing of a radiation-curable heat-resisting resin on a thermoplastic resin film, followed by curing. Since this method unavoidably gives patterns have a thickness of 50 .mu.m or more, the formation of perforations with a thermal head is not easy. Further, ink stains are apt to be formed on prints obtained using such a stencil master.

Heat-sensitive stencil and method of fabricating same


A front mower for mounting on a front three point linkage of a tractor to be operated for cutting vegetation, such as grass, in front of the tractor, the mower comprising: (i) a headstock for mounting on the front three point linkage of the tractor; (ii) a mowing head comprising an array of cutting heads for cutting vegetation such as grass, mounted on and moveable relative to the headstock to follow the contours of the ground over which the mower is passing; (iii) a mounting mechanism mounting the mowing head to the headstock, wherein the mounting mechanism comprises a cutting angle adjustment mechanism comprising an arc shaped guide and a follower for the arc shaped guide, the follower being moveable back and forth along the arc shaped guide, so that the cutting angle adjustment mechanism allows the mowing head to move back and forth along an arc defined by the guide and relative to the headstock so as to vary the cutting angle of the cutting heads. This allows for free movement of the mowing head to follow the contours of the ground.

The present invention relates to a mower for front mounting on a tractor for example to a front linkage of a tractor. Often such a mower forms part of a group or gang of mowers. For example a tractor may have one or more, for example two or more, rear mowers that are mounted so that together the gang of mowers cut a continuous area without leaving any uncut strip in the continuous area.
The one or more rear mowers may be mounted on a rear three point linkage of a tractor. Alternatively they may be trailed, for example they may be trailed on a frame which runs (on wheels) behind the tractor.
Typically the front mower runs in the middle and the rear mower(s) is/are offset to either side of the front mower. Such a set-up is of interest in the present invention, in particular an arrangement where there is one front mower and two rear mowers forming a gang of three mowers that cut a continuous area without leaving any uncut strip in the continuous area.
In some mowers, rotating cutting discs run along the ground, for example sitting on a drum plate. In other cases a cutting bar runs along the ground. Typically this is a sliding or skid action. In all cases it is desirable that the mower follows the contours of the ground insofar as possible to ensure that the mower does not get caught in raised ground and does not cut at a high level where there is a hollow.
In use, a mower can get caught on an obstacle such as a raised piece of ground, or a foreign object such as a rock, strong vegetation such as a bush or tree etc. This is particularly the case where the obstacle or foreign object catches in one place on the mower.
For rear mowers such as a trailed mower a break-away mechanism is sometimes provided that allows the mower to move relative to the tractor in the event that the mower gets stuck but the tractor continues moving. For example, the breakaway mechanism may allow the mower to swing back relative to the tractor by pivoting on a mounting frame when a threshold force is exceeded. Without such mechanisms, serious damage can be caused to the mower and/or the tractor if the mower gets stuck against an obstacle but the tractor keeps moving.
Furthermore it may be easier for a rear mower to follow the contours of the ground because it is mounted on the tractor or a mounting frame and runs behind the tractor. In such a case for example on raised ground the tractor moves over the raised ground before the mower does and this can mean the mower is less likely to get stuck as it follows the motion of the tractor. On the other hand, a front mower leads the motion of the tractor, and a front mounted mower could be pushed into an obstacle such as raised ground so it is more likely to get stuck against an obstacle. Also because the font mower is mounted to the front and centre of the tractor, it is not usually possible to allow the mower to allow a break away action such as allowing the mower to swing back as to do so would allow it to catch against the tractor thus causing damage.
Typically the front mower experiences higher stress forces because it is pushed along the ground than it would if pulled behind a tractor.
For this reason it is desirable that the front mower has a high degree of freedom of movement to ensure it can deal with contours experienced in use.
For example it is known to provide a front mower with a frame or headstock that mounts it to the tractor that allows the cutting head to hang freely thus allowing for freedom of movement of the cutting head of the mower.
It will be appreciated that as the mower is quite heavy itself that the drag on the ground would be very significant if the full weight of the mower has to be pushed along the ground.
For this reason it is known to use a suspension unit that may be built into the headstock to take at least part of the weight and transfer it to the tractor (via a front three point linkage) when the mower is lowered for use to cut, for example even when partially resting on the ground. This may be done with a hydraulic system built into the headstock which may have an automatic control system which will allow a selected amount of the weight of the mower to be transferred to the tractor, using the hydraulic system and via the three point linkage.
In other instances the tractor three point linkage system is arranged to take at least part of the weight and transfer it to the tractor when the mower is lowered for use to cut, for example even when touching the ground. In such a case a control system of the tractor may be used to automatically control the weight of the mower taken by the tractor.
Systems which take up a partial weight of an implement are often called a float or floating system.
For example Kuhn has a front mower (model FC 3125 F) that is shown here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6ZHLzzS51g. Claas make a front mower (model Disco 3500 FC) which is found here https://youtu.be/tFkssdGYMtA. Both incorporate titling systems to allow the cutting head to follow the contours of the ground as closely as possible. In both cases part of the weight of the mower is transferred to the tractor using a floating system.
Notwithstanding the arrangements that have been used to provide a front mower that follows the ground contours as closely as possible it is desirable to provide a front mower that is robust in use and that will follow the contours of the ground.

Front mower for mounting on a front three point linkage of a tractor


The present invention relates to a luminaire 100 comprising a luminaire base 1, an elongate, length-adjustable supporting strut 2 held by means of the luminaire base 1, and a lighting means 3 arranged on the supporting strut 2.

A multitude of different designs exist in the prior art in the development of luminaire technology. In addition to a good light yield, functionality and lightweight design, in particular, are a frequently demanded criterion. In particular in the case of, for example, workplace or reading luminaires comprising a lighting means attached to a supporting strut, there is a demand for individual adjustability of the position and/or the orientation of the lighting means by means of adjusting the supporting strut. For this purpose, designs are known from the prior art in which the length of the supporting strut can be adjusted.
For example, a luminaire with a supporting strut is already known from the utility model specification DE 202 10 215 U1 in which the supporting strut is configured to be length-adjustable and is formed at least partially from a band-shaped, biased material that can be transformed from a stable extended position into a rolled-up position and vice versa.
However, the design known from DE 202 10 215 U1 is disadvantageous in that it is difficult in practice to provide a supporting strut that can be rolled-up and which, in its extended position, exhibits sufficient mechanical stability.

Luminaire with a length-variable supporting strut for a light-emitting means


A window member includes: a glass member; a display member wherein the glass member has a bottom surface which faces and overlays the display member and a pattern layer provided on a first surface of the glass member and having a fine pattern. The pattern layer is silk-screen printed on the first surface of the glass member to directly contact the surface of the glass member. A method of manufacturing a window member, includes: forming a pattern layer such that the pattern layer contacts a surface of the glass member along a periphery of the glass member. The pattern layer is formed at a location which is offset inward from a periphery of the glass member.

In general, a display device provided in a portable terminal includes a display module, and a transparent window member mounted on the display module. The window member protects the display module while revealing a screen and images generated by the display module.
As a recent portable terminal including a display device can perform various functions such as access to the Internet and reproduction of a multimedia file, a touch function is mounted and included with the display device. That is, an input device can be realized and provided through a display device to which a touch function is mounted and included instead of providing a separate input device. Utilizing a screen display area for providing both access to the Internet and a providing multimedia functions such as touch capability for providing input functions portability of the portable terminal is enhanced. Accordingly, portability of a portable terminal can be maintained while also providing a large-sized display device mounted to the portable terminal.
As mentioned above, the display device includes a window member to reveal a screen for viewing and protect a display module. Almost the whole area of the window member is preferably transparent to reveal and transmit a screen displayed in the display module, but a bonding member such as a double-sided tape is disposed at least at a periphery of the window member to mount the window member to a housing of the portable terminal. It is apparent that a portion of the housing directly supporting a periphery of the window member or the bonding member is exposed to the outside through the transparent window member. An internal structure or the bonding member of the housing can be concealed by printing or making the periphery of the window member opaque.
FIG. 1A is a sectional view showing a window member of a general portable terminal, and FIG. 1B is a view showing that a film layer including a pattern layer is coupled to a glass member. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the window member 10 includes a glass member 11 such as tempered glass, a film layer 12, a pattern layer 13 formed along a periphery of the glass layer 11, a deposition layer 14 formed on one surface of the pattern layer 13, and print layers 15 formed on one surface of the deposition layer 14. The print layers 15 are adapted to conceal a configuration for supporting the window member 10 in a housing of the portable terminal, and are formed of a colored pigment. The pattern layer 13 is formed with a fine pattern such as hair lines along a periphery of the tempered glass. The pattern layer 13 provides a pattern feeling to realize a metallic feeling and appearance at a periphery of the window member 10. The pattern layer 13 is formed by using an ultraviolet curing resin, and the film layer 12 is necessary between the glass member 11 and the pattern layer 13 to attach the ultraviolet curing resin to the glass member 11. The film layer 12 includes a film 12a, and an optically transparent double-sided tape 12b bonding the film 12a to the glass member 11. The pattern layer 13 is formed at a periphery of the film 12a first to provide the pattern layer 13 to the periphery of the glass member 11. The optically transparent double-sided tape 12b is attached to a rear surface of the film 12a having the pattern layer 13, and the film 12a having the pattern layer 13 is combined with the glass member to finish the window member 10.
However, the film layer 12 is necessary only to form the pattern layer 13, but does not contribute to the window member 10, and thus to the function and structure of the portable terminal. Further, since the film layer 12 increases an entire thickness of the window member 10 and a manufacturing process of attaching the film layer 12 to the glass member 11, the manufacturing process is complex and processing costs also increase accordingly.

Window member and method of manufacturing the same


A snowmobile includes an engine room accommodating an engine body, a steering shaft transferring a steering force generated by the steering of a handle to steering skis, and an assist motor accommodated in the engine room and assisting the steering force, wherein the assist motor is mounted to the steering shaft and located ahead of an uppermost portion of the engine body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a snowmobile equipped with a power steering system having an assist motor with a high cooling capability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known snowmobiles include a snowmobile equipped with a power steering system having an assist motor. In this power steering system, the power of the assist motor assists a steering force generated when the driver of the snowmobile steers the handle.
JP-A-2005-193788 describes a snowmobile equipped with a power steering system. The snowmobile accommodates an assist motor and an assist mechanism that transfers the power of the assist motor to the steering shaft in an engine room.
The power steering system eliminates the need for the driver of the snowmobile to steer the handle by a large force to adjust the direction of the steering skis or the direction of the snowmobile.
However, since the assist motor of the snowmobile is mounted to the steering shaft behind the engine, its cooling capability is low.


A television receiver comprising a video display with a wide width to height ratio, horizontal and vertical deflection circuits for generating selectable rasters of different sizes on the video display by modifying horizontal deflection signals, a circuit (Rs) responsive to a vertical deflection signal and generating a first control signal, a waveform generator responsive to the first control signal and generating a substantially parabolic signal, a raster distortion correction circuit responsive to the substantially parabolic signal, and a source of a second control signal indicative of a selected horizontal raster width and the horizontal deflection being modified responsive to the second control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of wide screen television receivers and video displays, and in particular, to wide screen television receivers and video displays in which different display modes having different picture sizes are implemented by manipulating deflection circuits and raster sizes.
2. Description of Related Art
When referring to a television picture, there are actually two aspect ratios. One aspect ratio is that which describes the outer boundary or borders of the picture. In conventional television receivers, this aspect ratio is 4:3. The horizontal factor usually appears first. In wide screen television receivers, this aspect ratio is, for most manufacturers, 16:9. The second aspect ratio is that which describes the images which are displayed on the television screen. A perfectly round circle, for example, which appears on a television screen as a perfectly round circle, has an aspect ratio of 1:1. If the same circle is displayed on a wide screen television receiver, without any corrective measures, the circle will appear to be an oval, which is elongated along the horizontal axis. If the receiver is 16:9, the circle will have an aspect ratio of approximately 1.3:1. If the same circle is displayed on a wide screen television receiver, with appropriate corrective measures, the circle will appear to be a perfect circle, and will have an aspect ratio of 1:1. Two expressions are used herein regarding aspect ratio in order to avoid confusion. One expression is "format display ratio" and the other is "image aspect ratio".
The expression "format display ratio" refers to the width to height ratio of the boundaries or borders of a picture. The format display ratio of a video signal from a conventional video source is 4:3. The format display ratio of a conventional television receiver is 4:3. The format display ratio of a video signal from a wide screen video source is 16:9 (sometimes 5:3, sometimes another wide ratio). The format display ratio of a wide screen television receiver is 16:9 (sometimes 5:3, sometimes another wide ratio).
The expression "image aspect ratio" refers to the width to height ratio of images within a picture. Images having an image aspect ratio of 1:1 will appear without image aspect ratio distortion. Images not having an image aspect ratio of 1:1 will appear with image aspect ratio distortion.
Wide screen television receivers and displays have several particularly useful, and in some cases critical, display modes. These display modes include: displaying pictures from video sources having conventional format display ratios, without image aspect ratio distortion; displaying pictures from video sources having wide screen format display ratios, without image aspect ratio distortion; displaying pictures from video sources having conventional format display ratios, in an enlarged size, without image aspect ratio distortion.
Displaying pictures from video sources having conventional format display ratios, in an enlarged size and without image aspect ratio distortion, often results in a portion of the picture at the top and bottom being cropped. This portion is one-third, if the wide screen display is 16:9 and the size is enlarged horizontally and vertically by factors of four-thirds. If the enlarged picture is vertically centered, then one-sixth of the picture will be cropped from the top and one-sixth of the picture will be cropped from the bottom.
This cropping raises two operating mode issues. One issue is that a viewer might be willing to accept a certain amount of image aspect ratio distortion in order to reduce cropping and see more of the picture. In this case, another desirable display mode would be displaying pictures from video sources having conventional format display ratios, in an enlarged size, with a small but acceptable amount of image aspect ratio distortion. The other issue is that subtitles and other kinds of information might be in the cropped part of the picture. A viewer might very well consider the subtitles or other information to be critical, but is unwilling to accept image aspect ratio distortion. In this situation, yet another desirable display mode would be displaying pictures from video sources having conventional format display ratios, in an enlarged size and without image aspect ratio distortion, but panned upwardly so as to display the subtitles or other information and crop only, or substantially only from the top of the picture.
A vertical shift is required to make the hidden portions of the picture visible. This can be obtained by superimposing a DC component on the vertical deflection current. This requires a vertical deflection amplifier with DC coupling and sufficient output current range. Such an amplifier has the disadvantage of increased dissipation losses. Another approach is to use a floating DC current source connected in parallel to the vertical deflection yoke. The dynamic range of the output voltage of the current source must be large enough to account for the flyback pulse. A disadvantage of current superposition is that the vertical linearity correction and the East-West side pincushion distortion correction have to be readjusted when the vertical shift is changed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,042 discloses a switching arrangement to control the horizontal deflection amplitude. In a first condition, a raster is generated having a deflection amplitude and a deflection correction parameter corresponding to a first aspect ratio. In a second selectable condition, a raster is produced having a deflection amplitude and deflection correction parameter corresponding to a second aspect ratio. An additional inductance is coupled to the deflection yoke and is short-circuited in one selectable condition in order to conduct deflection current via the inductor.
EP A 0578162 discloses a vertical panning system including a panning circuit which generates a vertical reset signal which is phase shifted by a selected number of horizontal lines relative to the vertical synchronizing component of the video signal.
Implementing all of the display modes described above can be expensive and require considerable signal processing power. These display modes also create problems in correcting typical raster distortion problems, such as side pincushion distortion, as the picture or raster size is changed.

Deflection circuits for wide screen displays


The invention relates to electrophoretic displays comprising core-shell pigment particles having a core of low specific gravity and low refractive index and a shell of high refractive index.

Electrophoretic displays (also known as EPDs, electrophoretic image displays or EPIDs or EPID cells) are non-emissive devices based on the electrophoresis phenomenon influencing charged pigment particles suspended in a colored dielectric solvent. This type of display was first proposed in 1969. An EPD typically comprises a pair of opposed, spaced-apart plate-like electrodes, with spacers predetermining a certain distance between the electrodes. At least one of the electrodes, typically on the viewing side, is transparent. For the passive type of EPDs, row and column electrodes on the top (the viewing side) and bottom plates respectively, are needed to drive the displays. In contrast, an array of thin film transistors (TFTs) on the bottom plate and a common, non-patterned transparent conductor plate on the top viewing substrate are required for the active type EPDs. An electrophoretic fluid composed of a colored dielectric solvent and charged pigment particles dispersed therein is enclosed between the two electrodes.
When a voltage difference is imposed between the two electrodes, the pigment particles migrate by attraction to the plate of polarity opposite that of the pigment particles. Thus, the color showing at the transparent plate, determined by selectively charging the plates, can be either the color of the solvent or the color of the pigment particles. Reversal of plate polarity will cause the particles to migrate back to the opposite plate, thereby reversing the color. Intermediate color density (or shades of gray) due to intermediate pigment density at the transparent plate may be obtained by controlling the plate charge through a range of voltages or pulsing time.
To view a reflective EPD, an external light source is needed. For applications to be viewed in the dark, either a backlight system or a front pilot light system may be used. A transflective EPD equipped with a backlight system is typically preferred over a reflective EPD with a front pilot light because of cosmetic and uniformity reasons. However, the presence of light scattering particles in typical EPD cells greatly reduces the efficiency of the backlight system. A high contrast ratio in both bright and dark environments, therefore, is difficult to achieve for traditional EPDs.
A transmissive EPD is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,184,856 in which a backlight, color filters and substrates with two transparent electrodes are used. The electrophoretic cells serve as a light valve. In the collected state, the particles are positioned to minimize the coverage of the horizontal area of the cell and allow the backlight to pass through the cell. In the distributed state, the particles are positioned to cover the horizontal area of the pixel and scatter or absorb the backlight. However, the backlight and color filter used in this device consume a great deal of power and therefore are not desirable for hand-held devices such as PDAs (personal digital assistants) and e-books.
EPDs of different pixel or cell structures have been reported previously, for example, the partition-type EPD (M. A. Hopper and V. Novotny, IEEE Trans. Electr. Dev., 26(8):1148-1152 (1979)) and the microencapsulated EPD (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,961,804 and 5,930,026). However, both types have their own problems as noted below.
In the partition-type EPD, there are partitions between the two electrodes for dividing the space into smaller cells in order to prevent undesired movement of the particles such as sedimentation. However, difficulties are encountered in the formation of the partitions, the process of filling the display with an electrophoretic fluid, enclosing the fluid in the display and keeping the fluids of different colors separated from each other.
The microencapsulated EPD has a substantially two dimensional arrangement of microcapsules each having therein an electrophoretic composition of a dielectric fluid and a dispersion of charged pigment particles that visually contrast with the dielectric solvent. The microcapsules are typically prepared in an aqueous solution, and to achieve a useful contrast ratio, their mean particle size is relatively large (50-150 microns). The large microcapsule size results in poor scratch resistance and a slow response time for a given voltage because a large gap between the two opposite electrodes is required for large capsules. Also, the hydrophilic shell of microcapsules prepared in an aqueous solution typically results in sensitivity to high moisture and temperature conditions. If the microcapsules are embedded in a large quantity of a polymer matrix to obviate these shortcomings, the use of the matrix results in an even slower response time and/or a lower contrast ratio. To improve the switching rate, a charge-controlling agent is often needed in this type of EPDs. However, the microencapsulation process in an aqueous solution imposes a limitation on the type of charge-controlling agents that can be used. Other drawbacks associated with the microcapsules system include poor resolution and poor addressability for color applications.
An improved EPD technology was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,930,818 (corresponding to WO 01/67170), U.S. Pat. No. 6,672,921 (corresponding to WO02/01281) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,933,098 (corresponding to WO02/65215); all of which are incorporated herein by reference. The improved EPD comprises isolated cells formed from microcups of well-defined shape, size and aspect ratio and filled with charged pigment particles dispersed in a dielectric solvent, preferably a fluorinated solvent. The filled cells are individually sealed with a polymeric sealing layer, preferably formed from a composition comprising a material selected from the group consisting of thermoplastics, thermosets and precursors thereof.
The microcup structure enables a format flexible and efficient roll-to-roll continuous manufacturing process for the EPDs. The displays can be prepared on a continuous web of a conductor film such as ITO/PET by, for example, (1) coating a radiation curable composition onto the ITO/PET film, (2) forming the microcup structure by a microembossing or photolithographic method, (3) filling the microcups with an electrophoretic fluid and sealing the microcups, (4) laminating the sealed microcups with the other conductor film and (5) slicing and cutting the display into a desirable size or format for assembling.
One advantage of this EPD design is that the microcup walls are in fact built-in spacers to keep the top and bottom substrates apart at a fixed distance. The mechanical properties and structural integrity of this type of displays are significantly better than other displays including those manufactured by using spacer particles. In addition, displays involving microcups have desirable mechanical properties including reliable display performance when the display is bent, rolled or under compression pressure from, for example, a touch screen application. The use of the microcup technology also eliminates the need of an edge seal adhesive, which would limit and predefine the size of the display panel and confine the display fluid inside a predefined area. The display fluid within a conventional display prepared by the edge sealing adhesive method will leak out completely if the display is cut in any way, or if a hole is drilled through the display. The damaged display will be no longer functional. In contrast, the display fluid within the display prepared by the microcup technology is enclosed and isolated in each cell. The microcup display may be cut into almost any dimensions without the risk of damaging the display performance due to the loss of display fluid in the active areas. In other words, the microcup structure enables a format flexible display manufacturing process, wherein the process produces a continuous output of displays in a large sheet format which can be cut into any desired sizes. The isolated microcup or cell structure is particularly important when cells are filled with fluids of different specific properties such as colors and switching rates. Without the microcup structure, it will be very difficult to prevent the fluids in adjacent areas from intermixing or being subject to crosstalk during operation.
For applications to be viewed in dark environments, the microcup structure effectively allows the backlight to reach the viewer through the microcup walls. Unlike traditional EPDs, even a low intensity backlight is sufficient for users to view in the dark the transflective EPDs based on the microcup technology. A dyed or pigmented microcup wall may be used to enhance the contrast ratio and optimize the intensity of backlight transmitted through the microcup EPDs. A photocell sensor to modulate the backlight intensity might also be used to further reduce the power consumption of such EPDs.
The microcup EPDs may have the traditional up/down switching mode, the in-plane switching mode or the dual switching mode. In the display having the traditional up/down switching mode or the dual switching mode, there are a top transparent electrode plate, a bottom electrode plate and a plurality of isolated cells enclosed between the two electrode plates. In the display having the in-plane switching mode, the cells are sandwiched between a top transparent insulator layer and a bottom electrode plate.
The electrophoretic dispersions may be prepared according to methods well known in the art, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,017,584, 5,914,806, 5,573,711, 5,403,518, 5,380,362, 4,680,103, 4,285,801, 4,093,534, 4,071,430, and 3,668,106. See also IEEE Trans. Electron Devices, ED-24, 827 (1977), and J. Appl. Phys. 49(9), 4820 (1978).
The charged primary color particles are usually white and may be organic or inorganic pigments, such as TiO2. The particles may also be colored. The particles should have acceptable optical characteristics, should not be swollen or softened by the dielectric solvent and should be chemically stable.
Suitable charged pigment dispersions may be manufactured by grinding, milling, attriting, microfluidizing and ultrasonic techniques. For example, pigment particles in the form of a fine powder may be added to a suitable dielectric solvent and the resulting mixture is ball milled or attrited for several hours to break up the highly agglomerated dry pigment powder into primary particles.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,801, issued to A. Chiang, discloses a stable suspension for use in EPDs which suspension has high electrophoretic sensitivity. The high sensitivity was achieved by adsorbing highly fluorinated polymers onto the surface of the suspended pigment particles. It was determined that the fluorinated polymer shells were excellent dispersants as well as highly effective charge control agents. However, the adsorbed fluorinated polymer shell may become separated from the pigment particles during the operation of the display, causing destabilization of the pigment particles. Moreover, a common problem associated with this type of electrophoretic dispersions is sedimentation or creaming of the pigment particles particularly when high density pigment particles are used.
One method for achieving gravitational stability against sedimentation or creaming is to carefully select pigment and suspending liquid having similar or same specific gravities. However, when a dense inorganic pigment such as TiO2 (specific gravity ˜4) is employed, it is very difficult to find an organic solvent to match its density. This problem may be eliminated or alleviated by microencapsulating or coating the particles with a suitable polymer to match the specific gravity to that of the dielectric solvent.
Stabilization of pigment particles for use in EPDs has been effected by covalently bonding the pigment to a polymeric stabilizer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,806 discloses that charged pigment particles are substantially stabilized against agglomeration using polymeric stabilizers covalently bonded to the particle surface. The particles are organic pigments and the stabilizers are polymers with functional end groups capable of forming covalent bonds with the complementary functional groups of the organic pigment on the surface. Since only a thin layer of polymer is coated onto the pigment particles, it is very difficult, if not impossible, to match the specific gravity of dense particles, such as TiO2, to that of most commonly used organic solvents, by using this method.
Microencapsulation of the pigment particles may be accomplished either chemically or physically. Typical microencapsulation processes include interfacial polymerization, in-situ polymerization, phase separation, coacervation, electrostatic coating, spray drying, fluidized bed coating and solvent evaporation. Well-known procedures for microencapsulation have been disclosed in Kondo, Microcapsule Processing and Technology, Microencapsulation, Processes and Applications, (I.E. Vandegaer, ed.), Plenum Press, New York, N.Y. (1974), and Gutcho, Microcapsules and Microencapsulation Techniques, Nuyes Data Corp., Park Ridge, N.J. (1976), both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
A process involving (1) dispersing pigment particles in a non-aqueous polymer solution, (2) emulsifying the dispersion in an aqueous solution containing surfactants, (3) removing the organic solvent and (4) separating the encapsulated particles, was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,245 for the preparation of specific gravity matched particles for use in EPD applications. However, the use of an aqueous solution in the process results in major problems such as flocculation caused by separation of the particles from water and undesirable environmental sensitivity of the display.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,448, issued to K. Muller and A. Zimmerman, discloses the application of particles of various pigments where the particles are coated with an organic material which is stable at the cell operating temperature but melts at higher temperatures. The organic coating material contains a charge control agent to impart a uniform surface potential which permits the particles to migrate in a controlled fashion.
Microencapsulation of pigment particles by interfacial polymerization/crosslinking can result in a highly crosslinked microcapsule that does not melt at an elevated temperature. If necessary, microcapsules may be post hardened by in-situ polymerization crosslinking reactions inside the microcapsules. However, typical dielectric solvents useful for EPD applications have a relatively low refractive index compared to most of crosslinked polymers. As a result, specific gravity matched pigment microcapsules having a thick layer of polymeric shell or matrix typically show a lower hiding power or lower light scattering efficiency than the non-capsulated pigment particles.
Therefore, there still exists a need for pigment particles with optimal characteristics for application in all type of EPDs, including traditional EPDs, microcup EPDs as well as encapsulated EPDs. Desirable particle characteristics include uniform size, surface charge, high electrophoretic mobility, stability against agglomeration, better shelf life stability, matching specific gravity with various dispersion fluids, better hiding power, lower Dmin, higher contrast ratio and other particle characteristics which provide for a wider latitude in the control of switching rate.

Core-shell particles for electrophoretic display


A mail processing apparatus has a field table and a printer disposed above the feed table for printing indicia on a mailpiece moved in a movement direction along the feed table. A start sensor detects a leading edge of the mailpiece and supplies a signal to a microprocessor controller that operates the printer, in order to initiate a printing event on the mailpiece. An ejection roller is disposed following the printer and is operated by a motor to eject the mailpiece from the printer. An end sensor is disposed near the ejection roller and detects a trailing edge of the mailpiece, and supplies a signal to the microprocessor controller that causes the microprocessor controller to disconnect the voltage from the motor that operates the ejection roller.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an arrangement for a printing mail processing apparatus according that increases the throughput of mailpieces. The invention can be used in franking machines and in similar printing, accounting or mail processing apparatuses.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,234 And East German Patent 233 101 B5 disclose a thermotransfer franking machine having a mailpiece transport path with a start sensor that detects the leading edge of a mailpiece, i.e., the start of a letter envelope, and which is connected with a microprocessor in order to start a printing procedure as soon as a mailpiece arrives in the printing station. A thermotransfer printhead is equipped with a shift register, a memory latch unit and driver unit as well as with a series of thermoprinting heating elements disposed orthogonal to the mailpiece transport direction. The thermotransfer printhead is connected with the serial data output of the microprocessor via a register. The microprocessor controller can advance the ink ribbon corresponding to the transport speed mailpieces by means of signals from an encoder.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,767,228, and 4,886,384 and European Application 189 984 disclose an ink ribbon cassette for thermotransfer franking machines with a window for the application of a friction wheel to the ink ribbon and a mailpiece transport device as is used in similar form in modern thermotransfer franking machines of the type T1000 and Optimal® of Francotyp-Postalia. When a flap for the cassette bay is opened, a simple mechanism is actuated and the friction wheel is moved away from the ink ribbon of the cassette, allowing the cassette to be removed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,721 and European Application 716 398 disclose an internal franking machine circuit connected with a first microprocessor controller circuit that is the same for all franking machines. The internal franking machine circuit allows the connection of a variable number of sensors and actuators corresponding in type and number to the franking machine type. An adaptation to different printing methods is enabled by the use of different application-specific circuits (ASICs). Production piece numbers for franking machines of the same type, however, in order to justify the cost of the mask programming of the ASICs.
In thermotransfer franking machines of the type T1000 and Optimal®, an encoder disc is fastened on the same axle as a friction wheel and is consequently likewise rotated corresponding to the rotation of the encoder wheel when the ink ribbon is advanced. The operation of the machine is interrupted if an ink ribbon transport does not occur or after the passage of a predetermined time after a franking. This is also called the ejection phase. Up to 25 mailpieces with a maximum thickness of 5 mm can be franked per minute. When the franking event has ended, the microprocessor of the franking machine can check, by means of the start sensor whether the mailpiece (for example the letter envelope) has been transported into the printing region. The start sensor is positioned on the leading edge of the transport path, and the microprocessor thus can detect whether the letter envelope is still lying on the leading edge. It can occur that, due to rotation of the letter envelope, during the franking the letter envelope no longer actuates the start sensor, so the letter envelope is no longer detected during and after the franking. The microprocessor thus can no longer definitely detect with the start sensor whether the letter envelope has already exited the franking machine. If the ejection event were ended due to the interrogation of this start sensor, the letter envelope could remain in the franking machine or could repeatedly trigger the start sensor if it executes an unusual movement, for example with the trailing edge of the letter envelope. This has conventionally been addressed by an (in principle) long ejection phase (without interrogation of the start sensor), but this leads to a lower mailpiece throughput of the franking machine.
The use of additional sensors in order to increase the throughput of mailpieces is known from United States Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0021755, in which mailpieces are transported faster before and after the printing.

Printing mail processing apparatus with improved mailpiece throughput