In a lithographic projection apparatus, a measuring system configured to measure the position of the projection system relative to a reference frame includes sensors rigidly mounted in relation to counterpart sensors of a measuring system measuring the substrate table position. An angular encoder which sends light from a target down two optical paths having opposite sensitivities to tilt is used to measure rotation of the projection system about its optical axis.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to lithographic projection apparatus and to device manufacturing methods. The present invention also relates to an angular encoder.
2. Description of the Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that circumstance, a patterning device, such as a mask, may be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. including part of one, or several, dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include so-called steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at once, and so-called scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the projection beam in a given direction (the "scanning"-direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
In known lithographic projection apparatus that carry out scanning exposures, the positions of the mask stage and the substrate stage are measured relative to the projection system (lens) in order to control the stage positions during the scan. In practice, the positions are measured using interferometers mounted on a rigid reference frame to which the projection lens system is rigidly connected. However, in a proposed lithographic projection apparatus using EUV radiation as the exposure radiation the projection system, a mirror system with positive magnification is compliantly mounted in six degrees of freedom to the reference frame. Otherwise, the requirements on the lens dynamics would be too onerous. The same applies in other types of lithography apparatus. It is therefore necessary to measure the position of the projection system relative to the reference frame, as well as the position of the tables relative to the reference frame. A convenient arrangement to do this is required.

Lithographic apparatus, device manufacturing method, and angular encoder


A downhole choke and associated methods provide enhanced efficiency and accuracy in well sampling and testing operations due to its capability for substantially minimizing the amount of time needed to establish steady state flow conditions in a well, and the ability to sample fluids downhole at varying downhole flow restrictions. In a described embodiment, a downhole choke is operable to restrict fluid flow therethrough by applying a predetermined fluid pressure to an annulus formed between the choke and the wellbore. The downhole choke has an axial flow passage formed therethrough, a portion of which has interchangeable flow areas. The flow areas are interchanged upon application of the predetermined fluid pressure, and again interchanged upon expiration of a time delay. One of the flow areas permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow therethrough, and another of the flow areas permits restricted flow therethrough.

The present invention relates generally to testing and sampling operations performed in subterranean wells and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides an annulus pressure operated downhole choke and associated methods.
In a conventional fluid sampling operation performed for a subterranean well, a sample chamber is attached to a tubing string and positioned within the well in order to take an in situ sample of the fluid flowing through the tubing string. Preferably, the sample is taken in relatively close proximity to a formation from which the fluid originates. Additionally, it is generally desired to take the sample in steady state flow conditions and at a fluid pressure greater than the bubble point of any oil in the sample.
To achieve the desired fluid pressure at the downhole sample chamber while the fluid is flowing through the tubing string, a choke is typically installed at the earth's surface and connected to the tubing string to restrict fluid flow through the tubing string at the earth's surface. However, due to the usually great distance between the choke and the formation and resulting wellbore storage effects, the desired steady state flow is not established until a substantial amount of time after flow through the choke is commenced. If a sample is taken during this long period of unsteady flow, the sample may include proportions of oil and gas which are uncharacteristic of the formation fluid and, therefore, impair any analysis of the formation relating, for example, to optimum rates of production from the formation, etc.
Furthermore, it is at times helpful to take additional samples at differing downhole fluid pressures, differing flow rates, etc., in order to more accurately analyze the formation, predict the optimum rate of production, etc. In these situations a corresponding additional choke having a different flow restriction is installed at the earth's surface prior to taking each of the additional samples. Unfortunately, each time an additional choke is installed, a substantial period of time must again elapse before steady state flow conditions are established.
The expense of performing these operations could be significantly reduced if an apparatus and/or method were developed to minimize or eliminate the time period spent waiting for flow conditions to stabilize at the sample chamber. Thus, from the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be quite desirable to provide a choke which may be installed in the tubing string in close proximity to the sample chamber, thereby substantially eliminating the effect of wellbore storage on fluid flow through the choke. In addition, it would be desirable to control the downhole choke using fluid pressure applied to the annulus at the earth's surface, and to alternately provide substantially unrestricted flow and restricted flow through the choke. It would also be desirable to provide methods whereby a downhole choke may be operated by application of annulus pressure, and methods whereby multiple downhole chokes and multiple sample chambers may be installed in the well to enhance analysis of the formation. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide such a downhole choke and associated methods of using same.

Annulus pressure operated downhole choke and associated methods


An inspection system includes an illumination source configured to illuminate a blazed phase grating sample, image collection pathways and an imaging system configured to capture an image of a sample point of the blazed phase grating sample, and a controller configured to adjust the illumination source in response to an analysis of the image of the sample point to determine illumination uniformity of the inspection system.

Process and device yield in optical lithography imaging processes are directly related to Critical Dimension (CD) uniformity. CD uniformity is dependent on several processes during the optical lithography process, such as imaging, etching, and deposition. In the lithography process, there are several factors that influence the CD uniformity on a wafer, such as reticle uniformity, slit uniformity, wafer flatness, lens aberrations, and imaging focus. Typically, these factors are tested individually using a variety of tests that may be time consuming, require specialized hardware to perform, and/or require technicians who have received specialized training to perform the tests.
Typical methods for determining parameters of an exposure tool, such as scan direction effects, field attributes, and lens system aberrations cannot be performed without severely disrupting the normal manufacturing process on the exposure tool. In addition, the typical methods fail to efficiently and effectively organize and analyze the large amounts of data needed to accurately and precisely determine the parameters.
Typically, projection lenses for exposure tools in the semiconductor industry have adjustable lens elements for correcting for lens aberrations. Correcting for lens aberrations in some tools may be performed by adjusting the position and tilt of elements within the lens system. Tool vendors typically adjust the lens elements during the calibration of the exposure tools. The majority of calibration procedures require a specially trained service or maintenance engineer and specialized hardware to perform. In addition, the calibration procedures are usually time consuming requiring significant downtime on the exposure tool.
A typical lens system includes many lens elements. Aberrations in a lens system can change over time due to the aging of the lens system materials, environmental effects, or the non-linearity of control algorithms used to adjust the lens system. For example, each lens has a heating curve associated with it, such that as the lens heats up due to environmental conditions or due to lens use during exposures, the effective focus length of the lens changes. Air pressure also has a predictable effect on the lens elements and their focus values. Aberrations in the lens system can also change due to maintenance events or other mechanical effects, such as shipping. Control algorithms in the exposure tools are typically used to adjust one or more of the lens elements to compensate for measured external effects or internal effects.
CD control and image integrity of device layers is a direct function of several components, including dose and focus of the exposure tool. Typically, dose feedback is an active run to run control parameter. Focus feedback, however, typically has not been an active run to run control parameter. Typically, the optimal focus setting for any given product/tool/layer/reticle context value combination is determined at the context inception and used throughout the life of the product. In the event that an intrusive tool event occurs and the tool baseline focus is lost or changed, the process set point for each context value is reestablished. Typical ex-situ tool focus monitoring techniques have not exhibited the accuracy and precision to substantiate product process set point changes based on measured focus values. These techniques have typically been used only for monitoring by providing flags for obvious large focus excursions.
Focus is typically controlled through explicit context value control. The best focus process point is typically determined by evaluating focus exposure process windows at the time of the new context introduction. This best focus process value is then used for the lifetime of the context value. A disadvantage of this process is that there is no process available to reset the focus values in the presence of tool baseline focus shifts or to correct for uncompensated focus drifts in the exposure tool. In the event of a large change in the tool focus, there is no direct method to apply the new setting to the context data.
Exposure tool focus offsets induced on product as a result of in-situ focus sensor systems inability to measure edge of substrate image fields and large focus rate of change of topographical features can result in significant process and device yield loss due to poor focus plane determination and fitting. Typically, exposure tools have significant problems determining focal image planes on edge die or over sever topography. Typical exposure tools require some fitting functions from neighboring fields or a partial system shutdown to prevent erroneous data from being used in the fitting functions.
Dark field microscopy and inspection are fundamental arts of inspection in many industries. There are several components of the inspection tool hardware that contribute to the illumination of the sample in darkfield inspection, such as the illumination source itself, the beam delivery hardware, the darkfield splitter hardware, the lens objective design, and the camera adapter. Each of these components plays a significant role in the illumination of the sample and the collection of the darkfield image formed from the sample. Typical methods provide for illumination uniformity measurements along the Cartesian x and y axis. This is insufficient. Illumination uniformity measurements along the Cartesian x and y axis do not allow the investigation of the entire circumference of the system pupils in azimuthal increments.

Optimizing light path uniformity in inspection systems


A hazardous substance treatment agent has a retainer and a transition metal oxide. The retainer has the specificity of retaining only a specific hazardous substance, such as a virus, a bacterium or a toxin, that has become mixed in or has the possibility of becoming mixed in a treatment subject, such as blood, that is in at least either a liquid or gaseous phase. By a photocatalytic action, the transition metal oxide inactivates said hazardous substance retained by the retainer.

Examples of conventionally known methods of removing toxins or biologically hazardous organisms, such as viruses or pathogenic bacteria, from blood, a blood derivative or other similar matter in which such hazardous substances are contained include methods that call for heating organisms or toxins so as to kill, decompose or otherwise inactivate them, methods that call for mixing a photoactive pigment into the matter containing such a substance and inactivating the substance by irradiation with light, methods that call for inactivating hazardous substances by electrolysis, and methods that call for physically separating and removing hazardous substances with a filter.
However, methods that call for inactivating viruses, pathogenic bacteria or toxins by heat treatment present a problem in that the heat causes denaturation of not only the viruses, the pathogenic bacteria or the toxins but also constitutive proteins that constitute the blood or the blood derivative, and that complete inactivation of viruses, pathogenic bacteria or toxins inevitably requires heating conditions that are harsh to constitutive proteins. Methods that call for physical separation and removal of hazardous substances with a filter are often incapable of complete removal of viruses, pathogenic bacteria or toxins. As with methods using heat treatment, methods that call for electrolysis to inactivate viruses, pathogenic bacteria or toxins present the possibility of denaturation or decomposition of constitutive proteins together with the viruses, the pathogenic bacteria or the toxins and require harsher heating conditions to constitutive proteins to completely inactivate the viruses, the pathogenic bacteria or the toxins. These drawbacks of the individual methods have resulted in the present situation where a combination of different methods, for example heat treatment and separation removal using a filter, is usually employed, although the treatment process is complicated and time consuming.
Methods that call for mixing a photoactive pigment into blood and inactivating hazardous substances by irradiation with light involves mixing a pigment into blood or a blood derivative, which will enter a human body or the like. Therefore, it is necessary to choose a highly safe pigment that does not cause rejection symptoms. However, this results in various problems, including such complications as selecting pigments and confirming the safety of the pigments, limitations in usable pigments, and the limited range of use.
At present, when performing a clinical examination of drawn blood or body fluid, the blood or the body fluid itself does not undergo sterilization regardless of whether the subject is infected with any disease, because conventional sterilization for removing viruses or bacteria typically uses a chlorine-type disinfectant, an alkaline disinfectant or heat treatment and causes denaturation of components of the blood or the body fluid. In other words, conventional sterilization is effective when disposing such fluids but not suitable for preliminary treatment performed prior to a clinical examination. Therefore, when a clinical examination is conducted, sterilization treatment is not performed on the sample itself but only for protecting the handler of the sample from infectious diseases, i.e. what is generally called prevention of biohazard.
A semiconductor has the property of being energized, i.e. the state where electrons and pairs of holes are formed inside the semiconductor when irradiated with light having energy exceeding the band gap, i.e. the width of the forbidden band, of the material that constitutes the semiconductor. For example, titanium dioxide is energized by irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet or visible light and exhibits slight reduction capability and great oxidizing ability. As titanium dioxide is inorganic, it is completely harmless to the human body when it is not in the energized state. Because of this feature, titanium dioxide is used as an antiviral or antibacterial substance by using its great oxidizing ability, as is shown in, for example, Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 1994-254139, 1996-23970 and 2000-41667.
The conventional art disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 1994-254139 calls for forming by thermal spraying a layer of composite ceramic on the surface of a base member to be exposed to a gas or a liquid, said composite ceramic consisting of a photo-semiconductor ceramic, such as titanium dioxide, and a ceramic having the adsorption capability, such as apatite. The base member is then brought into contact with a liquid or a gas so as to cause the ceramic having the adsorption capability to adsorb viruses and/or bacteria contained in the liquid or the gas, and light is radiated to the composite ceramic to inactivate the adsorbed viruses and/or bacteria.
The conventional art disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 1994-254139, however, is not capable of effectively inactivating just bacteria or viruses, because there is the possibility of the ceramic having the adsorption capability also adsorbing components of the gas or the liquid, thereby undesirably causing denaturation or decomposition of the constitutive components.
The art disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 1996-23970 calls for suspension dispersion of fine-grain photocatalyst made of titanium dioxide or other appropriate matter in a body fluid, such as blood, and inactivating viruses in the body fluid by irradiation with light.
However, the treatment process according to the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 1996-23970 is complicated in that it requires a process of separating the titanium dioxide from the liquid. Furthermore, the method is not capable of effectively inactivating just viruses, because the strong oxidization capability of the titanium dioxide causes denaturation or decomposition of the constitutive components of the liquid, such as blood.
The art disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2000-41667 calls for supporting a photocatalyst made of, for example, titanium dioxide on the surface of a substance which will be exposed to blood or a blood derivative, and irradiating the photocatalyst with light so as to reduce through inactivation the infectivity of the viruses or the bacteria that have entered the blood or the blood derivative.
However, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 1996-23970, too, is incapable of effectively inactivating just infectious substances, such as viruses or bacteria, because the strong oxidization capability of the titanium dioxide causes denaturation or decomposition of the constitutive proteins in the blood or the blood derivative.
In other words, as is true in those disclosed in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication Nos. 1994-254139, 1996-23970 and 2000-41667, a method that calls for inactivating bacteria or viruses by using titanium dioxide, which shows the strong oxidization capability when irradiated with light, is incapable of effective treatment in that it denatures or decomposes not only substances to be inactivated, such as bacteria or viruses, but also constitutive components of the sample.
In order to solve the above problem, an object of the present invention is to provide a treatment agent, a method and a device for treating specific hazardous substances, such as viruses, bacteria or toxins by efficiently inactivating such hazardous substances.

Treatment agent, method and device for treating hazardous substances


A Fresnel lens collimates a light modulated by an image signal and outputs a collimated light. A diffusion member diffuses the collimated light and outputs a diffused light. A driver continually moves the Fresnel lens or the diffusion member on a predetermined trajectory within a plane parallel with a screen. A spring member couples the Fresnel lens or the diffusion member with a casing, including a first deformation plane flexible in a first direction within the plane, and a second deformation plane flexible in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction within the plane, while it is not flexible in a direction perpendicular to the plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projection-type image display apparatus, and more particularly, to a vibration technology for a screen of the projection-type image display apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
A laser can be used as a light source to achieve superior picture quality or superior brightness for an image displayed on a screen of a projection-type image display apparatus such as a projection television of a rear projection-type. However, in the case of using the laser, a glare appears on the screen due to a speckled pattern, which is so called scintillation, is more obvious than in the case of a conventional projection television that uses a lamp as the light source.
As a method of reducing the scintillation, the screen is vibrated in one of a direction perpendicular to an image display surface of the screen (a direction perpendicular to a surface of the screen), a longitudinal direction of the screen, and a lateral direction of the screen. Such a method is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. S55-65940.
However, when the screen is vibrated in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the screen as in the above conventional technology, the resolution is degraded.
Furthermore, because the screen moves intermittently when the screen is moved in the longitudinal direction or the lateral direction, severe scintillation occurs when the screen is at standstill. Therefore, it is not possible to reduce the scintillation sufficiently in the conventional technology.
In other words, when the screen is intermittently moved, the severe scintillation (glare) occurs when the screen is at standstill while the scintillation is no longer visible when the screen is moving. As a result, the scintillation repeatedly changes in intensity with time.


An improved terminal block comprises a plastic injection-molded body including a rear surface as a stopper surface; a front surface; two spaced longitudinal parallel spaces at the front surface; two inverted-U-shaped notches at the front surface on left and right sides of the body for easily positioning an electrically conductive wire thereon; a shielding portion extending transversely above the spaces and having through holes in registration with the spaces, respectively, and slanted left and right corners each provided with an insert-receiving groove for receiving a predetermined length of an insert for identification purpose; two nut-receiving grooves parallel to each other and each extending vertically beneath one of the spaces; a narrowed recess extending vertically beneath each nut-receiving groove, each nut-receiving groove being able to slidably engage two opposite sides of a hexagon nut with a line passing along two diametrically opposite corners of the nut being parallel to the center line of the nut-receiving groove; the inverted-U-shaped notches receiving an L-shaped electrically conductive member in a horizontal position, the conductive member having a top portion and a stopper wall extending from and perpendicular to the top portion, the top portion having through holes corresponding to the two hexagon nuts, respectively; two clamping members disposed on the top portion of the conductive member and having threaded through hole; and two fixing screws each having a head of a diameter smaller than that of the through hole of the shielding portion such that the fixing screw may be threaded through the clamping member, the conductive member and the hexagon nut. The terminal block product can be prevented from losing its components during shipment, and may provide quick, easy and safe operation of interconnecting wires when in use.

Terminal blocks are widely used in electrical wire layout operation in automatic control for interconnecting different electrically conductive wires. A prior art terminal block, commercially available in Europe for many years, is shown in FIGS. 1-4, comprises a block-shaped body 1, two fixing screws 2, an elongate pressing bar 3, and two vertically movable clamping members 4. The clamping member 4 is integrally stamped and formed from a T-shaped thin metal strip. The clamping member comprises a top portion having a threaded hole 4A, two lateral sides (4B, 4C) bent downwardly and overlapped at the bottom of the clamping member, and two tabs 4D transversely overlying the overlapped portion of the two sides (4B, 4C) and bent downwardly, perpendicular to the two sides, defining a space 4E allowing the pressing bar 3 to extend therethrough.
The body 1 has at the front surface two longitudinally parallel spacing ribs 1A each defining therein a space 1B allowing the clamping member 4 to move vertically along therein (FIG. 3). A notch 1C is formed at the middle section of the rib 1A at same horizontal position, allowing the pressing bar 3 to pass through. A seat 1D is disposed above each space 1B and has through hole 1E extending through the inner bottom of the seat. The hole 1E is dimensioned to allow the threaded shank 2A of the fixing screw 2 to pass through but stop the enlarged head 2B of the fixing screw 2. The fixing screw 2 may be threaded through the threaded hole 4A (FIG. 2).
The body 1 further has on the left and right sides two guiding apertures 1F, respectively, communicating with the spaces 1B and allowing two electrically conductive wires 5 to insert from the aperture 1F into the clamping member 1B. As shown in FIG. 2, the pressing bar 3 and the two clamping member 4 each may freely move along the space 1B and the notch 1C at one direction and, therefore, before the finished assembled terminal blocks leave where they are manufactured, the two fixing screws 2 need be tightly threaded into the threaded hole 4A of the clamping member 4 to prevent components from loosening and escaping during shipment. In this case, the aperture 1F from which the conductive wire enters into the guiding aperture 1F is blocked by the tab 4D of the clamping member 4, as shown in FIG. 2. It should be noted that when in use, the conductive wire 5 is inserted from the guiding aperture 1F to be in between the pressing bar 3 and the inner bottom of the space 4E of the clamping member 4 and clamped therebetween. Accordingly, to use such a terminal block for wire interconnecting, a user must firstly loosen the fixing screws 2 with a screw driver 6, as seen from FIG. 3, to lower the clamping members 4, insert the wires 5 from the guiding apertures 1F in between the pressing bar 3 and the inner bottm of the space 4E of the clamping members 4, and finally tighten the fixing screws 2 to raise the clamping member 4 so as to firmly holding the wires 6 between the pressing bar and the clamping member.
As can be seen from the above, the user needs to firstly loosen the fixing screws 2 and then tighten them. This is a tedious and time-expending work. Furthermore, the conductive wire 5 is intended to be clamped between the pressing bar 3 and the overlapped sides (4B, 4C) of the clamping member 4, however, as shown in FIG. 4, the overlapped sides (4B, 4C) may not maintain its original shape and is forced to open outwardly, although when the fixing screws are driven by a power-operated or a pneumatic screw driver that often impart excessive axial force to the fixing screws. It is understood that the ribs 1A formed of weak plastic structure cannot resist the force that causes the clamping member 4 to deform. Therefore, the conductive wire 5 may no longer be properly positioned due to the lack of sufficient compression force applied thereon, and pulled off from the terminal block, which causes the risk of short of circuit. Besides, the components of the above described terminal block are expensive to manufacture, particularly the pressing bar 3 which needs conductivity and rigidity sufficient to sustain compression force and thus require material of a greater thickness. The formation work of the clamping member 4 and the tapping work thereon also increases the production cost.


A generally flat carton blank is arranged for assembly into a carton shape holding multiple cigarette packs. The carton blank has a defined periphery, and a generally flat promotional sheet overlies the carton blank within the outer periphery thereof. A portion of the promotional sheet is adhesively secured to the carton blank. In another embodiment a generally flat promotional sheet overlies the carton blank essentially within the outer periphery thereof. Both carton blank each with its associated promotional sheet may then be assembled and loaded with cigarette packs utilizing standard assembly machinery and standard procedures. Fold lines on the carton blank and the promotional sheet facilitate assembly of the carton blank into a carton shape with the promotional sheet inside the assembled carton. In one embodiment, the remaining portion of the promotional sheet is folded into the form of a packaging sleeve holding multiple cigarette packs for retail distribution upon removal of the sleeve and cigarette packs from the carton. In another embodiment of the present invention, the remaining portion of the promotional sheet simply comprises a planar carton insert for ultimate use by the consumer in obtaining rebates, merchandise and the like or when the promotional sheet is simply used for printed matter.

The present invention relates to a cigarette carton for ten packs of cigarettes, and more particularly to a cigarette carton with an inside promotional sheet separable from the carton for use in marketing the cigarette packs.
Cigarette cartons containing ten packs of cigarettes are old in the art. Standardized procedures have been developed over the years for loading the packs in these cartons and for applying tax stamps to the individual packs before the carton is sealed. Current marketing practices include packaging sleeves that hold five, three and two packs where ten pack cartons are broken apart along predetermined lines of perforation into smaller five, three and two pack units. In these instances it is important that the standardized procedures in the industry be followed in the loading of cigarette packs in the carton and the subsequent application of tax stamps to the individual packs. Also, in many instances promotional inserts in sheet form may be incorporated into cigarette cartons for consumer use in learning more about the cigarette product, and obtaining rebates, merchandise and the like.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cigarette carton blank with separable promotional sheet


A method for handling a service request procedure by a mobile communication device is provided. The method includes the steps of: starting a back-off timer associated with a service request procedure in response to the service request procedure for a normal service having been failed for a maximum number of retries, and initiating another service request procedure for an emergency bearer service before the back-off timer expires.

Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the handling of service request procedures, and more particularly, to methods for handling service request procedures, and apparatuses using the same.
Description of the Related Art
In a typical mobile communication environment, User Equipment (UE), such as a mobile phone, smartphone, laptop computer, or panel Personal Computer (PC), etc., may communicate voice and/or data signals with one or more service networks. The wireless communications between the UE and the service network(s) may be in compliance with various Radio Access Technologies (RATs), including the Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution (EDGE) technology, Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) technology, Code Division Multiple Access 2000 (CDMA 2000) technology, Time Division-Synchronous Code Division Multiple Access (TD-SCDMA) technology, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) technology, Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) technology, or Time Division-LTE (TD-LTE) technology, and others.
Taking the WCDMA/LTE technology in compliance with the 3GPP TS 24.301 specification, v12.4.0 (referred to herein as the TS 24.301 specification) and the 3GPP TS 24.008 specification, v12.7.0 (referred to herein as the TS 24.008 specification) as an example, a UE has to start a back-off timer when a service request procedure has failed for a maximum number of retries, wherein the back-off timer refrains the UE from initiating the service request procedure till it expires. The design of the back-off timer is to grant the service network sufficient time for recovering from temporary problems. However, when the back-off timer is running, not only is it not allowed to initiate the service request procedure for a normal service, but it's also not allowed to initiate the service request procedure for an emergency bearer service. As a result, the UE will be delayed in obtaining an emergency bearer service.
In addition, the start of the back-off timer may imply that a particular node (e.g., the Mobility Management Entity (MME)) of the service network is facing some sort of problem and temporarily cannot process the UE's service requests. However, the UE remains forbidden from initiating the service request procedure even when it has successfully registered with another Routing Area (RA), Tracking Area (TA), or Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), or even when it has switched to use another Radio Access Technology (RAT), which implies that the UE has changed to register with another node of the same service network or with another service network. As a result, the UE cannot obtain either a normal service or an emergency bearer service as it should in the newly registered area or network.

Methods for handling a service request procedures, and apparatuses using the same


A bracelet includes a plurality of links assembled in an articulated manner using pins. Each pin passes through interlocking parts of links in which a cylindrical passage is arranged where a pin can slide relatively freely. In order to ensure the position of the pin once the links have been assembled, a locking element is arranged in a cavity made in one of the links so as to partially intersect the passage in which the pin is arranged. This pin includes a groove, which is penetrated by an external part of the locking element when the element is in the closed position. Pressing on the locking element, then rotating it by an angle of 90°, releases the external part of the pin groove so that the pin is then released.

The bracelet pins are inserted into cylindrical passages arranged in the links. In order to ensure assembly of the links, the various pins must be held in place, i.e. to prevent the pins moving transversely to the bracelet once the bracelet links are assembled. Various techniques are known to those skilled in the art for fixedly holding the pins in the respective bracelet passages. Moreover, particularly in order to adjust the length of the bracelet in accordance with the diameter of the wearer's wrist, it is desirable to be able to remove or add at least one link without damaging the bracelet and in an efficient manner, if possible by the user himself.
The present invention proposes in particular providing a reversible system for assembling the links of a bracelet with hinged links, the assembly being provided such that at least one link can easily be added to or removed from the bracelet in order to vary its length.
A watch bracelet formed of several links hinged by means of alternately arranged long pins and short pins is known from GB Patent No. 2 227 155. Each long pin is permanently secured by the first end thereof to a first link. This pin is secured in a reversible manner by the second end thereof to a second link. A screw that partially passes through the passage provided in the second link to allow the second end of the pin to pass forms the reversible securing device. The second end of the pin has a circular groove, which is penetrated by the securing screw. Thus, using a screwdriver, it is possible to assemble the bracelet links by screwing in small screws, which block the long pins.
The bracelet link assembly device proposed in GB Patent No. 2 227 155 is advantageous in that the assembly system is relatively simple and allows links to be added or removed by unscrewing the securing screws provided at the second ends of the long pins. However, this solution has some drawbacks. First of all, the securing screws are very small. A watchmaker is trained to screw and unscrew such small screws, but this is relatively difficult for a mere user. Because of their dimensions, the securing screws are easily lost as soon as they come out of the threaded holes of the second links. Moreover, when the bracelet is worn these screws may become partially unscrewed with the risk of one of the long pins being released and the bracelet then being partially dismantled. For a wristwatch, this solution is to be avoided at all costs.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to propose a bracelet with hinged links assembled in a simple and efficient manner while ensuring that none of the bracelet elements can be lost particularly when alterations are made to the length of the bracelet by adding or removing some links. It is another object of the invention to provide a reversible link assembly device wherein the securing element cannot be loosened by stresses exerted on the bracelet when it is being worn on the wrist.


There is provided an epoxy resin composition having excellent adhesion to copper and aluminum, and having excellent flexibility in a low-temperature environment. The epoxy resin composition comprises (A) an epoxy resin and (B) a polyamide-based rubber elastomer powder.

In the modern society, many products are made by utilizing various characteristics of organic polymers and assemblies thereof, such as electronic materials, electrical devices, chemical industry, paper, construction materials, paints, pharmaceutical products, cosmetic products, sundry goods, and the like. In these products, a size reduction has been constantly required, and there is a problem of how they can be more compact while having more functionality.
Moreover, along with the technological advances, improved properties have been required in these products to meet the purposes of their use, which has led to technological innovations in the fields of electronics, high-performance paints and pavement materials, automobiles, and the like. In the electronics field, for example, there has been an increasing demand for its representative products, namely, semiconductors, and semiconductors used for thin notebook computers, mobile phones, mobile devices, and the like have been demanded to achieve miniaturization, reduction in weight and thickness, higher-density packaging, and higher integration. For these semiconductors, an adhesive or a composite has been needed that can seal joint portions thinly and locally.
Adhesives are demanded to have a strong adhesion force between different types of materials. There is also a high demand for adhesives for interior materials or adhesives for structures, such as for automobiles, aircraft, or vehicles, and adhesives for structures intended for constructions, such as roofs, walls, or floors. In general, epoxy resins are suitable as such adhesives used for a variety of purposes, and many studies have been made on epoxy resins.
It is known that an epoxy resin, which is a thermosetting resin, forms a random network structure when cured, and provides a cured product that is excellent in properties such as mechanical strength, heat resistance, water resistance, adhesion, electrical insulation properties, and chemical resistance.
However, epoxy resins still have problems in terms of toughness, sufficient adhesion to poorly adhesive substrates, adhesion over a wide range of temperatures, and the like. Various studies have been made to overcome the problems of the epoxy resins.
Patent Literature 1, for example, discloses an adhesive for a structure having excellent adhesion force, which is obtained by blending a carboxyl-terminated nitrile butadiene rubber into an epoxy resin.
Patent Literature 2, for example, discloses an epoxy resin composition that exhibits excellent peel strength, which is obtained by blending 12-nylon particles into an epoxy resin.


The invention relates to an optical fibre plug connector, comprising at least one pair of plug connectors and a coupling, whereby each plug connector comprises a ferrule, each two ferrules of a pair of plug connectors are detachably guided and aligned together within a guide sleeve and the coupling has a housing, for each of the plug connectors. According to the invention, a compact space-saving optical fibre plug connector made from few components may be achieved, whereby the coupling is made from only one component.

In optical transmission technology, there is often the task of accommodating a number of individual optoelectronic or optical components in a confined space and in such cases connecting their pigtails in such a way that only a small amount of additional space is required for this. An actual example is a printed circuit board with a number of optoelectronic components (for example laser diodes or photodiodes) and also passively optical fiberoptic components (for example couplers, splitters, wavelength multiplexers). A further example is an Ethernet transceiver module, in which a number of laser diode modules and receiving diode modules and also an optical multiplexer/demultiplexer pair are accommodated in a standardized compact module housing. The individual components in all these cases are provided with pigtails, which have to be connected to one another on the printed circuit board or within the module housing with a minimal space requirement. The optical fibers are in this case either only provided with a primary coating (typical diameter 245 μm) or formed as secondary coated fibers (typical diameter 900 μm). In many cases, flexibility is desired for these connections, allowing individual ones to be disconnected and reconnected, for example for measuring purposes.
An optical fiber plug-in connection of the generic type is already known from the reference WO 03/076997 A1. This plug-in connection comprises a two-part coupling and a number of plug-in connectors which can be inserted between the coupling parts. The coupling is in this case made up of an upper part and a lower part, which are aligned with respect to each other during assembly by guiding means (for example guiding pins) and are connected to each other for example by screwing. Once the two coupling parts have been connected to each other, the plug-in connectors can be respectively inserted between the coupling parts through corresponding inlet openings on the opposing longitudinal sides. The coupling parts have for this purpose inner insertion channels corresponding to the number of suitable plug-in connectors. In an insertion channel, two plug-in connectors are guided and aligned coaxially in relation to each other, so that their ferrule end faces abut resiliently within a guiding sleeve.
The plug-in connectors have in this case a securing means in the form of a frame, in which the ferrules provided with a flange (diameter 1.25 mm) are spring-mounted. Attached to the rear part of the securing means is a crimping neck, which allows cable strain-relieving elements to be anchored on the plug-in connector by means of crimping. For each plug-in connector there is an opening in the upper part of the coupling. Through this opening, a latching element arranged on the plug-in connector can be unlocked by means of a tool if the plug-in connector is to be pulled out of the insertion channel. In the case of this optical plug-in connection, the plug-in connectors can be individually accessed as desired.
A disadvantage of this optical fiber plug-in connection is that the coupling comprises an upper part and a lower part and a number of fastening parts, which are necessary for connecting and putting together the upper part and lower part. For instance, the upper part and lower part must be aligned exactly with respect to each other and connected to each other by means of a number of screw connections. The production of the parts and their assembly involve considerable effort. Likewise, the plug-in connector is provided with a series of components, which have to be individually created for the plug-in connector system described. For instance, the possibility of crimping strain-relieving elements on the connector parts must be provided.


A list search method for a mobile terminal is disclosed. The list search method includes displaying list items of a list requested by a user, and placing a cursor on one of the displayed list items in a visually identifiable manner, inputting at least one numeric key during display of the list and moving the cursor by a skip interval to a list item of the list, wherein the skip interval is associated with the at least one input numeric key. In one aspect, the user can move the cursor in a list by a skip interval by inputting a numeric key, which is translated to a skip interval or the numeric value can itself be used as a skip interval.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mobile terminals and, more particularly, to a list search method for a mobile terminal wherein a user can quickly search a list of items to find and execute a desired item.
2. Description of the Related Art
With rapid advances in communication technologies, an advanced mobile terminal can support not only conventional call and short message processing but also various supplementary functions related to, for example, video telephony, electronic scheduling, storage of audio and video data, Internet browsing, entertainment, and digital content replay.
To select on of the functions, various lists of list items associated with, for example, digital content are used in a mobile terminal. To select a desired list item in a particular list, the user may have to scroll up and down the screen using up and down direction keys until the cursor is placed on the desired list item.
In a conventional list search method, whenever a direction key is pressed, the cursor moves to the next item in the corresponding direction. When a direction key is kept continuously pressed, the cursor repeatedly moves in the corresponding direction until the direction key is released.
However, in a conventional list search method, if a large number of list items are contained in a list and a list item to be found is present at the end of the list, the user is inconvenienced by having to keep the down arrow key pressed until the cursor moves to the end of the list. In addition, a significant period of time may be required for the user to find a desired list item in a long list.

Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


A circuit board to be mounted in a non-drive end shield of an electric motor has a converter formed on the circuit board. The circuit board is divided into a central region and a number of toothed regions surrounding the central region, wherein planes of the toothed regions are bent with respect to a plane of the central region in a mounting position.

The invention relates to a circuit board which is designed to be installed in a non-drive end shield of an electric motor. The invention also relates to a non-drive end shield for an electric motor. Furthermore, the invention relates to a motor kit and to an electronic motor.
Electric motors are used nowadays for a large number of tasks. In particular, highly integrated drives can be used in which, for example, the motor and the power electronics can be integrated into one housing. Such electric motors are also referred to as electronic motors.
In the electronic motors which are known from the prior art it has become apparent that there are a series of problems which are mentioned below.
Integration concepts in the smart stator tooth (SST) design require plug-type connectors between the power modules and their central circuit board which are susceptible to interference.
It has previously not been possible to construct an electric motor which can be equipped with two different non-drive end shields, so that the latter can either be fabricated as a motor without power electronics or as a highly integrated drive (electronic motor). The difference between a motor and a highly integrated drive is therefore clearly apparent to the customer. This is because of the visible electronics which give an unreliable impression, therefore giving rise to reduced acceptance of electronic motors in the market.
Many components of existing highly integrated drives cannot be fabricated automatically on existing fabrication systems such as, for example, automatic placement machines. This increases the fabrication costs.
Existing highly integrated drives are typically composed of a very large number of individual components. Several of these components are special parts such as, for example, a central ring capacitor which has a busbar and which does not constitute a standard component which is easy to acquire.
The previously available integration concepts do not make ideal use of the installation space which is available in the non-drive end shield, as a result of which the drives are larger than is actually necessary. This is disadvantageous, since in almost all applications drives with a high power density and torque density can be integrated better.
Previous integration concepts require a plurality of components which can be manufactured only by means of 3D CNC milling. Series production on 5-axis CNC processing centers and the associated series quality control on coordinate measuring probes are, however, extensive and therefore expensive.
In order to avoid EMC problems, power modules have to be connected with low impedance to the intermediate circuit capacitor, which can be implemented only when there is a short spatial distance. In previous integration concepts, this was achieved with a ring capacitor. However, this is extensive to fabricate and to mount, since each power module has to be connected to said ring capacitor individually with two attachment elements such as, for example, screws.
It is not possible to pot the electronics in previous integration concepts, since they are not located in an enclosed installation space. As a result, in order to attain the necessary protection class it is necessary to use sealing elements which are separate, expensive and ultimately susceptible to interference.
An object of the invention is therefore to provide measures which solve, in particular, one or more of the problems described above.
This is achieved according to the invention by means of a circuit board, a non-drive end shield, a motor kit and an electric motor in accordance with embodiments of the invention.
The invention relates to a circuit board to be installed in a non-drive end shield of an electric motor. A converter is formed or arranged on the circuit board. The converter can have, for example, a half bridge or a full bridge. Furthermore, the circuit board is divided into a central region and a number of toothed regions surrounding the central region, wherein planes of the toothed regions are bent with respect to a plane of the central region in a mounting position.
A converter can be integrated into a non-drive end shield of an electric motor by means of such a circuit board, as a result of which at least some of the further problems described above can be solved. It is possible to provide a plurality of converters on the circuit board, which together form a multi-phase converter.
The central region can be, in particular, a central circuit board. Likewise, the toothed regions can be respective toothed circuit boards. A circuit board can be understood here to be, in particular, a structure with a carrier material and mounted conductor tracks and construction elements.
According to one advantageous embodiment, in the mounting position the planes of the toothed regions can each be bent in a fixed fashion transversely with respect to the plane of the central region. This can be achieved, for example, by means of a header on the central region onto which header the toothed regions or a respective toothed region are/is plugged. A connection which is fixed, in particular with respect to the orientation, can, however, also be brought about, for example, by soldering "circuit board to circuit board", that is to say by means of a fixed soldered connection of two circuit boards to one another.
As an alternative to this, according to an embodiment which is also advantageous the circuit board can have bending points between the central region and the respective toothed regions, wherein a respective toothed region can be moved, by means of the respective bending point, between an extended state in which the plane of the respective toothed region is parallel to the plane of the central region, and a bent state in which the plane of the respective toothed region is positioned transversely with respect to the plane of the central region.
This permits variability with respect to the orientation of the toothed regions in relation to the central region, wherein, for example, advantageous fabrication methods can be implemented. In particular it is possible to leave the toothed regions and central region parallel for the fabrication, in order to be able to process or equip them together like a single circuit board. When the circuit board is placed into the non-drive end shield, the toothed regions can then advantageously fold over, wherein typically it is possible to dispense with separate triggering of the folding over, since typical non-drive end shields are embodied in such a way that the toothed regions fold over automatically when the circuit board is placed into the non-drive end shield.
An intermediate circuit capacitor and/or a power module can preferably be arranged on a respective toothed region. Intermediate circuit capacitor and power module are preferably arranged at the same position here on opposite sides of the respective toothed region. This permits particularly advantageous proximity of the intermediate circuit capacitor and power module, with the result that the area spanned by the commutation cell can be minimized. Furthermore, particularly advantageous dissipation of heat is possible if the power module is mounted directly onto the non-drive end shield.
It will be understood that gate drivers can also be arranged on the toothed regions, which also leads, in particular, to advantageously short lines.
Furthermore, the invention relates to a non-drive end shield for an electric motor, wherein a circuit board on which a converter is formed is integrated into the non-drive end shield. In this context, in particular the existing installation space can be advantageously utilized. The circuit board of the non-drive end shield can be, in particular, a circuit board according to the invention. In this context, it is possible to have recourse to all the described embodiments and variants. Explained advantages apply correspondingly.
The non-drive end shield can have, in particular, a housing which constitutes a housing of the circuit board. Therefore, a housing can have two functions, specifically as a housing of the non-drive end shield and as a housing of the circuit board. In particular, the housing can constitute for both the entire electric motor and also specifically for the circuit board an enclosure corresponding to the respectively desired protection class, for example with respect to protection against liquid or protection against dust.
The non-drive end shield can be composed of two individual parts, wherein one of the individual parts can be embodied in a rotationally symmetrical fashion (for example as a rotary part), and the other of the individual parts can be embodied as an extruded part.
The housing can have, in particular, a number of inwardly directed cooling fins. Advantageous dissipation of heat from the circuit board can be achieved this way. For this purpose, the cooling fins can be advantageously directed onto the circuit board. As a result of the inward orientation, said cooling fins cannot be seen from the outside, with the result that a motor without a circuit board cannot be differentiated from one with a circuit board.
The circuit board can advantageously be attached to the housing by means of a number of attachment elements, in particular screws, self-locking clamping elements and/or attachment brackets made of spring steel. This permits simple and reliable attachment of the circuit board, with the result that, in particular, advantageous transportation of heat is also possible.
The toothed regions of the circuit board can be attached here in a heat-conducting fashion in the housing by means of a respective attachment element. For example, heat-conducting pastes or other heat-conducting elements can be used for this purpose. Therefore, heat which arises, in particular, when intermediate circuit capacitors or power modules are mounted on the toothed regions, can advantageously be discharged to the housing and therefore to the surroundings.
The housing advantageously has a number of feedthroughs for coil wires which can be, in particular, of an electrically insulating design. Each feedthrough is advantageously led from one side of the housing, which faces stator coils of the electric motor, to an associated electrical connecting point, for example in the form of a soldering point or insulation piercing connection, on the circuit board. This relates, in particular, to the mounting situation. The feedthroughs are advantageously each embodied in such a way that they taper conically toward the connecting point. The stator coils are preferably embodied using toothed coil technology, wherein a respective toothed region can be functionally assigned to a respective toothed coil.
The connecting points are preferably accessible from above. They can be embodied, for example, as a solder point, insulation piercing terminal, spring force terminal or screw terminal.
Particularly simple manufacture can be achieved by means of such feedthroughs, wherein the coil wires can be oriented, and then the non-drive end shield can be fitted on the rest of the electric motor in such a way that the coil wires are received in the respective openings. Undesired uncontrolled bending of the coil wires is prevented by means of the conical profile. The coil wires then advantageously exit the openings at precisely the location of the circuit board at which they are to be attached to the circuit board or soldered thereto.
The housing can be filled, in particular, with a sealing compound which encloses the circuit board. Advantageous protection of the circuit board against influences such as, for example, dust, moisture or mechanical damage, can therefore be achieved. Furthermore, given the corresponding selection of the sealing compound, for example as a heat-conducting sealing compound, advantageous discharging of heat can be achieved.
The invention furthermore relates to a motor kit. The motor kit has an electric motor housing. Furthermore it has a first non-drive end shield which is embodied according to a non-drive end shield according to the invention. In this context, it is possible to have recourse to all the described designs and variants. The motor kit also has a second non-drive end shield which does not have a circuit board, or does not have a circuit board with a converter.
Both the first non-drive end shield and the second non-drive end shield can be combined with the electric motor housing to form an electric motor in such a way that an electric motor with the first non-drive end shield is, from the outside, visually similar or identical to an electric motor with the second non-drive end shield.
The motor kit according to the invention permits an electric motor to be manufactured both as a motor without power electronics and as an electronic motor, wherein the two different designs cannot be differentiated visually from one another. Therefore, the functionality of an electronic motor can be provided without the impression of a lack of reliability being given to technically inexperienced viewers by visible exposed electronics.
The invention furthermore relates to an electric motor which has an electric motor housing and a non-drive end shield according to the invention which is connected thereto. In this context, it is possible to have recourse to all the described variants and embodiments.
By means of the electric motor according to the invention, the advantages of a non-drive end shield, described furtherabove and at other locations in this application, for an electric motor can be made usable. In particular, the electric motor housing can include other components such as coils, in particular using toothed coil technology, or a rotor which are preferably embodied in such a way that a functionally capable electric motor is produced by combining the non-drive end shield and the electric motor. However, further components such as, for example, a drive end shield or a fan unit can also be mounted for this purpose.
The electric motor can have, in particular, a number of stator coils, in particular using toothed coil technology, with respective coil wires, wherein the coil wires are led through respective feedthroughs of the non-drive end shield to corresponding electrical connecting points on the circuit board. This permits an arrangement, which saves much more on space, of the coil wires and simple manufacture. Details are given below on a number of specific advantages of the solution according to the invention and/or described embodiments.
In comparison with the prior art, plug-type connections can be dispensed with, since the converter which is presented here is a single-circuit board device. This can be achieved, in particular, in that instead of plug-type connectors, flexible intermediate pieces are integrated as "rigid-flex circuit boards" in the main circuit board. Said intermediate pieces do not have to be plugged in. Additional circuit board area is provided through the toothed regions or toothed circuit boards which can be folded down and which are connected to the central region or to the central circuit board via flexible intermediate pieces. Since the converter can be accommodated completely in an enclosed installation space such as the non-drive end shield, it can be composed of just one circuit board and does not have to be plugged together for mounting on the motor, as is the case with previous concepts. Large components, for example intermediate circuit capacitors, can be mounted on a respective toothed region or a toothed circuit board, as a result of which a 2.5D structure with particularly good utilisation of the installation space is obtained.
A non-drive end shield which, as described, simultaneously serves as a housing of the converter, is virtually indistinguishable from the outside from that of the comparable series motor or motor. Instead of the electronics, just one connection ring can also be introduced therein and the electric machines of the highly integrated drive could be sold in an externally identical housing as an electric motor without electronics. This can be achieved, in particular, by virtue of the fact that the housing of the converter serves at the same time as a non-drive end shield of the electric machine, and the housing of the converter contains cooling fins which cannot be seen from the outside, with the result that a flat surface is obtained over the entire drive, and the housing of the converter has the same external dimensions as the housing of the electric machine. A further advantage arises with respect to the automation of a circuit board to be fabricated. The entire converter circuit board can be composed of a plurality of rigid pieces which are connected by means of flexible intermediate pieces, which is also referred to as a rigid-flex circuit board. As a result, they can be automatically equipped in the planar level on existing fabrication systems. The circuit board can be automatically equipped and soldered in two working steps. Firstly, SMD components can be mounted on their underside. Then, wired components such as, for example, capacitors and/or compensation current transformers, can be mounted on their upper side.
The circuit board can easily be mounted in a converter housing. Only after the entire equipping process, when the circuit board is mounted in the housing, are the toothed regions or toothed circuit boards typically folded over rearward. This does not require any particular device, but rather takes place, as it were, automatically by the circuit board being inserted into the housing.
In one alternative implementation possibility without rigid-flex intermediate pieces, the toothed circuit boards are already in the correct position and do not have to be folded over. If the circuit board is positioned in the housing, attachment elements between the central region and the converter housing can be attached. For example screws, self-latching clamping elements or other attachment means can be used for this purpose. For example a "screwing" working step can be eliminated with self-latching clamping elements.
Then, the toothed circuit boards can be secured with plug-on attachment elements. This press fit forms thermally good conductive contact between the housing and the power module.
The machine housing can be easily connected to the converter housing. The machine, i.e. in particular the electric motor, can be pre-mounted on the existing fabrication systems. In this context, in particular a drive end shield and a shaft with a housing and a stator can be mounted. Typically two wires, which are located perpendicularly toward the rear, are provided per toothed coil.
When the non-drive end shield is pressed onto the shaft, each toothed coil wire finds its way to the respective solder point through the conical feedthroughs, introduced in the converter housing, for coil wires. The solder points for the coil wires are preferably accessible from above. The soldered connection can therefore be manufactured automatically. Then, when necessary the converter housing can be filled with sealing compound and a fan unit can be mounted. The entire drive can then be completely mounted.
In the previous designs, typically inlay heat sinks or adapter plates were necessary for the thermal connection of the power semiconductors. In the solution according to the invention these can be dispensed with, since the power semiconductors can now be connected thermally via the non-drive end shield. A ring capacitor can be eliminated since capacitors can be accommodated on the toothed circuit boards or toothed regions. The capacitors which are used are typically standard components which are easier to acquire. Separate toothed circuit boards can also be eliminated, since they can be implemented here as a foldable element of the central circuit board or of the central region.
The effectively usable circuit board area can be significantly increased through the foldable toothed circuit boards and the intermediate circuit capacitors which are mounted thereon. This makes it possible to accommodate all the components of the converter on a circuit board and to dispense with stacking of the circuit boards. The installation space in the non-drive end shield is utilized to an optimum degree by the described 2.5D circuit board de sign.
With the inventive solution only the converter housing, which is at the same time the non-drive end shield, is typically manufactured as a 3D CNC milled part. The latter can be embodied as a cast part and post-processed in a metal-cutting fashion. As a result of the embodiment of the converter housing as cast part, swarf is no longer produced, and no more effort is required than is the case with a comparable non-drive end shield without an integrated converter. There is therefore a saving in terms of material, time and costs. Inlay heat sinks, adapter plates or housing parts which are milled from a solid piece of material can be eliminated.
An intermediate circuit capacitor can be mounted on the one side of the toothed region which can be considered to be a circuit board element, wherein the power module can be mounted on the other side. As a result, the spatial distance and therefore also the area spanned, which is decisive for the inductance, are minimal. The capacitor which is used and the power module can be mounted and soldered on existing fabrication systems.
The entire electronics can be located in an installation space, specifically the converter housing, which serves at the same time as a non-drive end shield. This installation space can be filled with sealing compound easily and cost-effectively.
In terms of cost aspects it may be sometimes sensible to dispense with rigid-flex circuit boards. There are basically two exemplary possible ways of implementing this.
On the one hand, a header can be soldered onto the toothed regions or onto toothed circuit boards, which are then to be implemented individually. A pattern of holes which corresponds to the header is then provided in the central region or on the central circuit board. The header can be plugged and soldered into the pattern of holes. This also results in a rectangular connection between the two circuit boards. The inverse embodiment is also possible in which the headers can be on the central region, and corresponding patterns of holes can be on the toothed regions.
Furthermore, one edge of the toothed region, which edge is plugged into the central circuit board, can also be embodied with teeth. In the central circuit board or the central region, corresponding right-angled cutouts are advantageously provided. Both circuit boards are plugged into one another at a right angle and soldered. This results in a right-angled connection between the two circuit boards. The inverse embodiment is also possible according to which teeth are arranged on the central circuit board, and right-angled cutouts are arranged on the toothed circuit board.
Therefore, advantages such as, for example, lower material costs for the circuit boards can be achieved. It is possible to fabricate n toothed circuit boards per central circuit board, resulting in relatively high production numbers for them, which can lead to cost savings per circuit board. Furthermore, the area of the central circuit board becomes smaller.
For the electric motor it is possible to select an embodiment without a star point, wherein the power modules can then be embodied as full bridge modules, for example with four insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and four diodes. It is possible to select an embodiment with a star point, and the power modules are then embodied as half-bridge modules, for example with two IGBTs and two diodes. The number of the toothed coils can vary, but only one combination of a coil number and rotor pole pair number is typically appropriate.
Gate drivers for the power semiconductors can be positioned on the toothed region or the toothed circuit board, and they are then seated directly above the switching power semiconductor.
One or more of the intermediate circuit capacitators can be positioned on the upper side of the toothed circuit board. These are then also seated directly above the switching power semiconductor. The small commutation circuit which is therefore possible reduces EMC interference and voltage peaks at the switching semiconductor. The installation space which is available in the non-drive end shield is therefore utilized better than if the capacitors were positioned on the central circuit board.
The power module which is used can be soldered, for example, using SMD technology. A capacitor which is used can be embodied using THT technology. The inverse embodiment is also possible. It is therefore possible, for the most part, for automated component placing and soldering to be achieved.
For example a magneto-resistive sensor can be mounted centrally on the underside of the central region. Said sensor then forms, with the magnet mounted at the shaft end, a device for sensing the rotor position. It is then possible to dispense with a rotor position encoder which is embodied separately.
Heat-generating components such as, for example, microcontrollers or FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays) on the central circuit board can be embodied using SMD technology and positioned on the underside of the circuit board. The non-drive end shield then also acts as a heat sink for these components. In particular attachment brackets can be used as attachment elements. Said brackets can advantageously be composed of spring steel. They permit the circuit board to be mounted without a tool in its housing, which simultaneously constitutes the non-drive end shield.
A bullet point enumeration of possible features and/or advantages of the solution according to the invention and its described refinements will be given once more below:                Increased reliability, particularly in applications in which strong vibrations are to be expected.        Less effort on mounting since no manual plug-in processes have to be carried out.        More usable circuit board area through 2.5D design.        Better utilisation and therefore more available installation space in the non-drive end shield through 2.5D design.        The circuit board can for the most part be fabricated automatically since plug-type connections are eliminated.        A separation of motor fabrication and electronics fabrication is advantageous for organizational and technical reasons, and this separation can continue.        Through the reduction of the number of variants it is possible to achieve higher production numbers.        A smooth surface cannot become blocked with dirt during operation, as often occurs with cooling fins on the outside.        Internal cooling fins do not present a risk of injury even at high temperatures.        Visible electronics which often give rise to doubts regarding reliability for non-specialists are avoided.        The mounting can be carried out for the most part automatically.        Reduction of fault possibilities through automated processes.        Easier production capability through the use of standard components.        The mounting of the electrical machine remains unchanged by the sequence in the devices used.        Fewer components are required, which means less effort and fewer costs.        Relatively high reliability since components which are susceptible to interference are eliminated.        Standard components are available with continuously high quality from multiple providers, permitting bottlenecks to be avoided.        A larger usable area on the circuit board allows a stack of a plurality of circuit boards to be dispensed with. This saves costs and increases the reliability because the plug-type connectors between the circuit boards, which are susceptible to interference in the case of vibrations and shaking, are eliminated.        Savings in terms of materials and fabrication time during series fabrication, since significantly less swarf is produced in the case of cast parts if they are only post-processed than when entire workpieces have to be milled from a solid piece of material.        Cost savings on quality assurance in series fabrication, since the areas which are manufactured can be checked with simple mechanical measuring means and devices.
There is no need for more mechanical components, and also no more complicated mechanical components than in contemporary motor housings, as a result of which a similar cost structure of mechanical fabrication can be expected.                Less EMC interference and therefore less cost-intensive interference suppression measures are necessary, since the commutation cell is very small.        Reduced voltage peaks at the switching power semiconductors during the switching processes, and as a result the power semiconductors are not so strongly loaded, as a result of which the reliability increases.        More stable voltage at switching power semiconductors, as a result of which their regulation is simplified and a steeper rise in the coil current is achieved. This gives rise to an increase in drive performance such as dynamics, rigidity and torque ripple.        High protection classes can be achieved without sealing elements.        The electronic components are protected better against vibrations and shocks by potting.        In particular the invention is advantageous for medium-sized motor designs of approximately 5.5 kW to 11 kW, but can also be used for all other motor design sizes.
The invention also relates to a mounting method in which coil wires of the electronic motor are fed independently to the connecting points of the circuit board.

Non-drive end shield with a circuit board with central region and bent tooth regions


A first hemming mold unit (20) and a second hemming mold unit (30), are installed in a single pressing machine. The first hemming mold unit (20) performs partial bending of an edge (95) of a workpiece (93; 96). The workpiece (93; 96), having undergone the partial bending, is transferred to the second hemming mold unit (30), the second hemming mold unit (30) performs remaining necessary bending of the edge of the workpiece (93; 96). Here, predetermined bending of the edge (95) of the workpiece (93; 96) can be completed within the single pressing machine only by downward movement of upper molds (24, 34) of the first and second hemming mold units (20, 30), without having to use a cam and cam driver.

Edge bending is an essential technique for the manufacture of automobiles, particularly their bonnets or hoods. A typical example of such hoods is shown in top plan in FIG. 14 hereof. The example hood has a cross section as shown in FIG. 15 hereof.
As shown in FIG. 14, the hood 100 includes a stiffener member 101 covered with a skin member 102, and edges of the skin member 102 are folded back around edges of the stiffener member 101 so that the skin member 102 and stiffener member 101 are secured with each other into an integral unit.
Discussion will be made next as to typical steps in a conventional method of manufacture of the hood 100 with reference to (a) to (c) of FIG. 16 hereof.
In a first step shown in section (a) of FIG. 16, there are first provided a skin member 102 having been formed by bending or drawing a blank into a predetermined shape and then bending edges 103 and 104 about 90 degrees, and a stiffener member 101 similarly formed by bending or drawing. Then, the stiffener 101 turned upside down is placed on the skin member 102 also held upside down.
In the next step shown in section (b) of FIG. 16, the edges 103 and 104 of the skin member 102 are bent inwardly; the edge bending is also called "hemming".
Section (c) of FIG. 16 shows the hood 100 having undergone the edge bending or hemming operations. Turning this hood 100 upside down can provide the hood 100 of FIG. 15.
As examples of the hemming technique, there are known an "entire-peripheral-edge bending apparatus" disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. HEI-4-134225 ({circle around (1)} publication) and an "entire-peripheral-edge hemming method for a panel having a line" disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. HEI-4-351227 ({circle around (2)} publication).
In FIG. 3 of the {circle around (1)} publication, a peripheral flange portion 2a (the same reference numerals as appearing in the above-mentioned publications are used here for convenience of description of the background art) is bent, by a pre-hemming punch 18 movable in a left-and-right direction of the figure, to cover an end edge portion 3a.
In the {circle around (2)} publication, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 thereof, a pre-hemming punch 9 is pivotally mounted on a pivot shaft 11, and a flange portion 2a of an outer panel is bent by moving a cam-driver punch 15 downward to thereby cause the pre-hemming punch 9 to pivot about the pivot shaft 11.
With the hemming technique disclosed in the {circle around (1)} publication, there has to be provided a means for pushing the pre-hemming punch 18 in the horizontal direction. Generally, the pushing means converts a vertical operating force of a cam-driver punch moving downward, similarly to the cam-driver punch 15 in the {circle around (2)} publication, into a horizontal force via a pivot member and cam.
However, as evident from FIG. 4 in the {circle around (2)} publication, the operating force conversion requires a plurality of intermediary component parts. Further, with the hemming technique disclosed in the {circle around (2)} publication, the pivot shaft 11 wears with long time use, as a result of which too much looseness or play would be produced between the component parts. Thus, the pre-hemming punch 9 tends to be positioned inaccurately, which would adversely affect the finishing accuracy of products.


When data is recorded on an optical disc capable of recording information only once, such as a DVD-R and the like, encrypted data obtained by encrypting the recording data and a key for decrypting the encrypted data are generated, and they are recorded in different areas on the recording medium. When the data recorded by the recording method is erased, only a key portion in a file including the key for decrypting the encrypted data is physically made a defect, or is registered as the defect by a defect management system. Thereby, since the key portion becomes unreadable, it becomes impossible that the recording data is restored by decrypting the encrypted data. Therefore, the recording data can be substantially completely erased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of recording information on a recording medium and erasing the recorded information.
2. Description of Related Art
There is known an information recording and reproducing apparatus capable of recording information on an optical disc, such as a DVD-R/RW and the like, and capable of reproducing and erasing the recorded information. So far, additional recording was performed by a method, such as a UDF (Universal Disk Format) and a multi-session, as for an additionaly-recordable-type recording medium capable of recording information only once, like a DVD-R. In the method, when the recorded information is erased, newest file management information is wholly utilized by additionally recording changed file management information in a new area while a last file management information area is left as it is (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open under No. 2002-324383).
Namely, a data area is left as it is without any change, and data of the file is not erased from the disc until the data area is overwritten by other files. It takes a long time to completely erase all the contents of the file in the data area, which is not efficient. Therefore, such the method is adopted.
However, in the above-mentioned method of additionally recording the data, the old recorded data remains on the disc, and the information in the last file management information area can be also read. Therefore, even after an erasing command is executed, the recording data which is apparently erased can be actually readout from the information recording medium by reading the information in the old file management information area before the erasure. In addition, even if such file management information before the erasure is deleted, the recording data itself remains on the disc. Therefore, it is possible to restore the recorded data by tracing the portion thereof. Like this, in the conventional erasing method, it is impossible to erase the recorded data in a manner completely unreadable. Thus, there occurs probability that the recorded data which was apparently erased, such as important data including personal information and the like, is restored and watched by the above-mentioned method.
As a method of completely erasing the data which is recorded on the recording medium capable of recording the information only once, there are known a method of destroying the recording medium itself, and a method of making it impossible to read out all the file management information are a by physically overwriting it. However, in those methods, the data other than the data to be erased cannot be read out, either. Further, when the method of overwriting all the file management information area is utilized, it problematically takes a long time for the process.

Information recording and reproducing apparatus, and information recording and erasing method


A computerized data processing system includes an external data interface for communicating with nonuser outside sources of investment data and processing such data and delivering such data to a server which processes and stores such investment data in a central databank. Users may access the data stored in the central database which is supported by the server through an external user interface. The receiving, processing, creating and disseminating of data is a shared responsibility which is divided between the external user interface and the server. Multiple users may access the server simultaneously. The preferred embodiments employ a relational database, dynamically linked libraries, and multiple compliance capabilities. The system is particularly suited for use with mutual fund portfolio management and transactional information. The system may combine investment data relating to mutual funds or portions thereof or separate portions of a single fund for purposes of transactions, portfolio management or modeling.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a system for receiving, processing, creating and storing for selective retrieval investment information and, more specifically, it provides a system wherein external data interface means receives and processes investment information from nonuser outside sources which is delivered to a server which receives, processes, creates investment information and starts the same in a central database, and also provides access to the server through the external user interface means.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It has long been known in connection with various types of financial and accounting transactions to make advantageous use of computerized receipt, sorting, processing and delivery on-line of information.
For example, it has been known to employ such systems in respect of the purchase and sale of investments, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds. Such computerized systems can provide a rapid, efficient means for communications involved in such transactions and minimizing the amount of paperwork required.
It has long been known to employ general purpose digital computers and accompanying software to perform financial and accounting functions. See, generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,648,037, 4,953,085, 4,994,464, 5,126,936, and 5,132,899.
It has also been known to use such data processing systems for automated processing of information relating to investments and investment accounts. See, generally, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,346,442, 4,486,543, 4,566,066, and 5,193,056.
It has been known to employ computerized systems for monitoring investment accounts involving multiple investors and multiple investment funds. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,933,842.
In co-pending application Ser. No. 08/345,881, filed Nov. 28, 1994, which is owned by the assignee of the present application, there is disclosed a system for processing raw data, reformatting the same, storing the same for retrieval premised upon election of certain options by the user.
A system sold under the trade designation "Portia" by Thompson Financial Services employs a relational database in a central data repository and has been employed in connection with investment data processing and storing, but lacks the capabilities of the present invention and is not specifically designed for mutual fund use.
A system sold under the trade designation "CompAlert" sold by Merrin Financial Services has provided compliance monitoring, but not with the capabilities of the present invention, particularly in respect of mutual funds.
It is known that companies in the investment business must subscribe to a number of services which provide investment data. For convenience of reference, such services by computer shall be referred to herein as "nonuser outside sources." In order to employ such information in a timely fashion in effecting investment trades, portfolio analysis, investment counseling and many other purposes, such data must be assimilated into the recipient's system where appropriate processing is employed to modify existing data within the system and to provide access thereto by authorized users.
There remains a very real and substantial need for an improved system to facilitate receipt and processing of such data from nonuser outside sources while facilitating simultaneous access by a plurality of users to such data after processing and storage.

System for receiving, processing, creating, storing, and disseminating investment information


A process for manufacturing a yarn includes twisting the yarn in a first direction for a predefined number of twists. The method also includes, after the predefined number of twists, twisting the yarn in a second direction for a predefined number of twists, the predefined number of twists for the second yarn is same as the predefined number of twists for the first yarn. The twisting of the yarn in the second direction creates an air bed within the yarn's fibers.

With conventional yarn manufacturing, yarn 100 undergoes either a "S" twist 102 or a "Z" twist 104. See, for example, FIG. 1. For example, the difference between the two is the direction in which the fibers are twisted as the thread is spun: S twist is to the right and Z twist is to the left.


The toner according to the present invention may be produced from a toner raw composition which comprises a foaming agent, a binder resin and a colorant, wherein the colorant comprises a black metal compound, the foaming agent has a volume-average particle diameter of 2 μm to 50 μm, the toner raw composition turns into a porous mixture while the foaming agent expands at melting and kneading the toner raw composition, and the toner obtained through milling and classifying the porous mixture has a specific density of 1.0 g/cm3 to 1.3 g/cm3, wherein the specific density is determined as follows: 1 gram of toner is pressed at 400 kgf/cm2 for five minutes in a discal cavity having a diameter of 20 mm, then the discal toner is removed; the discal toner volume (V) is calculated from the diameter and height, measured at 10 minutes after releasing the pressure on the discal toner, and the discal toner mass (W) is measured; then the specific density is determined from the following formula: Specific Density (ρT)=W/V.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a toner for developing electrostatic images in electrophotography, electrostatic recording, electrostatic printing and the like, a developer comprising the toner, a container containing the toner, a process cartridge using the toner, an image forming apparatus using the toner, and an image forming process using the toner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Carbon black, being utilized conventionally as a black pigment in electrophotography, is concerned about its carcinogenicity; therefore, development of a black pigment is demanded that does not cause a safety issue. As for black pigments other than carbon black, there exist magnetic materials for a magnetic toner; however, such magnetic materials are difficult to be utilized for a conventional non-magnetic toner due to its magnetic property, therefore, a black pigment of non-magnetic type is desired.
As for such a black pigment of non-magnetic type, there exist organic and inorganic pigments. Examples of the organic pigment include active carbon, Nigrosine pigment, aniline black pigment and the like. However, such pigments other than carbon black are not sufficiently available, since they exhibit poor coloring power and also decrease toner resistance due to their own low resistance. On the other hand, as for the inorganic black pigment, a polycrystalline particle pigment, having a mixed composition of Fe2TiO5 and Fe2O3—FeTiO3 solid solution is proposed for example (see Japanese Patent No. 2,736,680). This proposed pigment does not cause a safety issue, and is proper in thermal resistance and processing ability. However, the proposed inorganic black pigment is inferior to carbon black in coloring power, therefore, the content of the pigment must be increased up to 40 to 60 wt % in order to maintain the coloring level to that of carbon black.
Further, in the case that a metal oxide pigment is employed as an inorganic black pigment, the specific gravity (absolute density) of pigment itself exhibits two to three times as large as carbon black; the toner containing the inorganic pigment at the content of 40 to 60% by mass exhibits the specific density (defined later) of 1.4 to 1.8 times as large as the toner based on the non-magnetic toner. Accordingly, in a non-magnetic process, such problems arise as premature carrier life due to rapid toner adhesion on carrier surfaces, abnormality on toner content sensors, erroneous detection on remaining amount in one-component toner, and premature life of developing rollers due to toner filming on the developing rollers.
Further, in the case that a metal oxide pigment is employed, a problem arises that the toner tends to be consumed at higher rate, since the adhered amount of toner is relatively high on the OPC (Organic Photo-conductor).
Further, a process for enhancing the coloring power and black level of non-magnetic pigment is proposed, in which a complex oxide of fine particles consisting of cobalt, manganese and iron oxides is employed, the specific surface area of the pigment is increased up to 50 to 100 m2/g, thereby the primary particle size of the pigment is remarkably decreased (see Japanese Patent No. 2,997,206). In this process, the coloring power of the pigment itself may be enhanced, thereby the coloring power equivalent to carbon black may be attained at the content of 10 to 30% by mass. However, such a pigment is not sufficiently available, since the coagulation of the pigment is significant due to the decreased particle size, resulting in the deterioration of charging level due to the insufficient dispersion of the pigment.
Further, a process for improving pulverizability is proposed, in which a foaming agent is added to the toner raw material, then the foaming agent is expanded at the step of melting and kneading to produce a toner (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-19775). In this proposal, pores are included in the non-magnetic toner based on carbon black in 10 to 60% by volume. Consequently, the specific density of the toner comes to about 0.7 g/cm3, when 5 parts by mass of carbon black is added to the raw material and when the pore content is 30% by volume; that is, the specific density of toner is excessively low. This results in a lower controllability of toner control sensors, and causes a problem that the controlling part of the apparatus in use must be adjusted with the supplement of the toner.
The object of the present invention is to provide a toner, in which the toner contains a black metal oxide as a colorant, and exhibits a specific density that is equivalent to the conventional toner that contains carbon black, thereby the toner does not impose the necessity to adjust the controllability of toner control sensors, and the supplement of the toner may be easily carried out on the apparatus in use. Also the object of the present invention is to provide a developer, a container, a process cartridge, an image forming apparatus, and an image forming process that utilize the toner respectively.

Toner, developer, container containing toner, process, cartridge, image forming apparatus and process