An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a programming voltage generator for a nonvolatile memory device. The programming voltage generator comprises a power circuit, a detector, a switching circuit, a control signal generator, and a regulation circuit. The power circuit outputs a programming voltage according to a voltage control signal. The detector detects whether the programming voltage is larger than or equal to a breakdown voltage of the nonvolatile memory device, so as to output an indication signal. The switching circuit temporally drops the programming voltage according to the indication signal. The control signal generator generates a plurality of regulation control signals. The regulation circuit generates the voltage control signal according to the programming voltage and the regulation control signals.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a nonvolatile memory device, and more particularly to a programmable voltage generator for the nonvolatile memory device.
2. Description of Related Art
In integrated memory devices, a high voltage source or generator (i.e. programmable voltage generator) is required for word line pumping or to supply a programming voltage in the nonvolatile memory devices. The output level of the high voltage source is programmable, and in general the output level can be set by fuses and stepping up with programming shot to shorten the programming time. Thus, it is possible that the output voltage of the high voltage source is higher than the level which can be sustained by the memory device. The memory device, at least, includes row decoder, column decoder, memory cell, and so on. The programmable voltage generator provides a programming voltage greater than required by a load device (such as a memory cell and word line decoder or sustainable voltage in the programmable voltage generator).
However, if the programming voltage provided by the programmable voltage generator is higher than a breakdown voltage of the load device or the device in the programmable voltage generator, the load device or the programmable voltage generator may be failed or useless. Therefore, a limiting circuit is connected in parallel with the programmable voltage generator and the load device to limit the maximum level of the programming voltage provided by the programmable voltage generator.
In a continuous operation, the programmable voltage generator programming voltage can provide the sufficient current to supply the load device at the limited programming voltage, thus programming the load device successfully. Unfortunately, the programming voltage required by the load device is varying along with the semiconductor process variation, and that is, the load devices made of by the different semiconductor processes may have different programming voltages. The integrated circuit designer must design the different limiting circuits for the load devices made of by the different semiconductor processes, and thus it increases the product cost and design time for manufacturing the nonvolatile memory devices.

Programmable voltage generator for nonvolatile memory device

ELITE SEMICONDUCTOR MEMORY TECHNOLOGY INC.


In an embodiment of the invention an apparatus is configured to stack a plurality of semiconductor chips having the same or similar size. The apparatus includes a tape providing unit for providing an insulating adhesive tape, a tape attaching device for attaching the insulating adhesive tape to an area between electrode pads of a first chip, and a chip attaching device for attaching a second chip to the insulating adhesive tape.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device manufacturing apparatus and, more particularly, to an apparatus for stacking a plurality of semiconductor chips having the same or similar size.
2. Description of the Related Art
A chip bonding process is generally a process for attaching a semiconductor chip to a substrate such as a lead frame or a printed circuit board. Conventionally, an adhesive means used in the chip bonding process comprises a conductive liquid adhesive such as Ag-epoxy, Ag-glass or solder, or an insulating liquid adhesive such as epoxy or silicone. A predetermined amount of the liquid adhesive is applied on the substrate. The semiconductor chip is placed on and pressed down on the liquid adhesive.
The conventional die bonding method using such liquid adhesive has several disadvantages. For example, it is difficult to control the thickness of the liquid adhesive. If a thin semiconductor chip, e.g. having a thickness of 180 μm or less, is used, voids may be generated in the liquid adhesive due to the warpage of the semiconductor chip. Such voids may reduce the reliability of the semiconductor device. Also, if the semiconductor chips are stacked in a three-dimensional arrangement, the rolling defect of the liquid adhesive may make the stacking of semiconductor chips having the same or similar size difficult.

Apparatus for bonding a chip using an insulating adhesive tape


A press for assembling an electrical connector (C) having tines (T) projecting therefrom, to a printed circuit board (PCB), comprises a press ram (40) which is pivotally mounted to the top of the forward end of a press frame (16). A ram (40) has, at its forward end, a connector holder (54) for receiving a connector (C) with the tines (T) of the connector (C) projecting from the holder (54). A ram (40) has a raised, connector loading position, in which the connector holder (54) projects obliquely downwardly towards the operator so that the operator can easily load the connector (C), which may be of microminiature size, into the holder (54). The ram (40) has a drive unit (36) for driving it from its loading position into a vertical position, in which the holder (54) projects towards a printed circuit board (PCB) on a support structure (14). In this vertical position of the ram (40) an insertion drive unit (4) is actuated to cause a lever (6) to drive the ram (40) through a working stroke, so that the tines (T) of the connector (C) to the holder (54) are forced through holes in the circuit board (PCB) .

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a press for assembling an electrical connector having tines projecting therefrom, to a printed circuit board, by inserting the tines through holes in the circuit board.
2. Summary of the Prior Art
There is disclosed in U.S. Pat No. 4,590,673, a press for assembling an electrical connector having tines projecting therefrom to a printed circuit board, the press comprising a press frame, a press ram on the frame, means for supporting the circuit board beneath the ram, and means for driving the ram through a working stroke towards the circuit board to force the connector theretowards, thereby the force the tines of the connector through holes in the circuit board.
This known press is for use with connectors of substantial size, the circuit board supporting means comprising a slide which is moveable from a loading position outside the press frame to a working position beneath the press ram. The tines of the connector are inserted to a small extent into the holes in the circuit board, in the loading position of the slide. In the working position of the slide, the press ram drives the connector down towards the board so that the tines are forced through the holes therein. In this known press, the press ram is driven by a single high power piston and cylinder unit which is necessarily relatively bulky and expensive to produce. The present invention is intended to provide a press for force fitting a component into a work piece, that is compact and is economical to manufacture.
The press of the present invention, is intended for use with connectors of microminiature size and which are accordingly difficult to handle and wherein the press is compact and so takes up little space.

Press for assembling an electrical connector to a printed circuit board


A process for producing 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds is described, which comprises (1) undergoing a reaction of a compound represented by formula (IV), hydroxylamine or a mineral acid salt thereof, and glyoxal or glyoxime to produce a compound represented by formula (III), (2) undergoing a reaction of the compound represented by formula (III) with thionyl chloride or thionyl bromide in the presence of N,N-dialkylamide to produce a reaction mixture, and then reacting the produced reaction mixture with sulfur chloride to produce a 2-cyanoimidazole compound represented by formula (II), and (3) undergoing a sulfamoylation reaction and an isomerization reaction of the 2-cyanoimidazole compound represented by formula (II) and a compound represented by formula (V) in the presence of at least one base selected from carbonates of alkali metals and bicarbonates of alkali metals and a polar solvent to produce a 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compound represented by formula (I-b). The formulae and substituents formulae are specifically defined in the specification. ##STR1##

The 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds are disclosed in EP-A-298196. Some methods for producing the 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds have been proposed therein. However, none of these proposals include the processes of the present invention.
JP-A-4-59766 (The term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") discloses a process for producing 1-hydroxy-2-oxyiminomethylimidazole 3-oxide compounds as an intermediate. However, this process differs from process A of the present invention described below in that substituted glyoxal compounds are used as a starting material.
JP-A-4-59766 discloses a process for producing 2-cyanoimidazole compounds, which comprises reacting a 1-hydroxy-2-oxyiminomethylimidazole 3-oxide compound with a chloride or oxychloride of phosphorus or sulfur. However, JP-A-4-59766 does not disclose process B of the present invention described below producing 2-cyanoimidazole compounds represented by formula.(II) selectively and in a high yield.
EP-A-298196 discloses that (a) isomer mixtures of 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds including compounds represented by formulae (I-a) and (I-b) of the present invention can be prepared by sulfamoylating 2-cyanoimidazole compounds represented by formula (II) of the present invention and that (b) the isomer mixtures can be separated by selective hydrolysis. Furthermore, JP-A-4-120063 discloses that only imidazole compounds represented by formula (I-b) of the present invention can be selectively separated from the isomer mixtures by using a solvent and an acid catalyst. However, EP-A-298196 and JP-A-4-120063 do not disclose process C of the present invention described below producing only imidazole compounds represented by formula (I-b) selectively by sulfamoylating and isomerizing the compounds represented by formula (II).
EP-A-298196 proposes some methods for producing 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds. However, these methods are not satisfactory in their industrial application. Furthermore, it has been desired to produce 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds more economically.
With regard to process A of the present invention, substituted glyoxal compounds used as a starting material in the process for producing 1-hydroxy-2-oxyiminomethylimidazole 3-oxide compounds are disclosed in JP-A-4-59766, but the industrial production of the substituted glyoxal compounds are difficult. JP-B-52-19 (The term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined Japanese patent publication") discloses a process for producing substituted glyoxal compounds, which comprises reacting ketone and alkyl nitrite gas as starting materials in the presence of hydrogen halide. However, this process comprises a continuous reaction in which .alpha.-oxyimino ketone produced is extracted and removed and thus provides low productivity and requires a special apparatus.
With regard to process B of the present invention, in the process for producing 2-cyanoimidazole compounds disclosed in JP-A-4-59766, the chloride or oxychloride of phosphorus or sulfur for use in the reaction of the process is preferably phosphorus trichloride. When phosphorus oxychloride, phosphorus monochloride, sulfur monochloride, sulfur dichloride, thionyl chloride or sulfuryl chloride is used, the reduction reaction may be incomplete under some conditions. This production process is also disadvantageous in that the use of phosphorus trichloride requires much labor and facilities for the disposal of waste water after reaction. The reaction of phosphorus trichloride is further disadvantageous in that it has an induction period, making it difficult to control the reaction temperature. This preparation process is further disadvantageous in that the resulting compound contains a compound that is not chlorinated in the 4- or 5-position on the imidazole ring. Thus, a separate chlorination step is required to obtain a compound that is chlorinated at the 4- or 5-position on the imidazole ring.
With regard to process C of the present invention, in the process for selectively separating and collecting compounds represented by formula (I-b) from isomer mixtures of 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds disclosed in EP-A-298196 and JP-A-4-120063, compounds represented by formula (I-a) are hydrolyzed and the process is thus disadvantageous in that its yield does not exceed the ratio of the isomers of the compounds represented by formula (I-b) and that the post-treatment is complicated.

Processes for producing 1-substituted-2-cyanoimidazole compounds


An improved shoulder rest for a stringed instrument such as a violin or a viola. The rest has a curved edge conforming to the shape of the tail piece of the instrument. One surface of the rest is planar and is positioned against the bottom of the tail piece. The opposite surface has a first region and a second region of increased thickness. An intermediate region transitions between the first and second region. The rest is formed from a resilient foam material and is detachably secured to the instrument by an elastic band extending between the C-bouts and the end button. In a playing position, the thicker second region is placed over the collar bone area of the musician and the thinner first region extends forwardly along the shoulder so as to not raise the instrument.

Various types of shoulder rests for violins and violas can be found in the prior art. Shoulder rests are used for support and cushioning between the back of the stringed instrument and the player's shoulder while the instrument is being played.
Representative shoulder rests or pads for stringed instruments of the violin and viola type can be found in the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,487 discloses a chin or shoulder pad for use with violins and violas which includes a soft, flexible, resilient body having gradually rounded sides and a flexible, resilient neck attached to or near one rounded corner of the body and extending diagonally therefrom. The body mounts flush against the underside surface of the resonance body of the musical instrument on a lower end portion thereof below the C-shaped bouts such that the neck extends around and over the chin rest turnbuckle or screw assembly. A pair of straps connect opposite corner portions of a distal end of the neck to corresponding corners at the base of the body to form a pair of loops which extend around lower inside corners of the resonance box bouts. The straps connecting the pad to both bouts tend to inhibit sliding movement of the body and neck caused by rubbing movement of a musician thereagainst. The strap which extends to and around the bout corner located on the side of the resonance box opposite the side containing the chin rest is capable of supporting a decorative ornament which is readily viewable by an observer when the instrument is being played. In the preferred embodiment, the body of the pad is generally rectangular in shape and has rounded sides and the neck is connected to one body corner and extends diagonally outward and upward therefrom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,213 shows a shoulder rest for a violin or viola musical instrument having a support member made of an elastic polyurethane foam material and having opposing surfaces having a multiplicity of regions of depressions and regions of elevations dimensioned and proportioned to permit the regions of elevation to exclusively and compressively bear against the back of the violin such that external forces transmitted to the support member are resiliently transferred through the regions of elevation thereby reducing the bearing surface area against the back of the musical instrument and consequently minimizing the dampening effect the support member has on the sound of the violin or viola. The shoulder rest is removably mounted to the musical instrument by a continuous elastic band carried by the support member and having opposing bights for compressively engaging the lower bout and end peg of the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,239,337 illustrates a shoulder rest device for a stringed musical instrument, including but not limited to violin and viola. The base pad of the shoulder rest according to the present invention is secured at one end to the chinrest of the instrument by means of two chinrest loops. The other end of the base pad is secured to the back of the instrument by means of a larger, preferably elastic, loop which has a detachable end and which goes over the shoulder junction under the fingerboard and reattaches to the base pad. A pocket part has one lateral side containing hook and loop flaps for inserting foam inserts of various sizes and shapes and a hook and loop strip on the top side to attach it to the base pad at any position.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,827,329 discloses a universal shoulder rest appliance for bowed string musical instruments such as violins and violas. The rest includes a unitary structure mounted on the back of the instrument box and having an elongated arm and a plate connected to the base of the arm. The plate extends beneath the arm and diverges therefrom throughout its length. The base, located at one end of the arm, is provided with a groove and the other end of the arm is provided with a foot having a groove. The groove on the base interfits with the lower ridge of the instrument back beneath the end pin thereon. The intermediate portion of the am between the ends thereof is curved to provide space between the intermediate portion of the arm and the back of the instrument box when the appliance is applied to the instrument. The back surface of the plate is adapted to engage a person's shoulder to rest the instrument thereon. Yieldable means are provided in the grooves at the ends of the arm for connecting the structure to violins and violas of all sizes.
Despite the fact there are numerous and various types of shoulder rests that can be found in the prior art, there nevertheless exists the need for an improved shoulder rest which permits a musician to comfortably hold a stringed instrument such as a violin or viola. The ideal shoulder rest should be light and easy to attach to the instrument. The shoulder rest should accommodate various physical variations of a musician and conform to the individual musician. More importantly, the shoulder rest must be mountable on the instrument in a manner so it will not scratch or otherwise damage the instrument.

Supporting shoulder rest for a stringed instrument


A sound system configured to play audio files in a variety of indoor and outdoor environments is disclosed. The system includes a housing, a speaker, a power supply, and a mounting attachment that provides protection for sensitive system components and allow the system to be securely attached to a variety of surfaces and objects.

The following background discussion includes information that could be useful in understanding the present inventive subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed inventive subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Personal sound systems and similar electronic devices are growing rapidly in popularity, permitting users to enjoy music, audiobooks, and other forms of auditory entertainment without being tethered to a home system. Use of such devices while commuting, bicycling, and enjoying other activities outside of the home is commonplace. As the quality of sound reproduction improves, such devices are also beginning to replace traditional large, fixed units in the home with portable devices that are carried from room to room.
Portability generally requires that such a system be compact and lightweight, however this goal is often at odds with the necessity of ruggedizing such a system against accidental impacts, moisture, dust, and other environmental insults. Speakers are generally relatively fragile components of sound systems, and are particularly susceptible to damage from such events. A wide variety of manufacturers address this issue by supplying their system with earbuds or headphones that affix to the user's head in place of a conventional speaker. Unfortunately, use of such devices also block the user's perception of ambient sounds, presenting a sufficient safety hazard that their use is prohibited when operating motor vehicles in many jurisdictions.
Provision of a rugged sound system that broadcasts sounds to the ambient environment while allowing the user to hear necessary warning sounds is therefore desirable. However, the relative fragility of some system components presents a considerable impediment to designers. Some manufacturers have attempted to address this by providing various structures and mounts to stabilize and protect such systems. For example, the iLuv™ iSP110 and the iKross™ Portable Amplified Speaker Case provide a soft case that includes a speaker covered with a grate and a clip attached by a tether, which could be used to prevent the system from being dropped. Audio Bike™ systems supplies speakers, which could be used with personal audio players, in rigid casings that insert into the hollow interior of a bicycle's handlebars, preventing them from being dislodged and impacting the ground during use. These casings include piercings across a portion of the upper surface at one end of the case for transmission of sound. Similarly, BoomBotix™ supplies a device that clamps around the exterior of a bicycle's handlebars, allowing a user to mount a speaker covered by a protective grate to a bicycle. A similar mount is available for the GoPro™ camera systems (which have audiovisual recording and playback ability); GoPro also provides a variety of other mounting accessories that attach to various points on the camera's casing.
Unfortunately, these approaches do not provide a solution to the problem of providing a sound system that provides high quality sound reproduction and is adaptable for use across a wide variety of operating environments. Efficient broadcast of sound to the ambient environment requires a means to transmit sound waves generated by a speaker to the environment outside of the system with the least resistance possible. This need, however, is at odds with the need to protect sensitive system components. The grates disclosed in the systems noted above sometimes permit sound to move relatively freely but do not appear to provide a high degree of protection. The pierced, rigid casings of the Audio Bike speakers provide some protection, but their insertion into the handlebar necessary greatly limits the area through which sound could be transmitted. Devices that secure sound systems can provide a certain degree of protection by reducing the incidence of impacts. However it is desirable that their design also incorporate features that minimize their impact on sound reproduction. Flexible mounts such as the tethers of the iLuv iSP110 and the iKross Portable Amplified Speaker Case unfortunately leave ample opportunities for side impacts. Mounting systems designed for affixing a sound system to a specific object, such as those disclosed by the BoomBotix and Audio Bike systems, necessarily do not provide a general solution to securing a sound system, whereas the mounting system disclosed by the GoPro product line merely provides fixation without addressing audio performance.
These and all other extrinsic materials discussed herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.
Thus, there is still a need for a durable sound system that can provide accurate reproduction of sounds across a wide variety of operating environments both inside and outside of the home or office.


The present invention relates to a screwdriver adapted for use with one or more replaceable bits. The screwdriver includes a shaft adapted to selectively form a torque transmitting engagement with the bit. A handle is mounted on the shaft. The handle includes an outwardly opening groove sized and shaped for receiving and storing each bit. Each groove extends longitudinally along the length of the handle. The handle also includes a panel for selectively retaining the bit in each groove. The panel is constructed and arranged to slide longitudinally along the groove between a first bit retaining position and a second bit non-retaining position. A method of assembly includes inserting opposing edges of the panel into opposing slots of the groove, and then connecting an end cap to the handle to prevent removal of the panel.

Multiple bit screwdrivers are advantageous because they enable a user to drive a variety of screws with a single tool. Multi-bit screwdrivers typically include interchangeable bits having blades of varying sizes and styles. Exemplary styles of screwdriver blades include flathead, phillips, squarehead type, and torx type. By merely interchanging the bits, a user can drive different types of screws with a single tool.
A problem with multiple bit screwdrivers is that the bits can be easily misplaced or lost. To overcome this problem, a number of multiple bit screwdrivers have been developed that have handles equipped for storing multiple bits. Concerns in this area include cost to manufacture and ease of use. Reliability over the life of the screwdriver and an ability to quickly ascertain and select the appropriate bit for a particular use are also concerns. There is a need in the art for multiple bit screwdrivers and methods which address these concerns and other concerns.


A device of performing osteosynthesis includes an osteosynthesis element, e.g., a bone plate, having an upper face, a lower face and an opening with a central axis linking the upper and lower faces. The opening receives a multi-axial pivotable insert for a longitudinal bone fixing element, such as a bone screw. The insert has a central passage with a longitudinal axis for housing the bone fixing element. The insert may be configured as a helical spring with an external sheath surface and an internal sheath surface that defines the central passage. When placed in the through hole, the insert is rotationally fixed relative to its longitudinal axis, but remains pivotally adjustable within the through hole relative to the osteosynthesis element.

Devices of the present type are used for a polyaxial, rigid screw connection, particularly in the region of the spinal column, for example for pedicle screws or pedicle hooks. However, they can also be used generally for plate osteosynthesis. In addition, uses for external fixators as well as for intervertebral implants are also possible.
Such a device is already known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,003, in which a pivotable, ring-shaped insert is present between the screw head and the bore of the bone plate, which insert can be compressed and expanded by means of a slit, in order to thereby achieve improved fixation between screw and plate. The disadvantages of this known device are multiple. The axially rigid insert, configured to be circular, can turn with the screw as it is turned, and thereby prevents locking. Moreover, the insert can also twist completely within the plate bore, so that it then comes to rest with the wrong side up (inner cone narrows in the wrong direction).
The above discussion of the state of the art takes place merely to explain the surrounding field of the invention, and does not mean that the cited prior art was actually published or publicly known at the time of this application or its priority.


A bracket assembly for use with cleaning implements such as push brooms has a handle connector for mounting a handle and a plate with a pair of depending flanges that are inserted into the broom head. The bracket assembly may be removably secured to the broom head with a fastener such as bolt and nut to provide an attachment mechanism having sufficient strength to withstand repeated sweeping motion. The removable bracket allows the arrangement of the handle and broom head to be reversed so that both faces of the broom head and bristles can be used interchangeably for sweeping. The removable bracket can be used with cleaning implements having heads of various dimensions and shapes.

Brooms sometimes are classified as either "push" brooms or "upright" brooms. Upright brooms are often wide and generally have relatively long bristles, typically extending from a shroud or broom head. An elongated handle having a central longitudinal axis aligned with the bristles may facilitate side-to-side sweeping of the upright broom. An end of the handle may be permanently secured within an opening in the broom head.
Push brooms generally have relatively short bristles, which may be set in a wide block, or broom head. The broom head is generally rectangular. An elongated handle may extend upwardly from the broom head and be set at an angle to facilitate pushing the broom, with a long side of the broom head facing in the direction of sweeping. Push brooms often have detachable handles. A detachable handle facilitates shipping of the brooms. Additionally, depending on the configuration of the broom head, a detachable handle can permit the handle to be mounted on the broom head in the opposite direction, and thus allow sweeping in reverse direction to prolong the life of the bristles.
Conventionally, detachable handles are connected to broom heads by screwing a threaded end of the handle into a threaded aperture in the broom head. For some time, it has been known that, with such brooms, the handle has a tendency to rotate and loosen during use. Various efforts have been made to avoid this and other problems.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,259 discloses an industrial push broom that includes an attachment means for connecting the handle to the back of the push broom. A first flange of the attachment means is fastened to the top face of the broom, and a second flange is fastened to the rear edge of the broom. The handle extends from the intersection of the rear edge and the top face. The positioning of the attachment means is fixed with respect to the back of the broom.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,094,564 discloses a brush block assembly with latching means for maintaining the handle in an interlocked position. One end of the handle extends into a hole in the broom block. The positioning of the brush block assembly is fixed with respect to the broom block.
There remains a need for improved features for the mounting bracket assembly for a push broom to facilitate replacement of the handle and broom head and to allow changing of the positioning of the handle.


A zoom lens includes a first lens unit with a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a positive refractive power in order from the object side to the image side. The first lens unit includes a negative lens and a positive lens. When the curvature radius of the object side surface and that of the image side surface of the negative lens are respectively defined as R11 and R12 and the curvature radius of the object side surface and that of the image side surface of the positive lens are respectively defined as R21 and R22, the following conditional expression is satisfied: −5.6<(R12+R21)/(R12−R21)<−4.7 and 1.5<(R11+R22)/(R11−R22)<2.3.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens, which is suitable for an image pickup apparatus such as a digital still camera, a video camera, a film camera, or a TV camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, image pickup apparatuses (cameras) using solid-state image pickup devices, such as video cameras and digital still cameras, have become smaller with increased functionality. Optical systems used in these cameras have been demanded to be small-sized zoom lenses with high optical performance. In any of these cameras using solid-state image pickup devices, various kinds of optical components such as an optical low-pass filter and a color correction filter are arranged between a lens system and the image pickup device. Therefore, the optical system for use in such a camera requires a lens system with a relatively long back focal length.
For a color camera with an image pickup device for color images, an optical system with good telecentricity on the image side is desired to avoid color shading. As a zoom lens with a reduced total system size and a long back focus and good telecentricity on the image side, a negative-lead zoom lens in which a lens unit with a negative refractive power is provided as a leading unit (located nearest to the object side) has been known in the art.
As the negative-lead zoom lens, a zoom lens comprising three lens units (hereinafter, also referred to as a three-unit zoom lens) has been known in the art. The three-unit zoom lens includes a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit with a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit with a positive refractive power in order from the object side to the image side (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-131132, U.S. Publication No. 2008/0043341, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,275).
As one kind of the three-unit zoom lens, a small-sized three-unit zoom lens in which all of the lens units move while zooming to achieve a high zoom ratio has been known (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-061675 and U.S. Pat. No. 7,333,275).
For reducing a total system size while attaining a high zoom ratio in the negative-lead type three-unit zoom lens, it is effective to reduce the number of lenses in each lens unit of the zoom lens and enhance the refractive power of each lens unit.
However, for example, an increase of aberration variation occurs when zooming if the refractive power of each lens unit is simply enhanced to achieve a high zoom ratio. Thus, the zoom lens hardly obtains high optical performance in the entire zoom range.
Therefore, for reducing a total system size, extending an angle of view, and enhancing a zoom ratio in the negative-lead three-unit zoom lens, it is important to appropriately determine the configuration of lenses in each lens unit, the distribution of refractive power in each lens unit. It is also important to appropriately define the moving locus or the like of each lens unit at the time of zooming.
For example, it is difficult to obtain high optical performance while reducing a total system size and extending an angle of view if the configuration of lenses, the refractive power, or the like in the first lens unit are not defined appropriately. In addition, in a three-unit zoom lens employing a rear-focusing system where the third lens group moves when zooming and focusing, it is also important to appropriately define the refractive power, the configuration of lenses, or the like in the third lens unit.
If the configuration of lenses in each lens unit is not appropriately defined, aberrations vary more extensively when zooming and focusing. Thus, it becomes very difficult to obtain high optical performance with respect to the whole zooming range and the entire object distance.

Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus using the same


An electrical cable that minimizes frequency sensitive group delay for consumer products and industrial use. A method constructing an electrical cable that minimizes frequency sensitive group delay for consumer products and industrial use. The cables utilize flat conductor made from resistive conductors. In other embodiments the conductors use a combination of metals where each has a different resistive property.

In the transmission of a signal with varying frequency, each frequency will travel through a cable at a different rate. For the cable used in audio products the frequency generally ranges from 20 Hz to 20 KHz. This represents a 1000:1 ratio of the frequency being conducted through a cable. For higher frequency signals such as used in RF feed lines the signal the frequency being conducted ranges as high as several hundred megahertz. Because of the variation of frequencies being transmitted the materials and construction of cables for each application would be different. For audio cables the frequency components of the signal are launched synchronized in time but they emerge with the low frequencies delayed more than the high frequencies, resulting in group delay time smear. The frequency group delay time smear must be minimized in order to maintain the integrity of the signal being passed from one device to another to reproduce the best quality audio sound, for example a high fidelity audio reproduction, and likewise in video signal reproduction or data transmission.
Cables used in the transmission of high fidelity signals are used to interconnect audio components as well as to connect audio amplifiers to loudspeakers. While interconnect cables and loudspeaker cables both transmit the audio frequency range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz, the construction of interconnect cables and loudspeaker cables is significantly different. As a simple example, the cables connecting audio components can be highly resistive, with the cables used between the amplifier and the speakers must be highly conductive. In a further example, the cable connecting audio components are generally short in length, while the cables connected from the amplifier to the speakers is frequently much longer in length. Prior art high fidelity music signal cables inherently corrupt to one degree or another, complex waveforms during their travel from source to load. The human ear is keenly sensitive to time smearing signals, which detract from the illusion of a live musical performance as appreciated by the listener.
Inductive Reactance
Inductive Reactance is found using the Kirchhoff's loop rule that dictates that the magnitude of the potential difference across the inductor must equal the electro motive force (emf) of the generator. Generally the maximum potential difference equals the maximum current times the inductive reactance. This relationship is described with the equation XL=ωL, where XL is the inductive reactance, ω is the angular frequency of alternating current and L is the inductance. The greater the inductive reactance the less the maximum current. A conductor with greater inductance provides more opposition to the flow of current through the conductor, which reduces the maximum flow if the alternating current in the circuit so the faster the change (higher frequency) the more the inductor opposes the frequency. Inductance can be affected by several factors. For example, the size of the wire where the larger the diameter of the wire, the larger the inductance. Moreover, the lower the electrical resistance of a conductor, hence with greater current-carrying ability, the greater the inductance.
Skin Effect
Skin effect occurs in conductive materials when AC is applied. Skin effect forces electrons to flow from a maximum occupation of one-half the conductor's diameter or thickness cross-section to an ever-diminishing fraction of that diameter or thickness as electrons migrate nearer to the surface of the conductor and increasing the resistance to the flow of current. Skin effect forces the lower frequencies of the signal to travel in a restricted manner and delay the transmission of those frequencies. Higher frequencies will separate and travel faster through the conductor and reach the load before the lower frequencies.
There are currently numerous electrical cables available that attempt to minimize deleterious frequency-sensitive group delay time-smear artifacts. Seen among these products is a preponderance of cables using, for example, highly conductive high purity silver or copper conductors, and embracing a multitude of geometric constructions designed to counteract or minimize inductive reactance. Cables are also fabricated using various types of shielding to minimize noise, and certain cables use passive network elements added to the cable in attempts to minimize frequency sensitive group delay time smear. It is important to note that skin depth in a highly resistive alloy, such as nichrome, is approximately thirty times deeper than the skin depth of highly conductive metals such as silver or copper.
Skin Effect in Resistive Materials
The current related art has focused on reducing the inductance of audio, video and data interconnect cables by using a variety of geometries, as well as highly conductive metals such as copper and silver in an attempt to minimize frequency sensitive group delay time smear. Such cables may still produce frequency delays up to tens of milliseconds that cause, in the case of audio reproduction, signals to separate into distinct sounds that when emitted from the loudspeaker are audible to the listener. Further disadvantageously, the ability of such cables to minimize frequency sensitive group delay time smear is dependent upon numerous external factors, such as spacing of the source and return wires, dielectric media, the type of and disposition of shielding, the braiding geometry and the gauge of the wire used in the cable. These factors increase the cost and complexity of the cables without significantly reducing group delay time smear.
Conductors that are made with different material exhibit different conductive, resistive and inductive characteristics. The resistance of conductors is shown as σ and is described in ohms per meter Copper has a σ of 58×106 mhos/m, Aluminum has a σ of 37×106 mhos/m, silver has a σ of 61×106 mhos/m, gold has a σ of 45×106 mhos/m, Tin has a σ of 7.5×106 mhos/m, Lead has a σ of 4.1×106 mhos/m, Nickel with 18% silver has a σ of 3.1×106 mhos/m, Nichrome has a σ of 0.015×106 mhos/m, 304 stainless steel has a σ of 4.2×106 mhos/m.
Resistive Swamping
Resistive swamping is a method to keep an electrical frequency response curve flat and prevent signal overcompensation across a narrow range of frequencies. The use of resistive swamping circuit to overcome inductive reactance is widely used in electrical circuit design, by paralleling an inductor, i.e. bridging, with a resistor. Heretofore the use of an inherently resistive conductor to nullify the selfsame conductors' inductive reactance to the same effect has not been employed in signal transmission cables. The swamping of inductance by the implementation of resistance conductors forces the cable to assume a posture of a fundamental resistance potential divider, where electrical resistance overcomes inductance, and is therefore free of group delay time-smear otherwise caused by inductive reactance. When a cable comprised of resistance conductors is employed, for example, in an audio interconnect circuit, the resistance of the cable will reduce the audio gain level by a minimally small amount. With the addition of a minimal amount of audio gain by slightly turning up the gain of the volume control, the signal gain level will be restored to the gain level of a typical prior art cable that are typically comprised of highly conductive metals such as copper or silver. However, with the present novel new cable, the group delay time smear caused by inductive reactance will now be suppressed beneath the normal noise floor of the audio signal. Hence the group delay time smear associated with inductive reactance will now be removed from the audible signal, or, put another way, the deleterious group delay time smear will now be left well below the audible signal.
Capacitive Reactance
Capacitive reactance is the opposition to the passage of alternating (AC) current in electrical components or wires that is caused by the capacitance coupling that exists between to conductors that are carrying opposing or different signals. The relationship is described with the equation Xc=1/(2πfc), where f is the AC frequency in hertz and c is the capacitance in farads. The reactance Xc is large at low frequencies and small at high frequencies. For steady direct current (DC) the capacitive reactance is infinite.
Proximity Effect
The Proximity Effect explains the effect of two conductors running adjacent to each other where the signal from one conductor affects the signal in the other conductor based upon the proximity of one conductor to another conductor, or a group of conductors. The proximity effect is also called current-bunching, in that a predominance of current in adjacent conductors is greatest, that is, bunches, in the cross-sectional area of the conductors where the forward signal-carrying conductor and the return signal-carrying conductor are in closest proximity to one another. If it is desirous to force audio or video currents to travel within a preferred domain within the body of a conductor, the phenomenon may be accomplished by disposing the preferred domain of the metallic conductors in close proximity to one another and therefore take advantage of the proximity effect. Due to the proximity effect, audio signals that exist in the cable that pass closest to each other in parallel audio signal cable, i.e. the higher frequencies, will be affected the greatest, dependent upon frequency, and in keeping with the dictates of the skin effect, while signals less affected by skin effect, i.e. the lower frequencies, that exist in the core and/or the sides of the conductors opposite the proximate sides of the conductor, will be less affected by the proximity effect. The optimum implementation of the proximity effect is seen in the present invention in the employment of ribbon conductors. Contiguously disposed ribbon conductors will benefit from both the skin effect, and the proximity effect, in embodiments where the predominant currents will flow on or near the surfaces of the facing sides of the ribbons so contiguously disposed.
The best threshold of the audibility of frequency group time delay have been provided by Blauert, J. and Laws, P "Group Delay Distortions in Electroacoustical Systems", Journal of the Acoustical Society of America, Volume 63, Number 5, pp. 1478-1483 (May 1978) and are shown in the table below.
FrequencyThresholdPeriodCycles8kHz2ms0.125ms164kHz1.5ms0.25ms62kHz1ms0.5ms21kHz2ms1ms2500Hz3.2ms2ms1.6The Group Delay is equal to −(Δ φ)/(Δ ω) where φ is the phase angle and ω is the frequency. Exceeding these values degrades and distorts the transmitted analog or digital signals producing data error or audible miscues. The period of a 2 KHz signal is 0.5 ms and therefore a 2 KHz signal being delayed 1 ms would be delayed two complete cycles.
Presently available cables designed to connect audio, video and data devices together inherently corrupt the complex analog waveforms or the bit stream during the signal's travel from source to load causing distorted analog signals and potential detrimental reduction of data bit rates because of inductive reactance and/or the skin effect. Both inductive reactance and skin effect impose the group time delay effect upon signals in a frequency-dependent manner.
Therefore there exists a need for an electrical cable that minimizes frequency-sensitive group time delay in audio, video and data communications interconnect cables that does not embrace these disadvantageous properties.

Electrical cable employing resistance conductors


Maintenance time for an automated analysis device is reduced by executing a plurality of maintenance items in parallel. An automated analysis system 10 is provided with an automated analysis device 11 and a terminal device 38. The automated analysis system 11 measures a sample. The terminal device 38 includes a display unit 32, an operation unit 32, and a control unit provided in a computer 30. The display unit 32 displays maintenance items for maintaining the automated analysis device 11. The operation unit 31 selects one or more of the maintenance items displayed on the display unit 32. The control unit controls the automated analysis device 11 to execute in parallel all the maintenance items selected by the operation unit 31.

An automated analysis device performs a qualitative and quantitative analysis of a sample component such as blood or urine. In this type of automated analysis device, maintenance is performed for a purpose of maintaining a condition and checking operation of hardware of the automated analysis device.
In recent years, in analysis work of the sample component, routine work such as personnel reduction, an increase in a sample analysis processing amount, and an immediate response to an urgent sample have been overcrowded. Therefore, in a maintenance schedule of the automated analysis device, it is necessary to perform the appropriate maintenance in idle time as a routine work schedule becomes overcrowded.
In the automated analysis device, in order to perform the appropriate maintenance in limited time, a plurality of pieces of maintenance to be performed by a user are selected and executed continuously.
As a maintenance technique for selecting and executing the plurality of pieces of maintenance in this type of automated analysis device, for example, it is known that a maintenance item to be executed is extracted at a time point when an instruction to execute the maintenance is issued, and the extracted maintenance item is rearranged in a recommended execution order according to a preset rule (see, for example, PTL 1).


The trailer hitch (10) includes a guide bar (25) threaded about the stem (20) of the hitch ball (18). An alignment plate (45) that is rigidly mounted to the lower wall of the trailer tongue (34) has converging guide surfaces (50 and 51) that receive the guide bar (25), causing the guide bar and the crotch of the converging surfaces to become aligned as the guide bar engages the alignment plate. This aligns the ball receiving socket (42) of the coupler (40) with the hitch ball (18).

Trailer hitches for small vehicles usually include a hitch ball that is connected to the ball hitch receiver carried by a towing vehicle. The trailer usually includes a forwardly extending trailer tongue that includes a coupler having a downwardly facing ball socket that is to be placed over and pivotally connects to the hitch ball.
When the towing vehicle is to be connected to the trailer, the operator typically elevates the trailer tongue so that the ball socket of the coupler is at a slightly higher level than the level of the hitch ball that is carried by the towing vehicle. The operator backs the towing vehicle toward the anticipated position of the socket of the coupler until the operator estimates that the hitch ball is aligned below the socket of the coupler. The operator then stops the vehicle and lowers the trailer tongue until the socket registers with the hitch ball and the trailer is securely mounted to the hitch ball.
Generally, a problem encountered with the previously described process is that the operator of the towing vehicle cannot see the hitch ball and the coupler as he/she manipulates the vehicle toward the trailer and the hitch ball is likely to come to rest at a position that is not aligned with the coupler. Even if the operator is able to see the coupler, etc., the maneuverability of the vehicle is somewhat limited so that it is rare that perfect alignment of the hitch ball and coupler is achieved when backing the towing vehicle.
Various trailer alignment devices have been developed in the prior art. The prior art alignment devices for aligning the hitch ball of a towing vehicle and the coupler of a trailer usually have utilized an alignment means mounted to the rear of the towing vehicle, whereby the engagement of the alignment means of the towing vehicle against the coupler of the trailer tends to urge the coupler in a lateral direction with respect to the vehicle until the socket of the coupler is substantially aligned over the hitch ball. U.S. patents that disclose these types of devices include Morgan U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,866, Lazar U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,386, Ricles U.S. Pat. No. 5,330,196, Anderson U.S. Pat. No. 5,465,992, Austin U.S. Pat. No. 5,503,422, and Woods U.S. Pat. No. 5,516,139. Since these devices are usually permanently attached to the rear of the towing vehicle, they may be obstructive with regard to some other activities about the rear of the vehicle. Also, these devices usually directly contact the coupler of the trailer, and the coupler of a typical trailer is not manufactured with the anticipation that it will be repeatedly impacted by the hitch guide of the towing vehicle, thereby becoming damaged over a period of time.
Another trailer hitch guide is disclosed in Beaudoin U.S. Patent Publication 2003/0218313 A1, in which a V-shaped hitch guide is mounted to a trailer tongue and appears to engage the hitch ball of the towing vehicle as the vehicle backs toward the trailer so as to guide the hitch ball to a position beneath the socket of the coupler. A disadvantage of the device is that the hitch guide is operated at the level of the hitch ball and therefore depends on contact with the hitch ball, and the hitch guide must be moved out of the way in order to allow the socket of the coupler to move downwardly into engagement with the hitch ball of the towing vehicle.
This invention concerns a trailer hitch guide that is carried by the tongue of the trailer and the hitch ball of the towing vehicle that is located at a level below the anticipated position of the hitch ball when the hitch ball is moved by the towing vehicle into alignment with the socket of the coupler and guides the coupler and hitch ball toward alignment, such that once aligned, the trailer tongue can be lowered into coupling engagement with the hitch ball without further movement of parts about the trailer and/or towing vehicle.


A soft-bodied doll bearing a resemblance to a caricature of Jesus. The doll includes a voice simulator which preferably has recorded thereon phrases from Jesus' actual ministry as recorded in God's word, the Bible. A responsible adult can use the Jesus doll to teach young children about Jesus' historic life, His ministry, His teachings and His love for His children. Alternatively, the voice simulator can have recorded thereon simpler phrases which reflect Jesus' character and love for His children. The doll includes an actuator for the voice simulator contained within a body portion of said doll which may be manually activated to speak one or more of these phrases. In one embodiment, both sets of phrases are included in the doll on separate voice simulators with a switch permitting the supervising adult to transition the doll from use with a young child to one who is capable of understanding Jesus' actual teachings when the child's vocabulary and mental faculties dictate.

The concept of God taking on the form of a man is a difficult concept for most adults to understand. When trying to express the concept to a child, the task becomes even more difficult, particularly in today's culture where schools teach children they are an accident of nature, descended from apes rather than a unique child lovingly crafted by the hand of God in God's own image. The most important question a child will ever ask is "Who is Jesus?" because our individual response to that question determines where we will spend eternity. It is important then that parents, grandparents, teachers and concerned adults be equipped to answer the question in a way that helps the child understand that Jesus is real, relevant, and desires a relationship with that child.
It seems that dolls tend to become real persons in the minds of children. There is just something about being able to hold a cuddly caricature, to talk to her/him, to call her/him by name, spend time with her/him, etc., that makes even a make-believe character take on a personality in a child's mind. In addition, a doll can provide a sense of security and a source of comfort.
It is an object of the present invention to provide parents, grand-parents, Sunday school teachers and other responsible adults, a teaching tool that can be used to teach children from the earliest ages about the historic Jesus, His life and teachings, as well as His love for His children. These and other objects are accomplished by providing a flexible, soft doll bearing a resemblance of a caricature of Jesus; a voice simulator which speaks phrases. Preferably, these phrases comprise words spoken by Jesus during His earthly ministry (simplified for a child's vocabulary). Alternatively, the phrases may take the form of words that express the character of Jesus and His love for the child. The doll includes an actuator for the voice simulator contained within a body portion of said doll which may be manually activated to speak one or more of these phrases. The actuator may be concealed in Jesus' hand with a cross identifying the place to squeeze to effect voice activation. In one embodiment, both sets of phrases are included on separate voice simulators with a switch to enable the supervising adult to switch from one set of phrases to the other when s/he deems the child's vocabulary and mental faculties make such a transition appropriate.
Who better for a child to turn to for a sense of security than the One who holds the stars in place and who better for a child to turn to for comfort than the One who is called the Comforter? By providing a child with a Jesus doll, adults will be fostering a child's dependence on the only Person that can actually be counted on not to let them down and initiating a friendship with Christ that will last beyond the end of time.
Various other features, advantages and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art after a reading of the following specification.


An armorer's wrench can include an elongate wrench body having an implement end structured and configured to define a plurality of wrench interfaces, and a handle end opposite the implement end being structured and configured to define a handle shape with a molded grip. The plurality of wrench interfaces can include at least one of a barrel nut wrench and a castle nut wrench, and the handle end can be devoid of wrench interfaces. The armorer's wrench can further include a plurality of hammer heads, hammer head storage, and a hammer head receiver. The handle end may be structured and configured to provide the hammer head storage, and the implement end may be structured and configured to provide the hammer head receiver. Each of the plurality of hammer heads may be structured and configured to securely and releasably attach to the hammer head receiver and to the handle end.

Assembly, disassembly, and other maintenance tasks on modern firearms can benefit from or require a variety of specific tools suitable for particular tasks. Maintenance for a rifle such as an AR-15 can involve multiple specialized wenches. There is a need to conveniently provide multiple tools to armorers working on such firearms to simplify their toolboxes and workflows.


A process for decomposing safety software involves the steps of providing a first software module associated with a first logical unit, providing a second software module associated with a second logical unit, instructing the first software module to implement a first safety goal based on a quality management level, and instructing the second software module to implement a second safety goal based on a safety integrity level, where the second software module uses at least one input and at least one output of the second logical unit to determine if the second safety goal is satisfied. Consequently, the second software module uses a result of the first software module to determine if the first safety goal has been completed, and the second software module uses at least one algorithm to verify an operational status of the first logical unit.

Currently, governments and industries are imposing functional safety standards on a variety of entities, for example, the automotive industry. Usually, these functional safety standards are realized by way of safety software that utilizes standard functional architecture patterns. Unfortunately, these functional safety standards, software, and architecture patterns are very rigid and do not give OEMs or integrators enough flexibility to maintain or upgrade the functionality of the safety-related systems, without incurring considerable added costs to an overall system.
Specifically, functional safety standards require time consuming design and certified validation, where no integration with associated non-safety related applications exists. Hence, expensive hardware and software designs are required because the safety software and standard functional architecture patterns are dedicated. When upgrades are required to a non-safety related application, both the safety application and the associated non-safety related application must be recertified, thereby adding costs and loss of functional system time to an entity.
What is sought is a way to separate the safety related application from the associated non-safety related application, so that when the associated non-safety related application requires maintenance and upgrading, the safety related application does not have to be recertified. Thereby, saving an entity much time and labor costs.

Functional architecture pattern for safety applications


A communication apparatus that accurately measure a time period T0 required for line connection in IPFAX, and optimizes the timing with which a T.38 CNG command is sent out. An AT command that is a dial request is converted into a SIP command that is a session-establishment request, and the SIP command is sent. When there is a provisional response or a session-establishment response to the sent SIP command, a T0 timer which clocks the time period T0 is caused to start counting.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus having an IPFAX function, a control method therefore, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a control program for implementing the method.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, IPFAX capable of sending and receiving faxes using an IP network has been receiving attention. Contents for an NGN (Next Generation Network) network by NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation) also include IPFAX. For call connection to IPFAX, the SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) that is a session control protocol is mainly used.
On the other hand, in the present PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) network, analog data is communicated using FAX modems. A typical example of FAX modems is an AT modem. The AT modem is of a type that provides modem control using the AT command set. The AT command set is a command set for modems, which was proposed by Hayes Communications Inc. in the U.S. and is the most popular at present. Commands beginning with "AT" enable overall sending and receiving functions of a modem to be easily operated from a controller.
The FAX protocol T.38 used for IPFAX is required to comply with the FAX protocol T.30 for PSTN. For this reason, FAX application resources for PSTN so far can be used substantially as they are. However, regarding call connection to IPFAX, many modifications are made because of a change to SIP. Although there is the technique to convert the AT command set into a command set complying with the T.38 protocol, no mention is made of call connection SIP (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication (Kokai) No. 2001-197280).
For example, assume that an AT command issued from a FAX application is converted into a SIP command by an AT-IPFAX command conversion unit, and call connection is attempted by an IPFAX module. In an AT modem, an AT command for dialing is "ATD". For tone dial, "T" is appended to it, and for pulse dial, "P" is appended to it. At the end, a telephone number is added like "ATDT04412345678", and this command is issued to the IPFAX module. The AT-IPFAX command conversion unit in the IPFAX module converts the ATDT command into an INVITE command for requesting call connection (session establishment) using SIP. After that, a session control unit in the IPFAX module attempts INVITE connection using SIP. After receiving the ATDT command, the AT-IPFAX command conversion unit has to return a result code to the FAX application. With this result code, the FAX application determines that dialing has been completed and starts a T0 timer. When the timing with which this result code is returned to the FAX application cannot be accurately controlled, the FAX application cannot exactly know the timing with which dialing is completed, and hence measurement by the T0 timer cannot be accurate.
The T0 timer is supposed to be started after dialing is completed. Both an AT command and a SIP command may include the concept that a command ends, but they do not have the concept that dialing ends. For this reason, if the T0 timer is started with end of a command, the problem that the measurement by the T0 timer cannot be accurate will arise.
When sending of a calling tone (CNG) is requested from the FAX application after dialing is completed, the AT-IPFAX command conversion unit converts this request into a T.38 CNG command which complies with the T.38 protocol. Thereafter, a T.38 control unit in the IPFAX module sends out the T.38 CNG command to a network server or directly to an opposing machine. It is, however, useless to send out a T.38 CNG command before a SIP session is established, and hence it is necessary to control the timing of the sending as well.

Sip session management for fax communication


A spray nozzle, which in some embodiments has a body and a deflector, the body having a fluid passageway and an outer wall including a plurality of fluid-flow orifices therethrough in fluid communication with the fluid passageway and spaced at least partly circumferentially around the outer wall, where the deflector is disposed at least partly circumferentially about and radially outwardly of the body in fluid communication with the plurality of fluid-flow orifices, and the body includes slots and fingers spaced at least partly circumferentially about the deflector. Some embodiments include a second deflector. In some embodiments, each finger and slot has a configuration that defines, at least in part, a flow trajectory, and the flow trajectory defined, at least in part, by one finger or slot is different from the flow trajectory defined by another finger or slot.

Tank washing (also sometimes referred to as Clean-In-Place (CIP)) spray nozzles play a vital role in washing or otherwise cleaning interior surfaces of tanks and closed vessels after use from applications including, but not limited to, storage, mixing and/or processing. A spray nozzle may be installed in a vessel permanently or only inserted for the cleaning process.
One type of tank washing nozzle is a static spray ball, an example of which is shown in FIG. 1. It consists of a thin-walled metal alloy sphere, having many small orifices drilled in various orientations to produce a spray pattern.
Spiral or "pigtail" spray nozzles consist of a helical geometry where each turn of the spiral sheers the water at a different conical spray angle so as to produce a spray pattern.
Another type of nozzle is a "nozzle manifold," which is an assembly of a plurality of traditional full cone spray nozzles on a common manifold with each spray nozzle being in a different orientation to achieve a spray pattern.
Reaction-driven rotating nozzles employ a slotted spherical head or other geometry on a free spinning shaft that rotates due to reaction force of the spray. Such nozzles are capable of quickly providing spray coverage.
High impact geared rotating spray nozzle types are geared machines driven by either liquid flow through the assembly or by an external motor. They typically employ two or more high impact straight jet nozzles that rotate in an indexing geared pattern.


A fingerprint recognizing apparatus including a sensor section mounted on the apparatus body for detecting a fingerprint of an operator; a cover movable between an open position and a closed position for protecting the sensor section in such a manner that an operator's finger can access to the sensor section when the cover is in the open position; and a contact section arranged on the apparatus body at a position where the operator's finger can easily come into contact therewith during an operator's action to open the cover, the contact section being electrically connected to the ground of the apparatus body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fingerprint recognition device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for authenticating a person by the person's fingerprints which is applicable to a desk-top type, lap-top type or note type information processor, for example, applicable to various information processors such as a personal computer, cellular phone and so forth.
It is well known that a person can be very accurately recognized by his fingerprints. On the other hand, when the fingerprints of the person are processed by a fingerprint recognition device, static electricity conducted by the person's fingers affects the fingerprint recognition device. Therefore, it is necessary to take a countermeasure for preventing the static electricity from affecting the fingerprint recognition device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the information processor, in order to prevent a stranger from gaining access to a person's information or in order to prevent a stranger from processing information by using a person's name, there is conventionally provided a system for authenticating the person by his fingerprints. Several examples of the information processor having such fingerprint recognition function will be explained below.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-185016 discloses the following information processor. In order to avoid conducting operation of turning on and off an electric power source and also in order to avoid giving a command to start collating fingerprints, when a user presses his finger against a fingerprint detecting section, a shadow formed by the finger, which has been pressed against the fingerprint detecting section, is detected by a sensor section. When it is judged that the profile of the shadow has a distribution of the shadow formed by the finger, the electric power source is turned on. After that, a fingerprint is detected from the finger, which has been pressed against the fingerprint detecting section, and collated to the fingerprint data which has been previously stored. Due to the foregoing, the detected fingerprint is distinguished, that is, the user can be distinguished. Therefore, various data which agree with the thus distinguished user can be utilized in this information processor.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-175478 (EP 0923018) discloses the following person authenticating system. In order to reduce the dimension of an input device and in order to prevent a stranger from using the information processor, the information processor comprises a computer, input device and fingerprint data base. The input device includes a keyboard, fingerprint sensor integrated with the keyboard, display, adapter circuit and fingerprint collating device. Only when information of a fingerprint detected by the fingerprint sensor coincides with information of a fingerprint stored in the fingerprint data base, log-on processing and data encoding processing are conducted.
According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 9-330140, in order to ensure security without using a troublesome password, the keyboard includes a fingerprint reading section 1, and the computer body includes a fingerprint collating section and fingerprint storing section, and data is displayed on CRT. When an operator is going to operate the computer, he presses his finger against the fingerprint reading section. The fingerprint reading section reads the fingerprint with a beam of light sent from the inside and sends the fingerprint data to the fingerprint collating section of the computer body. If the thus sent fingerprint data is recognized to be the same as fingerprint data which has already been registered, operation of log-in to the personal computer 2 can be allowed.
A mouse type input device disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-194830 includes: a sensor for detecting individual body distinguishing information, arranged so as to be capable of coming into contact with the mouse from the outside; an electrode arranged at a position on the mouse easily coming into contact with the user's hand; and a means for supplying an electrical potential of the ground to the electrode. Static electricity charged to the user's body and static electricity generated when the mouse is operated can be discharged by the grounded electrode of the information processor. Therefore, it is possible to detect individual distinguishing information, the S/N ratio of which is high.
Specifically, static electricity can be discharged as follows. The electrode is arranged at a position on the mouse with which the user's hand can be easily contacted. When the user's hand comes into contact with the electrode in the case of operating the mouse, static electricity charged to the user's body can be discharged to the reference voltage (ground) on the information processor side. Accordingly, there is no possibility that malfunction is caused in the distinguishing function of the fingerprint sensor by the noise generated by static electricity. Also, there is no possibility that the function of the authenticating system itself including the fingerprint sensor is impaired.
As described above, the information processor adopting the recognition system by which the person is recognized with his fingerprint is conventionally known. According to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-194830, in order to prevent the occurrence of malfunction of the fingerprint distinguishing sensor and also in order to prevent the occurrence of failure in the function of the fingerprint distinguishing sensor, there is provided a mechanism for discharging static electricity, which has been charged in the user's body, to the ground on the information processor side.
However, according to the person authenticating system disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-194830, the fingerprint distinguishing sensor is provided with a cover. When this cover is opened and the user's finger is inserted into the fingerprint distinguishing sensor, the person can be authenticated. However, it is not necessarily guaranteed that the user's hand comes into contact with the electrode for discharging before the user's finger comes into contact with the distinguishing sensor. Therefore, it is necessary for the user to be aware that his hand must come into contact with the electrode for discharging before the authentication of himself. Since this fingerprint distinguishing sensor is arranged in the mouse of the information processor, it is impossible to apply this system to any portable type information processor having no mouse.

Fingerprint recognizing apparatus and information processing unit having such apparatus


A natural language processing system and method resolves partial matches when a natural language input query does not fully specify an entity. The input query is tokenized into a set of query tokens, which are compared to contents of a searchable index, the contents representing entities, each of which is tokenized into a set of entity tokens associated with the tokenized entity. A plurality of partial match query tokens are identified from the set of query tokens, each partial match query token matching at least one entity token in the index. The entity(s) corresponding to each partial match query token are selected if a sequential break exists in the input query between the partial match query tokens and there is no intersection between the entity(s) corresponding to each partial match query token.

1. Field
This disclosure relates generally to data processing of linguistic data, and, more particularly, to a natural language processing system and method for resolving partial matches.
2. Background
A natural language processing (NLP) system is a computer-implemented software system that intelligently derives meaning and context from a natural language input, such as an input string of natural language text. A NLP system assists the computer in distinguishing how words are used in different contexts and in applying rules to construct syntactical and meaning representations. A NLP system has many different applications where a computer derives meaning and information from a natural language query or command, including (but not limited to) formulating database searches, speech and handwriting recognition, grammar and spell checking, and language translation.
A challenge in existing NLP systems is the ability to match products or entities that are not fully specified in a natural language input or query. For example, in a NLP system that parses user input or queries to find entities (e.g., products) in a list (e.g., catalog), the list may include the following entities:
1. Optima™ AgfaPhoto™ 102
2. Canon™ EOS™ 5D mark iii
3. EOS™ Rebel™ t3i
4. EOS™ Canon™ 1Ds Mark iii
In this example, a user might submit a natural language query that contains a partial set of tokens, such as one of the following illustrative queries:
1. "What 5d mark iii model camera from Canon sold the best?"
2. "What agfa and powershot cameras from canon sold the best?"
In parsing a natural language input or query that includes a partial set of tokens, like the example queries above, existing NLP systems may resolve the query to multiple product matches or entities, when the query may in fact be directed to a single product or entity (as in the first query above).

Partial match derivation using text analysis

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A toy or display suspends a ball in mid-air and moves the ball in a closed path without any visible means of support above a housing. The ball is moved radially toward, and alternately away from, a central housing axis, and may also be raised and lowered in elevation during its travel along the path.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an action toy or a dynamic display and, more particularly, to an apparatus for suspending and moving a lightweight element in mid-air in a controlled manner without any visible means of support.
2. Description of Related Art
Toys and displays having air-floating balls or flying saucers movable along a circular path or orbit are known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,897,607; 2,924,033; 3,082,570; 3,083,497 and 4,292,755.
Although entertaining at first, experience has shown, however, that such apparatuses become uninteresting and less attention-holding after an extended period of time due, primarily, to the fact that the ball or saucer travels in a predetermined, predictable, circular path along a plane.


It is managed a life of at least one toner cartridge loaded in an apparatus for forming an image on a recording medium with toner stored in the toner cartridge. A counter counts a remaining amount of each of a plurality of predetermined parameters. A replacement determinant determines that the toner cartridge should be replaced with another one when the remaining amount of any one of the parameters is a predetermined amount or less. A display is operable to display the remaining amount of each of the parameters as a percentage relative to a full remaining amount thereof. A selector selects one of the parameters indicating the lowest remaining amount as the remaining amount displayed on the display.

The present invention relates to a device and method of managing the life of a toner cartridge as well as an image-forming apparatus using the same.
An image forming apparatus which forms an image through use of toner must manage the life of a toner cartridge by ascertaining the amount of toner consumption or the amount of remaining toner in order to facilitate maintenance, such as toner replenishment, or preservation of image quality. Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-174929A discloses a method for calculating toner consumption with simple configuration which enable accurate determination of toner consumption.
A relationship between the number of a printed dot and the amount of toner consumption is nonlinear, and the relationship also changes depending on the state of another printed dot adjacent to that printed dot. In light of this relationship, the method classifies a train of printed dots into three patterns; that is, an isolated dot, two consecutive dots, and an dot of intermediate value. The number of dots formed is counted on a per-pattern basis. The amount of toner consumption is determined on the basis of the counted values.
In such an image forming apparatus, the toner filled in the toner cartridge is gradually consumed and decreased as a result of repeated formation of an image. When the amount of toner filled in the cartridge has decreased to a certain level or less, a message "Please replace the toner cartridge" appears on a display of the image forming apparatus, thereby alerting the user.
Even in view of effective utilization of resources, the user desires to accurately recognize the amount of toner consumption and replace a toner cartridge at an appropriate time. This publication teaches a pattern into which a train of printed dots is arranged is classified into three categories. There is disclosed determination of the amount of toner consumed per page during a certain job period on the basis of the pattern in which a train of printed dots is arranged. However, there is no description on the configuration for knowing the residual amount of toner contained in the toner cartridge and judging the point of time for the interchange of the toner cartridge.
Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-83846A discloses a technique for individually displaying the residual amounts of toner for a large-capacity cartridge and a small-capacity cartridge. Specifically, there are provided a gauge used for displaying the residual amount of toner corresponding to the large-capacity cartridge and a gauge used for displaying the residual amount of toner corresponding to the small-capacity cartridge. In this case, the residual amounts of toner are displayed as absolute values (analog values). For this reason, the user can judge the current values of the residual amounts of toner visually.
However, there is a problem that the cost of the mechanism for individually displaying the residual amounts of toner increases. Moreover, the residual amount of toner in the small-capacity cartridge is displayed at a reduced ratio compared with the residual amount of toner in the large-capacity cartridge or displayed with a color different from the color used for displaying the residual amount of toner in the large-capacity cartridge. Or the two display forms are different, for example, in the width of change of each gauge. There is a problem that the user has a difficulty in reading the displayed residual amounts of toner.

Device and method of managing life of toner cartridge, and image forming apparatus using the same


An improved precision approach radar (PAR) system using an integrated digital display for displaying the relative position of one or more targets, e.g., aircraft, to a preferred glide path and azimuth course line. A preferred PAR system uses a radar head which emits a pair of scanned radar beams and interprets reflected responses to individually determine aircraft targets, weather patterns and/or obstructions and displays each reflection category as a different pattern, preferably color coded, on an essentially non-flickering monitor.

The present invention generally relates to precision approach radar (PAR) systems for displaying information to an air traffic controller useful for guiding an aircraft along a preferred glideslope approach to a runway.
Precision approach radar systems for guiding an aircraft to a runway touchdown point are well known. Such systems typically use a pair of radar beams in a microwave radio frequency (RF) band emitted from a radar head disposed proximate to the runway touchdown point. The radar beams are respectively scanned horizontally and vertically to determine the relative azimuth and elevation positions of one or more targets, e.g., aircraft, in the vicinity of the radar head. In an early exemplary system, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,649,581 to Tasker et al., a single monitor, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube) video monitor, displays side and top views of a preferred glideslope and the relative position of any detected aircraft. The display is generated by sweeping electron beams across the face of a CRT that are synchronized to the scanning of the radar beams from the radar head. These swept electron beams are typically highlighted in response to video signals produced by analog receivers in response to the radar beams reflected from targets. A typical sweep pattern repeats at least once a second and phosphors on the CRT are chosen so that patterns persist long enough for viewing by an operator, albeit in a somewhat darkened room. The video signal resulting from the reflected radar beam is typically subject to various noise sources from ground obstructions (e.g., mountains or towers), weather systems, as well as various sensitivities to different portions of each target. Filters are typically used to minimize these noise sensitivities to try to determine the "true" relative position of the aircraft. While such systems are relatively effective, they impose a significant workload on highly-trained operators to interpret the resultant noisy and flickering (due to the persistence of the CRT phosphors) display. The operator is presented with a bright line of video, indicating the scanning of the radar, and has to detect targets in the dim residual persistence trails on the screen. This leads to operator visual fatigue. A paper by E. H. Reitan and S. H. Saib presented at the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) International Conference on "The Future of Aircraft All-Weather Operations," London, England, Nov. 22-29, 1976 entitled "Interactive Computer Graphics in an All-Weather Landing System" described an earlier implementation of a synthetic color random scan display system to reduce the operator's workload.

Integrated precision approach radar display