A plasma processing method is conducted while a thickness of a resist film being monitored, thereby preventing the thickness of the resist film from being reduced. The plasma processing method includes steps of supplying a processing gas into an airtight processing chamber, and plasma-processing a target layer formed on an object to be processed by using a resist film as a mask. The method includes a main etching process (first process) of plasma-processing the target layer while the thickness of the resist film being monitored until the reduction rate of the thickness of the resist film reaches a predetermined value, and an over-etching process (second process) of plasma-processing the target layer in a changed process condition in which selectivity against the resist film is higher than in the first process.

Generally, a silicon-based semiconductor layer, such as a silicon oxide film and a polycrystalline silicon layer, needs to be etched while fabricating MOS structures, such as memories or logics, on a substrate to be processed, e.g., a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as "wafer"). For instance, a layer structure, in which a resist film is formed as a mask on a silicon oxide film on a base silicon film, is etched to form a fine contact hole through the silicon oxide film. (See, e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication Nos. 2000-91317 and H9-27471 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,334).
In a conventional plasma processing method, CF-based gas, such as CF4 and C2F6, fed as a processing gas into a processing chamber of a plasma processing apparatus is converted into plasma to be used to etch a silicon oxide film formed on an object to be processed in the processing chamber by the plasma. In this case, in order to increase an etching rate, a main etching process is performed until a base silicon film underlying the silicon oxide film is about to be exposed, and the remaining portion of the silicon oxide film is subjected to an over-etching process. In the main etching process, because the base silicon film is not exposed, the etching is conducted at a high etching rate, and in the over-etching process, the etching is performed under a process condition wherein the selectivity against the base silicon film is high so as to prevent the base silicon film from being eroded.
As described above, there has been disclosed the technique wherein the main etching process is shifted to the over-etching process on the basis of the exposure of the base layer. For example, in Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. H9-27471, the main etching process is conducted for a predetermined time period that is estimated in advance by measuring the etching time needed to reach the stage wherein the base layer is about to be exposed, and then the over-etching process is carried out.
Further, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,081,334, the main etching process is conducted until the base layer is about to be exposed and then the over etching process begins to be performed, wherein the transition time is determined by monitoring the thickness of a polysilicon layer to be processed by irradiating light to a wafer and then detecting the light reflected from the wafer.
However, in case of etching the silicon oxide film by using the resist film as the mask as described above, the thickness of the resist film is rapidly reduced after the base silicon film starts being exposed. The reason for this is considered as follows.
When the silicon oxide film is plasma-etched by using the CF-based processing gas, a reaction product, such as CFx, is generated to be attached to a surface of the resist film, wherein since the reaction product acts as a protective layer of the resist film, plasma resistance of the resist film is increased. But, after the base silicon film starts being exposed, the generation of the reaction product is reduced.
Furthermore, the effect of a reaction product suppressing gas, such as O2, contained in the processing gas is increased in removing the reaction product attached to the resist film. Consequently, the resist film itself is etched.
Accordingly, in a process wherein the base layer is exposed such as the over-etching process, the thickness of the resist film is rapidly reduced such that there occurs an area where the resist film is eliminated in the course of the etching process, thereby undesirably etching a portion which should not be etched.
Therefore, since it is highly desirable to prevent the thickness of the resist film from being reduced during the etching process, it is preferable that the etching process be conducted while paying more attention to the thickness of the resist film instead of the base layer. That is, preferably, the main etching process is shifted to the over-etching process based on the thickness of the resist film, and the over-etching process is then conducted under a process condition that the thickness of the resist film is not reduced.
However, although there has been disclosed a method of shifting the main etching process to the over-etching process on the basis of the base layer, there has not been suggested a method of shifting the main etching process to the over-etching process while the thickness of the resist film being monitored.


A method of making a carbon fiber from softwood alkaline black liquor lignin by acetylating the lignin to provide a meltable and drawable lignin.

Carbon fibers are high value products with a rapidly growing range of applications. Precursor materials used for carbon fiber manufacture include primarily polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and Pitch. Since both of these materials originate from the petrochemical industry, raw material costs have been increasing, and there is interest in finding precursor materials which are not directly coupled to the price of oil.
Lignin has been suggested as a promising lower cost precursor material for carbon fiber manufacture. Lignin is the most abundant organic material on earth after cellulose, and makes up about one quarter to one third of the mass of dry wood. It is the major by-product of the pulp and paper industry and is separated from the cellulose using pulping processes. During these processes the lignin is solubilized by cooking chemicals and migrates from the wood chip to the cooking liquor. At the end of the pulp cook the spent cooking liquor with its load of organic material including lignin, now called black liquor, is separated from the cellulose. Commercial pulping processes include the soda, the sulfite and the sulfate (also known as kraft) processes. This invention relates specifically to the lignin obtained from softwood pulped using the alkaline kraft or soda processes. In these processes the lignin, dissolved in alkaline black liquor, is combusted in a recovery boiler to produce energy.
Since the kraft process is predominant in the pulp and paper industry, and softwoods are a significant raw material source to this industry, softwood kraft lignin is a major widely produced and available commercial product. To date, the researchers and journals have expressed the opinion that softwood lignin cannot be formed into carbon fiber without the substantial use of additives (solvents) and other enhancements to make the lignin additive admixture meltable and drawable into fibers. To the best of our knowledge, there is no disclosure which describes green lignin fibers melt extruded primarily from softwood lignin or its derivatives, without substantial use of solvents or additives. Accordingly, there is a need to develop a methodology to convert this widely available material into a precursor for carbon fibers.

Carbon fibers from kraft softwood lignin


A catalyst composition comprises a mixed metal catalyst which comprises unalloyed palladium and palladium-gold alloy disposed on a support, wherein the palladium-gold alloy is enriched in gold and at least one promoter in which said promoter comprises at least one reducible metal oxide.

Carbon dioxide is one of the main gaseous emissions from the combustion process within an internal combustion engine. It is considered by many in the scientific community to be a major factor in global warming as a result of increase of greenhouse effect due to its emissions. Currently in Europe there are no mandatory emission standards for carbon dioxide emitted from passenger cars, but voluntary agreements with motor manufacturers are in place. In the UK financial measures have been introduced in 2001 in an attempt to lower carbon dioxide emissions by linking vehicle excise duty to carbon dioxide emission levels and type of fuel used. Therefore passenger car buyers pay lower annual vehicle excise duty for vehicles that emit lower levels of carbon dioxide.
However the European Union has now agreed a mandatory carbon dioxide target for passenger car manufacturers. Under this legislation car manufacturers have a fleet average emissions target for vehicles sold in Europe of 130 g CO2/km or below by 2015. This target is being gradually phased in from 2012. The US also recognises that the running of vehicles provides a major source of carbon dioxide emissions. Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission standards have been set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). These reductions are being phased in from 2009 to 2016 and are defined in terms of CO2— equivalents (g CO2/mile) whereby emissions of N2O and CH4 are included with multiplying factors of 296 and 23 respectively.
Therefore car manufacturers are striving to lower their carbon dioxide emissions by a variety of measures such as weight reduction, variable valve actuation, low friction components and stop-start technologies. By adopting such measures a reduction in CO2 emissions of 25-30% is reportedly achievable. Many of these measures will also lead to a reduction in the exhaust gas temperature because of the improved fuel efficiency.
The combustion process in the internal combustion engine of a vehicle is never perfect. Harmful emissions that result from the incomplete combustion are carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons and NOx. There are existing and future emission standards for such gaseous emissions. Carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons are typically removed from the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine by use of an oxidation catalyst as part of a catalytic convertor. In simple terms a catalytic convertor needs to provide a structure that exposes a maximum surface area of catalyst to the exhaust gas stream and the catalyst needs to aid the reaction of the carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons with oxygen in the exhaust gas stream. Also the cost of the catalyst must be minimised, for example by using less and/or using less expensive materials.
Catalysts that have been used most successfully for oxidation reactions in catalytic convertors are precious metals, specifically platinum, which is a very expensive material. Palladium has been combined with platinum to reduce the catalyst costs and also has been found to reduce sintering of the platinum at higher temperatures. However palladium itself is known to have lower reactivity under very oxidising (lean oxidising) conditions relative to platinum. Unlike platinum, which has a higher ionisation potential and lower oxide stability, palladium exists mostly as an oxide with low specific activity for the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons.
Palladium is also known for its ability to react with sulphur dioxide, present in diesel exhaust gases, to form a stable sulphate which requires high temperatures to decompose. The decomposition of palladium sulphate in a lean environment requires temperatures in excess of 700° C. or lower temperatures in rich fuel gas exhaust but then there is a fuel penalty because of the creation of the rich environment. Although there have been moves across the world to reduce the level of sulphur present in diesel fuel (currently the mandatory level in Europe is 10 ppm) sulphur poisoning of exhaust gas catalysts is still an issue.
WO2010/090841 A1 discloses preparation of a palladium gold catalyst which is supported on alumina. The palladium and gold particles are described as being "in close contact". There is no mention of whether they are or can be present as an alloy. Pd—Au (wt % Au—Pd of ˜1:1.5) on alumina were exposed to a gas mixture having the composition: 1000 ppm CO, 225 ppm propene, 105 ppm propene, 450 ppm NO, 10% O2 and He balance and heated to 673 K at 10K/min. FIGS. 7A-B and 8A-8B show the oxidation profiles of carbon monoxide and propene respectively with light off temperatures which all seem to be above 150° C. It appears that the choice of metal oxide support for the Pd and Au particles has not been deemed important to the optimisation of the catalyst activity nor is the formation of the alloy between the particles.
WO2009/136206 A1 discloses an exhaust system for lean-burn internal combustion comprising a Pd—Au alloy catalyst on a metal oxide support. There is no disclosure in the patent specification of possible types of metal support but alumina is used in all the Examples. A variety of catalysts were exposed to a gas mixture having the composition 1000 ppm CO, 900 ppm hydrocarbon, 200 ppm NO, 2 ppm SO2, 12% O2, 4.5% CO2, 4.5% H2O and N2 balance. Data for a variety of Au:Pd ratios show temperatures for 80% carbon monoxide conversion and temperatures for 50% hydrocarbon conversion of at least 150° C.
EP 0602865 A1 discloses noble metal-metal oxide catalysts prepared by co-precipitation and their use to catalyse the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons in internal combustion engine exhaust gas. The metal oxide comprises one or more of ceria, zirconia, titania or stannic oxide with ceria being especially preferred. Noble metals disclosed include one or more of ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, osmium, iridium, platinum and gold. It is disclosed in the specification that catalysts tested on simulated car gas exhaust which is rich of stoichiometric at a lambda value of 0.98 convert one or more of a) 50% CO at a temperature lower than 250° C., preferably lower than 150° C. b) 50% of nitrogen monoxide at a temperature lower than 300° C., preferably lower than 250° C. and c) 50% of hydrocarbons present as propene at a temperature lower than 350° C., preferably lower than 300° C. The Examples disclosed include Pd-ceria, Pt-ceria, Pd—Pt-ceria, Pd—Pt-ceria-alumina, Pt-stannic oxide and Au-zirconia.
WO2004/025096 A1 discloses a supported palladium catalyst for homogeneous charge compression ignition diesel engine (HCCI). This engine differs from a conventional direct injection diesel engine in that all fuel for combustion is injected into the combustion chamber prior to the start of combustion. Such engines were found to produce high levels of CO and relatively high levels of HC on combustion compared to conventional direct injection diesel engines. The examples show temperature of conversion for a variety of catalysts according to the invention for exhaust gas emissions from both HCCI and direct injection diesel engines. For direct injection engines Pt-alumina was superior to Pd-ceria for low temperature conversion of both CO and HC (Example 1).


A transmitter 1 comprises a clock generation portion 4, FIFO portion 6, and serial signal creation portion 7. The clock generation portion 4 performs modulation by spectrum spreading of a reference clock CKref, and generates a first clock CK1 with a high modulation factor and a second clock CK2 with a low modulation factor. The FIFO portion 6 takes as inputs the first clock CK1 which has been output from the clock generation portion 4 to a data generation portion 2 and output from the data generation portion 2, a parallel data signal which has been synchronized with the first clock CK1 in the data generation portion 2 and output, and the second clock CK2 output from the clock generation portion 4, and synchronizes the parallel data signal Pdata with the second clock CK2 and outputs the parallel data signal Pdata. The serial signal creation portion 7 converts a parallel data signal PRdata into a serial data signal Sdata.

Communication systems employing high-speed serial transmission are well-known in the prior art. Generally in communication systems, parallel data signals are output from a data generation portion to a transmitter, and in the transmitter the parallel data signals are converted into serial data signals and transmitted to a high-speed serial transmission line. At this time, an operation clock of the transmitter synchronizes parallel data signals from the data generation portion and is transmitted. And, this operation clock is a clock obtained by spread-spectrum (SS) modulation of the frequency of a reference clock in a clock generation portion, and is output to the data generation portion. Such a communication system is for example described in Non-patent Reference 1.
Here, increasing the frequency modulation factor resulting from spread-spectrum modulation of the operation clock is effective for reducing EMI (Electro-Magnetic Interference). Hence in order to lower EMI in communication systems, it is preferable that the modulation factor of the clock generated by the clock generation portion be high.


A first electrically conductive stripe extends from a starting point to an end point on the front surface of a lower base member in a panel unit. An upper base member is designed to oppose its back surface to the front surface of the lower base member. A second electrically conductive stripe extends on the back surface of the upper base member from a corresponding starting point opposed to the starting point to a corresponding end point opposed to the end point. The second electrically conductive stripe intersects across the first electrically conductive stripe two or more times. When an urging force is applied on the upper base member, the second electrically conductive body is urged toward the first electrically conductive body. Contact is surely prevented between the first and second electrically conductive stripes. The panel unit is thus allowed to normally keep operating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a panel unit such as a touch screen panel unit, for example.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A so-called analog resistive touch screen panel unit includes a glass substrate and a resin film opposing the back surface to the front surface of the glass substrate. Indium-tin oxide (ITO) films are formed to spread over the front surface of the glass substrate and the back surface of the resin film, respectively. Electrically conductive lines extend adjacent the peripheries of the ITO films along the peripheries of the glass substrate and resin film, respectively. The electrically conductive lines are in this manner opposed to each other. An adhesive layer is interposed between the electrically conductive lines on the glass substrate and resin film so as to adhere the resin film to the glass substrate. The electrically conductive lines and the adhesive layer are located off an window opening defined in an enclosure of a display apparatus, for example.
A user of a notebook personal computer often grasps the enclosure at a position off the window opening. The resin film is forced to receive an urging force from the enclosure. The adhesive layer is squashed between the electrically conductive lines. Since the electrically conductive lines are constantly opposed to each other, the electrically conductive lines tends to contact with each other. If the electrically conductive lines contact each other, the touch screen panel unit cannot normally operate.
One of the electrically conductive lines may be entirely displaced off the other of the electrically conductive lines so as to avoid the aforementioned contact of the electrically conductive lines. In this case, the adhesive layer slides off from a predetermined position when the resin film receives an urging force. In addition, a larger area is required around the window opening to locate the electrically conductive lines. This contradicts a recent trend of reducing an area around the window opening.

Panel unit capable of avoiding contact between electrically conductive bodies thereon


A molded clip for closing bags and the like includes a pair of claws with a latch and a hinge at opposed ends. The hinge extends rearwardly from the jaws and includes a hinge bearing with a rearwardly facing opening of restricted diameter thereto. The other jaw includes a fixed hinge pin which may be snap engaged into the bearing by resilient passage through the opening. Where the jaws are relatively large, they may be provided with cooperating shoulders that restrict axial movement of the jaws under reactively generated forces. In accordance with one embodiment, one of the jaws is double sided, and the clip may be assembled with either of these sides confronting the other jaw to provide different clip functions.

Clips of the foregoing nature are well known in commerce, and may be generally exemplified by the clips described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,887,335, and 6,058,572, of common inventorship herewith. The clips in general comprise a pair of axially extending jaws which are interconnected at one end by a hinge so as to be swingable between an open position and a closed position, in which confronting portions of the jaws are in proximity, and a latch at the axially opposed end for releasably retaining the jaws closed. For economy of manufacture the hinge is typically a live hinge (also known as a living hinge). However, such form of hinge is not always suitable, for example where it is desired to form the clip from a material with a relatively high modulus of elasticity. Also, it is not always convenient or desired that the clip be molded as a unitary structure.
It is known to form clips which are generally of the foregoing type, but in which the jaws are connected through a hinge pin. In early examples of such clips, the hinge pin was inserted through interleaved gudgeon openings associated with the jaws, in a machine operation. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,050,272 there is described a clip wherein the jaws may be snap assembled together in a hand operation. In this clip one of the jaws is channeled, and the opposing jaw comprised a rib which interleaves in the channel when the jaws are closed. The hinge pin is integrally molded with the channeled jaws to span between opposed side walls thereof, and the rib is provided with a downwardly open slot within which the pin is engagable. The geometry of the arrangement is such that it reduces the size of a bag that can be closed by the clip in comparison to a similar sized clip with a living hinge. Additionally, the axial end of the channeled jaw is open at the hinge pin end, to permit the pin to be molded integrally with the jaw. Accordingly, the channeled jaw may be highly stressed when the clip is in use, leading to a possible failure of the clip. Still further, if the jaws of the clip are fully opened, the one jaw will act as a fulcrum, and the slot of the ribbed jaw will disengage from the hinge pin. Moreover, while it is not uncommon that one at least of the jaws of a clip be formed with the requisite channel structure, this is not necessarily the case.
In all clips of the foregoing nature, reactive forces are generated as the jaws of the clip are closed about a bag or the like. Where the clip is intended for use for closing heavy bags or sacks, which may have a contents in the range of about 25 to 50 kg, the jaws may typically have a length of some 250 mm, and strong reactive forces may be generated sufficient to displace the jaws in the axial direction. This may result in the failure of the latch elements to engage together, and where the hinge is of a snap together type, in the disengagement of the hinge elements.
Many comestible and other products are sealed in bags or the like for sale to the consumer; the bags must be opened, usually with a knife or scissors, to gain access to the contents, following which the bags may be closed by the clips to which the invention relates. It would be desirable to provide in a clip one or more accessory functions, for example a slitter to slice open a bag, or a measuring scoop or cup to facilitate the removal of a measured amount of product from the bag, or a handle to facilitate the handling of the bag, particularly where this may be heavy.
It is a prime object of the invention to provide a clip with a snap together hinge which has a closure capacity at least equal to that of a comparable clip with a living hinge.
It is another object of this invention to provide a clip with a snap together hinge which will resist the tendency for disengagement if over-rotated.
It is still another object of the invention to provide a clip with a snap together hinge which will resist the tendency of the jaws to be axially displaced under heavy loads.
It is yet another aspect of the invention to provide in a clip a snap together hinge which is relatively independent of the jaw structure.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a clip having different modes of operation.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a clip having one or more accessory functions.


A robot-based electronic commerce warehouse order picking method is provided, box body identity information of a circulation box is acquired and the circulation box and a robot are bound based on the box body identity information, the circulation box includes at least one circulation position, a tag and a goods placement mark are correspondingly arranged at the circulation position, and the box body identity information includes information of the tag and information of the goods placement mark; warehouse order information is acquired and the warehouse order information is associated with the box body identity information to obtain order binding information; an interaction terminal of the robot is controlled according to the order binding information to display an interaction interface to instruct a picker to pick goods at a corresponding goods position and place the goods at the circulation position according to the goods placement mark.

With the popularization of the Internet and mobile terminals, consumption habits of consumers have changed greatly, and shopping anytime and anywhere at high frequencies has become a mainstream online shopping manner. Shopping anytime and anywhere at high frequencies usually has the characteristics of small sizes of ordered goods and high ordering frequency, and this characteristics cause picking problems of "goods ordered at high frequencies and having small sizes" in logistics management.
For solving the picking problems of "goods ordered at high frequencies and having small sizes", a picking method in the related art is as follows: a warehouse management system combines multiple orders into a large goods picking task according to a certain rule and assigns the large goods picking task to a single picker; the picker, after receiving the large goods picking task, completes the large goods picking task in a single round trip and gives the large goods picking task to a sorter; and the sorter splits the large goods picking task into the multiple orders that are combined according to the warehouse management system for packaging and delivery.
Although a purpose of packaging and delivery can be achieved by the picking method in the related art for the picking problems of "goods ordered at high frequencies and having small sizes", this picking method has the defects of complex logistics process and low sorting efficiency.
In summary, the picking method in the related art has the technical problems of low warehouse delivery efficiency and unadaptability to picking requirements of "goods ordered at high frequencies and having small sizes" in an electronic commerce environment.

Robot-based warehouse order picking method, apparatus and system, electronic device, and storage medium


A first optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from that of the first optical material, and the base has a concavity, and the second optical material is filled in this concavity. A second optical device according to the present invention comprises a base made of a first optical material and a second optical material having a refractive index different from the first optical material, and the base comprises first and second faces facing each other, a first concavity is formed in the first face and a second concavity is formed in the second face, and the second optical material is filled in the first and second concavities.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical device, an optical system a method of production of the optical device, and a mold for production of the optical device.
2. Description of the Related Art
When producing a lens, the following first to third methods of production have been known.
The first method of production is a method of filling an optical material such as molten glass in a metallic mold formed with a cavity of a desired lens shape machined to an intended lens shape to produce a mold lens.
The second method of production is a method of utilizing reactive ion etching (RIE) or other etching and using a photo resist or the like as a mask (etching mask) to etch an optical material to a predetermined shape to thereby produce a lens made of the related optical material.
The third method of production is a method of mechanically polishing a base made of an optical material to the lens shape to produce the lens.
In the conventional first method of production, that is, the method using simple molding, it is difficult to produce a small sized lens having a large numerical aperture (NA), so it is difficult to reduce the lens diameter to 1 mm or less.
In the conventional second method of production, that is, the method using RIE or other etching, there is a problem in that there are restrictions on the optical material and there are a few optical materials of high refractive indexes capable of obtaining lenses having large numerical apertures among the optical materials capable of RIE and other etching, so it is difficult to use a material having a high refractive index and it is difficult to realize a lens having a large numerical aperture NA.
In the conventional third method of production, it is difficult to manufacture a small sized lens.
If increasing the numerical aperture of the lens, it is possible to make the size of a light spot created after passing through the lens small. It is desirable from the viewpoint of increase of the capacity of an optical disc to enlarge the numerical aperture NA of the lens (object lens) of an optical head.
Also, lenses and other optical devices are being used for various optical apparatuses. Reduction of the size of the optical devices is desirable from the viewpoint of the reduction of size of the optical apparatuses such as an optical disc apparatus and an optical pickup.
In order to realize an optical device having a large numerical aperture, a large refractive index of the optical material is effective.
As an optical material having a high refractive index in a region of visible light, there are titanium oxide, tantalum oxide, gallium phosphate (gallium phosphorus), gallium nitride, silicon nitride, etc.
However, it is difficult to machine these materials to small sized lenses having a large numerical aperture in the prior art.
Also, many conventional lenses have irregular shapes. In order to align a plurality of lenses of such irregular shapes, high precision positioning in three-dimensional directions is necessary, so the load of the alignment work is large.
Also, when comprising a flying head (floating head) consisting of an optical head mounted on a swing arm, the optical head can be prepared by separately preparing a slider and the lens and attaching them at a high precision, but in this case, the load of the attachment work and accordingly the load of preparation of the optical head is large.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Optical device, optical system, method of production of same, and mold for production of same


A cable-drum window regulator for controlling the motion of a windowpane, such as a window in a door, has an improved glider assembly. The glider assembly is attached to the windowpane, and comprises a glider slidably secured by snap fit to an elongate guide rail, and a glider plate which snap fits to the glider. The glider assembly travels along the guide rail from a full-up to a full-down position. The glider preferably has a cushioning unitary downstop to absorb the loading of the glider assembly at the full-down position. The glider has at least a pair of rail tabs which snap fit to longitudinally extending receiving flanges of the rail; preferably at least one of the rail tabs has a beveled surface for ease in assembly. The glider has at least one flexible finger with a digit which snaps into a corresponding receiving opening in the glider plate. In those embodiments with more than one flexible finger, one finger is preferably longer than the other. The glider plate may be snap fit directly to the glider or it may be inserted from one side into a slot between glider plate retention tabs and snapped into place. The glider plate has a center portion and a first and second wing; preferably the first and second wing are positioned in an offset plane closer to the windowpane. For ease of assembly, the first wing may be smaller than the center portion and the slot, and the second wing may be larger than the center portion and the slot.

Window regulators, which are used for controlling the movement of a windowpane, such as a vertically moveable side window in the door of a motor vehicle, take a variety of forms including cable-drum regulators. Known designs for cable-drum regulators typically include a drive means, such as a hand crank or an electric motor, a mounting bracket securing the fixture to a wall of the door, a drum, a drum housing mounted to the mounting bracket, and at least one cable wrapped at least once around the drum.
Cables typically have a ball or puck of metal at each end to prevent fraying and to provide a ready means for attaching the cable to another structure. In the most common designs a pair of cables are used. One ball of each cable fits into corresponding receiving grooves in the drum. At the other end the other balls fit into receiving seats or grooves in a glider assembly.
The glider assembly is usually fixedly attached to the window by an attachment means and slidingly attached to a track or guide rail which defines the travel of the windowpane between its open and closed positions. The cable is guided along its length between the glider assembly and the motor by guide means, such as sliders or pulleys. The cable is often covered with a sheath or conduit over at least a portion of its travel path to protect it from dirt, oil, the elements and the like. Operation of the motor or hand crank causes the drum to rotate. This unwinds cable in one direction and winds cable in the other direction. As the cable moves, it pulls the glider assembly and in turn, the window. In this way the cables transfer the necessary forces from the drive means to the glider assembly to raise and lower the window.
In known designs the glider assembly typically includes a metal glider wing with a plastic fitting injection molded around the wing. The plastic fitting acts to provide a low friction surface for the glider assembly to slide over the guide rail, and to provide a reduced-noise receiving surface for the cable end balls. In addition, a lower durometer rubber-like bumper is typically attached either to the glider assembly or at the lower end of the guide rail. The bumper serves as a cushioning downstop, halting windowpane travel path with reduced shock loading on the system.
Attaching and securing the cable end balls to the glider assembly in these designs raise several problems. If the cable end balls are attached at a position laterally offset from the longitudinal centerline of the guide rail such that the cables are not aligned with travel path of the windowpane, then the glider assembly will be subjected to torque loading which will increase wear in the glider assembly. In addition, the cable end balls can be attached to the inboard side of the glider assembly, that is, the side facing the rail. However, installation of the cable end balls to the glider assembly in this manner is awkward. Typically the glider assembly must be slid on from one end of the guide rail and the end balls must be attached to the glider assembly prior to installation of the glider assembly over the guide rail. This results in increased assembly time, cost and complexity.
Further, the plastic fitting is typically injection molded onto the wing. The injection molding cavity is formed to receive a specifically sized glider wing. While this is acceptable for any one window, a window of a different size may require a larger glider wing, for example, for optimum location of the attachment means. Therefore known designs require use of a different glider assembly for each size window.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a cable-drum regulator of improved design which, especially in preferred embodiments, is easy to manufacture and assemble, and reduces complexity and cost. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cable-drum regulator with a glider assembly of improved design that allows for windowpanes of varying sizes. Additional objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following disclosure taken together with the detailed discussion of certain preferred embodiments.

Window regulator with improved glider assembly


An apparatus is provided for enabling communication between telephony devices. The apparatus includes a queue operable to receive incoming media packets from the telephony devices, and a payload segmenter coupled to the queue and operable to divide an incoming payload section of each incoming packet into one or more data segments. The apparatus also includes a mixer coupled to the payload segmenter and operable to mix the data segments from the telephony devices to create an aggregate data segment. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a reassembly buffer coupled to the mixer and operable to construct an outgoing payload section for one or more telephony devices by linking successively generated aggregate data segments.

Historically, telecommunications have involved the transmission of voice, fax and encoded data signals over a network dedicated to telecommunications, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a Private Branch Exchange (PBX). Similarly, data communications between computers have also historically been transmitted on a dedicated data network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN). Currently, telecommunications and data transmissions are being merged into an integrated communication network using technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP). Since many LANs and WANs transmit computer data using Internet Protocol (IP), VoIP uses this existing technology to transmit voice and fax signals by converting these signals into digital data for transmission over an IP network.
Although integrating telecommunications into existing data networks provides many advantages, this new technology also presents some problems due to a lack of common standards. One such problem arises when a telephony device transmits IP packets having a different payload size than the payload size used by other telephony devices on the network.

System and method for converting packet payload size


Rather than employing simple static personal identification numbers (PINs) that are susceptible to hacking, the disclosed security system provides multiple levels of security that may be selected by a user, based on his or her particular level of sensitivity at any given time or with respect to any given data. One level employs an algorithm that changes values, where the algorithm is known by the user. For example, the algorithm may be a series of digits based on the following: hour of day, day of week, quarter of the year, a.m. or p.m., day of the month, and month of the year. If the user knows the order of such, the user can readily generate the appropriate numeric code corresponding to the current time, and since the time continually changes, the code necessarily changes likewise. Another level sends a random part to a user, such as over their pager or phone, which they append to some user-defined, fixed portion of their PIN, or used in addition to their PIN. Another level or method requires the user to interact with a series of predetermined questions that each require a numeric response. The order of the questions would be scrambled each day, or periodically, to help change the user's response to improve security and employ questions that typically only the user would know. Another level of security employs voice fingerprinting or voice pattern recognition. Yet another level employs a N by M matrix of random numbers, from which a user selects numbers from predetermined positions to generate a current security code. Various levels of security may be performed on the server, and are based on user's selections, thus eliminating the need for special hardware.

Access to confidential and proprietary data is often performed using electronic access or security systems. Electronic security systems are typically employed to access a network, network resources (e.g., servers, modems, electronic mailboxes, etc.), software applications running on servers, portions of the Internet or World Wide Web pages, databases, files or other electronic data. Electronic security systems are particularly important with individual or networked computers that store confidential information.
Other electronic security systems have been developed to authenticate human users, generally with the use of personal passwords or personal identification numbers (PIN). For example, users or subscribers to a telecommunications service, such as voicemail, enter their PINs using touch-tone numeric input (dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) input). Subscribers can increase the number of digits in their PINs to increase security. For example, employing a 12-digit PIN provides greater security than a 3-digit PIN. Electronic mail (email) systems similarly employ PINs. The PINs may be automatically changed on a periodic basis for increased security. For example, a system administrator for the email system may require that subscribers periodically change their PIN (e.g., change their PIN monthly).
These electronic security systems, however, provide only a limited level of security, since they rely on authenticating a user account number and password or PIN. An unauthorized user may obtain an authorized user's account number and PIN and thereby inappropriately access the system or service. Another drawback with such static PIN security systems is that if long PINs are used, or PINs are changed frequently, users may have difficulty remembering such PINs.
One important requirement for electronic security systems is that they provide a high level of security. For example, some systems perform user authentication, rather than simply performing machine or system authentication. In other words, such an electronic access system authenticates individuals or users who may access the system, rather than a system that has been preprogrammed with access information (e.g., running a "script" to permit access). Such an electronic security system, to maintain security, must ensure that only authorized users are allowed access to the system.
Certain personal authentication systems are available, such as fingerprint identifiers, retinal scan devices, voice fingerprint or sound pattern identifiers, and the like. Such personal authentication systems, however, are typically very expensive and inapplicable to many environments. For example, such fingerprint or retinal scan identification devices are difficult or expensive to employ in a large network of computers, including a network where users may access the network from various geographic locations (e.g., via standard phone lines using a modem and laptop computer). Furthermore, such systems would be inapplicable for use over a voice telephone network, since sophisticated and expensive equipment are required to obtain fingerprint and retinal scan data. Such expensive equipment is simply lacking at nearly all telephone locations to which a subscriber may wish to gain access to the system.
Other security systems employ lower cost devices, such as identification (ID) card readers. Such identification systems require use of a physical ID card having a code or even an algorithm that generates a code at predetermined intervals (e.g., every ten seconds). A server computer (or "server") stores the same code or employs the same algorithm to generate the same code at the same predetermined interval. Thus, a user must possess the card to obtain authentication by the server. However, if the card is lost or damaged, the user cannot be authenticated. Additionally, unauthorized users could simply obtain the card and thereby gain access to the system. Moreover, such a system is applicable only with suitable card readers. Therefore, such a security system would again be inapplicable for use with standard telecommunications equipment, such as a public telephone.
Another known security system employs a software solution known as "Softkey." The Softkey system provides a challenge to a user provided by a server, to which the user must respond, typically by means of a client computer (or "client") coupled to the server. When a user initially logs onto the server, the server, for example, selects 8 words from a table of words, where each word has 4 to 8 characters. The user must then type in each of the eight words. As a result, the user must type 24 to 64 characters in a response to the server's challenge. The server generates the same 8 words, and compares the 8 words it receives from the client to those locally generated. If the two match, then the user is authenticated.
One problem with the Softkey system is that the user must correctly enter the 8 words, requiring up to 64 keystrokes. Such a response by the user can be time-consuming and tedious for nontouch typists. Additionally, the Softkey system suffers from additional limitations which make it not sufficiently robust for use in protecting highly confidential information on a computer network or in other suitable environments. While the Softkey system requires less sophisticated hardware than, for example, fingerprint readers, retinal scan identification devices, and ID cards employing random code generators, the user must nevertheless use a laptop computer which executes a security software routine. Again, a user could not gain access to, for example, a voicemail box system using a public telephone under the Softkey system.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify identical or substantially similar elements or steps. To easily identify the discussion of any particular element, the most significant digit or digits in the reference number refer to the Figure number in which that element is first introduced (e.g., step 304 is first introduced and discussed with respect to FIG. 3).
The headings provided herein are for convenience only, and do not affect the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

Dynamic security system and method, such as for use in a telecommunications system


A system for imaging of the central and peripheral retina, includes one of a concave mirror and an elliptical mirror having an axis and being configured to rotate around the axis and a scanner configured to using a spectral domain optical coherence tomography system to obtain a non-contact wide angle OCT-image of a large portion of the central and peripheral retina.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relation to a system for Non-contact Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) imaging of the central and peripheral retina.
2. Related Art
Ophthalmic Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the eye was originally developed by obtaining cross-sectional images of the sensory retina and retinal pigment epithelium. Recently, spectral domain OCT became available, a new technique that allowed major improvements particularly regarding image acquisition speed and image resolution. However, existing instruments do not scan the retinal periphery. The OCT scan is typically restricted to the central<40° of the retina.
OCT is presently used (in opthalmology) to evaluate only either the thickness of the central retina in macular diseases or separately the status of the optic nerve head in glaucoma patients. Furthermore obtaining the OCT pictures require dilatation of the pupil prior to taking pictures. OCT can not be performed in patients with a constricted pupil; since presently available optics do not permit it. In convention systems, the existing unbearable reflexes created by their optical elements make it impossible for the operator to simultaneously see the retina and focus on the desired area (e.g., the macula or the Optic Nerve head). In addition, the field of view is very limited; thus, important regions in the peripheral retina can not be visualized with current OCT systems and the system needs a skilled personal to handle the instrument.
Present OCT systems generally employ a Fundus Camera Design. A fundus camera is a complex optical system for imaging and illuminating the retina. Due to its location the retina must be imaged and illuminated simultaneously by using optical components common to the imaging and illumination system.
Conventional Fundus Cameras used for OCT generally include an objective lens which forms an intermediate image of the retina in front of a zoom lens, designed to accommodate for the refractive error of the patient, which relays the intermediate image to the CCD. Light travels through the objective lens in both directions making the consideration of back reflections important. On the illumination side, the objective lens images an annular ring of light onto the pupil; therefore, the need for dilation of the pupil. This ring of light then disperses to give a near uniform illumination of the interior retinal surface. The objective lens also serves a role in the imaging optics. It captures pencils of light emanating from the eye and forms an intermediate image of the retina. This intermediate image is then relayed by additional optics to a digital imaging sensor or film plane.
The objective lens also serves as the limiting factor in the field of view of the camera. FIG. 1 shows the relationship between the objective lens and the eye.
Bundles of rays leaving the periphery of the retina emerge from the emmetropic eye as a roughly collimated bundle of rays. This bundle must pass through the edge of the objective lens in order to become part of the fundus image. Bundles coming from more eccentric points on the retina cannot be captured by the objective and therefore cannot be seen in the fundus image. One method of increasing the field of view in this conventional configuration is to increase the size of the objective lens as seen in FIG. 2.
However, increasing the diameter of the objective lens causes an increase in the aberration of these lenses with size. Current practical limits taking this approach lead to a roughly 40-degree field of view seen in modern fundus cameras. An alternative method for increasing the field of view is to move the objective lens closer to the eye which has also its own limitations. The extreme case for this technique is where a portion of the objective lens actually comes in contact with the cornea. One drawback to this configuration is patient aversion due to the proximity of the lens, and increased risk of infection and corneal abrasion.

Non-contact optical coherence tomography imaging of the central and peripheral retina


In some examples, a system comprises a bi-directional gallium nitride (GaN) device including first and second switches and a substrate, the first switch including a first gate and a first source, the second switch including a second gate and a second source, and the substrate shared between the first and second switches. The system include a third switch coupled to the first source and the substrate. The system includes a fourth switch coupled to the second source and the substrate and a comparator having inputs coupled to the first and second sources and outputs coupled to the third and fourth switches.

A bi-directional switching device, such as a bi-directional gallium nitride (GaN) switching device, controls the flow of current in multiple directions and occupies less physical space than traditional bi-directional silicon switches. The switching device typically includes multiple gate terminals that are driven separately using gate drivers having isolated power domains.

Controlling bi-directional switching devices


A rich air sprayer of sanitary ware has a base, the base is disposed with at least two waterways; each waterway includes an inlet hole, a mutation cavity connected to the inlet hole and an air inlet hole connected to the mutation cavity, the flow area of the inlet hole is smaller than that of the mutation cavity, negative pressure is generated inside the mutation cavity when the water flows from the inlet hole into the mutation cavity, the negative pressure makes the mutation cavity suck air from the outside of the sprayer through the air inlet hole, the air and the water are mixed to form bubbles; the outlets of the mutation cavities intersect or the tangents of the outlets of the mutation cavities intersect, making the water flowing out of the outlets of the mutation cavities collide to enhance the granular sensation.

There are kinds of showers with different water type, such as the bubble water and shower water. People choose the water type and consider the use characteristic of the water type and the water saving effect. To meet the needs of the user, the applicator applied for a utility model, which is announced in May 26, 2010 in the Chinese patent database namely an outlet mechanism of a sprayer with announcement number CN201482611U. The outlet mechanism of a sprayer is provided with spray water with water saving function, and it is very popular. However, as the spray water is formed from cylindered water and rotation water collision together, the power of the water graininess and the granularity sensation are weak, and the air is weak. So it needs further improvement.

XIAMEN SOLEX HIGH-TECH INDUSTRIES CO., LTD.


A method for writing update data into a flash memory module to replace original data is provided. The flash memory module includes at least one block including a plurality of sectors. Each of the sectors records a flag. The data storing method includes: getting a first sector, wherein all the bits of the flag of the first sector are the second storage status; writing the update data into the first sector, and programming at least one bit as the first storage status and at least one bit as the second storage status in the flag of the first sector; identifying a second sector storing original data, wherein at least one bit of the flag of the second sector is first storage status and at least one other bit is second storage status; programming all the bits of the second sector as the first storage status.

Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure is related to a data storing method and an embedded system, and more particularly to a data storing method and an embedded system having high write counts.
Description of Related Art
Generally speaking, a conventional embedded system uses an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) as a storage medium for storing small data, which has an advantage of writing and erasing in unit of bytes and allows for a lot of ease when writing multiple units of small data. However, as the capacity of flash memory increases with lower price, the EEPROM in an embedded system becomes relatively expensive and is gradually replaced by the flash memory which is less expensive.
However, unlike EEPROM which performs erase operation in unit of bytes, the flash memory always has to erase a whole block when executing an erase instruction. When a file with smaller data, e.g. a bootloader of a system or configuration of network setting is stored in a block of the flash memory, as the file is updated, the system needs to clear the whole block where the file is stored and then stores the updated file in the original block, which makes the flash memory to have far less re-write counts compared to the EEPROM.


When all conditions for increasing a regeneration amount are established, and when a motor temperature Tmg is lower than a predetermined temperature, and a rotation speed Nm1 of a motor MG1 is lower than a predetermined rotation speed, a motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by imposing a limit for reducing a drive voltage system voltage VH (S130). In so doing, the regeneration amount can be increased by suppressing heat generation by a diode of a lower arm of a step-up converter. When, on the other hand, the motor temperature Tmg equals or exceeds the predetermined temperature or the rotation speed Nm1 of the motor MG1 equals or exceeds the predetermined rotation speed, the motor requirement upper limit value VHlimmg is set by relaxing or canceling the limit for reducing the drive voltage system voltage VH (S130).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a hybrid vehicle, and more particularly to a hybrid vehicle having an internal combustion engine, a power generator, a motor, a planetary gear, a battery, and a step-up/step-down converter (a buck-boost converter).
2. Description of Related Art
A hybrid vehicle of this type proposed in the related art includes a step-up converter having a switching element, a diode, and a reactor, and a cooling apparatus that cools the converter (see Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2014-23263 (JP 2014-23263 A), for example). When regenerative braking is performed in this hybrid vehicle, input currents of power elements such as the switching element and the diode are limited using a limit value that decreases steadily as a duty ratio employed during switching control increases and a cooling temperature of the cooling apparatus rises. As a result, the power elements are prevented from overheating, and a larger amount of regenerative power is obtained.


A semiconductor package comprising a substrate which includes a leadframe having a plurality of leads which each define opposed top and bottom surfaces and extends in spaced relation to each other such that gaps are defined therebetween. The substrate further comprises a compound layer which is filled within the gaps defined between the leads. The substrate includes a continuous, generally planar top surface collectively defined by the top surfaces of the leads and compound layer, and a continuous, generally planar bottom surface collectively defined by the bottom surfaces of the leads and compound layer. Attached to the top surface is a semiconductor die which is electrically connected to at least some of the leads.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit chip package technology and, more particularly, to a pre-molded leadframe which is molded in a flat configuration and is adapted for usage in package applications requiring flat substrate technology.
2. Description of the Related Art
Integrated circuit dies are conventionally enclosed in plastic packages that provide protection from hostile environments and enable electrical interconnection between the integrated circuit die and an underlying substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB). The elements of such a package include a metal leadframe, an integrated circuit die, bonding material to attach the integrated circuit die to the leadframe, bond wires which electrically connect pads on the integrated circuit die to individual leads of the leadframe, and a hard plastic encapsulant material which covers the other components and forms the exterior of the package.
The leadframe is the central supporting structure of such a package. A portion of the leadframe is internal to the package, i.e., completely surrounded by the plastic encapsulant. Portions of the leads of the leadframe extend externally from the package or are partially exposed within the encapsulant material for use in electrically connecting the chip package to another component.
For purposes of high-volume, low-cost production of chip packages, a current industry practice is to etch or stamp a thin sheet of metal material to form a panel or strip which defines multiple leadframes. A single strip may be formed to include multiple arrays, with each such array including a multiplicity of leadframes in a particular pattern. In a typical semiconductor package manufacturing process, the integrated circuit dies are mounted and wire bonded to respective ones of the leadframes, with the encapsulant material then being applied to the strips so as to encapsulant the integrated circuit dies, bond wires, and portions of each of the leadframes in the above-described manner.
Upon the hardening of the encapsulant material, the leadframes within the strip are cut apart or singulated for purposes of producing the individual semiconductor packages. Such singulation is typically accomplished via a saw singulation process. In this process, a saw blade is advanced along "saw streets" which extend in prescribed patterns between the leadframes as required to facilitate the separation of the leadframes from each other in the required manner.
In current, conventional leadframe design, the leadframe does not define a continuous, uninterrupted surface. Rather, individual leads of the leadframe are separated from each other and from the peripheral edge of a die pad (if included in the leadframe) by narrow gaps. The die pad of the leadframe, if included therein, is the supporting structure to which the die is typically attached.
It is known in the electronics industry that certain semiconductor package applications (e.g., vision packages) require flat substrate technology. In the specific case of vision packages, the active area of the die electrically connected to the substrate via bond wires cannot be inhibited, and thus cannot be overmolded with a clear plastic encapsulant or compound. In such packages, an optical subassembly is placed over the die and attached to the substrate. The above-described leadframe is typically not suited for use in a vision package application since the optical subassembly requires a generally continuous, planar surface for proper mounting not provided by a conventional leadframe design.
The present invention specifically addresses this deficiency by providing a leadframe that is subjected to a molding process wherein a mold compound is effectively filled within the gaps or spaces between the leads, and between the leads and the die pad (if included). As a result of this molding operation, the filled leadframe defines opposed, generally planar and continuous top and bottom surfaces which allows the same to be used in those package applications requiring flat substrate technology. In the case of vision packages, such filled leadframe can be used as a replacement for two-layer ceramics and/or two-layer PCB substrates typically required for such applications. Thus, the present invention has the advantage of substantially reducing complexity in the manufacturing process, and thus its related costs. These, as well as other features and advantages of the present invention, will be discussed in more detail below.


In the method of cutting steel for machine structural use, steel for machine structural use, in which chemical components contain, by mass %, 0.01% to 1.2% of C, 0.005% to 3.0% of Si, 0.05% to 3.0% of Mn, 0.001% to 0.2% of P, 0.001% to 0.35% of S, 0.002% to 0.035% of N and 0.05% to 1.0% of Al, in a case in which [Al%] and [N%] represent the mass % of Al and N in the steel respectively, [Al%]−(27/14)×[N%]≧0.05% is satisfied, is the other elements are included as necessary, and a balance consisting of Fe and inevitable impurities, is used, and a cutting process is carried out on the steel for machine structural use using water-insoluble cutting oil in which the amount of dissolved oxygen is 4 volume % to 16 volume %.

In recent years, from the viewpoint of global environmental issues, it has become imperative to consider environmental issue, such as energy saving, resource saving and reduction of environmentally hazardous substances, when manufacturing industrial products. Most of the components for machine structural use, such as gears, shafts and nuts, which are manufactured using steel for machine structural use, are manufactured by cutting steel for machine structural use. Therefore, in the field of a cutting process of steel for machine structural use, it is necessary to study cutting techniques and techniques considering environmental issue in terms of steel for machine structural use which is the subject to be cut.
In cutting steel for machine structural use, in order to improve the cutting process efficiency more than in a dry process or a semi-dry process, a process in which cutting oil is used is widely carried out. The cutting oil is classified into water-insoluble cutting oil, which is used as an undiluted solution, and water-soluble cutting oil, which is used after being diluted using water. While both types of the cutting oil are widely used in the cutting of steel for machine structural use, the water-insoluble cutting oil accounts for the majority of cutting oils used in a case in which a process in which finish accuracy is required, such as gun drilling, gear cutting, broaching or tapping, or a process which is carried out with a large tool load. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the efficiency of a process in which water-insoluble cutting oil is used.
A chlorine-based extreme-pressure agent, which is cheap and has excellent lubrication property, is added to water-insoluble cutting oil; however, due to recent environmental issues, the costs for treating cutting oil including the chlorine-based extreme-pressure agent have increased, and therefore, currently, a sulfur-based extreme-pressure agent is mainly used as an alternative of the chlorine-based extreme-pressure agent. However, since the use of a sulfur-based extreme-pressure agent cannot provide sufficient lubrication property, there is a demand for cutting techniques which can provide excellent lubrication property and increase cutting efficiency.
Meanwhile, regarding the steel for machine structural use, in order to increase the efficiency of a cutting process, it is necessary to increase the machinability of steel, that is, to make steel more easily cut. In the past, S or Pb was added in order to improve the machinability of steel for machine structural use. However, when the amount of S added increases, there is a problem in that the mechanical properties deteriorate. On the other hand, since Pb degrades the mechanical properties only slightly so as to improve the machinability, Pb has been usefully used to improve the machinability of steel for machine structural use. However, there is a problem that Pb is an environmentally hazardous substances. Therefore, there is a demand for improving machinability without using S or Pb.
With the above background, regarding cutting techniques of steel for machine structural use, techniques regarding environment-responsive cutting oil are studied in, for example, Patent Document 1. When an oiliness improver is added to a lubricant made of lubricant-based oil, a dispersant and microparticle-form calcium carbonate, favorable lubrication property can be obtained without including a chlorine-based extreme-pressure additive.
In addition, regarding steel for machine structural use, steel having a new component composition or structure has been studied. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses that, when the amount of solute N, which is harmful to machinability, is suppressed to a low level by adjusting the added amount of high Al, other nitride-generating elements and N, and by carrying out an appropriate thermal treatment, and when an appropriate amount of solute Al which improves machinability through high-temperature embrittlement and of AlN which produces a high-temperature embrittlement effect and improves machinability through a cleavage crystal structure, is secured, steel for machine structural use having excellent machinability throughout a wide cutting rate range from low speed to high speed and having both high impact value and a high yield ratio is obtained.
As described above, regarding environment-responsive techniques in cutting processes, studies are being made on cutting oils and steel components. In the future, when further studying techniques considering environmental issue, it is necessary to study both cutting oils and steel components.

Method of cutting steel for machine structural use

NIPPON STEEL & SUMITOMO METAL CORPORATION


A pumping unit is of the type having a compressor made up of a cylinder and piston extending between a walking beam and samson post, opposite connecting end portions of the compressor clampingly engaging the walking beam and samson post, respectively, and spherical bearing members of the non-lubricating type are disposed in each of the connecting end portions to undergo universal movement in response to any lateral displacement or side loading of the walking beam.

It is customary to mount a pump or compressor between the walking beam and a stationary portion of a pump jack for a downhole pumping unit. Among other problems associated with such systems is the side loading imparted by the walking beam through the pump or compressor and particularly at the connecting ends which can impart a great deal of stress or strain to the working elements of the pump or compressor. A somewhat associated problem has to do with the manner of connection of each end of the pump or compressor between the walking beam and stationary portion, such as, the leg of a samson post and which in the past has required some form of permanent connection, such as, by welding or bolted connections through openings in the connecting members.
Representative of the systems which have been employed in the past is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,646 to C. D. McCoy in which swiveled connections are utilized for mounting the compressor to a walking beam and lower samson post as well as to permit lengthwise adjustment to vary the support point for the lower end of the piston rod to the samson post; however, in McCoy, the swivel axes are arranged at right angles to one another in an effort to compensate for any misalignment and requires direct bolted attachment to the walking beam and samson post. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,665,301 to C. F. McClung, swivel connections are provided at opposite ends of the compressor which are broadly described as being in the form of knuckle joints, and a buckle type of adjuster is utilized between the lower end of a cylinder and a lower swivel joint. U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,734 to J. Studinger discloses a telescoping inner and outer post arrangement for a walking beam compressor. Other representative patents are U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,775,773 to J. T. Phipps, 2,113,562 to R. C. Mason and 4,557,351 to R. D. Volk.
There continues to be a need for a novel and improved form of connection between the pump or compressor and connecting ends on the pumping unit so that any side loading or lateral displacement can be most effectively absorbed through the connecting ends and at the same time avoid the necessity of lubrication of the bearings; also, to avoid the necessity of any permanent or positive attachment at the connecting ends.


A high-speed downhole network providing real-time data from downhole components of a drilling strings includes a bottom-hole node interfacing to a bottom-hole assembly located proximate the bottom end of a drill string. A top-hole node is connected proximate the top end of the drill string. One or several intermediate nodes are located along the drill string between the bottom-hole node and the top-hole node. The intermediate nodes are configured to receive and transmit data packets transmitted between the bottom-hole node and the top-hole node. A communications link, integrated into the drill string, is used to operably connect the bottom-hole node, the intermediate nodes, and the top-hole node. In selected embodiments, a personal or other computer may be connected to the top-hole node, to analyze data received from the intermediate and bottom-hole nodes.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to oil and gas drilling, and more particularly to apparatus and methods providing a downhole network for transmitting information between downhole drilling components, and from downhole drilling components to the ground's surface.
2. The Relevant Art
MWD (measurement while drilling) involves the transmission of data from downhole drilling components to the earth's surface in real time. Once reaching ground level, the data may be analyzed. The data may be used to adjust drilling parameters, such as drilling direction, penetration speed, and the like. Data may originate from various downhole components, including a bottom hole assembly comprising a drill bit and other components, and from sensors and tools located farther up the drill string. What is lacking are apparatus and methods to effectively link or network various downhole sensors and tools together such that they may communicate with one another, transmit data at high speeds to the ground's surface, or receive commands originating from the ground's surface.
The advantages of computer networks are well known. By interconnecting two or more computers, computing resources, data storage devices, and peripherals may be shared. Data and applications may be seamlessly transferred or accessed between computers connected to the network. Redundant components enable data to be backed up from one computer to another. Moreover, the performance provided by modern networking protocols provides for high-speed bi-directional transmission of data from one location to another. Nevertheless, few if any instances of the prior art teach the integration of a network into a downhole drill string.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,959 to Smith describes a system and method for fail-safe communication of information transmitted in the form of electromagnetic wave fronts. These wave fronts propagate through the earth between surface equipment and downhole components. The system comprises two or more repeaters disposed within a well bore such that the two repeaters receive each signal carrying the telemetered information. The repeater that is farther from the source includes a memory device that stores information carried in the signal. A timer device, in the repeater that is farther from the source, triggers the retransmission of the information after a predetermined time period, unless the repeater that is farther from the source has detected a signal carrying the information, generated by the repeater that is closer to the source.
The repeaters taught by Smith are wireless repeaters and would not be suitable for a hardwired network integrated into a drill string. Moreover, the repeaters are used exclusively for receiving and forwarding data signals. These repeaters lack many features, such as the ability to gather data or provide control signals at nodes along the drill string.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,547 to Tubel et al. teaches a plurality of downhole control systems interconnected by a network including a server for monitoring and controlling network communications. Each downhole control system is associated with a zone in one or more wells. The downhole control systems communicate directly with each other transferring information and commands as necessary. The downhole server monitors network communications to resolve data collisions and provides supervisory functions. The system taught by Tubel et al. is designed for production well systems and would not function in drill strings.
U.S. Patent Application No. 20030038734 to Hirsch et al. describes a reservoir production control system includes a plurality of wells for producing a reservoir linked to a central computer over a downhole communication network and a surface communication network. Both the downhole and the surface communication networks are wireless communications paths for transmitting downhole data and surface data to the central computer.
Both networks include a series of interconnected tubing or pipe that allows transmission of data over electrically isolated portions of the pipe and tubing. After integrating and analyzing all relevant data and comparing the data with a reservoir model, the central computer initiates changes in a plurality of downhole control devices associated with the wells, thereby optimizing the production of the reservoir. Like the Tubel et al. reference, the system taught by Hirsch et al. is designed for production well systems and would not be suitable for integration into a drill string.
In view of the foregoing, what are needed are apparatus and methods to interconnect downhole-drilling components by way of a high-speed network. Such a high-speed network may enable high-speed data transmission between downhole components, and between downhole components and the ground's surface.
What are further needed are apparatus and methods to acquire or gather data at various points or nodes along the drill string, for transmission along the network.
It would be a further advance to allow control or other signals to be transmitted from the surface to downhole components or tools connected to the network.
It would be a further advance to provide downhole nodes, that not only repeat or amplify a signal, but are also configured to gather data from sensors such as inclinometers, pressure transducers, thermocouples, accelerometers, imaging devices, seismic devices, and the like.


A sample/hold apparatus includes at least one sample/hold circuit. The at least one sample/hold circuit has a resistor connected to an input bus at one end thereof, a sampling gate connected to the other end of the resistor at one end thereof for opening and closing in response to a sampling signal supplied thereto, and a first capacitor connected to the other end of the sampling gate at one end thereof for holding analog data supplied from the input bus through the resistor and the sampling gate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sample/hold apparatus which may mainly apply to a liquid crystal driving circuit provided in a liquid crystal display.
2. Description of the Related Art
A typical sample/hold circuit provided in a liquid crystal driving circuit known by the inventors of the present application is arranged to have a sampling gate connected to a common input bus, a transfer gate connected to the sampling gate, a buffer amplifier connected to the transfer gate, a sampling capacitor connected to a line between the sampling gate and the transfer gate and a holding capacitor connected to a line between the transfer gate and the buffer amplifier. In operation, when a sampling signal is applied to the sampling gate, the sampling gate operates to open on the timing indicated by the sampling signal. Each time it is open, analog data is transferred from the input bus to the sampling capacitor. When a transfer signal is applied to the transfer gate, the transfer gate operates to open on the timing indicated by the transfer signal. Each time the transfer gate opens, the analog data held in the sampling capacitor is transferred to the holding capacitor, from which the analog data is sent to the buffer amplifier. The buffer amplifier serves to amplify the analog data and supply the resulting signal as an output for driving the liquid crystal.
Two or more of the known sample/hold circuits are typically connected to the input bus.
As shown in FIG. 1, when the sampling signal Sn falls, the sampling gate SGn operates to open. Then, after a time has passed when the analog data can be held in the sampling capacitor CSn, the sampling signal Sn rises, the sampling gate operates to close. However, the sampling capacitor may hold such a historical voltage as causing a voltage to be abruptly charged or discharged when the sampling gate changes from a close state to an open state. The abrupt charge or discharge may have an adverse effect such as noises on the input bus.
At the timing when the sampling gate starts to close as shown in FIG. 1, another sampling signal Sn+1 (to be applied to the adjacent sample/hold circuit connected to the input bus) falls, when the sampling gate SGn+1 operates to open. As such, the voltage charged in the sampling capacitor CSn+1 may causes noises to appear on the input bus, thereby allowing the noises to be charged in the sampling capacitor CSn. This results in disallowing the sampling capacitor CSn to read the original analog data, thereby impairing the accuracy on signal transmission.
As has been easily understood from the above description, the component indicated by the subscript "n+1" means a signal adjacent to the signal with a subscript "n".

Apparatus for sampling and holding analog data for a liquid crystal display


A light-emitting-part holder moves between a housing position in which the light-emitting-part holder is housed in a housing part formed in a strobe base and a light emission position in which the light-emitting-part holder projects from the housing part. One end of an arm member is supported by the light-emitting-part holder, and the other end thereof is supported by the strobe base. An arm cover member holds a magnet, and in a case where the arm member is housed in the housing part, the arm cover member is fixed to the face of the arm member facing the housing part. A part of a light-emitting-part flexible board (flexible wire member) is disposed between the magnet held by the arm cover member and the arm member.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an image pickup apparatus such as a digital camera which includes a movable flash light emission unit.
Description of the Related Art
Some small-sized digital cameras having a large-diameter lens barrel include a pop-up-type strobe unit for the purpose of preventing so-called "vignetting" in which strobe light is blocked at a front edge of the lens barrel and does not reach a subject. Such a pop-up-type strobe unit has a movable member having a strobe light emission unit which moves between a housing position at which the movable member is inside a camera body part and a light emission position at which the movable member projects from the camera body part. As a mechanism which moves the movable member from the housing position inside the camera body part to the light emission position, there is a pop-up mechanism which uses two rotation shafts, which has an advantage that a housing space of the movable member can be smaller in response to demands for small-sized cameras. With the mechanism using the two rotation shafts, the strobe light emission unit is moved to a subject side in the optical axis direction of the lens barrel in addition to a camera-height direction, and to thereby avoiding the vignetting while suppressing an amount of pop-up.
As a contact-type means for detecting a light emission position of the strobe light emission unit, a push switch or the like is used. In this contact type, the switch is pressed when the strobe light emission unit is in a housing position and in an ON state, and thus the unit is controlled to be in a non-light-emissive state. In addition, when the strobe light emission unit is in a light emission position, it is separated from the switch and in an OFF state, and thus is controlled to be in a light emissive state. However, with respect to such a contact-type detection switch, there is generally a limit on timings at which ON and OFF states are switched when a position of the strobe light emission unit is detected. That is to say, a case in which, in the course of moving the strobe light emission unit from the housing position to the light emission position in such a pop-up mechanism that uses two rotation shafts, the movement is stopped by a photographer or the like is assumed. In this case, there is a possibility of the detection switch switching to the OFF state and the unit being switched to the light emissive state even when the strobe light emission unit does not project from the camera body part. For this reason, so-called "burning" occurs in the camera body part.
On the other hand, as a non-contact-type means for detecting a light emission position of a strobe light emission unit, a magnet and a magnetic sensor are used (refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-116321). In the non-contact-type detection method, changes in a distance between the magnet and the magnetic sensor in a housing position and a light emission position of the strobe light emission unit are detected. For example, when the strobe light emission unit is in the housing position, the magnetic sensor included in the camera body part comes close to the magnet included in the strobe light emission unit, and thus the unit switches to an ON state and is controlled to be in a non-light-emissive state. In addition, when the strobe light emission unit is in the light emission position, the magnetic sensor and the magnet are separated from each other, and the unit switches to an OFF state, and is controlled to be in a light emissive state.
In the related art disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-116321, a magnet is disposed inside a strobe case near a strobe light emission unit in a pop-up-type strobe unit which uses two rotation shafts. Thus, when the distance between the strobe light emission unit and a magnetic sensor is excessively long, a detection signal turns off before the strobe light emission unit projects from a camera body part, resulting in a light emissive state. That is to say, when a movement of the strobe light emission unit from the housing position to the light emission position is stopped by a photographer in the course of the movement, the state becomes a detection-off state even though strobe light is being radiated to the inside of the camera body part, and is switched to a light emissive state. Therefore, there is a possibility of burning occurring in the camera body part. In addition, there is a method of delaying a timing at which a detection signal of a magnetic sensor turns off by raising sensitivity of the magnetic sensor. In this case, there is a possibility of an erroneous detection occurring due to another magnetized metal component or the like.
Therefore, it is desirable to increase the size of a magnet and bring the magnet and a magnetic sensor close to each other in a housing state of a strobe light emission unit. If a distance between the magnet and the magnetic sensor can be shortened in the housing state, a degree of freedom in disposing the magnetic sensor also increases.


A retardation sensor (20) measures a retardation applied to a vehicle in its longitudinal direction. A speed sensor (28) measures a ground speed of the vehicle at a time point when the retardation exceeds a specified reference retardation. A timer (32) measures a lapse of time period after the time point when the retardation exceeds the reference retardation. A CPU (40) included in a control circuit (30) calculates an amount of deformation of the vehicle from a difference between a value obtained by multiplying the retardation by the ground speed and a value obtained by integrating the retardation twice over the lapse of time period. The CPU (40) then compares the amount of deformation with a preset threshold value. When the amount of deformation exceeds the preset threshold value, the CPU (40) outputs an activation signal to a driving circuit (34), which supplies electricity to a squib (38) in an air bag unit (36) to ignite a gas-generating agent with the squib (38) in response to the activation signal. An activation control apparatus of the invention including the above constituents can determine whether a passive restraint, such as the air bag unit (36), is to be activated without using another operation value and effectively activate the passive restraint at an appropriate timing even when the vehicle crashes into a pole or in an under-ride collision.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a passive restraint, such as an air bag unit, used for protecting a driver and passengers in a vehicle when the vehicle crashes. More specifically, the invention pertains to an apparatus for controlling activation of such a passive restraint as well as to a method of the same. The present invention further relates to an apparatus for determining an amount of deformation of a vehicle, which crashes into a collision object.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One example of known apparatuses for controlling activation of a passive restraint is one for controlling ignition of a squib included in an air bag unit. In the air bag unit, a gas-generating agent is ignited with a squib in an inflator to evolve a gas from the inflator and inflate a bag with the gas, in order to protect a driver and passengers from the impact of collision.
Conventional apparatuses for controlling ignition of a squib in such an air bag unit are generally provided with a retardation sensor (hereinafter may be referred to as G sensor) for measuring a retardation applied to a vehicle (especially, a retardation in a longitudinal direction of a vehicle). Ignition control is carried out according to the retardation measured by the G sensor. Proposed ignition control processes based on the retardation include a method using the value of retardation itself, another method using the integral value obtained by integrating the retardation once, and still another method using the second integral value obtained by integrating the retardation twice.
The method of controlling ignition based on the second integral value of the retardation (herein "the second integral value of the retardation" means "the double integral value of the retardation") is, for example, disclosed in JAPANESE PATENT LAID-OPEN GAZETTE No. 6-107113. The proposed method determines an ignition timing of a squib based on the second integral value of the retardation.
The second integral value obtained by integrating the retardation twice over time generally represents the amount of displacement of a non-fixed object in a vehicle relative to the vehicle. By way of example, when an excess retardation is applied to the vehicle in its longitudinal direction, a driver and other passengers in the vehicle are pulled and moved forward by the force of inertia. The second integral value corresponds to a relative distance by which the driver or the passenger moves relative to the vehicle upon impact. The proposed method accordingly compares the second integral value of the retardation with an appropriate threshold value. When the second integral value exceeds the threshold value, the gas-generating agent in the air bag unit is ignited with the squib. The conventional method using the second integral value of the retardation representing the relative distance by which the driver or the passenger moves determines an ignition timing of the squib by taking into account the relative distance and the expanded volume of the bag.
In air bag units, it is extremely important to determine whether the bag is to be opened or not (that is, whether the gas-generating agent is to be ignited with the squib or not) according to the driving condition of the vehicle. The proposed method using the second integral value of the retardation, however, may not adequately determine whether the gas-generating agent is to be ignited with the squib or not, while determining the appropriate ignition timing of the squib as discussed below.
FIGS. 10(a) through 10(c) are characteristic charts showing the retardation G measured by a G sensor as well as the integral value v and the second integral value S of the retardation G, which are all plotted against the time, upon collision of a vehicle. FIGS. 10(a), 10(b), and 10(c) respectively show the time-based variations in retardation G, integral value v of the retardation G, and second integral value S of the retardation G. The origin of the time scale `t` is located at a time point when the vehicle crashes into the collision object.
Upon collision of the vehicle, the second integral value S of the retardation G draws a time-based characteristic curve, which is substantially approximated by a quadratic function starting from the origin, as shown in FIG. 10(c). When the time `t` is infinity, the second integral value also becomes infinity. No matter what threshold value is set for the second integral value S, the second integral value S certainly exceeds the threshold value after a lapse of time period. Even if it has been set to prohibit ignition of the gas-generating agent with the squib when the second integral value S is equal to or less than an appropriate threshold value, since the second integral value S exceeds the threshold value in due course, it is rather difficult to appropriately determine whether the gas-generating agent is to be ignited with the squib or not (that is, whether the bag is to be opened or not) using only the second integral value S.
The conventional method accordingly requires a different operation value other than the second integral value of the retardation for determining whether ignition is to be carried out or not.
Upon collision of the vehicle, unlike the second integral value S, the retardation G does not increase infinitely but is limited to be not greater than a specified value, although significantly varying as shown in FIG. 10(a). Among the known processes for controlling ignition of the squib, the method using the retardation G itself can thus determine whether ignition is to be carried out or not (that is, whether the bag is to be opened or not).
There are, however, some cases of collision, in which the method using the retardation G only can not effectively determine the ignition timing of the squib.
FIGS. 11(a) through 11(c) illustrate the concept of a pole crash and an under-ride collision of a vehicle as well as a time-based variation in retardation G of the vehicle upon collision of the vehicle. FIG. 11(a) shows a case in which a front part of a vehicle 100 crashes into a pole, such as a utility pole 102; FIG. 11(b) shows a case of an under-ride collision in which the front part of the vehicle 100 crashes into, for example, a heavy-duty truck 104; and FIG. 11(c) shows the retardation G plotted against the time in the pole crash or in the under-ride collision.
Referring to FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b), when the vehicle 100 collides in the pole crash or in the under-ride crash, the collision object (that is, the utility pole 102 or the heavy-duty truck 104) does not collide with the framework of the body of the vehicle 100 but with a relatively soft part of the body. This causes the body to be deformed to a greater depth after the front part of the vehicle 100 crashes into the collision object. The characteristic curve of the retardation G of the vehicle 100, however, does not rise immediately as shown in FIG. 11(c). The characteristic curve of the retardation G rises at last when the body is deformed to a greater extent and the collision object collides with a relatively hard part, such as an engine.
Even when an appropriate threshold value is set for the retardation G to ignite the gas-generating agent with the squib at an appropriate timing, the conventional method using only the retardation itself to control the ignition can not effectively determine the ignition timing of the squib since the retardation G does not rise nor exceed the threshold value after a lapse of some time period as shown in FIG. 11(c) in case of pole crash shown in FIG. 11(a) or under-ride collision shown in FIG. 11(b). The same problem arises when the integral value v obtained by integrating the retardation once is used to control the ignition.

Apparatus for and method of controlling activation of passive restraint and apparatus for determining amount of deformation of vehicle