A barrier membrane for use with articulating mechanical devices includes hinges formed along preferred folding lines. The hinges encourage the membrane to fold in a predetermined manner in response to articulation of the mechanical device. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is composed of flexible outer thermal layers encasing rigid panels that are spaced apart from each other at the hinges.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of thermal barriers, and in particular to thermal barriers for use with articulating joints.
2. Description of the Related Art
Thermal membranes are employed by nearly all space-based systems to buffer the system from the extremes of temperature resulting from variable insolation. Whether the space-based system is a satellite with a relatively long term orbit or a launch and recover spacecraft, vital components must be protected from the strain created by variable insolation. That is, a satelite with one side exposed to direct sunlight and the other side completely in shadow would be subjected to extreme mechanical stresses due to the sharp temperature differences between the exposed and shadowed sides. A thermal "blanket" is typically employed to moderate these temperature differences.
Conventional thermal blankets are formed of several layers of isolation such as Kapton.TM. material, at least one of which includes a layer of vacuum deposited aluminum (VDA). Kapton is the Trademark for a relatively strong, light weight, flexible material (available from E.I. Dupont Demours, Wilmington, Del.) that, in addition to the above laudatory qualities, exhibits very little out-gassing. This absence of outgassing is critical to sensitive applications which might otherwise be contaminated by outgassing in the vacuum of space.
A thermal blanket typically encloses the system and, because the VDA is highly reflective, significantly reduces solar heating, thus permitting an internal thermal control system to determine the temperature of sensitive instruments and electronic components, for example. Conventional thermal blankets are light weight, flexible and resilient. In fact, recognizing their advantages, less expensive versions of the thermal blankets developed for space systems applications have been developed for use by athletes such as marathoners who compete in cool weather. Runners are handed these ethereal films to wrap themselves in at the end of a race. The VDA serves to reflect body heat back into the runner, thereby helping to maintain the runner's core body temperature.
Although such conventional thermal blankets prove useful in a number of applications, they are not without their problems. In applications in which the blankets enclose a movable mechanical device, e.g., a gimbal mounted satellite antenna, great care must be taken during assembly of the satellite to ensure that the blanket does not interfere with the movement of the antenna. Consequently, the blankets are typically made substantially larger than the enclosed device and then hand-fitted during assembly. That is, technicians must carefully enclose the devices to be protected by the blanket, "fluff" the blanket to create a free movement path for the enclosed devices, and then, after determining that the blanket will not get "caught-up" in the assembly's moving parts such as worm gears used to position a satellite antenna, then hand-sew the blanket in place.
Not only does this hand-fitting process consume a great deal of time, and consequently money, each stitch in the blanket diminishes its effectiveness by providing a thermally conductive path between the blankets' interior and exterior. Furthermore, because the fitting process requires that the blankets be handled a great deal, they are often torn during the process and must be repaired or replaced. Not only does this compound the expense of the blankets; it also tends to diminish the blankets' effectiveness since some tears go undetected. Furthermore, due to its flexibility, it is extremely difficult to predict where the blanket may fold after repeated flexing and it may still "hang up" on, or get caught up in, a portion of the moving assembly which it enshrouds, thereby jamming the mechanism or tearing. There is also the danger that fitted corners will act as points of stress concentration where, after some portion of the typically 50,000 specified repeated flexings, the material will simply break down.
Additionally, in spite of the careful selection of materials and painstaking construction, conventional thermal blankets tend to be more massive than desirable. Since there is a strong possibility that one or more layers of the blanket may be torn during assembly of the spacecraft, more of the material is used than would be ideal. Mass is a critical issue in all space-based applications because of the difficulty associated with accelerating an object outside the grasp of the Earth's gravitational pull. But in applications in which a thermal blanket encloses a moving mechanism such as a gimbal mount, the blanket's mass, or lack thereof, also has a crucial effect upon the mobility of the gimbal. A too-massive thermal blanket, one which imparts too much torque resistance to an enclosed gimbal, will impede the gimbal's motion so that an antenna or instrument attached to the gimbal may be misdirected or it may not even deploy properly.

Articulating thermal membrane with integral hinges


A portable test apparatus for conducting a plurality of tests on a communications device is provided. The unit can include a control panel, which can include at least one display for displaying test information from the device under test. The apparatus can also include a frequency mixing assembly, an amplifier module, a voltage regulator module, and a frequency module. The apparatus can allow a user to measure a number of parameters including, but not limited to, power, return loss and passive intermodulation products.

The present disclosure relates generally to radio frequency communication systems. In particular although not exclusively the present disclosure relates to an apparatus for measuring sources of interference.
Quality of Service (QOS) is of major importance to today's communication network providers. One of the major factors effecting QOS in most modern communication is interference. The two most appreciable forms of interference present in most communication systems result from Active and Passive intermodulation. In each case multiple transmitting frequencies combine in ways that cause interference to receiving equipment.
In the case of Active Intermodulation (AIM) interference the transmitter or receiver actively amplify interfering signals in the environment that cause harmful interference. Passive Intermodulation (PIM) interference is similar to active intermodulation interference except that it almost occurs exclusively in passive elements when two or more frequencies are simultaneously present. When signals F1 and F2 for example encounter a non-linear device they combine as follows, mF1±nF2, (m,n=1,2,3 . . . ) to produce interfering signals.
To date most suppliers of RF communications components have not been able to model PIM. One can only design components to reduce the possibility of significant levels of PIM being internally generated. Typically this reduction is achieved by applying lessons learnt from past experiences, and from testing the component presently under design. While it is possible to take account for PIM produced by each individual component during the system design phase, the effects of PIM which can be generated outside the components via poor interconnects etc, and when the component are installed on-site cannot be so easily accounted for.
Presently it has been relatively difficult to test for PIM on-site. Historically the equipment required to perform the testing was rather large and cumbersome and not readily suited for in-field deployment and has been widely considered by most in the communications industry as being impractical. Typically such on-site PIM testing requires each junction, line and interconnect to be checked. Without a PIM tester on-site, this operation is extremely labour intensive, requiring a technician to physically check/remake each connection as installed, and as such is extremely costly.


A pneumatic tire has a single carcass ply, at least one belt ply disposed radially outward of the carcass ply in a crown portion of the tire, and at least one insert located adjacent the carcass ply in a sidewall portion, the insert providing support for the tire load to enable the tire to operate in underinflated conditions. The carcass ply is comprised of at least one composite cord. The composite cord is formed of at least two first yarns twisted helically about at least one second yarn. The first yarns and the second yarn having different modulus of elasticity, the first yarns having a modulus greater than the modulus of the second yarn.

WO 03/060212 A1 discloses a hybrid cord for use in pneumatic tires, designed for use as an overlay. The hybrid cord is formed of two different materials: a low initial modulus core yarn and high modulus wrap yarns. The selection of the yarns is such that the "break point" of the cord, i.e. when the slope of the force versus elongation curve changes from a relatively low slope to a relatively high slope, occurs at an elongation between 2% and 3% elongation, with an ultimate cord break at just over 5% elongation.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,618 B1 discloses a hybrid cord for use as an overlay in pneumatic tires. The hybrid cord is formed of aramid and nylon twisted together, wherein the break point of the cord is at an elongation between 4% and 6% elongation, with an ultimate cord break at over 10% elongation.
The above publications describe the use of a hybrid cord especially for the overlay. In an overlay, the hoop reinforcing effects of a strong cord are desired, however, the cord must have elongation properties to a degree to permit the tire to expand into a toroidal shape during tire molding. These were, heretofore, contrary properties when using a single material cord.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,695,025 B1 (Roesgen) discloses a run-flat tire having two carcass reinforcing plies and reinforcing wedge inserts in the tire sidewalls. As noted in Roesgen, the wedge inserts resist radial deflection of the tire with a combination of compressive and bending stresses in both the inflated as well as the uninflated conditions. Runflat tires experience a net compressive load in the region of the sidewall closest to the road-contacting portion of the tire. Additionally, the outer portions of the sidewall experience tensile forces while the inner portions of the sidewall undergo compression stresses during bending. Roesgen solves the issue of balancing the necessary flexibility in the inflated state with the rigidity in the uninflated state problem by employing two reinforcing carcass plies. The axially outermost ply has cords that have a modulus of elasticity that increases with strain. The axially innermost ply has cords having a modulus that exceeds that of the outermost ply during normal loads in an inflated state; thus the innermost ply handles the majority of the load during normal operation, and the outermost ply does not equally contribute to the load carrying. When the tire is operated in uninflated states, the load is shifted from the axially innermost ply to the axially outermost ply and again the plies do not equally contribute to the load carrying. Roesgen teaches that the outermost ply does not contribute to the overall rigidity of the tire sidewall during normal inflation operation.

Monoply pneumatic run-flat tire with composite ply cord


The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) that are useful as hepatitis C virus (HCV) NS5B polymerase inhibitors, the synthesis of such compounds, and the use of such compounds for inhibiting HCV NS5B polymerase activity, for treating or preventing HCV infections and for inhibiting HCV viral replication and/or viral production in a cell-based system.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a major health problem that leads to chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, in a substantial number of infected individuals. Current treatments for HCV infection include immunotherapy with recombinant interferon-α alone or in combination with the nucleoside analog ribavirin.
Several virally-encoded enzymes are putative targets for therapeutic intervention, including a metalloprotease (NS2-3), a serine protease (NS3, amino acid residues 1-180), a helicase (NS3, full length), an NS3 protease cofactor (NS4A), a membrane protein (NS4B), a zinc metalloprotein (NS5A) and an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (NS5B).
One identified target for therapeutic intervention is HCV NS5B polymerase. Sven-Erik Behrens et al., Identification and properties of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of heptatitis C virus, 15(1) EMBO J. 12-22 (1996). Antagonists of NS5B activity are inhibitors of HCV replication. Steven S. Carroll et al., Inhibition of Hepatitis C Virus RNA Replication by 2′-Modified Nucleoside Analogs, 278(14) J. BIOL. CHEM. 11979-84 (2003).
There is a clear and long-felt need to develop effective therapeutics for treatment of HCV infection. Specifically, there is a need to develop compounds that selectively inhibit HCV viral replication and that would be useful for treating HCV-infected patients.

Substituted benzofuran compounds and methods of use thereof for the treatment of viral diseases


A door latch assembly includes a housing, an inside and outside handle operably coupled with the housing, and a latch plunger. A latch cam is operably coupled with the inside and outside handles, and the latch cam further includes a crank arm slidably disposed against an inclined surface of a plunger leg operably coupled to the latch plunger. A biasing member urges the latch plunger to an extended position, wherein rotation of the inside or outside door latch handle in a first direction rotates the crank arm of the latch cam and displaces the plunger leg of the latch plunger and the latch plunger to a retracted position against the urging of the biasing member.

Egress/ingress doors for motorized vehicles and trailers, particularly those adapted for use with recreational vehicles, commonly employ a combination door assembly having an exterior door detachably coupled with an inner screen door. The exterior door provides protection against the elements and otherwise encloses the recreational vehicle, while the inner screen door assembly provides ventilation to the interior of the recreational vehicle when the exterior door is placed in an open condition. The inner screen door also provides a barrier against unwelcome callers, such as insects and the like. Both the exterior door and the inner screen door may pivot about a common set of hinges along one side thereof and may be latched to an inner doorjamb along an opposite side thereof.
Typically, the inner screen door is provided with an exterior lever-type latch on its exterior surface. The exterior lever-type latch may be pivotally mounted within a housing attached to the exterior surface the inner screen door, whereby rotating an exterior lever-type latch handle causes a latch pawl on an opposite end thereof to move out of engagement with an inner screen door latch striker assembly mounted on the inner doorjamb, and thereby unlatch the inner screen door. An inner screen door retention member is commonly provided on an interior surface of the exterior door that engages the exterior lever-type latch handle to maintain the latch assembly of the inner screen door in the unlatched position, while also coupling the inner screen door to the exterior door so as to allow operation of the combination door assembly as a single door unit.
One of the shortcomings of such combination door assemblies is access to the latch assembly of the inner screen door, particularly from the interior of the recreational vehicle. A solution heretofore has been the use of a slidable panel disposed proximate the exterior lever-type latch handle. The slidable panel may be supported by and slidable along a horizontal cross frame member extending between two side frame members of the inner screen door. The slidable panel, which extends only a portion of the width of the inner screen door, is slidable between an open position and a closed position. When the slidable panel is in the open position, access to the exterior lever-type latch handle from the interior of the recreational vehicle is possible, and the inner screen door may be unlatched to allow egress from the recreational vehicle. When the slidable panel is in the closed position, the interior of the recreational vehicle is again protected against unwelcome callers. However, during operation of the exterior lever type latch handle, the slidable panel must be placed in open position and thereby expose the recreational vehicle to such unwelcome callers. Hence, a handle accessible from the interior of the recreational vehicle without operation of a slidable panel would be advantageous.


A high-voltage pulse generating circuit has an inductor, a first semiconductor switch, and a second semiconductor switch which are connected in series between opposite terminals of a DC power supply unit, and a diode having a cathode terminal connected to a terminal of the inductor which has another terminal connected to an anode terminal of the first semiconductor switch, and an anode terminal connected to a gate terminal of the first semiconductor switch. The inductor stores an induction energy when the first semiconductor switch is rendered conductive by a turn-on of the second semiconductor switch, and generates a high-voltage pulse when the first semiconductor switch is turned off by a turn-off of the second semiconductor switch.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a high-voltage pulse generating circuit of a simple arrangement for supplying a high-voltage pulse having an extremely short rise time and an extremely short pulse duration by releasing electromagnetic energy which has been stored in an inductor from a low-voltage DC power supply unit.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has recently been proposed a technology for generating a plasma by discharging a high-voltage pulse to perform deodorization, sterilization and also to decompose toxic gases. Generating such a plasma requires a high-voltage pulse generating circuit which is capable of generating a pulse having a high voltage and an extremely short pulse duration.
As shown in FIG. 15 of the accompanying drawings, a conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 comprises a capacitor charger 102, a capacitor 104, a switch 108, and a load 110 (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-44965, for example).
The capacitor charger 102 generates a high DC voltage which is substantially equal to the peak value of a high-voltage pulse. The capacitor 104 is charged by the capacitor charger 102 to a voltage which is substantially equal to the high DC voltage generated by the capacitor charger 102. In order for the switch 108 to have a large withstand voltage, the switch 108 comprises a plurality of semiconductor devices 106 such as SI (Static Induction) thyristors or the like which are connected in series. The load 110 is supplied with a high-voltage pulse by high-speed switching operation of the switch 108 under the high DC voltage charged in the capacitor 104.
The switch 108 has a plurality of gate drive circuits 112 connected to the respective semiconductor devices 106 to turn on the semiconductor devices 106, and a plurality of balancing resistors 114 connected parallel to the respective semiconductor devices 106. The balancing resistors 114 serve to reduce any unbalances between the voltages applied across the respective semiconductor devices 106 due to impedance variations caused when the semiconductor devices 106 are rendered nonconductive.
Specifically, the high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 has a multiple-series-connected circuit 116 of semiconductor devices 106 and balancing resistors 114 which are connected in series to the load 110.
FIG. 16 of the accompanying drawings shows a proposed high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118. In the proposed high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118, when a semiconductor switch 126 is turned on, a current flows from a DC power supply 120 (having a power supply voltage E) to a resistor 136 (having a resistance R) to the one-turn primary windings of respective maginetizable cores 128 to the semiconductor switch 126 to the DC power supply 120, the current having a magnitude represented substantially by E/R.
At this time, because of the maginetizable cores 128 operating as a transformer, the same current flows through the one-turn secondary windings of respective maginetizable cores 128 via the gates and cathodes of semiconductor devices 134. Therefore, all the semiconductor devices 134 are simultaneously turned on (see, for example, The Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan, Plasma Science and Technology, Lecture No. PST-02-16).
The semiconductor devices 134 connected in series, and the semiconductor switch 126 are rendered conductive, a voltage which is substantially the same as the power supply voltage E is applied to an inductor 138. As a result, a current IL flowing through the inductor 138 increases linearly, storing electromagnetic energy in the inductor 138.
The current IL flowing through the inductor 138 increases until electromagnetic energy is stored up to a desired level in the inductor 138. When the semiconductor switch 126 is turned off, since the path of the current IL flowing through the inductor 138 is cut off, an induced voltage of opposite polarity is generated due to the stored electromagnetic energy in the inductor 138.
As a consequence, the diode 140 is rendered conductive, allowing a current to flow continuously from the inductor 138 to the semiconductor devices 134, the primary windings of the respective maginetizable cores 128 to the diode 140 to the inductor 138. At this time, a current of the same magnitude also flows through the secondary windings of the maginetizable cores 128.
Thus, the current flowing into the anodes of the semiconductor devices 134 flows entirely into the gates thereof, with no current flowing to the cathodes thereof. The current flows until the electric charges stored in the semiconductor devices 134 are discharged. Since no large voltage drop is caused in the current path and this state merely continues for an extremely short period of time, any reduction in the current IL flowing through the inductor 138 is small, and any reduction in the stored electromagnetic energy in the inductor 138 is also small.
As the electric charges stored in the semiconductor devices 134 are discharged, the semiconductor devices 134 are turned off, with a depletion layer being quickly developed therein. Since the inductor current is charged with a small electric capacity, the voltage between the anode and cathode of each of the semiconductor devices 134 rises sharply. Therefore, the voltage across the inductor 138 increases quickly, and the current IL flowing through the inductor 138 decreases quickly. Stated otherwise, the electromagnetic energy in the inductor 138 is shifted into a capacitive electrostatic energy stored between the anode and cathode of each of the semiconductor devices 134. Since the voltage across the inductor 138 is also applied to a load 142 connected across the inductor 138, the electromagnetic energy in the inductor 138 and the capacitive electrostatic energy stored between the anode and cathode of each of the semiconductor devices 134 are consumed by the load 142 while the electromagnetic energy is being shifted into the electrostatic energy.
With the high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118, the DC power supply 120 may generate a low voltage and the semiconductor devices 134 may be turned on and off only by currents flowing through the secondary windings of the maginetizable cores 128. Consequently, the high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118 requires no gate drive circuits and is relatively simple.
However, the conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 shown in FIG. 15 has a complex circuit arrangement. A high voltage is applied to all the circuit components including the capacitor charger 102. The circuit components need to be insulated against each other, e.g., need to be spaced from each other by a large distance. Therefore, the conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 tends to be large in size and high in cost.
If only some of the series-connected semiconductor devices 106 are turned on due to malfunctions, then the remaining semiconductor devices 106 may be damaged by an overvoltage in excess of a rated voltage applied thereto. Accordingly, the operation of the conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 is not reliable.
Furthermore, for the conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 to generate a pulse which rises extremely sharply, e.g., at 10 kV/μsec or above, it is necessary that each of the semiconductor devices 106 be turned on quickly. Consequently, even if gate signals are applied to the semiconductor devices 106 at timings differing merely by 2 nsec or 3 nsec, or semiconductor devices 106 are turned on at timings differing merely by 2 nsec or 3 nsec, generated transient voltages are liable to be out of balance. The conventional high-voltage pulse generating circuit 100 thus suffers greater difficulty generating a pulse at several hundreds V/μsec than a series-connected array of semiconductor devices in an ordinary inverter.
With the proposed high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118 shown in FIG. 16, however, the DC power supply 120 may generate a low voltage, and a voltage in excess of the withstand voltage is never be applied to the semiconductor devices 134 even if some are turned off due to malfunctions. However, the timings of the turning off of the semiconductor devices 134 differ, making it highly difficult to prevent transient voltages from being brought out of balance when the semiconductor devices 134 are turned off quickly. Therefore, the proposed high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118 also suffers the same problems of series-connected semiconductor devices.
In the high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118, the maginetizable cores 128 are connected in series to the diode 140. As a consequence, inductances exist due to the physical distance in which the maginetizable cores are provided and also due to leakages between the finite primary and secondary windings. Because of these inductances, it takes time for the inductor current, which flows when the semiconductor switch 126 is turned off, to be commutated to the diode 140. As a result, the rate at which the gate current increases is suppressed, causing the semiconductor device 134 to remain conductive longer and the depletion region to spread (with the turn-off gain becoming one or more), which makes the high-voltage pulse generating circuit 118 unstable when the semiconductor devices 134 are turned off sharply.


Methods and apparatus for providing amplification to coarse wave division multiplexing channels or signals are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, an arrangement that adds gain to a set of signals that may be divided into a first band including signals of lower wavelengths and a second band including signals of higher wavelengths includes a multiplexer, first and second optical amplifiers, and a processing arrangement. The multiplexer multiplexes the set of signals. The first optical amplifier has a first gain peak and provides amplification to the set of signals, while the second optical amplifier has a second gain peak and provides amplification to the second band but not to the first band. The processing arrangement passes the second band from the first optical amplifier to the second optical amplifier, and substantially prevents the first band from passing from the first optical amplifier to the second optical amplifier.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical networks. More particularly, the present invention relates to extending the span distances associated with coarse wavelength division multiplexing systems.
2. Description of the Related Art
In response to the ever-growing demand for fiber networks, coarse wave division multiplexing (CWDM) has been developed as an alternative to dense wavelength division multiplexing (DWDM). CWDM systems use uncooled lasers, and therefore allow a greater spacing between wavelengths or channels than DWDM systems. In general, CWDM is a relatively low cost solution that provides connection flexibility and increased throughput for metropolitan networks.
CWDM combines up to sixteen or eighteen wavelengths onto a single fiber, although many CWDM systems combine four or eight wavelengths onto a single fiber. CWDM technology uses an ITU standard approximately 20 nanometer (nm) spacing between wavelengths or channels. The wavelengths are typically between approximately 1270 nm and approximately 1610 nm.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of an overall network system that includes a system which communicates using CWDM. A network 120 that is in communication with an overall Synchronous Optical Network (SONET) or Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH) transport network 104 includes various nodes 124a-d that are in communication over links 128. Network 120 may be a metro network that uses CWDM. Any of nodes 124a-d, as for example node 124c, may be in communication with other nodes 124e, 124f across links 132. Nodes 124c, 124e, 124f may be part of a local area network.
When CWDM is used in network 120, the distances covered by links 128 are typically limited to being less than approximately 100 kilometers (km). That is, CWDM systems are generally limited by an optical span budget of approximately 100 km. To increase the distances over which CWDM communications may occur, optical amplifiers may be incorporated into network 120.
Optical amplifiers such as semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs) provide relatively high-speed switching capability and also provide the ability to add gain to optical signals. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, an SOA uses technology that is similar to that of a Fabry-Perot laser diode. In some CWDM systems, SOAs may be used as amplifiers to provide gain to optical signals relatively inexpensively. Adding gain to optical signals enables the optical signals to traverse a greater distance. That is, amplifying optical signals allows the span budget associated with optical signals to be increased.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of a four channel CWDM system that uses an SOA for amplification. Four CWDM channels 204a-d are provided as input into an SOA 208. SOA 208 amplifies channels 204a-d to produce amplified channels 204a′-d′ as an output.
An eight channel CWDM system, on the contrary, may utilize two SOAs which each amplify four channels. Two SOAs may be used due to the limited amplication bandwidth of SOAs. With reference to FIG. 3, a system which utilizes two SOAs in conjunction with a band splitter and a band combiner will be described. CWDM channels 304, 306 are provided to a band splitter 314 which substantially splits channels 304, 306 into low band channels 304 and high band channels 306. Low band channels 304 are then amplified by a first SOA 318, while high band channels 306 are amplified by a second SOA 316. The outputs of SOAs 316, 318 are provided to a band combiner 320 that recombines amplified low band channels 304′ and amplified high band channels 306′.
Although the use of filters such as band splitter 314 and band combiner 320, in conjunction with SOAs 316, 318, is effective in providing amplification for eight channel CWDM systems, the use of the filters introduce additional loss that impacts and reduces the span budget. Filters such as band splitter 314 and band combiner 320 may occupy a significant amount of physical space.
Therefore, what is needed is a method and an apparatus which enables the maximum span budget in a CWDM system to be efficiently increased. That is, what is desired is a system that allows CWDM channels to be efficiently amplified such that the distances which may be traversed by signals traveling on the channels may be increased.

CWDM system architecture with amplification


The occupant of a vehicle seat is characterized by computing a power spectrum function of data obtained from a seat sensor such as a pressure sensor in a fluid-filled seat bladder or a frame-mounted vertical accelerometer. The spectrum function is integrated over a specified frequency range, and compared to a threshold value that is calibrated to compensate for vehicle speed related variability. The presence of a cinched child seat is indicated when the threshold is exceeded, and the presence of a normally seated adult is indicated otherwise.

It is important to accurately and reliably characterize the occupant of a vehicle seat in order to properly control the operation of air bags and other pyrotechnically deployed restraints. For example, the deployment of such restraints is generally allowed when the seat is occupied by an adult, but suppressed when the seat is occupied by a portable infant seat or child seat (referred to herein collectively as child seats). A common way of characterizing an occupant is to equip the vehicle seat with one or more weight or force responsive sensors, and to compare the sensed weight or force with calibrated thresholds. However, similar weight or force measurements occur for both an adult occupant and a child seat that is placed on the vehicle seat and cinched down with a seat belt anchored to the vehicle floor.
The U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,936 to Murphy et al. teaches that it is possible to distinguish between an adult occupant and a cinched child seat by calculating a variance of the measured occupant weight during movement of the vehicle. If the variance is below a threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as a child seat, since a tightly cinched seat belt severely restricts variance. If the variance exceeds the threshold for a predetermined interval, the occupant is characterized as an adult. Murphy et al. also disclose that the frequency of the measured occupant weight can be used as a correlative factor, as the frequency is higher for a cinched child seat than for a normally seated adult. In a similar vein, the U.S. Pat. No. 6,542,802 to Gray et al. teaches normalization of the measured weight variance based on a measure of the vehicle's vertical acceleration in order to compensate for disturbances such as driving on a rough road. Since the use of correlative measurements can significantly increase system cost, what is desired is a way of reliably characterizing the seat occupant with a single seat sensor.

Vehicle occupant characterization method based on the power spectrum of a seat sensor output signal


A communication device, such as a smart phone, receives operational parameters from a network controller. The operational parameters may include, as examples, bandwidth allocation, center frequency, and receive/transmit band assignments. The operational parameters (e.g., bandwidth allocation) may change on a subframe by subframe basis. In response to the operational parameters, the communication device determines a new configuration for an envelope tracking (ET) power supply. The communication device modifies the ET power supply to implement the new configuration. The new configuration may be chosen to adapt the ET power supply to meet the demands of the operation parameters, without excess power consumption.

Rapid advances in electronics and communication technologies, driven by immense customer demand, have resulted in the widespread adoption of mobile communication devices. The extent of the proliferation of such devices is readily apparent in view of some estimates that put the number of wireless subscriber connections in use around the world at over 85% of the world's population. Furthermore, past estimates have indicated that (as just three examples) the United States, Italy, and the UK have more mobile phones in use in each country than there are people even living in those countries. Improvements in wireless communication devices, particularly in their ability to reduce power consumption, will help continue to make such devices attractive options for the consumer.

Dynamic operating bandwidth configuration for an envelope tracker


A multi-layered moisture-wicking sweat-absorbing wristband that is used in conjunction with a gymnastic grip. The multi-layered wristband generally comprises a garment forming a tubular body having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the tubular body includes a first opening and the second portion includes a second opening. The first portion of the garment may include a first layer, a second layer, and at least one inner layer between the first and second layer. The second portion of the garment may include a third layer and a fourth layer. The garment is configured to be disposed over the wrist of a user with the second portion of the tubular body folded over a grip that is attached to the user and the first portion of the tubular body.

The sport of gymnastics originated in the Greek Hellenistic period were the Greeks exhibited their physical traits of strength, ability, and concentration. Initially, the sport of gymnastics was used to develop the strength and endurance necessary for hand-to-hand combat. Over time, however, the practice of gymnastics transitioned from a military exercise into everyday civilian life. The transition from military to private life was due, in part, thanks to the Greek Olympic Games.
In 1896, gymnastics earned its spot in the first summer Olympic Games and has been an official Olympic sport ever since. Like many of the traditional sports, gymnastics made significant advancements in the early 19th century when new exercises surfaced, such as the pommel horse, horizontal bar, parallel bar, balance beam, ladder, and vaulting horse. Gymnastics is one of the world's most famous Olympic Games, drawing millions of people to watch the top athletes of every nation compete for a medal.
Becoming a gymnast, however, is no easy feat. The sport of gymnastics requires an incredible amount of discipline, toughness, dedication, and balance. To have an opportunity to become an elite gymnast, the gymnast must work on his or her craft for six to eight hours a day, six to seven days a week. One of the most challenging skills to master and score high when competing are the uneven bars.
The uneven bars are bars that are parallel to each other and set at different heights, with the lower bar being at about five feet above the ground and the higher bar being about eight feet above the ground. The distance, or width, between the bars, is approximately six feet. Some of the most recognizable skills on the uneven bars include but are not limited to, release moves, pirouettes, and circles. In a release move, the gymnast lets go of the bar and then re-grasps it. He or she can perform a release move from the high bar to the low bar, from the low bar to the high bar, or on the same bar. In a pirouette, the gymnast turns on her hands while in the handstand position. She may use a variety of different hand positions during the turn. In circles, such as giants and free hip circles, the gymnast circles the bar, either stretched out in a handstand or with his or her hips close to the bar. All of these moves take a great deal of skill to perform. In almost all cases, gymnasts use grips when performing on the uneven bars.
Grips are a wide strip of leather joined to a wrist strap that is worn by the gymnast. The leather strip, which covers and protects the palm of the gymnast's hand, has finger holes at one end. The wrist strap secures the grip to the gymnast's wrist and helps transfer the gymnast's body weight from the finger to the wrist, reducing the load on the gymnast's fingers. Although grips help with weight transfer, grips are primarily used to enhance the gymnast's grip on the bars (or an alternative apparatus) and reduce friction between the apparatus and the gymnast's palms, which can cause painful blisters and rips (i.e., outer layer skin separation).
As an added measure against unwanted friction between the gymnast's hands and an apparatus, a gymnast uses powdered chalk to absorb the sweat form his or her hands. Dry hands ensure a reliable and secure grip that prevents slippage. In many instances, however, as the gymnast is performing sweat dissolves the chalk in its entirety. Since the gymnast is not allowed to reapply a layer of chalk in the middle of a performance, the gymnast is susceptible to added friction or slippage that may affect his or her performance.
Accordingly, there is an established need for a device that overcomes the limitations of chalk and other types of sweat absorption devices that do not work to solve the associated problems that remain unsolved.

Multi-layered moisture wicking sweat absorbing wristband


An interactive control system with plural displays comprising a plurality of first interactive control apparatus having input device and output device and a second interactive control apparatus connected to the first interactive control apparatus, characterized in having a registering device for registering an attribute of the first interactive control apparatus, a process executing device for executing an input process from the input device of the first interactive control apparatus to the second interactive control apparatus based on the attribute, and an output selecting device for outputting an executing result of the input process by said process executing device to the output device of the first interactive control apparatus corresponding to the attribute.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an interactive processing apparatus for interactive processing of plural displays, and a method thereof.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Current monitoring and controlling systems have a large display installed in front of operators in order to display overview information such as a system configuration map of a total system, alarms for indicating that something unusual is occurring, for allowing all the operators to grasp a condition of the system at a glance at any time. On the other hand, a display at hand prepared for respective operators displays integrally more detailed information. The amount of the detailed information displayed on each display at hand is numerous, and it is not rare to reach hundreds of images in a large scale system.
The operators monitor using both the large display and their display at hand. The operators grasp entire system states by watching the overview information on the large display, and when an abnormal condition is detected, they examine more detailed data by using their own display at hand and perform necessary control operation.
However, because information displayed on the large display and information shown in displays at hand are independently controlled, a conventional system required a complex operation to provide the necessary information to both in connection with each other. For instance, when a warning lamp blinks on the large display, the operators must retrieve an image displaying control data for the warning from hundreds of images by selecting menu repeatedly. Therefore, there has been a problem of a delayed response to an emergency such as an abnormal condition occurrence or an accident.

Interactive control system having plural displays, and a method thereof


Certain embodiments provide a method and system for improved x-ray image data acquisition using a digital x-ray detector. The method and system include defining groups of scan lines in a detector, associating data lines in the detector with the groups of scan lines, and reading image data from the groups of scan lines using the associated data lines. The scan lines are connected with a plurality of pixels. A region of interest may be defined in the detector. The pixels obtain image data regarding the region of interest. The image data may be read from at least one scan line in each of the groups of scan lines using the associated data lines. Alternatively, the image data may be read from alternating groups of the scan lines using the associated data lines. Image data may also be binned from adjacent pixels read using a plurality of data lines.

The present invention generally relates to x-ray imaging. In particular, the present invention relates to improved x-ray image data acquisition using a digital x-ray detector.
X-ray images may be used for many purposes. For instance, internal defects in an object may be detected. Additionally, changes in internal structure or alignment may be determined. Furthermore, the image may show the presence or absence of internal structures in the object. The information gained from x-ray imaging has applications in many fields, including medicine and manufacturing.
X-ray imaging systems are commonly used to capture, for example, thoracic, cervical, spinal, cranial, and abdominal images that often include information necessary for a doctor to make an accurate diagnosis. X-ray imaging systems typically include an x-ray source and an x-ray detector. When having a thoracic x-ray image taken, for example, a patient stands with his or her chest against the x-ray detector as an x-ray technologist positions the x-ray detector and the x-ray source at an appropriate height. X-rays produced by the source travel through the patient's chest, and the x-ray detector then detects the x-ray energy generated by the source and attenuated to various degrees by different parts of the body. An associated control system obtains the detected x-ray energy from the x-ray detector and prepares a corresponding diagnostic image on a display.
The x-ray detector may be an amorphous silicon flat panel detector, for example. Amorphous silicon is a type of silicon that is not crystalline in structure. Image pixels are formed from amorphous silicon photodiodes connected to switches on the flat panel. A scintillator is placed in front of the flat panel detector. The scintillator receives x-rays from an x-ray source and emits light in response to the x-rays absorbed. The light activates the photodiodes in the amorphous silicon flat panel detector. Readout electronics obtain pixel data from the photodiodes through data lines (columns) and scan lines (rows). Images may be formed from the pixel data. Images may be displayed in real time. Flat panel detectors may offer more detailed images than image intensifiers. Flat panel detectors may allow faster image acquisition than image intensifiers.
A solid state flat panel x-ray detector typically includes an array of picture elements (pixels) composed of Field Effect Transistors (FETs) and photodiodes. The FETs serve as switches, and the photodiodes are light detectors. The array of FETs and photodiodes may be composed of amorphous silicon. A compound such as Cesium Iodide (CsI) is deposited over the amorphous silicon. CsI absorbs x-rays and converts the x-rays to light. The light is then detected by the photodiodes. The photodiode acts as a capacitor and stores charge.
Initialization of the detector occurs prior to an x-ray exposure. During an initialization of the detector, the detector is "scrubbed" prior to an x-ray exposure. During scrubbing, each photodiode is reverse biased and charged to a known voltage. The detector is then exposed to x-rays which are absorbed by the CsI deposited on the detector. Light that is emitted by the CsI in proportion to x-ray flux causes the affected photodiodes to conduct, partially discharging the photodiode. After the conclusion of the x-ray exposure, a voltage on each photodiode is restored to an initial voltage. An amount of charge to restore the initial voltage on each affected photodiode is measured. The measured amount of charge becomes a measure of an x-ray dose integrated by a pixel during the length of the exposure.
The detector is read or scrubbed according to the array structure. That is, the detector is read on a scan line by scan line basis. A FET switch associated with each photodiode is used to control reading of photodiodes on a given scan line. Reading is performed whenever an image produced by the detector includes data, such as exposure data and/or offset data. Scrubbing occurs when data is to be discarded from the detector rather than stored or used to generate an image. Scrubbing is performed to maintain proper bias on the photodiodes during idle periods. Scrubbing may also be used to reduce effects of lag or incomplete charge restoration of the photodiodes, for example. Scrubbing restores charge to the photodiodes but the charge may not be measured. If the data is measured during scrubbing, the data may simply be discarded.
Switching elements in a solid state x-ray detector minimize a number of electrical contacts made to the detector. If no switching elements are present, at least one contact for each pixel is present in on the detector. Lack of switching elements may make the production of complex detectors prohibitive. Switching elements reduce the number of contacts to no more than the number of pixels along the perimeter of the detector array. The pixels in the interior of the array are "ganged" together along each axis of the detector array. An entire row of the array is controlled simultaneously when the scan line attached to the gates of the FETs of pixels on that row is activated. Each of the pixels in the row is connected to a separate data line through a switch. The switch is used by read out electronics to restore charge to the photodiode. As each row is activated, all of the pixels in the row have the charge restored to the respective photodiodes simultaneously by the read out electronics over the individual data lines. Each data line typically has a dedicated read out channel associated with the data line.
Image quality is an important criterion for a solid state x-ray detector design. In order to maximize image quality, noise generated by the read out electronics should be minimized. Furthermore, electronic noise affecting an image may be influenced by the resistance and capacitance of data lines reading out data from the detector array. To reduce the effect of data line resistance and capacitance on image noise, the data lines of the detector array may be split in half to reduce data line length. A shorter data line reduces the resistance and capacitance of each data line. Read out electronics may be added to two sides of the detector, rather than one side, to read the split data lines. However, the read out electronics with split data lines may operate at only half the speed of read out electronics with unsplit data lines to achieve the same detector read out rate.
Additionally, the detector electronics may be constructed in basic building blocks to provide modularity and ease of reconfiguration. Scan drivers, for example, may be modularized into a small assembly that incorporates drivers for 256 scan lines, for example. The read out channels may be modularized into a small assembly that would read and convert the signals from, for example, 256 data lines. The size, shape, architecture and pixel size of various solid state detectors applied to various imaging systems determine the arrangement and number of scan modules and data modules to be used.
A control board is used to read the detector. Programmable firmware may be used to adapt programmable control features of the control board for a particular detector. Additionally, a reference and regulation board (RRB) may be used with a detector to generate noise-sensitive supply and reference voltages (including a dynamic conversion reference) used by the scan and data modules to read data. The RRB also distributes control signals generated by the control board to the modules and collects data returned by the data modules. Typically, the RRB is designed specifically for a particular detector. An interface between the control board and the RRB may be implemented as a standard interface such that signals to different detectors are in a similar format.
Reading the detector may be accomplished as a pipelined process originating the data modules. As each scan line is activated (scan line N, for example), a data module read out channel acquires a signal (charge, for example) from the pixel on its data line that is activated by scan line N. While the data module is converting the charge acquired from scan line N, the data module may acquire a signal from scan line N+1. Then, while the data module is transferring or outputting the converted (digital) data from scan line N and converting the charge acquired from scan line N+1, charge may be acquired from scan line N+2. Data from each of the data modules is output to a bus based on a certain criteria, such as spatial or temporal order. Data flows from the data module through the RRB and then through the control board. In the control board, the data passes through a look up table (LUT) on the control board and then through programmable firmware, such as a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) on the control board for formatting. The formatted data is then transmitted through an encoding device, such as a Fibre Channel encoding device, and through a data serialization device. Finally, the serialized electrical data is converted to a series of light pulses before the data leaves the control board through a fiber optic connection. A finite latency is maintained between when the data leaves a data module and when the data appears from the control board. The data may be re-registered at multiple points along the data path (adding one clock delay at each register, for example), and yet maintain a finite latency.
Currently, platform elements, such as the scan and data modules and control board hardware, are designed for the most demanding applications. Thus, less demanding or different applications suffer from inefficient performance. For example, vascular imaging is a demanding application for the data modules involving acquisition of very low levels of signal at high frame rates. For vascular imaging, data modules may consume more power than for other applications, such as chest radiography. Furthermore, since much of a detector is typically operated in a pipelined manner, increasing an acquisition frame rate for the detector involves optimizing multiple processes operating concurrently at comparable speeds. Thus, a simplified system and method for optimizing detector read out and acquisition frame rate would be highly desirable.
Additionally, data modules are currently designed using custom integrated circuits. Custom integrated circuits involve significant time to develop and to improve. Thus, there is a need for a system and method for achieving faster frame rates without relying on development of custom integrated circuits.
Thus, a need exists for improved x-ray image data acquisition using a digital x-ray detector.

Method and apparatus for improved data acquisition using a solid state digital X-ray detector


Protective footgear are provided which are fabricated of stiff but flexible fabrics such as canvas with the sole and at least lower portions at least partially impregnated with a rubbery waterproof material. The footgear or “booties” are designed to be worn over work shoes or boots to protect them from dirty environments or to permit the wearer to enter “clean” areas without removing dirty boots. Optional leggings, extending as high as the knee, can be provided as a removable or permanent part of the footgear. Patterns, materials and instructions can be assembled and provided as a kit for fabrication of personal footgear.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to protective footgear and garments to protect the feet and legs during and after dirty work, particularly to protective booties with waterproof soles and easily-donned uppers or leggings of variable lengths. Such items can also be donned after dirty work when it is necessary to enter a cleaner area.
2. Discussion of Relevant Art
In many service occupations such as cable TV installation, the practitioners must work in both indoor and outdoor environments or in other situations where at least one environment is dirty and at least one other is clean. Dirty environments could be considered residential yards, barnyards or other areas where mud, moisture or debris are found, mechanical shops where the floors are dirty, greasy and contain metal shavings and similar debris, or areas of manufacturing or medical facilities which are not "clean" or sterile by the standards imposed by the respective industries. "Clean" environments include residential areas of homes, areas of medical facilities such as operating rooms or special wards where sterile conditions must be maintained, and areas of manufacturing facilities dealing with pharmaceuticals, semiconductor devices or the like where foreign particles must be minimized. Although various types of footgear have been manufactured to protect the feet for centuries, even millennia, the manufacture and use of specific types of footgear to prevent the transfer of contaminants from one environment to another is a relatively recent development. One example in the residential context is the Japanese custom of leaving the everyday shoes worn outdoors at the entrances of homes, restaurants, shrines and temples.
Large numbers of patents dating from the 19th Century to recent years disclose a wide variety of footgear filling various fashion and protective objectives.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,308 discloses a pattern for a "boot blank" which can have a leg portion attached when assembled. The material is rubbery, preferably faced on both sides with fabric. The boot with legs can be used for wading. At the top of column 6 (illustrated in FIG. 6), the boots are dipped in a polymeric material such as a latex solution, then vulcanized to provide greater water repellency and insulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 126,450 discloses a one-piece pattern for forming what is entitled an "improvement in shoes," but is described as a "combined in-sole sock and slipper". It is designed to be worn inside work boots as a spacer, and the insole can be waterproof. An elastic strap (I) is provided as a closure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,308 discloses a pattern for a "boot blank" which can have a leg portion attached when assembled. The material is rubbery, preferably faced on both sides with fabric. The boot with legs can be used for wading. At the top of column 6 (illustrated in FIG. 6), the boots are dipped in a polymeric material such as a latex solution, then vulcanized to provide greater water repellency and insulation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,232 discloses foldable, lace-up overboots fabricated of thin flexible "rubber fabric," with a rubber outer sole.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,258,024 discloses slip-on cloth overshoes formed from a one-piece pattern, designed to protect leather shoes from wear and keep the feet warmer.
U.S. Pat. No. 311,123 discloses a "cloth boot" with a medium leg, formed from a one-piece pattern of fabric, which can be waterproofed. The material suggests that the "boot" is actually intended for wear inside a larger boot.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,648,109 discloses conventional "sanitary shoe covers" or booties, which can be made from materials ranging from paper and fabrics to plastics. The bootie is retained on the foot by an elastic top, and a conducting tape is provided to prevent the buildup of static electricity.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,973,589 discloses an "adjustable baby shoe" which is formed from a single piece of soft leather, fabric or plastic and is retained in place by laces encircling the ankle.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,748,607 discloses an "emergency protective covering" for booted feet, formed of a single sheet of insulating material which can be protected on one side by paper, fabric or the like, treated or untreated. The covering is formed over the boot and retains its shape due to "pliable nonresilient means such as wire fabric."
U.S. Pat. No. 1,009,772 discloses a "foot covering" formed from a one-piece pattern. Resembling slippers, these items are made from paper, fabric or other disposable material, for use by medical personnel. The top toe portions of the slipper overlap and are secured in place to fasten the shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 988,159 discloses a "dust moccasin" formed from a one-piece pattern of flexible material and intended to be worn over children's shoes when they enter carriages or cars from outside. Clasps are provided to hold the item together and on the child's shoes.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,305,926 discloses a "protective foot covering" which is lightweight, foldable and washable, being formed of materials such as oil silk, wax-treated paper or "cellophane", preferably waterproof. The items are slipped onto the foot and fastened with an ankle lace.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,276,582 discloses "sanitary paper slippers" formed from a complicated one-piece pattern, having ventilation perforations and preferably made from waterproofed paper.
The following patents pertain to "boots".
U.S. Pat. No. 3,921,313 discloses injection molded boots comprising a stretchable cloth base, a synthetic resin layer containing decorative patterns, and a transparent resin layer molded over the first layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 26,436 (1859) discloses an improved boot upper which is formed from a single-piece pattern which is stitched together.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,877 discloses a snowboard boot with thick uppers and sole, having a removable upper support fitting within the uppers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,862 discloses cold weather footwear comprising a boot which contains an inner preformed sock and an insole assembly.
The following patents pertain to "shoes".
U.S. Pat. No. 2,210,475 discloses a "foot covering" which is formed from a one-piece pattern into a light, backless slipper which can be worn over hosiery and within an outer shoe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,475 discloses a slipper assembled from a single-piece pattern to provide a fleece-like surface both inside and out.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,604,997 (to Nike) discloses shoe uppers, a one-piece pattern and method of assembling same into low-cut shoe uppers. The material can be cloth, synthetic leather or leather, which can be imprinted and/or compression-molded with elastic or rubbery materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,208 discloses athletic shoes with soles which have an air cushion component.
U.S. Pat. No. 377,822 discloses a shoe or slipper formed from a one-piece pattern of suitable material and containing a plate to stiffen the inner sole.
The following patents pertain to leg coverings or leggings:
U.S. Pat. No. 1,884,284 discloses a foldable "protective garment" for covering the legs and feet when seated in a stadium or the like, formed of paper, fabric or waterproof materials.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,493,878 discloses a "hosiery guard" formed of a one-piece pattern of transparent, waterproof material, designed to cover a lady's leg and hosiery from foot to the knee. The guard or legging is closed by folding over two halves and snapping them together with mechanical snaps along the front or shin portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,559 discloses a "footwear accessory" which can be formed of various suitable materials and slips into a shoe over socks or hosiery, then covers a portion of the leg to create the appearance of a boot. The "stocking-like structure" can be fastened along the front with zippers, buttons or other closures.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,525 discloses a "leg guard" to cover the legs and upper foot for protection while doing yard work, etc. The guards can be made of canvas, foam or sheet rubber or the like and fasten behind the leg and underfoot with a number of straps.
The following patents pertain to "slippers":
U.S. Pat. No. 2,376,399 discloses foot coverings formed from a one-piece pattern for a slipper-like covering to be worn inside ladies' shoes. The material can be knit or woven fabrics such as used for hosiery.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,724,195 discloses a similar foot protector to be worn inside ladies' shoes, formed of a unitary piece of fabric and having elastic material around the foot opening.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,150,498 discloses a foot cover (or sock substitute) formed from a substantially Y-shaped one-piece blank of stretchable material. It serves a similar function as the two devices discussed above—wear inside ladies' shoes.
The last two patents pertain to prostheses and braces:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,280,479 discloses a foot prosthesis having a cushioned ankle and a molded, hollow foot portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,856 discloses a reinforced ankle and foot brace designed to fit inside a boot or high shoe. The support panels are formed from a plastic mesh designed to conform to the ankle.
Despite the many patents in the area of footgear and protective clothing, Applicants have found no single design which is potentially as useful or convenient for a person who works daily in both "clean" and "dirty" areas, with frequent passage between such areas, as their invention disclosed and claimed below.


Digital data extracted from an FM multiplex broadcasting wave is decoded by an FM multiplex decoder. The decoder FM multiplex data is applied to a CPU. According to a logic of a switch, the CPU selects display of one page or a plurality of pages to read out predetermined data from memory according to the selected result. Display data is produced on the basis of the decoded FM multiplex data and each readout data. The produced display data is provided to a display unit. The display unit selectively displays data of one page or data of a plurality of pages simultaneously on one screen according to the input display data. The data of each page is identified and displayed corresponding to each data using an identifier.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a receiver for FM multiplex broadcasting, and more particularly, to a multiplex broadcasting receiver for receiving digital data of program information, weather forecast information, and the like multiplexed with a radio broadcasting wave and transmitted from a broadcasting station, and displaying the received digital data.
2. Description of the Background Art
FM multiplex broadcasting is one broadcasting system that multiplexes signals utilizing a spectrum region of a high base band spectrum of FM stereo audio broadcasting to provide service utilizing characters and figures in addition to the existing stereo broadcasting. A plurality of display formats of the FM multiplex broadcasting program are defined. FIG. 32 shows the display formats for FM multiplexed broadcasting programs. Referring to FIG. 32, the current display formats include five types of formats, i.e. formats 0-3 and a free format. Each display format is identified by the data transmitted as display format data. For example, a display format data "0001" designates format 0, wherein the number of display characters of one page is 2.5 lines.times.15.5 characters, which is 60.times.248 dots when calculated as the number of dots corresponding to a standard character. Similarly, formats 1-3 and the free format are defined as shown in FIG. 32.
A structure of a program data header including the data of the above-described display format will be described hereinafter. FIG. 33 is a diagram showing a structure of a program data header. Referring to FIG. 33, an 8-bit information separation code is stored in data block DB (n). Data header parameter of 8 bits is stored in data block DB (n+1). These are data header identifiers.
A program number of 8 bits is stored in data block DB (n+2). Information of 2 bits related to content update and the total number of pages in 6 bits are stored in data block DB (n+3). A presentation function of 8 bits is stored in data block DB (n+4). Information type of 4 bits and display format of 4 bits is stored in data block DB (n+5). Each of these data is a data header data.
The program data header is formed as described above. Data of the display format of FIG. 32 is stored in the lower 4 bits of data block DB (n+5). Therefore, the display format of each program is defined by the contents of the program information transmitted from a broadcasting source.
As described above, the display format is defined according to the program data header of each program. In a conventional FM multiplex broadcasting receiver, display was carried out exactly according to the display format specified by the broadcasting station on the basis of a predefined display format. Furthermore, the character size (display frame) of the display characters is limited to one of a range of specified sizes (number of horizontal dots: fixed to 16 dots; number of vertical dots: 18-24 dots in the Japanese language, for example). In other words, one type of character size was employed according to the application and grade of the FM multiplex broadcasting receiver.
As described above, the amount of information that can be displayed on one screen differs according to the display format in FM multiplex broadcasting. An FM multiplex broadcasting receiver corresponding to the format having the greatest display capacity of one screen of FM multiplex broadcasting becomes the most convenient apparatus for the user since the greatest amount of the information can be displayed. With an FM multiplex broadcasting receiver for format 1, information of one page of formats 0 and 1 can be displayed in one screen. In the case of an FM multiplex broadcasting receiver for format 0, information of one page of a program of format 0 can be displayed on one screen, but one page of information of format 1 cannot be displayed at the same time on that one screen. Therefore, display was effected by dividing the screen into a plurality of subscreens by operation of scrolling or the like.
In an FM multiplex broadcasting receiver corresponding to a display format of the greatest display capacity of one screen, a display unit and a memory of great capacity are required, resulting in a very expensive apparatus. Commercially, the factor of cost is given priority over the above-described operability in current FM multiplex broadcasting receivers. Therefore, FM multiplex broadcasting receivers for format 0 that can be manufactured at low cost are the main stream in the market. Since the amount of information that can be displayed in one screen is small under format 0 (display of 2.5 lines and 15.5 characters), the content of each program is sub-divided into a plurality of pages. The user selects the sub-divided pages individually for display on the display screen. There was a problem that the operation thereof is tedious.
The display format of FM multiplex broadcasting has the display region on the display screen defined physically, i.e. the header display region and the main passage display region. Here, information displayed in the header display region is, for example, the name of the broadcasting station, the broadcasting frequency, the page number, and the program name corresponding to the display in the main passage, which are information supplementary to the main passage (the program contents selected by the user to be displayed). For example, in an FM multiplex broadcasting receiver corresponding to format 0, the header display region occupied 20% of the entire display region.
FIG. 34 shows a display region of format 0. Referring to FIG. 34, the upper portion of the display region includes a header display region of 0.5 lines in width, and a main passage display region of 2 lines in width thereunder. Information of the header is always displayed in the header display region even when that information is not required. Furthermore, since one of the defined sizes (16.times.18.about.24 dots: the horizontal 16 dots is fixed in the Japanese language, for example) is employed, the dimension of the display character is fixed to that of the FM multiplex broadcasting receiver. Thus, the user cannot change the display character dimension arbitrarily (magnify/reduce the text), and operation for omitting the header cannot be specified. There was a problem that the level of visual confirmation of the information displayed on the display screen, and operability of the apparatus is not acceptable.
The program includes a sequential complementary type attribute and storage information type attribute. A sequential complementary program has information displayed only at the time of reception. The received information does not have to be stored at the receiver side. For example, the name of the tune or the singer displayed in association with the broadcasting music corresponds to this type. In contrast, a storage information type program stores the received information at the receiver side and displays the stored information. By receiving and storing a plurality of pages of information such as news, the user can view the news while scrolling through the pages. The program received in format 0 includes some sequential complementary programs and a plurality of storage information programs.
At the FM multiplex broadcasting receiver side, a menu screen of program information transmitted from the broadcasting station side appears to display a selected program. In a display device that can display a plurality of pages on one screen, a plurality of pages are displayed with and without the header.
In such a display device in which a plurality of pages can be displayed, a header of the same contents will be repeatedly displayed to result in loss of the display region when the display includes the header. In the case of a display output without the header, there was a problem that the contents of the program of respective pages cannot be identified. Furthermore, the latest page cannot be identified when scrolling back to a page associated with a sequential complementary program. Furthermore, it was not possible to view the contents of another storage information program during the waiting period for reception of the updated page of the sequential complementary program.

Receiver for adaptively displaying a plurality of data pages


A method for aligning print media on a feedpath includes the steps of: aligning a sheet of print media using a deskew mechanism; measuring the skew of the sheet after it has been aligned; and comparing the measured skew with a specified skew, and if the measured value is greater than the specified value, reversing the sheet through the deskew mechanism followed by repeating the aligning, measuring and comparing steps. An apparatus for implementing alignment of print media on a feedpath comprises a deskew mechanism and sensors positioned downstream on the feedpath from the deskew mechanism to provide data sufficient to calculate the skew of the sheet.

In many print media handling applications, it is desirable to minimize skew, where "skew" is defined as the misalignment of print media as a leading edge approaches or reaches a position in which print media orientation affects operations. For applications in which the print media is a sheet of paper or a transparency, the skew will often vary from sheet to sheet. sheet-wise booklet making is one example of an application in which minimizing skew is an important consideration. U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,225 to Allen et al., which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describes what is referred to as a sheet-wise method of booklet making, since the finishing operations are performed on a sheet-by-sheet basis. The finishing operations include aligning, trimming, scoring, folding, and stacking and stapling, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Each sheet is trimmed to a length that is determined by its sequence in the booklet and by the thickness of the sheets that form the booklet. A sheet that is folded to provide the outer pages of a booklet may not be trimmed at all, while the sheet that is folded to provide the center pages of the booklet will be trimmed by the greatest amount. Because sheets are individually trimmed prior to final assembly, random misalignment of sheets would result in a ragged, unfinished appearance to the booklet. The random skew that is considered to be allowable will vary with the expectations of the manufacturer, but is often a maximum total skew that is in the range of one sheet thickness (e.g., ˜100 microns) to two sheet thicknesses (e.g., ˜200 microns). For comparison, the typical acceptable skew for a printer is +/−1500 microns.
The skew of print media can be reduced by using buckle deskew methods or methods utilizing differentially driven nips. Some deskew mechanisms utilize multiple print media sensors in implementing print media deskew.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,075 to Benedict et al. teaches a method for correcting the skew of print media on a feedpath utilizing one or more pairs of differentially driven nips. The operating speeds of the individual nips are determined from data provided by print media sensors positioned along the edge of the feedpath. These sensors include point sensors and CCD arrays. The differentially driven nips re-orient the print media as it is fed along the feedpath.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,794,176 to Milillo also teaches a method for deskewing print media on a feedpath utilizing a pair of differentially driven nips. The operating speeds of the individual nips are determined from data provided by two print media sensors positioned immediately downstream on the feedpath from the nips and on an axis which is perpendicular to the feed direction of the feedpath. These sensors are positioned to detect the leading edge of the print media, with the time delay between detections of the edge by the two sensors being used to generate control signals for motors driving the individual nips.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,159 to Williams et al teaches a method for correcting the skew of print media on a feedpath which utilizes data from print media leading edge sensors positioned along the center of the feedpath and print media edge sensors positioned along the edge of the feedpath. This data is used to determine the operating speed of a pair of differentially driven nips which re-orient the print media as it is fed along the feedpath.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,466,079 to Quintana teaches a buckle deskew method which utilizes an optical interrupt sensor for print media leading edge detection. Print media is delivered from feed rollers and is passed through deskew rollers until the leading edge is detected. The print media is then reversed out of the deskew rollers, while being held by the feed rollers, until the leading edge is free to align in the nip of the deskew rollers. The alignment is assisted by a buckle which forms in the print media. Finally, the deskewed print media is again fed through the deskew rollers and along the feedpath. The sensor is mounted so that it can be shuttled across the feedpath to also detect a side edge of the print media. Detection of the leading and side edges allows the orientation of the print media to be determined.
Japanese Patent Abstract No. 57175643 teaches a buckle deskew method in which a buckle is formed in print media as it is fed into stalled deskew rollers, thus aligning the leading edge of the print media square to the nip of the deskew rollers. The deskew rollers are then activated, feeding the now deskewed print media along a feedpath.
These methods and apparatus are used in printing and copying applications in which the acceptable skew is much greater than for sheet-wise booklet making. What is needed is a deskew method and apparatus, that is suitable for use in applications in which precise alignment is a significant concern, such as sheet-wise booklet making. Furthermore, a deskew method and apparatus is needed which can be used with desktop printing and booklet making systems in which cost is a significant concern.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method, apparatus and storage medium for determining a navigation reference point, a navigation method, apparatus and storage medium. The method includes: determining a navigation route according to origin position information and destination position information sent by a navigation terminal (S110); determining a search area corresponding to the origin position information according to the origin position information (S120); acquiring, in the search area, a target building as a reference point indicating a forward direction for a user of the navigation terminal after navigation starts, according to a defined building selecting rule (S130); and pushing the navigation route and the target building to the navigation terminal (S140). According to the technical solution, the existing route navigation techniques is optimized, thereby satisfying growing navigation demands of people for facilitation and individuation.

As GPS (Global Positioning System) becomes more popular, more and more consumers instantly acquire route plan information through smart terminals while driving or walking. The basic flow of the existing route navigation is as follows: a user opens a client navigation software installed on the smart terminal, inputs an origin position and a destination position, and sends the positions to a corresponding navigation server. The navigation server generates a navigation route according to origin and destination position information and returned it back to the client software, and the client software directs the driving or walking of the user according to the navigation route.
In a driving navigation scenario, especially in walking navigation and cycling navigation scenarios, when starting the navigation, the user often faces many direction choices, forward, backward, left and right. In a use scenario during the beginning of the navigation, existing navigation products merely indicates to the user with "start navigation" instead of a clear guidance for a direction. As a result, users having a poor sense of direction cannot immediately select a correct direction, and they move onto a correct guided route only after many tries.

Method, apparatus and storage medium for determining navigation reference point, navigation method, apparatus and storage medium

BAIDU ONLINE NETWORK TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A method for inspecting assembly of components in a structure includes acquiring a visual representation of at least a portion of the structure, and saving an electronic file of the visual representation on a computer readable medium. A three-dimensional design of the structure, which contains information on a proper position of the components within the structure, is accessed. The visual representation is compared with the three-dimensional design using a computer, and a feedback indicating a result of the comparison is generated.

When building aircraft structures by assembling and fastening components together according to a blueprint, plan or design, it is desirable to produce a structure that is as true as possible to the design. Such assembly accuracy can improve the fit and function of the structure. Component assembly accuracy, while desirable in most applications, is necessary for proper operation of structures operating under demanding conditions. For example, a large structure such as a commercial airliner may include millions of components and fasteners, each of which should be assembled in accordance with a specific design for the aircraft to perform as intended.
Relative to the described aircraft structure assembly processes, it is important not only to ensure that all components are assembled into the aircraft structure, but also that each assembled component is in the correct position. Depending on the type of component in the aircraft, minor deviations in component position may have a significant effect in the operation of the aircraft, or may alternatively have effects that are not immediately apparent but that are nevertheless important for the efficient operation of the aircraft.
Various inspection methods for assembly completeness and correctness of aircraft structures have successfully been used in the past. One example of a known inspection method can be found in US 2012/0303336 A1, which describes an arrangement for verifying a real model by using a virtual model. Another example can be found in US 2003/0227470 A1, which describes an augmented reality system in which the registration accuracy between a virtual environment and the real environment is measured. These and other similar systems rely heavily on manual operations in which an operator is tasked with spotting and recording issues uncovered by visual inspection. However, given the customary drawbacks of manual or visual inspection, especially in assemblies involving millions of components, the current methods of inspection cannot reliably provide infallible results. Moreover, because of the size and complexity of the assemblies and the number of components, highly complex checking is required, which is a time consuming, labor-intensive and expensive operation.


A semiconductor package includes a multilayer package substrate with a top layer including top filled vias through a top dielectric layer and top metal layer providing a top surface for leads and traces connected to the leads, and a bottom layer including bottom filled vias including contact pads through a bottom dielectric and metal layer. The top filled vias are for connecting the bottom and top metal layer. The bottom metal filled vias are for connecting the bottom metal layer to the contact pads. An integrated circuit (IC) die has nodes in its circuitry connected to the bond pads. The IC die is flipchip mounted onto the leads. A passive device(s) is surface mounted by an electrically conductive material on the top metal layer electrically connected between at least one adjacent pair of the leads. A mold compound is for encapsulating at least the IC die and passive device.

In a flipchip on leadframe package arrangement, an integrated circuit (IC) die having solder bumps on its bond pads, or solder on pillars that are on the bond pads, is flipped onto leads (or pins) of a leadframe. Flipchip assembly technology is widely utilized in semiconductor packaging due to its short interconnect paths compared to wire bonds between the IC die and the leadframe or other substrate, which eliminates the space needed for wire bonding, and thus reduces the overall size of the package. In addition, the elimination of wire bonds reduces undesired parasitic inductance, thereby making the flipchip package configuration attractive for high-frequency applications.
Some packaged devices, such as power devices, for example, power converters, also need discrete devices, generally being capacitors placed between certain of the packaged device's leads. Conventionally these discrete devices, such as capacitors, are surface mounted on the printed circuit board (PCB) in positions to be located between the desired leads, such as being between the VIN and GND leads of a Quad flat no lead (QFN) HOTROD power package from Texas Instruments Inc. The HOTROD power package is a thermally enhanced plastic power package that uses a copper leadframe technology without any bond wires implemented by flipchip attaching a power IC die having solder bumps on pillars that are on its bond pads directly onto leads of the leadframe. This arrangement improves the electrical and thermal performance over traditional wirebonded leaded packages, and also improves the efficiency of the power device by eliminating conventional wirebond connection between the IC die and the leads of the leadframe which minimizes package parasitics.

Package substrate having integrated passive device(s) between leads


An atomic layer deposition apparatus for forming a thin film on a substrate, including a first container that defines a first inner space, a second container provided inside the first container to define a second inner space, the second container being canister-shaped and including a first opening at one end thereof, a source gas that forms the thin film on the substrate flowing to the second inner space through the first opening, and a pressing member including a gas supply port for supplying the source gas to the second inner space through the first opening, the pressing member being configured to press the second container in a longitudinal direction of the second container so that the second inner space be separated from the first inner space.

In an ALD method that is of one of thin-film forming techniques, two kinds of gases composed mostly of elements constituting a film to be formed are alternately supplied onto a deposition target substrate, and a thin film is repeatedly formed plural times in units of atomic layers on the substrate, thereby forming the film having a desired thickness. For example, a source gas containing Si and an oxidation gas containing O are used when a SiO2 film is formed on the substrate. A nitridation gas is used instead of the oxidation gas when a nitride film is formed on the substrate.
So-called growth self-stopping action (self-limiting function) is utilized in the ALD method. That is, only a source gas component for one or several layers is adsorbed to a substrate surface while the source gas is supplied, but the excess source gas does not contribute to the growth.
When compared with a general CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) method, advantageously the ALD method has both high step coverage and film-thickness controllability. Therefore, the ALD method is expected to be practically applied to the formation of a capacitor for a memory element or an insulating film called "high-k gate." Additionally, the insulating film can be formed at a temperature of 300° C. to 400° C. in the ALD method. Then the ALD method is also expected to be applied to the formation of a gate insulating film for a thin-film transistor in a display device such as a liquid crystal display in which a glass substrate is used.
For example, in a deposition apparatus described in Patent Document 1, the source gas reacts in a reaction chamber of one reaction container to form the thin film on the substrate, and a volume of the reaction chamber of the reaction container is variable. A heater, on which the substrate is placed, moves up vertically to abut on a stopper, thereby reducing the volume of the reaction chamber.


A crate-tray, for transporting and displaying goods that cannot be easily stacked. The crate-tray comprising a tray-deck having edges along the perimeter of the tray-deck; a plurality of tray-walls formed along the tray-deck edges; and a plurality of tabs with a corresponding plurality of hinges, the tabs incised on the tray-deck and positioned with the corresponding hinges generally along the edges of the tray-deck, the tabs capable of opening from the deck to an extended position.

The present invention relates to shipping containers and more specifically to stackable containers for shipping and displaying goods that cannot be easily stacked.
Since the 1980""s, the members-only warehouse club industry has become popular with the buying public. These members-only warehouse clubs maintain low prices on their products sold in their club stores by discarding many of the frills and luxuries associated with traditional retail stores. In place of using the store front to display the products while much of the stock remains in a rear warehouse area, club stores often display their goods as delivered from the suppliers on shipping pallets. This method cuts costs associated with the traditional method of having store employees unpack the goods from the pallets and display them for the purchasers. The savings associated with goods on pallets may influence club stores to prefer dealing with suppliers who will ship their goods on such pallets.
Unfortunately, not all goods can be easily stacked and shipped on pallets. For example, nursery plants cannot readily be stacked upon each other during shipping. In the past, nurseries have had to xe2x80x9cfloor loadxe2x80x9d the plants. Floor loading consisted of manually loading each potted plant into a truck or trailer. After a first layer of plants were loaded, subsequent layers would be loaded by carefully moving aside the stems and leaves of the plants from the lower layer and placing potted plants strategically on top. Of course, this floor loading was time consuming and often caused damage to the plants.
A second method improved upon the floor loading method. In this method, metal shelves were installed in the shipping trailer. Plants were then loaded onto the various shelves. This decreased the amount of damage to the plants, but was still time consuming. In addition, the shelving units were heavy and expensive. The weight of the shelves increased shipping costs and the shelves would need to be returned to the nursery supplier at the supplier""s expense.
A third way to ship plants was described in the pending application titled xe2x80x9cSTACKABLE TRANSPORT CRATExe2x80x9d, Ser. No. 09/382,220, filed Aug. 24, 1999. In that application, a crate system of cardboard or similar material is described consisting of a bottom cap, crate walls, and a top cap. The bottom and top caps are xe2x80x98lidsxe2x80x99 with the same shapexe2x80x94a deck surrounded by front and side walls. To function as the bottom cap, the lid is turned so that the walls extend upward from the deck. To function as the top cap, the lid is turned the opposite way, so that the walls extend downward from the deck. In this way, the two caps and the crate walls can be used to form a single crate. Once the crate is constructed, it can be filled with goods that cannot be easily stacked, such as potted plants, gift baskets, lamps, buckets of cut flowers, or gifts such as stuffed animals holding small balloons or flags, among other things. For goods that require ventilation, such as plants, the crate is equipped with a series of vents. The crate walls can be configured so that they do not extend fully around the crate""s perimeter. This allows light and additional ventilation to reach the goods.
To transport crates after the crates have been filled with the plants or other goods, a set of crates can be stacked upon each other on shipping pallets. For example, a pallet could be loaded with two stacked crates. Then a second pallet could be placed on top of the crates followed by two more crates. To stabilize the crates during transport, strapping would be applied around the stack.
As with many inventions, the cardboard crates described in the above-referenced patent application, are not without their limitations. First, when a second crate is stacked upon a first crate, the second crate has a tendency to slide around. Sliding of the stacked crates may cause problems during transport.
Second, although cardboard offers significant weight savings to the prior metal shelving approach, the amount of cardboard used in the stackable crates described in the patent application can be decreased. One will noticed that all interior crates that are stacked have a bottom tray positioned next to another crate""s top lid. It would be an improvement to replace the dual bottom/lid approach with a single divider which acts as both a lid to a lower crate and as a bottom to an upper crate.
A third limitation to the previously described crates is due not to the shipping of the goods, but rather to the use of the crates after arrival at the shipment destination. As mentioned above, club stores often display their goods as delivered from the suppliers on shipping pallets. Although club stores do not expend as many resources for displays as do retail stores, it is beneficial to present the goods in as pleasing manner as possible. Being able to better display goods shipped in crates would be an improvement.
This invention can be regarded as crate-tray element for a transport crate, the transport crate used for transporting and displaying goods that cannot be easily stacked. The crate-tray includes a tray-deck; tray-walls formed along the tray-deck""s perimeter; and a series of tabs. The tabs can be incised on the tray-deck and positioned with their corresponding hinges generally along the tray-deck""s edges. Such jointed-tabs are capable of opening from the deck to an extended position. The tabs can also be configured so that they are part of the folds that are used to construct the tray-deck from a single piece of cardboard or similar material. These wall-tabs do not have hinges.
The crate-trays have three primary uses. First, they can be used in forming a series of stacked crates. A crate bottom forms the foundation of a stack of crates. Crate walls are added on top of the crate bottom. Then a crate-tray of the present invention acts as the crate""s lid as well as the bottom for the next crate. Another set of crate walls are added on top of the crate-tray to form the second crate. The crate-tray""s tabs (either of the jointed-tab variety or the wall-tab variety) assist in buttressing the crate walls. Once the desired number of crates are achieved, a crate lid is added to close the topmost crate of the stack.
A second use of the tray-crate is to replace the crate bottom and crate lid previously described. In such a situation, a crate-tray forms the foundation of the crate stack. Crate walls and crate-trays are alternately placed to form a series of crates. A final crate-tray is used as a lid to close the topmost crate of the stack.
The third use of the tray-crate occurs after the stacked crates are at their destination. The tray-crate at the top of the stack, which is acting as a lid, can be inverted and secured to form a display shelf. Some of the goods within the crates can be removed and placed on this display shelf.