Methods for of providing computer systems bundled with access to restricted-access databases. In one embodiment, a method includes providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier that allows access to a restricted-access database via a computer communication network; and providing the computer system to a user. The user is not required to pay use fees, or seek out a suitable information supplier, thereby improving user satisfaction and productivity. In an alternate embodiment, a method includes providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database. In another embodiment, a method includes generating the restricted-access database. Alternately, the generating of the restricted-access database may include storing educational information on a storage device, or transmitting an approximately real-time audio-visual signal. In another embodiment, a method includes updating the restricted-access database. In yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving an access identifier signal via the communication network, and comparing the access identifier signal with the authorized access identifier. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a selection signal from the user indicative of a desired information, and transmitting the desired information to the user. In a further embodiment, a method includes obtaining access rights to a restricted-access database from an educational information supplier; and providing a computer system with an access identifier that allows a user to access the restricted-access database via a communication network.

The present invention relates to methods of providing computer systems having bundled access to restricted-access databases.
Generally speaking, people who are properly trained are more satisfied and more productive in their work. People from all fieldsxe2x80x94science, business, engineering, education, social services, etc.xe2x80x94seek training to enhance their existing skills, or to develop new skills. In every field of industry, workforce training is usually a high priority.
Computer users typically have a wide variety of computer savvy. Many have technical backgrounds and are familiar with the basics of computer hardware and software. Some are experts who are intimately familiar with one or more aspects of the computing sciences. Ever-increasing numbers of computer users, however, have little or no experience with, or understanding of, the computer systems they use. At every level of experience, people who use computer systems often desire training on how to better use their computer systems and related computer products.
Traditionally, training occurs within the confines of a classroom in an educational or industrial institution, such as a university lecture hall or a company training facility. In such xe2x80x9cbrick and mortarxe2x80x9d facilities, students gather at desks to be taught by an instructor. Due to limited availability of instructors, and limited classroom space, this method of training is conducted on a rigidly maintained schedule, and class sizes are restricted to a limited number of students. Typically, students (or their employers) are charged fees in accordance with the amount of training provided.
Efforts have been made to accommodate the growing numbers of people who desire training. For example, class sizes have been expanded by offering televised instruction wherein an instructor""s lecture is broadcast for limited periods at scheduled times over a limited broadcast area. Alternately, lectures are recorded on audio-visual media and are stored at a facility, such as a public or private library, for access by students during scheduled operating hours. The audio-visual media may also be sold, allowing the consumer to access a limited amount of educational information at any time.
More recently, with the increasing availability and popularity of a global computer communication network (commonly referred to as the xe2x80x9cInternetxe2x80x9d or the xe2x80x9cWorld Wide Webxe2x80x9d), other methods of training, particularly computer science training, have evolved. For example, a number of suppliers of computer products have developed webpages that provide unrestricted-access to information directed to informing consumers about each supplier""s particular computer-related products. Product-specific webpages include those provided by Micron Technology, Inc. indexed at www.micron.com, or by Microsoft Corporation indexed at www.microsoft.com, or by Intel Corporation at www.intel.com, or by Compaq Computer Corporation at www.compaq.com/smb/.
Another prior art method of providing computer science educational information via the global computer communication network is depicted in FIG. 1. In this embodiment, a method 10 includes a consumer 11 paying computer system purchase or rental fees 12 to a computer system supplier 14 which, in return, provides a computer system 16, 20 to the consumer 11. The consumer 11 then pays a use fee 22 to an educational information supplier 24 to access a restricted-access database of educational information 18. The amount of use fee paid by the consumer is typically proportional to either the amount of educational information accessed, or the period of time the database is accessed, by the consumer. In exchange for the use fee, the educational information supplier 24 provides a password (and access software if necessary) 26 to the consumer 11. The consumer 11 transmits the password and accesses the restricted-access educational information database using the computer system 20 via the global computer communication network (ie. xe2x80x9conlinexe2x80x9d access).
Typically, the educational information supplier 24 stores educational information 28 in the database 18 for access by authorized consumers at a later time. Alternately, the educational information supplier 24 may provide the educational information 26 in a xe2x80x9creal-timexe2x80x9d fashion, such as by approximately instantaneous audio-visual transmissions similar to a television broadcast. Such real-time transmissions may be routed through the educational information database 18, and may be interactive between the consumer 10 and an instructor. The educational information supplier 24 also provides authorized password information 30 to the educational information database 18 to permit or deny access to the database appropriately.
Using the computer system 20, the consumer 11 transmits their authorized password 32 over a communication link (e.g. the global computer communication network) to gain online access to the restricted-access educational information database 18. The consumer 11 then chooses which educational information they wish to receive, and transmits selection information 34 to the restricted-access educational information database 18. The database then transmits the selected educational information 36 to the consumer""s computer system 20. The foregoing method 10 (or variations thereof) is used, for example, by educational information supplier Ziff-Davis, Inc. as described in part at www.ziffdavis.com/education_index.htm.
The prior art methods have several disadvantages. For example, in addition to the purchase fees paid by the consumer for the computing system 20, the consumer must also pay the use fee for access to the restricted-access educational information database 18, leading to consumer dissatisfaction. Typically, the pay structure of the prior art training methods requires that the user/trainee pay fees in direct proportion to the amount of training received, which deters may users from pursuing training despite its availability.
Although a limited amount of information is available on an non-fee basis via the webpages of computer product suppliers, the content of these sources is characteristically oriented toward marketing, advertising, and basic trouble-shooting of the supplier""s computer products. These sources generally do not provide comprehensive educational information, nor do they provide interactive xe2x80x9creal-timexe2x80x9d training presently available on a restricted-access, pay-per-view basis. The adage xe2x80x9cyou get what you pay forxe2x80x9d strongly applies to the prior art methods.
Furthermore, existing methods necessitate that, after purchasing a computer system, the consumer who desires on-line training must seek out an educational information provider. Because consumers are typically uninformed of the quality and availability of educational information suppliers, consumer frustration and dissatisfaction is increased. Also, the educational information provided by the educational information supplier may not be compatible with the user""s computer system, resulting in additional loss of productivity, expense, and frustration for the user.
The present invention is directed toward methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to restricted-access databases. In one embodiment, a method in accordance with the invention includes providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier that allows access to a restricted-access educational information database via a computer communication network; and providing the computer system to a user. The user is not required to pay use fees, or seek out a suitable educational information supplier. In this way, the user is immediately and conveniently included into a community of students and instructors in an online university environment, enhancing the user""s knowledge, productivity, and satisfaction.
In an alternate embodiment, a method includes providing an access software program for accessing the restricted-access database via the communication network. The access software program resides on the user""s computer system and communicates with a database software program that resides on the restricted-access database.
In another embodiment, a method includes generating the restricted-access database. Alternately, the generating of the restricted-access database may include storing educational information on a storage device, or transmitting an approximately real-time audio-visual signal. In another embodiment, a method includes updating the restricted-access database.
In yet another embodiment, a method includes receiving an access identifier signal via the communication network, and comparing the access identifier signal with the authorized access identifier. These xe2x80x9caccess controlxe2x80x9d steps may be performed by the restricted-access database, or independently therefrom. In another embodiment, a method includes receiving a selection signal from the user indicative of a desired information, and transmitting the desired information to the user. Similarly, these xe2x80x9cinformation managementxe2x80x9d steps may be performed by the restricted-access database, or independently therefrom.
In still another embodiment, a method includes providing a computer system with an authorized access identifier; providing rights to access a restricted-access database of information accessible via a communication network using the authorized access identifier; receiving an identifier input signal via the communication network; comparing the identifier input signal with the authorized access identifier; allowing access to the restricted-access database when the identifier input signal matches the authorized access identifier; receiving a selection signal indicating a desired data; and transmitting the desired data via the communication network.
In a further embodiment, a method includes obtaining access rights to a restricted-access educational information database from an educational information supplier; and providing a computer system with an access identifier that allows a user to access the restricted-access educational information database via a communication network. In another embodiment, a method includes informing the educational information supplier of the authorized access identifier. In yet another embodiment, a method includes providing a consideration to the educational information supplier for the access rights.

Methods of providing computer systems with bundled access to restricted-access databases


A bidirectional converter/interface for connecting several two-way broadb RF cables to a single pair of optical fibers is provided. In the reception mode, a broadband RF carrier of an optical conductor signal is directed to a plurality of bandpass filter/block converter combinations. These filter/converter combinations segment the broadband RF carrier into predetermined RF bands carrying the information. Each segmented band is then shifted (either up or down) to the receiving band frequency utilized by each of the RF systems. In the transmission mode, each transmitted signal from one of the RF systems is passed to a return path block converter/bandpass filter combination that shifts the entire transmitted band to a predetermined band. The predetermined bands are chosen such that each is a unique, non-overlapping band associated with a particular one of the RF systems. These unique bands are then combined into a single RF broadband signal that is converted to an optical signal and carried by a second optical conductor. The duplex operation of the RF systems is supported by the use of high split diplex filters. The diplex filters pass the forward fed receiving RF frequency and bandwidth signal to the RF systems, and pass the return fed transmitting RF frequency and bandwidth signal from the RF systems through to the return path.

Existing RF communications networks comprise large numbers of individual broadband RF systems. Typically, the RF systems share a common RF band for reception and a common RF band for transmission that is different from the receiving RF band, thereby providing for simultaneous reception and transmission. Accordingly, in forming a secure communications link between the individual RF systems, it is necessary to provide distinct transmission and reception paths. Further, it is desirable that each individual RF system be able to communicate with any other RF system in the network.
When metallic conductors are used to link a plurality of RF systems, the connecting cable must be shielded from electromagnetic and electrostatic radiation. Also, using metallic conductors results in transmitted data not being secure against unauthorized detection by common and well known means. In addition, faults in metallic transmission cable may result in arcing thus causing a fire hazard. Further, electrical isolation and impedance matching are required. Where two or more metallic cables are in proximity to each other, adjacent cables are susceptible to electromagnetic cross-talk and interference. All of these problems are avoided by optical fiber transmissions.
The use of fiber optic transmission links in all forms of communication systems is rapidly expanding because fiber optic systems have tremendous advantages over metallic conductor links. Besides being smaller and lighter than metallic conductor systems, fiber optic systems offer complete electrical isolation, extremely high-speed wideband capability, low signal attenuation, and complete immunity to both noise and broadband spectrum interference. The use of RF signal devices with fiber optic cable requires the conversion of the RF signal to one that can be transmitted over an optical fiber path. Since signals from multiple broadband RF systems require separate optical paths, the connecting fiber optic cable is large and bulky in a communications network supporting large numbers of individual broadband RF systems.

Radio frequency cable to optical fiber cable converter/interface

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


An apparatus manages vehicle parking services in a flexible and cost efficient manner. Service information for vehicle parking in a spatial and time varying parking area is received at a vehicle from a parking service management apparatus. A geographical position of the vehicle relative to the parking area is determined and forwarded to the parking service management apparatus. These communications can trigger issuance of a vehicle parking ticket at the parking service management apparatus based on the geographical position of the vehicle.

Data communication in mobile communication networks is dominated by use of a request response communication mechanism that is triggered by a mobile terminal or by P2P communication using Short Message Service SMS or Multimedia Messaging Service MMS. Recently enriched request response communication is used which relies on Location Based Service LBS technologies or broadcast technologies.
Location Based Service LBS technologies enable content delivery based on the location or geographical position of a user. The location information of the user may be provided by a network operator through use of a Mobile Positioning System MPS or through use of Global Positioning System GPS based mechanisms. The Mobile Positioning System MPS is based on cell ID information or timing advances/triangulation algorithms that provide an accuracy of several hundred meters depending on a diameter of a cell. Global Positioning System GPS based localization mechanisms are more precise but necessitate an additional GPS receiver and thus additional hardware at the mobile terminal using Location Based Service LBS technologies.
Further, location based systems are used for an indication of a geographical position of a mobile terminal being located in a spatial area. A cellular communication system can be used to send geographical positions to a backend where specific location based services are coordinated. E.g., the user of a location based service may be the driver of a car who uses a geographic position to receive a parking ticket valid for his current location and for a validity period.
However, existing solutions location based delivery of parking tickets impose an inconvenience for service users and come with a high price tag for deployment and maintenance. Also, existing solutions lack flexibility in time and location based pricing.
Further, nowadays individual parking meters are rarely found as they require high investments and lead to high maintenance costs. They do not allow for cashless payment and potentially disputes about defective parking meters may occur.
Further, centralized parking meters serve a larger area but require additional signing with directions to the drivers such that the users find the correct parking meter. These parking meters are complex, require high investments and costly maintenance, and do not support cashless payment. Users have to leave their car to go to the parking meters, have to insert coins, and have to bring the purchased parking ticket back to the car for display. Also users have to pay in advance for parking services either paying for a period being longer than needed to have to take the risk to park longer than an allowable parking duration and receive a fine.
Further with gate-based parking users draw a ticket when they arrive at a gate and pay the fee at a centralized parking meter before they leave. When they pay their ticket it is cleared for exit within a certain grace period. When users lose a ticket they might have to pay the fee for a full day. Finally, gate-based parking usually requires at least one person.
Still further, while existing SMS parking solutions are more convenient than those discussed above the user still has to look at a sign with a certain area code which is displayed and shown at a parking place. Then, he has to send the certain area code on the sign together with a license plate number as an SMS message to a specific mobile number which might lead to disputes in case of mistyped information.


An electronic album display system for displaying a plurality of images included in an electronic album having an image storing unit for classifying each of the plurality of images into a plurality of groups and storing each image, an image selecting unit for selecting an image to be displayed, an image display unit for displaying the image selected, an operation unit for receiving a display operation for said image display unit controlled by a viewer when one image is being displayed, an interest detecting unit for detecting an interest of the viewer in the one image on the basis of the display operation received by the operation unit, and an interest storing unit for storing the interest for each of the plurality of images, wherein the image selecting unit selects an image classified in a group including an image in which the viewer has an interest based on the interest stored in said interest storing unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic album display system, an electronic album display method, and a machine readable medium storing thereon a computer program for displaying an electronic album. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic album display system, an electronic album display method, and a machine readable medium storing thereon a computer program for displaying a plurality of images included in an electronic album.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, a display method for classifying a plurality of images into a plurality of groups, displaying a sample image of each group, and displaying a sample image of a subgroup of a group to which a sample image selected by a user belongs and an image with a feature similar with that of the selected sample image is known as a method for displaying a plurality of images as disclosed, or example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1998-16202.
However, the display method disclosed in the above patent document requires a viewer to select a sample image similar with an image which he/she wants to appreciate out of sample images which he/she has taken a look at. Thus, as the number of groups into which the images are classified increases, working of the viewer understanding a subject matter of each of the sample images and selecting an image increases. Thus, there is a problem that a heavy burden is imposed on the viewer and it is difficult for the viewer to select an image which he/she wants to appreciate correctly.

Electronic album display system, an electronic album display method, and a machine readable medium storing thereon a computer program for displaying an electronic album


A reduced form factor component support is provided for motor control centers and similar packaged electrical systems. The reduced form factor component support may be used with smaller components, such as small motor starters, motor drives, and so forth. Electrical connections with standard bus bars in the enclosure are made through special connectors mounted on subplates in the rear of the enclosure, or by an invertible stab housing that can allow the reduced form factor component support to share conventional slots in a bus cover, thereby providing access to the supply power in the enclosure.

The present invention relates generally to the field of packaged electrical systems. More particularly, the invention relates to an arrangement for a motor control center (MCC) providing a reduced height form factor component support and a mechanism for interconnecting the component support with line and load conductors in an enclosure.
A range of applications exist for packaged electrical and electronic components, particularly power electronic components such as those used to power loads in industrial applications. In one type of packaged system, typically referred to as an MCC, various switch gear, control devices, protective circuit devices, programmable logic controllers, motor drives, and so forth are housed in a large enclosure that may be subdivided into compartments. The enclosure is supplied with power by power buses that extend generally in a plane toward the rear of the enclosure. The individual compartments typically house associated circuitry that may be withdrawn from the enclosure for servicing and replacement. Compartmentalizing such systems greatly enhances the ability to service the system components, and also serves to isolate the system components from one another. Thus, where access or service is required for components within one compartment of the enclosure, that compartment alone may be opened and the component support withdrawn for the necessary service.
Typical MCCs include access to power bus structures at certain locations in the rear section of the enclosure. For example, there may be multiple locations in the rear of the enclosure where component supports (sometimes referred to as "buckets") may be slid into place and plugged into the power buses. Conventional enclosures, for example, may include a dozen rows of slots through which stab contacts extend when the component supports are placed in the enclosure. However, because access to the power buses is limited, only component supports at locations corresponding to the slot locatinos are provided, with no access to the power buses at intermediate locations. Consequently, all component supports must be configured to interface with the power buses at one or the other of the access points provided by the slots.
While much of the switchgear, protective circuitry, and power control devices used in MCCs may be large and require ample space for housing them, a number of components have been substantially reduced in size in recent years. For example, certain motor starters and motor controllers are now packaged in relatively small units, substantially smaller than the volume provided by a standard compartment in an MCC enclosure. However, due to the relative universality of the enclosure designs, enclosures have not been developed that can accommodate smaller form factor compartments. In particular, even smaller components must, at present, be provided in compartments that could accommodate much larger components, resulting in a reduction in the space efficiency and power density of the overall system.
It would be advantageous, therefore, to provide an improved technique for housing electrical components in MCCs and similar systems. There is a particular need for a reduced form factor component support and compartment in such systems, as well as mechanisms for interfacing such components with existing slotted bus bar access panels.

Multiple height, high density horizontal low voltage motor control center


An improved, dual diode convergence module which focuses the light energy of at least two separate diode chip laser wavelengths of into a single beam and, thus, which derives the benefit of both wavelengths.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to optically controlled integrated circuit lasers. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved, dual diode convergence module which focuses the light energy of at least two separate diode chip laser wavelengths of into a single beam and thus derive the benefits of both wavelengths.
2. Description of the Related Art including Information Disclosed under 37 C.F.R. 1.97 and 1.98
A search of the prior art located the following United States patents which are believed to be representative of the present state of the prior art: U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,791 B1, issued Dec. 4, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,120 B1, issued Oct. 1, 2002; U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,998 B1, issued Apr. 10, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 7,118,563, issued Oct. 10, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 5,616,141, issued Apr. 1, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 5,607,420, issued Mar. 4, 1997; U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,096, issued Jan. 11, 2000; U.S. Pat. No. 5,464,436, issued Nov. 7, 1995; U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,172, issued Apr. 19, 1994; U.S. Pat. No. 7,033,350 B2, issued Apr. 25, 2006; U.S. Pat. No. 6,572,637 B1, issued Jun. 3, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 6,574,401 B1, issued Jun. 3, 2003; U.S. Pat. No. 6,868,221 B1, issued Mar. 15, 2005; U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,310 B1, issued Jul. 17, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 7,267,672 B2, issued Sep. 11, 2007; U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0259053 A1, published Dec. 23, 2004; U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,977, issued Jul. 27, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,473 B2, issued Jun. 8, 2004; and International Patent Publication No. WO 01/10327 A1, published Feb. 15, 2001.


This separator for electricity storage devices comprises a porous base and a thermoplastic polymer layer that is arranged in at least a part of the outermost surface of at least one surface of the porous base, and wherein: a thermoplastic polymer contained in the thermoplastic polymer layer contains a copolymer that has, as a monomer unit, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer (P) having a polyalkylene glycol group; and the thermoplastic polymer layer contains the thermoplastic polymer in an amount of more than 3% by mass but 100% by mass or less if the thermoplastic polymer layer is taken as 100% by mass.

Electricity storage devices such as lithium-ion secondary batteries have been undergoing active development in recent years. An electricity storage device is usually designed with a microporous film (separator) between positive and negative electrodes. The separator has the function of preventing direct contact between the positive and negative electrodes, while also allowing ions to pass through the electrolytic solution that is held in the microspores.
A conventional separator must exhibit safety features including rapid termination of battery reaction upon abnormal heating (fuse characteristic), and shape maintenance even at high temperatures to prevent the danger of the positive electrode substance and negative electrode substance undergoing direct reaction (short circuit characteristic).
Patent Literature (PTL) 1 describes a technique for forming a separator comprising a porous layer that contains inorganic particles and a resin binder on a polyolefin microporous film, the purpose being to produce a battery with a high level of safety.
In addition to improved safety, a separator must exhibit high adhesion with the electrodes, from the viewpoint of obtaining uniform charge-discharge current and suppressing lithium dendrites.
Increasing the state of close bonding between the separator and the battery electrodes helps maintain a uniform charge-discharge current and makes lithium dendrites less likely to be deposited, and the charge-discharge cycle life can be lengthened as a result.
In consideration of the above, PTL 2 discloses a technique in which an aqueous dispersion of a particulate acrylic copolymer is supported on a substrate, in an attempt to impart adhesiveness to the separator. A technique has also been disclosed for supporting an acrylic binder on a polyolefin microporous film comprising a porous layer that includes inorganic particles and a resin binder, for the purpose of increasing safety.
It has also been proposed to either place an alkylene glycol-derived compound between the electrodes and the separator, or to incorporate it into the separator substrate, in order to impart various properties to the separator while ensuring electrical characteristics and safety for the lithium-ion secondary battery (PTLs 3 to 10).
Polyalkyleneglycol groups have been known in the prior art as functional groups that increase separator ion permeability, and such groups are commonly used in an organic solvent if they are to be incorporated into a copolymer for a non-aqueous electrolytic solution. Emulsion polymerization is the common method employed to obtain aqueous copolymers. Because polyalkyleneglycol groups are hydrophilic, when they are used in large amounts for emulsion polymerization they can cause problems, such as preventing formation of a particulate copolymer aqueous dispersion or interfering with removal of water in the drying step.

Separator for electricity storage devices, electrode body using same, and electricity storage device


A method and system are described that allow conversion of a three-dimensional representation of a wire harness to a two-dimensional representation. In one aspect, the three-dimensional representation of the wire harness is converted to a two-dimensional orthogonal representation with branches in the wire harness arranged perpendicularly. In another aspect, when more than four branches enter a single node in the wire harness, one or more of the branches are placed within a predetermined angle to the perpendicular lines. The orthogonal representation allows simplified detection of disconnects in the wire harness that are otherwise difficult to visualize in three dimensions.

Wire harnesses include a bundle of insulated conductors bound together, for example, by helically wound tape to produce an arrangement that is compact and easy to manage. Wire harnesses may be used in a variety of applications to electrically interconnect components of a product. For example in an automobile, a harness may allow connections to the dash board, head lights, battery, tail lights, etc.
Design of a wire harness takes place in both three-dimensions and two-dimensions. A three-dimensional (3D) mechanical computer aided design (MCAD) system is used to hold the geometry definition of the harness. However, much of the actual design, engineering, pre-production, preparation of costs, and bills of material are all completed in a separate two-dimensional (2D), electrical computer aided design (ECAD) system. Typically, the geometric harness data may be exported from the 3D system to the 2D system, which engineers use to finish the design. For example, the 2D system has a component library and tools needed to solve logical (rather than geometrical) problems.
It is desirable to obtain 2D drawings of the system, which are used for a variety of purposes including creating a layout of an assembly board used to manufacture the wire harness. For this reason, MCAD systems generally include a "mechanical flattening" program for converting the 3D geometric harness data to 2D. Such flattening programs take into account mechanical constraints, such as the flexibility of the wires and torsional constraints, in producing the 2D image. However, these mechanical flattening programs are very slow and error prone.
Another option to obtain a 2D drawing is to export the 3D data to a 2D system and perform the flattening in the 2D system. Indeed, such systems exist, but only remove the Z component of the 3D data. The result is that there are many overlapping nodes and branches that hamper the visualization of the harness in 2D. Such overlaps may be manually adjusted, but this also is a slow process and does not provide ideal results.
Thus, it is desirable to produce a flattening system that generates a clean and esthetically pleasing view of a harness in 2D.

Conversion of a three-dimensional wire harness representative to a two-dimensional orthogonal wire harness representative


The invention relates to an electronic distance measuring apparatus for surveying, e.g. for measuring the distance from the apparatus to an object. The apparatus comprises: a) an objective lens (101), defining an optical axis (OA), b) at least two sources (111, 112) of structured light for transmitting beams (λ1, λ2) of separate wavelengths towards said object, said beams on reflection from said object received by the objective lens (101), (c) at least two receivers (141, 142) arranged outside a beam path (109) as defined by the objective lens (101), and adapted to receive said received beams (λ1, λ2) of structured light. Optical means comprising at least two dichroic surfaces (121a, 122a) are each arranged at a tilt angle (α1, α2) with respect to said axis (OA), said optical axis (OA) passing through said surfaces, at least one of said dichroic surfaces arranged on a plate (121, 122), said at least two dichroic surfaces (121a, 122a) adapted to reflect at least one of said received structured light beams (λ1, λ2), respectivly, towards said receivers (141, 142).

Automatic survey instruments of the present type comprise a telescope system where received light can be divide into separate channels for range-finding, tracking and viewing or manual aiming. The transmitter beam for the range-finder and for the tracker function are preferably coaxial to the receiver optics.
The light reflected from the target object, and received at the instrument is divided, depending upon the purpose, in light components of different wavelengths such as the light for tracking, range finding and visible light for viewing. By using the tracking light and range finding light thus divided, range finding and automatic tracking may be performed.
Such instruments, using more than one channel, according to the prior art, uses different types of prisms in the receiver with or without dichroic coatings for splitting/separating the beams into the different channels.
The word dichroic in this context refers to dichroic mirrors/prisms or coatings, which exhibit selective reflection and transmission of light as a function of wave-length regardless of its plane of vibration. A dichroic mirror thus selectively reflects light according to its wave-length and transmits light having other wavelengths. The use of prisms, i.e. cubic prisms primarily requires long building lengths, problems in providing needed filters within the prisms and inherently high costs, in that the costs for producing the prisms are high.
Belonging to the related art are e.g. EP-1 081 459 and EP-0 987 517. In these discussions of problems related to the use of prisms can be found. In EP-0 987 517 e.g. the arrangement includes several prisms in which two beams having different wavelengths are separated using two dichroic prisms. In EP-1 081 459 prisms are disclosed, but also one dichroic plate is used for separating beams with different wavelengths; however, that plate is arranged perpendicular to the optical axis of the instrument, thus reflecting the light in the coaxial direction, while allowing other wavelengths to pass through the plate.
The use of prisms, however, introduces certain problems. Drawbacks are the fact the glass extends the optical path so the building length increases, the size of the prisms become large and the prisms are heavy. The requirements on parallelity between prisms surfaces are very high and making a dichroic filter within the glass is harder than on a surface between air and glass. All this means that the prisms become large and expensive and the telescope becomes larger and heavier. More advanced prism constructions can reduce building length but the costs further increases for providing the prisms and the complicated structure resulting therefrom. Aditionally, the prisms make the apparatus larger and heavier causing other problems as increased power consumption, as when automatically tracking an object.
Examples of wavelengths used for visible light are in the range of 400 nm to 650 nm for collimating purposes. For range-finding visible light at 660 nm or IR light at 850 nm can be used and for tracking IR light at 785 nm. These wavelength ranges are generally termed channels of a particular type such as visual channel, tracking channel etc.


An authentication-related request sent from a mobile device to an authentication server is received at a proxy server. A posture of the mobile device is dynamically determined based at least in part on information included in the request. The request is validated based at least in part on the dynamically-determined posture. The proxy server communicates with an authentication server on behalf of the mobile device to obtain authentication information usable by the mobile device to access a service.

Demand for single-sign-on (SSO) functionality in mobile devices is increasing. Traditionally, SSO techniques, such as Kerberos-based SSO, were limited to desktop computer applications. More recently SSO techniques have been applied to mobile devices with network-level access to an authentication server, such as a Kerberos Key Distribution Center (KDC). Mobile devices, however, spend significant time disconnected from the local area network (LAN), such as a corporate network, and enterprises may elect to not expose their authentication servers to a public network. In traditional systems, when a device is not connected to an enterprise network via, for example, an enterprise Wi-Fi connection, the mobile device SSO client on a mobile device may be unable to access the authentication server.
In addition, SSO techniques are often used to provide access to enterprise resources in, for example, and mobile device management (MDM) environment. Traditional SSO authentication techniques may, however, provide limited ability for a MDM system to monitor and/or control access to authentication servers, service servers, and/or SSO functionality.

Secure controlled access to authentication servers


The composition for forming silica based coating of the invention comprises siloxane resin such as an alkoxysilane as component (a), a solvent such as an alcohol capable of dissolving the siloxane resin as component (b), an ammonium salt, etc. as component (c) and a thermal decomposing/volatile compound as component (d), wherein the stress of the coating obtained by heat treatment at 150° C./3 min is 10 MPa and the specific permittivity of the silica based coating obtained by final curing is less than 3.0. The composition for forming silica based coating according to the invention can form a silica based coating having low permittivity, excellent adhesion and sufficient mechanical strength.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a composition for forming a silica based coating film, to a silica based coating film and a method for preparation thereof, and to electronic Parts.
2. Related Background Art
With progressive miniaturization of wiring by high integration in electronic device parts, including semiconductor elements such as LSIs, the increased signal delay time due to decreasing interconnect pitch has become a significant problem, and a demand therefore exists for greater heat resistance and mechanical properties, as well as low specific permittivity and shorter heat treatment steps for insulating materials of electronic parts.
Generally speaking, the signal propagation velocity (v) of wiring and the specific permittivity (ε) of an insulating material in contact with the wiring material are in the relationship represented by the following formula (3) (where k is a constant).v=k/√ε  (3)
In other words, high-speed signal propagation is achieved by increasing the frequency range used while also reducing the specific permittivity (ε) of the insulating material. For example, SiO2 films formed by CVD processes, having specific permittivities of about 4.2, have conventionally been used as materials for forming interlaminar insulating films, but from the standpoint of reducing device interconnect pitch and increasing LSI operation speed, materials exhibiting even lower permittivities have been desired.
Yet, the currently realized low permittivity materials include SiOF films with specific permittivities of about 3.5, formed by CVD. Other examples are organic SOG (Spin On Glass) and organic polymers used as insulating materials with specific permittivities of 2.5-3.0. Porous materials having gaps in the films are also promising as insulating materials with specific permittivities of 2.5 or lower, and a great deal of research and development has been conducted toward their application as LSI interlaminar insulating films.
As a method for forming such porous materials there has been proposed a method for creating low permittivities in organic SOG materials, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication HEI No. 11-322992 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication HEI No. 11-310411. This method involves first forming a coating film using a composition comprising a polymer whose properties are such that it volatilizes or decomposes upon heating with hydrolytic polycondensation of a metal alkoxysilane, and then heating the coating film to form pores therein.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Composition for forming silica based coating film, silica based coating film and method for preparation thereof, and electronic parts


First and second capacitor circuits responsive to a potential applied to an input node for instantaneously supplying a voltage derived by capacitance division to control electrodes of first and second output MOS transistors which drive an output node. When the output node reaches a predetermined potential level, the control electrode node of the first output transistor or the control electrode node of the second output transistor is driven to ground potential or power supply potential by the MOS transistor responding to a delay signal of an input signal. A smaller buffer circuit which has improved output response and reduced through current is described. The output signal transitioning speed can also be easily altered.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a buffer circuit for buffering an incoming signal, and more particularly, to an output buffer circuit provided at the signal output portion of a semiconductor device such as a semiconductor integrated circuit device.
2. Description of the Background Art
A semiconductor device such as a semiconductor integrated circuit device includes a buffer circuit for signal waveform shaping or for driving a circuit of the succeeding stage at a high speed. One of such buffer circuits is a buffer circuit for externally providing a signal internally processed in a device (or in a functional block).
FIG. 14 schematically shows a structure of a semiconductor device which is one of conventional semiconductor integrated circuit devices. Referring to FIG. 14, a semiconductor device 500 includes an internal circuit 502 for carrying out a desired process on an input signal D, and an output buffer 504 for buffering a signal from the internal circuit 502. The output of the output buffer 504 is provided to the input portion of an external circuit 510 provided separately from the semiconductor device 500. The semiconductor device 500 may be of one semiconductor chip, or a functional block that executes one function in a semiconductor chip. The output buffer 504 drives at high speed an output signal line (the signal line between the output buffer 504 and the external circuit 510) according to a signal provided from the internal circuit 502.
FIG. 15 shows a structure of a conventional output buffer circuit. Referring to FIG. 15, an output buffer circuit 520 includes two cascade-connected inverter circuits 522 and 524. The output of the output buffer circuit 520 is supplied to the input of the external circuit 510 of FIG. 14. In general, there is impedance in the input portion of a circuit. This impedance is shown as an external load circuit 530 in FIG. 15. The external load circuit 530 includes a parasitic impedance with a capacitive load 532 and a resistive load 534 provided parallel to each other.
The output buffer circuit 520 has a great driving capability for driving the external load circuit 530 speedily and properly. The driving capability of the inverter circuit 524 is particularly of a great value.
In operation, the output buffer circuit 520 responds to an input signal VIN to charge and discharge the capacitive output load 532 included in the external load circuit 530. The signal VOUT provided from the output buffer circuit 520 varies according to a time constant determined by the capacitance and resistance of the capacitive load 532 and the resistive load 534, respectively, of the external load circuit 530.
There is a parasitic inductance 536 in addition to the parasitic capacitance (included equivalently in the capacitive load 532) in the signal line. Switching noise occurs by this parasitic inductance when the output signal VOUT from the output buffer circuit 520 changes at a high rate.
There is a change in the current in the output signal line when the logic level of the output signal VOUT from the output buffer circuit 520 changes. Voltage is induced in the parasitic inductance 536 according to this current change. The magnitude of the voltage induced by the parasitic inductance 536 is proportional to the changing rate of the current. The induced voltage by the parasitic inductance 536 is generated in a direction opposite to the voltage change of the output signal from the output buffer circuit 520. Therefore, ringing occurs in the output signal VOUT from the output buffer circuit 520 to cause overshooting and undershooting in the signal, as shown in FIG. 16. The generation of ringing such as overshooting and undershooting is time-consuming for the signal to attain its stable state, resulting in decrease in the circuit operation speed.
As an integrated circuit device is increased in speed, the changing speed of the output signal VOUT from the output buffer circuit 520 becomes greater. In this case, the induced voltage is also increased to deteriorate the circuit operation as "switching noise". Particularly, the induced voltage by the parasitic inductance 536 is transmitted to ground potential via a pull down transistor of the inverter circuit 524 included in the output buffer circuit 520. Therefore, a phenomenon called "ground bounce" (corresponding to the ringing generated at the fall of the output signal VOUT in FIG. 16) is generated whereby the ground potential of the semiconductor device 500 in FIG. 14 changes to degrade the circuit operation.
More specifically, when the output buffer 500 according to the structure shown in FIG. 14 provides a signal of a L level, there may be a case where the level of this signal will become greater than the threshold voltage of the input element in the input portion of the external circuit 510 on account of the induced voltage, resulting in an erroneous determination in the external circuit 510 that a signal of a H level is provided from the output buffer 504. Furthermore, because the threshold voltage of the input buffer (not shown) in the semiconductor device 500 of the configuration in FIG. 14 is changed by the ground bounce, a negative ground bounce will cause the threshold voltage of the input buffer of the semiconductor device 500 to be lower than the L level of the input signal D to yield a problem of erroneous operation.
When the load of the external load circuit 530 is great, the output buffer circuit 520 has a great driving capability for driving the external load circuit 530 at a high speed. In this case, the change in the output signal from the output buffer circuit 520 is abrupt. As shown in FIG. 17, there is caused a great current flow in the power supply line or ground line at the time of change in the signal. The power supply line or ground line has a relatively great parasitic inductance by the lead frame or bonding wire in a package. Therefore, a noise called "voltage spike" is generated in the power potential Vdd or ground potential Vss according to the great current change to cause ringing in the output signal VOUT from the output buffer circuit, causing a problem that erroneous operation tends to occur in the external circuit 510.
Even if the power supply current or ground current is not great, any abrupt change in current will cause a generation of noise in the power supply line and or ground line by the parasitic inductance component thereof. Because the power supply line and the ground line are connected to many circuits in the semiconductor device, the noise in the power supply line or ground line will become the cause of erroneous operation in the semiconductor device or the external device.
If the change in the output signal from the output buffer is abrupt, a similar noise will be generated even if the external load is not so great. Consider a case where the output buffer 504 includes four output buffer circuits 550, 552, 554, and 556 as shown in FIG. 18. Each of output buffer circuits 550-556 implements a CMOS inverter circuit. A power supply line and a ground line are connected in common to output buffer circuits 550-556 to provide operating power supply potential Vdd and ground potential Vss.
Consider a case where the input signal VA of the output buffer circuit 550 remains at the H level, and the remaining input signals VB, VC, and VD rise from the L level to the H level. In this state, the output of the output buffer circuit 550 attains an L level, and the outputs of the remaining output buffer circuits 552, 554 and 556 fall to the L level. When the output signal attains a L level, the charges of external load capacitors 562, 564, and 566 are discharged to the ground line. If the signal change in output buffer circuits 552, 554 and 556 is abrupt, discharge current I flows abruptly from external load capacitors 562, 564 and 556 to the ground line. This means that a great discharge current flows abruptly to the ground line to change the potential Vss of the ground line (illustrated by N in FIG. 18). The noise (voltage spike N) generated in the ground line is provided via the output buffer circuit 550 to be superimposed on the output signal VAO. Therefore, there is a possibility of the output signal VAO being erroneously determined as an H level.
In the reversed case where the input signal VA is fixed to a L level, and the remaining input signals VB, VC and VD change from the H to L level, a charging current will flow abruptly to external load capacitors 562, 564 and 566 from the power supply line supplying power supply potential Vdd to generate noise in power supply potential Vdd. This noise is provided via the output buffer circuit 550 to generate noise in the output signal VAO.
Because a buffer circuit using an inverter circuit and the like has an abrupt change in the output signal, noise or ringing will be generated in the output signal, or noise such as voltage spike will be generated in the power supply line or ground line due to an abrupt change in the charging/discharging current in driving an external load, resulting in erroneous operation. Various measures are taken to reduce such noise.
FIG. 20 shows a structure of a conventional output buffer circuit, disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 60-136238, for example. Referring to FIG. 20, the output buffer circuit includes inverter circuits 103 and 101 cascade-connected in two stages. The inverter circuit 100 includes a p channel MOS transistor 101 and an n channel MOS transistor 102 complementarily connected between a power supply node 1 supplying power supply potential Vdd and a ground node 2 providing ground potential Vss. Transistors 101 and 102 have their transistor sizes increased for driving external load, and has a great current driving capability. The output buffer further includes a capacitor 104 provided between the output portion of the inverter circuit 103 and the input portion of the inverter circuit 100. The capacitor 104 has one electrode connected to the node 103a and the other electrode connected to the ground node 2 supplying ground potential Vss. The operation thereof will be described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 21 which is an operational waveform diagram thereof.
When the input signal applied to the input node 3 rises from the L level to the H level, the output of the inverter circuit 103 falls from the H level to the L level. This change in the output level of the inverter circuit 103 is equivalent to discharging of the charges in the capacitor 104. Therefore, the potential in the node 103a falls slowly. When the potential level of the node 103a becomes lower than the threshold voltage 101a of the p channel MOS transistor 101 included in the inverter circuit 100, the p channel MOS transistor 101 conducts, whereby a charging current from the power supply node 1 begins to flow to the output node 4. In response to the decrease of potential in the node 103a, the transistor 101 makes gradual transition towards the on state and the transistor 102 is gradually brought to the off state, whereby the potential of the output node rises slowly. By decreasing the potential rising speed of the output node 4, current can be prevented from flowing abruptly from the power supply node 1 to suppress the generation of abrupt current change in the power supply line to prevent noise generation. When the potential of the node 103a reaches the L level of the ground potential Vss level, transistors 101 and 102 are turned on and off, respectively, whereby the potential of the output node 4 is maintained at the power supply potential Vdd level of H.
When the signal provided to the input node 3 falls from the H to L level, the output of the inverter circuit 103 rises from the L to H level. The rising speed of the output of the inverter circuit 103 is rate-determined by the charging speed of the capacitor 104. Therefore, the rise of the input signal of the inverter circuit 100 is decreased in speed. When the potential of the node 103a becomes greater than the threshold voltage 102a of the n channel MOS transistor 102, the n channel MOS transistor 102 conducts, so that the output node 4 is discharged to ground potential Vss2. Therefore, the potential of the output node 4 begins to fall slowly.
When the node 103a eventually reaches the power supply potential Vdd level of H, transistors 101 and 102 are turned off and on, respectively, whereby the output node 4 is maintained at the ground potential Vss level of L. By mitigating the signal change in driving the output node 4 to a L level, the changing speed of current flowing into the ground node 2 can be lowered to decrease the current changing speed of the ground line to reduce noise generation.
In other words, the generation of ringing in the signal in the power supply line, the ground line, or the output signal line or noise such as a voltage spike can be prevented by decreasing the changing speed of current flowing into the power supply line or the ground line.
Why the potential changing speed of the output node 4 depends upon the potential changing speed of the node 103a is that the current amount supplied from a MOS transistor is determined by the gate voltage. (In saturated operation, the drain current Id is proportional to the square of the gate voltage Vg.)
In the output buffer circuit of FIG. 20, the input node 103a of the inverter circuit 100 provided at the output stage has the potential changing speed decreased. Therefore, the time period of the gate voltage of an intermediate value is increased in the p channel MOS transistor 101 and the n channel MOS transistor 102. Therefore, the time when both transistors 101 and 102 simultaneously attain a conductive state is increased, whereby a through-current flows from the power supply node 1 to the ground node 2, resulting in increased wasteful consumed current.
The time point of the inverter circuit 101 of the output stage initiating its operation is when the potential of the node 103a becomes lower than the threshold voltage 101a of the p channel MOS transistor 101 or higher than the threshold voltage 102a of the n channel MOS transistor 102. Therefore, for initiation in the potential change of the output node 4, delay times of D1 and D2 are respectively required from the time point of change in the signal applied to the input node 3. This means that the delay in the output buffer circuit is increased to degrade the high speed response characteristics (delay characteristics), resulting in lowering of the high speed operation performance of the overall device.
An output buffer circuit such as one shown in FIG. 22 is proposed to solve such problems of through-current and response characteristics.
FIG. 22 is a modification of a conventional output buffer circuit, and is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 61-260719. The output buffer circuit of FIG. 22 includes a buffer circuit 201 having a relatively small driving capability and responsive to a signal applied to the input node 3 for driving the output node 4, a three-state buffer circuit 202 having a relatively high driving capability and a high impedance output state, responsive to a signal on the input node 3 for driving the output node 4, and a control circuit 203 for controlling the operation of the buffer circuit 202 according to the signal potentials of the input node 3 and the output node 4.
The control circuit 203 includes a match detection circuit 211 for receiving the signal on the input node 3 and the signal on the output node 4, and an inverter circuit 212 for receiving the output of the match detection circuit 211. The output of the inverter circuit 212 is supplied to the control terminal of the three-state buffer circuit 202. The buffer circuit 20 is made of small transistors which gives it relative small driving capability. The three-state buffer circuit 202 is made of large transistors which gives it great driving capability. The operation thereof will be described with reference to FIG. 23 which is an operation waveform diagram thereof.
When the potential of the signal supplied to the input node 3 rises to a H level, the buffer circuit 201 raises the potential of its output node. Because the driving capability of the buffer circuit 201 is small, the potential of the output node 4 rises slowly. Because the potential of the output node 4 has not yet thoroughly reached an H level when the potential of the input node 3 attains a H level, the match detection circuit 211 in the control circuit 203 will have different potential logic values in the inputs to provide a signal of a L level, whereby the potential of the signal provided from the inverter circuit 212 to the node 205 rises to a H level. Therefore, the three-state buffer circuit 202 enters a high impedance output state.
When the potential of the output node 4 reaches a certain potential, the potential levels of the input node 3 and the output node 4 will match to result in an output of a H level from the match detection circuit 211, whereby the signal provided from the inverter circuit 212 to the node 205 attains an L level. Therefore, the three-state buffer circuit 202 becomes active to drive the output node 4 to a H level by its great driving capability. Then, the output node 4 is driven by the three-state buffer circuit 202 having a great driving capability, whereby the potential level is stabilized led at the H level.
In the case where the signal provided to the input node 3 falls to a L level from the H level, the output of the match detection circuit 211 becomes L in response to the decrease in potential of the input node 3, which in turn causes the output of the node 205 to attain a H level. As a result, the three-state buffer circuit 202 attains a high impedance output state, so that the output node 4 is driven by the buffer circuit 201 of a small driving capability to have its potential level falling slowly. When the potential of the output node 4 falls to a predetermined level, the output of the match detection circuit 211 and then the potential level of the node 205 attain the L level. Therefore, the three-state buffer circuit 202 is activated, whereby the output node 4 is driven at a high speed to a L level. In this state, the output node 4 is held stably at the L level by the buffer circuit 202 of a high driving capability.
In summary, according to the configuration of the buffer circuit of FIG. 22, the output node 4 is driven by the buffer circuit 201 in response to a signal applied to the input node 3 to decrease the speed of the potential change in the output node 4, and the output node 4 is driven by a buffer circuit 202 of a great driving capability when the potential of the output node 4 approaches a target value so that the driving capability under a stable state is increased to stabilize the signal potential of the output node 4.
Because the output node 4 is driven by the buffer circuit 201 in response to a signal applied to the input node 3 in the buffer circuit of FIG. 22, the problem of delay in the signal response characteristics is solved. Furthermore, the matter of reducing the current consumption is also achieved because the through-current flows only for a short time period even if buffer circuits 201 and 202 are implemented with a CMOS transistor, by virtue of the input signal change at the input node 3 being directly provided to buffer circuits 201 and 202.
However, the buffer circuit of FIG. 22 is increased in circuit size because two buffer circuits of a buffer circuit 201 and a three-state buffer circuit 202 are required. In a semiconductor integrated circuit, the occupying area of such buffer circuit will become great, to provide a great bottleneck against increasing the integration density.
When the potential changing speed of the output node 4 is to be decreased, the potential changing speed is determined uniquely by the driving capability of the buffer circuit 201. The driving capability of the buffer circuit 201 is determined by the size of the transistor which is a circuit component. The current supplying capability particularly depends upon the gate width W when a MOS transistor (insulated gate type field effect transistor) is used. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to set the potential changing rate in the output node 4 to a desired value. Also, the discharging/charging current of a MOS transistor depends upon the drain current IDS which is proportional to the ratio of the gate width W to the gate length L, i.e. to W/L. Once the transistor size is determined, it is difficult to modify the size after manufacturing, causing a problem that a desired current/potential changing speed can not be easily obtained.

Buffer circuit using capacitors to control the slow rate of a driver transistor


This disclosure is concerned with optical add/drop modules. In one example, he drop portion of the add/drop module is accomplished by using thin film filters or thin film interleavers. The add portion of the add/drop module uses fused fiber interleavers for the less critical stages of the multiplexing process. In a final stage, fused fiber interleavers can be placed in series. A thin film interleaver having a flattop frequency response may also be used for the critical stage where the multiplexed channels are more closely spaced. The frequency response of the thin film interleaver is relatively constant across a bandwidth of a channel while having a drop off at the channel edge to reduce cross talk.

1. The Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to the field of multiplexed fiber-optic communication. More specifically, the invention relates to methods and apparatus for extracting and replacing channels on a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal using an optical add/drop module.
2. Related Technology
Fiber-optics are increasingly used for transmitting voice and data signals. As a transmission medium, light provides a number of advantages over traditional electrical communication techniques. For example, light signals allow for extremely high transmission rates and very high bandwidth capabilities. Also, light signals are resistant to electromagnetic interference that would otherwise interfere with electrical signals. Light also provides a more secure signal because it does not emanate the type of high frequency components often experienced with conductor-based electrical signals. Many conventional electrical networks are being upgraded to optical networks to take advantage of the increased speed and efficiency.
One goal in optical fiber networks is to increase the amount of data traffic that can be transmitted through a single optical fiber. One way of increasing the amount of data traffic transmitted through an optical fiber is by using various types of multiplexing arrangements. One such multiplexing arrangement, referred to as Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM), is based on sending multiple signals down the same optical fiber where each signal is a modulated carrier beam. Each of the carrier beams has a different frequency or wavelength than the other carrier beams on a particular fiber. In Coarse Wavelength Division Multiplexing (CWDM), signals are sent using lasers with wavelengths varying between 1470 nm and 1610 nm in 20 nm increments. Each wavelength represents a different data channel. Another example of WDM is Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM). In DWDM, channels are sent using lasers with wavelengths that are much closer together than in CWDM.
To effectively use the channels in a multiplexed signal, the channels need to be extracted from the multiplexed signal. This can be accomplished using a number of devices including optical add/drop modules and interleavers. Optical add/drop modules extract a single channel from the multiplexed signal and allow the single channel to be routed to a device having need of the channel. Optical add/drop modules also allow for a channel to be input to the optical add/drop module (typically the channel that was dropped), and combine the channel input into the optical add/drop module with the multiplexed signal.
Another component that can be used to extract channels from a multiplexed signal is an interleaver. Interleavers generally divide channels in a multiplexed signal into two different groups of channels. Thus, for a multiplexed signal with several channels, a number of interleavers may be necessary to extract a single channel. For example, a first stage interleaver divides a multiplexed signal of eight channels into two four-channel, multiplexed signals. A second stage interleaver divides the four channel, multiplexed signal into two two-channel, multiplexed signals. A third stage interleaver divides a two-channel, multiplexed signal into two single-channel signals.
Each channel is designed with a certain bandwidth to allow the carrier channel some tolerance in its actual frequency. One problem that arises in such multiplexing arrangements is that when a carrier channel becomes too near an adjacent channels bandwidth, the channel may cross into the adjacent channel and be interpreted as a signal in the adjacent channel. This is commonly referred to as cross talk.
Fused fiber interleavers have a Gaussian response. If the response of fused fiber interleavers is widened, then cross talk become more problematic. If the response of fused fiber interleavers is narrowed, then the fused fiber cannot handle variations in the wavelengths of the channels in a multiplexed optical signal.


A Common Channel Signaling Network such as the SS7 network is configured as a virtual signaling network, such that the network is shared in common among several users. Each user, which may be a private network operator, an ICO, a RBOC, a cellular mobile carrier, or an interexchange carrier, appears to control the signaling network and is enabled to use a wide variety of its capabilities to transmit and receive both trunk signaling messages and database messages to and from other networks connected to the virtual signaling network. The invention is implemented by interconnecting signal transfer points (STPs) within the virtual signaling network that operate in accordance with our invention with the SS7 switches and/or signal transfer points of other networks. Signaling messages presented to the STPs in the virtual signaling network are screened to insure security, translated in accordance with stored translation tables so as to allow message transport between the user's network and the appropriate destination network, and then addressed and routed to the proper destinations.

The virtual explosion of sophisticated services that can be offered to present subscribers of telecommunications services is due in large part to the network architecture developed by AT&T in which a separate and dedicated Common Channel Signaling System 7 (SS7) network is used to transport out of band trunk signaling and database messages separate from customer voice or data messages transported over the telecommunications network.
Signaling System 7 (SS7) has been widely characterized as a new functional protocol element for a telecommunications network that is the key to ubiquitous deployment of advanced services. V. K. Batra, in an article entitled "The Building Block for the Intelligent Network", Telephony, Vol. 217, No. 22, p. 56 et. seq., Nov. 20, 1989, states that the SS7 network, which is based on the North American version of the CCITT Signaling System 7 protocol, will be the standard protocol for reliable, bidirectional communications between intelligent network nodes using packet switching techniques. An article by T. Lanning entitled "SS7 Interconnection Awaits Green Light", Telephony Suppl. p. 32, 34, November 1990, states that common channel signaling interconnection according to the SS7 protocol will increase network efficiency, reduce basic call setup time and make possible the creation of new services on a nationwide basis. Ultimately, it will pave the way for the evolution of the Advanced Intelligent Network and establish a framework for further advances in the integrated services digital network (ISDN). An instructive survey article containing many supporting references is entitled "Common Channel Signaling-Key to Control of Modern Telecommunications Networks" by R. L. Simms, GLOBECOM '86, IEEE Global Telecommunications Conference Record, p. 623-6 Vol. 1, 1986.
Because it has been recognized that SS7 network architectures concentrate valuable and proprietary information in centralized network databases, it has been found desirable to arrange gateways to screen SS7 messages to ensure network security. This is described, for example, in an article entitled "SS7 Gateways Serve and Protect" by C. Buckles, which appeared in Telephony, Vol. 217, No. 22, p. 39-41, 44, dated Nov. 20, 1989. According to the author, the gateway, which is implemented in the signal transfer point, also supports internetwork routing and exchange of network management messages that communicate the status of interconnected SS7 networks. Further, the gateway collects and reports measurement data on the gateway screening activity.
The importance of SS7 networks to telecommunications has led certain independent telephone companies (ICOs) to choose to implement their own compatible signaling systems so that they can easily communicate with both interexchange carriers such as AT&T as well as Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs). This is described in an article entitled "Common Channel Signaling for Independents" by Hilton and Buckles, which appeared in Telephone Engineer and Management, Vol. 92, No. 12, p. 71-4, dated Jun. 15, 1988.
However, many ICOs, and other entities that own or provide private networks, cannot at present avail themselves of the features and full advantages of the SS7, due in part to budgetary reasons. This is because establishing and maintaining a broad-based signaling network is extremely expensive. Therefore, these network entities may have very limited SS7 capabilities.


An insufflation apparatus intended to insufflate gas supplied from a gas supply source into a cavity of the human body through a gas insufflating pipe, comprising a switch valve for opening and closing a gas supply pipe extending from the gas supply source to the gas insufflating pipe, a cavity pressure measuring unit arranged in the gas supply pipe to measure the pressure in the body cavity, a pressure setting section for setting an intended pressure in the body cavity, an arithmetic unit for calculating the difference of a value measured by the cavity pressure measuring unit relative to the value of pressure set by the pressure setting section, and a changeover control unit for changing over the timings at which the switch valve is opened and closed on the basis of values thus calculated by the arithmetic unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an insufflation apparatus intended to enlarge an intended part in a cavity of the human body, while insufflating gas into the body cavity, to obtain a field of vision, through the endoscope, necessary to add a therapeutical and surgical treatment to that part in the body cavity.
2. Description of the Related Art
When the therapeutical and surgical treatment is to be added to the intended part in the body cavity, while viewing that part through the endoscope, for example, gas such as CO.sub.2 gas is insufflated into the body cavity to enlarge that part in the body cavity which is to be treated. A field of vision necessary to add the surgical treatment to the intended part in the body cavity is thus obtained so that it can be grasped enough how the surgical treatment advances in the body cavity.
In order to insufflate gas into the body cavity, the insufflation apparatus is used. It serves in this case to keep the pressure in the body cavity at a value set while controlling the pressure of gas supplied from a gas supply source such as the gas bomb by means of valves and decompression means.
Some of these insufflation apparatuses are disclosed in German Patent Publication No. 3000218 and German Patent Pre-opened Disclosure No. 3611018.
In the case of the former, one or more of plural gas insufflating pipes having the same flow rate is or are selected to adjust the flow rate of gas insufflated, and the amount of gas insufflated and the pressure in the body cavity are alternately measured. In the case of the latter, a decompression means is provided to adjust the operating pressure in a single gas insufflating pipe through an electric control circuit and the decompressing operation of this decompression means is changed to control the amount of gas insufflated into the body cavity without using any electromagnetic valve.
In the case of these insufflation apparatuses disclosed in the German Patent Publication and Application, however, the pressure of gas insufflated is low or about 50 mmHg. Therefore, the maximum flow rate obtained is only about 6 lits/min and this makes it difficult to insufflate gas into the body cavity at high speed.
Further, when the pressure of gas insufflated is made higher than 100 mmHg, for example, in the abovementioned insufflation apparatuses, the pressure in the body cavity is likely to exceed the value of pressure set, particularly in a case where the value of pressure set is small.


A solenoid for a solenoid actuator or solenoid valve is encapsulated within a unitary homogenous plastic body which is molded directly about the solenoid coil and the adjacent portion of the solenoid leads so as to seal the coil and leads against the ambient environment and includes a first body portion enclosing and sealing the coil, and an integral second body portion in the form of an externally threaded stem circumferentially surrounding and sealing the adjacent portion of the leads. The externally threaded stem may be used to couple the solenoid to an electrical cable through which the solenoid is energized or to mount the solenoid on a support, such as a barrier wall between a hostile environment to which the sealed solenoid may be safely exposed, and an environment to which the unencapsulated portions of the solenoid leads may be safely exposed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to electrically operated devices and more particularly to an improved solenoid device which may assume the form of a solenoid actuator or solenoid valve.
2. Prior Art
Simply stated, a solenoid device comprises an electrical coil which, when energized, produces an electromagnetic field that is utilized to perform some function. In the case of a solenoid actuator, the electromagnetic field is utilized to move a magnetic armature. A solenoid valve is essentially a solenoid actuator for controlling fluid flow.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,832 discloses a solenoid valve. The solenoid valve illustrated and described in the patent is a pilot valve for actuating a primary pilot controlled valve. This primary valve has a valve diaphragm which is movable into and from contact with a valve seat to control fluid flow through a flow passage in the primary valve. One side of the diaphragm is exposed to the fluid pressure in the valve passage. The other side of the diaphragm is exposed to the fluid pressure in a pilot chamber which is in constant communication with the primary valve passage upstream of the diaphragm valve seat. The chamber communicates with the primary valve flow passage downstream of the valve seat through the solenoid pilot valve. Closure of the solenoid pilot valve equalizes the fluid pressures across the valve diaphragm and creates an unbalanced fluid pressure force across the diaphragm which closes the diaphragm to block flow through the primary valve. Opening of the solenoid pilot valve bleeds fluid from the pilot chamber to reduce the pressure in this chamber and effect opening of valve diaphragm by the inlet fluid pressure.
The solenoid valve described in the above patent has one deficiency which is encountered if the solenoid coil fails, as can happen, and must be replaced. This deficiency resides in the fact that the valve comprises an assembly of relatively costly parts in addition to the solenoid coil, including a magnetic yoke for the coil and an inner armature assembly, which are permanently joined to one another. As a consequence, replacement of a failed solenoid coil requires replacement of the entire, relatively costly solenoid valve assembly.
This deficiency of the patented valve is alleviated to some extent in another known solenoid valve. In this latter known valve, the solenoid coil is removable from the inner armature assembly so that the armature assembly need not be replaced with the coil. However, the replaceable part of the solenoid valve includes, in addition to the coil, a magnetic yoke for the coil and a separately formed outer can or housing which includes an internally threaded female mounting coupling for the valve and is filled with an epoxy encapsulating both the coil and yoke. Accordingly, the replaceable part of this known valve includes the solenoid coil, the can and its female coupling, and the magnetic yoke, and is thus relatively costly.
Another deficiency of at least many existing solenoid devices of the character described resides in the fact that they are difficult to mount in the way which is the most desirable or convenient for a particular application. For example, it is often desirable or neccessary to mount a solenoid valve on a wall with the solenoid located at one side of the wall and the solenoid leads extending to the opposite side of the wall. With conventional solenoid valves this presents not only the problem of attaching the solenoid to the wall but also the additional problem of providing a hole in wall through which the solenoid leads may pass to the opposite side of the wall. These problems are compounded if the wall forms a barrier between a hostile environment, against which the solenoid coil and armature are sealed, but not the solenoid leads, and a non-hostile environment. Many of the existing solenoid valves and other solenoid devices are not well adapted for or are totally incapable of use in these situations.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved solenoid valve which if free of the above and other deficiencies of the existing solenoid valves. As will become evident from the ensuing description, this same need exists with respect to other types of solenoid devices, such as solenoid actuators, which are subject to at least some of the same deficiencies.


A tubing retrievable surface controlled subsurface safety valve 106 is adapted to be positioned in a well tubing string 102 to control the flow through the tubing string. The safety valve includes an annular housing or body 200 defining a fluid passageway through which fluids and/or gasses may flow to the surface. The safety valve is equipped with a valve closure member such as flapper 252, positioned in the fluid passageway which is moveable between an open and closed position. The valve closure member is engaged and actuated by a longitudinally extending operator 242 that engages the valve closure member 252. In one embodiment, the longitudinally extending operator 242 may be a tubular member longitudinally moveable within the valve body. The longitudinally extending member 242 is operatively coupled to a spring guide 226. A biasing spring 222 is positioned in a spring chamber 120 defined by a spring housing 228 and the spring guide 226. A spring 256 biases the closure member 252 in the closed position. A balance line 114 extending from the surface is connected to a balance pressure conduit 118 that is in fluid communication with the spring chamber 120 to balance the hydrostatic pressure from the control line 112. The spring chamber 120 is isolated from well pressure at the top and bottom therefore the pressure applied to the spring chamber 120 through the balance pressure line via the balance pressure conduit 118 counteracts the hydrostatic head of the fluid in the control line or lines, thereby enabling the subsurface safety valve 106 to operate at vary depths.

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, its background will be described with reference to controlling the operation of a down-hole safety valve. An important consideration involved in the operation of hydrocarbon fluid wells is the ability to cut off the flow of fluids or gas in the event of emergencies, equipment problems or similar situations.
An important consideration in the selection of surface controlled subsurface safety valves is that valve closure be essentially failsafe. Consequently, subsurface safety valves are normally configured to be in a closed position absent operator control. Typically a subsurface safety valve is biased to the closed position through the use of one or more springs, configured to close the valve in the event that operator control is lost. In the case of hydraulically controlled rod-piston type safety valves, the valve is opened with the application of hydraulic pressure to a piston which actuates the valve, positioning it in an open position. If control pressure is lost the valve closes.
Control of conventional hydraulically operated, spring loaded rod-piston type downhole safety valves is, however, limited by the hydrostatic force applied to the piston. Ideally, a hydraulically controlled downhole safety valve would be designed to operate over a wide range of downhole locations, independent of the depth at which the valve is positioned. However, the hydrostatic force applied by the column of fluid in the control line varies with the depth at which the valve is positioned while the counteracting spring force biasing the safety valve closed is constant. Thus, if the valve is positioned at a depth such that the hydrostatic pressure or force generated by the column of fluid in the control line or tube is greater than the biasing force exerted by the spring mechanism, the valve will not close in response to a decrease in control pressure.
In the past, attempts have been made to compensate for the hydrostatic head of control pressure fluid through the use of well fluid pressure to balance the hydrostatic head which tends to inhibit valve closure. The use of well fluid pressure to balance the valve, however, requires contact between well fluids and internal components of the safety valve. Since well fluids may contain abrasive and corrosive materials that tend to impede the function of the equipment, this approach presents considerable drawbacks in terms of equipment durability and reliability. Further, the use of well pressure to balance the valve against the hydrostatic head of the control line requires additional components in terms of specialized seals designed to protect the valve components. Additionally, due to the corrosive and abrasive nature of well fluids, this approach may require the use of special materials to manufacture valve components capable of withstanding contact with well fluids.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved surface controlled pressure balanced subsurface safety valve that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

Balanced line tubing retrievable safety valve