Provided is a plasmon resonance detector that can detect temperature change in optical devices, in which the metal structure having plasmon resonance absorption is used for the optical devices. A diode formed of a conductive substrate, an n-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer, a p-type semiconductor layer, an n electrode (negative electrode), a p electrode (positive electrode), an insulating film, or the like is used as a semiconductor device whose resistance value changes in accordance with temperature change. A nanochain formed by connecting a plurality of metal nanoparticles is disposed on this diode. When the nanochain is irradiated with light, the nanochain generates heat. The heat generated in the nanochain is conducted to the diode. The resistance value of the diode changes in accordance with temperature change, and thus this change is read, a temperature or an amount of heat generation of the nanochain is measured, and existence and strength of the plasmon resonance are detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plasmon resonance detector using a metal structure that has plasmon resonance absorption.
2. Description of the Related Art
A fine metal body (for example, metal particulates of nanometer size) can demonstrate optical response called "localized (surface) plasmon resonance absorption" in a particular wavelength region among a wide wavelength region from the visible wavelength to the infrared wavelength, depending on the form and size of the fine metal body. Metals that demonstrate the localized plasmon resonance absorption include noble metals such as gold, silver, and platinum. However, even a metal of the same kind has a variation in the localized plasmon resonance absorption wavelength depending on its size and form. It has been attempted to apply to various optical devices such a property of the fine metal body whose absorption wavelength varies depending on differences in the size and form of the fine metal body.
A metal structure having a plurality of fine metal bodies disposed on a substrate may have the plasmon resonance absorption in the wide region from the visible region to the infrared region on the basis of a principle of the localized (surface) plasmon. When attempting to apply such a metal structure to an optical device or sensor, it is important to adjust the wavelength region of the plasmon resonance absorption.
Moreover, phenomenon that a photoelectric field enhancement phenomenon through a plasmon at the surface of the metal structure enhances infrared absorption is found out (for example, see Applied Physics A, vol. 29, pp. 71-75 (1982)). However, these mechanisms have not been clarified yet and a method for quantitative measurement of the enhanced absorption or the like has not been established. Therefore, when the metal structure having a plasmon resonance frequency in a desired infrared region can be produced, an optical device or measurement system using the above-mentioned phenomenon will be constructed.
The wavelength region of the plasmon resonance absorption that the above-mentioned metal structure has is influenced by the "elongated form of the fine metal body disposed on the substrate (aspect ratio when the fine metal body is rod-like)." In other words, disposition of the elongated fine metal body (with a higher aspect ratio) on the substrate shifts the wavelength region of the plasmon resonance absorption to a longer wavelength side, while disposition of the short fine metal (with a lower aspect ratio) on the substrate shifts the wavelength region of the plasmon resonance absorption to a shorter wavelength side.
On the other hand, a technique by which a plurality of rod-like nano metal (gold: Au) bodies are chemically bonded and connected has been known (for example, see J. Phys. Chem. B, 108, 13066 (2004) and JACS, 125, 13915 (2003)). These nano metal bodies are just bonded through a chemical substance that is not a metal, and strictly speaking, these nano metal bodies have a structure of single metal bodies in which the nano metal bodies are not directly connected to each other. The nano metal bodies can therefore obtain the plasmon resonance absorption on the side of the longer wavelength.
By the way, when optical devices such as photodetectors and devices for measuring absorbance are produced using a nano metal body as mentioned above, it is necessary to use a micro FT-IR measuring device or the like for measuring existence and strength of the plasmon resonance absorption. In addition, a device for optical analysis is needed even when it is desired to use the optical device as a plasmon resonance sensor for which the nano metal body is used. This causes a problem of increase in size of the optical device.
The present invention has been made to solve the above mentioned problem. An object of the present invention is to provide a plasmon resonance detector for which a metal structure having plasmon resonance absorption is used, and that can detect plasmon resonance with a simple structure allowing miniaturization of the detector.


An image communication apparatus for receiving and recording transmitted recording data, includes a reception unit for receiving the transmitted recording data, a storage unit for storing the recording data received by the reception unit in a nonvolatile manner, a recording unit for reading out and recording the recording data stored in the storage unit after the recording data is received by the reception unit, and a deletion unit for deleting the recording data stored in the storage unit by a manual operation after the recording data is recorded by the recording unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus, and an image communication method and, more particularly, to an image communication method for recording reception data on a recording paper sheet or the like using an ink-jet printer.
2. Related Background Art
Conventional printers for recording data on recording media such as a paper sheet, an OHP sheet, and the like (to be referred to as a recording sheet or simply as a sheet hereinafter) have been proposed to carry recording heads of various recording systems. As recording heads, wire-dot, thermal, thermal-transfer, and ink-jet heads are available.
In particular, since an ink-jet system directly ejects an ink onto a recording sheet, it has received attention as a low-running cost and quiet recording method.
Of ink-jet systems, recently, a bubble-jet type ink-jet printer for ejecting an ink from ejection ports to a recording medium using bubbles generated by heat energy to record characters or images has been developed. This printer has heat generation resistors (heaters) which are arranged in the respective ejection ports and are considerably smaller than piezoelectric elements used in a conventional ink-jet printer, and multiple ejection ports can be arranged at a high density. Therefore, a high-quality image can be obtained, and high-speed and low-noise features can also be provided.
On the other hand, a facsimile apparatus is required not only to transmit an image at high speed but also to receive a high-quality image at high speed. The above-mentioned bubble-jet type ink-jet printer is considered as one of such printers which can satisfy the requirements in terms of its features.
In the ink-jet system, so-called out-of-ink detection for detecting the presence/absence of a remaining amount of ink must be performed. If a recording operation is continued without ink, nothing can be recorded, and a normal recording operation cannot be performed. However, if an out-of-ink detection circuit is arranged, cost is undesirably increased.
Even when an out-of-ink detection circuit is arranged, if its precision is low, an out-of-ink state often cannot be detected. Thus, a normal recording operation is distorted like in a case wherein no out-of-ink detection circuit is arranged.
In recent years, information processing apparatuses which can connect several types of printers (e.g., a thermal transfer printer) have been developed. The information processing apparatuses can select printers according to their recording characteristics.
In some image communication apparatuses having a facsimile function, data is temporarily stored in a file (memory) in a facsimile reception mode (to be referred to as a memory reception operation hereinafter), and the stored data is recorded by a printer after completion of reception. As a recording method, a method of automatically recording data after the memory reception operation, and a method of recording a data file designated by a manual operation are known.
When data is automatically recorded after the reception operation, the received data is deleted (erased) after the recording operation since a storage capacity of a file is limited.
When an ink-jet printer is connected as a printer for an information processing apparatus having a facsimile function by means of the memory reception operation, if it is an ink-jet printer which has no out-of-ink detection mode or has low precision if any, it is difficult to precisely perform out-of-ink detection, and received data which cannot be normally recorded may be deleted.

Apparatus and method for receiving and recording transmitted recording data


A semiconductor memory device having a ground noise isolation circuit which prevents the influence of noise which occurs due to ground bouncing which causes erroneous data reading of a memory cell. The ground noise isolation circuit generates a pulse signal having a predetermined width in accordance with a chip enable signal for controlling the output of a data output unit when the data output unit outputs data and by disconnecting a sense amplifier driving transistor during the generation of the pulse signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device and a method thereof, and more particularly, to a ground noise isolation circuit for a semiconductor memory device and a method thereof.
2. Background of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a related art semiconductor memory device which includes a cell array 10, with a plurality of word lines W/L and a plurality of bit lines B/L and /B/L which intersect one another and a plurality of memory cells at the intersections. A word line driver 20 is connected to the word lines W/L for driving a specific word line W/L in accordance with a row address RA, and a bit line sense amplifier 30 amplifies the data outputted from the memory cell to a predetermined level in accordance with the driving of a specific word line. A column switch 40 outputs the data amplified by the bit line sense amplifier 30 to input/output lines I/O and /I/O in accordance with a column selection signal CS of a column decoder (not shown). An I/O amplifier 50 amplifies the data outputted through the column switch 40 and a control block 60 outputs a control signal in accordance with the output of the I/O amplifier 50. A data output unit 70 outputs the output of the control block 60 and the data to an output pad PAD in accordance with a chip enable signal CE.
The word line driver 20 includes a plurality of inverters, each of which includes a PMOS transistor 21 and an NMOS transistor 22. The sources of the NMOS transistors 22 are connected to a word line driver ground line 104 through a resistor R2 and the drains are respectively connected to the word lines W/L1 and W/L2. The bit line sense amplifier 30 is connected to a sense amplifier ground line 103 through a sense amplifier enable driving NMOS transistor 101 and a resistor R1.
The data output unit 70 includes NAND-gates 71 and 72 for NANDing control signals from the control block 60 and a chip enabling signal CE. The inverters 73 and 74 respectively invert the outputs of the NAND-gates 71 and 72, and NMOS transistors 75 and 76 are connected in series between a power supply voltage and an output ground line 102, of which its output terminal is connected to the output pad. In addition, the output ground line 102, the sense amplifier ground line 103, and the word line driver ground line 104 are separated so as to reduce noise which occurs due to ground bouncing, and are connected to a ground combining line 105. The reference characters "a" and "b" denote current flow paths to the surge amplifier and word line ground lines 103 and 104.
The related art semiconductor memory device operates as follows with reference to the word lines W/L1 and W/L2 and bit lines B/Li and /B/Li among the plurality of word lines W/L and the plurality of bit lines B/L and /B/L.
When row address inputs Ra1 and Ra2 are at a low level L and a high level H, respectively, the PMOS transistor 21 and the NMOS transistor 22 of the word line driver 20 are turned on, and the word line W/L1, as shown in FIG. 2A, is selected. The data of the memory cell 11 positioned on the selected word line W/L1 is transferred to the bit line B/Li. A sense amplifier enable signal SAEN becomes active, and the sense amplifier driving transistor 101 is turned on. The bit line sense amplifier 30 amplifies the data carried on the bit line B/Li, as shown in FIG. 2B, and the thusly amplified data is outputted to the input/output lines I/O and /I/O through the column switch 40 in accordance with the activated column selection signal CS.
The data carried on the input/output lines I/O and /I/O is amplified by the I/O amplifier 50 and inputted to the data output unit 70 through the control block 60. The NAND-gates 71 and 72 of the data output unit 70 perform a NAND operation on the chip enable signal CE of a high level and the data outputted from the control block 60 and output the results of the inverters 73 and 74. The inverter 73 outputs a low level signal, and the inverter 74 outputs a high level signal to the NMOS transistors 75 and 76, respectively. Accordingly, the data, as shown in FIG. 2C, is outputted to the output pad through the output terminal of the data output unit 70.
However, since the driving capacity of the data output unit 70 is very high, and when the NMOS transistor 76 of which its source is connected to the output ground line 102 is turned on, the output is instantly bounced, as shown in FIG. 2C, in accordance with the virtual inductance of the lead frame. The ground bouncing induces another ground bouncing of the ground combining line 105 through the output ground terminal 102, as shown in FIG. 2D, and the ground bouncing of the ground combining line 105 causes a ground bouncing noise in the sense amplifier ground line 103, and the word line driver ground line 104. Further, in addition, the ground bouncing noise, which occurs in the sense amplifier ground line 103 and the word line driver ground line 104, is inputted to the bit line sense amplifier 30 and the word line driver 20 at a time difference in accordance with the difference between the resistors R1 and R2. The bit line /B/Li at the time t1 is shown in FIG. 2B, and the non-selected word line W/L2 at the time t2 is shown in FIG. 2A.
Therefore, the wave forms at the node "A" of the non-selected word line W/L2 and the node point "B" of the bit line /B/Li are shown in FIGS. 2E and 2F, respectively. The electrical potential difference Vgs at the nodes "A" and "B" at the time t1, i.e., the voltage difference between the gate and source of a transmission transistor of the memory cell 12 is .DELTA.V, as shown in FIG. 2F.
If the electrical potential difference (Vgs=.DELTA.V) between the gate and source of the transmission transistor of the non-selected memory cell 12 is greater than the threshold voltage Vth of the transmission transistor, the non-selected memory cell 12 is turned on parasitically, which cause an erroneous reading or writing of the data of the selected memory cell.
In the related semiconductor memory device, when the data is changed from a high level to a low level by the data output unit due to the noise which occurs by the ground bouncing to affect the bit line through the sense amplifier ground line and sense amplifier, the transmission transistor of the non-selected memory cell may be turned on, thus resulting in erroneous data reading or writing of the memory cell.
The above references are incorporated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background.

Ground noise isolation circuit for semiconductor memory device and method thereof


The instant invention relates to the isolation, purification and utilization of sialidase-L, a novel enzyme capable of producing 2,7-anhydro N-acetylneuraminic acid by the selective cleavage of sialic acid-.alpha.2.fwdarw.3D-galactose glycosidic bonds. The instant invention also relates to a method for the preparation of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid using sialidase-L. The instant invention also relates to methods for selectively cleaving sialic acid-.alpha.2.fwdarw.3D-galactose glycosidic linkages and providing a means to selectively destroy the selectin ligands for the treatment of selectin-mediated inflammation. The instant invention also relates to methods for using 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid and sialidase-L for the selective sialylation of acceptor glycosides to form sialic acid-.alpha.2.fwdarw.3D-galactose glycosidic linkages.

Sialic acids are acyl derivatives of neuraminic acid. N-Acetylneuraminic acid [FIG. 1] is one of the most frequently found sialic acids. (Blix, G., Gottschalk, A., and Klenk, E. (1959) Nature 179:1088). Sialic acids have been the subject of a great deal of research because they play several important and intriguing biological roles. For example, sialic acids play a role in cell biology by their negative charge, by influencing the conformation of glycoproteins, by acting as receptors for microorganisms, toxins and hormones and by masking receptors and recognition sites of molecules and cells. (Schauer, R. (1987) "Analysis of Sialic Acids" Methods in Enzymology 138:132-161).
Through research on sialic acids, a large number of sialidases have been isolated. In general, sialidases are a class of enzymes capable of cleaving the glycosidic linkage of sialic acid. [FIG. 2]. To date, all sialidases that have been isolated release free sialic acid as the enzymatic product. (Schauer, R. (1982) "Chemistry, Metabolism and Biological Functions of Sialic Acids" Advances in Carbohydrate Chemistry and Biochemistry 40:131-234).
2,7-Anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid, a relative of sialic acid, has also been isolated. [FIG. 1]. Gross, S. K , et al., (1975) Carbohydrate Res. 41:344-350, reported detection of 5-acetimido-2,7-anhydro-3, 5-dideoxy-D-glycero-D-galacto-nonulopyranose in the acid hydrolysate of glycosidically-linked sialic acid in which the carboxylic function had been reduced to an alcohol. Lifely, M. R., et al., ((1982) Carbohydrate Res. 107:187-197), showed that methanolysis of sialic acid gave the methyl ester of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid in addition to the methyl ester ketoside of sialic acid. The presence of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid in rat urine was reported by Schroder, et al. (1983) "Proc 7th Int. Symp. Glycoconjugates", Chester, Mass., eds., Rahms, Lund, Sweden, pp. 162-163. 2,7-Anhydro-N-acetyneuraminic acid has also been detected in human wet cerumen (ear wax) by Suzuki, M., et al., (1985) J. Biochem (Tokyo) 97:509-515.
The presence of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid in human wet cerumen (ear wax) suggests that this unusual sialic acid derivative may have bactericidal activity. Since 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid is resistant to degradation by sialyl-aldolase, this compound can also serve as a reservoir for sialic acids in the biological system. The biological function of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid is still largely unknown. This is due to the lack of an effective synthetic method for its production.
The close relationship of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid to sialic acid, both having a stereochemically identical carbon backbone, is evident when one compares the Fischer diagram representations of N-acetylneuraminic acid and 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid. [See FIG. 1(a)]. However, 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid has a three-dimensional structure that is distinct from sialic acid. [FIG. 1(b)]- Of significance is the bicyclic ring structure of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid. Unlike sialic acid which is in a .sup.2 C.sub.5 conformation with all of its pyranose ring substituents equatorial except the substituents at the anomeric carbon (C-2), 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid is in a .sup.5 C.sub.2 conformation with all of the pyranose ring substituents axial. Furthermore, N-acetyl-neuraminic acid is a reducing sugar while 2,7-anhydroneuraminic acid is non-reducing. Thus, despite the similarity of sialic acid and 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid based on their Fischer representations, the three-dimensional structures and chemical properties of these two compounds are quite distinct. Hence, sialic acid and 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid are structurally distinct and dissimilar compounds.
Recently, Y. T. Li reported the presence of an enzyme, named "Sialidase-L", in a leech that exhibits novel specificity and produces 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid as the unexpected cleavage product. In addition to the synthetic substrate, 4-methylumbelliferyl-N-acetylneuraminic acid, sialidase-L was reported to selectively cleave sialic acid linked .alpha.2.fwdarw.3 to D-galactose from substrates including fetuin, .alpha.1-acid glycoprotein, neuraminlactose, and whale nasal keratan sulfate to yield 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid as the sole observed product. [FIG. 3]. Sialidase-L does not cleave sialic acids that are linked .alpha.2.fwdarw.6 to D-galactose, .alpha.2.fwdarw.6 to N-acetyl-D-galactosamine or sialic acid linked .alpha.2.fwdarw.8 or .alpha.2.fwdarw.9 to N-acetylneuraminic acid. Furthermore, sialidase-L does not convert free sialic acid to 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid. See Abstract for the 21st annual meeting of the Society for Complex Carbohydrates, Nashville, Tenn., Nov. 11-14, 1992, Glycobiology. volume 2, p. 459, 1992.
No specific information regarding the procedure for the isolation and properties of sialidase-L were disclosed at the meeting of the Society for Complex Carbohydrates. Isolation of sialidase-L has significant utility since it enables the development of methodology for producing 2,7-anhydro-neuraminic acid. Furthermore, sialidase-L enables selective cleavage of sialic acid-.alpha.2.fwdarw.3D-galactose glycosidic linkages in sialoglycoconjugates.

Isolation, purification and utilization of sialidase-L in the synthesis of 2,7-anhydro-N-acetylneuraminic acid and for the selective cleavage of sialyl.alpha.2-3 D-galactose linkage


In a module with tufting tools, especially needles the tufting tools are cast with one end in a plate-shaped base The length of the base corresponds to a multiple of the center distance of the cast-in tufting tools. The base has at least one opening which is in the form of a slot running perpendicular to the locating strip(s), which is open to the upper edge of the base. The base can be of symmetrical design and have a locating strip both at its front and at its rear locating face, serving to precisely position the module on a bar. The module and thus also the tufting tools cast into it can thus be used in two different rotational positions.

The innovation relates to a module for tufting tools, especially needles, in which the tufting tools are cast at one end in a plate-shaped base, the length of which is a multiple of the center distance of the cast-in tufting tools, which has one front and one rear locating face, the front locating face being fitted with a protruding locating strip at its edge (which runs in a longitudinal direction out of the base in the area of the tufting tools outlet), and which has a continuous opening between the front and the rear locating face.
Such a module for a tufting machine is known in the art from EP 0 446 215. In this known module the base has a locating strip on its front side which when fitted rests against a needle bar or a part of it, enabling precise alignment of the module relative to the needle bar. This needle module can thus only be fixed in one orientation to the needle bar. The tufting tools contained in such a module can accordingly also only be used in one rotational position to the bar. Thus if it is necessary to use the tufting tools in another rotational position relative to the bar shifted through 180.degree., then it is necessary to use modules in which the rotational position of the needles is altered accordingly. Two types of modules then have to be kept available in which the rotational positions of the tufting tools are 180.degree. opposed to each other. This requires various modules to be kept available, and is consequently costly.
Each base is then provided with an opening in the form of a continuous hole through which a bolt can be passed to fix the module to the bar or suchlike. The use of such a module and its removal requires that the bolt is first completely removed from the hole for this purpose.


An apparatus is configured to operate in a wireless communications network cell that is operated so as to provide a first transmission band and a second transmission band being separated by a narrow band. The apparatus is configured to transmit a data signal using a frequency band having a center frequency. The center frequency is a frequency of the narrow band. The apparatus is configured to transmit an indicator signal in the frequency band prior to transmitting the data signal so as to indicate the transmission of the data signal.

There may exist requirements to have transmission-critical and/or ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) narrow-band devices that transmit spontaneously together with coexisting wide-band network without significant interference to the data operation. Additionally, these narrow-band devices have to be protected from unwanted interference from the wide-band primary network. This may be an important requirement to keep the URLLC as robust as possible. There may exist solutions that allow for having a valid transmission at the guard bands using narrow-band signals. When transmitting in the guard band, there has to be a reduced Adjacent Channel Leakage Ration (ACLR) using sharp filters. Accordingly, there exist concepts for an ACLR reduction and sharp band waveform design. Narrow-band signals may be transmitted in the guard bands. The guard bands may be reused in time and/or frequency. There may exist interference detection techniques that allow for detection of interference in such a guard band.
There is a need to enhance efficiency of wireless communications resources.

Wireless communications entities using sweeping tone to efficiently coexisting

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


A distributed microwave window couples microwave power in the HE.sub.11 mode between a first large diameter waveguide and a second large diameter waveguide, while providing a physical barrier between the two waveguides, without the need for any transitions to other shapes or diameters. The window comprises a stack of alternating dielectric and hollow metallic strips, brazed together to form a vacuum barrier. The vacuum barrier is either transverse to or tilted with respect to the waveguide axis. The strips are oriented to be perpendicular to the transverse electric field of the incident microwave power. A suitable coolant flows through the metallic strips. The metallic strips are tapered on both sides of the vacuum barrier, which taper serves to funnel the incident microwave power through the dielectric strips.

The present invention relates to large diameter microwave waveguides, and more particularly to a distributed window that may be used in such waveguides to couple high frequency, high power microwave radiation through a vacuum barrier within the waveguide without overheating, significant mode conversion, or reflection of incident power.
A waveguide window in a microwave power system permits power to be coupled from a first waveguide to a second waveguide, but presents a physical barrier between the two waveguides. The physical barrier allows the waveguides to contain different gases or to be at different pressures, and one or both waveguides may be evacuated. For example, in high power microwave vacuum devices, such as gyrotrons and the like, the output power must be coupled between an evacuated chamber or waveguide in the gyrotron device, through one or more waveguide windows, into a waveguide having a gaseous environment. The one or more waveguide windows thus provide a hermetic seal between the two media. Also, in fusion reactors where microwave power is added to a plasma, the physical barrier of a microwave window may be placed near the reactor to confine the constituents of the plasma.
One type of microwave window known in the art is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,912, incorporated herein by reference. A similar type of window is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/898,502; filed Jun. 06, 1992, also incorporated herein by reference. The types of microwave windows disclosed in the '912 patent and the '502 application are distributed windows that form part of a phase velocity coupler. The type of coupling provided by the described windows is between two identical corrugated rectangular waveguides, each of which is many (e.g.,>15) free space wavelengths, .lambda..sub.0, wide in one transverse dimension but only 2 to 3 .lambda..sub.0 in the other dimension. A transition from circular corrugated waveguide many .lambda..sub.0 in diameter propagating the HE.sub.11 mode, which is a preferred method of low loss transmission for high power millimeter wavelength microwaves, to this rectangular corrugated waveguide, can always be made. However, if the circular waveguide is very large, e.g., 30.lambda..sub.0 in diameter, many modes which can propagate in the larger circular waveguide are cut off in the rectangular waveguide. Although ideally, only one mode is emitted from the source, typically a gyrotron, and propagated through the system, in reality there is often a few percent of other modes present, which might be reflected back to the source with deleterious effects by such a transition. Hence, there is a need in the art for a microwave window that can be used to directly and efficiently couple high frequency microwave power between two large diameter waveguides without the need for any transitions to other shapes and sizes.
There also exists a new generation of gyrotrons, such as the Russion 500kw, 110 and 140 GHz gyrotrons which have the HE.sub.11 output mode, which are most compatible with a large output diameter. Unfortunately, a suitable CW vacuum window does not presently exist for such large diameters.
The present invention addresses the above and other needs.

Distributed window for large diameter waveguides


A method is provided for the two-stage pressurizing of a product in which a propellant gas may be immediately generated for use as a high-pressure propellant after the sealing of the container. A first reactant and the flowable or sprayable product which is desired to be dispensed is placed into the container until the container is substantially full. The container is then sealed. A second reactant, which may be dissolved in a further amount of product, is introduced in liquid form into the sealed container through a dispensing valve, another valve, or a sealable plug. The first and second reactants react to generate the propellant, which is then contained or dissolved with the product in the container until needed. As product is expelled, the propellant evolves out of the product to exert expulsive pressure. Thus, the invention involves the process of charging during the filling of product and allows the product to be dispensed promptly and continuously thereafter. The charging method of the invention requires minimal fill time, and does not rely on numerous materials, equipment, and processing steps, and yet the method provides a relatively high dispensing pressure and substantially complete expulsion of the product.

Manufacturers of aerosol cans and other pressurized dispensing containers are continually compelled to seek ways to achieve conflicting goals. One of those goals, for example, is the capability of obtaining high dispensing pressure in a can. The attainment of this goal, however, is frequently hindered by the fact that the means for achieving such pressure occupies some of the volume that would otherwise be reserved for the product. An example of this is the use of a piston which exerts upward force against the product in the can by means of compressed air beneath the piston. A simpler example of the dilemma, of course, is where compressed gas alone is used in the container after it has been sealed; the volume occupied by the compressed gas cannot otherwise be used for storing dispensible product.
Another goal of the art is to provide a pressurized container that achieves substantially complete expulsion of the product. The use of compressed gas for this purpose, however, is fraught with delays and additional expense incurred during manufacturing and packaging. Where high pressure is desired, sufficient space must be reserved within the product container for the propellant gas at an intended pressure. The product must usually be placed within an unsealed container, which is then sealed, and subsequently a propellant must be introduced, under pressure, into the can through the valve or plug. The gas charging stage requires considerable time. Where the compressed gas is dissolved into the product, the manufacture must suffer delay while the gas dissolves into the flowable or sprayable material. While carbon dioxide affords high pressure when used as a compressed gas propellant, the process of dissolving the carbon dioxide into the product is commercially undesirable because it takes several hours to accomplish.
Manufacturers have turned to methods employing carbon dioxide, in part, because of an increased awareness of the deleterious effect of chlorofluorocarbons on the stratospheric ozone layer and because of the attractiveness of placing the pressure generating system within the container. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,236, a system is used for generating carbon dioxide gas by combining sodium bicarbonate and citric acid within a sealed bag-like structure that is free-floating within the dispensing container. In one disclosed embodiment, the inflatable bag includes a number of sealed compartments containing solid tablets of sodium bicarbonate. The sealed compartments are sequentially ruptured as product is expelled, permitting the sodium bicarbonate to combine with a mixture of citric acid and water also located within the inflatable bag, and gas pressure within the bag is thereby generated to expel the flowable product.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,373,341; 4,478,044; and 4,909,420 essentially follow the concept disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,718,236 but introduce changes in the manner by which the inflatable bag and rupturable compartments are constructed or fabricated. The bag-like structures disclosed in those patents are relatively complex. They also require additional expense, materials, and manufacturing steps. Further, these structures involve the citric acid and sodium bicarbonate reaction only after the dispensing can is sealed, and they require that the reaction be initiated and that it occur throughout the dispensing life of the container. These structures are intended to maintain constant pressure, but do not provide an inexpensive and quick manner of charging the container with immediately active carbon dioxide which is stored for use upon demand within the contained product.
In view of the foregoing limitations and objectives, a method is needed for pressurizing a dispensing container in an economical, convenient, and expeditious manner.

Method for two-stage pressurization of dispensing container


Aspects of the present disclosure describe systems, methods, and structures for patient medication adherence.

As is known, adherence to a medication regimen—and particularly to a prescribed medication regimen—is an essential and critically important element to regimen efficacy and a desired therapeutic outcome.
Given this importance, systems, methods, and structures that facilitate adherence to a medication regimen would represent a welcome addition to the art.

Systems, methods, and structures for medication adherence


Disclosed is an optical time-stamping device, including an optical instrument with a retina having a field of view and being able to produce on the retina images of the field of view, and a high accuracy reference clock signal receive. The time-stamping device also includes: a lighting source at a distance from the retina of an optical instrument, and configured to emit a light signal in the direction of the retina of an optical instrument and in the field of view of an optical instrument, and a control unit connected to the reference clock signal receiver by a first connection and to the lighting source by a second connection, and configured for controlling the lighting source for emitting a light signal in a synchronized way with the reference clock signal. An associated image sensing system and optical time-stamping method are also disclosed.

In certain applications, for example in the field of amateur astronomy, it is of interest to accurately determine the instant of occurrence of an observable phenomenon based on a reference time, for example in order to then correlate the images taken from different geographical positions and obtain accurate information on this phenomenon.
In this scenario, the optical instrument for example corresponds to a camera or a photometer intended to shoot images of an eclipse of one star by another celestial body.
For dating the images, it is notably known how to provide the device with an electronic case connected to the output of the optical instrument and able to superpose onto the data transmitted by the optical instrument, a date representative of the reference time provided by the receiver.
This is for example described in document IOTA Observer's Manual published on the site of the IOTA association, which is the acronym for "International Occultation Timing Association". In this document, the reference clock signal is the GPS time signal which is a universal reference time.
The reference time receiver then transmits to the electronic case, a signal with one pulse per second in reference time, also known under the name of 1PPS signal, each pulse giving rise to synchronization of the internal clock of the electronic device with the reference time.
The date indicated by the internal clock of the case is then added as an overlay on the data from the optical instrument.
The case then delivers at the output a video flow which may be viewed on a screen and corresponding to the images from the optical instrument on which the date of the internal clock of the electronic case is displayed as an overlay.
However, this device has a certain number of drawbacks.
First of all, insofar that the electronic case is connected to the output of the optical instrument, the electronic case and the optical instrument must be compatible. Thus, the latter must have a compatible interface, and the electronic case should be able to read the format of the video data delivered by the optical instrument.
Further, the video flow delivered by the electronic case itself has a given format, which again induces compatibility problems of the video flow delivered with recording or read-out apparatuses.
Finally, the time-stamping of images imposes availability of viewing and recording means for the video flow leaving the electronic case, and therefore availability of a cumbersome piece of equipment incompatible with the conditions under which the sensing of images is generally achieved.

Device for optical time-stamping, and related image-sensing system and optical time-stamping method


A manufacturing method of a lens barrel is disclosed. According to one implementation, the manufacturing method includes the following steps. A first lens holding section protrusion step inserts a first lens holding section from one end of a barrel frame to a hollow section to protrude from the other end. A second lens holding section suction step sucks a convex surface section. A first lens holding section contact step brings the planar surface section into contact with the first lens holding section. A lens holding switching step releases suction of the convex surface section, and the planar surface section is held by the first lens holding section. A barrel frame contact step moves the first lens holding section or the lens barrel so that a surrounding edge section is brought into contact with a lens receiving section.

In a typical lens barrel for a camera, an outer diameter of a lens is relatively large, and therefore, the lens barrel is manufactured by holding a sidewall section of the lens with tweezers to drop the lens in a barrel frame. Alternatively, instead of using tweezers, a lens is held sucked by a suction pad by vacuuming air, and such suction of the lens is disclosed in various patent documents.
For example, in order to assemble an object lens to a barrel frame, there is known a configuration to suck the object lens on a tray, one by one, with the suction pad (see patent document 1).
Moreover, for the purpose of correction of position of an optical element, there is known a configuration to suck an optical element with a rubber buffer ring (see patent document 2).


Embodiments relate to coordinating operation of an under-display camera and a portion of a display panel over the camera to reduce impact of light emitted from the display panel during light sensing periods of the under-display camera. Depending on the level of light in the surrounding of an electronic device, the light emission period of the display panel and the light sensing period of the under-display camera are adjusted. The timing of the light emission period and the light sensing period are controlled so that a row of pixels in the display panel is not in the light emission period when corresponding row or rows of sensors in the under-display camera are in the light sensing period. In this way, the under-display camera may capture images without the influence of light emitted from the display panel.

This disclosure relates to an operating scheme for an under-display camera and a display panel over the under-display camera.
In an electronic device of a smaller size, more of its top or front surface are being occupied by a display panel. As attempts are made to increase the display area on the electronic device, an under-display camera is being adopted for placement under the display panel. Such under-display camera does not occupy separate space in the top or front surface of the electronic device. Hence, the under-display camera enables more of the front or top surface to be devoted to the display panel. A portion of the display panel that overlaps with the under-display panel is made transparent, and therefore, it lets external light through to the under-display camera. However, the portion of the display panel is generally turned off during the sensing operation of the under-display camera so that the light emitted from the portion of the display panel does not impact the performance of the under-display camera. That is, when the under-display camera and the portion of display panel are operated simultaneously, the light emitted from pixels of the display panel may reflect back into the under-display camera, deteriorating the quality of image captured by the under-display camera.

Scheme for operating under-display camera to prevent light interference from display


A device for connecting a first network comprising a first energy storage element and a second network comprising a second energy storage element includes switching circuitry and pre-charging circuitry. The switching circuitry is configured to electrically couple the first network and the second network. The switching circuitry comprises a first switching element configured to bi-directionally allow current between the first network and a center point node when operating in a closed state. The switching circuitry further comprises a second switching element configured to bi-directionally allow current between the second network and the center point node when operating in a closed state. The pre-charging circuitry is configured to limit current to the center point node when a first voltage at the first energy storage element equalizes with a second voltage at the second energy storage element.

A first power network may include a first battery and a second power network may include a second battery. One or more switches may be configured to provide a connect function to enable bi-directional current flow between the first power network and the second power network and a disconnect function to prevent current flow between the first power network and the second power network.


In part, the invention relates to a system and method for writing checkpointing data to a computer having a standby virtual machine for each checkpointed component on a computer having an active virtual machine. In one embodiment, the checkpointing data is processed on a per virtual machine basis. This is performed in a way that allows checkpointing data packets from multiple sources to be transferred asynchronously, subsequently reassembled into a coherent checkpoint message, and applied asynchronously.

Fault tolerant systems support computer architectures that require only a few minutes of downtime a year. Achieving extended computing uptime often requires redundant computing systems with multiple processors, specialized interconnects, and various monitoring and control modules. One approach to fault tolerant system design uses two or more processors operating in lock step synchronicity. In these lock step systems, the processors perform substantially the same operations and provide substantially the same output data at substantially the same time. Accordingly, if one of the processors fail, a particular transaction or mathematical operation is still in process within the other secondary or standby processors as a result of the dual processing paths. This processing redundancy is advantageous, but not without additional costs and considerations.
Another approach for achieving fault tolerance is to have two computers interconnected, such that one computer, the active computer or host, actively makes calculations while the other computer is idle or on standby in case the active computer experiences some failure. In these systems the information about the state of the active computer must be saved periodically to the standby computer—so that the standby computer can substantially take over at the point in the calculations where active computer experienced a failure.
One way to synchronize the state of operations for two processors is through checkpointing. In checkpointing, the active processor halts either periodically or in the cause of a specific event, and sends its data about its state change to the standby computer. During the checkpointing operation the host computer is not performing useful calculations. The length of the checkpointing interval needs to be kept at a minimum while still providing sufficient time for the requisite checkpoint operations to take place. Because of the nature of checkpointing data, the data must be complete and in the correct order on the standby computer when the data is acted upon or committed.
This issue becomes especially important when the processors each run virtual machines for each of their applications. Each virtual machine requires its own checkpoint data and transfer of that data to the standby virtual machine. Checkpointing several virtual machines can require a significant amount of time and is complicated to perform in a timely and organized manner. Processing slowdowns and errors can occur when performing such checkpointing.
The present invention addresses this issue.

System and method for writing checkpointing data


A computer system for creating artifact-free aerial images of a region of interest. A computer system receives one or more input aerial images that are obtained at different times. A false-color image is created by applying two or more of the input aerial images to different color channel inputs of the false-color image. Based on the color of the pixels in the false-color image, pixels in the two or more input aerial images are classified as representing clear, cloud or shadow areas. An output image is created by combining pixels that are classified as representing clear areas from two or more of the input aerial images.

As an alternative to sending survey crews to physically inspect land parcels, many forest management companies and other landholders are utilizing remotely sensed images such as, satellite or other aerial images of one or more regions of interest to inspect such land holdings. The aerial images can be analyzed to manage the growth or harvesting of trees or crops in the area, to inspect a site for naturally caused damage such as from fire, flooding or insects, to detect trespassing or theft of inventory and for other purposes.
While remote sensing has proved significantly valuable to landholders, such aerial images often contain atmospheric artifacts namely, clouds that obscure ground features. While clouds are easy to identify in an image based on their bright reflectance values, the shadows in an image that are caused by clouds are often mistaken for densely growing forests and can be difficult to detect and remove with a computer program.

Method and apparatus for removing artifacts from aerial images


A system and process that automatically responds to changes in displayed table data to determine and reestablish a hierarchy for the table. A column hierarchy order component checks each column of a table to determine the number of groupings of entries and reorders the columns based on the number of groupings. A column order at the time a table is loaded is saved and can be used to restore that original order.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to table management. Specifically, the embodiments of the invention relate to a method and system for reorganizing tables to maintain a hierarchy or order of columns in response to user changes to the grouping of fields within columns.
Background
Tables are utilized in a large number of different applications. The applications include spreadsheet applications such as EXCEL® by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., supply chain management applications such as SCM by SAP AG of Waldorf, Germany, database applications such as MySQL by MySQL AB of Uppsala, Sweden and similar applications. These applications access stored data, draw a table and insert the data into the table.
Tables are organizations of data as entries or records. Each entry or record includes a set of fields that are common amongst the entries. The entries can be displayed in rows and columns where each row corresponds to an entry and each column to a field of the entry. Often values in the fields of different entries are identical. Organizing entries with identical values in a given field can help the user establish relationships between the entries and identify information about the data set as a whole. The relationships between the entries can constitute a hierarchy of information within the table.
Some applications provide a grouping functionality to assist the user in manipulating the ordering of data to reveal a hierarchy that can be an explicit hierarchy or pseudo-hierarchy. The grouping function is performed by the application which draws the tables. As a result of grouping of any of the columns in the table, a hierarchy may be altered or lost. A table that includes grouped columns that are ordered left to right from fewest groupings to most groupings loses this order when a user ungroups a highly grouped column. As a result the hierarchy displayed by the ordering of the table columns is lost.


Provided is a motion control device. The device comprises one or more frames which supports an exoskeleton of a body; a string which connects the frames with each other; a pulley which is disposed between the frames and connected to one end of the string; and a motor which is connected to the other end of the string to control the string, wherein the pulley rotates the string according to control of the motor.

Technical Field
The present invention relates to a device for efficiently assisting the motion by utilizing the twisting of a string.
Background Art
In order to help a person who does not have a part of a body or cannot move a part of the body, a lot of auxiliaries in the wearing or mounting form have been developed. In particular, in order to help the person who cannot move the fingers, glove type wearing robots in the form of wearing by being put on the hands like a glove have been developed.
The conventional glove type wearing robot generally has an actuator which moves each joint of each finger using an exoskeleton structure for each joint, and has a sensor which detects the displacement or angle of motion of the joint.
As a result, when the actuator or the sensor is installed in a moving portion of the finger, the volume of the globe type wearing robot becomes increase and its weight also becomes heavy. There is a problem that the manufacturing cost also becomes very high due to such a complicated structure. Moreover, there are problems that the method of wearing and removing the glove becomes complicated, and despite the different sizes of the hands for each person, the glove size is defined.
However, the exoskeleton structure is a device designed to surround the specific regions of the body, and as the most serious drawback of all the current exoskeleton globes, when the actuator and the motor for moving the regions of the body are attached to the body, for its considerably large size, many exoskeleton type gloves have not been applied to a real life.

Motion control device based on winding string

KOREA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND EDUCATION INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION


Minor groove binder-oligonucleotide probes are provided along with methods for their use wherein the probes have an attached fluorophore which, in an unhybridized form exhibits very low background signal.

DNA probes are established tools for sequence detection and quantification. Efficiency and accuracy of sequence detection depend on both hybridization specificity of the probe and its sensitivity. Fluorescence is one the most common ways to detect the hybridization event. Methods that use fluorescent probes for nucleic acid detection are based either on a hybridization-triggered fluorescence of intact probes (e.g., molecular beacons, and linear probes, see U.S. Pat. No. 6,030,787, U.S. Pat. No. 6,214,979, U.S. Pat. No. 5,925,517, U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,591 and U.S. application Ser. No. 10/165,410) or on a quenched-fluorescence release of a probe digested by DNA Polymerase (e.g., methods using TAQMAN®, MGB TAQMAN®; MGB is a trademark of Epoch Biosciences). For those methods utilizing TAQMAN® and MGB TAQMAN® the 5′-exonuclease activity of the approaching DNA Polymerase cleaves a probe between fluorophore and quencher thus releasing fluorescence. These types of probes are suitable for real-time DNA amplification detection. The first type of probes, however, can also be applied for post-amplification sequence detection (scatter plot analysis or thermal melt) or in a solid phase format. Solid phase immobilized quenched fluorescent probes have been disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,876,930 and 6,596,490, and have been used to detect nucleic acid targets. The disclosed hybridization probes have either low signal to background ratios or slow hybridization rates (Xiaohong Fang et al. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1999, 121: 2921-2922) and unstable, temperature dependent background fluorescence (fluorescence in unhybridized state), which makes them unsuitable for real-time amplification applications.
What is needed in the art are new oligonucleotide probes with high sequence specificity, improved sensitivity (signal to background ratio), stable (temperature independent) background signal and fast hybridization rates. It is also needed that the probes can be readily prepared with a variety of natural and unnatural nucleotides, fluorescent labels and in various lengths. The present invention provides such probes, as well as methods for their preparation and use.

Fluorescent probes containing 5′-minor groove binder, fluorophore and quenching moieties and methods of use thereof


A mobile radio communication system having a mobile radio communication network and a mobile radio subscriber appliance, wherein a unit in the network layer of the core network of the mobile radio communication network is configured to transmit to the mobile radio subscriber appliance a first message, based on an occurrence of a predetermined event, with a request for a statement which describes at least one radio characteristic of the mobile radio subscriber appliance.

In the course of further development of mobile radio communication systems, work is currently being undertaken to replace the mobile radio communication systems based on the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard with the more powerful mobile radio communication systems based on the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) standard.
Since the network coverage achieved using UMTS mobile radio networks, that is to say mobile radio communication systems based on the UMTS standard, is not yet as far advanced as the network coverage achieved using the existing GSM mobile radio networks, that is to say mobile radio communication systems based on the GSM standard, it is possible to use UMTS mobile radio networks only in particular geographical areas for communication services, while other geographical areas have only GSM mobile radio networks available. Accordingly, the situation may arise in which a user of a mobile radio subscriber appliance is using a GSM mobile radio network to use a communication service and moves into the domain of a UMTS radio cell, that is to say into a geographical area in which a UMTS mobile radio network can be used, and, because the reception quality of the UMTS mobile radio network is higher there than the reception quality of the GSM mobile radio network, for example, or because a higher data rate can be achieved in the communication service when using the UMTS mobile radio network, the user now wishes to use the communication service using the UMTS mobile radio network, or because the user wishes to use a communication service which is provided only by means of the UMTS mobile radio network.
A change of mobile radio network used to provide a communication service or to provide a communication link is called inter-system handover of the communication service or of the communication link. In the described case of a change from a GSM mobile radio network to a UMTS mobile radio network, this is specifically inter-system handover from a GERAN (GSM EDGE Radio Access Network; EDGE: Enhanced Data Rates For GSM Evolution) to a UTRAN (Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network).
When a communication service is provided using a packet-switched communication link, for example when the communication service involves allowing a user to transmit data between the user's mobile radio subscriber appliance in the Internet, handover is referred to as packet-switched handover for the communication service or the communication link.
In the case of inter-system handover for a packet-switched communication link, that is to say packet-switched inter-system handover, from a GERAN to a UTRAN, it is necessary for the UTRAN, that is to say the radio access network of the UMTS mobile radio network, to have some information specific to the mobile radio subscriber appliance in order to be able to perform the inter-system handover.
This information is defined in the RRC (Radio Resource Control) container INTER RAT HANDOVER INFO, which contains the RAC (Routing Area Code) for the mobile radio subscriber appliance and the parameter START PS, an input parameter which is stored on the USIM (Universal Subscriber Identity Module) for the encryption algorithm used in the PS (packet-switched) domain, see 3GPP TS 25.331; 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; Radio Resource Control (RRC); Protocol Specification (Release 5).
This information, which is subsequently called the required information, needs to be available in the UTRAN, that is to say in an RNC (Radio Network Controller) for the UTRAN, no later than when a GERAN node, that is to say a BSC (Base Station Controller) for the GERAN, requests the inter-system handover.
Among the required information, particularly the UTRAN capabilities (parameters specifying the extent to which the mobile radio subscriber appliance is UMTS-compatible) specific to the mobile radio subscriber appliance represent a significant volume of data (compared with the other signaling data).
In the course of the development for performing packet-switched inter-system handover, carried out as part of the 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) standardization work, no solution has currently been provided for the problem of transmitting the required information. There are currently two proposals:
1. The mobile radio subscriber appliance transmits the required information as part of the GMM (GPRS Mobility Management; GPRS: General Packet Radio Service) registration request messages, that is to say using an Attach Request message or a Routing Area Update Request message, to the SGSN (Serving GPS Support Node) associated with the mobile radio subscriber appliance in the core network of the GSM mobile radio network. The SGSN stores the information and forwards it to the GERAN.
A drawback of this procedure is that the mobile radio subscriber appliance has no information about whether the GSM mobile network supports packet-switched inter-system handover to a UMTS mobile radio network, and the information is therefore always transmitted and forwarded, even if the GSM mobile radio network does not support packet-switched inter-system handover to a UMTS mobile radio network. In addition, this means that the information is repeatedly transmitted to the SGSN unnecessarily when the location within the SGSN's territory changes.
2. The GERAN node, that is to say the BSC associated with the mobile radio subscriber appliance in the GERAN, uses the RLC/MAC signaling radio link to request the required information from the mobile radio subscriber appliance immediately before the packet-switched inter-system handover to the UMTS mobile radio network is carried out.
The mobile radio subscriber appliance transmits the required information to the GERAN node using the RLC/MAC signaling radio link.
A drawback of this procedure is that the conventional RLC/MAC protocol allows only small volumes of data to be transmitted (25 octets per message), which is not sufficient for transmitting the required information. Extending the RLC/MAC protocol so that the mobile radio subscriber appliance can transmit specific information is involved and complex. In addition, the request for the required information immediately before the inter-system handover (a just-in-time request) increases the probability that the inter-system handover will fail or that errors will occur, since a significant delay can arise. In addition, this procedure requires the information to be transmitted using the radio interface upon each inter-system handover, which results in significant signaling involvement.
WO 02/01895 A1 discloses a method in which the information about the compression algorithms supported by a mobile radio subscriber appliance is transmitted to an RNC (Radio Network Controller) when a radio bearer is set up.
EP 1494494 A2 discloses a method for handover of a terminal to a UTRAN in which a mobile terminal transmits information to the UTRAN which relates to handover of circuit-switched communication links, and transmits no information relating to handover by packet-switched communication links.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A polyimide luminescent material, a preparation method, and a used thereof are disclosed; the polyimide luminescent material includes a polyimide resin and a rare earth complex distributed in the polyimide resin, wherein the polyimide resin is a condensation polymer of an aromatic diamine containing a bidentate chelate ligand and an aromatic dianhydride, and the rare earth complex and the bidentate chelate ligand are connected by a chemical bond. The luminescent material has enhanced fluorescence intensity, thermal stability, and mechanical properties. The preparation method is simple and easy, and is suitable for industrial production.

With the improvement of display technology, organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) become one of research hotspots of the organic optoelectronic field, due to their advantages, such as active luminescence, full-color display, low power consumption, low starting voltages, high brightness, quick response times, wide viewing angles, simple processing technology, and low costs. Compared with organic small molecular luminescent material materials, polymer luminescent materials may be formed into large area films and made into flexible devices with simple structures by many low-cost technologies, such as spin-coating, ink-jet printing, impregnation. Therefore, polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs) based on the polymer luminescent materials will be a focus of research on the flexible printable display field in the future.

Polyimide luminescent material, preparation method thereof, and device thereof

Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Semiconductor DisplayTechnology Co., Ltd.


A zoom lens includes, in order from an object side to an image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, the second lens unit including a positive lens, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power. In the zoom lens, intervals between adjacent ones of the first lens unit, the second lens unit, and the third lens unit are variable during zooming. In the zoom lens, a refractive power of a material of the positive lens included in the second lens unit (Nd2P) and an Abbe number of the material of the positive lens included in the second lens unit (νd2P) satisfy the following conditions:Nd2P+0.01×νd2P>2.31.65<Nd2P<2.7νd2P>45.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a zoom lens suitable to a still camera, a video camera, and a digital still camera and an image pickup apparatus having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, an image pickup apparatus (camera) using a solid-state image sensor such as a video camera or a digital still camera is more and more small-sized and has a high function. In this regard, it is desired that in a photographic optical system used in the image pickup apparatus like this, the total size of a lens system is small and that the zoom lens has a high optical performance.
In a camera like this, various optical members such as a low-pass filter or a color correction filter are disposed between a lens rearmost portion and an image sensor. Accordingly, it is desired that the zoom lens used in such an image pickup apparatus has a relatively long back focus.
Furthermore, it is desired that in a camera using an image sensor for a color image, chromatic aberration of magnification is effectively corrected. Furthermore, it is desired that a zoom lens used in such an image pickup apparatus has a high telecentric performance on an image side to prevent color shading.
In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,687 discusses a three-unit zoom lens including, in order from the object side to the image side, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and a third lens unit having a positive refractive power, which is small-sized and has a high telecentricity on the image side.
In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 4,838,666 discusses a three-unit zoom lens of the above-described zoom type. The three-unit zoom lens of the above-described zoom type has a long back focus, a high telecentric performance on the image side, and a wide angle of view. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 6,038,084 discusses a three-unit zoom lens of the above-described zoom type having a zoom ratio as high as 3 or higher.
Furthermore, in recent years, light transmissive ceramic has been developed and a photographing optical system that uses light transmissive ceramic as a material of an optical member is conventionally used. In this regard, the light transmissive ceramic has a refractive index higher than that of optical glass. In addition, the hardness and the strength of light transmissive ceramic are higher than those of optical glass. A conventional image pickup apparatus utilizes these characteristics of the light transmissive ceramic and thereby reduces the total thickness of a lens system thereof.
Meanwhile, a so-called short zoom type two-unit zoom lens having a wide angle of view has been conventionally used, which is constituted by two lens units, namely, a first lens unit having a negative refractive power and a second lens unit having a positive refractive power, and changes the interval between the first and the second lens units to perform magnification. In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,072 discusses a two-unit zoom lens that uses the above-described the light transmissive ceramic as a material of a negative lens in the second lens unit. Thus, the zoom lens discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,054,072 reduces the total size its lens system.
In recent years, it is desired that a zoom lens used in an image pickup apparatus has a high zoom ratio and the total size of the lens system is small. Generally, in order to reduce the size of a zoom lens, the number of lenses is reduced while intensifying the refractive power of each lens unit constituting the zoom lens.
However, if the number of lenses is reduced while intensifying the refractive power of each lens unit, the lens thickness increases. Accordingly, in this case, the size of the lens system cannot be appropriately reduced. Furthermore, in this case, it becomes difficult to effectively correct various aberrations. Accordingly, in order to reduce the total size of a lens system while increasing the zoom ratio, it is significant to appropriately set the zoom type, the refractive power of each lens unit, and the configuration of each lens constituting each lens unit.
In addition, in order to achieve a zoom lens having a high zoom ratio and whose lens system is small-sized, it is also significant to select the material of each lens constituting the lens unit by appropriately setting the refractive power and the Abbe number so that various aberrations such as chromatic aberration of magnification occurring at each zoom position can be suppressed or reduced. The refractive index, the hardness, and the flexural strength of the above-described light transmissive ceramic are higher than those of ordinary optical glass. It is useful in effectively correcting aberrations and reducing the total size of an optical system to use the light transmissive ceramic having the above-described characteristics as an optical material.
However, in the case where a lens made of such light transmissive ceramic is merely used in a zoom lens, the zoom lens may not have a high optical performance for the entire zoom range. In order to achieve a high zoom ratio while reducing the total size of a lens system with a lens made of the above-described light transmissive ceramic, it is significant to appropriately set the zoom type, the refractive power of each lens unit, and the configuration of the lens in each lens unit.
On the other hand, in the case where the zoom ratio of a zoom lens is increased and thus a focal length at a telephoto end becomes long, the material of the lens may expand due to the change (rise) in the temperature. Accordingly, in this case, a phenomenon of defocusing may occur and thus the optical performance of the zoom lens may degrade. Accordingly, with respect to the above-described three-unit zoom lens, in order to reduce the total size of the lens system and to achieve a zoom lens having a wide angle of view and a high zoom ratio, it is significant to appropriately set the configuration of the lens in each lens unit and to use an optimal material of the lens in each lens unit.
In this regard, if the configuration of the lens in a second or a third lens unit is inappropriately set or if an inappropriate material is used as a material of the lens in the second or the third lens unit, then the aberration may greatly vary during zooming. In this case, it becomes difficult to achieve a high optical performance for the entire zoom range.

Zoom lens and image pickup apparatus having the same


A switching device for RS-232 serial port and USB serial port is adapted to simultaneously provide a RS-232 serial port and a USB serial port for a micro-processor with a single USART. The switching device can automatically switch to select either of the RS-232 serial port or the USB serial port as a main interface for communicating with other external computer facilities and related peripheries. When one of the serial ports is selected as the main communication interface to communicate with one of external computers, the other one serial port thereof still can transmit signals from the micro-processor to another computer through its transmitting data pin (TXD).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a switching device for selecting RS-232 serial port and USB serial port. More particularly, the present invention relates to using a photo-coupler to automatically select one receiving data pin (RXD line) of both RS-232 serial port and USB serial port so that a computer and peripherals thereof are able to communicate with the RS-232 serial port or the USB serial port. In operation, when one of the RS-232 serial port and the USB serial port is selected, a transmitting data pin (TXD line) of the other is still able to transmit data from a microprocessor to another computer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a computer usually possesses a single RS-232 (Recommended standard 232) communication port or USB (Universal Serial Bus) communication port and hardly possesses these two ports at the same time. This results in inconvenience in data communication.
The conventional communication device using the RS-232 communication port, as shown in FIG. 1, includes a single USART (Universal Synchronous Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) microprocessor 11, a RS-232/USART converter element 12 and a RS-232 serial port 13. The communication device 1 adopts serial communication and has a signal transmission line for transmitting and receiving data. The microprocessor 11 contains a single USART set electrically connecting to the RS-232/USART converter element 12 for converting voltage signals. Further, the RS-232/USART converter element 12 electrically connects to the RS-232 serial port 13 that communicates with a first computer 2 via a transmission line. The first computer 2 is able to transmit and receive data bit by bit through a transmission line.
In 1969 the Electrical Industries Association adopted the RS-232 communication protocol which has two voltage signal ranges: one ranging between −3V and −25V denoting logical signal "1" and the other ranging between 3V and 25V denoting logical signal "0". A computer peripheral, such as UPS, contains a microprocessor control unit (MCU) using a voltage 5V or 3.3V. Therefore, the conventional communication device 1 must include the RS-232/USART converter element 12 for converting transmission signals of the microprocessor 11 and the RS-232 serial port 13.
Referring to FIG. 2, the other conventional communication device 10 includes a single USART microprocessor 11, a USB/USART converter element 14 and a USB serial port 15. The microprocessor 11 contains a single USART set electrically connecting to the USB/USART converter element 14 for converting voltage signals. Further, the USB/USART converter element 14 electrically connects to the USB serial port 15 that communicates with a second computer 20 via a transmission line. The second computer 20 is able to transmit and receive data bit by bit through a transmission line.
The USB communication protocol was developed by Intel, Compaq, DEC, IBM, Microsoft, NEC, and Northern Telecom. However, USB protocol has replaced RS-232 protocol and become a single, general-purpose port for computer peripherals. It is apparent that the USB serial port is a universal protocol port for computer peripherals communicating with a host computer.
Recently, communication interfaces of both RS-232 and USB are widely applied to a computer system and peripherals. The peripheries of the computer must offer these two interfaces at the same time. So far, the RS-232 serial port of a computer peripheral is only available for an RS-232 protocol interface of the computer system. To exchange the RS-232 protocol interface of the computer system with a USB interface, it is necessary to add an RS-232/USB converter. Alternatively, the USB serial port of a computer peripheral is only available for a USB interface of the computer system. To exchange the USB interface of the computer system with an RS-232 protocol interface, it is necessary to add a USB/RS-232 converter. From the viewpoint of manufacture, it is inconvenient for production management to produce the different peripheries with only one of communication interfaces for RS-232 and USB.
To solve this problem, a computer peripheral adopting a communication device 3 having both of a RS-232 serial port and a USB serial port are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.
FIG. 3 depicts a schematic view of dual communication interfaces of a communication device for RS-232 and USB. The communication device 3 includes a dual USARTs microprocessor 31, a RS-232/USART converter element 32, a RS-232 serial port 33, a USB/USART converter element 34 and a USB serial port 35. One USART interface of the double USART microprocessor 31 electrically connects to the RS-232/USART converter element 32. And, the RS-232/USART converter element 32 electrically connects to the RS-232 serial port 33 for providing a RS-232 protocol interface. Subsequently, the RS-232 serial port 33 communicates with a first computer 2. The other USART interface of the dual USARTs microprocessor 31 electrically connects to the USB/USART converter element 34. And, the USB/USART converter element 34 electrically connects to the USB serial port 35 for providing a USB interface. Subsequently, the USB serial port 35 communicates with a second computer 20.
FIG. 4 depicts a schematic view of other dual communication interfaces of a communication device for RS-232 and USB. The communication device 4 includes a first single USART microprocessor 41, a second single USART microprocessor 41′, a RS-232/USART converter element 42, a RS-232 serial port 43, a USB/USART converter element 44 and a USB serial port 45. A USART interface of the first USART microprocessor 41 electrically connects to the RS-232/USART converter element 42. And, the RS-232/USART converter element 42 electrically connects to the RS-232 serial port 43 for providing a RS-232 protocol interface. Subsequently, the RS-232 serial port 43 communicates with a first computer 2. A USART interface of the second USART microprocessor 41′ electrically connects to the USB/USART converter element 44. And, the USB/USART converter element 44 electrically connects to the USB serial port 45 for providing a USB interface. Subsequently, the USB serial port 45 communicates with a second computer 20.
However, the communication device including RS-232 and USB may increase manufacture cost even though it has an advantage of providing dual communication functions for RS-232 and USB simultaneously.
The present invention intends to provide a switching device for RS-232 serial port and USB serial port using a photo-coupler device to automatically select one receiving data pin (RXDA and RXDB lines) of the RS-232 serial port or the USB serial port for communicating data. Firstly, a microprocessor with only one USART can be used to perform automatically selecting one receiving data pin (RXD line) of both RS-232 serial port and USB serial port as a main COM port for communicating data from the microprocessor to a first computer. Secondly, the other unselected one of a transmitting data pin (TXD line) of the RS-232 serial port and the USB serial port that is regarded as a secondary COM port still also transmits data from the microprocessor to a second computer. Thereby, the switching device for RS-232 serial port and USB serial port employs the photo-coupler device to automatically select one of the RS-232 serial port or the USB serial port in such a way to mitigate and overcome the above problem.

Switching device for RS-232 serial port and USB serial port


This invention provides for a portable workbench system (10) which may be used on-site in construction projects. The workbench system (10) permits cutting of workpieces (12) on-site without the necessity of removing the workpieces (12) to a central location. The workbench system (10) provides for a workbench frame (16) having a workpiece positioning member (28) extending in a longitudinal direction (18). A first power saw mounting mechanism (54) allows for fixing the position of a portable power saw (14) above the workpiece positioning member (28). Additionally, a second power saw mounting mechanism (80) is provided for adjustably and fixedly positioning the portable power saw (14) at least partially below the workpiece positioning member (28) in order to allow the user to either cut a workpiece (12) from above or below the workpiece positioning member (28).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention pertains to workbench systems which permits a variety of operations to be accomplished and in particular cutting of differently sized workpieces from either above or below a stabilizing and positioning planar member. This invention relates to portable workbench systems which may be used for on-site cutting operations without the necessity of carrying the workpieces to a central location for such operations. In particular, this invention directs itself to a workbench system which includes a workbench frame having leg members for interfacing with a base surface and includes a substantially planar positioning member which extends throughout the longitudinal length of the workbench system. More in particular, this invention directs itself to a workbench system which has a plurality of stabilizing and positioning orientations for a portable power saw. Still further, this invention relates to a workbench system where a portable power saw may be mounted above a particular workpiece positioning planar member in a variety of longitudinal displacement locations as well as being able to be vertically adjustable above the workpiece. Still further, this invention directs itself to a workbench system where a portable power saw may be secured beneath a planar positioning member for passage of a rotatable blade through a slot formed through the positioning member for cutting a workpiece mounted on top of the positioning member.
More in particular, this invention directs itself to a workbench system which allows the user to arcuately direct the saw blade against a workpiece edge for mitering or otherwise providing an inclined cut to the workpiece.
2. Prior Art
Workbench systems of a portable nature are known in the art. Additionally, knock-down workbenches for use with power tools are also known in prior art systems. The closest prior art known to the Applicant includes U.S. Pat. Nos.: 5,165,317; 4,161,974; 4,494,431; 4,133,237; 4,958,544; 4,465,114; 4,827,819; 3,727,502; 2,803,271; 4,281,570; 3,734,151; and, 4,681,305. In some prior art systems as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,165,317, such provide for knock-down workbenches for use with power tools. These prior art systems may include portable circular saws which may be secured to a base plate and are slidably carried by rails. However, such power saw securement mechanisms are mounted above a carriage and may alternatively be mounted below the workbench structure for use as a table saw, but such systems do not disclose a pivotal suspension mounting above the workbench surface as is provided by the inventive concept of the subject system.
In other prior art systems such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,974, there are portable bench frames for use with woodworking power tools. Such workbench frames support transverse beams through girder structures located on opposing ends thereof. The transverse beams are provided with runners from which are suspended motors and carriage assemblies of a radial arm of a circular saw which may be releasably locked in a selected location along the beam and rotated however, such prior systems do not provide for the mounting of the saw beneath the work table surface nor do such prior art systems disclose the use of a common mounting plate to facilitate an alternate mounting orientation scheme.


A manufacturing method is described for a micromechanical component and a corresponding micromechanical component. The manufacturing method includes the steps: forming at least one crystallographically modified area in a substrate; forming an etching mask having a mask opening on a main surface of the substrate; and carrying out an etching step using the etching mask, the crystallographically modified area and a surrounding area of the substrate being removed and thus forming a cavern in the substrate.

A method for separating a substrate into multiple single components is described in U.S. Published Patent Appln. No. 2011/0163079 and German Published Patent Appln. No. 10 2008 001 952, in which the crystal structure is modified along a separation line with the aid of a pulsed laser beam in the depth of a monocrystalline substrate, which is also denoted as stealth dicing or Mahoh dicing.
Wet chemical methods for the production of crystallographically determined caverns have already been in production for many years; however, severe limitations exist in this area, which affects the design of the cavern shape. Known crystallographic etching methods may in particular only be used for implementing caverns having precisely predefined geometries (flank angles) and sizes. In part, the cavern sizes limit the component size and thus prevent miniaturization. In the case of silicon methods, the etching of caverns using KOH as an etching medium is well-known. In the case of a (100)-surface orientation, this generally results in a rectangular pyramid or a truncated pyramid in a preselected etching time.
In addition, in the case of all known etching methods, in particular also in the case of DRIE, the diaphragm dimensions of the cavern on the opposite substrate side are strongly correlated with the thickness of the wafer, since the etching mask is lithographically defined on the rear side in the case of a fixed flank etching angle of the cavern.
FIGS. 4a, b are schematic cross-sectional representations for elucidating an exemplary manufacturing method for a micromechanical component and a corresponding micromechanical component for elucidating the present invention.
In FIG. 4a, reference symbol 1a denotes a first wafer having a thickness da, a mask opening MA of an etching mask (not shown) being defined on its rear side R. If a diaphragm M1a having a predetermined thickness d is etched in wafer 1a through mask opening MA on side V, the lateral dimension of diaphragm M1a is indicated as MMa. This dimension results due to etching flank angle α.
If, however, according to FIG. 4b, a thicker wafer 1b having a thickness db having an identical mask opening MA is etched on the rear side in order to form a diaphragm M1b having thickness d, its diaphragm dimension MMb is smaller than diaphragm dimension MMa because etching flank angle α is identical.
A combined etching method from a DRIE etching and a subsequent KOH etching is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,514,287, which makes it possible to produce caverns having a waist greater than the etching opening.

Manufacturing method for a micromechanical component and a corresponding micromechanical component


A network interface device for Ethernet networks using unshielded twisted pair cables comprising an overvoltage protection module and an interconnection module connected to the overvoltage protection module, both modules being connected in series in the Ethernet network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to network interface devices for Ethernet networks which carry high speed digital signals over unshielded twisted pair cables.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
It is known in the art to provide network interface devices for connecting telephone company lines with subscriber telephone lines and to provide overvoltage protection for the telephone lines. Typical network interface devices are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,136 issued to Carl H. Meyerhoefer et al on Sep. 3, 1996 (hereafter the "Meyerhoefer '136 patent"), U.S. Pat. No. 4,979,209 issued to Thomas J. Collins et al. on Dec. 18, 1990 (hereafter the "Collins '209 patent"), U.S. Pat. No. 5,450,469 issued to Oliver Parmart et al. on Sep. 12, 1995 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,837 issued to Mark P. Cote et al. on May 16, 1995.
It is known in the art to provide network interface devices for connecting coaxial cables. Such network interface devices are shown in the Meyerhoefer '136 patent and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,394,466 issued to Pina Schneider et al on Feb. 28, 1995 (hereafter the "Schneider '466 patent"). It is also known to provide overvoltage protection for coaxial cables. Coaxial cable overvoltage protection devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,616,155 issued to Francois Guichard on Oct. 7, 1986 and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,056 issued to Nisar A. Chaudhry on Oct. 15, 1996 (hereafter the "Chaudhry '056 patent").
The June 1997 issue of Cabling Business contains an article entitled "Cabling For Ethernet (10 Mb), Fast Ethernet (100 Mb) And Gigabit Ethernet" (pages 74–75). It identifies IEEE specification 802.3i (also known as 10BASE-T) and IEEE specification 802.3u (also known as 100BASE-TX) and states that 10BASE-T Ethernet networks handle 10 megabits per second (Mbps) while 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet networks handle 100 Mbps.
Both 10BASE-T Ethernet and 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet can be transmitted over unshielded twisted pair ("UTP") wires. One twisted pair is used for incoming digital signals from a source and one twisted pair is used for outgoing digital signals back to the source. In addition, there are categories for classifying horizontal UTP cables and connecting hardware by performance capabilities. Thus, Category 3 encompasses UTP cables and connecting hardware with transmission characteristics up to 16 MHz, Category 4 encompasses UTP cables and connecting hardware with transmission characteristics up to 20 MHz and Category 5 encompasses cables and connecting hardware with transmission characteristics up to 100 MHz. 10BASE-T Ethernet (10 Mbs) can be implemented with Category 3, 4 or 5 cables and connecting hardware, whereas 100BASE-TX Fast Ethernet (100 Mbs) can be implemented with Category 5 cables and connecting hardware.
A need exists for a network interface device for interconnecting Ethernet networks which use unshielded twisted pair cables. A need also exists for a network interface device for interconnecting such Ethernet networks and for interconnecting telephone voice lines and coaxial cables. A need further exists for a network interface device for interconnecting Ethernet networks which use unshielded twisted pair cables and for interconnecting telephone voice lines and coaxial cables and which also provides overvoltage protection for the unshielded twisted pair cables, telephone lines and coaxial cables.
The present invention fills that need by providing a network interface device for interconnecting Ethernet networks which use unshielded twisted pair cables and for interconnecting telephone lines and coaxial cables while, at the same time, providing overvoltage protection for the unshielded twisted pair cables, telephone lines and coaxial cables.

Network interface device for high speed data lines


This invention relates to a fluoropolymer nanocomposite comprising a fluoropolymer phase and an inorganic oxide phase dispersed throughout, said inorganic oxide phase having either no particles or particles substantially all of which have a particle size of less than about 75 nm which can be determined by small angle x-ray scattering and transmission electron microscopy techniques. These nanocomposites are useful as protective coatings.

The semiconductor industry is the foundation of the trillion dollar electronics industry. The semiconductor industry continues to meet the demands of Moore's law, whereby integrated circuit density doubles every 18 months, in large part because of continuous improvement of optical lithography's ability to print smaller features on silicon. The circuit pattern is contained in the photomask, and an optical stepper is used to project this mask pattern into the photoresist layer on the silicon wafer. 157 nm lies in the region of the spectrum referred to as the vacuum uv (VUV), which range extends from 186 nm down to below 50 nm. Use of this VUV lithography requires materials transparent in this range.
WO 9836324 discloses the use of resins consisting solely of C and F, optionally in combination with silicone polymers having siloxane backbones, as pellicle membranes having an absorbance/micrometer of 0.1 to 1.0 at UV wavelengths from 140 to 200 nm.
French et al, WO 0137044 and WO 0137043 disclose vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) transparent materials exhibiting an absorbance/micron (A/micrometer) ≦1 at wavelengths from 140–186 nm.

Polymer-liquid compositions useful in ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet uses


An improved head suspension assembly employs a wider and stiffer load beam and flexure having univeral lateral stiffness and a higher natural frequency. The flexure is a unitary configuration having a pair of rails positioned along opposite sides of the flexure. These rails are produced by bending a portion of the flexure material into a bend to form a projecting member arranged to project toward a surface of the load beam to which the flexure is mounted. In this way, the bend faces away from the load beam for interfacing with a ramp to move a head mounted to the flexure away from a disk. This configuration prevents flexure etched edge contact with the ramp and subsequently chipping or other damage to the head suspension assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an improved magnetic head suspension assembly (HSA). The HSA is a component within a disk drive which positions a magnetic read/write head over the desired position on the storage media where information is to be retrieved or transferred. More specifically, the invention relates to a load beam and flexure assembly having increased lateral stiffness and a higher natural frequency than prior art assemblies.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With the advent of more powerful computers and the rapid growth in the personal computer market it has become increasingly more important to enable a user to access data from storage devices with increased speed and accuracy.
Because there is a need to reduce access times to enable rapid retrieval of data, it has become increasingly more important to reduce undesirable levels of vibration of components within the rigid disk drive. Vibration of drive components can cause instability of the drive's servo system. It also may delay the transfer of data because the data can not be confidently transferred until the amplitude of the vibration has substantially decayed. The current invention solves this problem by substantially increasing the natural frequency of vibration of the HSA and by increasing its lateral stiffness.
In terms of the dynamic characteristics of head suspension assemblies, higher vibration amplitudes or gains are more acceptable at higher frequencies. Lower spring rates yield better gram stability through stack up tolerances of drive actuator assemblies. A lower assembly and flexure pitch and roll stiffness help maintain assembly compliance. Increases in flexure lateral stiffness decrease unwanted assembly compliance.

Head suspension assembly including a flexure having rails arranged for interfacing with a head ramp


An integrated circuit (IC) package comprising a-substrate having a first side and an opposing a second side, and a bridge die within the substrate. The bridge die comprises a plurality of vias extending from a first side to a second side of the-bridge die. The-bridge die comprises a first plurality of pads on the first side of the bridge die and a second plurality of pads on the second side. The plurality of vias interconnect ones of the first plurality of pads to ones of the second plurality of pads. The bridge die comprises an adhesive film over a layer of silicon oxide on the second side of the bridge die.

In modern processor package architecture, contact pitches are shrinking to accommodate narrower and more crowded trace routing to direct increasingly faster signals within and between devices. For example, incorporation of high-bandwidth external memory with microprocessors and logic integrated circuits (ICs) in a single package requires a high-density of interconnection capability between the memory and microprocessor ICs. Conventional IC package substrate architectures typically have wide interconnect and routing pitch, and therefore do not support high-density interconnections that utilize sub-100-micron interconnect pitches. Conventional IC package substrate architectures may also require the use of bridging dies to provide an interface between low-density package substrate interconnects to high density IC interconnect architectures.

Embedded bridge with through-silicon vias