The method manufactures a liquid ejection head comprising: a plurality of nozzles which eject liquid; a plurality of pressure chambers which are connected to the nozzles, respectively; a diaphragm which forms wall faces of the pressure chambers; and piezoelectric elements which are disposed on the diaphragm at positions corresponding to the pressure chambers and each are formed of at least a piezoelectric material and electrodes overlapping each other. The method comprises the steps of: forming a lower electrode on a whole surface of a substrate that is to form the diaphragm; then forming piezoelectric material by screen printing onto a whole surface of the lower electrode; then forming an upper electrode on a whole surface of the piezoelectric material; then forming a mask having a prescribed pattern on the upper electrode; then dividing the piezoelectric material and the upper electrode by performing a sandblasting process through the mask; and then calcining the substrate together with the divided piezoelectric material and upper electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid ejection head, and more particularly, to a method of manufacturing a piezoelectric type liquid ejection head.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus, such as an inkjet printer, is known which comprises a piezoelectric type print head (liquid ejection head) that ejects ink droplets from nozzles by applying pressure to ink accommodated in pressure chambers, through changing the volume of the pressure chambers by means of the displacement of piezoelectric elements.
In recent years, there have been demands for improved image quality in the images formed by image forming apparatuses of this kind. For this purpose, it is necessary further to reduce the size of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles of the print head, and to increase the density of the nozzles (to achieve high integration), and consequently, the surface area (size) of each pressure chamber must be reduced. Moreover, in the print head based on the piezoelectric system in particular, it is necessary to form the piezoelectric bodies that constitute the piezoelectric elements as very thin films in order to obtain a desired displacement volume in small-sized pressure chambers.
There are known methods of forming piezoelectric bodies including a method using bulk material and a method using screen printing. In the method using bulk material, it is necessary to polish the bulk material in order to form the piezoelectric bodies as thin films; however, there are restrictions on handling and it is then difficult to form the bodies to a thickness of 30 μm or below. On the other hand, in the method using screen printing, it is possible to form the piezoelectric bodies to a thin dimension; however, if it is attempted to print piezoelectric bodies onto positions corresponding to pressure chambers, through a screen, then there is a problem in that processing of the film thickness of a plurality of piezoelectric bodies is difficult, due to droop of the edge portions, and the like.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-69106 discloses a method in which lower electrodes are formed by means of screen printing, or the like, on a substrate at positions corresponding to pressure chambers on the substrate, a piezoelectric body (piezoelectric film) is then formed on the whole surface of the substrate in such a manner that the piezoelectric body covers the lower electrodes, a mask is then formed on the piezoelectric body by means of photolithography, the portions of the piezoelectric body not covered by the mask are then removed by means of sandblasting, individual piezoelectric bodies are thereby created, the structure is then calcined, and upper electrodes are then formed by means of screen printing, or the like, on the individual piezoelectric bodies.
Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-207970 discloses a method in which, lower electrodes, piezoelectric bodies and upper electrodes are formed in positions corresponding to pressure chambers on a substrate by a method similar to that disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-69106, the upper electrodes are then further divided into a plurality of electrodes by means of sandblasting, or the like, in such a manner that a plurality of pressurization devices are provided for each pressure chamber.
In Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2003-69106 and 11-207970, however, the lower electrodes and the upper electrodes are formed individually by screen printing, or the like, at the positions on the substrate corresponding to the pressure chambers, whereas the piezoelectric body is first formed over the whole surface of the substrate and is then divided into individual piezoelectric bodies at the positions on the substrate corresponding to the pressure chambers, by means of photolithography and sandblasting. In other words, the lower and upper electrodes and the piezoelectric bodies are formed by different methods at the positions on the substrate corresponding to the pressure chambers, and hence the manufacturing process of the piezoelectric elements is complicated. Moreover, positional divergence between the lower electrodes, the piezoelectric bodies and the upper electrodes is liable to occur, and hence there is a risk of variations in the ejection performance, such as the volume and speed of flight, of the ink droplets ejected from the nozzles.
Furthermore, when the portions of the piezoelectric body not covered by the mask are removed by a sandblasting process, then the substrate on which the piezoelectric body is to be formed becomes the blast stopping surface, which receives and stops the blasted abrasive particles, and there is a risk that the substrate may be damaged and degraded by the abrasive particles.

Method of manufacturing liquid ejection head


In a clock data recovery circuit according to related art, it is difficult to achieve a high responsiveness. According to one embodiment, a clock data recovery circuit includes a loop filter, the loop filter including a first path (121, 122) that determines a loop gain that sets a speed of adjusting a phase of a recovery clock to a phase of an input signal, a second path (123, 124) that determines a frequency tracking gain that sets a speed of adjusting a frequency of the recovery clock to a frequency of the input signal, and a compensator 130 that gives a negative feedback from an output side to an input side of the first path and compensates for a phase delay of an output of a phase detector due to a delay amount of the loop filter.

The present invention relates to a clock data recovery circuit and relates to, for example, a clock data recovery circuit that receives a signal on a transmission line in which a clock is superimposed on data and separates the clock from the data.
In a serial data communication such as PCI express (registered trademark), a signal in which a clock is superimposed on data is used as a transmission signal. Therefore, in the serial data communication, a clock data recovery circuit is used to separate the clock from the data of a reception signal in a reception side. This clock data recovery circuit includes a phase detector that detects a phase difference between an input signal and the clock and extracts data from the input signal, a loop filter that generates a phase control signal from the phase difference detected in the phase detector, and a phase shifter that controls the phase of the clock based on the phase control signal.
In recent years, in accordance with an increase in the communication speed of the serial data communication, a phase delay of an output of the phase detector due to a latency of the loop filter of the clock data recovery circuit has become a problem. One example of techniques for compensating for the latency of the loop filter is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-202721.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-202721 discloses an example of the loop filter mounted on a PLL circuit. The PLL circuit disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-202721 includes a latency compensation circuit based on the Smith method. More specifically, the loop filter circuit disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-202721 includes an input circuit that receives a phase signal corresponding to a change in phases and an actual phase signal corresponding to an actual phase sampling of a sampling clock, a filter circuit that connects the phase signal and the actual phase signal to a phase update signal, and a feedback circuit that eliminates loop latency by feeding back to the filter circuit a part of the phase update signal.


A rawhide chew with a pizzle inner member is described. The rawhide chew includes a rawhide outer layer formed of a rawhide sheet. The rawhide outer layer comprises a hole cut therethrough to form a cut-out window. Pizzle positioned within the rawhide outer layer such that the pizzle is externally viewable through the cut-out window. Further, the pizzle is rolled within the rawhide outer layer such that no edges of the pizzle protrude through the cut-out window.

(1) Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an edible chew for domestic carnivorous animals and, more specifically, to an edible rawhide chew with a pizzle inner member.
(2) Description of Related Art
Chews have long been known in the art as a means for encouraging and satiating the chewing instinct of domestic carnivorous animals. By way of example, a rawhide chews are commonly provided to dogs to allow them to satiate their inherent need to chew.
As a "chew," it is desirable that the chew be capable of enduring the rigorous chewing activity of a dog, etc., for a protracted period of time. To accommodate the desire for longevity and durability, chews are often designed of synthetic materials or rawhide.
Synthetic materials, such as rubber, etc., provide a suitable chewing sensation and are generally durable. However, due to the chemicals required to create such chews, they can be harmful to a dog if consumes them and are not considered edible because they can not be digested.
Alternatively, rawhide, which is a component typically formed from the hide of an animal, provides both a natural and durable substance. Rawhide is commonly given to a dog as a chew because of its ability to withstand the treatment provided by the dog. More specifically, rawhide is a relatively tough and sheet-like component that can be knotted into a variety of forms that are desirable to dogs. A problem with rawhide is that it is relatively tasteless. Thus, rawhide-only chews can become boring to a dog over time which causes the dog to lose interest in such chews.
To maintain a dog's interest in a rawhide chew, some have attempted to combine the rawhide chew with a chew treat, such as jerky. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,673,653, issued to Sherrill (the '653 patent), is a rawhide chew with jerky wrapped within and extending from the chew. According to '653 patent, the jerky is an appetizing treat for a dog that entices the dog to chew the chew. Admittedly, dogs are extremely attracted to jerky. While the extension of the jerky may entice a dog to grasp the jerky and continue chewing on the chew, the use of jerky has a drawback in that once the jerky is gone, the dog begins to lose interest in the remaining rawhide. In practice, dogs often chew upon the jerky and rawhide until only the rawhide remains. At that point, a dog often abandons the remaining rawhide. Thus, a dog's interest in the chew is present due to the taste and smell of the jerky and not the mastication qualities of the chew.
Thus, a continuing need exists for a chew that maintains a dog's interest due to mastication qualities of the chew itself.

Rawhide edible chew with pizzle inner member and method for making the same


An equalizing rigging block for use with a synthetic roundsling is disclosed. The rigging block includes in preferred embodiments (a) a flatter and wider sheave to better accommodate a wider or flatter cross-section synthetic roundsling; (b) higher side sections for the sheave; and (c) a plurality of stacked bearings along the rigging block axis to provide enhanced lateral stability of the rigging block. In preferred embodiments, the rigging block sheave is manufactured from a synthetic material, such as plastic. The equalizing rigging block exhibits improved characteristics of holding a synthetic roundsling within the rigging block, and of reducing wear and tear on the roundsling.

In the field of lifting heavy loads, often times the load that is being lifted has a different shape. Such objects may not be readily lifted from a point that is close to the center-of-gravity ("CG") of the object. Indeed, the lifting point or points may not align with the load CG, which may tend to impart uneven loads to the object or the lifting crane.
To address this issue, when such loads are being lifted, the lifting ropes or slings need to be adjusted, or to adjust for the off CG lifting condition. Historically pulleys or roller rigging blocks have been used that allow for such load adjustment. Various pulleys and equalizer rope blocks have been known and used in the industry for many years. However, such prior art roller rigging blocks primarily have been and are used with wire or metal rope lifting apparatus.
Synthetic rope, and synthetic roundslings are becoming more prevalent in the lifting industry, especially for lifting of very heavy loads. Prior art rigging blocks, designed for use with wire rope, are not well suited to handle synthetic roungslings, which have different physical characteristics than wire rope. For example, many synthetic roundslings have a flatter or wider cross-section than a standard wire rope or cable.
Prior art rigging blocks, used with wire rope and wire cable, are not able to readily maintain such roundsling cross-sections in place in the rigging block, and could cause the wider cross-section roundsling to double over onto itself. There does not appear to be a rigging block, or equalizer rope block that is especially designed to handle the characteristics of a synthetic rope or synthetic roundsling when used in off center lifting operations. The current invention, as described below, teaches such an improved apparatus or equalizer rigging block for use with synthetic rope and synthetic roundslings.

Equalizing rigging block for use with a synthetic roundsling


The present utility model discloses a replaceable cosmetic bottle, comprising a bottle body and a bottle cap that covers the bottle body, wherein the bottle body comprises an outer bottle and an inner container which are detachably connected; the outer bottle comprises a first threaded connection portion and a second threaded connection portion which are vertically connected, and the second threaded connection portion is in threaded connection with the bottle cap; the inner container comprises a vertical ring boss; and the inner container is arranged in an inner cavity of the outer bottle, and the vertical ring boss is in threaded connection with the first threaded connection portion. According to the present utility model, the inner container can be conveniently replaced, thereby effectively saving costs and conforming to the idea of energy conservation and environmental protection.

With the improvement of people's living standards, the majority of ladies pay more and more attention to their appearance and are keen on making themselves look more perfect with makeup. In a cosmetic bottle in the existing market, an outer bottle and an inner container are typically of a structure that is inconvenient to be disassembled or cannot be disassembled, and after the cosmetic is used up, the cosmetic bottle is directly discarded, which causes great waste of resources and is not environmentally friendly.


A “no profile” electrical box, integrated flange/protective assembly and interchangeable cover that obscures standard electrical outlets such that a wall surface appears nearly continuous, uninterrupted by the outlet or cover when in use or not in use. The profile of the combined unit equals only the thickness of the material from which it is constructed; no hinges, screws or fasteners of any kind are visible and no part of the assembly requires detachment or storage when the outlet is in use, as the hinged cover is undetectably stored in the electrical box, or may be used to cover the electrical cords when engaged in the outlet. Exemplary embodiments of the cover obscure the electrical outlet. Together, the electrical box and flange assembly allow the electrical outlet to be flush mounted or recessed interchangeably, even after installation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to mechanisms for mounting electrical outlets.
2. Description of the Related Art
Techniques for mounting and covering standard electrical outlets are innumerable. Most variations concern one of three themes, (i) safety for small children, (ii) aesthetics or (iii) recession for electrical cord management. Despite the abundance of related art in this sector, practically all indoor electrical outlet boxes and covers sold in the United States are of traditional design, with little of the patented derivatives finding any level of commercial appeal. The failure of current designs to penetrate the commercial market results from the following:                i) In terms of safety: obtrusive aesthetic design, excessive manufacturing cost or difficulty in installation. Electrical outlet installation is generally permanent in nature, while children's safety is required only periodically and temporarily. Safety features impede normal access to outlets in such a manner as to deter the housing developers from incorporating permanent inconveniences to a majority of customers on behalf of a minority of customers. Also, the construction necessary to retrofit an outlet for this temporary purpose is cost prohibitive and impractical. Therefore add-on temporary products such as plastic electrical outlet safety caps dominate the marketplace.        ii) In terms of aesthetics, most designs, (a) amount to a derivative of a cap that protrudes from the wall, clearly visible and therefore creating limited appreciable aesthetic benefit, (b) incorporate covers that either require storage elsewhere when the outlet is in use or that are more obtrusive when the outlets are in use than cover-free outlets, (c) require excessive manufacturing cost, (d) require additional labor for the home and office contractors.        iii) In terms of recessed outlet design, (a) too many electrical devices utilize low voltage transformers or other plugs that a recessed outlet will not accommodate, thereby preventing prevalent installation, (b) a recessed design that fails to incorporate aesthetic closures and easy closing mechanisms offers limited benefit outside of special applications. As a result, installations of such designs are relegated to specialty uses such as wall-mounted audio visual equipment.
Home builders recognize the aesthetic detraction of standard outlets, as evidenced by the increasing practice of obscuring kitchen outlets through under-cabinet mounting, despite more difficult access for consumers. Such mounting preserves the clean, uninterrupted visual appearance of a kitchen wall. However, no other room in a home or office building offers such a means of obscuring the electrical outlets in a manner that would preserve the aesthetics of an un-breached wall. The lack of commercial penetration by electrical boxes other than of standard design is evidence that no current design has incorporated the four necessary elements:
(i) aesthetically appealing design,
(ii) user-friendly mechanical operation that provides easy access to the outlet,
(iii) competitive manufacturing cost, and/or
(iv) the same field installation steps as used for standard boxes and covers,
In terms of aesthetic improvement referenced in (i) above, the outlet, when not in use should closely resemble the surrounding wall. Features that can improve the aesthetic appearance so include (a) minimal profile such that difference in depth is difficult to perceive, (b) no exposed screws or hinges, (c) limited gaps around the cover closure and (d) paintable material to be painted the same color as the drywall.
Proper mechanical operation referenced in (ii) above, requires that the outlet not be particularly more difficult to access than are standard exposed outlets, can be accessed with one hand while holding an electrical plug and/or must not require the removal and storage of a detachable cover.
As referenced in (iii) above, the parts used for mechanical operation and the general design as a whole cannot be significantly more expensive to manufacture than standard boxes and cover plates.
Installation of the box, flange and cover in new construction must be consistent with current practice as referenced in (iv) above, requiring no additional labor, time, or skills to install.
A design that sufficiently incorporates any of the individual elements would be unique. A design that incorporates all elements in combination would be additionally unique. However, no prior art has produced designs of any one of these elements sufficient to penetrate the current marketplace with these individual attributes and particularly in combination with one another.

Electrical box, integrated flange and cover mechanisms


A system for a vehicle includes a controller and contactor arranged to close responsive to current magnitude through a coil thereof exceeding a first threshold. The controller, following a request to open the contactor, applies current to the coil at a magnitude less than the first threshold for a duration, and responsive to peak current through the contactor during the duration being less than a second threshold, prevents start of the vehicle.

Electrified vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric vehicles, are designed to be propelled or partially propelled by one or several electric machines, such as AC inductive machines, DC brushless electric machines, and permanent magnetic synchronous machines. Battery packs are included in the electrified vehicles providing electricity to electric machines. The battery packs are also referred to as traction batteries or traction battery packs. Hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles also have built-in internal combustion engines able to charge the battery packs and/or propel the electrified vehicles together with electric machines. The battery packs include multiple battery cells in series and/or in parallel to achieve high voltage and/or high output power to meet the requirements of the electric machines. The battery packs also provide power to other equipment and circuits inside of the electrified vehicles, such as DC-DC converters, on-board generators, and air conditioning systems.
A battery pack can be monitored and controlled by a Battery Management System (BMS), also referred to as a Battery Energy Control Module (BECM). The BECM performs multiple functions, such as battery State of Charge (SOC) estimation, battery State of Health (SOH) estimation, battery power limit estimation, battery overvoltage/under voltage protection, battery overcharge/over discharge protection, battery overcurrent protection, battery over temperature protection, battery end of life judgment, leakage current detection, pre-charge control, contactor status determination, etc. These statuses are provided by the BECM via a vehicle communication network to other electric control modules inside the electrified vehicle or a cloud data center for further determinations.


A parallel decoder, which is simpler and more flexible than conventional devices, is provided in decoding device for a LDPC code. The present invention includes a plurality of memory units for storing a received value and a message generated during a Message-Passing decoding, a plurality of variable node function units, a plurality of check node function units, a plurality of address generation units for generating an address of each of memory units, and a plurality of shuffle network units for determining a connection between variable node function units and check node function units. An address generation unit generates an address on the basis of a plurality of permutations. Each shuffle network unit is connected to some of the variable node function units. This connection is determined on the basis of a plurality of permutations. A change of the permutations in the address generation units and a change of the permutations in the shuffle network units are performed in the same cycle in a decoding process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an error correcting code decoding device, a program and a method used therein and more particularly to an error correcting code decoding device, a program and a method used therein for a Low-Density Parity-Check Code (hereinafter referred to as LDPC code).
2. Description of the Related Art
The error correcting code is a technique for reducing noise effects during data transmission by such processing as coding or decoding. Coding is a process of adding redundancy to data to be transmitted. The coded data is called a codeword. A codeword sent into a communication channel is affected by noise, resulting in such an error as having some bits reversed when the codeword is received. Decoding is a process of recovering data from such an error-ridden received word by using redundancy.
A LDPC code is an error correcting code proposed in 1960s. The LDPC code had not drawn attention until late 1990s, when a relation between the LDPC code and the Turbo code was pointed out. (For example, see Non-Patent Document 1)
Non-Patent Document 1: D. J. C. Macky and R. M. Neal, "Good error correcting codes based on very sparse matrices," IEEE Transactions on Information Theory 45 pp. 399-431, 1999.
For an error correcting code, a decoding process, which is typically an estimation process, is more complicated than a coding process. Particularly, in order to provide maximum likelihood decoding or a decoding performance near to that on a code of high error-correction performance with a long code length, a decoding process needs to take on extremely high complexity.
A LDPC code features a parity check matrix with an extreme number of 0s. This feature enables relatively effective high-performance decoding method, which is called Message-Passing decoding (hereinafter referred to as MP decoding).
Now, MP decoding on a LDPC code will be described. For simplicity, it is assumed that a code is a binary, and a modulation system is BPSK, in which a soft decision value of +1 for bit 0 of a codeword or −1 for bit 1 in the case of no error would be a received value.
MP decoding on a LDPC code will be described by using a bipartite graph, which is called Tanner graph corresponding to a parity check matrix. FIGS. 14A and 14B show examples of parity check matrix H and its corresponding Tanner graph G, respectively.
Nodes on Tanner graph G are classified into two types; variable nodes and check nodes. A variable node corresponds to a column of matrix H, i.e., codeword bit, while a check node corresponds to a row of matrix H. By connecting between nodes on Tanner graph G whose cross point on matrix H is filled with 1 by an edge, a graph for the matrix H is made, which is called Tanner graph corresponding to matrix H.
Decoding method on a LDPC code is performed by repeatedly updating a quantity called "message" assigned to an edge of a graph on a node. A message has two types; a message from a check node to a variable node and a message from a variable node to a check node. Each type of message corresponds to reliability information on a codeword bit calculated at a node.
A number of methods are known for an algorithm at a variable node and a check node.
One of the methods with the most efficient decoding feature is sum-product algorithm. A method called the min-sum algorithm with relatively low complexity is described here.
It is assumed that a received value of a codeword bit corresponding to a certain valuable node is r, and a message from a checknode to this variable node is c(1), (2), . . . , c(d_v) (d_v is a number of edges coming out from the variable node). The variable node sends out v(1), which is expressed in [expression 1], to a check node at the other end of a corresponding edge.v(1)←r+c(2)+ . . . +c(d_v)  [expression 1]v(i) (i=2, . . . , d) is also obtained as a sum of r and c(j) (j≠i).
When it is assumed that a message to a certain check node is v(1), . . . , v(d_c) (d_c is a number of edges coming out from the check node), the check node sends out c(1), which is expressed in [expression 2], to a variable node at the other end of corresponding edge.c(1)←sgn(v(2), . . . ,v(d_c))·min{|v(2)|, . . . ,|v(d_c)|}  [expression 2]where sgn(v(2), . . . , v(d_c)) is a value of v(i) (i=2, . . . , d_c) multiplied by a sign (+1 or −1), |a| is an absolute value of a, and min is a function for selecting the minimum value.
c(i)(i=2, . . . ,d) is also obtained by using v(j) (j≠i).
A LDPC code has a small number of edges for each node. Thus, [expression 1] and [expression 2] can be processed with low complexity.
Here we call a processing unit performing [expression 1] and [expression 2] once for all nodes "1 iteration process". MP decoding is accomplished by repeating this literation process. The number to be repeated is generally around 10 to 30.
The final decision of 0 and 1 (hard decision) is performed by deciding whether [expression 3] is positive or negative at each codeword bit.r+c(1)+ . . . +c(d_v)  [expression 3]
When a result of the hard decision for each of all the check nodes is obtained, iteration process of MP decoding finishes.
If the entire graph G can be embodied in a device, the processes are expected to be speedier, which is difficult because a LDPC code is generally used in a long code length (1000-). Therefore, a message is stored in memory, some of the graph G nodes are operated in parallel by sharing a circuit so that complexity and throughput of a device is adjusted.
There is a coding scheme design for designing a decoder that runs partly in parallel at first to follow the above mentioned line and form an appropriate code for the decoder (for example, see Non-Patent Document 2).
Non-Patent Document 2: E. Bautillon, J. Castura, and F. R. Kschischang, "Decoder-First Code Design", the 2nd Internatinal Symposium on Turbo Codes and Related Topics, pp. 459-462, 2000.
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of decoder disclosed in Non-Patent Document 2.
The decoder of FIG. 15 will be described.
Memory means 1501 holds a received value and a message c(i) of [expression 2]. The decoder of FIG. 15 has a plurality of this memory means.
Address generation means 1502 generates an address to access memory means 1501, corresponding one-to-one with memory means 1501.
Variable node function means 1503 is a circuit to process [expression 1], corresponding one-to-one with memory means 1501.
Check node function means 1504 is a circuit to process [expression 2]. The number of inputs and outputs corresponds to the number of edges of a check node in Tanner graph.
Shuffle network means 1505 determines the connection between variable node function means 1503 and check node function means 1504.
In this decoder, respective variable node function means 1503 corresponds one-to-one with memory means 1501 so that they can operate in parallel without any collision between accesses to memory means 1501.
In addition, all the inputs to respective check node functions can be obtained concurrently on this occasion so that check node function means 1505 can also operate in parallel.
In this manner, a partially parallel process can be effectively provided with the decoder of FIG. 15.
However, the decoder of FIG. 15 has not had its configuration optimized, remaining to be simplified further. In optimizing the decoder, care must be taken to avoid degradation of coding performance.
Non-Patent Document 2 does not specifically mention how to give address generation means and shuffle network means.
Moreover, in the configuration of FIG. 15, a shuffle network permutates all the output from variable node function means. That can cause a schedule controlling processes to be complicated when a smaller part operates in parallel in order to meet resource on implementation.

Device, program, and method for decoding LDPC codes


This machine includes a base frame (17) and a lens support (19) mounted on the frame (17) with the lens support (19) having elements (29A, 29B) for driving a lens (15) into rotation around a first axis. It includes a tool holder set (21) including a rotary shaft (39) around a second axis (C-C′) and elements (43) for inclining the first axis (A-A′) with respect to the second axis (C-C′). The rotary shaft (39) bears at least two tools (49, 51) for machining the lens, spaced out along the second axis (C-C′), and a spacer (50) positioned in an intermediate area (55) located between both machining tools (49, 51). The spacer (50) defines an outer surface (57) for machining the lens.

A grinding machine of the aforementioned type is known from WO 2004/087374, which comprises a main set of grinding wheels intended to grind the periphery of the lens and a tool holder set for scoring, counter-beveling and drilling the lens.
The lens blank is rotatably mounted onto a lens support around a first axis.
The tool holder set comprises a rotary tool holder shaft, which may be inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the lens on its support.
The rotary shaft in this example bears a scoring wheel intended to form a peripheral groove in the lens, a counter-beveling wheel intended to machine the sharp edges of the lens, and a drilling tool mounted on the free end of the rotary shaft for drilling holes through the lens.
Once the periphery of the lens has been machined, a groove may be formed in the lens by means of the scoring wheel. Alternatively, the sharp edges of the lens, taken along its outline, may be counter-beveled. A hole may be drilled in the lens by inclining the axis of rotation of the shaft with respect to the axis of rotation of the lens and by introducing the drilling tool through the lens.
Such a tool operates in a satisfactory manner. However, it is always useful to further improve the functionalities of the tool while preserving at the same time reduced dimensions.

Grinding machine for optical glass and associated method of grinding


A method of assaying a preselected volume of sample on an chromatographic strip includes providing a sample receiving reservoir. This reservoir can receive a preselected volume of sample or a preselected volume of sample and reagent. The sample receiving reservoir has an overflow outlet. A moat is communicated to the overflow outlet of the sample receiving reservoir for receiving the sample or sample and reagent when the sample receiving reservoir is full. The mixed sample or sample and reagent fill the sample receiving reservoir, and discharge the excess sample through the overflow outlet to the moat. The sample receiving reservoir having the preselected volume of sample or sample and reagent is discharged on the chromatographic strip for assay. Provision is made for adding a density adding solute which is neutral to the chromatographic strip, the density adding solute occupying the sample receiving reservoir. As a consequence, dense sample first occupies the sample receiving reservoir with less dense excess sample being rejected.

In REDUCTION OF FALSE POSITIVES IN ORAL-FLUID BASED IMMUNOASSAYS U.S. patent application Ser. No 08/806,245, filed Feb. 21, 1997, (owned by the same Assignee herein) there is disclosed the use of an immuno-chromatographic strip for testing oral fluids. In a preferred embodiment, the oral fluid or oral fluid/bile salt mixture can be pretreated by passage through a chelating matrix as it passes out of the oral fluid collection device (e.g., OraQuick.RTM., Epitope, Inc., Beaverton, Oreg., USA) into the assay device (e.g., a rapid assay device such as the HIV1/2 Stat-Pak Ultra Fast HIV Assay, Chembio Diagnostic Systems, Medford, N.Y.).
In this test, and without the addition of the bile salts, it was found that mucopolysacchrides can interfere and give false positive results. It was discovered that by the addition of a bile salt, such as deoxycholate, that the false positives were reduced.
While the addition of the bile salts improved test results, these bile salts produced decreased incidence of false positives. It was found desirable to control the volume of sample released within narrower limits. Specifically, in a preferred embodiment, the bile salt is provided in an amount such that the final concentration of the bile salt in the oral fluid in the assay on the immuno-chromatographic strip ranges from about 0.1 weight percent to about 1 weight percent, more preferably from about 0.3 weight percent to about 0.6 weight percent, and most preferably from about 0.45 weight percent to about 0.55 weight percent of the solution applied to the assay. Naturally, the closer the approach of the sample to the preferred concentration, the better the overall test results.
As this example points out, the field of assaying with chromatographic strips often has needs for precise volume control. This is true, whether or not a reagent is present. Further, where a reagent is added, the reagent must be precisely controlled with respect to the volume of sample.
At the same time that precise volume control is required, it is desired that such tests be simplified to the greatest extent possible. Specifically, and because such tests are performed in large volume, it is not feasible to rely on clinical laboratory personnel to consistently meter the oral fluid relative to the provided chromatographic strip without error.
In the following description, it is to be understood that this invention will apply in any test where sample deposited on a chromatographic strip requires precise volume control. This precise volume control can be with or without pretreatment with a controlled volume of reagent, such as a salt.
It is to be understood that the chromatographic strip provides an environment that is unique as compared to many techniques looking for an analyte within a sample.
Considering the case of Daffern et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,238, volume control occurs by an alternate method. In that disclosure testing for the analyte is performed on a reagent matrix layer. This reagent matrix layer has the capacity to absorb a defined volume only; by saturating the matrix layer the volume is controlled. Once the matrix layer is saturated, excess sample is allowed to overflow to a capturing absorbent layer.
The instant disclosure which follows is to be distinguished. Unlike the matrix layer with the defined volume, the chromatographic strip utilized here is not capable of self control of the volume utilized. Instead, and without volume control, the chromatographic strip here utilized can receive too little sample in which case the reagent is not properly apportioned with respect to the sample. Additionally, and where too little sample is used, the total sample and reagent may not adequately saturate the strip to give a correct indication of the analyte.
Alternately, too much sample can be delivered. In this latter case, reagent is supplied in insufficient quantity and sample is in excess quantity. Both deficiencies contribute to the likelihood of error.

Sample volume control for lateral flow chromatography


A pacifier apparatus comprising a plurality of framing elements forming a hollow-bodied member, a planar surface within an aperture defined by the hollow-bodied member, and a nipple assembly with a nipple extending through an opening in the planar surface from a first side of the planar surface beyond a second side of the planar surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to the field of child care accessories, specifically a hollow-bodied ball with an attached pacifier.
2. Background
Parents and caregivers often use pacifiers to calm down a fussy or teething baby. However, when a baby opens its mouth the pacifier usually falls out and a parent or caregiver has to pick it up and put it back in the baby's mouth. Since babies are in the early stages of development, they have limited motor skills and cannot accomplish this task by themselves. Moreover, it can be very frustrating for both the baby and parent or caregiver when a pacifier repeatedly falls out over a short period of time.
Currently, there are several pacifiers on the market. Some pacifiers have small rings attached to them for easy handling by a parent or other caregiver, such as the Pacifiers for Day and Night Use manufactured by Born Free®. However, even with ring embellishments these pacifiers tend to be small and difficult for a baby or small child to handle or pick up if they fall out of his or her mouth. Traditional pacifiers also offer little interest to a baby or small child when not in the mouth, thus making it necessary for a parent or caregiver to have separate toys on hand to keep the child occupied and content.
What is needed is a large, hollow-bodied apparatus with an attached pacifier nipple such that a baby can hold the apparatus while sucking on the nipple. Such an apparatus can also have a removable teething device and embellishments that can keep a child interested in the apparatus when the pacifier nipple is not in the child's mouth.


An exemplary elevator door frame includes a sill member and a header member. A plurality of jamb members are generally perpendicular to the sill member and the header member. A plurality of guide rail brackets are supported on at least one of the sill member, the header member or one of the jamb members. The guide rail brackets are configured to receive a portion of a guide rail.

Elevator systems typically include a car that travels vertically within a hoistway to carry passengers, cargo or both between various levels in a building. The path the car follows is established, in part, by guide rails that are installed in a hoistway. Installing the guide rails and aligning them in proper position within a hoistway is one of the more time-consuming aspects of installing an elevator system. Guide rails must be aligned relative to each other and vertically plumbed within the hoistway, for example. Additionally, the guide rail positions must be set relative to entranceways that are installed at each landing along the hoistway.
The relative positions of the guide rails and the entranceways establishes the position of the elevator car relative to the entranceways at each landing. Having appropriate alignment at those locations is necessary to achieve adequate door engagement between the elevator car doors and the hoistway doors. Additionally, the elevator car must be precisely positioned relative to the landings to facilitate passenger movement between the landings and the interior of the elevator car. There must be sufficient clearance and alignment in order for the elevator car to be able to move through the hoistway while still keeping a small enough gap between the elevator car structure and the entranceway structures.
There have been suggestions for various structures to facilitate mounting car guide rails relative to elevator entranceways. Some such arrangements include a bracket that extends from the entranceway along a sidewall of the hoistway where a guide rail should be positioned. One such example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 7,147,086. A tool that is useful for positioning guide rails based on doorways is shown in the Published Application WO 2006/054982.

Elevator system door frame that supports guide rails


The present invention is a golf tee and golf tee system, and method for its use, which system includes a golf tee adapted to allow a person to determine the desired position of a teed golf ball with respect to a desired striking position on the golf club face of a golf club striking the teed golf ball once the tee is placed, the golf tee comprising: (a) a cup portion; (b) a stake portion, the stake portion having at least one measurement scale and a guide scale, each scale having respective corresponding indicia, the measurement scale being arranged so as to allow the player to determine the desired striking position on the golf club face, and the guide scale having respective corresponding indicia so as to allow a person to determine the attachment position of a removable insertion restriction portion; and a plurality of receivers aligned along the stake portion and adapted to releasably attach the removable insertion restriction portion; and (c) a removable insertion restriction portion, adapted to be removable and to be placed on at least two positions along the length of the stake portion.

For as long as the game of golf has been played, golfers have struggled to consistently drive the ball as far and straight as their talents and patience will permit. Many factors can contribute to a poorly shot golf ball. For example, a golfer's grip, stance, distribution of weight, head position, bends in the arms and legs, swinging motion, pivot, and follow-through are all examples of elements that golfers work on intently to achieve a consistent and ideal golf swing.
Another factor affecting the quality of a golf shot is the vertical point at which the face of the golf club strikes the ball. At the ideal striking point, a clubface makes initial contact with the midpoint of a golf ball at the club's "sweet spot," or a portion of the clubface designed to provide the straightest and longest drive. Initial contact with the ball above or below its center or above or below the clubface's sweet spot can result in too little or too much loft, excess spin, and generally a shorter, less accurate drive.
Conventional golf tees are used by golfers on their opening swing of each hole to elevate the golf ball above the ground and can be used to facilitate contact at the ideal striking point. Conventional golf tees are typically made of wood or plastic, have a stake portion with a pointed end for insertion into the turf, and have a cupped end for supporting a golf ball. The shaft of conventional golf tees is typically a solid color, such as white or brown.
The optimal depth for tee insertion to facilitate the ideal striking point at a club's "sweet spot" is known to be the depth that allows the bottom of the club head to rest on the turf while the top of the club head is even with the center of the golf ball. This ideal insertion depth is consistent with the following formula: DFT=CFH−(½*DGB), where DFT is the distance from the top of the tee, or the portion of tee remaining above the ground when the tee is inserted; CFH stands for clubface height; and DGB stands for diameter of golf ball.
The method of using a conventional golf tee in the ordinary course is for the golfer to insert the tee into the ground unaided by measurement or reference point. The golfer simply relies upon his/her eyesight and best judgment to insert the tee into the turf at approximately the optimal depth. Thus, each time a golfer uses a conventional golf tee under the ordinary method s/he must estimate both the clubface height (CFH) and the diameter of the golf ball (DGB) in order to calculate the correct distance from the top of the tee (DFT) in which to insert the tee.
A problem with conventional golf tees and their method of use is that the golfer must re-estimate the proper depth each time he or she inserts the tee into the turf. This can lead to inconsistent tee heights, leading to inconsistent drives. This problem has been addressed in the prior art by providing a reference point on the tee shaft, for example lines, notches or a stopping mechanism, such as a removable or non-removable horizontal member that makes contact with the ground when the tee shaft is inserted to the proper depth.
A second problem with conventional tees, and one not addressed by the prior art, is the actual method of insertion depth estimation. Thus, while markings on a tee shaft may allow a golfer to insert his/her tee at the same depth each time, this does not guarantee that the depth consistently used is the optimal one.
For example, Blosser (U.S. Pat. No. 5,356,146) teaches the use of a sequence of stripes in repeating colors on the shaft of the golf tee but fails to provide any means of assisting the golfer in selecting the correct stripe. Several other patents use removable stoppers, which are either screwed on, such as Young (U.S. Pat. No. 6,729,977), Thomas (U.S. Pat. D370,041), and Cabot (U.S. Pat. No. 3,114,557) or clipped on, such as Strong (U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,122), Antonious (U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,700), and Kirikos (U.S. Pat. No. 3,408,079). However, like Blosser, these devices similarly fail to provide a suitable means of assisting the golfer in initially ascertaining the proper insertion depth.
Trial and error presents one means of determining which of several reference points on a tee shaft a golfer may choose to use. However, this method is disadvantageous for several reasons. First, it is time consuming. Second, it must be repeated whenever a new club is used. Third, this method can lead to inconsistent results and may encourage non-ideal swings. For example, a golfer may conclude that a particular marking of the tee shaft is the favored reference point for tee insertion after hitting several good shots on the driving range. However, what the golfer may not realize is that s/he is actually adjusting his/her golf swing to accommodate a non-ideal tee depth, and is thereby reducing this ability to achieve consistency and power in the swing itself. Similarly, a golfer may have accurately estimated the ideal insertion depth but still hit a poor shot due to any one of a wide variety of unrelated problems with his/her stroke. Under the trial and error method, the golfer may be inclined to adjust the insertion depth rather than addressing the actual cause of his/her problematic swing. Thus, the trial and error method does not eliminate tee insertion depth as one of the possible causes of a poorly driven golf ball.
Another means of determining which of several reference points a golfer should use when estimating the proper depth to insert a golf tee is to survey the field of golf clubs and to prescribe a predetermined reference point for each particular club, such as suggested by Strong (U.S. Pat. No. 5,672,122). The drawback of this method is that golf club heads vary widely by manufacturer and also vary by type of club, i.e. drivers, woods, and irons. Moreover, a club head of a particular manufacturer and club type can vary with time, as new models are introduced and poor selling models are discontinued. Thus the apparatus and method taught by Strong is susceptible to becoming out of date and therefore irrelevant.
In light of the drawbacks of the apparatus and methods of the prior art, a new device and method are needed to aid the golfer in consistently inserting the tee to ideal depths.

Adjustable golf tee with associated measuring device


Provided is an imaging apparatus including a mode setting unit that sets a diaphragm driving mode out of a plurality of diaphragm driving modes including a first diaphragm driving mode and a second diaphragm driving mode in which diaphragm driving is more limited than in the first diaphragm driving mode, and a diaphragm control unit that controls diaphragm driving in accordance with brightness of an imaging target in a case where the mode setting unit sets the second diaphragm driving mode.

In recent years, imaging apparatuses that acquire an image of a subject by imaging processing are widely used. In the imaging processing, a driving sound is generated due to lens driving, diaphragm driving and the like. However, generation of the driving sound is not desirable in some scenes, hence research to reduce the driving sound is ongoing.
For example, PTL 1 and PTL 2 disclose imaging apparatuses that can reduce the driving sound. Specifically, PTL 1 discloses an imaging apparatus that controls the driving speed of a focusing lens in accordance with the air temperature. PTL 2 discloses an imaging apparatus that controls the driving speed of a focusing lens in order to reduce the driving sound of the focusing lens.

Imaging apparatus, imaging control method, interchangeable lens and diaphragm driving method


The invention concerns a process and a circuit designed to improve the life duration of electronic field-effect integrated circuit transistors and in particular those with a thin film gate dielectric. According to the invention, an aging measurement tS is supplied by measuring the charge or discharge time at a reference voltage VREF of the gate of a field effect transistor T1, previously pre-charged to a predefined test voltage VP, and brought to high impedance. Depending on the aging measurement obtained, the operational voltage measurement conditions of the transistor can be maintained or modified to reduce the stress applied to the dielectric.

Nevertheless, the reduction in geometrical sizes has resulted in an exponential increase in leak currents between source and drain, also referred to as below-threshold currents, present even when the transistor is cut off: for the latest sub-micron generations, this leak current has become a source of energy loss that cannot be left out of account.
Therefore, it has become necessary to decrease the effect of these leak currents, meaning reducing the power supply voltages and transistor threshold voltages to a smaller proportion. The direct consequence of this is that the electric field applied across the terminals of the gate dielectric is greater. This exposes the dielectric to greater stress, in particular at the point where the gate overhangs the drain and/or source. if we consider the example of an NMOS transistor, in the conducting state, its drain and gate are polarized at Vdd and its source at Vm. If we refer to the two logic power supply voltage levels as being Vdd and Vm as illustrated in FIG. 1a: the dielectric is affected by a stress at the point where the gate overhangs the source. In the cut-off state, the gate is brought to Vm while the polarization of the drain and source remain unchanged as illustrated in FIG. 1b: The dielectric is affected by a stress at the point where the gate overhangs the drain. For a PMOS transistor, the position of drains d and sources s is reversed in the figures.
However, the recent predictions published in the document by James Stathis: "Gate Oxide Reliability for nanoscale CMOS", International Symposium on Physical and Failure Analysis, pp 127-130, June 2005, demonstrate that by reducing the size of the transistors, a gate dielectric will tolerate an electrical field across its terminals of around 1 V per nanometer of thickness.
Accordingly, reliability is decreased in thin dielectric transistors used in logic circuits, especially fast logic circuits, powered by a polarizing voltage at their gates, source and drain, corresponding to the logic supply voltage levels of the circuit.
The stress affecting the gate dielectric is increased even more in the power transistors used in the analog stages of electronic circuits, controlled by higher voltages than at the logic power supply voltage, causing these transistors to become highly conductive or highly cut-off. For instance, let us consider the power transistors used as power supply cut-off devices for all or part of an electronic circuit in stand-by mode to reduce the stand-by mode leak current. SCCMOS ("Super Cut-off CMOS") transistors are an example of the transistors used for this kind of function. A description is to be found in particular in the following publication: H. Kawaguchi et al., "A super Cut-Off CMOS (SCCMOS), Scheme for 0.5 V Supply Voltage with Picoampere Stand-by Current", IEEE Journal of Solid State Circuits, vol. 35 No 10, pp 1498-1501, October 2000. They are characterised by their capability of conducting high current in the conductive mode, low leak current in the cut-off state, for an optimal occupied circuit area (with respect to the current in the conductive state).
For this kind of use, in stand-by mode, the transistor is blocked and the transistor gate is inverse "super-polarised", producing leak current beneath the minimum threshold. In reality, the leak current below the threshold decreases exponentially when more negative polarization is applied to the gate for an NMOS or more positive polarization for a PMOS. Inverse super-polarization refers to the polarization of the gate at a lower voltage than the most negative terminal of the logic supply voltage of the circuit for an NMOS transistor or higher than the most positive supply terminal of the logic supply voltage for a PMOS circuit.
This mode of inverse polarization produces increased stress in the gate dielectric, in the example, more specifically at the point where the gate overhangs the drain so that the drain gate voltage becomes greater than the logic supply voltage. This results in the reduction of the power transistor reliability.
Accordingly, generally speaking, the "miniaturisation" of field-effect transistors reduces their reliability and subsequently the duration of electronic integrated circuits using this type of transistor. This means that the stakes are high, especially for fast logic and for every type "portable" application.
One objective of the present invention is to increase the reliability of field-effect transistors in this way.
It has been seen that in thin dielectric arrangements, stress does not generate the abrupt breakdown of the dielectric as occurs in thicker dielectrics but, on the contrary, leads to a phenomenon of soft breakdown. This phenomenon of soft breakdown is explained in the following publication: Depas et al. "Soft Breakdown of Ultra-thin Gate Oxide Layers", IEEE Transactions on Electron devices Vol. 43, no. 3, September 1996. It is illustrated in FIG. 2, using the example of an MOS technology transistor on a silicon substrate and having a silicon oxide gate dielectric. The ordinates represent the gate voltage which is applied to maintain constant current through the dielectric. Initially, the applied voltage decreases slowly: this part of the curve up to the SBD point corresponds to the generation of faults (carrier traps) in the SiO2 dielectric and at the substrate/dielectric Si/Si02 interface due to the tunnel injection of electrons in a strong electric field. When, locally, these faults reach sufficient density, a conduction path is formed: this is the first breakdown (SBD point in the figure). This initial breakdown can be followed by other breakdowns. When the conduction path or paths are widened by thermal effects and join one another, the rate of change of the current through the dielectric becomes very high until the transistor switches out (BD point).
The soft breakdown phenomenon as observed allows the detection or following of the aging of the dielectric, before reaching the final breakdown point BD.

Process and circuit for improving the life duration of field-effect transistors


An apparatus includes a polarity reversing section which generates a polarity reversing signal for the liquid crystal drive voltage; a liquid crystal driver which reverses the polarity of the liquid crystal drive voltage based on the polarity reversing signal to drive the liquid crystal display panel; a warning signal generation section which generates a warning signal indicating the polarity reverse before the polarity of the liquid crystal drive voltage is reversed; and a regulator section which controls a supply of the liquid crystal drive voltage in accordance with the warning signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a drive apparatus of a liquid crystal display device and, more specifically, to a drive apparatus of a passive and active matrix liquid crystal display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device of conventional type carries therein X and Y electrodes in a matrix, and performs display by driving a liquid crystal material disposed at electrode intersections.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of such a conventional liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device is configured by a liquid crystal module controller 101, a liquid crystal module (LCM) 102, a power supply 111, and a regulator 103.
The liquid crystal module (LCM) 102 includes a liquid crystal panel, a common/segment driver which drives the liquid crystal panel, and a module controller (not shown) which controls the operation of the driver or others, for example.
The liquid crystal module controller 101 includes a data transfer clock generation circuit 105, a display data generation circuit 106, a synchronizing signal generation circuit 107, and an alternating signal generation circuit 108. To the liquid crystal module (LCM) 102, these components provide supplies of, respectively, a transfer clock CLK, display data DATA, horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals (HSYNC, VSYNC), and an alternating signal (hereinafter, also referred to as alternating signal DF). The liquid crystal control module device 101 is connected to a microprocessor unit (MPU) 110 via a system bus 117, and performs display control for the liquid crystal module (LCM) 102 under the control of the MPU 110.
The liquid crystal module (LCM) 102 receives a drive current from the power supply 111 through the regulator 103.
As described above, the liquid crystal module (LCM) 102 receives an alternating signal, and the liquid crystal panel is subjected to alternating drive. That is, the drive voltage for application to the common electrode and the segment electrode of the liquid crystal module (LCM) 102 is reversed in polarity in accordance with an alternating signal.
FIG. 2 schematically shows an alternating signal and a drive current for supply from the regulator 103 to the liquid crystal module (LCM) 102. As shown in FIG. 2, every time the alternating signal is reversed, a high level of current I2 flows with a spike or surge peak. The current flow of such a high level has been resulted in problems of causing unstable or erroneous operation of the liquid crystal display device. As an example, refer to Japanese Laid Open Patent Application Kokai No. H07-253565.
When the regulator 103 has the current supply capability of about a level of a normal current (I1 of FIG. 2), there needs to include a large-capacity capacitor for supply of the peak current I2. In this instance, however, the device size is increased, and the cost is also increased.
Considered here is a case where the regulator 103 is increased in its current supply capability to a level possible to supply the peak current I2. In this case, however, the regulator 103 will be mostly involved in the supply of the normal level of current I1 when it is in operation. The regulator 103 thus operates mainly in the region with poor conversion efficiency, and thus the power consumption is increased.

Drive apparatus of liquid crystal display device


An assembly for packaging a microchip has a dielectric element including a top dielectric layer having a bottom surface. Traces extend at the bottom surface to connect terminals of the dielectric layer to conductive elements, the conductive elements being connected to contacts on a chip. Each trace has a terminal to which it is electrically connected. Traces extend beneath terminals to which they are not electrically connected.

Packaging for semiconductor chips and related microelectronic devices may incorporate a dielectric element and terminals for connecting the chip with other electronic elements in an electronic device. As disclosed, for example, in certain embodiments of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,148,265 and 5,148,266, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein, a semiconductor chip can be provided with a flexible dielectric structure having terminals thereon. The terminals on the flexible dielectric are connected to contacts on the chip by flexible leads, so that the terminals remain movable with respect to the chip. The dielectric structure may incorporate a compliant layer disposed between the terminals and the chip, which aids in mechanically decoupling the terminals from the chip. The flexible dielectric, flexible leads and compliant layer of the flexible dielectric aid in reducing stresses developed in the leads as the operation of the chip creates heat and thermal expansion within the chip and dielectric structure.
The configuration of the leads and the terminals affects the dimensions of the entire assembly. This is a concern in the semiconductor chip packaging art, as the dimensions of the assembly affects the transmission time for signals transmitted within the electronic device in which the assembly is incorporated. Delays in transmission of these signals limit the speed of operation for the electronic device. In certain embodiments taught in the '265 and '266 patents, the terminals are arranged in a "fan-in" pattern, so that the terminals are disposed over the chip itself and the size of the assembly is thereby reduced. For example, where the contacts on the chip are arranged in rows at the periphery of the chip, the terminals may be arranged on the dielectric structure overlying the central region of the chip's front surface. Electrically conductive traces may extend inwardly along the dielectric structure from the flexible outer portions of the leads to the terminals. In addition, the terminals may be arranged in a so-called "area array," i.e., an array of terminals substantially distributed over the available surface area of the dielectric structure. This maximizes the spacing between terminals for a given structure size and number of terminals, since the terminals are arranged in a two-dimensional array, as opposed to being arranged in only one or two rows.
As disclosed in the '265 and '266 patents, the terminals may be disposed either on the surface of the dielectric structure remote from the chip, or on the surface opposite the chip. For example, in the '266 patent, one embodiment uses a first dielectric layer, having a first face directed towards the chip and a second face directed away from the chip. The traces and terminals are disposed on the second face of this first layer. A further dielectric layer is provided by applying a material over the second face and the terminals and traces of the first layer. Holes or vias are then formed in the further layer to expose the terminals beneath. Conductive filler such as solder is then applied in the vias so that solder masses form bonding terminals extending over the face of the second layer remote from the chip.
In other structures, the traces and terminals may be formed on the first or chip-facing surface of a preformed dielectric layer such as a polyimide sheet and holes may be formed in the polyimide sheet in alignment with the terminals. Here again, electrically conductive terminals are deposited in the holes to form further, bonding terminals on the second surface of the dielectric structure, remote from the chip. Terminals formed from electrically conductive masses such as solder bumps and terminals designed to accommodate solder bumps are generally larger in radial dimension than the width of the traces extending from the clip. However, traces extending along the surface of the dielectric element are typically closely packed. Placement of the terminals on the dielectric layer also occupied by the traces leaves less room for the traces between the adjacent terminals. A microelectronic chip package configuration which maximizes the space available for placement of the traces, but which also allows use of relatively large terminals, would be desirable.

Semiconductor chip package with dual layer terminal and lead structure


A method for protecting firewall load balancers from a denial of service attack is provided. Packets are received by the firewall load balancer. Each packet has a source and a destination. The firewall load balancer is equipped with a connection database that can contain entries about the packets. Upon receipt of a packet, the connection database is queried to determine whether or not there is an entry for the received packet. If an entry is found in the database, the packet is forwarded to its destination. Otherwise, if the packet was received from a firewall, then a new connection entry for the packet is built and is saved to the connection database and the packet is forwarded on to its destination. If the packet does not have an entry (match) in the connection database and the packet was not received from a firewall, then the packet is forwarded to a firewall.

The Internet has experienced, and will continue to experience, explosive growth. As originally designed, the Internet was to provide a means for communicating information between public institutions, particularly universities, in a semi-secure manner to facilitate the transfer of research information. However, with the development and provision of user-friendly tools for accessing the Internet, such as the World Wide Web (the Web), the public at large is increasingly turning to the Internet as a source of information and as a means for communicating.
Because of the growth of the Internet and corporate intranets, the services provided over networks have become more diverse and sophisticated. As a result, increasingly complex schemes have been developed to respond to client generated network traffic and to service client requests. In some of these schemes, a single device is placed on the network that is responsible to direct packets to other devices or to filter packets that are bound for a number of other devices for some purpose such as security or load balancing. Such devices, when implemented, are critical to the operation of a network because they often represent a single point of failure that may prevent either the entire network or a substantial portion of the network from functioning.
Provision of a Web home page involves establishing a user accessible file at a Web site. The Web site can be established either on a computing system on the premises of the business or institution that providing the home page, or by contracting to have the home page built and supported on the computing facilities of an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Use of a company's computing system for support of a publicly accessible system, such as a Web site, can present a threat to the company's internal systems that share the same computing platform or are connected to the publicly accessible computing platform. Furthermore, in cases where sensitive information is transmitted over the Internet to a company, such information is usually stored on the same computing system that is used for running the on-line Internet system. Handling of such information over a public network such as the Internet requires some measure of security to prevent the information from being intercepted. However, a more important consideration is maintaining the security of such information once it is received and stored in a computing system that is connected to the Internet.
Most computer crime is not in the form of data interception, but involves a network intruder, or "cracker" entering a publicly accessible computing system and subverting security systems to access stored information. In the recent past, there have been several publicized cases where crackers have stolen proprietary information from purportedly secure computers over the Internet.
In many cases where a publicly accessible application, such as a Web home page, is set up on a business or institution's premises, it is grafted onto an existing computing system. The existing system also may contain other computing resources, such as databases and/or internal network systems that are not intended for public access. Provision of a publicly accessible on-line system, such as a Web server, on such a system can provide a scenario that can be exploited by network intruders who may attempt to reach systems beyond the Web server using it, or other systems bundled on the computing platform, as access paths. A company or institution may attempt to protect these surrounding systems by password protecting them or by concealing them from the public with a system called a firewall.
The term "firewall" was coined in the computer network art to describe a system for isolating an internal network, and/or computers, from access through a public network to which the internal network or computers are attached. An example of a firewall system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,797. The purpose of a firewall is to allow network elements to be attached to, and thereby to access, a public network without rendering the network elements susceptible to access from the public network. A successful firewall allows for the network elements to communicate and transact with the public network elements without rendering the network elements susceptible to attack or unauthorized inquiry over the public network.
Firewalls have become an integral part of a network that is connected to the Internet or other wide-area network (WAN). As mentioned before, as network traffic increases—and the increased economic importance of that traffic—so does the need for increased security. To alleviate the demand on any one machine, and to prevent any single device from being a single point of failure, firewalls have been duplicated to form a firewall "bank." Multiple firewall machines can be operative within the firewall bank in order to distribute the firewall workload among multiple machines in order to increase performance.
Firewall banks have created a need for methods and devices that balance the workload among the elements of the firewall bank. These devices are called firewall load balancers. In a typical configuration, there are firewall load balancers on either side of the firewall bank. The firewall load balancer that sits outside (i.e., on the Internet side) of the firewall is used to balance incoming traffic among the firewalls within the firewall bank. Similarly, the firewall load balancer that sits on the inside portion of the firewall is used to balance the load emanating from the servers that are servicing the requests originating from outside the firewall.
Crackers have been known to inundate a port, such as a telnet, http, or ftp port, with large numbers of slightly varying access requests in order to consume available memory and CPU cycles on the attacked device. This method of attack is known as a "denial of service attack." Specifically, the attacked device is inundated with requests that consume its resources and either cause it to crash or otherwise to slow down to the point where it cannot service legitimate requests. A more comprehensive discussion of denial of service attacks is presented by the CERT Coordination Center and is available on the Internet at <http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/denial_of_service.html>. The typical response to a denial of service attack is to have the operating system (OS) shut down the targeted port for a period of time, thereby denying the service of that port both to the attacker and, unfortunately, to legitimate customers. This defensive response is necessitated by the inefficiency of conventional port processing. The chain of processes associated with monitoring, managing, and verifying port connections is very inefficient. Consequently, the conventional defense is to have the OS shut down the port for a period of time. This security technique prevents entry into a system through that port and restores the availability of system resources to the remaining ports. This defensive measure is unacceptable because it concedes defeat (i.e., the denial of service) to the attacker.
Aside from the packet flooding tactic, other denial of service attacks entail the disruption or overwhelming of components within a computer system. Firewalls can become a target of the attacker as well because if the firewalls are disabled, the connection to the wide-area network is also disabled. From an attacker's standpoint, this is equally as effective as disabling the servers. As firewalls are vulnerable to the denial of service attack, so too are their load balancers. The firewall load balancers also may be inundated with the denial of service's packets and exhaust their resources. There is, therefore, a need in the art for a firewall load balancer that can operate effectively while conserving resources so that it can withstand a denial of service attack.

Method for protecting a firewall load balancer from a denial of service attack


A low-profile planar transformer in one embodiment includes a rectangular frame including top and bottom recesses, a first opening through the top and the bottom, a transverse slot open to the other side, and a flange on the other side; a sheet primary winding including a second opening through its top and bottom, the primary winding being adapted to insert into the slot with the other side thereof exposed and the second opening aligned with the first opening; a rectangular secondary winding adapted to put on the recesses; two insulators of U-shaped adapted to clamp front and rear ends of the secondary winding; a first core of E shape; and a second core of sheet shape adapted to couple to the first core by inserting the central ridge of the first core through the first and the second openings with the frame, the windings, and the insulators disposed therebetween.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to planar transformers and more particularly to a small planar transformer having a lower profile than conventional planar transformer.
2. Description of Related Art
Planar transformers are well known in the art. Planar transformers have advantages of having a compact size, a high efficiency, and a good heat dissipation capability.
Moreover, there have been numerous suggestions in prior patents for planar transformers. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,010,314 discloses a type of low-profile planar transformer.
Typically, a small planar transformer is mounted in a compact electronic product (e.g., notebook computer, MP3 player, or the like) for supplying required power thereto. However, typical types of planar transformer have a drawback of having a great clearance distance between core and windings due to safety creepage consideration. Thus, typical planar transformers are still relatively bulky as viewed by the inventor.
It is understood that there is a trend of ongoing reduction in size of electrical and electronic equipment. Hence, a further reduction in size of planar transformers is desirable.


A chip carrier for manufacturing a chip module (18), with a substrate and connection leads arranged on the substrate has connection leads designed like stripes and extending parallel over the substrate. The connection leads are electrically conductive connection strands (12, 13) placed on the substrate. The substrate is formed by a carrier film (11).

Chip modules are usually manufactured using chip carriers whose surface is provided with a printed circuit structure for connection with elevated contact metallizations of the chip. The use of printed circuit structures manufactured in etching processes does enable any printed circuit structures desired, in particular those with a complex design. However, just the provision or manufacture of the conventional chip carriers independently of the actual contacting process with the chip for manufacturing the chip module already requires a complex and correspondingly expensive procedure. The use of etching techniques requires an appropriate structure for the carrier layer of the substrate, which in addition to a so-called etch-stop layer must also be provided with a lacquer coating when using lithographic processes for defining the printed circuit structure.
Known from DE 195 41 039 A1 is a chip module with a chip carrier, in which the connection leads formed on an insulation layer extend in a stripe-like design and mutually parallel over the insulation layer of the substrate, and are each allocated to an elevated contact metallization of a chip. To manufacture the known chip module, the individual substrates of the chip carriers are arranged on a continuous substrate carrier, which is connected with the individual substrates via the connection leads extending continuously over the substrate carrier. In the known method, the film-like substrate carrier is used only to connect the connection leads with the substrate.
Known from DE 196 01 203 A1 are a data carrier card and a method of its manufacture, in which the data carrier card consists of a flat, injection molded plastic card body with at least one recess, on which three dimensionally guided printed conductors are applied. A chip can be electrically connected with the printed conductors in the recess, and then have a protective layer cast around it to form the data carrier card.
EP 0 421 343 A2 describes a chip carrier for the connection and electromagnetic shielding of a single chip. The chip carrier has a complex, curved structure with discontinuous connection leads formed on the surface of the chip carrier.
EP 0 682 321 A2 shows a chip carrier to be arranged in a card body. The chip carrier exhibits a carrier substrate with connection leads discontinuously formed on the surface.
EP 0 391 790 A1 describes a chip module or a method of manufacturing an encapsulated chip module with a chip, in which a structured metal film is applied to a carrier film to form connection leads.
FR 2 756 955 A1 describes a method of contacting a chip with a coil on a card-shaped carrier material, which is provided with a printed board arrangement in the form of a coil.

Chip carrier a chip module and method of manufacturing the chip module


A barium/lead-free ceramic glaze includes by weight:. (i) between about 44 and 50% SiO.sub.2 ; PA1 (ii) between about 7 and 13% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; PA1 (iii) between about 22 and 26% B.sub.2 O.sub.3 ; PA1 (iv) between about 3 and 9% CaO; PA1 (v) between about 1 and 3% SrO; PA1 (vi) up to about 2% ZnO; PA1 (vii) between about 2 and 4% K.sub.2 O; PA1 (viii) up to about 2% Li.sub.2 O; and PA1 (ix) between about 5 and 9% Na.sub.2 O.. This barium/lead-free glaze can be effectually applied to a ceramic substrate at firing temperatures on the order of 1550 to 1650.degree. F. (843 to 899.degree. C.).

The present invention relates to barium-free and lead-free ceramic glazes that can be employed with ceramic articles such as spark plug insulators.
Glazes, continuous coatings that are fusion bonded onto a substrate, can serve a variety of purposes: (1) render the substrate impermeable to liquids and gases; (2) aesthetics, e.g., covering blemishes and providing decorative effects; (3) protection; and (4) increased strength.
One property of a glaze that can be particularly important is its thermal coefficient of expansion. In order to avoid undue stresses which can cause spalling, chipping, cracking or crazing, a glaze should have a low thermal coefficient of expansion. A glaze preferably has a thermal coefficient that is similar to the ceramic substrate to which it is applied, e.g., on the order of from 6 to 7 microinches per inch per .degree. C. In fact, glazes having this low coefficient of thermal expansion can strengthen an alumina insulator by inducing compressive stresses at the surface of the glaze-insulator composite.
It is further recognized that glazes can be modified to change their properties, e.g., maturing temperature, color, and coefficient of thermal expansion. However, the highly complex, multi-component nature of glazes makes predicting the effect of varying or substituting chemical compounds in a glaze formulation difficult, even where the general properties of the individual components may be recognized.
In addition, glazes are not homogeneous, that is, they may contain one or more dispersed undissolved phases, thus the ultimate components shown by chemical analysis may not effectively describe a glaze in a manner such that the properties are readily predictable.
The composition of glazes has evolved for other reasons. For example, lead found much use in traditional glazes, however, toxicity issues surrounding lead have fostered the development of "lead-free" glazes. Examples of "lead-free" glazes can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,976 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,120,733. The composition described above includes 48 to 54% SiO.sub.2, from 7 to 11% Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, from 16.5 to 20% B.sub.2 O.sub.3, from 11 to 14% BaO, from 2 to 3% CaO, from 2 to 2.5% ZnO, from 4.25 to 5.25% Na.sub.2 O, and from 0.4 to 1% K.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O and MgO.
Finally, glazes that are both lead-free and barium-free are also known. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,497.
Spark plug insulators comprise one class of ceramic substrates that are often used with a glaze. The exterior portions of spark plug insulators are exposed to dirt and grease which may result in the formation of an electrically conducting surface and premature failure of the spark plugs. Because of this, alumina insulator bodies of spark plugs are glazed to minimize dirt and grease build-up, and to increase the strength and imperviousness of the surface.
However, the introduction of glaze onto spark plugs has encountered its own set of problems. For example, in the manufacture of a spark plug, two separate firing steps are typically employed in connection with an already sintered bisque alumina insulator. The first involves glost firing raw-glazed insulators, i.e., the ceramic component of the plug, at 2050-2150.degree. F. (1121-1177.degree. C.). A second firing step is then carried out at reduced temperatures, e.g., between 1550 and 1650.degree. F. (843 and 899.degree. C.), to incorporate a carbon-based, Fired-In Suppressor glass seal that results in the production of spark plug core assemblies, where a "core assembly" is a glazed insulator with a contained internal center electrode component.
Reduced temperatures are required in this second firing step due to the temperature-sensitive nature of certain of the components of the Fired-In Suppressor glass seal. Moreover, the necessity for carrying out two separate firing steps adds to both the cost and the time involved in glazing and glass sealing the unit.

Low-temperature barium/lead-free glaze for alumina ceramics


An automatic focusing apparatus includes a telephotographic system and a line sensor comprising multiple light receiving devices which receive light of an object image formed by the telephotographic system, multiple monitor sensors positioned adjacent to said line sensor, which monitor a quantity of light received by the line sensor, and a focus detecting device which controls a light receiving time of the light receiving devices in accordance with the monitor sensors, and detects a focusing state based on outputs of respective light receiving devices. When the focus detecting device fails to detect an effective focusing state, the light receiving time of the line sensor is controlled only by the monitor sensor positioned at a center.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automatic focusing apparatus which can be applied to an auto-level, a theodolite or a transit instrument etc., having a telephotographic system.
2. Description of the Related Art
A surveying instrument, such as an auto-level, a theodolite or a transit instrument etc., is basically provided with a collimating telescope, a level, and scales for measuring a rotative angle or an elevational angle. The surveying instrument is set in a horizontal plane and is adjusted in horizontal and vertical directions so that an operator may observe a collimation point or object through a collimating telescope.
A typical surveying instrument having a collimating telescope is provided, in an order from an object side, with an objective lens, a focusing lens and an eyepiece. The position of the focusing lens is adjusted according to the distance from the object, so that an image of the object may be formed on a focusing plate (reticle). The operator may thus observe the image superimposed on the reticle via the eyepiece.
For example, provided that the scope range of the object distance is between 1 m--infinity (this range is very wide compared with a telescope or binoculars), and that the focusing lens is a concave lens, the approximate amount of movement of the focusing lens is 30 mm. The focusing lens is normally driven through an operation of a rotative knob. If the amount of movement of the object image, namely the amount of movement of the focusing lens, is set smaller in regard to the rotative angle of the rotative knob, the amount of movement of the object image becomes smaller as compared with the rotative angle. Therefore, a relatively large amount of time is required to move such a lens. On the other hand, if the amount of movement of the object image is set larger in regard to the rotative angle of the rotative knob, the amount of movement of the object image becomes great compared with the rotative angle. Such an arrangement leads to difficulty in stopping the object image on the reticle.
Additionally, if the object is positioned far in the distance, the object image moves a large amount forwardly and rearwardly through a small operation of the rotative knob in the rotative direction. On the other hand, if the object is positioned relatively close to the focusing lens, the amount of movement of the object image becomes smaller as compared with the amount of rotation of the rotative knob, thus it is required to move the rotative knob a great deal for the purpose of moving the object image on the reticle. In such a case, it is difficult to determine whether the aiming object is in a front focus or a rear focus position, which may lead the operator to rotate the rotative knob in the wrong direction opposite to the focus direction. In any event, a conventional auto-level suffers from the fact that it takes too much time for focusing.
In order to overcome the above mentioned problem, a survey instrument is provided in which a so-called passive type of automatic focusing apparatus is mounted. As is well known, the focusing of the automatic focusing apparatus is performed, firstly by dividing an optical path of the optical system of the collimating telescope, and secondly by detecting a defocus along the divided optical path, based on the object image focused at the same position as that of the focusing plate.
However, the survey instrument normally utilizes a staff which serves as the aiming object, so that the staff is positioned at the center of the visual field (on the vertical line of the reticle). The size of the staff image in the visual field becomes smaller especially as the distance becomes longer. Consequently, the conventional auto-level may focus on the background of the staff in the case of high contrast, namely when the staff is dark while the background behind the staff is brighter.

Multiple step automatic focusing apparatus for a surveying instrument


An operation control device for a working vehicle which includes a hydraulic working device, comprises a hydraulic actuator to drive the hydraulic working device, an operating oil supply source for driving the hydraulic actuator, a sent-out oil amount control device that controls the amount of oil sent out from the operating oil supply source, an operating device to be operated to make the hydraulic actuator work, and an operating oil supply control device that performs control to supply operating oil to the hydraulic actuator according to operation of the operating device. The sent-out oil amount control device controls the amount of oil sent out from the operating oil supply source according to the operation amount of the operating device.

Hydraulic shovels (excavators) are known as working vehicles. The hydraulic shovel is configured to comprise a traveling unit having right and left crawler mechanisms, a turning body pivotally provided on the top of the traveling unit, and a shovel device provided on the front of the turning body. As such a hydraulic shovel, there is known a hydraulic shovel which comprises a power supply unit having a battery and an inverter, an electric motor receiving electric power from the power supply unit to drive, a hydraulic pump driven by the electric motor, and a plurality of hydraulic actuators (hydraulic motors, hydraulic cylinders, etc.) receiving operating oil discharged from the hydraulic pump to operate and which is configured to make the crawler mechanisms, the shovel device, and the like operate by these hydraulic actuators so as to perform travelling, excavation, and the like.
As such hydraulic actuators, there are a travelling motor to make the crawler mechanisms operate, a turning motor to make the turning body pivot, a boom cylinder to make the shovel device operate, an arm cylinder, a bucket cylinder, a swing cylinder, a blade cylinder to make a blade vertically move, and so on. Among conventional hydraulic shovels, there is known a shovel which comprises an operation control device configured to drive a plurality of hydraulic pumps (including a pilot pump) by one electric motor and, using operating oil discharged from those hydraulic pumps, to make the above-mentioned plurality of hydraulic actuators operate and to generate pilot pressures. This operation control device needs to drive all the hydraulic pumps by one electric motor such that pump discharge pressure corresponds to the highest pressure under load among all the hydraulic actuators, and thus excess energy consumption by that electric motor is large in amount.
Accordingly, there is also known an operation control device which comprises two electric motors and is configured to make the travelling motor and the hydraulic cylinders (boom cylinder and the like) of the shovel device operate using operating oil from a hydraulic pump driven by a first electric motor and, using operating oil from a hydraulic pump driven by a second electric motor, to make the turning motor and the blade cylinder operate and to generate pilot pressures (see, e.g., Patent Document 1). This operation control device can suppress the rotational speed (number of rotations per unit time) of the second electric motor (electric motor for turning and so on) to be low when performing only travelling and the operation of the shovel device and suppress the rotational speed of the first electric motor (electric motor for travelling and so on) to be low when performing only turning and the operation of the blade, and thus energy consumption by the two electric motors can be suppressed.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 5096417
In a conventional operation control device, because by feedback control in which the flow rate of discharge from the hydraulic pump is determined based on the difference between operating oil pressure on the hydraulic pump side and operating oil pressure on the hydraulic actuator side, the flow rate of discharge from the hydraulic pump is controlled, control responsivity is relatively slow. Thus, there is the problem that during the control of the discharge flow rate, in the situation where the differential pressure abruptly changes, a control delay occurs, so that hunting is likely to occur and that in the situation where the differential pressure changes only slightly, the responsivity is likely to be poor.

Operation control device for working vehicle


In one embodiment, a method of attestation involves a special mode of operation. The method comprises storing an audit log within protected memory of a platform. The audit log is a listing of data representing one or more software modules loaded into the platform. The audit log is retrieved from the protected memory in response to receiving an attestation request. Then, the retrieved audit log is digitally signed to produce a digital signature in response to the attestation request.

1. Field
This invention relates to the field of platform security.
2. Background
Advances in microprocessor and communication technologies with a platform have opened up many opportunities for applications that go beyond the traditional ways of doing business. Electronic commerce (e-commerce) and business-to-business (B2B) transactions are now becoming popular, reaching the global markets at a fast rate. Unfortunately, while modern microprocessor technology provides users with convenient and efficient methods of doing business, communicating and transacting, this technology fails to support remote attestation. Remote attestation is a technique for ascertaining the operating state of a remotely located platform in a generally secure manner. By ascertaining the operating state of the platform prior to conducting e-commerce or B2B transactions with that platform, the user is imparted with greater confidence in the security of the transaction.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Platform and method for remote attestation of a platform