Exercise apparatus, comprises a first support means for the user's legs, a platform mounted on the support means to support a user's legs, there being a hinge connecting the platform to the support means and defining a generally horizontal hinge axis to allow pivoting of the user's trunk about a generally horizontal axis as the user relatively bends his body and his legs means, and extending in spaced, a second support means for the back of the user's body, and means for indexing said second support means at selected angularity relative to the hinge axis.

This invention relates generally to body decompression exercise, stretching, strengthening and rehabilitation apparatus, and methods more particularly providing for abductor contraction/stretching and adductor contraction/stretching during relative bending, extending of flexing of the user's trunk, thighs, knees, claves and legs while creating a greater stretch of the hamstrings, gluteal and spinal musculature by altering the position of the legs, thighs, knees, hips and trunk from 90 to 30 degrees more or less while performing flexion, extension and rotational movements of the spine.
Many people suffer from muscle imbalance, outer pelvic abductor muscular dominance and ligament instability causing loss of abdominal core strength, which contributes and creates lower back muscular instability and dominance resulting in the developmental loss of symmetry of intrinsic and extrinsic muscle of the body. This results in compressive imbalance syndromes which can contribute to vascular and neurological deficiencies which can harmfully affect people, particularly the aged. There is a need for an abductor stretching and decompression exercise apparatus with adjustable and variable leg/calf/knee/thigh/trunk and spinal decompression means whereby those who suffer from the aforementioned can exercise biomechanically efficiently to strengthen the necessary musculature to ensure balance, co-ordination and therefore stability and ability to create and reinforce a strong symmetrical development of the body with emphasis on the abductor (outer thigh), abdominal and lower back stability.

Abductor contraction, variable leg/knee/thigh/trunk and spinal decompression exercise and rehabilitation apparatus and method


An apparatus for processing nuts and fruits, and more specifically, to a mobile apparatus that picks-up fruits and nuts, and similar products from the ground and conditions them, in bulk. The mobile apparatus conditions the fruits and nuts by removing debris with a combination of a belted conveyor and a high volume fan. The plenum of the apparatus is sized to achieve a constant velocity of air throughout the portions of the plenum in contact with the product, providing a constant suction to prevent the entrainment of product into the dust collection system. The processing apparatus can be utilized in a conditioner that picks-up and processes the product and then returns the cleaned and conditioned product to the floor of the orchard or grove. The processing apparatus can also be utilized in a harvester that picks-up and processes the product and then stores the product temporarily in a bin.

Currently, best management practices for farms, orchards and groves require the use of technologies that minimize the generation of dusts and debris. Dust control measures are required in many current regulatory efforts, implemented to reduce dust impacts to workers on-site, and to residents and citizens offsite. Conservation is also a benefit of reductions in dust generation typically associated with harvesting operations in drier climates.
Specifically, in the harvesting of nuts and fruits, these fruits and nuts are first shaken or otherwise removed from the trees, bushes or vines, as required. The modem retrieval of these nuts and fruits from the ground conventionally requires the use of a conveyor pick-up system. To minimize the generation of dust from these pick-up operations, the conveyors are maintained under negative air pressure. One such fan and conveyor system for ground deposited nuts, is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,001,893, which employs a large fan to draw dust and debris through a series of open mesh conveyors to clean a bulk of an agricultural product stream retrieved from an orchard floor. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,373,688, teaches that the fan can be modified and improved, to better direct the exhausted debris away from the harvester apparatus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,421,147 shows additional improvements to the fan and conveyor system, which includes a debris segregating system, for separating light from heavier debris, and for the improved design of the conveyor itself, to better break-up the debris picked-up into the harvester.
These prior harvesting apparatus perform well to clean dust and debris from the fruits and nuts collected. However these devices generate significant amounts of dust or "PM" defined as particulate material. Specifically, particulate material of greatest concern to human health are "PM10," which are typically definded as respirable particulate material or dusts with an average aerosol diameter" of less than 10 microns, and PM2.5, which are dusts with an average aerosol diameter of less than 2.5 microns. With significant pressures from regulatory governmental agencies to drastically reduce dust generated by harvesting operations and further to conserve top soils, a great need exists for harvesters with lower dust emission rates.

Method for retrieving and processing bulk harvested nuts and fruits


A food cooking assembly, restaurant system and restaurant methods. The food cooking assembly and system act to lift food from a cooking medium, such as frying oil or boiling water. The assembly and system are reliable and easy to maintain. The system may be implemented with a retrofit to an existing cooking device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a food cooking assembly, restaurant system, and restaurant methods and, more particularly, to a system and method for lifting food out of a cooking medium, such as water or frying oil.
2. Description of Related Art
It is known to cook food with a cooking machine, such as a fryer, having a vessel containing a cooking medium, such as frying oil. It is usually desirable to lift the food from the medium at the termination of the cooking period. Various types of mechanized lifting systems have been proposed. Some systems impair access to the cooking vessel and food, making these systems unsuitable for certain environments, such as restaurants.
Other systems require a relatively complicated integration with the cooking machine.
Another system includes a small, open frame, fractional horsepower, gear motor with an eccentric cam secured to the output shaft. The motor is mounted on the bottom rear location of a restaurant type fryer. A cooking basket is connected to the motor, via a push rod assembly extending from the rear of the fryer. A problem with this system is limited load capacity. Another problem with this system is that it includes push rod guide bushings that tend to become soiled and misadjusted, causing friction, further reducing load capacity, and eventually damaging or destroying the motor.

Food cooking assembly, restaurant system, and restaurant methods


A method for improving and maintaining well productivity is disclosed. The method comprises placing at least two acoustic devices within key wells of a geological formation, measuring parameters for initial acoustic impact, and continuing to measure parameters in order to change impact parameters during production and optimize the acoustic effect. The method may be used to restore, maintain, or increase the productivity of an entire geological formation (oil or gas), and to reduce the water cut in the formation.

Currently, there exist several different methods for impacting a formation to facilitate the production processes of oil and gas, including several chemical methods, which are the methods most widely used.
Currently used methods, however, have a host of disadvantages, including but not limited to the following:
1. Low impact selectivity. For example, insulation procedures on a washed formation can lead to the sealing of effectively working sub-layers.
2. Shallow reagent penetration depth into a formation.
3. Significant adsorption of many reagents, for example SAS, leading to unnecessarily high reagent losses and increased costs.
4. Increased environmental risks.
5. High overall cost.
The closest analog to the proposed invention is RF Patent No. 2143554, entitled ACOUSTIC METHOD FOR IMPACTING A WELL, which includes treating the well using an acoustic field with the goal of restoring filtration ability in the bottom zone. The process, however, only applies to one well, improving productivity in only one area.
In general, during oil (or gas) field maintenance, water delivery may be used through the system to support stratum pressure. A problem associated with such systems is muddling of the bottom hole zone, which lowers injected water volume and disregulates efficient water delivery into the formation. There exists a need to clean and keep the bottom hole zone from muddling, to restore fluid conductivity of well systems, and to increase well injectivity. There also exists a need for improving the productivity of more than one area of a well field or formation, or the field or formation in its entirety. The present invention addresses these needs.

Acoustic method and device for facilitation of oil and gas extracting processes


A pickup for a magneto-optical recording medium is provided, which improves quality of reproduced signals by eliminating a phase difference between the polarizations and is capable of coping with magneto-optical recording media of different recording/reproducing systems. A return light beam of light reflected by a magneto-optical recording medium is polarized and separated into ± first-order diffracted lights through a light-branching diffraction element provided between a light source and an objective lens. The ± first-order diffracted lights are compensated for their phases through first and second phase compensation elements so that there is no phase difference between the polarizations, and are, further, polarized and separated through the first and second polarization/separation elements, and are received by first and second light detectors. Use of the first and second phase compensation elements having different phase compensation amounts makes it possible to cope with the magneto-optical recording media of different recording/reproducing systems.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a pickup for a magneto-optical recording medium, for recording information into magneto-optical recording media and/or for reproducing information from the magneto-optical recording medium.
2. Description of the Related Art
A widely known example of a recording medium for recording information by using a magneto-optical recording system may be a mini disc (abbreviated as MD) having a diameter of 64 mm for recording music information. In addition to the MD, the recording medium employing the magneto-optical recording system can be represented by an MO disk used for an MO (magneto-optical) disk drive which is an external storage unit for a computer. There have now been used MO disks of various standards having different recording systems and different recording film structures.
There have been proposed various ultra-resolution technologies for strikingly improving the recording capacities of the magneto-optical recording/reproducing systems that deal with the MDs or the MO disks. For example, there is a method called magnetic field modulation recording system for recording marks smaller than a diameter of a light beam. As methods of reproducing marks smaller than the diameter of a light beam, further, there have been proposed a magnetic super-resolution technology called MSR (Magnetic SuperResolution), a magnetic domain expanding reproduction method called MAMMOS (Magnetic AMplifying Magneto Optical System) and a magnetic wall displacement detection technology called DWDD (DomainWall Displacement Detection). The magneto-optical recording medium (disk) to which the DWDD system is applied is constituted by at least three magnetic film layers, i.e., a domain wall displacement layer, a switching layer and a magnetic recording layer (memory layer), and in which the size of a magnetic domain effectively recorded is expanded in a region where the temperature of the magnetic film has exceeded the Curie temperature of the switching layer by utilizing the displacement of the magnetic wall in the magnetic wall displacement layer in the case of information reproduction thereby to increase the reproduced carrier signals.
There have further been proposed optical pickups based on the magneto-optical recording system in various constitutions concerning the optical system one of the related arts that are proposed, such as Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 8-297875 (1996), may be an integrated unit in which a detection system for detecting servo signals and magneto-optical signals is incorporated in a package and an optical pickup of a decreased size. FIG. 18 is a side view of an arrangement illustrating, in a simplified manner, the constitution of an optical pickup 1 according to a related art, and FIG. 19 is a plan view of an arrangement of a light detector 7 provided in the optical pickup 1 illustrated in FIG. 18.
The optical pickup 1 according to the related art includes a semiconductor laser element 2, a grating 3, first polarization/separation means 4, an objective lens 5, a second polarization/separation means 6, and a light detector 7. The semiconductor laser element 2, grating 3, first polarization/separation means 4, second polarization/separation means 6 and light detector 7 are incorporated in a package 8. The first polarization/separation means 4 is formed on a surface of a glass substrate 9 which is a base material facing the objective lens 5, and the second polarization/separation means 6 is formed on a surface of the glass substrate 9 on the side opposite to the surface on where the first polarization/separation means 4 is formed, i.e., on the surface facing the semiconductor laser 2. The first polarization/separation means 4 is a polarizing hologram having an enhancing function formed on, for example, a birefringent substrate, and has an optical axis that is so set as to be perpendicular to the direction of polarization of the light beam from the semiconductor laser element 2, permitting ordinary light to pass through and diffracting extraordinary light.
The light beam going out from the semiconductor laser element 2 passes through the first polarization/separation means 4 and is projected onto an information recording surface of an MO disk 10 (abbreviated as MOD) which is a magneto-optical recording medium. A light beam (hereinafter called return light beam) reflected by the MOD 10 passes through the objective lens 5 again and falls on the first polarization/separation means 4. The return light beam falling on the first polarization/separation means 4 is diffracted into at least zero (0)-order diffracted light and plus and minus (±) first-order diffracted lights through the first polarization/separation means 4. The ± first-order diffracted lights of the return light beam diffracted by the first polarization/separation means 4 fall on the second polarization/separation means 6.
The second polarization/separation means 6 comprises members split into two, i.e., second polarization/separation means (I) 6a and second polarization/separation means (II) 6b, which are arranged being divided into the right and the left on the surface of the paper in FIG. 18. The second polarization/separation means (I) 6a and the second polarization/separation means (II) 6b are polarizing holograms which are so constituted as to diffract extraordinary light. The second polarization/separation means 6 is so arranged that the optical axis of the substrate is at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the direction of polarizing the light beam from the semiconductor laser element 2, and permits ordinary light to pass through while diffracting extraordinary light.
The + first-order diffracted light diffracted through the first polarization/separation means 4 falls on the second polarization/separation means (I) 6a which permits the zero-order diffracted light that is incident to pass through while refracting the − first-order diffracted light. The − first-order diffracted light diffracted through the first polarization/separation means 4 falls on the second polarization/separation means (II) 6b which permits the zero-order diffracted light that is incident to pass through while refracting the + first-order diffracted light. The zero-order light and the ± first-order diffracted light diffracted through the second polarization/separation means (I) 6a and (II) 6b fall on the portions 7a and 7b of the light detector 7. Namely, the zero-order diffracted light and the − first-order diffracted light through the second polarization/separation means (I) 6a fall on the portion 7a of the light detector 7, and the zero-order diffracted light and the + first-order diffracted light through the second polarization/separation means (II) 6b fall on the portion 7b of the light detector 7.
Referring to FIG. 19, the light detector 7 includes a first light detector 7a and a second light detector 7b separated into the right and the left with respect to the semiconductor laser element 2. The first and second light detectors 7a and 7b include main light-receiving portions 15, 12 for receiving main beams, and sub-light-receiving portions 14, 16 and 11, 13 for receiving sub-beams. The main light-receiving portions 12 and 15 are further divided into the right and the left. If the right and left outputs of the main light-receiving portion 12 are denoted by a and b, and the right and left outputs of the main light-receiving portion 15 by c and d, then, the read signal MO of the MOD 10 is given by the following formula (1). The method of detecting servo signals is not described here. According to the related art, the optical pickup is realized in a small size relying upon the constitution.MO=(a+d)−(b+c)   (1)
In the optical pickup 1 according to the related art, the polarizing hologram is used as the first polarization/separation means 4 for diffracting the return light beam from the MOD 10 toward the light detector 7. Here, however, the polarizing hologram includes an enhancing function for improving the quality of signals by increasing the degree of modulation of the magneto-optical reproduced signals. That is, the optical axis of the birefringent substrate constituting the polarizing hologram is set to be perpendicular to the direction of polarizing the light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser element 2 so that, for example, the diffraction efficiencies for the ordinary light (p-polarization) are 67% of zero-order light and 27% of t first-order light, and the diffraction efficiencies for the extraordinary light (s-polarization) are 18% of zero-order light and 76% of ± first-order light.
However, a phase difference is often included between the p-polarization and the s-polarization of the ± first-order diffracted lights for detecting the magneto-optical reproduced signals arousing a problem in that the quality of the reproduced signals is greatly deteriorated as the phase difference increases, i.e., as the linearly polarized light becomes the elliptically polarized light. As the magneto-optical recording media, further, there have been proposed ultra-resolution media having various recording film structures. In the DWDD system of the magnetic multi-layer film structure, however, even when the linearly polarized light is incident on the magneto-optical recording medium, there takes place a case where the return light beam itself modulated by Kerr rotation angle returns back as the elliptically polarized light, i.e., there takes place a case where a phase difference occurs between the polarized component of the incident light and a component perpendicular thereto. In this case, too, the quality of the reproduced signals is greatly deteriorated like when a phase difference occurs between the p-polarization and the s-polarization of the ± first-order diffracted lights through the polarizing hologram. Therefore, there remains a problem in that a single optical pickup cannot cope with the magneto-optical recording media of different recording/reproducing systems.

Pickup for magneto-optical recording medium


According to one embodiment, a capacitor includes a conductive substrate, a conductive layer, a dielectric layer, and first and second external electrodes. The conductive substrate has a first main surface provided with recess(s), a second main surface, and an end face extending between edges of the first and second main surfaces. The conductive layer covers the first main surface and side walls and bottom surfaces of the recess(s). The dielectric layer is interposed between the conductive substrate and the conductive layer. The first external electrode includes a first electrode portion facing the end face and is electrically connected to the conductive layer. The second external electrode includes a second electrode portion facing the end face and is electrically connected to the conductive substrate.

With the downsizing and upgrading of communication equipment, capacitors to be mounted thereon are desired to be smaller and thinner. As a structure to achieve downsizing and reducing the thickness of the capacitor while maintaining the capacitance density, there is a trench capacitor with an increased surface area made by forming trenches on a substrate.


An apparatus for collecting particles or vapor from air or surfaces comprising: a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet; and a fan having one or more open areas within the housing capable of being driven at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles or vapor in the air. A method of collecting a particulate sample from air comprising the step of driving a fan having one or more open areas within a housing comprising an inlet open to the air to be sampled and an outlet, at a speed effective to cause collection on the surface of the fan of particles in the air.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to an apparatus for collecting particles and vapor for detection applications.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Biocollectors can be used to collect airborne particles, including biological warfare agents. Such agents in their weaponized state may have particles sizes of only 5+/−4 microns, achieved by milling the biomaterial. Material in this size range can stay airborne for considerable periods and transport over wide areas through airflow. Prior biocollectors for such particles weighed about 10 pounds and required significant power to operate. They required relatively large volumes of processing solutions, and added a large size burden to biodetector technologies, which have the potential to be miniaturized through applications of MEMS and microfluidics. This miniaturization has been stymied by the lack of a miniature bioparticle collector.
Prior particle collectors typically incorporate a relatively high pressure drop across the device to collect the smallest particles. For example, a HEPA filter may collect micron size particles, but a high pressure drop across the filter is required to generate the desired airflow rate. This cannot be generated with miniaturized equipment without expending considerable amounts of power and operating equipment under duress.
Call et at., U.S. Pat. No. 6,267,016 discloses a combined impact collector and fan. The fan is a plate with raised veins. There are no open areas in the plate through which air can flow. All sampled air must flow through a narrow gap between the collector and the house, which results in a high pressure drop.
There is a need for a bioparticle collector that is small and lightweight, consumes little power, and allows for the use of small volumes of solution in processing collected material. Such a collector would be useful in a miniature biodetector.

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


The golf practice kit of this invention utilizes a canvas ramp including a curved upper portion and an inclined target portion that slopes upwardly and away from the tee where the user stands. The kit is designed for practice with all of the golf clubs except the putter. For this purpose, the inclined target portion has a lower target area for the use of woods, a mid target area for practice with the long irons (2-6), and an upper target area for practice with the short irons (7-9).. Above the upper target area, the curved upper portion of the ramp curves inwardly on itself to define an arc of more than 360.degree. and terminates in a laterally sloping trough. The velocity of a ball hit against any of the target areas carries the ball into the arc at the top of the ramp where the ball's kinetic energy is expended, causing the ball to drop into the laterally sloping trough, which delivers it, by gravity, to a ball return conduit formed of fabric and extending between the lower end of the trough and a receptacle at the tee area.. The receptacle is structured to orient successive balls for retrieval by simply inserting the head of the user's golf club in the receptacle.. The ramp is supported by a tubular frame that can be easily assembled and disassembled by the user. The frame also supports safety netting on both sides of the ramp.

The use of foldable and portable flexible barriers to arrest the flight of golf balls hit in practice is well known. The structure and configuration of the barriers varies widely, as shown in the disclosures of the following patents which are considered exemplary of the prior art:
__________________________________________________________________________ U.S. Pat. No. ISSUE DATE INVENTOR TITLE __________________________________________________________________________ 1,173,262 Feb 29, 1916 Gunzburg APPARATUS FOR USE IN PRAC- TICING THE GAME OF GOLF 1,218,390 Mar 6, 1917 Gates PRACTICE DEVICE FOR GOLF AND LIKE OUTDOOR GAMES 1,669,640 May 15, 1928 Warlick INDOOR GOLF 3,390,882 July 2, 1968 Megerle PORTABLE GOLF DRIVING RANGE INCLUDING HINGE MEANS CONNECTING SELF-SUPPORTING PANELS 3,643,959 Feb 22, 1972 Cornell GOLF GAME 3,895,809 July 22, 1975 Shockley BALL RETURN DEVICE 4,381,110 Apr 26, 1983 Balaz GOLF TRAINER DEVICE 4,556,219 Dec 3, 1985 Tillery GOLF PRACTICE CAGE 4,703,931 Nov 3, 1987 Steen APPARATUS FOR RETURNING OR REBOUNDING A BALL 4,883,272 Nov 28, 1989 Lay BALL CATCHING MACHINE WITH BALL EXPELLING MACHINE CONNECTED THERETO 4,969,651 Nov 13, 1990 Comartin FLEXIBLE PROJECTILE AR- RESTING DEVICE 5,018,731 May 28, 1991 Doyle GOLF BALL DRIVING PRACTICE APPARATUS __________________________________________________________________________
Several of the foregoing patents rely on flexible netting to arrest the flight of the ball. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,110 to Balaz, U.S. Pat. No. 4,556,219 to Tillery, U.S. Pat. No. 4,703,931 to Steen, U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,272 to Lay, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,651 to Comartin.
The use of a stiffer fabric, such as canvas, to absorb the direct impact of the ball and thereby arrest its flight is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 1,218,390 to Gates, U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,809 to Shockley, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,018,731 to Doyle.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,173,262 to Gunzburg discloses a circular metal race. Gunzburg's race does not arrest the flight of the ball. Instead, the distance which a ball travels along the race, or the number of times the ball travels around the race is a measure of the length of the stroke.
The prior art discloses several ways to rely on the force of gravity to return the ball to the person practicing golf. Gravity causes the ball to stop at the bottom of Gunzburg's race, which is spaced a short distance from the entrance d of Gunzburg's funnel c. Gravity causes the ball to roll toward the user along the inclined lower wall 2 of Gates' sack; along the inclined lower wall 18 of Megerle's driving range; along the inclined lower wall 15 of the Balaz device; along the concave canvas member 24 of Shockley; along the inclined floor 22 of Tillery; along the inclined bottom wall 26 of Steen; and along the inclined return channel 82 of Doyle. Gravity directs the balls along the inclined pan 17 of Warlick and into the inclined return pipe 18 which empties into a box-like rack 19 on the tee.
Shockley and Doyle disclose target areas (28 and 56, respectively) that are substantially perpendicular to the path of the ball.


A transceiver according to some embodiments of the present invention receives data from a plurality of frequency separated transmission channels from a complementary transmitter of another transceiver and adjusts the power output of certain channels in a transmitter of the receiver. Upon start-up, the power output levels of signals in individual channels in the transmitter can be preset. A power balance can determine new power output levels of the transmitter from parameters in the receiver while receiving data transmitted by a similarly situated complementary transmitter in a second transceiver coupled to the transceiver. In some embodiments, a complementary receiver of the other transceiver determines the power outputs of the transmitter and the power levels are transmitted to the transmitter by the other transceiver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to high-speed communications of data in a communication system and, in particular, to high data rate transmission of data between components in a communication system.
2. Discussion of Related Art
There is currently a great deal of interest in high speed transceiver systems, both for communications in an intranet environment and for communications between components in various systems. As an example of a high data rate system, high-speed Ethernet local area networks (LANs), 100 BASE-TX Ethernet and 1000 Base TX Ethernet (1 Gigabit/s) using category-5, 5E or 6 copper wire, are being developed. These high speed systems require new techniques in high-speed data processing. High-speed data transmission techniques are also useful in wide-area networks and digital subscriber loop applications. High data rate transceiver systems are also utilized in many back-plane environments, including optical switching devices, router systems, switches, and storage area networking switches. Other environments that utilize high speed communication between components include inter-cabinet communications and chip-to-chip communications.
Typically, data is transferred in a communication system by transmitting signals having voltages from sets of voltages referred to as symbol sets. Each symbol (i.e. voltage level) in the symbol set represents one or more digital bits of data. Existing techniques utilized in such environments typically use non-return to zero (NRZ) modulation to send and receive information over high-bandwidth transmission media. Other common symbol sets include MLT3, PAM or QAM systems. Typically, the transceiver for sending high-speed data over such networks is called a serializer/deserializer, or SERDES, device.
FIG. 1A shows a block diagram of a typical transceiver environment 100. Components 101-1 through 101-Q are coupled to transmit and receive data through input/output (I/O) ports 102-1 through 102-Q, respectively, which are coupled through transmission medium 110. Conventionally, components 101-1 through 101-Q are SERDES devices. Transceiver environment 100 can represent either a back-plane environment (where components 101-1 through 101-Q are physically relatively close to one another) or a networking environment (where components 101-1 through 101-Q are more separated).
FIG. 1B shows a block diagram of a conventional transmitter portion of one of SERDES devices 101-1 through 101-Q on I/O ports 102-1 through 102-Q, respectively. Parallel data is received in a bit encoder 105. Bit encoder 105 encodes the parallel data, for example by adding redundancy in the input data, to ensure a minimum rate of data transitions in the output data stream. Typical encoding schemes include rate 8/10 (8 bit input to 10 bit output) encoding. The parallel data is serialized in parallel to serial converter 106. Output driver 107 then receives the serialized data from parallel to serial converter 106 and outputs, usually, a differential voltage signal for transmission over transmission medium 110. In addition, there is typically a phase locked loop (PLL) 114 that provides the necessary clock signals for encoder 105 and parallel-to-serial converter 106. The input signal to PLL 114 is a reference clock signal from a system PLL 103.
FIG. 1C shows an example of a conventional receiver 108 of one of SERDES devices 101-1 through 101-Q on I/O ports 102-1 through 102-Q, respectively, of FIG. 1A. Input driver 109 receives a differential voltage signal from transmission medium 110 and outputs the analog data signal to clock and data recovery circuit 115. Data recovery 115 can, in some systems, perform equalization, recover the timing, and output a serial bit stream of data to serial-to-parallel converter 111. The serial data is input to bit decoder 112, which converts the parallel data to parallel decoded data. Clock and data recovery circuit 115 also outputs the necessary clock signals to serial-to-parallel converter 111 and bit decoder 112.
The actual demands for the various data transmission environments may vary widely (e.g., LAN environments have different transmission requirements from back-plane environments). A conventional SERDES system 100 for a back-plane environment, for example, can enable serial data communication at data rates as high as 2.5 Gbps to 3.125 Gbps over a pair of FR4 copper traces in a copper back-plane communication system. Current systems utilizing category 5, 5E or 6 copper wire can enable serial data communications rates as high as 1 Gbit/sec using Gigabit Ethernet. One of the biggest problems with existing SERDES systems 100 is that they are very bandwidth inefficient, i.e., they require 3.125 GHz of bandwidth to transmit and receive 2.5 Gbps of data over a single pair of copper wires. Therefore, it is very difficult to increase the data rates across bus 110. Additionally, SERDES system 100 requires the implementation of a high clock rate (3.125 GHz for 2.5 Gbps data rates) phase locked loop (PLL) 114 implemented to transmit data and recover high clock rates in data recovery 115. The timing window within which receiver 108 needs to determine whether the received symbol in data recovery 115 is a 1 or a 0 is about 320 ps for the higher data rate systems. This timing window creates extremely stringent requirements on the design of data recovery 115 and PLL 114, as they must have very low peak-to-peak jitter.
Conventional networking environments operate at slower baud rates, but suffer from similar difficulties. As an example, a 1 Gigabit transfer can be accomplished through transmitting PAM-5 data at 125 MHz through four (4) twisted copper pair. It would be desirable to allow higher data rates in networking environments.
Conventional SERDES system 100 also suffers from other problems, including eye closure due to intersymbol interference (ISI) from the dispersion introduced by transmission medium 110. The ISI is a direct result of the fact that the copper traces of transmission medium 110 attenuate higher frequency components in the transmitted signals more than the lower frequency components in the transmitted signals. Therefore, the higher the data rate the more ISI suffered by the transmitted data. In addition, electrical connectors and electrical connections (e.g., vias and other components) used in SERDES device 100 cause reflections, which also cause ISI.
To overcome these problems, equalization must be performed on the received signal in data recovery 115. However, in existing very high data-rate communication systems, equalization is very difficult to perform, if not impossible due to the high baud rate. A more commonly utilized technique for combating ISI is known as "pre-emphasis", or pre-equalization, performed in bit encoder 105 and output driver 107 during transmission. In some conventional systems, the amplitude of the low-frequencies in the transmitted signal is attenuated to compensate for the higher attenuation of the high frequency component by the transmission medium of bus 110. While this makes the receiver more robust to ISI, pre-emphasis reduces the overall noise tolerance of transmission over transmission medium 110 of communication system 100 due to the loss of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). At higher data rates, conventional systems quickly become intractable due to the increased demands.
Therefore, there is a need for more robust systems for transmitting data in a transmission system at very high data transmission rates.

Channel power balancing in a multi-channel transceiver system


A cord winding module, comprising a rotary wheel (9) on which a cord (11) is wound and a stop button (4) working cooperatively with the rotary wheel. The cord winding module further comprises a spring wire (5) working cooperatively with the stop button as an elastic support device, and the stop button automatically brakes the rotary wheel under the action of the elastic force of the spring wire and prevents the rotary wheel from retracting the cord. The spring wire has an arc shape, or exhibits an arc shape when pre-pressed and deformed by the stop button.

Auxiliary devices having cords, such as earphones, mice, keyboards, etc., are used in many electronic devices. In order to use more conveniently, cord winding modules have been increasingly provided in these auxiliary devices for receiving cords or signal wires. The cord winding module typically comprises a rotary wheel, a coil spring and a stopper structure. The cord is wound on the rotary wheel, and can be automatically retracted under the elastic restoring force of the coil spring. In the retracting process, the stopper structure can prevent the rotary wheel from rotating and stop the retracting of the cord, so that a suitable length of the cord that has not been retracted can be reserved.
The stopper structure comprises a stop button and an elastic support device. The elastic support device can provide an elastic force to the stop button, and the stopper structure automatically brakes the rotary wheel under the action of the elastic force. If the stop button is pressed, the rotary wheel will be released, and the retraction of the cord will be started again.
The stopper structures of the cord winding modules on the market are elastically supported by a compression spring or a torsion spring structure. Such a structure occupies a lot of space, which limits the miniaturization of the products.
For example, a Chinese invention patent titled "Accommodation Device" (Application No.: 201110267313.X) discloses a stopper structure of a cord winding module, in which a spring 415 is an elastic support device of a locking device 400. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the spring 415 is a compression spring and has a certain height. Thus, a second chamber is specially provided on a mounting portion 230 to accommodate the spring 415, and it occupies a large space.
A Chinese invention patent titled "Accommodation Device" (Application No. 201110417406.6) discloses a stopper structure of a cord winding module, in which an elastic member 420 is an elastic support device of a lock assembly 400. As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the elastic member 420 is a compression spring and has a certain height. Thus, a fixing groove 444 is specially provided on a fixing member 440 to accommodate the elastic member 420, and it occupies a large space.
A Chinese utility model patent "Headphone Cord Winding-up Device, Headphone Assembly and Mobile Terminal" (Application No. 200920108072.2) discloses a stopper structure of a cord winding module, in which a hook spring 13 is an elastic support device of a hook plate 12. As shown in FIG. 1, the hook spring 13 is a torsion spring and has a certain height. Thus, a fixing slot is provided at the side of a base 8 to install the hook spring 13, and it also occupies a large space.


The invention relates to a thermogenerator for power production in conjunction with a heating device of the combustion type, the hot contact point of at least one thermocouple of the thermogenerator being at a flue gas collection box and the cold contact point of thermocouple being on a heat exchange medium collection box. To guarantee high efficiency of the thermogenerator with a compact structure, it is made as a block-shaped module with plate-shaped thermocouple units sandwiched between the flue gas collection box and the heat exchange medium collection box.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a thermogenerator for power production in conjunction with a heating device of the combustion type, the hot contact point of at least one thermocouple of the thermogenerator being at the flue gas vent of the heating device and the cold contact site of the thermocouple being on the flow channel for a heat exchange medium of the heating device.
2. Description of Related Art
A thermogenerator of the type to which this invention is directed is known from published German Patent Application DE 40 42 015 A1. Two points for location of the thermocouple are suggested. According to one placement suggestion, the hot contact point of the thermocouple adjoins the combustion chamber, while its cold contact point is located in the flow path of the heat exchanger medium, between an inlet-side radial fan and an area of the flow channel, adjacent to the combustion chamber of the heating device. According to another placement suggestion, the hot contact point of the thermocouple is in thermal contact with the hot flue gas discharged through the flue gas vent and with the hot contact points bordering the inlet side of the flow channel. Special measures for coupling of the contact surfaces of the thermocouple to the hot and cold points of the heating device are not addressed. This means that the thermocouple is essentially in a clamp seat between hot and cold points of the heating device by which only relatively small contact surfaces are formed. As a result, electric power generation by the temperature difference between the hot and cold sides of the thermocouple is greatly limited. Thus, the suggestion in this publication changes nothing fundamental herein, accordingly ribs for heat transfer are provided which are optionally in direct contact with the flue gas or the heat exchanger medium.
Another thermogenerator for power production in conjunction with a heating device is described in the published European Patent Application No. EP 0 290 833 A2. Its thermocouple is formed as a plate-shaped semiconductor component with the side to be heated which is either in the radiant area of the flame of the heating device or in its exhaust stream, and with a cold side located in the inlet area of the still cold heat transfer medium or in the area of the ambient air.
German Patent DE 195 27 740 C1 discloses a circuit of solar cells which are series connected into two groups which are switched in parallel to adapt to the current/voltage characteristic of the respective load, the solar cells in the two groups having different no-load voltages. In this case, the series connection in each group with a lower no-load voltage can be formed selectively in solar cells of the same no-load voltage by a smaller number or in solar cells of different voltage by the same number of solar cells with lower no-load voltage.

Thermogenerator for power production in conjunction with a heating device


The present invention is directed towards the use of low levels of a desiccant material in a rubber compound, such as for use as a tire tread, that allows for reduced cure times of tires cured under pressure, thereby increasing tire production. The low level of desiccant material reduces the blow point of the rubber compound by substantially eliminating blows earlier in the pressure curing process, thereby allowing for the reduced cure time of the tire under pressure. In one embodiment, low levels of no greater than about 9 phr of desiccant material, which may include generally a metal oxide (e.g. calcium oxide or magnesium oxide), are provided in the rubber compound. The rubber compound including the low levels of desiccant material may be cured, under pressure, at less than 30% of full cure of the rubber compound.

Tires, including tire components, must typically be cured under pressure beyond what is known as the blow point, which is the point of cure of the rubber compound where blows no longer form. Blows generally are small or large bubbles, or blisters, that are formed in the rubber compound as a result of the formation and expansion of gases trapped therein during curing. In a typical pressure molding process, e.g. compression or injection molding, the external pressure from the mold helps prevent the gases from expanding. At a certain point during vulcanization or crosslinking of the rubber compound, i.e. the blow point, the modulus of the rubber compound prevents further expansion of the gases, without pressure from the curing mold. In typical rubber compounds, the blow point is a level of curing of those compounds that is usually at least 30% of full cure thereof. At this point, the tire can be removed from the mold.
In a tire, the cure time typically is set so that the point of least cure exceeds the blow point. The location of least cure is usually found at the thickest part of the tire. In order to increase the production rate of pressure-cured tires, it would be desirable to lower the curing time. Lowering the blow point will reduce the cure time of tires cured under pressure, allowing for increased tire production. As indicated above, the blow point is the extent of cure of the rubber compound of interest wherein gas expansion generated during pressure curing of the rubber compound no longer occurs. Normally, long cure times under pressure, e.g. 30% to 100% of the full cure of the rubber compound, are required for the elimination of blows in curing tires or tire components. In pressureless cures, such as high temperature salt baths, high levels of a desiccant, e.g. at least about 12 phr, are required for the elimination of blows. PHR is used herein to describe parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of rubber in the rubber compound.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved method for reducing the curing time of tires cured under pressure to increase the production rate thereof.

Use of desiccant material in rubber compounds for reducing the cure time of tires


Described herein are nanoprobes comprising ultrasmall aminated and cRGDY-conjugated nanoparticles labeled with Zirconium-89 (89Zr) and methods of their use. The provided compositions are renally clearable and possess suitable blood circulation half-time, high tumor active targeting capability, dominant renal clearance, low liver accumulation, and a high tumor-to-background ratio. The described nanoprobes exhibit great potential as “target-or-clear” tracers to human subjects for systemic targeted imaging (or treatment) of cancer.

A "target-or-clear" multi-functional nanoplatform that actively localizes to a target-of-interest after systematic administration and maintains a low non-specific accumulation in the reticuloendothelial system (RES) has long been one of the major challenges in the field nanomedicine.
Over three decades, despite preclinical research results of various types of solid (or inorganic-based) nanomaterials in small animals, only very few of these nanomaterials have progressed to first-in-human clinical trials. Challenges in nanoparticle manufacturing, regulatory obstacles, rapidly rising clinical trial costs, increasing complexity of trial designs, limited in vivo active targeting efficacy, and high liver accumulation rates (i.e., 30-99% of administered particles from the bloodstream) are examples of major hurdles that most of the existing nanomaterials need to address. For nanomaterials with a hydrodynamic (HD) size larger than 10 nm, even with the protection of stealth polymers (e.g., polyethylene glycol [PEG]) and functionalized with tumor homing ligands (e.g., peptides or antibodies), it is still quite common to see predominant reticuloendothelial system (RES) (i.e., liver and spleen) uptake, tumor-to-liver activity concentration ratios less than 1, and relatively low tumor-to-background (e.g., blood or muscle) ratios. High RES uptake also raises the long-term in vivo toxicity concerns due to extremely slow and generally unpredictable hepatobiliary clearance rates from the liver, with resulting delays in obtaining Investigational New Drug (IND) approval from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Examples of properties needed for nanomedicines include 1) easy manufacturing process with a low cost, 2) high active targeting efficacy to the disease (e.g., cancer) site with low off-targeting rate (e.g., low non-specific uptake in RES or other healthy organs), 3) suitable (and tunable) blood circulation half-life to ensure the sufficient accumulation of nanomedicine in cancer for diagnosis or treatment purpose, 4) dominant renal clearance to grantee a favorable safety profile, 5) whole body non-invasive tracking via clinical-relevant imaging technique(s) (e.g., positron emission tomography [PET], single-photon emission computed tomography [SPECT], magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography [CT] and optical imaging), and 6) specific delivery of sufficient therapeutic agents (e.g., small molecular drugs, singlet oxygen, inhibitors, radiation, heat) to the cancer cells for treatment.
Although greater than 10 nm sized solid nanomaterials hold the advantage of significantly enhanced drug-loading capacity relative to their sub-10 nm sized counterparts, clinical translation of such materials can still be hindered by low tumor targeting efficacy and high off-targets (e.g., liver accumulations associated with dose-limited toxicity).
Fast renal clearance, relatively short blood circulation half-times (ranging from several minutes to several hours) and low RES uptake (on the order of 5% ID/g or less) represent defining biological features for ultrasmall (sub-10 nm) renally clearable nanoparticles. Although suitable PEGylation techniques have been developed to improve blood circulation half-times (up to >10 h) of such platforms, the ability to precisely control physiochemical properties, including surface ligand number, in a manner that facilitates bulk renal clearance while preservating active tumor targeting capabilities has long posed a significant challenge to the field.
There remains a need for a platform that can be used for the detection, prevention, and/or treatment of cancer and other diseases.

Ultrasmall nanoparticles labeled with Zirconium-89 and methods thereof


An image input and output system is provided in which a common operation screen for a plurality of image output devices having different attributes is displayed. Based on attribute information of each of printers, the server generates a signal for generating an operation screen, and transmits the signal to the scanner. At the scanner, image data is inputted, and a common operation screen, which is generated based on the signal for generating the operation screen, is displayed on a display panel. When information designating the printer and information relating to an output format of an image is inputted from the display panel, the inputted information and the image data are transmitted to the server. The server transmits, to a designated printer, the image data and the information relating to the output format of the image, which are transmitted from the scanner, and images are outputted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image input and output device, method and recording medium. In particular, the present invention relates to an image input device, an input control device, an image output management device, an image output system, a display control device, an image management device, a management device, a program, a recording medium, an operation screen display controlling method, a job managing method, and an event notifying method. In particular, the present invention relates to an image output system provided with a plurality of printers, a scanner which reads an original, and a printer server which are all connected to a network, and relates to an image output management device which is applicable to the image output system, an image input device which is applicable to the image output system, an input control device which is applicable to the image output system, a display control device which is applicable to the image output system, an image input device which is applicable to the image output system, an image management device which is applicable to the image output system, a management device which is applicable to the image output system, a program which is applicable to the image output system, a recording medium on which the program is recorded, an operation screen display controlling method which is applicable to the image output system, a job managing method which is applicable to the image output system, and an event notifying method which is applicable to the image output system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a conventional copier, an image of an original set on an original stand is read by a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), and a latent image is recorded on a photosensitive drum by using a semiconductor laser. By using an electrophotographic process, the latent image on the photosensitive drum is developed, and is transferred onto a sheet, and an image is thereby outputted. The copier is provided with, as a user interface, a compact display panel which is formed by a touch panel being superposed on a display panel formed from a liquid crystal display board. Thus, there are limits to the amount of information which can be displayed at the same time on the display panel, and the density of the information which can be set.
On the other hand, in the case of forming a network printer by connecting a plurality of printers to a network such that images can be outputted from the respective printers, the network printer is formed from a scanner which is a reading device for reading an original, and a printer server which appropriately processes image data received from the scanner and transmits the processed image data to a designated printer. Usually, one scanner is connected to the network, and the scanner has functions which are similar to the image reading functions of a copier which is used alone. In order to carry out output efficiently, a display panel, which is similar to a display panel which serves as a user interface and is provided at a copier, is provided at the scanner. From this display panel, the printer to output the image is designated, and the output format can be designated. However, with display panels provided at current scanners, there are limits on the amount of information which can be displayed at the same time and on the density of information which can be set. Even if a display panel for a copier which is used alone is applied as is to a scanner, such a structure is not efficient in a case in which a network printer is formed.
Generally, various types of printers having different attributes, such as models, functions, manufacturers, network addresses, and the like, are connected to a network. When giving various types of printers, which have different attributes, different output instructions from specific locations, output must be carried out even more efficiently. However, in order to realize such a system, operation screens corresponding to various types of printers must be displayed on the display panel. As the number of types of printers increases, the number of types of operation screens increases. Thus, a problem arises in that it becomes difficult to efficiently operate the operation screens.
Further, in order to enable the operation screen displayed on the display panel to be used in common, connecting the same type of printers to the network has been contemplated. However, even if printers produced by the same manufacturer are connected to the network, in order to handle various types of desired outputs, black-and-white printers, color printers, and printers having different resolutions must be connected, and it is difficult to have the operation screen be able to be used in common.
Moreover, for example, in cases such as when output is carried out at a color printer on the basis of image data which was read by a scanner for outputting at a black-and-white printer, or when output is carried out at a high resolution printer on the basis of image data which was read by a scanner for outputting at a low resolution printer, a good image cannot be obtained. Thus, when designating outputting at plural printers having, as attributes, different functions, such as a black-and-white printer and a color printer, or printers having different resolutions or the like, the image data must be read by the scanner several times in accordance with the functions of the respective printers.
In such a print system, a set-up has been contemplated in which a display panel, which is similar to a display panel which serves as a user interface and is provided at a copier which is used alone, is provided at a scanner. Various types of operation screens are displayed at the display panel, and the output destination of the image is designated from the image data input side. The output destination is designated from the image data input side, and the image data is transmitted to the server, and this information is registered as a job in the server. At the server, in accordance with the registered job, one or plural output destination devices are selected. The selected devices are operated on the basis of the image data, and images are outputted.
Thus, at the server, data for an operation screen, at which information designating the output destination device, information relating to the printing format of the image, and the like are inputted, is generated and is transmitted to the scanner. By displaying the operation screen on the display panel or the like provided at the scanner, input of various types of instructions from the user (information designating the output destination, information relating to the printing format, and the like) are received.
However, generally, the data for the operation screen includes picture image having a large data amount, such as icons or the like, and time is required to transmit the data from the server. Thus, a problem arises in that, at the scanner, a long time is required to display the operation screen which is the user interface.
Further, if the server is down, data for the operation screen cannot be received from the server. Thus, there is a problem in that the operation screen cannot be displayed on the display panel of the scanner, and the scanner cannot be operated. In particular, when the server is down, not only is use of the scanner not possible even if there are no abnormalities at the scanner, but also, it cannot be learned whether the cause of the inability to use the scanner lies with the scanner or the server.
Further, in such a system, the file format of the image read at the scanner or the like is usually a fixed format which is determined in advance, and generally, the format is designated at the time of downloading at the image receiving side.
Moreover, in such a system, a structure is possible in which the image read at the scanner is held in the printer server, and later, the held image can be designated and reprinted.
However, for example, if a scanner image read for a color printer is, at the time of reprinting, printed at a black-and-white printer, the image quality deteriorates due to the conversion from a multivalue image to a binary image. Further, for example, in a case in which the same scan image is reprinted at plural printers having different writing techniques, the image quality differs. Moreover, when image data read for a black-and-white printer is enlarged or reduced at the time of reprinting, moire or the like may occur and the image may be disturbed.
In addition, in such a system, even in cases in which an operation screen is used in common and various types of printers can be operated from a single scanner, it is preferable to be able to operate each printer independently, and to be able to use the respective printers efficiently.
Also, in such a print system, the output destination and the output format of the image are designated and the image data is transmitted from the scanner to the server. This information is registered in the server as a job. At the server, the registered job is transmitted to the one or plural printers which are designated as output destinations. The printer is operated on the basis of the image data and the output format, and is made to output the image. Further, it is possible to provide a function such that a job of image data, for which output is completed, can be stored as a job for re-output, and an image based on this image data can be re-outputted.
At this time, if it is set to erase a job after output of the image has been completed, a problem arises in that even in a case of a job for which output of the image is unnecessary if the image is not outputted by a predetermined time, the image is outputted after the predetermined time has passed because the job remains registered if the image is not outputted. In order to prevent output of the mage by unnecessary job, the operator must search for the unnecessary job from among the registered jobs and erase the unnecessary job. Not only is effort required, but also, there is the possibility that the operator may mistakenly delete a necessary job.
Further, when a re-output function is provided, because memory resources are limited, jobs for re-output, which have become old and are no longer needed, must be erased from the memory. However, the needed time period differs for each job. Thus, the operator must search for an unnecessary job from among the jobs stored for re-output, and erase the unnecessary job. Not only is effort required, but also, there is the possibility that the operator may mistakenly delete a necessary job for re-output.
Further, in the print system, if, in the above-described series of operations, some type of event occurs (e.g., ajob is completed at the printer, or an error arises, or the like), at the print system, a message is displayed on the display panel of the scanner so as to notify the operator of this fact.
However, after the operator has completed the work of inputting information or the like at the scanner, the operator usually moves away from the location of the scanner before completion of output of the image and after a predetermined period of time has passed from the input work at the scanner. For example, the operator may return to his or her seat, or walk to the printer which is the output destination in order to pick up the outputted image, or the like. A problem arises in that the operator cannot be notified of the occurrence of an event.

Image input and output system, method and recording medium having a common initiation portion


A fabric treating appliance using steam to treat the fabrics and having an exhaust system for removing the steam from the appliance.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fabric treatment appliance with a steam generator.
2. Description of the Related Art
Some fabric treatment appliances, such as a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a fabric refreshing or revitalizing machine, utilize steam generators for various reasons. The steam from the steam generator can be used to, for example, heat water, heat a load of fabric items and any water absorbed by the fabric items, dewrinkle fabric items, remove odors from fabric items, etc.
In some fabric treatment appliances, the steam generator delivers steam to a fabric treatment chamber than can hold a load of fabric items. The steam heats the fabric items held within the fabric treatment chamber in addition to any liquid absorbed by the fabric items and free liquid in the fabric treatment chamber. However, the fabric items and the liquid do not absorb all of the steam, and the non-absorbed steam must leave the fabric treatment chamber as exhaust. It is important to manage the exhausting of the steam and prevent excessive discharge of steam to the environment surrounding the fabric treatment appliance.

Steam fabric treatment appliance with exhaust


A semiconductor device includes a semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type, a first semiconductor layer of the first conductivity type formed on the semiconductor substrate and having a first conductivity type impurity concentration higher than that of the semiconductor substrate, a second semiconductor layer of a second conductivity type formed above the first semiconductor layer, a first device region formed in the second semiconductor layer and configured to operate based on a first reference voltage, a second device region formed in the second semiconductor layer and configured to operate based on a second reference voltage, the second device region being spaced apart from the first device region, and a region isolation structure interposed between the first and second device regions and formed in a region extending from a front surface of the second semiconductor layer to the first semiconductor layer so as to electrically isolate the first and second device regions from each other.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device.
A semiconductor device disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2012-244098 (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1) includes an n−-type epitaxial layer formed on a p-type semiconductor substrate and a p-type isolation layer separating the n−-type epitaxial layer into a first portion and a second portion. A p-type metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistor and an n-type MOS transistor are formed in the first portion of the n− -type epitaxial layer. An npn bipolar transistor is formed in the second portion of the n−-type epitaxial layer.
The p-type isolation layer includes a p-type lower isolation layer and a p-type upper isolation layer. The p-type lower isolation layer is diffused upward and downward from a pn junction portion between the semiconductor substrate and the n−-type epitaxial layer. The p-type upper isolation layer is diffused downward from a front surface of the epitaxial layer and has a lower end portion overlapping with the p-type lower isolation layer.


A digital still camera includes a camera body. A lens unit is retained on the camera body in a removable manner. A protection cover is secured to the camera body, and movable between a closed position and an open position, wherein the protection cover, when in the closed position, closes an exposure opening formed in the camera body, and when in the open position, opens the exposure opening. Cover moving transmission levers set the protection cover in the open position when the lens unit is retained on the camera body, and set the protection cover in the closed position when the lens unit is removed from the camera body. Furthermore, bayonet claw portions engage the lens unit with the camera body. The transmission levers are actuated in response to movement of the bayonet claw portions. A compression coil spring biases the protection cover toward the closed position.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lens interchangeable camera. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lens interchangeable camera having a camera body and a lens unit for mounting on the camera body, and capable of preventing entry of dust or other wanted material even at the time of exchange.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
A digital still camera is widely used, and includes an image pickup device or CCD image sensor for photographing an image. A lens interchangeable type of camera includes a camera body and a lens unit secured to the camera body in a removable manner. A mount mechanism is disposed in the camera body for connection with the lens unit. An exposure opening is formed in the center of the mount mechanism for entry of object light from the lens unit into the camera body. When the lens unit is removed from the camera body for exchange, inner elements of the camera body appear through the exposure opening. If dust enters the exposure opening and deposits on a sensor surface of the image pickup device in the camera body, image quality of recorded images will be lowered. A user must handle the lens unit carefully and exchange the lens unit rapidly by considering
JP-A 6-167670 discloses a camera having a photographing optical system movable between a front position and a rear position. When a protection cover for protection from dust is moved to the closed position, the photographing optical system is moved to the rear position. When the protection cover is moved to the open position, the photographing optical system is moved to the front position. The protection cover in the closed position is used for preventing deposition of dust by covering the photographing optical system.
However, environment of various conditions is possible in exchange of the lens unit, for example an outdoor condition, a dirty condition with much dust even in an indoor state. Dust or other unwanted material may enter the camera body through the exposure opening in the exchange no matter how quickly a user handles the lens unit. A camera in JP-A 6-167670 is a type different from a lens interchangeable type. Although dust is prevented from depositing on the photographing optical system in the document, there is no prevention of entry of dust in the camera body.

Lens interchangeable camera with protection cover


A system and method for identifying explosive or other target materials includes the steps of irradiating a first location and a second location spaced apart from the first location from a sample suspected of including explosives with ultraviolet, visible or infrared light, measuring reflected light emanated from the first sample location (R1) and reflected light emanated from the second sample location (R2), and calculating a normalized difference in reflectivity (ΔR/ R), wherein R=(R1+R2)/2 is an average reflectivity. A differential reflection spectrum (DRS) is then generated for the sample where ΔR=R2−R1 is the difference of the reflectivities of the first and the second sample location. One or more explosives if present are identified in the sample based on comparing the DRS for said sample to at least one reference DRS.

The detection of traces of explosive materials is of utmost importance at the present time due to the ongoing risk of terrorism. Detection devices should identify explosives before detonation of the explosive and thus save lives. The technique for detecting such materials should be fast, portable, contact-less, inexpensive, foolproof, and reliable for maximum effectiveness.
A number of methods for detection of explosives have been proposed or are already in service. Non-portable instruments for explosives detection include gas chromatography (involving an electron capture detector), ion mobility spectrometers, mass spectrometers (detecting different masses of ions, separated in a magnetic field after heating the specimen), neutron analysis (based on neutron excitation of atoms in explosives), nuclear quadrupole resonance, and x-ray detection. Optical techniques include transmission measurements of explosives contained in solutions, or in the gaseous state in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared range, fluorescence spectroscopy (coupled with immunoassay reactions whereby the explosive fluoresces when in contact with a sensor), quenching of photoluminescence (of an appropriate inert material by an explosive vapor), and photofragmentation (by separating NO2 into O and NO by a laser followed by detection of NO using laser-induced fluorescence). Among the portable detectors are calorimetric detection devices (involving for example alkali-based chemicals which change color when they are exposed to certain types of explosives). A dog trained to detect explosive vapors can also be effective.
Although several methods are available for detecting explosives, a new, relatively simple, real-time, portable, high sensitivity and particularly, a stand-off technique that requires little or no sample preparation is needed.

Differential reflection spectroscopy system and method for detecting explosives and other target materials

University of Florida Research Foundation, Inc.


The invention relates to a damper valve arrangement, which can be combined with a servomotor of a hydraulic power steering system to form a steering damper. For calibration purposes, the damper valve arrangement has a bypass duct with a calibratable throttling resistance.

This application claims the priority of German application 196 47 130.3, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.
The invention relates to a damper valve arrangement, which is suitable for a hydraulic power steering system, the servomotor of which is designed as a hydrostatic motor unit or as a hydraulic displacer unit and also acts as a steering damper, due the fact that at least one damper valve arrangement is provided in hydraulic lines between servomotor and servovalve, having at least one flow path which is controlled or throttled by damper valve elements.
Modern motor vehicles are regularly equipped with power steering, which at least in the case of passenger cars generally operates using auxiliary hydraulic power, in such a manner that the forces which the driver has to apply when steering the vehicle are always sufficiently low.
In order as far as possible to avoid or suppress fluctuations in the steering system, virtually all vehicle steering systems have a steering damper.
In this connection, it is known from German patent document DE-A 40 29 156 to enable a double-acting piston-cylinder unit, which serves as the servomotor, also to act as the steering damper, by providing damper valve arrangements in the lines between the piston-cylinder unit and the servovalve which is used to control the latter and via which the piston-cylinder unit can be connected in a controllable manner to a hydraulic pressure source and a relatively unpressurized hydraulic reservoir.
A fundamentally similar arrangement is described in German patent document DE-A 41 06 310.
It is known from German patent document DE-A 29 27 039 (=Great Britain patent document GB 2051714 A) to arrange in each case one non-return valve, which opens in the direction towards the respective piston working chamber and is provided with a throttle through-bore, at the cylinder-side connections of the lines which connect the servovalve to the double-acting piston-cylinder unit of a power steering system, the valve housing of which non-return valve may be formed by a screw which serves to fasten the respective line to the cylinder.
In order to simplify the damper valve arrangement, German patent document DE 43 23 179 A1 envisages providing the damper valves on a valve support part in the form of a perforated disc, the holes of which, through which the hydraulic medium passes, can be controlled by means of small valve plates held on the end side of the valve support part by bolts and/or by means of spring-mounted valve plates. There may be provision here for clamping the valve support part in the form of a perforated disc, in the manner of a spacer ring or a spacer disc, between a bearing surface of a connection stub arranged on the housing of the servo valve or of the servomotor and a mating bearing surface of the connection part, which can be connected to the connection stub, of the hydraulic line.
Instead of this, it is also possible to hold the valve support part captively in the connection stub or in the connection part, as is illustrated, for example, in German patent document DE 44 23 658 A1.
The power steering systems described above are extremely advantageous, owing to the dual function of the servomotor, which firstly generates a servoforce and secondly serves as a steering damper. Nevertheless, such designs remain extremely expensive, because the servomotor, which can be driven in two directions, must be provided on both sides with identically acting damper valve arrangements, in order to achieve an identical damping action in both directions of movement. Accordingly, it is always necessary for damper valve arrangements which are matched to one another in pairs to be present. However, since there are inevitable tolerances which result from the production of the damper valve arrangements, it is always necessary to hunt out pairs of damper valve arrangements with identical damping actions.
An object of the invention is to provide damper valves with extremely precisely defined characteristics.
This and other objects have been achieved according to the present invention by providing a damper valve arrangement, which is suitable for a hydraulic power steering system having a servomotor which is designed as a hydrostatic motor or displacer unit and also acts as a steering damper, said damper valve arrangement being provided in a hydraulic line between the servomotor and a servovalve, said damper valve arrangement comprising at least one flow path which is controlled or throttled by damper valve elements, and a bypass duct with a calibratable throttling resistance arranged parallel to the flow path.
The damper valve arrangement of the present invention utilizes a bypass duct with a calibratable throttling resistance parallel to the flow path.
The invention is based on the general idea of compensating for production tolerances in the damper valve arrangement by providing the ability to calibrate the throttling resistance. The fact that, according to the invention, the bypass duct with calibratable throttling resistance now provides a throttling path which can still be adjusted even after production of the damper valve arrangement means that the desired throttling effect of the damper valve arrangement can be defined extremely accurately, so that virtually any damper valve arrangements can be combined to form pairs with virtually identical parameters.
The invention takes into account the fact that the throttling resistance of a flow path changes to the extent of about the 5th power of the diameter of the flow path, and consequently even slight production tolerances lead to very different flow resistances. The possibility of calibrating the throttling resistance of the bypass duct allows this unavoidable effect to be compensated for.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the damper valve arrangement has a support part in the form of a perforated disc and having a central axial peg, which, on the one hand, serves to hold spring-loaded valve plates and/or small valve-spring plates for controlling the flow paths formed by the holes in the perforated disc and, on the other hand, has an axial duct, which forms the bypass duct, passing through it, at one end of which duct is arranged a throttle element which leaves open a calibratable gap.
In a particularly preferred manner, it is provided for the support part to be arranged coaxially with respect to the screw axis and captively in a connection part, which has a cup-shaped interior, for holding a hydraulic line and divides up the interior between the open end and the closed end of the connection part, an axially adjustable pin, which is arranged coaxially with the bypass duct, being arranged as a throttling element at the closed end of the connection part, so that the throttling action can easily be calibrated.
As an alternative, it is also possible and advantageous to replace the abovementioned axially adjustable pin with a mandrel-like extension arranged fixedly on the connection part and to arrange the pin containing the bypass duct in an axially adjustable manner on the support part.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


The invention relates to a semiconductor switching module for on-board electrical supply systems comprising a plurality of semiconductor chips, and a method for producing the same. The semiconductor switching module has at least one half-bridge circuit comprising a first semiconductor circuit chip as LSS (low side switch) and a second semiconductor circuit chip as HSS (high side switch) on a common circuit structure. The circuit structure includes contact pads on the top side of the circuit structure and lead connections with external contact areas on the underside of the circuit structure and with internal contact areas on the top side of the circuit structure. In this case, at least one of the semiconductor circuit chips is arranged on contact pads of the circuit structure using flip-chip technology and is electrically and cohesively connected to the contact pads by using diffusion solder layers.

The invention relates to a semiconductor switching module for on-board electrical supply systems, including a plurality of semiconductor chips. The invention furthermore relates to a method for producing a semiconductor switching module of this type. The semiconductor switching module is intended to realize at least one half-bridge circuit including a first semiconductor circuit chip as LSS (low side switch) and a second semiconductor circuit chip as HSS (high side switch) on a common circuit structure. For this purpose, the circuit structure has lead connections with external contact areas on the underside of the circuit structure and internal contact areas on the top side of the circuit structure and also with contact pads on the top side of the circuit structure.
A semiconductor switching module forms a multi-chip module for "motor bridges." MCM modules of this type are based on a DCB technique (direct copper bonding), in which a plurality of semiconductor circuit chips are paste-soldered alongside one another and contact-connected by using bonding wires. A paste solder bonding process of this type can only be used if the semiconductor circuit chips are arranged in "drain-down mounting" on a circuit structure. In the case of this "drain-down mounting", with the aid of the paste solder, a large-area external contact of the semiconductor circuit chip, which covers the entire rear side of the semiconductor circuit chip, is electrically connected to a correspondingly large contact pad of the circuit structure.
If the semiconductor circuit chip has a plurality of small-area electrodes, too, which are intended to be arranged on a corresponding contact pad of the circuit structure by using surface mounting, as is necessary in the case of a flip-chip technology, then the paste solder bonding process fails since short-circuits can occur between the small-area and large-area electrodes of the semiconductor circuit chip that are surface-mounted alongside one another.
Consequently, the reliability of multi-chip modules produced by the paste-solder bonding process is manifested only if the semiconductor circuit chips are mounted by their large-area drain electrodes on individual contact pads that are insulated from one another. Consequently, nodes of a half-bridge circuit have to be produced by using correspondingly thick bonding tape and/or bonding wire connections.
For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention.

Semiconductor switching module and method


A method for dynamically generating and displaying a home screen on a display of a user device comprises receiving a user query input by a user of the device; receiving at least one environmental variable; determining an intent of a user based in part on the at least one environmental variable and the user query; selecting at least one resource of information from a plurality of resources of information respective of at least the intent, wherein each selected resource has a representative icon; generating a new home screen comprising an at least one icon corresponding to the at least one selected resource of information; and causing the user device to replace a current home screen with the new generated home screen.

In general, home screens are used to navigate through the content of a user's devices such as mobile devices, tablet computers, laptop computers, etc. Navigation through the home screen might be carried out by pressing navigation keys on the device or by manipulating other input devices typically associated with a device, such as a touch screen placed over the device's display. The home screen usually includes a plurality of icons that are static in nature and sometimes are moved from one static display of icons to another by the user. Furthermore, in mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablet computers, the display area is quite limited compared to the display screens typically used by desktop and laptop computer systems.
On mobile devices, the home screen typically operates as a default browser displaying static data in order to fit the variety of data streaming to and from the mobile device. The home screen typically includes icons associated with applications (e.g., a browser, a mobile application or app, etc.), as well as icons associated with documents, files, and so on. The icons are arranged according to users' preferences, but once they are set, the home screen typically cannot be dynamically changed to display a different set of icons not previously configured by the user.
It would be therefore advantageous to provide a solution that overcomes the limitations of the prior art.

Method for dynamically displaying a personalized home screen on a device


The present invention is related to a data handling system comprising a central processing unit for executing a sequence of commands stored in a memory. This central processing unit comprises an interrupt request input and a priority input as well as means for servicing an interrupt request by executing a command sequence at a predefined address in said memory. The predefined address is an interrupt base address plus an offset address value defined by a priority number provided at the priority input. The system further comprises an interrupt request control unit comprising interrupt arbitration means and generating, after determining the interrupt request, the highest priority by said interrupt arbitration means, an interrupt request signal fed to said interrupt request input and providing a priority number at said priority input. A plurality of peripheral devices each having an associated interrupt service register for storing a priority number is coupled with the interrupt request control unit via an interrupt arbitration bus.

The present invention relates to a data handling system having an interrupt system, and to a method for servicing an interrupt request in a data handling system. Interrupt systems are well known in the art and established in a plurality of microcomputers and micro controllers. Most of the known systems are limited to a number of interrupt sources below ten. To service a higher number of peripherals generating interrupts, special interrupt controllers are provided. These interrupt controllers often provide an arbitration unit for selecting the source of an interrupt with the highest priority.
However, in a data processing system having a plurality of peripheral devices generating interrupt requests, it is often not possible to react on events in real time because handling of an interrupt request is too cumbersome and time-consuming.

Interrupt system with fast response time


A data processing device includes a first memory for use during normal operation of the device and a second memory for use during testing. The second memory stores a set of test patterns for testing of a functional module. When the data processing device is in a normal (i.e. non-test) mode of operation, data is retrieved from a first memory based on a received memory address. The retrieved data is applied to the functional module of the data processing device to perform a designated function. When the data processing device is in a test mode of operation, received memory addresses are provided to the second memory for retrieval of a test pattern associated with the address. The test pattern is applied to the functional module to generate an output pattern. The result of a test is determined by comparing the output pattern to an expected pattern.

After manufacture, a data processing device is typically tested to ensure the device behavior matches a specification. For a typical test, a test pattern is applied to an input of the data processing device and a resultant output pattern compared to an expected output pattern. The test pattern typically tests only a portion of the possible states of the data processing device. Accordingly, the data processing device is tested with a variety of different test patterns in order to increase the number of possible states tested. However, because of the complexity of modern data processing devices, it can be difficult to ensure that all possible states, or even likely states, of a data processing device have been tested by a given set of test patterns. Further, changes in the data processing device (such as a change resulting from an alteration in the device design) can render previous test patterns obsolete, requiring generation of new test patterns.

Data processing device and methods thereof


A label for use as an in-mold label and including a radio frequency identification device (RFID) is disclosed. The label includes an RFID having opposed first and second surfaces; a first layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the first surface of the RFID; a second layer of heat-activated adhesive disposed on the second surface of the RFID; and a surface layer comprising a polymeric film disposed on a surface of the first layer of heat-activated adhesive opposite the first surface of the RFID. The label is placed in a mold with the surface layer contacting the mold. A polymer is molded in the mold such that the second layer of heat-activated adhesive (or a surface layer over the second layer of heat-activated adhesive) adheres to the polymer thereby producing a labeled article that can be identified using the radio frequency identification device in the label.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to labels including a radio frequency identification device, and more particularly to labels including a radio frequency identification device wherein the label is compatible with an in-mold process. This allows the label to be incorporated into plastic parts, such as bins and pallets, for durable tracking purposes.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known that items, such as plastic bins and pallets in a factory, can be tracked and identified using a radio frequency identification device (RFID). An RFID generally includes an antenna connected to an integrated circuit chip in which digital information is stored. The RFID transmits stored data by reflecting varying amounts of an electromagnetic field provided by an RFID interrogator. An RFID can now be manufactured in a very small, light weight and inexpensive unit.
A problem exists in finding a durable and cost-effective way of attaching an RFID to items to be tracked. One means for attaching an RFID to an item is an externally fastened tag. However, such tags are prone to being torn away from the item during transport. Self adhesive labels for an RFID have also been used in numerous applications where the performance and convenience of a pressure sensitive adhesive is suitable. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,281,795, 6,163,260 and 5,982,284. However, these labels may also be susceptible to being torn away from an item. To provide a smooth finish and excellent resistance to detachment in a molded article, embedding or in-molding of an RFID in a molded article has been proposed. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,302,461 and 6,206,282.
Many injection molded plastic products are manufactured from the family of polyolefins including polyethylene and polypropylene. These materials are used to produce rugged products, especially containers. The molding process includes heating a polyolefin resin to a melt-flow temperature (as high as 270° C.) and injecting under pressure into a temperature controlled mold. Depending upon mold size and complexity, this is done under pressure as high as hundreds of pounds per square inch. Typically, an in-mold label is placed in position on the wall of a mold, the mold is closed and the injection process begins. The wall temperature of the mold prevents the label from exceeding its own melt temperature. The in-mold label material is often made from an olefinic material treated for adhesion. Being similar in nature to the olefinic plastic used in the molding process, high adhesion is developed to the finished, molded article. The plastic used in the molding process is softened by heat and flows with molding pressure to fill the mold and capture the edges of the in-mold label. The surface of the mold itself retains the dimension of the finished product so the in-mold label is flush with the surface of the finished product.
A standard pressure sensitive RFID label is made using a pressure sensitive adhesive on one side of an RFID and a film or paper label stock laminated to the other, usually with another pressure sensitive adhesive. Typically, an RFID is somewhat fragile, especially in the area of the integrated chip. Inexpensive RFIDs for general label purposes are usually supplied with the antenna and chip attached to a flexible polyester film substrate. If a standard pressure sensitive RFID label is used in an in-mold process, the melt/flow temperature of typical pressure sensitive adhesives is exceeded and the label moves out of position and is distorted, delaminated or otherwise damaged a high percentage of the time. Even high performance acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives do not function well during the exposure to heat and pressure of an injection molding process. They soften excessively and lose their bond.
Thus, there exists a need for a label including a radio frequency identification device wherein (i) the label protects the radio frequency identification device chip during and after in-molding of the label in an article, (ii) the label includes a protective outer sheet that resists mechanical and chemical damage, (iii) the label provides for improved structural integrity during an in-molding process, and (iv) the label allows for improved bonding to an article during an in-molding process.

In-mold radio frequency identification device label