A liquid crystal display device and a method of compensating for a luminance point defect of the liquid crystal display device. After a detective luminance point pixel is detected, a laser beam is irradiated from an excimer laser oscillator on a portion of a surface of one of glass substrates of a liquid crystal panel on which an illuminating light is incident, the portion being located on the same irradiation path of the illuminating light with the luminance point pixel. In this way, the portion is laseretched, thereby forming a rough surface in the portion. When such a panel is used in a projection device, the light transmitted through the luminance point pixel is scattered and so reduced. Accordingly, the defective luminance point pixel is inconspicuous to normal pixels around the defective luminance point pixel.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device comprising a transmission liquid crystal panel including a liquid crystal enclosed between a pair of transparent substrates and display pixels arranged in a matrix and a light source for irradiating an illuminating display light from a back of the transmission liquid crystal panel, and to a method of compensating for a luminance point defect of the transmission liquid crystal panel of the liquid crystal display device.
2. Description of the Prior Art
An example of this type of liquid crystal display device includes an active-matrix drive liquid crystal panel used for a projection device. This panel comprises a pair of glass substrates laminated to each other. One of the glass substrates has pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix on an inner surface thereof, and the pixel electrodes are connected to TFTS (thin film transistors). The pixel electrodes are selected by switching the TFTS, thereby displaying an image. In this construction, since no cross talk is generated as is generated in a simple matrix panel, a high quality display is realized.
The TFT has a multiple layer construction, in which a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and the like are laminated on the glass substrate. The production procedure of the TFT is a repetition of the step of laminating such thin metal films on the glass substrate and the step of patterning the thin metal films by the use of a pattern mask. Accordingly, the production of a perfect TFT requires a great amount of effort to maintain and control various conditions in the production procedure.
It sometimes occurs that a defective TFT without normal TFT characteristics is produced. A defect which can be rectified is rectified in accordance with the type and the degree of the defect by the use of the appropriate rectifying technology. An example of a TFT defect is a luminance point defect, which is impossible to rectify on a circuit pattern and is recognized, for example, on a display screen in the form of a luminance point generated on pixels in correspondence with the pixel electrodes when the display screen is driven.
FIGS. 26 and 27 illustrate a conventional method of compensating for the luminance defect. An opaque shading film 206 is formed on a portion of a surface of a glass substrate 202, the portion being in correspondence with a luminance point pixel 205 of a liquid crystal panel 201. A light emitted from a light source (not shown) and incident on the luminance point pixel 205 is reduced by the opaque shading film 206, thereby making the luminance point pixel 205 inconspicuous.
Selected as the portion on which the opaque shading film 206 is formed, namely, a luminance point defect compensation area, is a portion through which the light from the light source is irradiated on the luminance point pixel 205. More practically, among irradiation paths of the light which is emitted from the light source, incident on the panel 201 through a condenser lens 207 and converged to a projecting lens 208, an irradiation path A passing through the luminance point pixel 205 passes through the compensation portion. FIG. 27 schematically shows that the luminance point pixel 205 and the opaque shading film 206 are on the same irradiation path. Among a pair of glass substrates 202 and 227, the glass substrate 202 is the one on which the light is incident. A liquid crystal as a display medium is enclosed between the glass substrates 202 and 227.
The opaque shading film 206 is formed in the following way: An ultraviolet-ray hardened resin ink is put on a fine curved surface at a tip of a marking needle and is transferred to the compensation area. Then, the ink is hardened by irradiating an ultraviolet ray, whereby the ink is adhered on the surface of the glass substrate 202. The opaque shading film 206 is extremely fine, although different in size depending on the type of the liquid crystal panel: the diameter is approximately 100 to 250 .mu.m and the thickness is approximately 10 .mu.m.
The above conventional method is limited in eliminating affects of the luminance point defect due to the following disadvantages:
(1) Since the opaque shading film 206 does not have an enough adhering force to the smooth glass substrate 202, the opaque shading film 206 is possibly peeled off from the glass substrate 202 or damaged when dust or the like is wiped off from the, glass substrate 202. Accordingly, it is poor in reliability.
(2) Since the opaque shading film 206 shutters the light almost perfectly, the opaque shading film 206 is recognized as a black point with the human eye when an image brightens the display screen. Accordingly, the compensation area is restricted within an end portion of the display screen.

Liquid crystal display device and method of compensating for a defect


A feminine hygiene storage unit includes a tampon section and a plunger section. Both sections are generally cylindrical and are coaxial to one another. The tampon section has a plunger end, an expulsion end, and a tampon compartment. The tampon compartment contains a tampon. The plunger section has a tampon end, a distal end, and at least one plunger compartment. The plunger section has a slightly smaller diameter than the tampon section. The plunger section is adapted to slide into the tampon section, expelling the tampon. The plunger compartment is adapted to contain a variety of menstrual products, such as a panty liner, a sanitary napkin, a moistened towelette, a tampon disposal bag, or a pharmaceutical composition for relief of menstrual symptoms.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to feminine hygiene products.
2. Description of the Related Art
Keeping clean and comfortable while experiencing menstrual discharge or menses is well known to be a difficult problem. The menstrual flow is variable and can be quite heavy at times. Menstruation can begin unexpectedly and may continue for several days. Once the menses have dried on the skin and in the pubic hair, they are difficult to remove with dry toilet paper. Menstrual discharge has a distinctive odor. Menstruation may be accompanied by or preceded by a variety of unpleasant symptoms, including cramps, water retention, mood changes, and nausea.
A variety of feminine hygiene products are in use for dealing with menstrual discharge. Of these, the most common are tampons, sanitary napkins, and panty liners. A typical tampon includes an absorbent section and a withdrawal string, both typically of cotton. The absorbent section is compressed into a cylindrical shape for insertion into the vagina.
Tampons are commonly packaged in an applicator to ease insertion. The most common applicator is the tube type, which has a pair of telescoping tubes with the withdrawal string extending through the hollow center of the inner tube. Generally the withdrawal string is long enough to dangle from the end of the inner tube before use. The applicator is generally packaged in a thin overwrap of paper or plastic. After insertion, the withdrawal string is left dangling outside the vagina so that the tampon is easily removed when saturated by pulling on the string.
A sanitary napkin ordinarily includes a top sheet on the body-facing surface, an absorbent layer, a liquid impervious back sheet, and adhesive fasteners on the garment-facing surface of the back sheet. A release strip or release paper protects the adhesive fasteners. Special highly absorbent materials may be used in the absorbent layer to lessen the bulk and increase the absorbency. The release paper is removed immediately prior to use, and the adhesive fasteners used to adhere the napkin to the crotch portion of an undergarment. A panty liner or panty shield is similar in construction to a sanitary napkin, but is generally smaller and thinner. An overwrap is occasionally provided for individual sanitary napkins; a common type is a tri-fold wrapper of thin paper or plastic.
Since tampons are used internally, they are inconspicuous and minimize odor. However, tampons cannot be left in place for more than a few hours, due to the risk of toxic shock syndrome. Some women alternate the use of tampons and sanitary napkins, to further reduce the risk of toxic shock. Since the tampon is invisible during use except for its withdrawal string, it can be difficult to determine when the tampon is approaching saturation. The first sign of saturation may be stained underclothing, which is a nuisance at best. Tampons occasionally fail to absorb well, such as when the menstrual discharge flows past the tampon, leading to embarrassing stains.
Many women use a panty liner or sanitary napkin with a tampon. This back-up prevents stains and makes it easy to see when a tampon is saturated and needs to be changed. A combination of a tampon and a sanitary napkin is also used to provide extra absorption by women who experience very heavy flow. The tampon and its back-up sanitary napkin or panty liner are frequently changed at the same time.
Since the menstrual flow often begins unexpectedly, it is desirable to have a tampon, sanitary napkin, or the like readily available at all times. Unfortunately, the typical packaging of feminine hygiene products is delicate and easily damaged by storage in a purse or the like. For example, when a tampon in its applicator is stored in a purse the overwrap typically breaks, and the tampon falls out of the applicator. This allows the tampon itself to mix with the contents of the purse, so that it becomes dirty and damaged. The fabric surface of a tampon picks up dirt easily and retains it. A tri-fold wrapper or similar packaging for sanitary napkins also provides very little protection in a purse. Unwrapped sanitary napkins also attract dirt. A dirty or damaged tampon or sanitary napkin is unpleasant to use, and may even be dangerous.
If a woman wishes to use a tampon in combination with a sanitary napkin or panty liner, both are carried separately. Since both are generally bulky and their shapes are quite different, this requires a significant amount of space in a purse. In any case, both are likely to become dirty or damaged, as described above.
Conventional feminine hygiene products are also difficult to dispose of in a sanitary manner. Handling a soiled tampon or sanitary napkin is unpleasant, so that the disposal means preferably does not involve direct contact with the hands. The typical thin overwrap is too small and delicate to be used for disposal. Some tampons are intended to be flushable, but flushin has an undesirable tendency to clog plumbing. Toilet paper may be used to wrap a used tampon or sanitary napkin. However, toilet paper soaks through easily and tends to disintegrate when wet. Toilet paper provides no protection against odor.
A number of harmful pathogens are spread by contact with the blood of an infected person. Spread of these diseases is possible through contact with menstrual blood. Many other harmful microorganisms find menstrual blood to be an ideal growth medium. Feminine hygiene products discarded unwrapped or wrapped in toilet paper therefore represent a public health risk.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,569,230 to Fisher et al. discloses an individually packaged sanitary napkin packaged with a cleansing wipe. The wipe pouch may be attached with a perforation so that it can be torn off and carried separately if desired. The wrapper of the sanitary napkin includes a flap or pouch for disposing of the used napkin and wipe. The cleansing wipe may also be packaged wrapped around a tampon and covered with a moisture impervious overwrap.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,756 to Courtman discloses a tubular container with two co-axial chambers for storing shampoo, conditioner, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, condiments, and the like. One chamber may be smaller than the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,867 to Conner et al. discloses a tampon system which includes a tampon, a flexible sheath surrounding the tampon, a ring at one end, and a removable closure over the opening in the ring. The tampon is inserted by pushing the tampon through the sheath with a finger. The closure may be of paper, foil, or the like, and secured by a peelable adhesive. The closure may be resealable.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,572 to Herrera discloses a sanitary napkin having a shape conforming to the female genital area. The sanitary napkin includes a moist towelette hermetically sealed in an elongate sheath. The sheath serves as the release strip for the adhesive fasteners.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,057 to Cook et al. discloses a personal care convenience kit which disclosed different personal hygiene components one at a time through a dispensing opening. The hygiene components include premoistened wipes, tissue paper, soap, and toilet seat covers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,931,052 to Feldman discloses a disposable diaper with an integral moist towelette. The towelette is stored in a liquid impermeabel pocket. The pocket expands to form a disposal container for the soiled diaper and the spent towelette.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,881,278 to Farah disclosed a single-use unitary package having a compartment for a folded toilet seat cover and another compartment for a toilet seat disinfectant. U.S. Pat. No. 3,035,578 to Elmore discloses a cover for enclsoing sanitary napkins prior to use, which may be used for disposal. U.S. Pat. No. 3,058,469 to Crockford discloses a tampon holder having a telescopically-applied closure cap. U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,605 to Pluss discloses a tampon with a cylindrical sheath having a hole and two notches for the withdrawing thread. U.S. Pat. No. 3,818,912 to Etz discloses a tampon having a recess at one end with the draw string disposed within the recess.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,550,551 to Gourdin discloses a tubular convenience package for toilet seat cover and toilet paper, with perforations and a pull cord allowing separation into two halves. U.S. Pat. No. 5,462,166 to Minton et al. disclosed a flexible plastic wrapper for a sanitary napkin having relasable seals. U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,224 to Petrus et al. discloses a spherical tampon having a withdrawal thread in the form of a loop. U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,221 to Ehrlich discloses a diaper which includes sealed containers for a cleansing towel, baby powder, and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,059 to Shimatani et al. discloses a tampon package having three sheet parts folded to enclose the tampon. U.S. Pat. No. 5,579,916 to Manko discloses a clamshell-hinged kit for carrying feminine hygiene materials, including sanitary napkins, wipes, and disposal bags.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a tampon with feminine hygiene storage unit solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A reflective surface for detection is provided in an object being detected. Laser light condensed by a condensing lens is emitted from a laser light source and angle detection is performed by performing angle detection of the reflected light. The reflected light is irradiated onto a beam splitter and the optical path thereof is split by an optical path splitting surface to form luminous flux spots on light receiving surfaces of two four section light receivers. Optical path lengths from the reflective surface for detection to the respective light receiving surfaces are changed enabling the angle detection sensitivity to be altered. In an angle detection apparatus, an optical signal switch system, and an information recording and reproduction system, it is possible to make multiple detections of an inclination angle of a detection object using a compact structure. Consequently, improvements in various performances such as apparatus reliability, inclination angle detection precision, and detection range can be achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-381816, filed Dec. 27, 2002, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates an angle detection optical system to an angle detection apparatus, an optical signal switch system, and an information recording and reproduction system.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, an angle detection apparatus is known that irradiates light from a predetermined position onto a reflective surface used for detection that is provided on a portion of a detection object, and then, by detecting the position of the reflected light, detects the angle from the predetermined position of the detected object.
For example, in Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication (JP-A) No. 8-227552 (pages 2–3, FIGS. 1–2) an optical apparatus is disclosed that is provided with a detecting apparatus whose light receiving surface is divided into four sections and that is designed to detect an angle between a disk (i.e., a disk shaped information recording medium) and an optical head in order to write information onto the disk, and to detect the thickness of a disk protective layer. The detection apparatus that is divided into four sections irradiates light from an optical element onto the disk and then receives reflected light from the disk. It then outputs electrical signals corresponding to the quantity of light received by the respective light receiving surfaces. The center position of the reflected light relative to the division center of the light receiving surfaces is then detected by relative ratios of the output electrical signals. The angle of the disk is then detected from the size of the positional shift in the radial direction of the disk. The thickness of the disk protective layer is detected from the size of the positional shift in the tangential direction of the disk.
In Japanese Patent Application Unexamined Publication (JP-A) No. 11-144274 (pages 3–4, FIGS. 6, 9) a deflection angle detection apparatus is described in which angle detection light is irradiated onto the rear surface of a galvanomirror, the reflected light therefrom is separated into two luminous fluxes using a luminous flux splitting unit that has a splitting surface in which the reflectance changes in accordance with the light angle of incidence, the light quantities of the two luminous fluxes are detected independently using respective optical detectors, and the deflection angle of the galvanomirror is detected from the difference in the outputs. This technology enables the detection sensitivity to be improved by calculating the difference of A−B using a detected output A, which increases as the angle of incidence relative to the separation surface decreases, and a detected output B, which decreases as the angle of incidence relative to the separation surface decreases.
In addition, for example, optical signal switch systems used in optical communication and information recording and reproduction systems that use lasers are known as systems that are equipped with the above type of angle detection apparatus and make use of the deflection angle control of light deflection elements.
However, in the technology described in JP-A No. 8-227552, because the relative ratios of outputs of the light receiving surface that is divided into four sections are used, the detection sensitivity at the center position of the light receiving spot and the detection range are restricted by the size of the spot diameter, and these two are in a trade-off relationship with each other. Accordingly, in order to broaden the detection range while improving the sensitivity of the detection of the disk inclination angle, it has been necessary to increase the distance between the disk and the optical device and to alter the amount of change of the light receiving position of the reflected light relative to the amount of change in the inclination angle.
In the technology described in JP-A No. 11-144274, the detection sensitivity of the inclination angle is improved, but the angle of incidence is in a linear relationship with the reflectance. In addition, because the characteristics of the reflection film directly affect the detection accuracy, the detection accuracy deteriorates unless the reflection film is manufactured with a high level of precision.
A high degree of reliability is demanded in an optical signal switching system and information recording and reproduction system that use the above described conventional angle detection apparatus as a deflection angle control apparatus. Therefore, there are cases when a backup angle detection apparatus is provided in case of a failure in the angle detection apparatus being used. Moreover, because deflection angle control that is highly accurate and is performed over a wide range is sought from these apparatuses, there are cases when the control operation is performed in two stages, namely, coarse tuning and fine tuning.
In such cases, it is only possible to provide two apparatuses in parallel for the above described type of conventional angle detection apparatus.

Angle detection optical system, angle detection apparatus, optical signal switch system and information recording and reproduction system


A longitudinal adjusting device in a motor vehicle seat, particularly for two-door motor vehicles, wherein the seat includes a backrest and a seat portion secured at running rails of a rail arrangement and wherein each running rail is longitudinally displaceably arranged in a guide rail. At least one running rail is supported at the respective guide rail through a spring member such that the running rail is biased forwardly. At least one running rail includes a releasable locking device for the longitudinal adjustment, and the locking device includes a positioning device for making it possible to find or reset a previously adjusted longitudinal seat position. The positioning device includes a positioning disk provided with a stop, wherein the positioning disk is rotatably supported on a structural component forming part of the moveable seat portion and wherein the positioning disk can be releasibly secured against the force of a torsion spring. The stop of the positioning disk limits the rotary movement of a rotary member which also has a stop and serves to transpose the linear movement of the running rail relative to the guide rail in relation to the return pushing movement of the seat, wherein at least one stop ring may be arranged between the positioning disk and the rotary member.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a longitudinal adjusting device in motor vehicle seats, particularly for two-door motor vehicles. The backrest of the seat is connected to the seat portion through a joint fitting which may include an adjusting and securing device for the inclination of the backrest. The joint fitting includes a fitting component forming part of the seat portion and a pivotable fitting portion forming part of the backrest. One of the joint members has a pivot point about which the backrest can be swung forwardly after releasing a catch device. The seat portion is secured at running rails of a rail arrangement and each running rail is longitudinally displaceably arranged in a guide rail. At least one running rail is supported at the respective guide rail through a spring member such that the running rail is biased forwardly. At least one running rail includes a releasable locking device for the longitudinal adjustment, and the locking device includes a positioning device for making it possible to find or reset a previously adjusted longitudinal seat position.
2. Description of the Related Art
DE 44 23 634 A1 discloses a longitudinal adjusting device of the above-described type in which the positioning device includes another securing device by means of which, after the backrest has been swung forwardly and the seat has been pushed forwardly, a return swinging of the backrest into its position of use is prevented until the seat has once again reached its previously adjusted longitudinal position and is locked in this position. In this device, it is not possible without a previously modified adjustment of the longitudinal seat position, to place a load between the front seat and the rear seat, while still being able to transfer the front seat by a rearward swinging of the backrest and its locking device into a position of use. In addition, the positioning device and the securing device coupled to the positioning device are of cumbersome construction and substantially increase the cost of a vehicle seat equipped with such a device.
This is also true for the solution disclosed in EP 0 135 596 B1. In that solution, additional friction losses occur when forwardly swinging the backrest and forwardly pushing the seat because the running rail is constructed of two pieces and is composed of a forward transport rail and the support rail. Separate devices for connecting the running rail to the guide rail are required for both parts of the running rail which are displaceable relative to each other, so that a blocking device, on the one hand, and a locking device, on the other hand, are required. The blocking device is equipped with a positioning member which ensures that the positioned locking of the forward transport rail can only be effected when the backrest has once again assumed its position of use and the forward transport rail has reached during the backward swinging movement of the backrest once again a parallel position relative to the support rail. Only the forward transport rails on both longitudinal sides of the seat support the seat portion as well as the backrest. The requirement of having to provide for each part of the running rail, i.e., the support rail as well as the forward transport rail, a separate device for locking in longitudinal direction means that the device has a plurality of structural components which require substantial structural space.
Finally, in both solutions discussed above, the problem of reinforcing the forward movement during adjusting the longitudinal seat position by using spring members is not discussed, as is apparent from U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,995. Even though this problem is not discussed in the two above-described solutions, helical springs requiring additional structural space are also used in these constructions between the guide rails and the running rails.

Longitudinal adjusting device in motor vehicle seats, particularly two-door motor vehicles


A method for fabricating stacked non-volatile memory cells and non-volatile memory cell arrays are disclosed. A semiconductor wafer is provided having a charge-trapping layer and a conductive layer deposited on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. Using a mask layer on top of the conductive layer, contact holes are formed into which a contact fill material is deposited. A further conductive layer is deposited on the surface of the semiconductor wafer and is patterned so as to form word lines. The contact fill material is connected to a contact plug using the contact holes with the contact fill material as a landing pad.

One of the most important development aims in the field of memory cells is the realization of increasingly smaller memory cells, i.e., the use of increasingly smaller chip areas per bit stored. Up to now, it has been considered advantageous to realize compact cells by means of buried, i.e., diffused bit lines. However, bit lines implemented as diffusion areas become increasingly highly resistive as their structural size decreases, since the diffusion depth must be scaled as well, so as to counteract the risk of a punch through between neighboring bit lines. The problem arising in this connection is that high-resistance bit lines permit only comparatively small cell blocks so that the utilization degree decreases and the advantage of the smaller memory cells, for which a higher process expenditure must be tolerated, diminishes.
One example of known memory cells with buried bit lines and a virtual-ground-NOR architecture is described in the article: "NROM: A Novel Localized Trapping, 2-Bit Nonvolatile Memory Cell", Boaz Eitan et al, IEEE Electron Device Letters, Vol. 21, No. 11, November 2000, pp. 543-545, which article is incorporated herein by reference. These concepts increase the resolution capabilities in semiconductor manufacturing. However, significant efforts and investments are needed to produce memories having the best possible resolution capabilities.
A further example of known memory cells is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,242, which is incorporated herein by reference. A method for producing bit lines for a memory cell array comprises as a first providing a layer structure with a substrate having transistor wells implanted in a surface thereof. A sequence of storage medium layers is provided on the surface of the substrate, and a gate region layer is provided on the sequence of storage medium layers. Bit line recesses, which extend down to the sequence of storage medium layers, are produced in the gate region layer. Subsequently, insulating spacer layers are produced on lateral surfaces of the bit line recesses, whereupon a source/drain implantation is executed in the area of the bit line recesses, after a complete or partial removal of the sequence of storage medium layers.
Following this, the substrate is exposed completely in the area of the bit line recesses, if this has not yet been done prior to the implantation. Subsequently, metallization for producing metallic bit lines are produced on the exposed substrate. The metallization is insulated from the gate region layer by the insulating spacer layers.

Memory cell arrays and methods for producing memory cell arrays


In a micro-channel plate, an electron emission film and an ion barrier film formed on a substrate are integrally formed by the same film formation step. In this structure, the electron emission film and the ion barrier film are made as continuous and firm films and the ion barrier film can be made thinner. Since the ion barrier film is formed on the back side of an organic film, the organic film is exposed during removal of the organic film. This prevents the organic film from remaining and thus suppresses degradation of performance of the ion barrier film due to the residual organic film, so as to suppress ion feedback from the micro-channel plate and achieve a sufficient improvement in life characteristics of an image intensifier.

In the image intensifiers with the micro-channel plate used for multiplication of electrons, feedback of ions of Cs and/or residual gas from the inside of the micro-channel plate to a photocathode has been hitherto known as a factor to degrade life characteristics. For dealing with this problem, for example, in the case of the device described in Patent Literature 1, a film of metal such as Al (ion barrier film) is formed so as to cover the front surface of the micro-channel plate.

Micro-channel plate, method for manufacturing micro-channel plate, and image intensifier


Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described herein for a communication bus that virtualizes physiological data. Sensors and/or physiological data acquisition devices have different physical connectors which provide physiological data from a patient to a shared interface such as a display or patient monitor. A transfer interface within a mount can receive and interpret data streams associated with one or more physiological data acquisition devices. The transfer interface can prioritize the various data streams associated with the one or more physiological data acquisition devices and generate a single, combined data stream based on the assigned prioritization. The transfer interface can provide the combined data stream for transmission to a patient monitor via an interchangeable transport medium. Another transfer interface can process and/or virtualize the data streams from the physiological data acquisition devices.

Patient monitoring systems are essential medical devices providing vital physiological data to clinicians for care of patients which presents challenges for inside as well as outside the hospital environment. A number of sensors and/or physiological data acquisition devices can be used to obtain and/or monitor physiological data of a patient. The sensors and/or physiological data acquisition devices can have a number of varying data connectors and/or signals. A shared interface such as a display monitor or patient monitor can be used to process and visually provide the physiological data of the patient to medical personnel. The shared interface can also be interconnected with a docking station. The docking station can have additional devices and/or cables coupled thereto such as a hospital network connection, storage devices, bar code readers, device power supplies, and the like. In addition to the numerous connections to the docking station, each sensor and/or physiological data acquisition device also requires a physical connection to the display or patient monitor. Such physical connections can affect the placement or inhibit movement of the monitor in a patient environment by requiring large amounts of real estate within the patient environment. Additionally, the physical connections can be cumbersome to the medical personnel utilizing the monitor as the physical connections can require physical disconnection from the monitor in order to relocate one or more of the sensors and/or physiological data acquisition devices.
A multi-pin connector can be used to connect the various data connectors. The multi-pin connector can be a purely mechanical/electrical connector having no processing capabilities. Processing capabilities to interpret data from the sensors and/or physiological data acquisition devices can be required in both a monitor and a corresponding docking stations. This dual processing can lead to data latency and/or data integrity concerns. The multi-pin connector can also be cumbersome and/or time consuming to clean due to the intricate cable connections of varying types. Electrical isolation of each connector to meet various patient and/or user safety standards is often accomplished using discrete isolation for each connector. Additionally, difficulties with mechanical alignment between the multi-pin connector and the various data connectors can also cause the connector to age and lose effectiveness of data transmission over time.


A system and method for automatically inserting optical-fiber (fiber-optics) cable jumpers into a patch panel to connect optical signal source equipment to optical signal destination equipment, and for automatically removing those jumpers from that patch panel to disconnect that equipment. This is accomplished robotically under computer control. Large scale fiber-optical splicings can be made, on the order often thousand (10,000) separate optical splices or more. Previous embodiments required hand insertion of these jumpers. Embodiments of the present invention permit any un-occupied port to be connected to any other un-occupied port, regardless of their input or output port status, where previous embodiments required only unoccupied input ports to be connected to unoccupied output ports.

The performance capability of fiber-optic (or optical-fiber) communication networks is superior in many respects to that provided by standard wireline networks. For example, fiber-optic cable bandwidth is much greater than copper wireline bandwidth allowing more communication at greater speed. Therefore, networks may be generally evolving in the direction of optical-fiber links. However, evolution from copper wire to fiber-optic cable may not be moving as fast as it otherwise could because working with copper wire is easier than working with optical-fiber. For example, copper wire connections can be fully automated, which is not the case with optical-fiber links.
The current state of fiber-optic networks, e.g., in a central office of a telecommunications company, includes usage of a manual patch panel, where all fiber-optic connections are still made by hand by highly-skilled and highly-trained technicians. This is costly and time-consuming. Although fully automatic optical switches are commercially available for certain applications in a fiber-optic network, they have not replaced the manual patch panel, at least because these switches are constrained to connect only input ports to output ports. In other words, input ports cannot be connected to other input ports in a commercially-available optical switch. This is illustrated in FIG. 1 where an optical switch is schematically shown as connecting input fiber on its left-hand side to output fiber on its right hand side. As depicted, this allows any currently unused (i.e., unoccupied) input port to be automatically switched, but only to any unused output port, and is an example of "any unused input port to any unused output port" capability.
However, in using a standard, manual optical patch panel, not only can one manually cross-connect any unused input port to any unused output port, one can also connect any unused input port to any other unused input port. This is illustrated in FIG. 2 which shows an end view or edge view of a manually-operable fiber patch panel. As can be seen, any signals coming from internal network equipment at the lower left of the drawing can be patched through the right-hand side optical cross-connectors (i.e., jumpers) to either other internal network equipment via, e.g., connection 201, or to outside plant cable via, e.g., connection 202, the outside plant cable being shown at the upper left-hand side of the drawing. This is an example of "any unused input port switched to any other unused port" capability which is desirable, but currently available only in manual format for fiber-optic cable. Since fiber-optic manual connections are very time consuming and expensive, there is a need to automate these connections, and subject matter of Applicants' instant specification, drawings and claimed embodiments satisfies that need.

System and method for providing large scale, automated, fiber-optic, cross-connection


Exemplary thermoelectric devices and methods are disclosed herein. Thermoelectric generator performance is increased by the shaping isothermal fields within the bulk of a thermoelectric pellet, resulting in an increase in power output of a thermoelectric generator module. In one embodiment, a thermoelectric device includes a pellet comprising a semiconductor material, a first metal layer surrounding a first portion of the pellet, and a second metal layer surrounding a second portion of the pellet. The first and second metal layers are configured proximate to one another about a perimeter of the pellet. The pellet is exposed at the perimeter. And the perimeter is configured at a sidewall height about the pellet to provide a non-linear effect on a power output of the thermoelectric device by modifying an isotherm surface curvature within the pellet. The device also includes a metal container thermally and electrically bonded to the pellet.

Thermoelectric modules have been the subject of alternative power generation research for decades and several products exist within the space of thermoelectric generators used for a source of electrical power from waste heat. The thermoelectric modules can be used for alternative power generation in the Seebeck mode to convert a heat flux into an electrical flux. Inversely, in the Peltier mode, electrical flux can be used to drive heat flux to provide refrigeration. Thermoelectric devices for power generation is one of key drivers of research, because waste heat, which is otherwise lost to the environment, can be recycled into electrical energy and used in a remote location or fed back into the electrical grid through inverters.
However, this approach for electrical power generation has met barriers in terms of a fundamental parameter, cost per watt, in comparison with other methods in alternative power generation, such as solar technology. The major reasons for this cost barrier are inherent to the thermoelectric properties of semiconductor in the devices and the cost of manufacturing of the heat exchanger system to provide hot and cold surfaces required for conversion of the heat energy into electrical energy. Thus, progress in every aspect of manufacturing thermoelectric generators (TEG) is vital if thermoelectric energy production methods are to unfold on a ubiquitous and larger power scale in the production of clean energy conversion, particularly in the megawatt power range and above.

Thermal lensing electrode in thermoelectric generators for improved performance


A copper casting mold for the continuous casting of steel melts is provided, in the presence of zinc and or sulfur in the thermally most greatly stressed contact region with the steel melt, with an at least single-layer diffusion barrier layer made of at least one metallic/metalloid material.

In the use of copper casting molds for the continuous casting of steel melts, premature damage occurs in the presence of zinc and/or sulfur in the thermally most highly stressed contact regions with the steel melts.
In this context, zinc as a component, for example, of molten automobile scrap (zinc as corrosion protection) reacts with the hot copper surface, and, in a diffusion process, it forms brittle α/β/γ brass phases. These split off, and as a result they lead to crack formation.
Sulfur, which is present, for instance, because of auxiliary casting materials, reacts with copper to form high volume and brittle copper sulfides. These may split off too. The notch effect created by local corrosion in this respect is consequently an ideal starting point for the formation of cracks.


In a device and method for developing a charge image on a photoconductor of an electrophotographic printer or copier, a developer chamber is provided having a first and a second end in which at least a portion of the developer is contained. A mixer is provided for thoroughly mixing the developer in the developer chamber. The mixer generates a flow of the developer that is directed from a first end of the developer chamber to a second end. An inlet for developer is provided at the first end of the developer chamber and an overflow is provided at the second end. The developer exits the developer chamber via the overflow when its level in the region of the second end exceeds a prescribed height. A conveyor conveys the developer that has exited the developer chamber at the overflow toward the inlet.

The present system relates to a device for developing a charge image on a photoconductor of an electrophotographic printer or copier. A developer chamber has a first end and a second end. In the chamber at least a portion of the developer is contained. A mixing unit is provided for thoroughly mixing the developer in the developer chamber. The system further relates to a method for developing a charge image on a photoconductor of a printer or copier.
During the development of a charge image on a photoconductor, the developer is either applied to the charged areas of the photoconductor (in the so-called charged area development) or to the discharged areas of the photoconductor (in the so-called discharged area development). For example, a mixture of toner particles and magnetic carrier particles is used as a developer. During the thorough mixing of the developer in the developer chamber, the toner particles and the carrier particles are tribo-electrically charged by means of friction, as a result whereof the toner is charged as required for its application to the charge image. The magnetic carrier particles can be applied to the photoconductor with the aid of magnetic rollers, whereupon the toner particles adhering to the carrier particles are transferred from the carrier particles onto the charge image of the photoconductor. However, the system is not restricted to such developer mixtures but can, for example, also be used for one-component developers.
The mixing unit of the device is a multiple function mixing unit. On the one hand, it serves to thoroughly mix the developer in the developer chamber such that there results an almost uniform developer filling level over the entire width of the developer chamber. Width refers to the dimension of the developer chamber that is transverse to the direction of motion of the photoconductor relative to the developing device. It is important to have an at least almost uniform developer filing level over the width of the developer chamber to guarantee that the entire width of a roller or of several rollers applying the developer to the photoconductor is brought into contact with the developer so that the charge image on the photoconductor is developed completely and uniformly.
In case the developer comprises of a mixture of toner and carrier particles, toner particles have to be supplied to the mixture by the same amount as taken from the developer mixture during development of the charge image. This amount of toner supplied has to be mixed in evenly by the mixing unit, since an inhomogeneous mixture of toner and carrier particles would result in an inhomogeneous optical density of the print image. Finally, the mixing unit has to thoroughly mix the developer mixture such that the developer is activated, i.e. that the toner particles are sufficiently charged.
An at least almost uniform developer filling level over the width of the developer chamber is likewise significant with respect to a uniform charging of the developer mixture, since a varying filling level results in a varying mixing behavior and consequently in a non-uniform charging of the developer mixture.
In known developing devices, the mixing unit is formed by a so-called paddle wheel which is arranged in the developer chamber and the axis of which runs in the transverse direction of the developer chamber, i.e. transverse to the direction of motion of the photoconductor relative to the developer chamber. The paddle wheel has paddle-like or shovel-like blades, by means of which the developer is thoroughly mixed upon rotation of the paddle wheel.
While it is possible to efficiently circulate the developer by means of such a paddle wheel, it is relatively difficult to thoroughly mix the developer in the transverse direction, i.e. along the axis of the paddle wheel, in an efficient way. The difficulty in thoroughly mixing in the transverse direction is that, in spite of the thorough mixing in the transverse direction, the filling level has to remain at least almost the same over the width of the developer chamber. As a result thereof, the developer has to be thoroughly mixed in the transverse direction such that there is no net flow of developer in the transverse direction.
The prior art discloses paddle wheels having radially outer blades, which generate a toner flow in a transverse direction, and having radially inner blades, which generate a toner flow in the opposite transverse direction. These radially inner and radially outer blades are designed such that the developer mixture is transported in both transverse directions at the same transport rate so that no net flow of developer mixture in the transverse direction occurs and thus the filling level of the developer in the developer chamber remains at least almost constant in time over the width of the developer chamber.
In order to achieve an efficient thorough mixing in the transverse direction without or with a low net flow in the transverse direction, both the revolutions per minute of the paddle wheel as well as the flow properties of the developer must be very close to a desired value for which the paddle wheel is designed. If the revolutions per minute of the paddle wheel or the flow properties of the developer even only moderately deviate from the desired value, in conventional developing units already a net flow of the developer in the developer chamber occurs and results in an accumulation of developer on one side only, and therefore in deterioration of the developing quality.
Since the flow properties of a developer mixture of toner and carrier particles vary with the toner concentration, in known devices the toner concentration in the mixture has to be kept very close to a desired value at relatively great expense in order to not deteriorate the thorough mixing in the transverse direction. This not only requires great expense but also prohibits the control of the optical density of the print image by means of the toner concentration, which is a significant restriction. In addition, the flow properties of the developer mixture are also dependent on climatic conditions which can only be influenced in a limited way, this resulting in an uncontrolled deterioration of the mixing behavior in the transverse direction. Accordingly, a uniform efficient thorough mixing in the transverse direction is difficult to be carried out with conventional means and is very disturbance-sensitive.

Device and method for developing a charge image


A tensioner for a traction member, in particular a belt of a traction drive for an internal combustion engine, includes a base constructed for rotation about a rotation axis and having a pivot arm. The pivot arm has a free end for connection of a rotatable tension roller which bears against a traction member. A spring member urges the pivot arm to seek a forced engagement of the tension roller upon the traction member. Disposed between the base and the pivot arm is a damping element for damping an adjusting movement of the pivot arm. A pivot bearing supporting one portion of the base on a machine part for rotation about the rotation axis, whereby the rotation of the base in relation to the machine part is realized by an actuator to thereby adjust a biasing force of the traction member.

The present invention relates to a tensioner for a traction member, in particular a belt of a traction drive.
Tensioners of a type involved here are used in particular in internal combustion engines for motor vehicles to ensure a slip-free drive of accessories or units that are propelled by the traction drive during start-up operation as well as generator operation, without affecting the speed pattern of the traction drive. The traction drive is hereby operated off the engine crankshaft and connects pulleys of the accessories that need to be propelled. Oftentimes, internal combustion engines include two traction drives, whereby one traction drive represents the control mechanism for driving the camshaft(s), and the other traction drive is used as accessory drive for operating, e.g., a water pump, injection pump, air conditioning compressor, servo devices and other accessories. As a consequence of an increase in length of the traction member and an uneven rotation of the crankshaft, caused by the combustion process of the internal combustion engine, dynamic effects, such as vibrations of the traction member, are encountered. Moreover, the material of the traction member undergoes a temperature-based change so that the biasing force of the traction member, i.e. the belt tension, changes especially at high or low limit temperatures. Due to aging and wear, belts have a tendency to stretch so that the initially set tension of the traction member decreases.
German patent publication no. DE 198 45 710 A1 describes a tensioner having a base which is fixedly mounted to a machine part. A tensioner arm includes a hub which is supported on a pin of the base for connection of the tensioner arm via a shaft with the base. With its free, the tensioner arm is resiliently supported upon the traction member via a rotatable tension roller. In the area of the shaft, one end of the pin carries a radial flange, with a friction lining or friction disk disposed between end surfaces of the radial flange and the hub of the tensioner arm and operating as damping element to dampen an adjusting movement of the tensioner arm.
The tensioner according to German patent publication no. DE 43 43 429 A1 is detachably secured to a housing of an internal combustion engine. A shaft is provided between the base and the tensioner arm and surrounded by a torsion spring having one spring end secured to the base and another spring end secured to the tensioner arm. The torsion spring surrounds hereby a central portion of the base for swingable support of the bearing pin of the tensioner arm via a bearing in the form of a slide bearing sleeve. The tensioner arm is axially supported by the base via a radial flange which is disposed on one end of the bearing pin and supported by an end face of the base through intervention of a friction lining which further assumes the function of a damping element. The free end of the tensioner arm carries a rotatable tension roller which resiliently rests against the traction member.
Conventional tensioners are dimensioned for a maximally transmittable torque of the accessories, e.g. 100% generator load. Apart from the fact that the life of the traction member is adversely affected thereby, there are other negative consequences. Because conventional tensioners are dimensioned for maximum load conditions, an excessive biasing force is applied, even though the accessories may operate at reduced load, e.g. during idling of the internal combustion engine. In other words, the required biasing force is less than the actually applied biasing force, rendering the traction drive overly taut. On the other hand, when the biasing force is too low at high moments, an increased slip between the traction member and the pulleys is encountered. Thus, conventional tensioners are constructed to attain a compromise in order to reconcile the dynamic effects and the slip, on the one hand, and the noise development, on the other hand.
It would therefore be desirable and advantageous to provide an improved tensioner which obviates prior art shortcomings and which allows a continuous adjustment of the biasing force and thus tension of the traction member to the load of the accessory and the operating phase of the internal combustion machine, regardless of the speed pattern, i.e. to reduce the biasing force at high rotation speed and to increase the biasing force at low rotation speed.

Tensioner with adjustable biasing force of a traction member


The disclosure provides systems and methods for identifying a mobile device when requesting a secure transaction. In a method conducted at a transaction server access to stored location data having been periodically received relating to a mobile device and stored with an identifier of the mobile device is provided. Historical location data having been stored locally at a mobile device is received from the mobile device when requesting a secure transaction. The historical location data received from the mobile device is matched to a subset of the stored location data to obtain or verify an identifier of the mobile device requesting the secure transaction. The mobile device requesting the secure transaction is associated with the identifier so as to identify or verify the identity of the mobile device requesting the secure transaction.

Use of mobile devices is very widespread and security of information stored on or accessed by a mobile device is an important issue.
Many mobile devices include secure elements, for example in the form of a hardware security module, built into the mobile device or attachable to the mobile device, such as via the subscriber identity module (SIM) card. The secure element may store secure details such as payment card details and may control the security and access to the payment card details, for example, for use with Near Field Communication (NFC) payment implementations.
Mobile devices may communicate with a remote server in carrying out secure transactions instead of using a device-based secure element. An example of this is host card emulation (HCE) where, instead of the mobile device using a secure element on the mobile device to store payment card details, the payment card details are stored in a cloud-based secure server. An application on the mobile device then makes a request to the cloud-based secure server for card details to be presented to a point of sale device.
In order to avoid hacking of the payment process, the mobile device must identify itself securely to the cloud-based secure server to ensure that the request for payment card details is valid. In order to not negatively impact the user experience, this may be aimed to be done without user input.
Device fingerprinting technology is a known method of identifying a mobile device to a remote server. Active fingerprinting uses the installation of executable code directly on a device which has access to identifiers assigned to the device hardware, such as the International Mobile Station Equipment Identity (IMEI) or the media access control (MAC) address. The executable code uses an algorithm, with inputs of an identifier to generate the fingerprint. The remote server knows how the fingerprint is generated by the device and can therefore identify the device.
Fingerprinting technology may result in breaches of security as a hacker may be able to obtain the executable code and reverse engineer it and may try to access a remote server storing card credentials by imitating the mobile device.
There is a need in the art to address the aforementioned and other problems.

Systems and methods for identifying mobile devices


An exercise device of the present invention includes a beam; rods affixed and extending from ends of the beam; wheels rotatably mounted on the rods; handles positioned on outer ends of the rods; and a body-part engagement device for engaging a user's hands, feet, or knees with the device. Multiple exercises that exercise various muscle groups of the human body may be performed with the exercise device.

Most exercise devices perform one task and focus on a single part of the body, such as only the arms, legs, or back. Therefore, to achieve a more complete work out, a person may need to use more than one device. Such extra devices cost money and take up valuable space in a home gym, for example.
What is needed is a single exercise device that is versatile enough to exercise various parts of the body.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A user interface apparatus using a speaker to control device operations by utilizing a speaker and a method thereof are provided. The user interface apparatus includes a user input pad that forms at least a portion of the exterior of a speaker and is configured to generate an impact sound wave based on an external impact An impact sound wave recognizer is configured to receive feedback of an output signal output via the speaker and separate a reverse current signal due to the impact sound wave included in the feedback signal. In addition, a controller is configured to analyze a waveform of the reverse current signal separated by the impact sound wave recognizer to recognize a user input pattern, and output a control signal that corresponds to the recognized user input pattern. The device operations of various devices may be controlled by tapping or flicking the exterior of a speaker.

Field of the invention
The present invention relates to a user interface apparatus, and more particularly, to a user interface apparatus that uses a speaker that outputs a control signal to operate functions of devices based on a user input via a speaker, and a method thereof.
Description of the Prior Art
Conventional devices are mostly manipulated by analog buttons. However, as touchscreens are increasingly employed in devices, user interface schemes such as a graphic user interface (GUI) have been applied. However, an operation through the conventional analog buttons and control system has a limitation in extending functions such as searching, illumination ON/OFF, volume-up or volume-down, and the like. In particular, the number of buttons increases as the types of functions increase, but due to spatial restrictions of devices, the number of buttons may not be increased unlimitedly. In addition, a touch interface may be inconvenient since a user needs to search and control a corresponding menu, while viewing a display screen of the device.

User interface apparatus using speaker and method thereof


Disclosed are a power inductor and a method of manufacturing the same. The power inductor includes a body, a coil pattern provided in the body, an external electrode disposed on at least one surface of the body and extending to at least the other surface of the body, which is adjacent thereto, and a coupling layer provided between the body and an extended area of the external electrode.

A power inductor, which is a kind of chip components, is generally provided on a power circuit such as a DC-DC converter in portable devices. The power inductor is being increasingly used instead of a conventional wound-type choke coil due to the tendency toward the high frequency and miniaturization of the power circuit. Also, the power inductor is being developed for miniaturization, high current, and low resistance as small-sized and multifunctional portable devices are required.
The typical power inductor is manufactured in the form of a laminated body in which ceramic sheets formed of a plurality of ferrites or a dielectric material having a low dielectric constant are laminated. Here, when a coil pattern is form on each of the ceramic sheets, the coil patterns formed on the ceramic sheets may be connected through a conductive via defined in each of the ceramic sheets and may have a structure in which the coil patterns overlap each other in a vertical direction in which the sheets are laminated. Typically, a body, which is formed by laminating the ceramic sheets, is manufactured by using a magnetic material including a quaternary system of nickel-zinc-copper-iron (Ni—Zn—Cu—Fe).
However, since the magnetic material has a saturation magnetization value less than that of a metal material, high current characteristics, which are required for recent portable devices, may not be realized. Thus, as the body of the power inductor is made of metal powder, the saturation magnetization value may increase relative to a case of the body made of a magnetic material. However, when the body is made of metal, a loss of a material may increase due to increase in loss of eddy current and hysteria in a high frequency.
To reduce the loss of the material, a structure in which the metal powder is insulated by using a polymer has been applied. That is, the body of the power inductor is manufactured by laminating the sheet in which the metal powder and the polymer are mixed. Also, a predetermined base material in which the coil pattern is formed is provided in the body, and an external electrode is provided outside the body so as to be connected to the coil pattern. That is, the power inductor is manufactured such that the body is manufactured by forming the coil pattern on the predetermined base material and laminating and compressing a plurality of sheets thereabove and therebelow, and then the external electrode is formed outside the body.
The external electrode of the power inductor may be formed by applying a conductive paste. That is, the external electrode is formed by applying a metal paste on both sides of the body so as to be connected to the coil pattern. Also, the external electrode may be formed by further forming a plating layer on the metal paste. However, the external electrode formed by using the metal paste may be separated from the body due to a weak coupling force. That is, the power inductor mounted to electronic devices may be applied with a tensile force, and since the power inductor in which the external electrode is formed by using the metal paste has a weak tensile strength, the body and the external electrode may be separated from each other.

Power inductor and manufacturing method therefor


A throttle valve and the throttle body are formed substantially simultaneously in the same dies. The melted resin is injected in to a cavity through a pair of valve gates. The gas evaporated from a melted resin and remaining air in the cavity are expelled from the cavity into the atmosphere through a gas purge passage. A first and a second split lines of a first and second insert dies function as the gas purge passage. A shortshot and a corrosion generated by the gas can be avoided.

In an electrically controlled throttle apparatus shown in FIG. 16, a driving device such as a motor controls an opening degree of a throttle valve 102 in accordance with a position of an accelerator pedal stepped by a driver. In the throttle apparatus, a clearance is formed between an inner periphery of a substantially tubular throttle body 101 and an outer circumferential periphery of a throttle valve 102, and the clearance has a large influence of an air tightness of the throttle apparatus when the throttle valve 102 is in its full close position.
Conventionally, the throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are independently manufactured in each different process. Subsequently, a manufactured throttle valve 102 is combined with a manufactured throttle body 101 in accordance with an inner peripheral dimension of the manufactured throttle body 101 in a downstream process. Alternatively, a manufactured throttle body 101 is combined with a manufactured throttle valve 102 in accordance with an outer circumferential dimension of the throttle valve 102 in a downstream process. Thus, a predetermined clearance is obtained between the bore inner periphery of the throttle body 101 and the outer circumferential periphery of a throttle valve 102. A throttle shaft 103 integrally rotates with the throttle valve 102. Both of the ends of the throttle shaft 103 are rotatably supported by cylindrical bearings 104 provided in the throttle body 101.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,304,336, which is a counterpart of JP-5-141540A, shows molding methods in which a manufacturing process of the throttle body and the throttle valve is reduced. In the molding methods, the throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 shown in FIG. 17 are integrally molded of a resinous material in the same molding dies. At first, the substantially tubular throttle body 101 is integrally molded of a resinous material. Subsequently, inner periphery (bore inner periphery) of the throttle body 101 is used as a part of a molding die molding the throttle valve 102, and the throttle valve 102 is molded. Thus, a shape of an outer circumferential periphery of the throttle valve 102 is adapted to a shape of the bore inner periphery of the throttle body 101 in the above molding methods.
The molded throttle body 101 is gradually cooled in the body cavity to be solidified. Subsequently, the movable die is slid forward in order to form a valve cavity, into which a resinous material is filled. The throttle valve 102 is molded of a resinous material in the throttle body 101.
However, in the above molding methods of the throttle valve 102, the throttle body 101 is molded of a resinous material while the molded throttle body 101 is restricted by dies in its radial direction and in its substantially circumferential direction. Thus, the throttle valve 102 is molded of a resinous material while the throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are restricted by the dies. The throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are taken out of the dies, and gradually cooled. In this cooling period, the unrestricted throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are contracted. The throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are deformed. Accordingly, it is difficult to maintain the clearance in a predetermined dimension between the inner periphery of the throttle body 101 and the outer circumferential periphery of the throttle valve 102.
A practical use of the throttle apparatus releases an internal stress, by which the apparatus is deformed. When the throttle apparatus is made from a crystal resin and is crystallized, the apparatus is deformed due to the crystallization thereof. Even the apparatus is annealed or aged, the throttle body 101 and the throttle valve 102 are deformed individually.
To solve the above problem, the inventors filed Japanese patent application No. 2003-285434 on Aug. 1, 2003. In this application, the throttle valve and throttle body is formed in a same die in such a manner that the throttle valve 102 is opened in a predetermined angle as shown in FIG. 18. As shown in FIG. 19, the molding dies include a first insert die 121 and a second insert die 122. The first insert die 121 is disposed in the fixed die and has a first valve cavity 111 to form a first semi-circle plate 106. The second insert die 122 is disposed in the movable die and has a second valve cavity 112 to form a second semi-circle plate 107. FIG. 20 shows a valve gate by an arrow 123, through which a melted resin material is injected into the first and the second valve cavity 111, 112. An air in the cavity and a gas generated from the injected resin remain in a lower portion of the cavity to cause a defect of the throttle valve 102. That is, the melted resin material flows into the cavity 111, 112 from the top of the cavity 112 and flows down to the bottom of the cavity 111. The air and the gas cannot be purged from the cavity, so that a shortshot where the melted resin material is not charged can be generated as shown in FIG. 21. Alternatively, a corrosion can be generated by the gas at the bottom end of the throttle valve 106.
When the valve gate is disposed at a side surface of a throttle shaft 103, the melted resin material flows from the center of the throttle valve 102 to the outer periphery of the throttle valve 102. The air and the gas are pushed toward the radial end of the throttle valve 102, by which the shortshot and/or the corrosion by the gas can be generated as shown in FIG. 23.
The circularity of the throttle valve 102 is deteriorated. Thus, when the throttle valve 102 closes the throttle body 101, a clearance between the inner surface of the throttle body 101 and the outer surface of the throttle valve 102 becomes large to increase an air leakage there between.

Forming method of throttle apparatus for internal combustion engine


This invention provides an electronic card connector which can connect by smoothly inserting, to one connector, electronic cards of different sizes. An electronic card connector provides a guide case forming a universal slot which has an opening to which two or more different sized electronic cards can be inserted and which provides a connector, which can connect with the above-mentioned electronic cards, which is set in the interior of a universal slot, and in a universal slot, there is installed a freely rotatable shutter member which has a cover of a prescribed length at the end of one side in the longitudinal direction of this opening, and the opening of the universal slot by the cover of this shutter member is shut by opening an opening of a size for which the smallest sized electronic card can be inserted.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an electronic card connector, and especially, is related to an electronic card connector which is connectable by inserting, in a single connector, electronic cards of different sizes.
2. Description of Related Art
As an electronic card connector which can insert, in a single connector, two electronic cards of different size, for example, the connector used for the Express Card is known.
The Express Card is specified by PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association/Portable Computer Memory Card International Association), and PCMCIA, as "Express Card Version 1.0", in September, 2003, announced the two types of express cards, the "34 module" and the "54 module", providing at the same time, recommended specifications of the connector so as to be able to connect each module to one connector. (For example, reference non-patent citation 1).
FIG. 5 is an exterior perspective view which shows the connection of the two kinds of module and the connector which are disclosed in the PCMCIA specification, and FIG. 6 is an exterior perspective view which turns upside down the connector of FIG. 5 and shows the connection with one of the modules.
The two kinds of Express Cards, that is, "34 module" (hereafter, module 1) and "54 module" (hereafter module 3), as shown in FIG. 5, are formed by a plate-shaped body of rectangular form which has, respectively, a long and short boundary, with specified length and prescribed thickness. Module 1 has opposing long boundaries 1a, 1b and short boundaries 1c, 1d, and a prescribed thickness, and connector 2 is installed on a portion of the short boundary 1d. In addition, elongated thin line protrusions 2a are formed at the end where the connector 2 is installed. This protrusion 2a, when the module 1 is inserted upside down, prevents connection to the later described connector's main body 11, and in addition, when module 1 is normally inserted, there is a mechanism which introduces the module 1 to the connector's main body 11 by contacting with the later described side rail 14.
Moreover, in the PCMCIA specification, the length L1 of the long boundary is 75 mm, and the length of the short boundary W1 is 34 mm, and the thickness is 5 mm.
Module 3 also has, in the same way, opposing long boundaries 3a and 3b and short boundaries 3c and 3d, and a prescribed thickness, and at the corner of the long boundary 3b and short boundary 3d, a notch 4 is formed by the respective shrinkage of prescribed length L4 within the long boundary 3b and W3 within the short boundary 3d. A connector 5 is installed on the short boundary 3d.
Moreover, in the PCMCIA specification, the length L1 of the long boundary 3a is 75 mm, L4 is 22 mm, the length W2 of the short boundary is 54 mm, W3 is 20 mm, and the thickness is 5 mm.
The connector 10A to which each module 1, 3 is connected by insertion, as shown in FIG. 6, has a structure which provides the connector's main body 11 and a guide case 12 which is joined at one end of this connector's main body 11.
The guide case 12 is formed by a top plate 12a, by both side plates 12b, 12c which are formed by bending both side ends of this top plate, and by a back plate 12d which is formed by bending the side plate 12b further towards the side of the side plate 12c. This case 12 is formed by a bending process of a flat metal plate. In addition, the openings 13a, 13b of the narrow groove are formed between both side plates 12b, 12c. Within the openings 13a, 13b of each narrow groove, one of the openings 13a is formed to a size whereby the module 3 can be inserted. In addition, at the other opening 13b, the connector's main body 11 is installed.
Because the opening 13a is of a size which allows insertion of the large-scale module 3, it is possible to insert module 1 which has a smaller size than module 3, and because there results a common opening which allows insertion of both modules 1, 3, this opening can be referred to as a universal slot. Below, this universal slot is simply called "slot."
In addition, the back plate 12d is inclined at one side of the side edges at a prescribed angle by directing from the slot 13a to the other opening 13b, and there is formed a guide surface, which guides towards the connector's main body 11, while in contact with the side end of the protrusion 2a of the module 1, forming the so-called side rail 14.
Each module 1, 3 is respectively connected by insertion to the connector 10A.
Because the opening of the slot 13a of the connector 10A is slightly larger than the exterior of the module 3, it is possible to smoothly insert module 3. That is, when inserting module 3 into slot 13a, the side surfaces 3a, 3b of the module are smoothly pushed in through guiding by the side plates 12b, 12c of the guide case, and the connector 5 of module 3 is connected with the connector's main body 11. In this contact state, because movement is controlled as the module 3 is bounded by the slot 13a and both side plates 12b, 12c, a stable connection is maintained.
However, when there is insertion of the small-sized module 1 in the slot 13a of connector 10A, because the size of the slot 13a has been made of a size that is appropriate for module 3, there results, between each side plate 12b, 12c which formed this slot 13a, for module 1, a so-called fitted state in which there is free movement play so that it is unknown whether there is good insertion at any site of the slot 13a.
Because of this free movement, there is concern that there is not an appropriate connection between the connector 2 of module 1 and the connector's main body 11 within the case. In the PCMCIA specifications, as shown in FIG. 6, there is recommendation of the establishment of a side rail within the slot, making possible the avoidance of the above-mentioned drawback.


This application provides an example inter prediction method and a related example apparatus. One example method includes parsing a bitstream to determine prediction information of a to-be-processed picture block, where the prediction information indicates that a prediction direction of the to-be-processed picture block is bidirectional prediction, where the bitstream does not include target identification information, and where the target identification information indicates to perform local illumination compensation (LIC) on the to-be-processed picture block; and obtaining a prediction value of the to-be-processed picture block based on the prediction information.

With the development of information technologies, video services such as high definition television and web conference are developing rapidly. Video signals have become a most important way to obtain information in people's daily life because of their advantages such as intuitiveness and high efficiency. The video signals contain a large amount of data, and therefore occupy a large amount of transmission bandwidth and storage space. For effective transmission and storage of the video signals, the video signals need to be compressed and encoded. Video compression technologies have increasingly become indispensable key technologies in the field of video application. Currently, widely used video coding standards are H.264 and H.265. H.264 may also be referred to as moving picture experts group (MPEG)-4, part 10, or advanced video coding (AVC), or H.264/AVC. H.265 may also be referred to as MPEG-H part 2, or high efficiency video coding (HEVC), or H.265/HEVC.
A general video encoding process typically includes the following stages, intra prediction, inter prediction, transform, quantization, entropy encoding, in-loop filtering, and the like. Video decoding is an inverse process of video encoding. For example, entropy decoding, dequantization, and inverse transform are first performed to obtain residual information, and then whether intra prediction or inter prediction is used for a current block is determined by decoding a bitstream. If intra encoding is used, prediction information is constructed based on pixel values of pixels in a reconstructed region around a current picture by using the intra-prediction method. If inter prediction is used, motion information needs to be obtained through parsing, a reference block is determined in a reconstructed picture based on the obtained motion information, and pixel values of pixels in the reference block are used as prediction information (such a process is referred to as motion compensation (MC)). After the prediction information and the residual information are superposed, a filtering operation is performed to obtain reconstructed information.
A local illumination compensation (LIC) technology is an inter prediction method used to compensate for a luminance difference between a current block and a reference block. By using the LIC technology, a prediction value of the current block is derived according to a linear model constructed based on neighboring reconstructed pixels of the current block and neighboring reconstructed pixels of the reference block. Although the LIC technology can be used to effectively compensate for the luminance difference between the current block and the reference block, the LIC mode for coding is complex, a large quantity of computing resources are consumed, and a coding speed is decreased.

Inter prediction method and related apparatus


Thermosensitive linerless labels (either thermal labels or thermal transfer labels) which can be used with food products contain a pressure sensitive adhesive covering one face of a substrate having a thermosensitive layer on the opposite face, and a release coat covering the thermosensitive layer. The release coating is preferably applied directly to the thermosensitive layer, and preferably is prepared by application and then drying of a formulation containing between about 5-25 parts chromium pentahydroxy (tetradecanoato) di-, and about 75-95% water or alcohol. Alternatively, the release coating may be a UV curable silicone with about 1-3% by weight photoinitiator. After the coatings are applied, the stock is dried in a manner that will not adversely affect the thermosensitive layer, e.g. by ultraviolet rays, or air drying at a temperature of less than 150.degree. F. A web comprising the substrate may be slit into individual rolls, and perfing or die cutting is practiced to form individual labels.

It is very desirable to produce thermal labels and thermal transfer labels that are linerless, so as to avoid the costs and difficulty associated with disposing of the release liner. Such labels are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,383. The labels described in that patent have a thermosensitive layer with dye for forming color images, and a silicone release coating. It is necessary to provide a barrier layer between the silicone release layer and the thermosensitive material, which increases the cost of production of the linerless labels. Also, the labels provided thereby are of questionable use for the food industry.
According to the present invention, linerless thermosensitive label stock is produced that may be readily utilized in the food industry, and which has a simplified construction compared to the prior art exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,383. The term "thermosensitive" as used in the present specification and claims is intended to encompass both thermal transfer and thermal mechanisms.
According to one aspect of the present invention, linerless thermosensitive labels are produced by applying a release coating, of a material that has a low adherence to pressure sensitive adhesive that is part of the label stock, directly onto the thermosensitive layer, rather than requiring a barrier layer. The release coating is preferably a USDA approved coating. One particularly suitable coating which not only is USDA approved, but will not in any way adversely affect the thermosensitive label (as by tinting it a different color) contains as the primary operative ingredient chromium pentahydroxy (tetradecanoato) di-. This is available commercially under the trade name "QUILON C". The coating is preferably prepared by application then drying of a formulation containing between about 5-25 parts QUILON C, and about 75-95 parts water or alcohol.
Alternatively, the release coating may comprise a UV curable silicone, such as that available commercially from General Electric under the designation "G. E. 9300" and containing about 1-3% by weight photoinitiator (e.g. UV 9365C-D1).
The invention also contemplates a method of making a supply of linerless thermosensitive labels, from a substrate having a thermosensitive layer on a first face thereof, and a second face. The method comprises the following steps: (a) Continuously moving the substrate in a first direction. (b) Applying a pressure sensitive adhesive coating so that it covers the second face of the moving substrate. (c) Applying a release coating directly to the thermosensitive layer, the release coating having non-stick or low adhesion characteristics with respect to the pressure sensitive adhesive. (d) Drying the pressure sensitive adhesive and release coatings under conditions which do not cause significant adverse reaction of the thermosensitive layer (if necessary,if a hot melt adhesive was applied no drying equipment would be necessary). And, rolling the substrate into a roll, with the release coated second face on the outside of the roll. Step (d) may be accomplished by air drying at less than 150.degree. F., or by UV, radio frequency, or like non-destructive drying. Between steps (d) and (e), if the substrate is a web it may be slit into individual rolls, and perfed or die cut to form individual linerless labels in the roll. The rolls are tested for compliance with USDA requirements prior to use with food products, and printed, e.g. using a Hobart Scale.
According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of making a supply of linerless thermosensitive labels is provided which comprises the following steps: (a) Continuously moving the substrate in a first direction. (b) Applying a pressure sensitive adhesive coating so that it covers the second face of the moving substrate. (c) Applying a release coating so that it covers the thermosensitive layer, by making a formulation comprising or consisting essentially of about 5-25 parts chromium pentahydroxy (tetradecanoato) di- and about 75-95 parts water or alcohol, and applying that formulation so that it covers the thermosensitive layer. (d) Drying the pressure sensitive adhesive and release coatings under conditions which do not cause significant adverse reaction of the thermosensitive layer. (Steps (b) and (c) can be performed in any order, with the drying steps simultaneously, or at different times). And, then (e) rolling the substrate into a roll, with the release coated second face on the outside of the roll.
It is the primary object of the present invention to simply yet effectively produce linerless thermosensitive label stock, including stock that can be used on food products. This and other objects of the invention will become clear from an inspection of the detailed description of the invention, and from the appended claims.

Linerless thermal and thermal transfer labels


An apparatus, system, and method, the method including receiving clock frequency parameter information for at least one clock source; receiving radio parameter information for at least one radio receiver; determining one or more spread spectrum clocking (SSC) profiles for the at least one clock source and the at least one radio receiver, each SSC profile to reduce radio frequency interference between the clock and radio receivers; and storing the SSC profiles.

Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is the disturbance or distortion to an electrical circuit that is caused by electromagnetic induction or radiation from an external source. A number of EMI standards have been imposed by various governmental and/or regulatory agencies to place limits on the amount of EMI that can permissibly be emitted by electronic devices. In response to EMI regulations, spread spectrum clocking (SSC) has been used to reduce the amplitude of the EMI emissions.
In addition to interference that may be caused by external sources, devices having wireless radios may introduce interference to components of the device or platform comprising the wireless radio. This interference is referred to as radio frequency interference (RFI). Additionally, modern devices may include more than one radio, such as a multi-band or "world" phone mobile phone that includes multiple radios to accommodate the differing mobile phone standards in different regions of the world.
As such, there is an increasing need to reduce or eliminate RFI while also maintaining compliance with EMI standards. However, conventional EMI reducing techniques such as SSC do not address RFI considerations. Conventional SSC spreads a signal over a wider frequency spectrum, but such a spread signal may actually overlap frequencies of the radios used by one or more platform radios.
Thus, there is a general need for a method and system for efficient platform RFI mitigation.

Adaptive clock spreading for platform RFI mitigation