Disclosed herein is an electronic package for an electrical machine including a slip ring end frame; a plurality of negative diodes dispersed in an angular fashion in the SRE frame acting as a negative heat sink; a plurality of positive diodes mounted on a separate electrically conductive plate located above a location of the plurality of negative diodes; a non-conductive separator fitted over a series of bosses, configured to electrically insulate; a terminal assembly configured to make appropriate electrical connections between the positive and negative diodes, stator phase leads, and a regulator, which is operably fastened to the SRE frame at a plurality of locations, the regulator electrically connects to the positive heat sink, a stator phase terminal extending from the terminal assembly, SRE frame, and a brush holder; wherein the regulator is perpendicular to the SRE frame.

Electrical loads for vehicles continue to escalate. At the same time, the overall package size available for the electrical generator continues to shrink. Consequently there is a need for a higher power density system and method of generating on-board electricity.
The increase in the demand for current to be produced by an alternator leads to a need for corresponding adaptation of the system for current regulation, and particularly of a system whereby the three-phase alternating current produced by an alternator is rectified, into a direct current, which can be stored in a battery of a vehicle or be used directly by the electrical circuit of the vehicle which is supplied with a direct current (DC) voltage.
Rectification of the three-phase alternating current is generally obtained by means of a rectifier bridge having between six and twelve power diodes depending on the application. Three of these diodes in a six diode configuration are the positive diodes, and are connected between the phase terminals of the stator windings of the alternator and the positive terminal B+ of the alternator which is connected to the battery and the electrical circuit of the vehicle. Three further diodes, namely the negative diodes, are connected between electrical ground or earth of the vehicle and the aforementioned phase terminals of the stator windings.
The diodes constitute the rectifier bridge and are subjected to high current. Hence, it is necessary to cool them in the most effective way possible. To this end, it is know to install the diodes on metal carrier plates, which are located on the outside of the alternator and which constitute a dissipator for the heat produced by the diodes. The diodes are grouped on two carrier plates, one of which is reserved for the positive diodes, and the other for the negative diodes.
The rectifier diodes are collected to respective metal carrier plates, and these carrier plates are used as heat sinks for these diodes as well. The rectifier diodes are inserted by pressure in receiving bore holes of the metal carrier plate or heat sink, or are soldered to the metal carrier plate using appropriate solder alloys. The end wires connected to the rectifier diodes enable the rectifier diodes to be connected to external sources.
However, under certain particularly severe operating conditions, it has become apparent that this cooling of the diodes, and in general terms the cooling of the whole of the current regulating means, can be insufficient to ensure long-term reliability of the alternator.
The heat sinks are typically constricted in the shape of a circle or crescent and are fastened in the same plane to the alternating current generator.
It is important that the bridge rectifiers must not only be able to withstand normal battery charging current, but must also be able to supply current, perhaps as much as ten times the normal charging current. Bridge rectifiers, as discussed, are typically unable to absorb or conduct these types of excess currents and are also unable to rapidly dissipate the resulting heat. In order for bridge rectifiers to handle these types of excessive currents and heat, it becomes necessary to utilize a bridge rectifier which has a higher current handling capability. Due to the space limitations of the alternating current generator, it then becomes very difficult to provide such a bridge rectifier from a feasibility standpoint as well as at an economical cost.
Increasing the current capacity and heat dissipating characteristics of the bridge rectifier has included mounting of semiconductor diode chips onto first and second metallic heat sinks which are electrically insulated from each other by a thin sheet of electrical insulating material. The diode chips are then covered by a protective insulating coating after connection to the respective heat sink. One of the metallic heat sinks includes a finned area which is subjected to cooling air when the bridge rectifier is mounted to the generator. The heat sink with the plurality of fins includes twelve air passages. This type of bridge rectifier is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,606,000 to Steele et al., incorporated herein by reference.
However, this type of approach involves separate electronic packages for alternators of various sizes, e.g., six diodes vs. twelve diodes, and between light duty and heavy duty or off-road applications. For example a twelve diode rectifier cannot fit on a 114 mm diameter alternator designed for six diodes without the rectifier extending beyond the body of the machine. In addition, a six diode configuration does not have the flexibility to adapt to the thermal cooling requirements of a twelve diode rectifier or have brush lengths to match a given application.
Accordingly, there is a desire for an electronic package that can be used on small to large alternators (e.g., between about 114 mm to about 150+ mm stator diameter), six and twelve diode applications, and light duty and heavy duty applications. Moreover, there is a desire for an electronic package having a common footprint with a common layout and fastener locations.
On a typical alternator, a rotor shaft is supported in a drive end frame assembly by a front bearing and in a slip ring end (SRE) frame assembly by a rear bearing. The rear bearing includes an outer race fabricated of steel which is assembled with the slip ring end frame assembly fabricated of aluminum. Since steel and aluminum have different coefficients of thermal expansion (CTE), the fit between the outside diameter (OD) of the steel bearing and the inside diameter (ID) of the mating aluminum SRE frame housing the steel bearing changes with temperature. The size of the bearing OD and range of temperatures are such that having a direct press-fit between the bearing and SRE frame assembly will result in either having a radial press that is too high, and hence stress at this interface, at one temperature extreme, or a completely loose fit at the other extreme. Another requirement of this interface is that it must allow the bearing outer race to move axially allowing relative axial movement of the steel rotor shaft relative to the aluminum housing.
Currently, there are two general approaches to retain the rear bearing with the SRE frame assembly. One approach includes using a plastic material between the OD of the outer race of the bearing and the ID of the SRE frame assembly. Plastics have a greater coefficient of thermal expansion than aluminum and can effectively compensate for the radial mismatch between the aluminum and steel over the operating temperatures. Plastic, however, presents its own problems with respect to applied loads, elevated temperature, and time. Plastic creeps causing problems with radial alignment between the rear bearing and SRE frame assembly. Plastic also presents a thermal barrier to the outer race of the bearing preventing effective thermal conductance to the aluminum SRE frame assembly.
The other approach includes using a steel cup intermediate the bearing and the SRE frame assembly. However, because of the mismatch in thermal expansion between the steel cup and aluminum SRE frame assembly, the steel retaining cup typically includes multiple legs extending radially outward. These legs are then attached to the SRE frame assembly through threaded fasteners or similar features. Although effective from a product standpoint, such an arrangement is costly.
There is a need to improve the performance characteristics of prior art bridge rectifiers. In addition, there is a need for a SRE frame assembly interface with the rear bearing which increases the dissipation of heat from the rear bearing and more efficiently cool the rear bearing while limiting road splash at this interface. Furthermore, a more robust package assembly capable of assembly with six or twelve diodes while providing effective thermal dissipation of the rear bearing that is also cost effective is accordingly desired.

Electronic package for electrical machine


A display system is configured to be mounted to a vehicle, the system including a display and one or more sensors. The display system may be configured to determine, based at least in part on data from the one or more sensors, a speed of a vehicle to which a sign is coupled. Based at least in part on the speed of the vehicle, the display system may position the sign in a first position based at least in part on the speed of the vehicle being less than a threshold speed, or a second position based at least in part on the speed of the vehicle being greater than or equal to the threshold speed.

Today's highly saturated television market makes it increasingly difficult for advertisers or businesses to reach their audiences in a cost-effective manner. The advent of cable, satellite television, and hundreds of channels, as well as the fast-growing popularity of digital video recorders, has induced merchants to spend more on advertising. However, the proliferation of media has lessened the number of viewers per medium and per advertising dollar. Studies show up to 40 percent of advertising is wasted and TV advertising's return on investment yields only 1 to 4 percent. Newspapers are in decline as well, as their advertising base dissipates with the digital age. Accordingly, there is a need for a cost-effective advertising solution.
DRAWING REFERENCE NUMERALS 100Sign 102Traffic signal display 104Countdown display 105Traffic 110Arm 115Stanchion 120Signal lights 125Sensor(s) 130Display 135System 140Data resource 141Data link 142External data link 143External traffic  145Computercontrol logic 150Memory 146Manual control 170-190Blocks 155Advertising 202Beam 200Roadway directional sign 208Sight line 205Shutter 212Sight line 210Vehicle 220Vehicle recognition  215Vehiclesensors 221Subsurface sensor 222Surface sensor 230Solar panel 240Privacy filter 250Hinge 251Frame 252Drive assembly 253Pinion 254Curved gear rack 300A-LVehicle 305Hinge 310Banner 315GPS 320Portion 325Broadcast system 330Transmitter 340-Blocks 400Deflector 384 410Pivot arm 405Hinge point 500Pivot 415Pivot point1005Pivot1000Post1015Pin1010Arm1025Slot1020Spring1202First Pivot1200Adjustment Mechanism1602First Display1204Second Pivot1606Third Display1604Second Display1702A-EAdjustment Mechanism1608Rotatable Display(s)1804Viewing Target1802Power Source2102-2108Blocks2002Adjustment Mechanism2204Light Emitter(s)2202Holographic Display2208Screen(s)2206Light2212Optical Elements2210Hologram


According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method in connection with a radiosonde, the method comprising measuring a humidity of the atmosphere at several different altitudes in the atmosphere, measuring a pressure at several different altitudes in the atmosphere or calculating the pressure from an altitude of the radiosonde obtained from GPS or other satellite navigation system, measuring or estimating a temperature of a humidity sensor, and measuring a relative humidity by a capacitor with a polymer insulator, wherein the relative humidity value is corrected based on a correction factor, which is a function of pressure, humidity sensor temperature, and relative humidity, such that the humidity value decreases when pressure decreases.

A radiosonde is a weather observation device, which is attached to a gas balloon, measures atmospheric parameters, and sends the measurement information typically to a ground station. Measured or calculated parameters typically include ambient temperature, pressure, and humidity, as well wind speed and direction, at various altitudes.
The radiosonde is carried upwards through the atmosphere by a gas balloon, whereby the atmosphere to be measured and also the environmental conditions of the measurement arrangement change dynamically. Certain embodiments of the invention are also suitable for dropsondes. A dropsonde is a weather observation device like a radiosonde, but instead of being lifted by a gas balloon it is dropped from an airborne system, typically an aircraft, Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), or a driftballoon.
Meteorological measurements are performed by the sensors of the radiosonde. The atmospheric profile obtained by a radiosonde is particularly important as input for numerical weather forecasting models and climate research. There are also military radiosonde applications e.g. for weather forecasting and ballistic preparation.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,358,862 B2 discloses, for example, a radiosonde system, a radiosonde system receiver and a signal processing method for use in a radiosonde system. The radiosonde system comprises at least one radiosonde with means for acquisition of position and/or weather data and means for downstream transmission of the data over a radio-frequency path, signal capture means for reception of the weather and/or position data, and receiver means for processing the received signals.
One of the key parameters to be measured by radiosondes is the water vapour concentration, measured either as relative humidity, or as dew point temperature. One of the objectives of this humidity measurement is, for example, detection of clouds and their altitude. Typically, the temperature range during the measurement cycle is very large and may be, for example, in the range between +40[° C.] and −80[° C.].
The measurements may be complicated by, inter alia, the large range of each measured variable, and rain, temperature, freezing, condensation, and oversaturation. Measuring errors may also be caused by slowness of the radiosonde sensors, and by radiative heat exchange occurring in the atmosphere.
Recent developments in climate research and in traditional weather forecasting have set even more strict accuracy requirements for humidity measurements. Low temperature combined with low water vapour concentration in the stratosphere, or high water vapour concentration in the upper troposphere make the measuring environment extremely challenging. Humidity also varies quickly in relation to time and altitude.
Document US 2008/0072669 A1 describes a method for correcting humidity measurement results of a radiosonde for errors resulting from radiative heat exchange. Humidity is measured by the humidity sensor in the radiosonde. An error correction table or function is used to estimate the error caused by radiative heat exchange as a function of one or more parameters affecting sensor heat balance, such as solar radiation intensity, solar elevation angle, balloon ascent rate, and air density. Alternatively, a correction table or correction function is used to estimate the temperature of the humidity sensor, and a corrected humidity value is calculated based on both the measured humidity and the estimated humidity sensor temperature.
Document WO 20 14/128348 A1 discloses a method and a radiosonde. According to the method, at least temperature and relative humidity of the atmosphere are measured by a radiosonde. The humidity measurement is performed continuously in an elevated temperature in order to make the measurement faster, and both the elevated temperature and the ambient air temperature are measured simultaneously. These three measurements are used to determine the corrected atmospheric humidity. This method eliminates the need for radiation error correction presented in document US 2008/0072669 A1.
In radiosondes the most commonly used humidity sensor type is a capacitive thin film sensor. The signal of a capacitive humidity sensors changes as water is absorbed into the insulating polymer film changing the permittivity of the polymer. The amount of water absorbed is approximately proportional to the relative humidity at the temperature of the sensor, i.e., to the proportion of the partial pressure of water vapor to the sensor temperature dependent saturation vapor pressure. In a molecular scale, the amount of water absorbed into the polymer depends on the amount of suitable binding sites available for water molecules which depends also on the amount of other gases absorbed into the polymer. Therefore, at a given partial pressure of water vapor, water absorption into a given polymer is dependent on sensor temperature, gas pressure, and gas composition. In the rest of this document, the error caused by ignoring some of the dependencies is called absorption model error.
As part of the radiosonde manufacturing process each radiosonde sensor is individually characterized for measurement errors. For cost reasons, the error characterization is typically made near normal pressure, i.e. 1013.15 [hPa], at different temperatures. Due to the characterization conditions the absorption model error is typically reduced to an insignificant level at the relevant temperature range near normal pressure.
Furthermore, in air at room temperature the absorption model error is typically insignificantly small at pressure range from normal pressure to full vacuum. This explains why the absorption model error of humidity measurement has been undetected in radiosondes.
However, measurements in low pressure conditions indicate that the absorption model error of a capacitive polymer based sensors grows rapidly at low temperatures, becoming noticeable below −20[° C.] and significant at the lower end of radiosonde temperature range at between about −60[° C.] and −80[° C.]. Corrections larger than 0.5 [% RH] can be considered relevant in radiosounding data.
Carrying out individual radiosonde error characterization for the humidity measurement at low pressures and temperatures is however extremely time consuming and expensive.
Therefore, there is need for an error compensation for humidity measurement which takes in account the low pressure and temperature encountered during sounding.

Method in connection with a radiosonde and system


A variable focal length optical system is constituted by, in succession from an object side, a first lens unit G1 having a negative refractive power, a second lens unit G2 having a positive refractive power, a third lens unit G3 having a negative refractive power, and a fourth lens unit G4 having a positive refractive power. When the focal length of the entire lens system is changed while maintaining a constant image plane position, the second lens unit G2 moves in the optical axis direction, the third lens unit G3 moves in the optical axis direction to compensate for variations in image plane position upon movement of the second lens unit G2, and the first lens unit G1 and the fourth lens unit G4 are fixed in position in the optical axis direction. An aperture stop is disposed at a position on the object side of a position closest to the image side of the third lens unit G3, or each of the first to fourth lens units G1 to G4 is constituted by two or less lens elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a compact variable focal length optical system and, more particularly, to a variable focal length system in which the exit pupil position is located at a far position with respect to the total lens length.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, as lens-shutter cameras, digital still cameras, and the like, cameras with zoom lenses are popular, and in particular, camera having so-called zoom lenses with high zoom ratios of 3.times. or higher are becoming increasingly popular.
Such zoom lens with a high zoom ratio uses, in many cases, a so-called multi-unit zoom lens having three or more lens units which are movable when the focal length of the lens system is varied. Various proposals have been made concerning zoom lenses which have a field angle up to about 60.degree..
In these cameras, since a lens and a camera body are integrated unlike in lens exchangeable type single-lens reflex cameras, a size reduction of the lens system leads to that of the camera body, and various proposals have been made in association with zoom lenses suitable for a size reduction.
A zoom lens for a digital still camera uses a CCD as a photo sensor. The CCD has a microlens array immediately before its light-receiving element to enhance the collecting power. When the exit pupil position of the lens system is near the CCD, since a light beam that is to reach the peripheral portion of the frame is incident on the microlens array obliquely with respect to the optical axes of the respective lens surfaces of the microlens array, the light beam is focused by the microlens array at a position different from the light-receiving element. For this reason, the light amount becomes insufficient on the peripheral portion of the frame, and consequently, the optical design is restricted in that the exit pupil position of the lens system must be separated from the image plane.
For example, in an image-side telecentric optical system in which the exit pupil position is set at infinity position, the image position (i.e., exit pupil position) of a stop formed by a lens system located on the image side of the stop is located at infinity position. In order to shorten the distance from the stop to the CCD in such image-side telecentric optical system, the lens system on the image side of the stop must have a strong convergence effect, and the thickness, in the optical axis direction, of the lens system itself must be decreased. For this reason, such optical system is not suitable for a decrease in total lens length.


Disclosed are a context-based arithmetic encoding apparatus and method and a context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus and method. The context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus may determine a context of a current N-tuple to be decoded, determine a Most Significant Bit (MSB) context corresponding to an MSB symbol of the current N-tuple, and determine a probability model using the context of the N-tuple and the MSB context. Subsequently, the context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus may perform a decoding on an MSB based on the determined probability model, and perform a decoding on a Least Significant Bit (LSB) based on a bit depth of the LSB derived from a process of decoding on an escape code.

1. Field
One or more embodiments relate to a coding and decoding method of an audio signal, and more particularly, to a lossless coding and decoding method.
2. Description of the Related Art
An encoding and decoding of an audio signal may generally be performed in a frequency domain. As a representative example, an Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) may be given. An AAC codec may perform a Modified Discrete Cosine Transformation (MDCT) for transforming into the frequency domain, and perform a frequency spectrum quantization using a masking degree of a signal in view of a psychological sound. A lossless compression scheme may be adopted in order to further compress a result of the performed quantization, and a Huffman coding may be used in the AAC. As the lossless compression scheme, a Bit-sliced Arithmetic Coding (BSAC) codec in which an arithmetic coding is applicable instead of the Huffman coding may be used.
An encoding and decoding of a speech signal may generally be performed in a time domain. A majority of speech codecs compressing in the time domain may be related with a code excited linear prediction (CELP). The CELP may be a speech encoding technology, and G. 729, an Adaptive Multi Rate-WideBand (AMR-WB), an internet Low Bitrate Codec (iLBC), an Enhanced Variable Rate Codec (EVRC), and the like which are extensively used may be CELP-based speech encoders. These coding schemes may be developed under an assumption that the speech signal is obtained using a linear prediction. In encoding a speech, a linear prediction coefficient and an excitation signal may be needed. In general, the linear prediction coefficient may be encoded using a line spectral pairs (LSP), and the excitation signal may be encoded using several codebooks. As examples of an encoding scheme developed based on the CELP, an algebraic code excited linear prediction (ACELP) encoding scheme, a Conjugate Structure code excited linear prediction (CS-CELP) encoding scheme, and the like may be given.
Due to a difference in a sensitivity between a low frequency band and a high frequency band in view of restrictions in a data rate and the psychological sound, the low frequency band may be sensitive to a fine structure of voice/music frequencies, and the high frequency band may be less sensitive to the fine structure. Thus, the lower frequency band may apply a greater number of bits to accurately encode the fine structure, and the high frequency band may apply a smaller number of bits to encode the fine structure. In this instance, the low frequency band may adopt an encoding scheme using the AAC codec, and the high frequency band may adopt an encoding scheme using energy information and adjustment information, which is referred to as a Spectral Band Replication (SBR) technology. The SBR may copy a low frequency signal in a Quadrature Mirror Filter (QMF) domain to generate a high frequency signal.
A scheme of reducing a number of used bits may be applicable even in a stereo signal. More specifically, a parameter indicating stereo information may be extracted after transforming the stereo signal into a mono signal, data obtained by compressing the stereo parameter and the mono signal may be transmitted, and the stereo signal may be decoded using the transmitted parameter in a decoder. As a scheme of compressing the stereo information, a Parametric Stereo (PS) technology may be used, and as a scheme of extracting a parameter of a multi-channel signal as well as the stereo signal and transmitting the extracted signal, a Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) surround technology may be used.
Also, more specifically taking an object of the above described lossless coding into account, the lossless coding may be performed when a quantization index of a quantized spectrum is assumed to be one symbol. Also, the lossless coding may be performed such that an index of the quantized spectrum is mapped on a bit plane to bundle bits.
In a case of performing a context-based lossless coding, it is possible to perform the lossless coding using information about a previous frame.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Context-based arithmetic encoding apparatus and method and context-based arithmetic decoding apparatus and method


A device includes a multiple quantum well with potential barriers and quantum wells, and an electric field element for applying an electric field thereto. The multiple quantum well includes at least two regions A and a region B disposed therebetween. The region A includes a plurality of energy levels, and a carrier is transported from a specific energy level i to a specific energy level f in the region A through one of the potential barriers by photon-assisted tunneling. The region B includes a plurality of energy levels, and an energy relaxation is performed with a relaxation time shorter than a transit time of the carrier in the region A from a specific energy level e to a specific energy level g in the region B. When an electric field is applied, electric current flows through the multiple quantum well and light is emitted or absorbed in the region A.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a current injection-type optical semiconductor device and a semiconductor laser device in a frequency domain of a millimeter-wave band to a terahertz band (for example, from 30 GHz to 30 THz).
2. Description of the Related Art
A quantum cascade laser in which carrier transitions are performed between energy levels in the same energy band of either a conduction band or a valence band has been disclosed as a semiconductor laser. Since the oscillation wavelength of such a laser depends on the energy gap between two energy levels relating to optical transition, the oscillation wavelength can be selected over a wide spectrum range (for example, from a mid-infrared region to a terahertz band). In one example, laser light was achieved in a quantum cascade laser in which the oscillation wavelength was selected at 4.2 μm in the mid-infrared region. In another example, as disclosed by Rüdeger Köhler et al., (Nature, vol. 417 (2002), 156), a laser oscillation was confirmed even in a quantum cascade laser in which the oscillation wavelength was selected at 67 μm in the terahertz band. This suggests that such a semiconductor laser, in which carrier transitions are performed between energy levels in the same energy band of either a conduction band or a valence band, is useful as a light source in the terahertz band.
A description of a quantum cascade laser will now be provided with reference to FIG. 4.
FIG. 4 shows a part of the structure of a conduction band when an electric field is applied to a quantum cascade laser. A region A 410 includes potential barriers 441, 443, 445, and 447, and quantum wells 442, 444, and 446. This structure provides energy levels 411, 412, and 413 in the region A 410. A region B 420 includes potential barriers 447, 449, 451, 453, and 455, and quantum wells 448, 450, 452, and 454. This structure provides a mini-band 421 in which a plurality of energy levels is bundled. The region A 410 and the region B 420 are periodically repeated a plurality of times. A region A 430 indicates a region A in the subsequent period.
When a predetermined electric field is applied to the quantum cascade laser, an electric current flows. In particular, an electron undergoes an optical transition 401 from the energy level 411 to the energy level 412 in the region A 410, thereby emitting light having a wavelength corresponding to the energy gap between the energy level 411 and the energy level 412. Subsequently, the electron at the energy level 412 in the region A 410 is extracted to the region B 420 through the energy level 413 by, for example, optical phonon scattering 402. The electron passing through the mini-band 421 in the region B 420 is injected in the subsequent region A 430 and undergoes the optical transition as in the region A 410. Since the energy gap between the energy level 411 and the energy level 412 can be freely designed, light emitted by the quantum cascade laser can be selected over a wide spectrum range. Such light is resonated with an appropriate optical resonator, thereby performing laser oscillation.
In order that the oscillation wavelength is selected in the range from the millimeter-wave band to the terahertz band, the energy gap between two energy levels relating to the optical transition in the region A should be as small as the broadening of an energy level that is essentially inevitable (11 meV, K. K. Choi et al., Physical Review B, vol. 35 (1987), 4172) or less. Therefore, in the structure of the known quantum cascade laser in which the oscillation wavelength is selected in the range from the millimeter-wave band to the terahertz band, a non-radiative current path wherein carriers flow from the region A to the region B without undergoing the optical transition, or a non-radiative current path wherein carriers flow from the region B to the region A without undergoing the optical transition, forms a short-circuit. In a typical case, the carriers in the region B remain in a warmed up state. As a result, a population inversion required for laser oscillation typically cannot be achieved.
Accordingly, to perform laser oscillation in which the oscillation wavelength is selected at the terahertz band, the known quantum cascade laser must typically be cooled to a low temperature (95 K or less, Rüdeger Köhler et al., Applied Physics Letters, vol. 84 (2004), 1266). Therefore, a semiconductor laser device that performs laser oscillation at higher temperatures (for example, room temperature of 300K) is desired.


A retaining mechanism having a retainer member, plunger member, and an engagement indication assembly. The retainer member has a body that defines a void having a first end and a second end and extending along a length of the body. The plunger member is located at least partially in the void and has a length greater than the length of the void. The plunger member is movable a first position in which a portion of the plunger member extends beyond an end of the void, and a second position in which another portion of the plunger member extends beyond another end of the void. The engagement indication assembly includes a retainer member linkage coupled to the retainer member, a plunger member linkage coupled to the plunger member, and a flag member coupled to the plunger member linkage and the retainer member linkage.

Some machines associated with mining, agriculture, forestry, construction, and other industrial applications may have a coupler that allows various implements or tools to be coupled and decoupled to the machine. Theses couplers may have a support frame and a retaining mechanism to allow a quick connection with the implement. An operator may couple and/or decouple the implement using one or more controls disposed in the operator cabin. However, during coupling of the implement, the operator may sometimes not be able to fully view both components and the support frame may not be properly aligned with the implement. This misalignment and/or partial coupling may lead to faster or uneven wear of the components and may require more frequent servicing and/or replacement of the implement and/or the coupler. Thus, the operator may be required to exit the operator cabin and confirm alignment and/or the coupling of the implement to the coupler before operating the equipment. In some situations, the operator may attempt to confirm coupling by moving or shake the implement system, which may result in damage to the machine or implement if the implement is not fully coupled.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,855 discloses a coupler attached to the boom of a tractor or other vehicle that enables the boom to be connected to an implement such as a loader bucket. The coupler includes spring-loaded and laterally shiftable pins which latch to the implement when the coupler is shifted forward toward the implement. Unlatching of the pins is effected by manually turning an operating handle. The operating handle is connected to the pins by laterally rigid links which cause movement of the handle to follow movement of the pins in all positions of the pins so that the position of the handle serves as a visual indicator as to whether the pins are latched or unlatched.


The present invention is a device for and method of viewing a magnetic pattern recorded on magnetic media. The device includes a base. The base has an opening and includes registration marks for aligning the magnetic media as desired. The base is attachable to a viewer. A guide is connected to the base so that it slides within the opening in the base. The guide also has an opening. An inflatable bladder is attached to, and under, the guide. The inflatable bladder fills the opening in the guide. A holder is attached to the base so that it can slide along the base and be closed onto the guide. The holder also includes an opening. A magnetic garnet film is set within the opening in the holder. A magnetic media is placed on the guide. The holder is closed onto the magnetic media and the guide. The inflatable bladder is inflated so that the magnetic media is brought into physical contact with the magnetic garnet film. The pattern on the magnetic media is transferred onto the magnetic garnet film. The viewer is used to view the magnetic pattern transferred to the magnetic garnet film.

Examination of magnetic media is enhanced by the viewing of magnetization patterns.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,980, entitled "RECORDED MAGNETIC MEMBER VIEWING APPARATUS," discloses a device for viewing magnetic images on magnetizable recording members. The device includes ferrofluid and metal flakes between transparent substrates. The present invention neither includes a ferrofluid nor metal flakes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,032,980 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,905, entitled "METHOD FOR WRITING AND VIEWING MAGNETIC HUMAN READABLE CHARACTERS AND VIEWING MEANS THEREFOR," discloses a device for and method of magnetically recording information in human readable form and viewing the same using encapsulated ferromagnetic particles. The present invention neither magnetically records information in human readable form nor uses encapsulated ferromagnetic particles to read the same. U.S. Pat. No. 4,101,905 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,754, entitled "MAGNETIC PATTERN VIEWER," discloses a device for visually displaying magnetic patterns using magnetic particles suspended in liquid. The present invention does not view magnetic patterns using magnetic particles suspended in a liquid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,754 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,911, entitled "METHOD OF CURRENCY OR DOCUMENT VALIDATION BY USE OF AN ANTI-COUNTERFEITING MAGNETIC VIEWING STRIP," discloses a method of authenticating currency or documents by adding magnetic material in the form of encapsulated nickel flakes suspended in fluid to the currency or document, moving a magnet in the vicinity of the added material, and noting whether or not light patterns reflected from the added material change in response to the movement of the magnet. The present invention does not use nickel flakes suspended in fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,911 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,772, entitled "HIGH SENSITIVITY MAGNETIC VIEWER USING ANHYSTERETIC TRANSFER FOR VIEWING WEAR MAGNETIC PATTERNS," discloses a device for viewing weak magnetic fields of around 1 Oe by applying an alternating current (AC) magnetic field of more than 100 Oe, which is then slowly reduced to zero, to bismuth-garnet on a transparent substrate while a small direct current (DC) bias field is applied. The present invention neither uses an AC magnetic field nor a DC bias field to view magnetic patterns. U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,772 is hereby incorporated by reference into the specification of the present invention.

Device for and method of viewing magnetic pattern recorded on magnetic media

The U.S. Government as represented by the National Security Agency


An optical lens system including: a first lens including a more than half part of a substantially spherical first lens body having a first diameter and a substantially flat first boundary surface; a second lens including a more than half part of a substantially spherical second lens body having a second diameter and a substantially flat second boundary surface, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; and a lens holder comprising a first and a second mount for, respectively, the first and second lens, wherein the first an the second mounts comprise, respectively, a first and a second circular cylindrical inner wall having a common center line, a diameter of the first inner wall and a diameter of the second inner wall being substantially equal to, respectively, the first and the second diameters.

The invention relates to an optical lens, a method of manufacturing an optical lens system, an optical scanning device for scanning an information layer of an optically scannable information carrier, and a an optical player for scanning an information layer of an optically scannable information carrier.
An optical player, an optical scanning device employed in the player, and an optical lens system used in the scanning device, of the types mentioned in the opening paragraphs are known from EP-A-0 863 502. The first lens of the known lens system is an objective lens, and the second lens is an auxiliary lens arranged between the objective lens and the information carrier to be scanned. By using the auxiliary lens, the known lens system has a comparatively large numerical aperture, as a result of which a relatively small scanning spot is formed on the information carrier to be scanned. The known scanning device can thus suitably be used to scan information carriers having comparatively small elementary information characteristics, i.e., information carriers having a comparatively high information density, such as a high-density CD. The first and the second lens are provided with ring-shaped flanges, each flange being manufactured in one piece with the associated lens body and provided with, respectively, a ring-shaped and a circular cylindrical positioning surface. The first mount of the lens holder includes a ring-shaped positioning surface, which extends perpendicularly to the centerline of the lens holder, and against which the ring-shaped positioning surface of the first lens abuts. The second mount of the lens holder also includes a ring-shaped positioning surface which extends perpendicularly to the center line and which surrounds the first lens and abuts against the positioning surface of the first mount, and a sleeve whose inner wall is concentrically arranged around the center line, the circular cylindrical positioning surface of the second lens being in contact with said inner wall. The optical axes of both lenses should coincide within predetermined comparatively close tolerances so as to make sure that a proper optical effect of both lenses is achieved. To this end, the optical axes, viewed in directions perpendicular to the centerline, must be accurately positioned with respect to each other and must extend accurately parallel to one another. In the manufacture of the known lens system, the positions of the optical axes relative to each other can be corrected in directions perpendicular to the center line by moving both mounts with respect to each other over their positioning surfaces. Parallelism of the optical axes is achieved by providing the ring-shaped positioning surface of the first lens at right angles to the optical axis of the first lens, and by providing the circular cylindrical positioning surface of the second lens so as to be concentric with respect to the optical axis of the second lens.
A drawback of the known lens system, the known optical scanning device and the known optical player resides in that the comparatively close tolerances within which the optical axes of the two lenses of the lens system must coincide are comparatively very difficult to achieve. This can be attributed to the fact that the provision with the desired accuracy of said positioning surfaces on the flanges of both lenses is a very laborious process.
It is an object of the invention to provide a lens system, an optical scanning device and an optical player of the types mentioned in the opening paragraphs, in which the comparatively close tolerances within which the optical axes of the two lenses of the lens system must coincide can be achieved in a less laborious way.
To achieve this object, a lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the first and the second mount comprise, respectively, a first and a second circular cylindrical inner wall having a common center line, a diameter of the first inner wall and a diameter of the second inner wall being substantially equal to, respectively, the first and the second diameter, and the first and the second lens comprising more than one half of, respectively, the first and the second spherical lens body.
To achieve this object, an optical scanning device in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the lens system used therein is a lens system in accordance with the invention.
To achieve this object, an optical player in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the optical scanning device used therein is an optical scanning device in accordance with the invention.
As the diameters of said inner walls are substantially equal to, respectively, the first diameter of the first lens body and the second diameter of the second lens body, both lenses are accurately positioned in both mounts in directions perpendicular to the centerline. A very accurate mutual positioning of both lenses in directions perpendicular to the center line is achieved in that the diameters of said inner walls are accurately dimensioned and said inner walls are very accurately coaxial. This accuracy can be achieved in a manner which is not very laborious by providing the first and the second mount of the lens holder with, respectively, the first and the second circular cylindrical inner wall using conventional tools, such as a lathe. Also the spherical lens bodies can be very accurately manufactured using comparatively simple processes, such as rolling process. Since the first and the second lens comprise more than half the, respectively, first and second spherical lens body, both lens bodies, after having been positioned in the two mounts, can still be tilted through limited angles in both mounts around the center of the relevant lens body, without the mutual positions of the two lenses, viewed at right angles to the center line, being influenced, so that the accurate mutual positions of the two lenses, viewed at right angles to the center line, is not influenced when, at a later stage, the optical axes of the two lenses are adjusted so as to be parallel.
A particular embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the first lens is bounded, on a side facing the second lens, by a boundary surface extending perpendicularly to the center line, while the first mount is provided with an abutting member for the boundary surface of the first lens, which abutting member extends in a plane perpendicular to the center line. Said boundary surface and said abutting member cause the optical axis of the first lens to be accurately situated parallel to the centerline of the lens holder. Said boundary surface only must be accurately flat, the optical axis of the first lens being formed by the diameter of the first lens body extending perpendicularly to the boundary surface. Said abutting member must be accurately provided so as to extend perpendicularly to the center line of the lens holder, which can be carried out in a manner which is not very laborious by using conventional tools, such as a lathe.
A further embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the abutting member comprises a ring-shaped surface extending perpendicularly to the center line, which ring-shaped surface causes the first and the second inner wall to be connected to one another in a stepwise manner. In this embodiment, the abutting member is embodied in a manner which is both practical and not very labor-intensive.
Yet another embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the second lens is bounded, on a side facing away from the first lens, by a boundary surface extending perpendicularly to the centerline. Said boundary surface only must be accurately flat, the optical axis of the second lens being formed by the diameter of the second lens body extending perpendicularly to the boundary surface. Since the boundary surface is provided on the side of the second lens facing away from the first lens, the boundary surface is accessible to an aligning tool in a manner which is not very laborious, which aligning tool serves to make sure that the optical axis of the second lens extends parallel to the center line of the lens holder.
A particular embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the second mount is provided, on a side facing away from the first lens, with an end surface extending perpendicularly to the center line, the end surface and the boundary surface of the second lens being situated in a common plane. In this particular embodiment, said end surface is provided so as to extend perpendicularly to the center line of the lens holder, which can be achieved in a manner which is not very laborious by using conventional tools, such as a lathe. Parallelism of the optical axis of the second lens and the center line can be readily adjusted using aligning tools provided with a common aligning surface for said end surface and the boundary of the second lens.
A further embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that at least one of the two lenses is secured in the relevant mount by means of a glued joint. Said glued joint is very simple and can be provided, after the relevant lens has been aligned with respect to the relevant mount, without influencing said position of the relevant lens with respect to the relevant mount.
A still further embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that at least one of the lenses is secured in the relevant mount by press-fitting the relevant lens body in the relevant inner wall. In this manner, the relevant lens is secured in the relevant mount in a very simple and reliable manner.
A particular embodiment of an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the first and the second mount are substantially sleeve-shaped and connected to one another via a hollow conical center portion of the lens holder. The use of said conical center portion provides the lens holder with a very high rigidity and accuracy of form, viewed in a direction parallel to the centerline, so that the mutual positions of the two lenses are substantially uninfluenced by lens holder deformations.
A method of manufacturing an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the second lens is positioned in the second mount by supporting the boundary surface of the second lens by means of a first aligning surface of an aligning tool, and by simultaneously supporting the abutting member of the first mount by means of a second aligning surface of the aligning tool that is directed parallel to the first aligning surface. The abutting member of the first mount is intended for the boundary surface of the first lens and extends in a plane that is perpendicular to the centerline of the lens holder. By simultaneously supporting the boundary surface of the second lens and said abutting member by means of the two parallel aligning surfaces of the aligning tool, the optical axis of the second lens is accurately positioned parallel to the center line of the lens holder. By positioning, at a later stage, the boundary surface of the first lens so as to be in contact with said abutting member, also the optical axis of the first lens is accurately positioned parallel to the center line of the lens holder. In this manner, the optical axes of the two lenses are positioned parallel to the center line in a manner which is not very laborious by using said aligning tools. To achieve the desired parallel positions of the two lenses, the lens holder only has to be provided with a single, accurately provided abutting member.
A further method of manufacturing an optical lens system in accordance with the invention is characterized in that the second lens is positioned in the second mount by simultaneously supporting the boundary surface of the second lens and the end surface of the second mount by means of an aligning surface of an aligning tool. In this further method, the lens holder is provided with an abutting member for the boundary surface of the first lens, which abutting member extends perpendicularly to the center line, and with an end surface for cooperation with the aligning surface of the aligning tool, which end surface extends perpendicularly to the center line. The necessary aligning tool has to comprise only a single aligning surface and hence is of a very simple construction.

Optical lens system comprising two more than half-spherical lenses


A countersteering system is disclosed for a road vehicle including sensors arranged to sense the speed of steerable wheels in response to changes in road surface texture, the lateral movement of the wheels in response to skid movement, and the rotational motion of the steering wheel for the vehicle, and to produce respective signals according therewith. A control system is devised to receive these signals and to produce a control signal in accordance therewith as a corrective routine and to impress this control signal in a force producing mechanism to impart movement of the steerable wheels for corrective purposes. The control system is devised to differentiate time lags between occurrances of repetitive sequences of at least one of the signal in its production of the control signal.

This invention relates in general to automotive power steering systems and in particular, to a computer-assisted interaction between the vehicle operator, the vehicle and the road surfaces.
Functionally, this system, hereinafter referred to as the ACS System, can do for power steering systems of the present art what the anti-lock braking system has done for hydraulic braking systems of that prior art in relation to the maintaining of vehicular control and safety. With regard to power steering systems of the prior art, there has been little done to coerce direct contribution to overall vehicle safety from them, except as relates to mechanical steering function. The substance of the invention disclosed herein allows for such a contribution, the need for which will become more obvious on further examination of the present disclosure.

Automatic countersteering system for motor vehicles


An adaptive interface, predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. An input is predicted, and the predictive mechanism may be is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein an input is matched to a media stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inferential programming of the device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest. Applications of the interface and system include a VCR, medical device, vehicle control system, audio device, environmental control system, securities trading terminal, and smart house. The system optionally includes an actuator for effecting the environment of operation, allowing closed-loop feedback operation and automated learning.

Significant difficulties are experienced by users when complex programmable devices having multiple commands which are infrequently used or programmed by those users. Further, when a user attempts to use an uncommon or rarely used function of these devices, which may be, for example video cassette recorders (hereinafter "VCRs") difficulties are also encountered. For example, studies have concluded that 80% of users cannot correctly program their VCRs. This has been due, in part, to the fact that manufacturers continue to add more features to existing devices, without simplifying those which already exist. Another problem has been the failure of manufacturers to design products in which the control interface adapts to the behavior of the user or to allow a system to be adaptive to the behaviors of a plurality of users.
People learn most efficiently through the interactive experiences of doing, thinking, and knowing. Learning may often be facilitated by observing an experienced teacher. For ease-of-use, efficiency, and lack of frustration of the user, utilizing the device should be intuitive. Users should be able to operate the device without referring to an instruction manual. Often, actual working examples are helpful. Well-designed products should contain visual clues which prompt and convey their meanings, however, prior art devices do not always live up to this ideal. This problem of insufficient perceptual clues to cue the user as to the identity and nature of available choices is accentuated by various manufacturers and designers who focus on the production and design of feature-rich systems, rather than on ones which are also "User Friendly" and thus easier to use. Therefore, many products are extremely complex and thus difficult to use, thereby preventing all but the most technically advanced people from using them. Other products are simple to use for a low level of functionality, but make it extremely difficult to transcend an arbitrary barrier set of by the interface designer.
Some display systems have a higher available resolution than others, and the interface is preferably arranged to optimize the intended display for the resolution limits and display format of the intended or available display device. Further, even with sufficient resolution, certain displays are of small size, and thus the visibility of the information may also be optimized by taking into consideration the size, resolution, contrast, brightness of the display, ambient conditions, characteristics of the human visual system, factors specific for a known user, and the available options of the apparatus. Thus, the interface may employ a number of methods to optimize the visibility of the information for a variety of display devices, storage formats and transmission standards. Known display standards and types include: NTSC, PAL, SECAM, CCIR-601, HDTV, MUSE, IDTV, VHS, S-VHS, Beta, SuperBeta, 8 mm, Hi-8 mm, videotel or picturephone (Px64), H.261, MPEG-1, MPEG-2. JPEG, computer display standards (CGA, HGC, EGA, PGA, VGA, SVGA, XGA, Macintosh™, 8514, Private Eye™ (a small reflection-scanned LED line array for projecting a virtual display image in front of the eye, available from Reflection Technology, Inc.), LCD, etc., each of which may have a number of size ranges, e.g. about 1 cm2 to about 10 m2, with a resolution range including displays having about 16 dot matrix characters or more or about 16 by 64 pixels to about 2,048 by 2,048 pixels. Techniques such as antialiasing, font substitution, hinting, precompensating for expected distortion, etc., are all known employed to improve the readability of the display under various circumstances.

Ergonomic man-machine interface incorporating adaptive pattern recognition based control system


Systems, methods, or computer program products may collect information about the performance of individual RFID tags. In particular, signal strength and/or signal sensitivity of individual RFID tags may be measured and the resulting performance information may be stored in a data repository. In the data repository, the performance information for an individual tag may be associated with an identifier that is uniquely associated with the tag. In one exemplary embodiment, the performance information may be used by an on-line system configured to automatically determine the performance margin with which RFID tags are being read in an RFID system, or to automatically tune the RFID system to achieve a desired performance margin.

Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are capable of wirelessly detecting individual RFID tags (herein referred to as "tags") as they pass in the vicinity of an RFID reader. Unlike bar codes, which are read individually and must be in the optical line-of-sight of the scanner, RFID tags can rapidly read a large number of tags that are within a region around a reader, such as a number of tagged products that are together on a shelf or a pallet. Moreover, tags may be read through some materials, such as paper or plastic packaging material used to ship cases or pallets of products. As such, individual products may be tagged and read after being placed in a container for storage or shipment.
RFID tags may be wafer-thin, microchip-based tags about the size of a large postage stamp. The tags may include antenna features capable of receiving radio frequency energy to communicate with a reader. Typically, a reader may detect a tag by transmitting radio frequency (RF) energy at a particular frequency and with a particular modulation. A tag within the appropriate range of the reader may be energized by the RF energy received via the tag's antenna. The energized tag may respond by generating or reflecting an RF signal that may be detected by the reader's antenna and receiver. The signal sent by the tag may be encoded with information, such as a serial number, electronic product code (EPC), stock keeping unit (SKU), or other identifying information. After the reader receives and decodes the identifying information, the presence of the tag may be recorded or stored for various uses. When individual tags are associated with products in a distribution chain, for example, uses may include, but are not limited to, inventory management, product tracking, billing, loss prevention, or ordering.
Product tracking in a distribution chain may use RFID systems to track inventory, for example, at various control points in a manufacturing plant, distribution centers, warehouses, and retail outlets. In a practical large scale RFID system, not all tags may be read. In the distribution chain context, RFID system performance may generally refer to the reliability with which tags are read as products move through the distribution chain.
At each of these points, the margin by which tags are satisfactorily read is subject to various parameters, such as temperature and humidity conditions, electromagnetic interference (EMI), reader/tag sensitivity, material properties, and numerous other factors that can impact how reliably tags are detected by the RFID system. Accordingly, reliably tracking tags in such environments requires the RFID system to operate under various atmospheric, electromagnetic, and other conditions that can impact RFID system performance.


The novel design of the eye self-test device increases patient compliance by reminding the patient to self-test and allows the patient""s doctor to monitor compliance with the testing regimen. The data may be recorded and the patient notified if a change in vision necessitates examination by the doctor. The test is robustly manufactured to withstand breakage and is lightweight and portable. Its preferred method of attachment is such that it is capable of adhering to any vertically visible surfaces such that the conspicuous location of the test should encourage an improvement in testing compliance. Patient information, including instructions for testing and the doctor""s name and telephone number for contacting in case of emergency may be provided internal or external to the device.

N/A
N/A
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to medical diagnostic methods, and, in particular, to a method for improving the compliance and reliability of patient self-testing the central field of vision. The device is set for test recording in one day or another interval and notifies the patient to self-test if it is not activated within the preset interval. A play-back counter or tracker indicates whether the patient has been complying with the testing schedule. The patient may be notified when a predetermined change from the normal test or baseline test is detected and is instructed to contact their physician.
2. Description of Related Art
The macula is a small area within the retina of the eye that allows us to see small details clearly. If a person loses macula function they experience a blur or a blank spot in the center of their vision. There are many diseases that affect the macula. The early detection of macular changes may result in successful treatment that may prevent or delay the loss of vision. Unfortunately, once the patient notices the loss of vision it may already be too late to treat the condition and prevent or reverse the loss of vision.
In order to monitor the health of the macula, patients are frequently given a grid of lines with a central spot. They are instructed to self-test their vision with the grid at a set interval, generally once a day or every other day and contact their eye doctor if they notice a bending or absence of the lines or change in vision. The manner in which the test is altered may also provide clues to diagnosis. Unfortunately, many patients forget to use the test and discard or lose it over the course of time. As a result, many patients that might have presented to their doctor early enough to have their vision saved lose their central vision unnecessarily. The early detection of a change in vision will become even more important as newer treatments for macular diseases become available.
It is therefore, to the effective resolution of the aforementioned problems and shortcomings that the present invention is directed.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an eye test where the patient can determine changes from normal.
It is another object of this invention to provide, by its configuration and method of attachment, a small, lightweight and portable device with stable adherence to a surface such that the test may be placed in a location that is conspicuously visible to the patient and will not be lost or accidently discarded. The device is surrounded by a hard case to minimize breakage.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a timer that is preset for the patient""s self-testing. If the patient does not self-test within the designated period of time, a sound or light is activated at preset times and duration to remind the patient to self-test.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide the patient""s doctor""s name, address and telephone number such that this information is readily available in case of emergency.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a long-lasting internal battery or rechargeable power supply for the device to obviate the need for frequent battery changes.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a device that records patient compliance with the preset testing frequency and that may be examined by the eye doctor to determine patient compliance.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a device that notifies the patient when a preset deviation from normal occurs. The notification would encourage the patient to contact the eye doctor for examination.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a device that contains a transmitter or a port for attachment to a telephone line for monitoring by a monitoring station, an intelligent docking station or to a computer that would alert the patient when a significant change in the test occurred and would instruct the patient to promptly contact their eye doctor.
The foregoing objects are achieved and the foregoing problems are solved in one illustrative embodiment of the invention in which a grid is attached to a case containing electronics such that once the device is activated the patient self-tests according to a preset testing frequency. The device is lightweight and contains magnets and/or an adhesive for easy attachment to a vertically conspicuous location in which the test would be prominently displayed. The case contains a place for the eye doctor""s business card or a label containing the eye doctors name and contact information or other information. If the patient does not self-test, a sound or light is activated at preset times and for a preset interval to encourage the patient to self-test. The eye doctor may play-back the number of patient self-tests to determine the patient""s compliance. The patient may draw the deviations from normal on the grid and when a preset deviation from normal occurs the patient would be notified to promptly contact the doctor. The notification may consist of a sound or light generated by the device or external notification by a monitoring station, intelligent docking station, computer, eye doctor or other source.
It is estimated that in the preferred embodiment, the squares on the grid can be 4 mm in size. The grid and central fixation spot can be black on a white background and the grid test can be approximately 8 cm by 8 cm in size. The single grid test can be attached to a case approximately 9 cm in width and 10 cm in length. The test is to be performed with one eye at a time under a moderate light intensity while wearing the correct refraction for reading at approximately a 14 inch distance. However, these dimensions and criteria are not considered limiting and other ranges and values are considered within the scope of this invention.
The illustrated embodiment describes a device for detecting irregularities in the central 20 degrees of vision. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that a similar patient compliance and monitoring methodology may be used for other self-testing devices including reading vision, glare or color vision.
In a first embodiment of the present invention the grid is made of paper, plastic or another material that may or may not record images. In a second embodiment the chart is displayed on a screen. In a third embodiment a port is provided for computer and/or telephone access. In a fourth embodiment one grid is displayed for one eye and a second is displayed for the second eye. The patient presses one button when self-testing. In a fifth embodiment the patient presses a button for performing the test with one eye and a second button for performing the test on the second eye.
In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with particular reference to the accompanying drawings.

Northwest Medical Plaza 5800 Colonial Dr., Suite 300


A multi-optical-layer optical element of a lithographic projection apparatus in which at least one optical layer is comprised of an alloy of Mo and Cr. That layer may form the outer most layer of a Mo/Si layer system with an optional protective outer coating of Ru. Furthermore, the multi-optical-layer optical element may be comprised of a plurality of interposed between Mo/Cr alloyed layers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lithographic projection apparatus and device manufacturing method.
2. Description of the Related Art
The term "patterning device" as here employed should be broadly interpreted as referring to device that cart be used endow an incoming radiation beam with a patterned cross-section, corresponding to a pattern that is to be created in a target portion of the substrate. The term "light valve" can also be used in this context. Generally, the pattern will correspond to a particular functional layer in a device being created in the target portion, such as an integrated circuit or other device (see below). An example of such a patterning device is a mask. The concept of a mask is well known in lithography, and it includes mask types such as binary, alternating phase-shift, and attenuated phase-shift, as well as various hybrid mask types. Placement of such a mask in the radiation beam causes selective transmission (in the case of a transmissive mask) or reflection (in the case of a reflective mask) of the radiation impinging on the mask, according to the pattern on the mask. In the case of a mask, the support will generally be a mask table, which ensures that the mask can be held at a desired position in the incoming radiation beam, and that it can be moved relative to the beam if so desired.
Another example of a patterning device is a programmable mirror array. One example of such an array is a matrix-addressable surface having a viscoelastic control layer and a reflective surface. The basic principle behind such an apparatus is that, for example, addressed areas of the reflective surface reflect incident light as diffracted light, whereas unaddressed areas reflect incident light as undiffracted light. Using an appropriate filter, the undiffracted light can be filtered out of the reflected beam, leaving only the diffracted light behind. In this manner, the beam becomes patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-addressable surface An alternative embodiment of a programmable mirror array employs a matrix arrangement of tiny minors, each of which can be individually tilted about an axis by applying a suitable localized electric field, or by employing piezoelectric actuators. Once again, the mirrors are matrix-addressable, such that addressed mirrors will reflect an incoming radiation beam in a different direction to unaddressed mirrors. In this manner, the reflected beam is patterned according to the addressing pattern of the matrix-addressable mirrors. The required matrix addressing can be performed using suitable electronics. In both of the situations described hereabove, the patterning device can comprise one or more programmable mirror arrays. More information on mirror arrays as here referred to can be seen, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,296,891 and 5,523,193, and PCT publications WO 98/38597 and WO 98/33096. In the case of a programmable mirror array, the support may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
Another example of a patterning device is a programmable LCD array. An example of such a construction is given in U. S. Pat. No. 5,229,872. As above, the support in this case may be embodied as a frame or table, for example, which may be fixed or movable as required.
For purposes of simplicity, the rest of this text may, at certain locations, specifically direct itself to examples involving a mask and mask table. However, the general principles discussed in such instances should be seen in the broader context of the patterning device as hereabove set forth.
Lithographic projection apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (IC's). In such a case, the patterning device may generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. comprising one or more dies) on a substrate (silicon wafer) that has been coated with a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single wafer will contain a whole network of adjacent target portions that are successively irradiated via the projection system, one at a time. In current apparatus, employing patterning by a mask on a mask table, a distinction can be made between two different types of machine. In one type of lithographic projection apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by exposing the entire mask pattern onto the target portion at once. Such an apparatus is commonly referred to as a wafer stepper. In an alternative apparatus, commonly referred to as a step-and-scan apparatus, each target portion is irradiated by progressively scanning the mask pattern under the beam of radiation in a given reference direction (the "scanning" direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate table parallel or anti-parallel to this direction. Since, in general, the projection system will have a magnification factor M (generally<1), the speed V at which the substrate table is scanned will be a factor M times that at which the mask table is scanned. More information with regard to lithographic devices as here described can be seen, for example, from U.S. Pat. No. 6,046,792.
In a known manufacturing process using a lithographic projection apparatus, a pattern (e.g. in a mask) is imaged onto a substrate that is at least partially covered by a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). Prior to this imaging, the substrate may undergo various procedures, such as priming, resist coating and a soft bake. After exposure, the substrate may be subjected to other procedures, such as a post-exposure bake (PEB), development, a hard bake and measurement/inspection of the imaged features. This array of procedures is used as a basis to pattern an individual layer of a device, e.g. an IC. Such a patterned layer may then undergo various processes such as etching, ion-implantation (doping), metallization, oxidation, chemo-mechanical polishing, etc., all intended to finish off an individual layer. If several layers are required, then the whole procedure, or a variant thereof, will have to be repeated for each new layer. It is important to ensure that the overlay (juxtaposition) of the various stacked layers is as accurate as possible. For this purpose, a small reference mark is provided at one or more positions on the wafer, thus defining the origin of a coordinate system on the wafer. Using optical and electronic devices in combination with the substrate holder positioning device (referred to hereinafter as "alignment system"), this mark can then be relocated each time a new layer has to be juxtaposed on an existing layer, and can be used as an alignment reference. Eventually, an array of devices will be present on the substrate (wafer). These devices are then separated from one another by a technique such as dicing or sawing, whence the individual devices can be mounted on a carrier, connected to pins, etc. Further information regarding such processes can be obtained, for example, from the book "Microchip Fabrication: A Practical Guide to Semiconductor Processing", Third Edition, by Peter van Zant, McGraw Hill Publishing Co., 1997, ISBN 0-07-067250-4.
For the sake of simplicity, the projection system may hereinafter be referred to as the "lens." However, this term should be broadly interpreted as encompassing various types of projection system, including refractive optics, reflective optics, and catadioptric systems, for example. The radiation system may also include components operating according to any of these design types for directing, shaping or controlling the beam of radiation, and such components may also be referred to below, collectively or singularly, as a "lens". Further, the lithographic apparatus may be of a type having two or more substrate tables (and/or two or more mask tables). In such "multiple stage" devices the additional tables may be used in parallel or preparatory steps may be carried our on one or more tables while one or more other tables are being used for exposures. Dual stage lithographic apparatus are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,969,441 and 6,262,796.
Optical elements for use in the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) spectral region, e.g. multi-layered thin film reflectors, are especially sensitive to physical and chemical damage which can significantly reduce their reflectivity and optical quality. Reflectivities at these wavelengths are already low compared to reflectors at longer wavelengths which is a particular problem because a typical EUV lithographic system may have 11 mirrors; four in the illumination optics, six in the imaging optics plus the reflecting reticle. There may also be a number of gracing incidence mirrors. It is therefore evident that even a "small" decrease of 1-2% in the peak reflectivity of a single mirror will cause a significant light through-put reduction in the optical system.
Conventional reflection optics mainly consist of Mo/Si multi-optical-layer optical elements for normal incidence reflection. Such multi-optical-layer optical elements have a theoretical reflectivity of about 73.7% (in practice values are about 69%) if they are Si terminated i.e. the outermost optical-layer is one of Si (not taking account of surface roughness or interfacial diffusion).
A problem exists with such optical elements due to high stresses in the multilayers as a result of large lattice mismatch between the Mo body centred cubic (BCC) crystal structure and that of the Si crystal structure (diamond structure). The stresses or stress relaxation can lead to early failure of the optical element or altering, respectively.
Also, from a theoretical standpoint, a Mo terminated multi-optical-layer optical element has a reflectivity approximately 1 to 1.5% higher than the conventional optical element, if the thickness of the outer Mo layer is 1.5 to 3 nm. However, after manufacturing optical elements, the outer surface is normally exposed to air during the assembly of the lithographic projection apparatus. On exposure to air, the outer Mo layer is completely oxidized and results in a dramatic loss of reflectivity of a few %, thus, to date, only multi-optical-layer optical elements which have an outer layer of Si are in use.
EUV radiation combined with molecular contamination due to water and oxygen (the later might be used for carbon mitigation or cleaning purposes) in the vacuum of an EUV scanner results in a dramatic reduction in the reflectivity of multi-optical-layer optical elements during use in a lithographic projection apparatus. Thus, optical elements have a short lifetime in EUV lithographic apparatus. This reduction in reflectivity, which is a result of oxidation of the outer surface, can occur at pressures as low as 10−7 mbar of water in the unbaked vacuum used in EUV scanners.
Recently it is has been shown experimentally (see European Patent Application No. EP 1,065,532) that a Ru cap layer as well as a dense packed C cap layer can reduce oxidation and hence also reflectivity loss. However, a thick Ru layer (of about 3 nm) causes an unacceptable reflection loss due to absorption whereas a thin layer (about 1.5 nm) results in intermixing with the layers on which the Ru is coated and therefore oxidation and also reflectivity loss. If a Ru protective outer layer of 1.5 m thickness is used with a 2.0 nm Mo layer, oxidation appears to be prevented for about 50 hours but the theoretical reflectivity of such an optical element is as low as 71.5% i.e. 2-3% lower than the standard Si terminated multi-optical-layer optical element.

Lithographic apparatus and device manufacturing method


A toothbrush with a replaceable head in which the handle has a socket and the head has a pin for insertion into the socket and the socket side walls or the pin comprise a resiliently deforable elastomer material differnt to the material of the socket side walls or pin. A preferred form of the toothbrush has its socket in a tubular structure resiliently supported between two fork-like arms.

Toothbrushes are known having a replaceable head, so that the user retains the handle and simply fits a new head when the old head wears out or if the user prefers a different bristle type etc. This can save the user the expense of purchasing a whole new toothbrush, and can be environmentally more friendly in allowing a saving in the use of materials.
A problem with all replaceable head toothbrushes is that of ensuring that the head remains securely fixed to the toothbrush handle during use, whilst also using a cheap and simple connection means to link the head to the handle, and achieving this using the relatively cheap plastics materials which are commonly used for making toothbrushes. FR-A-2 624 766, U.S. Pat. No. 5,369,835, U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,948, GB-A-2 044 089 and WO 98/12947 suggest a variety of links between the handle of a toothbrush and a replaceable head part.
It is an object of this invention to provide a replaceable head toothbrush in which at least some of these problems are solved.


A method of forming a semiconductor structure includes forming a multilayer lattice matched structure having an unstrained layer, a first strained layer, and a second strained layer formed between the unstrained and the first strained layer. A first opening in the multilayer structure is etched and a second strained fill material having a same material as the second strained layer is deposited. A second opening in the multilayer structure is etched and an unstrained fill material having a same material as the unstrained layer is deposited. A first strained fill material having a same material as the first strained layer is then deposited between the unstrained fill and the second strained fill. A second strained fin is formed from the deposited second strained fill material, a first strained fin is formed from the deposited first strained fill material, and an unstrained fin is formed from the deposited unstrained fill material.

The present invention generally relates to semiconductor devices, and more particularly, to structures, fabrication methods, and design structures associated with fin-based devices.
A fin metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (finMOSFET, or finFET) may provide solutions to metal-oxide-semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET) scaling problems at and below, for example, the 22 nanometer (nm) node of semiconductor technology. A finFET includes at least one narrow semiconductor fin (preferably <30 nm wide) gated on at least two opposing sides of each of the at least one semiconductor fin. FinFET structures may, for example, typically be formed on either a semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) substrate or a bulk semiconductor substrate.
A feature of a finFET is a gate electrode located on at least two sides of the channel formed along the longitudinal direction of the fin. Due to the advantageous feature of full depletion in the fin structure, the increased number of sides (e.g., two or three) on which the gate electrode controls the channel of the finFET enhances the controllability of the channel in a finFET compared to a planar MOSFET. The improved control of the channel, among other things, allows smaller device dimensions with less short channel effects as well as larger electrical current that can be switched at high speeds.
Based on, among other things, the characteristics mentioned above, the incorporation of finFET structures within integrated circuits beyond 22 nm nodes (i.e., <22 nm) is becoming more prevalent. While finFET structures provide improved scalability, CMOS technologies may, however, require fin structures capable of exhibiting different characteristics for incorporation within finFET structures that may be implemented in a variety of circuits.

Complex circuits utilizing fin structures

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