Leadframe stock 12 with frame portions 10 on which leadframes 1A and 1B are supported by means of support bridges 11A and 11B, and concave reflector mirror stock 14 with frame portions 16 on which concave reflector mirror 7 is supported by means of support bridges 17 and which are provided with a glossy plate are made by blanking or etching metal sheets and press forming which is applied to make the concave reflector mirror stock 14; the two stocks are made integral by joining their respective frame portions; the essential parts of the stocks including an LED chip and the concave reflector mirror 7 are molded with light-transmissive resin 2 such that they are completely buried in the resin; the support bridges 11A, 11B and 17 are then cut off to sever the individual frame portions to produce a reflecting LED lamp apparatus that is rigid, highly resistant to heat and commercially available at low cost.

This invention relates to a reflecting LED lamp apparatus having a parabolic reflecting surface disposed in a face-to-face relationship with a light-emitting device. The invention also relates to a process for producing the apparatus.
There is known a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that has a parabolic or concave reflecting surface disposed in a face-to-face relationship with an LED chip that is mounted on a leadframe to face away from the radiation of light such that the reflected light will produce a directional beam. This type of lamp apparatus is described in many patents including Unexamined Published Japanese Utility Model Application (kokai) No. 87567/1989, as well as Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application (kokai) Nos. 209124/1994, 211940/1995 and 55540/1997.
Unexamined Published Japanese Utility Model Application No.87567/1989 discloses an LED lamp which is generally indicated by B in FIG. 8 and which comprises a metal base 22 having a parabolic concave mirror 21 on a surface that is joined to a light-transmissive resin 26 molded in such a way as to cover a lead plate 24 having an LED chip 23 mounted thereon and a lead plate 25 disposed in proximity to the lead frame 24.
Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No.209124/1994 discloses a photoelectronic apparatus that has a reflector mirror combined with a leadframe having a semiconductor chip mounted thereon and that has all components but the leg portions of the leadframe encapsulated with a light-transmissive resin to form a monolithic unit.
Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 211940/1995 discloses an LED apparatus that comprises a frame member made of an opaque resin having a recess formed in a reflecting surface and a leadframe with an LED chip that is mounted on a frame member, with all components being encapsulated with a transparent or semitransparent resin.
Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 55540/1997 discloses a light emitter that comprises a pedestal with a concave surface to be mounted on a substrate and a light-emitting diode device that is joined to said pedestal and which comprises a light-emitting element, lead terminals and a light-transmissive resin package that encapsulates said light-emitting element and lead terminals and which has a convex surface that fits said concave surface.
These prior art apparatus, however, have various problems. In the LED lamp B shown in FIG. 8 according to Unexamined Published Japanese Utility Model Application No. 87567/1989, the high heat from the reflow soldering as applied for surface mounting on a substrate passes through the metal base 22 to be directly transmitted to the interface between the concave mirror 21 and the light-transmissive resin package 26 so that cracking or peeling may potentially occur at the interface on account of the thermal expansion mismatch and this introduces difficulty in achieving surface mounting by reflow soldering. In addition, the parabolic surface of the concave mirror 21 is formed by polishing which is a time-consuming operation. As a further problem, in order to ensure electrical insulation between the concave mirror 21 and the lead plate 25, the latter must be made xe2x80x9cfloatingxe2x80x9d from the associated mounting groove on the surface of the metal base 22 but then a spacer 27 to prevent leakage of light from the groove must be interposed by a complex fitting procedure.
In the invention described in Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 209124/1994, the reflector mirror is mounted on the leadframe by means of various engaging elements and this increases the complexity of the operations for working and assembling the engaged portions; as a result, the temperature variations that occur when the lamp is turned on and off impose a significant load on the engaged portions to eventually shorten the operating life of the LED. In addition, as the lamp size decreases, the size of the engaging elements will unavoidably become smaller, making it more difficult to perform the working and assembling operations. What is more, the small engaged portions result in a weaker joining force, which may potentially produce an instable joint. If resin sealing is attempted in spite of the instable joint, the resin will get into any gap present in the joined area and the reflector mirror is offset from the correct position to eventually cause a serious adverse effect on the optical characteristics of the lamp. Further in addition, if the reflector mirror is to be formed of an insulator such as a plastic material with a thin reflective metal film, a cumbersome evaporating or sputtering procedure must be performed to give a uniform thickness of metal film but then a vacuum drawing apparatus and other large-scale and expensive, dedicated equipment become necessary.
In the invention described in Unexamined Published Japanese Patent Application No. 211940/1995, the reflective surface is formed of an opaque resin and hence has a problem with surface gloss compared to the metallic reflecting surface. In addition, the leadframe is simply placed on the frame member to have contact with grooves cut in the area surrounding the reflecting surface but this presents problems not only with electrical insulation but also the leakage of light from the groove.
In the invention described in Unexamined Published Patent Application No. 55540/1997, the pedestal is made of a resin and its concave surface is typically coated with an evaporated film of a reflective metal such as aluminum, with the evaporated film in turn being protected with a resin overcoat. Because of this layer arrangement, the light emitter requires a complicated process to fabricate. In addition, the interface between the reflector mirror and the light-emitting diode device might undergo peeling or delamination due to aging from the moisture in the surrounding atmosphere and other factors.
To summarize, the prior art lamp apparatus for use in optical communication have had the following problems.
(1) Generally speaking, the manufacturing process consists of so many steps that it is not highly efficient in mass production, and it requires dedicated, large-scale equipment for creating a reflective surface, thus increasing the cost of the product.
(2) In a particular case where the metal reflecting surface is coupled to lead terminals by joining or by means of engaging elements, the temperature variations that occur when the lamp is turned on and off will impose a significant load on the coupled area, thereby causing adverse effects on the operating life of the LED lamp.
(3) Further, in order to produce an apparatus of the type that requires the formation of a thin metallic reflective surface by evaporation or sputtering, dedicated large-scale equipment such as a vacuum drawing apparatus must be employed to reduce the unevenness in the thickness of the reflector and this has limited the effort to reduce the initial cost.
(4) When the thin metallic reflective surface is exposed to high temperatures from reflow soldering during surface mounting of the lamp apparatus on a substrate, it may fail to withstand the thermal expansion mismatch with the contacting resin material, whereupon cracking or delamination occurs to cause its deterioration.
(5) If the reflecting surface is provided with a resin coat, air atmosphere or moisture may permeate into the interface, thereby causing time-dependent deterioration due to the peeling of the reflector.
The present invention has been accomplished under these circumstances and has as an object providing a reflecting LED lamp apparatus of a type that has a concave reflecting surface formed in a face-to-face relationship with an LED chip, which is improved in that it can be produced by a significantly simplified, hence highly productive, commercial manufacturing process, is rigid, has high heat resistance as exemplified by insensitivity to the heat applied during surface mounting, will not undergo time-dependent deterioration and is available at low cost.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for producing such an improved LED lamp apparatus.
In order to attain its first object, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that comprises leadframes having an LED chip mounted on a lead terminal and a material having a concave reflector mirror opposed to said LED chip and which is resin molded monolithically with said leadframes, said lamp apparatus being produced by a process comprising the steps of making a unitary assembly of a metallic leadframe stock with frame portions on which leadframes are supported by means of support bridges and a concave reflector mirror stock with frame portions on which a concave reflector mirror is supported by means of support bridges, said unitary assembly being formed by joining the frame portions of the leadframe stock to those of the concave reflector mirror stock, completely burying said LED chip, said lead terminal and said concave reflector mirror within a light-transmissive resin by molding, and cutting off the support bridges of said leadframe and those of said concave reflector mirror so that the frame portions of the respective components are severed.
In an embodiment, said leadframe stock with frame portions is obtained from a metal sheet by blanking or etching.
In another embodiment, said concave reflector mirror stock with frame portions is obtained by first blanking or etching a metal sheet and then press forming it.
In yet another embodiment, said lead terminal is bent such that it straddles the peripheral edge of said concave reflector mirror without contacting it.
In still another embodiment, said leadframe stock with frame portions and said concave reflector mirror stock with frame portions are obtained from metallic sheets of the same material and thickness.
In further embodiment, the central area of the underside of said light-transmissive resin in which said lead terminal and said concave reflector mirror are buried is shaped to protrude downwardly, those portions of a pair of said leadframes which are exposed to the outside of said light-transmissive resin are bent downward along the outer lateral sides of said light-transmissive resin whereas the end portions of said leadframes are bent back to become level with the underside of said light-transmissive resin, thereby forming apparatus supporting surfaces.
To attain its second object, the present invention provides a process for producing a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that comprises leadframes having an LED chip mounted on a lead terminal and a material having a concave reflector mirror opposed to said LED chip and which is resin molded monolithically with said leadframes, said process comprising the steps of blanking or etching a metal sheet to make a leadframe stock with frame portions on which leadframes are supported by means of support bridges, blanking or etching a metal sheet and press forming it to make a concave reflector mirror stock with frame portions on which a concave reflector mirror is supported by means of support bridges, forming a unitary assembly of said leadframes and said concave reflector mirror by joining their respective frame portions, completely burying said LED chip, said lead terminal and said concave reflector mirror within a light-transmissive resin by molding them with the resin, and cutting off the support bridges of said leadframes and those of said concave reflector mirror so that the frame portions of the respective components are severed.
In an embodiment, a plurality of said leadframe stocks with frame portions are formed in a single metal sheet and a corresponding number of said concave reflector mirror stocks with frame portions are formed in a single metal sheet and said leadframe stocks are joined to the corresponding concave reflector mirror stocks, molded with a resin altogether and followed by resin molding of the entire assembly and severing of the respective frame portions so as to produce a plurality of lamp apparatus simultaneously.
In another embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for spatial transmission of sound and image data from a video camera to a television monitor equipped with a light-receiving device.
In yet another embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for spatial transmission of image data from a digital camera to a computer equipped with a light-receiving device.
In still another embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for the distance between successively running automobiles to be measured from above a traffic signal.
In a further embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for the detection of an object approaching a restricted area.
In a still further embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for remote control of a consumer electric or electronic appliance equipped with a light-receiving device.
In yet another embodiment of its first aspect, the present invention provides a lamp apparatus for use in optical communication that allows for spatial transmission of light in a local area network (LAN).

Lamp apparatus for use in optical communication and a process for producing the same


A method for managing a set of active straps for a positive airway pressure (PAP) mask including detecting a pressure value with a pressure sensor, analyzing the pressure value with a processor for identifying an adjustment of the set of active straps, and performing the identified adjustment with the set of active straps.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to an active strap for a face mask, and in particular, to a computer implemented method for an active strap tensioning system for a positive airway pressure mask.
2. Description of Related Art
Sleep apnea is a sleep disorder characterized by abnormal pauses in breathing or instances of abnormally low breathing. Each pause in breathing, called an apnea, can last from a few seconds to minutes and may occur many times each hour. Untreated or poorly treated sleep apnea can cause fatigue and result in serious medical conditions over time such as high blood pressure, heart attacks, arrhythmias and even automobile crashes.
Typical treatment for sleep apnea is for the patient to use a positive airway pressure (PAP) system which increases air pressure in the patient's airway and allows the patient to sleep without apnea events. However, this treatment of sleep apnea is problematic and patients often cease using the PAP system due to these difficulties. One of the main sources of issues is the PAP mask. The mask needs to be sealed to prevent air leaks while not being so tight as to generate pressure sores and irritation around the mask. Because every patient's face is different, various mask geometries may be used, including customizations, yet these issues often persist. These issues are aggravated by the patient moving into various sleep positions or by the patient rubbing the face and mask during the night.

Managing an active strap system for a face mask

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


Fiber-reinforced thermoplastic honeycomb is prepared in a continuous manner one half cell at a time by laying down a corrugated web of thermoplastic, with and without fiber-reinforcement atop a honeycomb, selectively fusing the node-antinode demes and repeating the process until a honeycomb of the desired depth is prepared.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention pertains to the preparation of fiber reinforced and non-fiber reinforced thermoplastic honeycomb. More particularly, the subject invention pertains to processes by means of which such honeycomb may be produced in an economical, continuous manner.
2. Description of the Related Art
Paper honeycomb was first made by the Chinese approximately two thousand years ago, but at that time it was used primarily as ornamentation and not as a structural material. The modern utilization of honeycomb structures began just after 1940, and today there are about ten companies manufacturing the various core types.
While the primary utilization of honeycomb structure is in the construction of sandwich panels, it has many other applications, such as energy absorption, air directionalization, light diffusion, and radio frequency shielding.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,500,583, to Naul, discloses a honeycomb structure made of resin impregnated molded glass wool. In particular, glass wool blankets containing about 20 to 25 percent by weight of an uncured binder such as urea-phenol-formaldehyde resin are molded into corrugated sheets under heat and pressure in a two-part mold. A plurality of the corrugated sheets can then be adhesively bonded to one another to form a honeycomb structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,734,843, to Steele, discloses a method of producing honeycomb wherein longitudinally extending, spaced, parallel lines of adhesive are applied to the face surface of continuously moving web material, the web material is cut into separate flat sheets of uniform size, and said sheets are adhered to one another with the obverse side of each sheet adhered to an adjacent sheet by a plurality of spaced parallel lines of adhesive and the reverse side of each sheet adhered to an adjacent sheet by a plurality of spaced parallel lines of adhesive, which are in staggered parallel relationship to the lines of adhesive on the obverse side.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,032,458, to Daponte et al., discloses a method of making an expandable structural honeycomb material which comprises securing together a number of layers of flexible sheet material in a stock by means of an adhesive distributed between the layers in patches arranged in arrays of intersecting rows and columns and positioned such that the columns at the obverse face of each intermediate layer are staggered with respect to the columns at the reverse face of said layer while the rows at said faces are coincident, and slicing the stack by cutting it in the direction of the rows at position such that the contacting pairs of faces of the sheet material within the slices thus producing are secured together over a part only of their width by at least a part of a single row of patches.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,028,481 to Covert discloses a method of forming metal honeycomb materials whereby a strip of uncorrugated metal is corrugated as part of an integrated honeycomb welding operation. The honeycomb is welded by means of crescent shaped electrodes having a circumference substantially equal to or greater than the honeycomb thickness.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,225,433 discloses one method of aligning corrugated metal webs in a node-antinode relationship to eliminate problems associated with stretching and/or distortion of preformed corrugated webs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,678, to Metcalfe et al., discloses a method and apparatus for the manufacture of a heat insulating material from an unsecured, strip-shaped felt of fibers containing a heat hardenable bonding substance. The felt is first formed into a serpentine array of corrugations extending across the entire width of the uncured felt and then cured. The felt is then cured and the cured felt is cut longitudinally into two partial felts, the corrugations being severed so as to form a succession of U-shaped arrays along each of the partial felts.
U.S. Statutory Invention Registration H47, to Monib, discloses a lightweight structural panel of an aramid honeycomb core faced with a resin-impregnated fiber layer, wherein peel strength between the core surface and the facing layer is improved by interpositioning of a spunlaced fabric, containing at least 50% aramid fibers pervaded with a curable resin, between the core surface and the facing layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,012,738, to Wright, discloses a microwave radiation absorber comprising a layer of dielectric material of relatively high dielectric constant and a layer of magnetic material having a relatively high coefficient of magnetic permeability.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,249, to Jackson et al., discloses a method and apparatus for the production of a reinforced plastic honeycomb comprising the steps of: (1) impregnating a fabric which distorts under its own weight, such as a fiber glass fabric, with a heat curable resin in an amount sufficient to cause the fiber glass fabric to have sufficient body to prevent its distorting under its own weight while permitting expansion after curing; (2) applying adhesive lines on the impregnated fiber glass fabric, the adhesive being applied so as to avoid penetration to the opposite side of the fiber glass fabric, and allowing said adhesive lines to advance to a relatively non-tacky state; (3) stacking sheets of the so-produced fiber glass fabric with the lines of adhesive on one sheet in staggered relation to the lines of adhesive on adjacent sheets; (4) applying heat and pressure to the so-formed stack to cause the adhesive to flow and bond to the surface of the next adjacent sheet in the stack; (5) expanding the stack to form a honeycomb configuration; (6) applying heat and pressure to the expanded stack created in step (5) to fully cure the impregnated resin and the adhesive; (7) dipping the rigid honeycomb structure formed in step (6) into a mass of uncured resin; and ( 8) following the dipping, curing the resin so-coated onto the rigid honeycomb structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,321,355, to Holland, discloses a method of making a honeycomb structure from fabric reinforced plastic wherein the warp and woof of the fabric in the final honeycomb product are obliquely disposed to the longitudinal axis of the honeycomb cells. In particular, the method comprises: providing a plurality of non-rectangular parallelogram shaped cut sections of fabric reinforced plastic material of substantially the same pattern and size in which the warp of the fabric extends parallel and the woof of the fabric extends perpendicular to a first pair of parallel sides of-each section and at acute angles in reference to a second pair of parallel sides of each section; superimposing such sections one upon the other in a stack; adhering such sections to one another along spaced apart parallel bonding lines extending perpendicular to said second pair of parallel sides, the bonding lines of successive superimposed sections staggered relative to one another to form a honeycomb structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,676, to Noble, is an improvement over the aforementioned Holland patent, to reduce waste material, i.e., to eliminate the step of trimming portions of the parallelogram shaped core to produce a rectangular shaped core. In particular, the improved method comprises: forming a plurality of non-rectangular parallelogram shaped sections of fabric reinforced plastic material in which a first and second side of the section are substantially parallel to each other and to the warp or woof of the fabric and in which a third and fourth side of the section are substantially parallel to each other and disposed at an oblique angle to the warp and woof of said fabric, the distance between the third and fourth sides of each section being substantially equal; joining the first and second sides of said sections together in serial relationship to form a web having a width equal to the distance between the third and fourth sides of one of said sections and a length approximately equal to the sum of the first sides of all sections which are joined together in serial relationship, the third and fourth sides of said joined sections forming the lateral edges of the web; cutting a plurality of equal rectangular shaped sections from said web, two sides of each rectangular section being cut perpendicular to the lateral edges of the web; superimposing a plurality of said rectangular sections one upon another in a stack; and adhering said plurality of rectangular sections to one another along spaced apart bonding lines which are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to two sides of said superimposed rectangular sections, the bonding lines of adjacent superimposed sections being staggered relative to one another to form a plurality of adjacent cells having longitudinal axes which are substantially parallel to each other and perpendicular to two sides of said superimposed rectangular sections, whereby a bias weave honeycomb core structure is formed in which the warp and the woof of said fabric are disposed at an oblique angle to the longitudinal axes of said cells.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,759,775, to Shepherd, discloses a method for producing an absorbent, high bulk, very low fiber density stabilized web. In particular, an air laid web of fibers is thoroughly impregnated with a volatile liquid. The volatile liquid may contain a small amount of heat-activatable binder, or the web of fibers may include the binder in the form of a small amount of thermoplastic fibers or powder dispersed throughout the web. The so-impregnated web is then heated, preferably, by dielectric heating or the like, so as to vaporize the liquid whereby the web is explosively puffed up and the small amount of binder secures interconnections of the fibers to maintain the web super-structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,134,705 discloses the preparation of flanged, non-reinforced honeycomb materials by fusing together corrugated thermoplastic webs by means of a pair of heat sealing jaws one node-antinode at a time. The resulting honeycomb is collapsed for shipment, reexpanded, and flanged by placing between heated platens.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,366,525, to Jackson, discloses a method of making honeycomb or similar laminated structures from sheets of heat sealable plastic which are cocured together under heat and pressure at selected areas. In an example a polyethylene web 10 inches wide and 4 mils thick is cut into sheets of material 18 inches long. A release film is printed on the sheets in lines 0.441 inch wide which are spaced apart by exposed or release-film-free regions 0.135 inch wide. The sheets are stacked in a mold and then subjected to heat and pressure to seal adjacent sheets together in those regions free of release film. The mold is cooled, the pressure reduced, and the stack of heat sealed sheets removed from the mold. The stack is then heated and pulled to expanded condition and the so-formed honeycomb is then cooled.
As may be readily ascertained from the above-noted documents, the preparation of honeycomb structure from fiber-reinforced plastics requires numerous web handling steps including multiple impregnation and/or dipping steps. In the case of obtaining higher shear modulus and improved handleability, the cutting of woven webs on the bias and their re-orientation requires even more handling steps.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,555 to Jackson discloses a batch method of preparing honeycomb core wherein a squirrel cage roller containing hexagonal bars operates in conjunction with a plurality of hexagonal major bars on a fixed bed to provide a corrugated web by the action of compressing a heated thermoplastic web between the advancing squirrel cage bars and the fixed bed bars. The corrugated webs thus produced are then assembled into a honeycomb structure by placing a first corrugated web on the major bars of a bed followed by placing minor bars in the nodes above the web. A second corrugated sheet is then located with its nodes adjacent to the first web's antinodes. An additional layer of minor bars is placed on top and the procedure repeated until the desired honeycomb thickness is achieved. The assembly is then placed between caul plates and platens and heated to form a finished honeycomb product.
In GB-A-2 188 866, a batchwise method of preparing thermoplastic honeycomb is disclosed wherein shaped formers as disclosed by Jackson in U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,555 are disposed between adjacent corrugated thermoplastic sheets, the assembly pressurized, and heated to cause the thermoplastic to fuse. Following the preparation of one multiple cell honeycomb segment by such batchwise operation, the section may be advanced to allow a further section to be laid up and fused. The process described requires pressurizing and heating the entire newly formed honeycomb structure.

Apparatus for the preparation of thermoplastic honeycomb


Systems and methods for an optically dithered atomic gyro-compass are provided. In one embodiment, an inertial sensor comprises: a vacuum chamber containing a cloud of laser cooled alkali atoms, wherein the atoms are free to fall under the influence of gravity; a first set of laser sources applying a first set of laser beams into the cloud along a first axis; a second set of laser sources applying a second set of laser beams into the cloud along a second axis; wherein the first set and second sets of laser beams apply coherent laser pulses that separate a wave function of the atoms along trajectories defining a plane sensitive to rotation about an axis orthogonal to the plane; and wherein the first and second set of laser sources apply dithering to the axis by modulating a relative magnitude of the first laser beams with respect to the second laser beams.

Northfinding gyro-compasses operate by using gyroscopes to measure the Earth's rate of rotation. Since the Earth's rate of rotation is both a constant and known value, the perceived rate of rotation measured by a gyroscope can be used to determine the amount of angular misalignment between the gyroscopes sensing axis and the axis around which the Earth spins. If a triad of three orthogonally oriented gyroscopes is utilized, each will measure a projection of the Earth's rotation onto the sensing axis of that gyroscope. By utilizing these three projections, the northfinding compass can indicate which direction is north. Gyroscopes typically exhibit some quantity of bias error. That is, they will measure some rate of rotation even when there is no rotation occurring. Gyroscopes that are both accurate and stable (and thus inherently experience relatively little bias error) tend to be large, heavy, and consume large quantities of power. Therefore, they are not well suited for use with miniature, dismounted gyrocompasses that are desirable for applications such as remote targeting applications.
Microelectrical-mechanical (MEMS) gyroscopes represent one technology for producing small, lightweight and low power consuming gyroscope. A good accelerometer may be used in conjunction with the gyroscope, elimination one degree of freedom by pointing the gyroscope's sense axis towards the Earth's center. Dithering techniques have also been developed to mitigate bias error in these MEMS devices and address the other degree of freedom. That is, the MEMS gyroscopes are mechanically oscillated at a set modulation frequency along their sensing axis with respect to the estimated direction of North. This motion results in the MEMS gyroscope producing a rotation rate output signal that is modulated in time. By demodulating that signal, the bias error is removed and a measurement of the Earth's rotation rate can be obtained. However, implementation of this dithering involves mounting each MEMS gyroscope on a platform that includes rotating stages. Thus mechanical dithering of the MEMS gyroscopes introduces additional moving parts that are subject to wear-and-tear, mechanical failure, and varying performance characteristics over time.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the specification, there is a need in the art for improved systems and methods for optically dithered atomic gyro-compasses.


A power supply for supplying power from a direct current (DC) source to a load. A load control circuit connected to the load and connected to the DC source regulates a voltage applied to the load. An inductive circuit connected to the load control circuit supplies power to the load. A switching circuit is connected between the DC source and the inductive circuit and responds to the inductive circuit. The inductive circuit supplies power to the switching circuit and controls the switching circuit to selectively connect the DC source to the inductive circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to switching converters which accept a wide range of input voltages and, in particular, to converters which generate a substantially constant, low power, reduced dc voltage output.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Power switching converters convert high voltage alternating current into low voltage direct current. In the past, many converters generally employ step down transformers followed by a rectifier, filter and a voltage regulator. Alternatively, some converters include a ballast supply which is capacitively coupled by two capacitors which are connected to the alternating current line followed by a rectifier and filter. Such converters tend to be expensive and susceptible to transmitting voltage spikes. There is need for low cost converters which provide a level direct current essentially independent of a wide input alternating current voltage.

Low power and wide input voltage range DC to DC switching converter


An automatic vending machine for dispensing coffee infusions wherein a quantity of coffee is duly batched and compacted, and hot water is passed over the batched coffee thereby to obtain a coffee infusion which is discharged and collected in a suitable can, comprises a batcher and a mechanism for obtaining the infusion. The batcher includes a cylindrical body with a rotary vane in which two cavities are formed, which are alternately filled with batched coffee to be hauled upon rotation, to an ejector duct reaching a receptacle, the bottom of which is formed by a lower seat. The lower seat and the receptacle are mounted on a common shaft which can travel up and down and can rotate to allow the batched coffee to be carried from the ejector duct to face a compacting piston provided in a fixed body so that a batched coffee is compacted and hot water is passed therethrough. The shaft is driven by a cylinder piston.

Several kinds of vending-machines and appliances dispensing coffee infusions are known, for instance disclosed in Spanish utility model 193,578 and Spanish patents 363,411, 524,359, 540,714 and 552,455, all of which relate to machines or parts thereof designed for the automatic vending of coffee infusions.
The machines of the above patent publications could carry out the following
1) Loading the ground coffee into the suitable receptacle provided. PA1 2) Moving the part holding the receptacle containing the batched ground coffee to the operating position of the infusion. PA1 3) Compacting the batched ground coffee, which takes place by means of two pistons travelling in opposite directions, toward one another, inside the receptacle where the batched coffee had previously been deposited. PA1 4) Distributing or pouring hot water over the batch of compacted coffee, to obtain the coffee infusion. PA1 5) Ejecting the mass or cake of used coffee. PA1 a batcher mechanism designated to PA1 a pumping unit, which is provided in any conventional coffee machine for distribution purposes, and is used as a drive element for the automatic unit. PA1 a piston drives a shaft which triggers all the cyclic operations in moving up and down, wherein PA1 feeding of the ground coffee to the unit and removal of the cake is by gravity, thereby preventing blockage as in other solutions, and PA1 an activation system provides the batched coffee with a uniform compacting, irrespective of the quantity upon distribution, and a total drying of the cake of used coffee.
The machines disclosed in the above publications all require that several actions be carried out in order for the above to take place, as well as ancillary means for rotation, in addition to the need to haul the ground coffee and the used mass or cake.
Besides these drawbacks, the mechanisms used to carry out these operations are complex and in most cases troublesome in operation.

Automatic coffee dispensing machine for producing coffee infusions


A protective device for optical and/or electronic apparatuses, in particular space telescopes, is described, wherein the device is such as to removably close an aperture, through which apparatuses may be accessed, the device being such as to achieve a first and second operating configuration, respectively, for allowing or inhibiting access to apparatuses through aperture. The device includes a supporting structure having at least one supporting beam, which is transversely positioned with respect to aperture; a plurality of covering elements comprising at least a pair of elements, which are rotatably coupled to the same supporting beam; and actuation means for rotating the covering elements between a first and second angular position, in order for the device to attain the first or second operating configuration, respectively, wherein, in the second operating configuration, the covering elements are such as to define together a screen for aperture.

There is a need to efficiently and reliably protect sensible optical and/or electronic apparatuses, which are housed on board of satellites and generally on space vehicles. For example, in the particular field of satellite space telescopes, there is a need to protect sensible parts pertaining to optics of said telescopes, both from undesirable contaminations by materials which may for example take place during launch or during initial orbit injection phase of satellite, or when crossing a region of space having a high density of space detritus, and for shielding the same in a selective way from undesirable and/or damaging radiations, for example direct solar radiation.
Known art solutions envisage the use of a tubular screen, called "aperture baffle", which is disposed along the optical axis of telescope and which has an end aperture, to which a transversal closing device is associated, such as for example a circular port, which is rotatably hinged to the tubular screen and may be rotated out of the viewing field of telescope, during active phase of use of telescope. This solution is for example implemented on board the X-ray telescope called XMM, developed by ESA (European Space Agency).
Other known solutions envisage use of inflatable closing devices, such as for example the solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,850,504, or use of bistable rotatable closing devices, which may rotate around an axis parallel to optical axis, for moving between a closing position and an opening position, such as for example the solution described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,258,874.
The above indicated solutions of the known art have various drawbacks in terms of reliability, efficiency, structural complexity (for example, they require a high number of actuators), or bulk, to the point that there seems no reasonable use, in terms of feasibility and economic viability, of such solutions in so called "Large Telescopes"—space telescopes, in which the diameter of section to be protected generally exceeds approximately 4 meters, especially when, as in the so called "Mirror" telescopes, two protective devices are required, which are associated to upper part and lower part of optical system, respectively.

Device for protecting optical and/or electronic apparatuses, space telescope comprising said device, and device for removably occluding an aperture


An information processing device (first processing device) includes a captured image acquisition section that acquires a captured image from an imaging section (imaging device), a trimming range setting section that sets a trimming range to the captured image acquired by the captured image acquisition section, the trimming range corresponding to an image processing target area that is processed by a server system (second processing device), and a communication section that transmits image information to the server system via a network, the image information being information about an area of the captured image that has been set as the trimming range by the trimming range setting section.

The present invention relates to an information processing device, a server system, an image processing system, an information storage device, and the like.
A wearable camera is configured to capture a video (moving image) using a camera attached to a body. A known wearable camera may be configured so that a video is recorded in a built-in storage device, and transferred to a personal computer or the like as a file to obtain video data. A wearable camera is not provided with an image stabilization function, and priority is given to record dynamic motion.
For example, electronic image stabilization technology disclosed in JP-A-5-316404 has been known as an image stabilization process. In recent years, a camcoder may be provided with an optical or electronic image stabilization function that deals with a low frequency and a large amplitude and can correct a blur due to walking (active mode or dynamic mode) in addition to a fine image stabilization function. Specifically, the image stabilization process has been configured to correct a high-frequency blur component and a long-period blur due to walking.
A known wearable camera is configured to perform image processing in stand-alone mode. A wearable camera cannot implement a leveling process (tilt or roll axis) and a process that reduces a change in camera position due to a body motion with an arm. Therefore, it is necessary to perform a flame adjustment process and a blur correction process by trimming an image captured using a super-wide angle lens, or using a stabilizer or a pan/tilt/roll camera platform.
A video phone function of a mobile phone transmits a compressed low-resolution image using a limited band.
In order to provide a consumer wearable camera, it is necessary to develop image stabilization technology for capturing a high-quality image that is easy to observe and allows easy automatic editing utilizing a scene recognition function. For example, JP-A-2009-302762 discloses a technique in which a processing target image and blur correction information are transmitted to a server via a network, and the server performs a blur correction process.

Information processing device, server system, image processing system, and information storage device


An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) disposed in a data reception path to convert data from an analog format to a digital format is switched between two or more power modes to conserve power when data is not being received. ADC stays in a lower power-lower precision mode until an inbound data is detected, at which time the ADC switches to a higher power-higher precision mode to convert the data. Once data conversion is completed, the ADC switches back to the lower power-lower precision mode to conserve power.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The embodiments of the invention relate to wireless communication systems and, more particularly, to analog-to-digital converters used in such wireless communication systems.
2. Description of Related Art
Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Generally, each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.
Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, etc., communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication device(s). For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.
For a wireless communication device to participate in wireless communications, it generally includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the transmitter may include a data modulation stage, one or more intermediate frequency (IF) stages, and a power amplifier. The data modulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or more local oscillator signal(s) to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.
As is also known, the receiver is coupled to the antenna and may include a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediate frequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The low noise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna and amplifies the signal. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillator signal(s) to convert the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or IF signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband or IF signals to attenuate frequencies outside of the bandwidth of the filter to produce filtered signals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filtered signals in accordance with the particular wireless communication standard employed.
Generally, in many wireless devices that operate from a battery, power consumption is a significant concern. Accordingly, employing various techniques to reduce power consumption in the operation of the device may extend its battery life. For example, low supply voltage chips may be utilized in the wireless device. Another method is to allow the display to become inactive after a time out period, if no user activity is noted. Still another technique is to place a processor in a sleep or suspend mode if activity is absent for a specified time period.
Accordingly, a need exists to continually find further techniques to reduce power consumption in a wireless device.

Switching between lower and higher power modes in an ADC for lower/higher precision operations


An ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, especially a clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, with at least one ultrasonic transducer (8) for measuring the flow rate through a line through which a medium flows. The ultrasonic transducer (8) is located within an electromagnetic shielding arrangement (6). Thus, an ultrasonic flow rate measuring device which delivers a good signal-to-noise ratio is achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, especially a clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring device, for measuring the flow rate through a line through which a medium flows, with at least one ultrasonic transducer.
2. Description of Related Art
Clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring devices are characterized in that they can be used especially easily. In contrast to other ultrasonic flow rate measuring devices which must be permanently integrated into the existing pipeline system by the device replacing a piece of the pipeline, clamp-on flow rate measuring devices can simply be placed from the outside on a suitable line section of the piping system. The line section to which the clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring device is attached thus becomes more or less a measuring line without the need for its own separate measuring line which must be inserted into the piping system with great effort. This makes the use of clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring devices simple and economical.
However, the problem in clamp-on ultrasonic flow rate measuring devices, as in other ultrasonic flow rate measuring devices, is often that the attainable signals are only very small. This can be attributed, for example, to low operating voltages due to the circuits which are made inherently safe. Moreover, the signal-to-noise ratio is also degraded by unmatched acoustic transitions between different materials. Finally, on the signal path, signal losses due to attenuation effects occur in the respective medium. This is often associated with a very small measurement signal which is output by the receiving ultrasonic transducer. Such a small measurement signal is, at this point, especially susceptible to electromagnetic noise.


A composition and method for cleaning concrete and asphalt surfaces from oil and grease stains includes a combination of various constituents, namely baking soda, calcium carbonate, crushed corn, detergent, fly ash, portland cement and/or kiln dust. Other compositions also include quartz sand, ground corn cobs, microorganisms and coloring agents. The method involves contact of the present formulation with concrete/asphalt surfaces, preferably administered in lines spanning the dimensions of the oil stain to be cleaned. The material is swept over the oil stain with a broom or other suitable device to achieve a relatively uniform application. Water is applied to dampen the formulation, thus activating the detergent in the formulation and to hold down dust during the cleaning operation. The formulation rests on the surface for a sufficient amount of time to permit the detergents and other agents to dissolve and/or otherwise dissipate the oil stain. The formulation is then collected from the oil stain surface resulting in a cleaned surface free of oil and grease stains.

A persistent and recurring problem in the storage of motor vehicles is that such motor vehicles drip oils of various types, including transmission oil and motor oil. When a vehicle is parked for a length of time, such oils tend to accumulate and pool beneath the vehicle, causing stains on the underlying concrete surface. Such staining is particularly prevalent when older automobiles are parked or stored. Moreover, concrete surfaces upon which vehicles are repeatedly parked, such as gas stations, fire and police department garages, car lots, etc., typically build up years of oil stains, which repeatedly contact and saturate concrete surfaces, leaving a permanent stain on the concrete which is impossible to remove by simply washing such surfaces with water, even if detergents are used therewith.
Others have developed machines and procedures that may be useful in removing oil stains from concrete surfaces, including U.S. Reissue Pat. No. 35,073, directed to a machine that uses a moving platen to grind clay and sand mixtures into concrete surfaces, thereby creating frictional heat which causes oil in the concrete surface to be absorbed in the cleaning compound itself. Removing oil spots using such a method, however, requires the expenditure of money for the mechanical equipment needed to create the frictional heat required and thus, necessitates repair and replacement of such machines after significant use.
A need therefore exists for a simple, economical and effective formulation that can be used to remove oil spots from concrete surfaces without the necessity of expensive machinery and without the requirement that frictional heat be generated to accomplish such cleaning procedure.

Concrete surface cleaning composition and method


A stereoscopic image display apparatus includes an image display apparatus main body and a multi-angle image information generating unit for generating image information for a plurality of viewing angles from which a three-dimensional object is viewed. The image display apparatus main body includes a liquid crystal panel for displaying an angle-specific image derived from the angle-specific image information supplied from the multi-angle image information generating unit, and an angle-specific image radial distribution unit which, provided at the front of the liquid crystal panel, radially distributes the angle-specific image by providing directivity to a light beam carrying the angle-specific image displayed on the liquid crystal panel and thus directing the angle-specific image to a corresponding angle. When a viewer changes a view position or viewing angle, the viewer can experience one stereoscopic image turning into another. Thus, different aspects of the three-dimensional object are disclosed so that an extremely realistic stereoscopic vision that gives an impression that the three-dimensional object is actually behind the stereoscopic image display apparatus is provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to stereoscopic image display apparatuses and, more particularly, to a stereoscopic image display apparatus suitable for computer graphics technology.
With the recent development in computer graphics technology, it is required that a display apparatus is capable of displaying high-quality stereoscopic images.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a stereoscopic image display apparatus 10 according to the related art. In order to view a stereoscopic image, a viewer wears special glasses 11. The special glasses 11 have a right-eye liquid crystal shutter 12, a left-eye liquid crystal shutter 13 and a liquid crystal shutter driving unit 14. In cooperation with a two-dimensional image display unit 15 displaying right-eye image information 16 and left-eye image information 17 alternately, the right-eye liquid crystal shutter 12 and the left-eye liquid crystal shutter 13 of the special glasses 11 open alternately so that the viewer is able to view a stereoscopic image on the two-dimensional display unit 15.
FIGS. 2A and 2B show another stereoscopic image display apparatus 20 according to the related art. The stereoscopic image display apparatus 20 uses an image display unit 21 constructed such that a lenticular lens 23 formed of an array of longitudinally elongated cylindrical lenses is disposed on a display surface 22. The display surface 22 displays an image 26 comprising longitudinal stripes of a right-eye image 24 and a left-eye image 25. As shown in FIG. 2B, a light beam carrying the image 26 is refracted by the lenticular lens 23 so that the right-eye image 24 enters a right eye 27 of a viewer viewing the image display unit 21 and the left-eye image 25 enters a left eye 28 of the viewer viewing the image display unit 21. In this way, the viewer is able to view a stereoscopic image.
The conventional stereoscopic image display apparatus 10 and the stereoscopic image display apparatus 20 have a drawback in that viewers viewing at different positions relative to the two-dimensional image display unit 15 or the image display unit 21 can only view the same stereoscopic image. A viewer moving in front of the two-dimensional image display unit 15 or the image display unit 21 can not recognize a variation in the stereoscopic image viewed. Accordingly, display of a realistic stereoscopic image that gives an impression that an actual three-dimensional object is present behind the screen of the two-dimensional image display unit 15 or the image display unit 21 is impossible.


A bus bridge device, which connects a first device executing a first process and a second device executing a second process in response to a request from the first device, includes a notifying unit that notifies, when a result of the second process is received from the second device, the result to the first device. The first device executes, after sending the request, a third process until the result is notified from the notifying unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a bus bridge device that connects a first device executing a first process and a second device executing a second process in response to a request from the first device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, when there is a necessity to carry out communication between a plurality of devices connected to a plurality of buses, the buses are connected by means of bus bridges to enable communication between the devices.
FIG. 5 is a drawing of a storage system that uses peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bridge modules and a packet network to connect PCI buses. As shown in FIG. 5, storage control modules 1001 and 1002 receive a processing request from hosts 101 and 102 and control a storage system 20. Disks 7001 and 7002 store data and cache memory modules 3001 through 3004 provide fast data access. Each of the storage control modules 1001 and 1002, the disks 7001 and 7002, and the cache memory modules 3001 through 3004 are connected to separate PCI buses 4001 through 4008. The PCI buses 4001 through 4008 are connected to a packet network 500 via PCI bridge modules 8001 through 8008.
When writing data to the storage system 20, for example, the storage control module 1001, upon fetching a write data request from the host 101, sends the write data request to the PCI bridge module 8001 via the PCI bus 4001. The PCI bridge module 8001 transmits the write data request to the PCI bridge module 8002 via the packet network 500, and the PCI bridge module 8002 sends the write data request to the cache memory module 3001 via the PCI bus 4002. The cache memory module 3001 writes data to a cache memory.
The storage control module 1001 also sends the write data request to the cache memory module 3002 via the PCI bridge module 8001, the packet network 500, and the PCI bridge module 8004 as a precaution against a breakdown of the cache memory module 3001.
The data written to the cache memory by the cache memory module 3001 and the cache memory module 3002 is later sent to a disk controller 6001 or a disk controller 6002, and written to the disk 7001 or the disk 7002.
Thus, in the storage system 20, the storage control module 1001 needs to send the write data request to the cache memory module 3001 connected to the PCI bus 4002 and the cache memory module 3002 connected to the PCI bus 4004.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sequence of writing data to the cache memory by the storage system 20 shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the storage control module 1001, when writing data to the cache memory module 3001, issues a write command (step S601). The PCI bridge module 8001, which fetches the write command, sets a transmission notifying register 250 that indicates that data is being transmitted (step S602), and packet transmits the write command to the PCI bridge module 8002 by means of the packet network 500 (step S603).
The PCI bridge module 8002 fetches the packet and issues a write command to the cache memory module 3001 (step S604). The cache memory module 3001 writes data to the cache memory (step S605). The cache memory module 3001 issues a reply code, which indicates a result of writing data (step S606). The PCI bridge module 8002, which fetches the reply code, packet transmits the reply code to the PCI bridge module 8001 by means of the packet network 500. The PCI bridge module 8001, upon fetching the reply code, sets a reply code notifying register 260 that indicates a receipt of the reply code (step S607), and resets the transmission notifying register 250 (step S608).
The storage control module 1001, upon issuing the write command, issues a validate command to the PCI bridge module 8001 to fetch the reply code (step S609). If the PCI bridge module 8001 has not received the reply code, the PCI bridge module 8001 sends a retry message to the storage control module 1001 to once again request issue of the validate command (step S610). Issue of a validate command by the storage control module 1001 and sending of a retry message by the PCI bridge module 8001 is repeated.
Next, when the PCI bridge module 8001 fetches the reply code and the storage control module 1001 issues a validate command (step S611), the PCI bridge module 8001 sends the reply code to the storage control module 1001 (step S612).
Thus, the conventional PCI bridge module 8001, by returning the reply code fetched from the PCI bridge module 8002 in response to a validate command issued by the storage control module 1001, notifies the storage control module 1001 of the status of writing data to the cache memory module 3001 connected to the other PCI bus 4002 (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2001-243206). Specifications of a PCI bus are disclosed in "PCI Local Bus Specification Rev2.2 1998/12/18" (PCI Special Interest Group).
However, in the conventional technology, the storage control module 1001, which is a processing request source, is unable to carry out any other process until the receipt of the reply code. In other words, the storage control module 1001, which is the processing request source, needs to continuously issue a validate command during the time interval when the storage control module 1001 is fetching the retry message. Thus, unnecessary operation is repeated until the storage control module 1001 fetches the reply code.


Disclosed are a photosensitive resin composition containing a fullerene and a polymer compound bearing a functional group which can react with the fullerene under irradiation of visible light; method for forming negative-type picture elements comprising steps of: forming a layer composed of the above composition, irradiating the layer with visible light through a photo mask having a pattern transmitting the visible light as a part of the mask to cure portions of the layer irradiated by the visible light, and removing uncured portions of the layer to form a resist film having cured portions of the pattern: and a method for producing devices comprising steps of: forming a layer of the above composition on an image-forming layer provided on a substrate, irradiating the layer with visible light through a photo mask having a pattern transmitting the visible light as a part of the mask to cure portions of the layer irradiated by the visible light, removing uncured portions of the layer to form a resist film having cured portions of the pattern, etching exposed portions of the image-forming layer, and removing the resist film. The composition and methods of the present invention enable production of negative type picture elements and devices with light of visible range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a photosensitive resin composition containing a Fullerton as photosensitive crosslinking agent. More precisely, it relates to a photosensitive resin composition which is photo-curable even with light of visible range. The photosensitive resin composition of the present invention is useful as, for example, a photo resist used in the fields of semiconductor devices, liquid crystal elements and the like.
2. Related Art
As negative type resists for the production of semiconductors, liquid crystal display elements and the like, for example, mixtures of a photo-activated radical generating agent such as stilbazole-denatured polyvinyl alcohol and benzophenone and a multivalent acrylate are used. Upon use of this type of resists, they are cured by irradiation by a light source of g-ray (436 nm), i-ray (366 nm) or the like.
Resists utilizing fullerenes have also been known. For example, Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei 6-167812 (JP-A-167812/84) discloses a photosensitive composition comprising a Fullerton and a photosensitive material. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei 6-19136 (JP-A-19136/84) discloses a photosensitive material obtained by introducing photosensitive groups into a fullerene. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei 7-134413 (JP-A-134413/85) discloses a process for making devices utilizing a resist material containing a fullerene. These compositions or process are basically for producing films by linking fullerenes one another and require a large amount of fullerenes. However, fullerenes are presently expensive materials and, therefore, the production of photoresists using these compositions is not practical.
Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. Hei 7-62105 (JP-A-62105/85) discloses a fullerene-containing silicon polymer, and describes that the polymer is a photosensitive resin containing fullerenes in its backbone and its photosensitivity is obtained by the silicon atoms contained in the backbone.
In order to cure these resists, irradiation of ultra-violet ray or radioactive ray of shorter wavelength is needed. While it becomes easier to form finer patterns by using a radioactive ray of shorter wavelength, it requires irradiation of a larger quantity of radioactive ray when a radioactive ray absorber such as carbon black is contained in the resists. On the other hand, if not so fine patterns are needed and the resist can be cured with light of visible range, it is not necessary to use the hazardous radioactive ray of short wavelength.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel photosensitive resin composition utilizing a relatively small amount of Fullerton and curable with light of visible range.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for forming negative type picture elements utilizing the photosensitive resin composition and method for producing devices.

Photosensitive resin composition comprising fullerene

The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research


A transmission module includes: a power amplifier amplifies power of a radio frequency signal that is to be transmitted via an antenna; a coupler that allows the radio frequency signal from the power amplifier to travel toward the antenna and causes adverse radio frequency power to ground; and a substrate provided with the power amplifier and the coupler.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a transmission module incorporated in a cellular telephone for mobile communications or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a conventional transmitter unit 40. The transmitter unit 40 amplifies the power of a radio frequency (high frequency) signal on which data are superimposed and outputs the amplified radio frequency signal through an antenna. The transmitter unit 40 has a SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) filter 41, a driver amplifier 42, a power amplifier 43, a coupler 44, an isolator (circulator) 45, and a duplexer 46, which are connected in this order. The coupler 44 branches a part of the transmitted signal amplified by the power amplifier 43 into a detector 47 so that the transmitted signal is fed back to the power amplifier 43 for output stabilization.
A transmitted signal Tx is mixed with a local oscillation (LO) signal and is thus converted into the radio frequency signal. The driver amplifier 42 and the power amplifier 43 amplify the power of the radio frequency signal so as to have a given gain. The amplified radio frequency signal is output via an antenna 50.
The coupler 44 branches part of the transmitted signal amplified by the power amplifier 43 into the detector 47. Then, the detector 47 converts the transmitted signal (RF signal) from the coupler 44 into a voltage. The output voltage increases as the input power increases. The voltage output by the detector 47 is compared with a given signal level by a baseband unit 10, which controls the power amplifier 43 on the basis of the difference between the voltage output and the given signal level. The baseband unit 10 may be an IC device.
The duplexer 46 is a filter device that separates the transmitted signal to be sent via the antenna 50 and the frequency range of the received signal from each other. The duplexer 46 prevents the transmitted signal from traveling to the receiver side and prevents the received signal from traveling to the transmitter side. The isolator 45 outputs the transmitted signal from the coupler 44 to the duplexer 46, and prevents a component of the received signal leaked to the transmitter side from being applied to the power amplifier 43.
The isolator 45 functions to protect the power amplifier 43 from the leaked component of the signal received through the antenna 50. Generally, the isolator 45 employs a combination of ferrite magnets, and has a large size, which occupied a large circuitry area. In addition, power consumption takes place in the isolator 45.
Japanese Patent Application Publication Nos. 2000-295055 (Patent Document 1) and 8-307286 (Patent Document 2) show configurations of the transmitter circuits from which the isolators are eliminated. Patent Document 1 discloses a variable load circuit on a signal line between the output terminal of the power amplifier and the antenna. Further, there is provided a control circuit, which detects the direction and level of a variation in the load on the output side of the power amplifier and adjusts the load of the variable load circuit to compensate for the variation. Patent Document 2 discloses a directional coupler interposed between the power amplifier and the antenna. The output power of the power amplifier is controlled on the basis of the power of the reflected wave from the directional coupler.
The transmitter unit 40 shown in FIG. 4 is composed of the discrete circuit elements. This makes it difficult to achieve impedance matching in the transmitter unit 40 and needs troublesome work. Further, the isolator is essentially needed to cope with noise externally applied.


A method for read measurement of resistive memory cells having s≧2 programmable cell-states includes applying to each cell at least one initial voltage and making a measurement indicative of cell current due to the initial voltage; determining a read voltage for the cell in dependence on the measurement; applying the read voltage to the cell; making a read measurement indicative of cell current due to the read voltage; and outputting a cell-state metric dependent on the read measurement; wherein the read voltages for cells are determined in such a manner that the cell-state metric exhibits a desired property.

This invention relates generally to read measurement of resistive memory cells to obtain a cell-state metric for use in cell-state detection during read operations and/or cell programming during write operations. Read measurement methods and apparatus are provided, together with memory devices and cell-state detection and programming methods which employ the read measurement technique.
In resistive memory, the fundamental storage unit (referred to generally herein as the "cell") can be programmed to any one of s≧2 different states, or levels, which exhibit different electrical resistance characteristics. The s programmable cell-states can be used to represent different data values, whereby data can be recorded in the cells. When reading recorded data, cell-state is detected from measurements on the cells by exploiting the differing resistance characteristics to differentiate between the s possible cell-states. Some resistive memory devices currently offer only single-bit storage. These devices use so-called "single-level cells" which have s=2 programmable cell-states, providing storage of one bit per cell. To increase storage density, however, there is an increasing move toward multibit operation. Multibit memory uses so-called "multilevel" cells which have s>2 programmable cell-states, providing storage of more than one bit per cell.
The class of memory technologies collectively known as resistive random access memory (RRAM) provides a promising example of resistive memory. RRAM has the potential to serve as the "universal memory" that blurs the distinction between storage and memory and can address the growing gap in performance between storage and the rest of a computing system. This will tremendously speed up computers and enable future exascale computing systems. RRAM encompasses various memory technologies including phase change memory (PCM), conductive bridge RAM, and valence change memory. In these technologies, the resistance characteristics of cells are modified via structural and electronic changes of tiny nanoscale volumes of chalcogenides and metal oxides upon application of electrical signals.
In general, resistive memory cells are programmed to different cell-states by the application of current or voltage signals. Read measurements on cells are usually performed by biasing the cell with a fixed read voltage and measuring the resulting current flowing through the cell. The cell current at a fixed read voltage depends on electrical resistance of the cell and hence on cell-state, whereby the resulting fixed-voltage resistance measurement provides an effective cell-state metric. A sufficiently low read voltage is used for this resistance metric to ensure that application of the read voltage does not disturb the programmed cell-state. When the read measurement is performed during a data read operation, the resulting resistance metric is used to detect which of the s possible cell-states each cell is programmed to. Cell-state detection can be performed by comparing the resistance metric for each cell with predetermined reference levels defining the s programmable cell-states. Read measurement can also be performed to check cell-state during write operations. For multilevel cells in particular, programming is usually achieved by means of an iterative write-and-verify scheme involving applying a series of programming pulses, with read measurement after each pulse, so as to converge on the desired cell-state.
The conventional low-field resistance metric has several drawbacks. In the case of PCM, the most significant one is resistance drift whereby the resistance of programmed cell states tends to drift upwardly with time, causing errors in cell-state detection. To counter this, some alternate cell-state metrics have been proposed for PCM. In International Patent Application publication no. WO2012/029007, a metric dependent on slope of the current/voltage characteristic of cells is derived from measurements at a plurality of predetermined read voltages. Another approach is described in "Non-resistance-based Cell-State Metric for Phase Change Memory", Sebastian et al., Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 110, pp. 084505, 2011 and our copending European Patent Applications numbers 11157698.9 and 11157709.4, filed 10 Mar. 2011. The read voltage is progressively increased until a predefined current threshold is reached, the time taken to reach this threshold providing a time-based metric for cell-state. In spite of their drift tolerance, these approaches can result in reduced signal margin and/or reduced read bandwidth. RRAM technologies other than PCM, on the other hand, commonly suffer from large variability of the high-resistance state, effectively reducing the signal margin.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,885,101 discloses a cell-state detection system for data read operations on N-state PCM cells. The system performs N-1 read measurements, progressing through a series of predetermined read voltages which are fixed for all cells, and compares the cell-current with a predetermined threshold current at each read voltage. The process stops for a given cell when the cell-current is less than the threshold current, this point being determinative of cell-state, i.e., which of the N possible states the cell is programmed to. This is specifically a cell-state detection system, and is not concerned with production of a cell-state metric per se.
There are still distinct advantages in using electrical resistance as a cell-state metric, especially for memory applications where latency is at a premium. Advantages include the simplicity of the read measurement circuitry and the high read bandwidth. It would be desirable, however, to alleviate the drawbacks associated with the conventional resistance metric as discussed above.

Read measurement of resistive memory cells

International Business Machines Corporation


Systems and methods changing between driveline operating modes of a hybrid vehicle are described. In one example, electrical output to electric power consumers is maintained during closing of a driveline disconnect clutch. Further, engine speed is controlled via a first electric machine to a speed of a second electric machine to provide smooth closing of a driveline disconnect clutch.

A hybrid vehicle driveline may be operated in a series mode or in a parallel mode. The hybrid vehicle driveline may include an internal combustion engine that supplies mechanical power to a first electric machine, and the first electric machine may supply electrical power to a second electrical machine that propels the vehicle when the hybrid vehicle is operating in a series mode. The engine and the first electric machine are decoupled from the vehicle's wheels and the second electric machine is coupled to the vehicle's wheels when the vehicle operates in the series driveline mode. The series driveline mode may be a desirable operating mode when driver demands are relatively low because the engine may be operated at efficient steady state operating conditions while operating conditions of the second electric machine change with driver demand torque and vehicle operating conditions. If driver demand torque or power is increased to a higher level, the hybrid vehicle driveline may change from series operation to parallel operation. The internal combustion engine and the second electric machine may provide mechanical power to the hybrid vehicle driveline when the hybrid vehicle is operating in parallel mode. Alternatively, only the internal combustion engine may provide torque to propel the hybrid vehicle when the hybrid vehicle is operating in parallel mode. However, if the hybrid vehicle includes a driveline disconnect clutch that is positioned between the internal combustion engine and the second electric machine, the output of the internal combustion engine may be reduced such that output of the first electric machine is reduced when there is a request to transition the hybrid driveline from series operation to parallel operation. But, reducing output of the internal combustion engine may reduce delivery of power to external electrical loads that may be coupled to the vehicle. Consequently, operation of the external electrical loads may be compromised during a mode change from series mode to parallel mode.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned issues and have developed a driveline method, comprising: requesting a change from a series driveline mode to a parallel driveline mode via a controller; operating an engine in a speed control mode and a first electric machine in an electric power output control mode responsive to the request; and adjusting a speed of the first electric machine to a speed of a second electric machine while the second electric machine is propelling a vehicle responsive to the request.
By operating the internal combustion engine in a speed control mode while a first electric machine is operating in an electric power output control mode, it may be possible to provide the technical result of continuously and without interruption maintaining an amount of electrical power supplied to external power consumers via the first electric machine while changing from operating in a series hybrid vehicle mode to operating in a parallel hybrid vehicle operating mode. Further, the vehicle may continue to follow driver demand torque via torque that is supplied by a second electric machine to propel the vehicle. The first electric machine and the engine may be accelerated to a speed of the second electric machine before closing the driveline disconnect clutch and entering parallel mode. The first electric machine may be accelerated to the speed of the second electric machine without significantly changing the electrical power output of the first electric machine. Once the driveline disconnect clutch is closed, the engine and the second electric machine may provide power to propel the vehicle. Alternatively, the only the engine may provide power to propel the vehicle and the second electric machine may be deactivated or it may supply power to an electric energy storage device.
The present description may provide several advantages. In particular, the approach may reduce the possibility of driveline torque disturbance when a hybrid driveline is changed from a series mode to a parallel mode. Further, the approach allows electrical power to be continuously supplied to external power consumers during a driveline mode change. Further still, the approach may reduce the possibility of driveline degradation.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Methods and system for switching driveline operating modes


A controlled eutrophication system and process are disclosed. The system includes the combination of a partitioned aquaculture system in conjunction with an anaerobic digester. Wastewater containing pollutants, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, are fed to the partitioned aquaculture system. Algae within the system converts the pollutants into algal biomass. Fish populations, in turn, control the algal populations. The fish populations may then be periodically harvested for human or animal consumption. A polishing chamber is contained in the system in which aquatic organisms remove substantial amounts of the algae from batch fed additions of water. The water is then discharged to an external water source containing virtually no pollutants. In one embodiment, the biomass excreted by the aquatic organisms in the system are collected and fed to a digester. In the digester, the biomass is converted to a hydrocarbon gas and collected for its fuel value, while the liquid fraction is collected for its fertilizer value.

Although fertilizers are necessary in order to maximize crop production, fertilizers may cause runoff water pollution problems. In addition to crop runoff areas, concentrated animal feeding operations may also cause water quality issues in adjacent runoff areas.
In fact, the United States Environmental Protection Agency has indicated that at least 35% of assessed rivers, lakes and estuaries are impaired by one or more pollutants. One of the primary pollutants found are nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus.
In this regard, efforts are currently underway to establish total maximum daily load values for pollutants, such as the above-described nutrients to impaired water bodies. For example, one of the current action proposals calls for the development of a unified national strategy to minimize water quality impacts from agricultural watersheds.
In response, those skilled in the art are attempting to develop cost effective pollution control solutions. Many proposed plans, however, call for the chemical treatment of wastewaters. Chemically treating wastewaters, however, cannot only be expensive but can also lead to the production of byproducts that must be disposed of.
As such, a need currently exists for a system and process for removing pollutants from wastewater. More particularly, a need exists for a system and process for removing nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, from runoff waters prior to discharging the water into a public water source. A need also exists for a system and process for removing pollutants from a wastewater that does not require the expenditure of large amounts of energy.

Controlled eutrophication system and process


A power saw arrangement includes a saw blade, a base, a table and a supplemental support. The base defines a support surface and includes first and second stops. The table is movably coupled to the base and rotates about a table axis. The handle extends from the table and is movable relative to the base between first and second positions. In the first and second positions, the handle engages the first and second stops, respectively. A handle space is defined by movement of the handle between the first and second stops. The supplemental support does not provide the first or second stop. The supplemental support is movably coupled to the base and is moveable between extended and retracted positions. In the extended and retracted positions, the supplemental support is positioned within and without the handle space, respectively.

FIG. 1a depicts a conventional power saw arrangement 100 including a base 102, a fence 120, a motor 122, a saw blade 124, a table 140 and a handle 160. In this example, the power saw arrangement 100 is that of a miter saw. A support surface 104 of the base 102 is used to support a workpiece thereon during a cutting operation. The fence 120 is coupled to the base 102 perpendicular to the support surface 104, and the workpiece abuts the fence 120 during the cutting operation. The table 140 is movably coupled to the base 102 such that it rotates about a table axis 142. The saw blade 124 is coupled to the table 140 and is configured to rotate with the table 140 as is well known in the art. The table 140 also includes a table surface 144 perpendicular to the table axis 142 and substantially coplanar with the support surface 104. The table 140 includes a saw blade opening 146 defined in the table surface 144. The saw blade opening 146 is configured to receive the saw blade 124, operated by the motor 122, during the cutting operation. The saw blade opening 146 is fixed with respect to the table 140 such that it rotates with the table 140. The saw blade opening 146 is aligned with the handle 160. The handle 160 is fixed to the table 140 and extends outwardly therefrom. Movement of the handle 160 about the table axis 142 results in rotation of the table 140 about the table axis 142.
FIG. 1b illustrates a top view of the base of the basic power saw arrangement shown in FIG. 1a. FIGS. 1c and 1d illustrate top views of the basic power saw arrangement 100 shown in FIG. 1a including the table and the handle. For simplicity, the illustrations of the basic power saw arrangement in FIGS. 1b-1d do not include the motor or the saw blade. As shown in FIG. 1b, the base 102 includes the support surface 104, as well as a first wall 106 and a second wall 108 which are perpendicular to the support surface 104. Referring to FIGS. 1c and 1d, the first wall 106 and second wall 108 are also provided in planes that are parallel to the table axis 142. The first wall 106 includes at least one point that acts as a first stop 107 which contacts the handle 160 as the handle 160 rotates with the table 140 in the direction of the first wall 106. As shown in FIG. 1c, upon contact with the first wall 106, the first stop 107 prevents the handle 160 from rotating any farther in the direction of the first wall 106. The second wall 108 includes at least one point that acts as a second stop 109 which contacts the handle 160 as the handle 160 rotates with the table 140 in the direction of the second wall 108. As shown in FIG. 1d, upon contact with the second wall 108, the second stop 109 prevents the handle 160 from rotating any farther in the direction of the second wall 108. It will be recognized that the first stop 107 and the second stop 109 may be provided in the form of planar surfaces or single points. The first stop 107 and the second stop 109 may be provided in the same or in different forms. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1b-1d, the first stop 107 and the second stop 109 are both provided in the form of planar surfaces.
As used herein, the term "handle space" refers to the space occupied by the handle 160, and the space directly above or below the handle (i.e., in the direction defined by axis 142) when the handle moves between the first stop 107 and the second stop 109. Thus, the "handle space" includes the space extending across the full range of motion of the handle 160. An illustration of the handle space 110 for the saw of FIGS. 1c and 1d is provided by the diagonal lines in FIG. 1b. As shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, the handle 160 includes a handle edge 162 positioned opposite the table 140. When the handle 160 contacts the first stop 107, a point on the handle edge 162 and the first stop 107 define a first plane 106a that is parallel to the table axis 142. When the handle 160 contacts the second stop 109, a point on the handle edge 162 and the second stop 109 define a second plane 108a that is parallel to the table axis 142. Thus, the "handle space" 110 for the exemplary saw of FIGS. 1c-1d is provided within the space between the first plane 106a and the second plane 108a, along an arc 143 defined by the outermost edge of the handle when the handle moves between the first stop 107 and the second stop 109. In various power saws, corresponding structures create corresponding "handle spaces" as defined above.
FIG. 2 illustrates the base of a basic power saw arrangement 100 like that shown in FIGS. 1b-1d. The power saw arrangement 100 includes the table 140 and the handle 160 which projects from the table 140 into the handle space 110. When the table 140 rotates about the table axis 142, the handle 160 moves within the handle space 110. The movement of the handle 160 within the handle space 110 is limited by contact with the first stop 107 and the second stop 109. Consequently, the rotation of the table 140 is limited by the movement of the handle 160 within the handle space 110.
When performing a cutting operation, a user places the workpiece 10 (illustrated by dotted lines in FIG. 2) on the support surface 104 and the table surface 144 as shown. The workpiece 10 rests against the fence 120 to control the position and prevent movement of the workpiece 10 during the cutting operation. The workpiece 10 has a length 12 and a width 14. The angle of the handle 160, and thus the angle of the table 140, with respect to the base 102, determines the angle of the saw blade opening 146 which is configured to receive the saw blade. Therefore, when the saw blade opening 146 is aligned with the centerline 103 of the base 102, the saw blade will cut the workpiece at an angle of approximately 90 degrees.
As shown in FIG. 3, the table 140 can be rotated by rotating the handle 160 relative to the base 102 such that the saw blade opening 146 is no longer aligned with the centerline 103 of the base 102. When the handle 160 is rotated relative to the base 102, the table 140 is also rotated relative to the base 102 such that the saw blade and the saw blade opening 146 are rotated relative to the base 102. Because this arrangement causes the saw blade opening 146 to be out of alignment with the centerline 103 of the base 102, the workpiece 10 is cut at an angle other than 90 degrees.
As illustrated by FIGS. 2 and 3, the size of the workpiece 10 that can be accommodated by the power saw arrangement 100 is somewhat limited by the size of the base 102 and the position of the fence 120. In particular, if the width 14 of the workpiece 10 is too great, the workpiece 10 will not be stably supported by the support surface 104 and the table surface 144 which may result in inconsistent cuts. Therefore, supplemental supports which extend into the handle space 110 accommodate workpieces 10 having greater widths 14. However, supplemental supports which extend into the handle space 110 limit the range of movement of the handle 160 within the handle space 110 and thus limit the angles at which workpieces 10 can be cut. In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to provide an improved power saw arrangement including supplemental supports accommodating workpieces having greater widths. It would be further advantageous if the supplemental supports did not extend into the handle space unless necessary for wider workpieces so that the range of angles for rotation of the table would not be unnecessarily reduced.