The invention relates to a device (10; 210; 310; 410; 510) for tomographic image recording. The device comprises a sample retainer (14), a light source (12), and a detector unit (16). The light source (12) is designed to produce a pencil beam (38), which has a beam direction (40) and which passes through a sample volume of the sample retainer (14) provided in order to accommodate a sample, and has an optical control element (30), which is able to move the pencil beam (38) passing through the sample retainer (14) transversely to the beam direction (40) while the beam direction (40) remains substantially unchanged. The detector unit (16) is designed to detect at least a portion of scattered radiation (64; 64′) escaping from a section of the pencil beam (38) within the sample volume or the sample retainer (14) in a non-spatially-resolved manner.

Resolution and contrast of existing techniques for spatial image acquisition, particularly for microscopy of living organisms, have been significantly improved in recent years. Widespread techniques with high resolution, such as the confocal microscopy described in printed publication DE 43 26 473, are based on the spatially resolved acquisition of an overlap of illumination volume and acquisition volume. The volume of the overlap determines the resolution. Alternative processes, such as optical coherence microscopy (OCM) and optical coherence tomography (OCT), determine the axial depth interferometrically by means of light of short coherence length. More recent techniques, such as the optical projection tomography (OPT) described in Science 296, 541 (2002) by J. Sharpe et al., transirradiate the specimen volume at a plurality of different angles and attain a dependent resolution from 1 μm to 5 μm.
Document WO 2004/020997 A1 describes an apparatus with a rotatable object stage for rotating the specimen to be imaged. A main detector acquires only light that leaves the specimen parallel to the light-incidence direction. In further embodiments, a main detector and a plurality of auxiliary detectors have been arranged in a one-dimensional or two-dimensional matrix in the beam direction downstream of the specimen with a view to angle-resolved acquisition of light, whereby light deflected from the specimen is acquired by the auxiliary detectors.
Document US 2007/0109633 A1 describes a microscope that transilluminates a plane in the specimen volume with a set of parallel beams of light. The illumination plane that is formed in this manner is acquired in its two dimensions by a CCD camera at a right angle to the illumination plane in spatially resolved manner. In a further embodiment, two illumination planes are irradiated. By superimposition of two coherent illumination planes, the intensity distribution in the superimposed illumination plane is structured by interference patterns with a view to improving the positional resolution in the illumination plane. With a view to spatial image acquisition, the illumination plane and the specimen are moved towards one another. A further embodiment illuminates the specimen substantially one-dimensionally and acquires the specimen in this dimension in spatially resolved manner with a linearly increased number of pixels.
Document US 2007/0274580 A1 describes a technique for optical tomography. Fluorescent proteins in a specimen are excited by incident light. The exciting light in the specimen and the fluorescent light are diffuse. A spatially resolved image is acquired and processed.
The science publication "Forward and Inverse Calculations for 3-D Frequency-Domain Diffuse Optical Tomography", B. W. Pogue et al., SPIE Vol. 2389, pages 328-339, describes a process of diffusive optical tomography (DOT). For a simulation of the process it is assumed that a plurality of detectors have been arranged around an object on a circle.
The known techniques for spatial image acquisition can, by reason of a radiation intensity acting on the specimen, distort the image acquisition, change the specimen in uncontrolled manner or, particularly in the case of in vivo microscopy, destroy the specimen. Also, the technical effort in order with the prior techniques to diminish the radiation intensity with comparable image results may rise considerably.

Technique for tomographic image recording


A navigation interface is embedded in imagery and includes various controls for manipulating the imagery. The controls provide various navigation operations, including but not limited to: rotation, tilt, zoom and 360 degree. In some implementations, one or more controls can be operated to restore the imagery to a predetermined state. Some implementations include a control for providing 360 degree movement of imagery. One or more controls can provide incremental and continuous motion of imagery. The navigation interface can fade out or otherwise be obfuscated when the user is not interacting with the navigation controls. A compass or other graphic can replace the navigation interface when it is no longer displayed.

Dramatic improvements in computer processing power and broadband streaming technology have lead to the development of interactive three-dimensional (3D) computer graphics for navigating imagery (e.g., 3D map imagery). Interactive 3D computer graphics typically provide a user interface (UI) with navigation controls for dynamically navigating imagery. The navigation controls enable the user to tilt, pan, rotate and zoom the imagery at a point of interest.
Conventional navigation controls are often located on a tool bar in the UI which is separate from the image display area. Having the navigation controls located at a different location in the UI than the imagery can consume screen space which could be otherwise used for providing additional UI functionality, advertising and the like. Moreover, having the navigation controls separate from the imagery can force the user to take their eyes off the imagery while navigating.
Conventional navigation controls may only allow the user to make incremental movements through the imagery by continuously clicking a navigation control. While such navigation controls are adequate for navigating small areas within the navigation environment, when used to navigate larger areas these tools can be tedious to use. Moreover, when the user has navigated to a new state, conventional navigation controls fail to provide a way to restore the imagery to its initial state. This deficiency forces the user to restore the initial state by re-entering the location or coordinates of the point of interest.


A device may receive information associated with media content that is capable of being provided by a first content delivery network and a second content delivery network. The first content delivery network may include a first host device and a second host device. The device may determine scores associated with the first content delivery network and the second content delivery network. The device may provide, based on the scores, information regarding the first content delivery to a user device to cause the user device to request the media content from the first content delivery network. The device may determine scores associated with the first host device and the second host device. The device may provide information regarding the first host device to a network device to cause the network device to route requests for the media content to the first host device.

A content delivery network (CDN) is a system of distributed servers that delivers content (e.g., streaming media (audio or video), webpages, etc.) to a user device based on a geographic location of the user device, a content delivery server, and/or an origin of the content. A CDN may decrease latency by providing, to a user device, content using a content delivery server that is nearest to the user device.

Content delivery network streaming optimization


Provided are a conductive thin film, a method for producing same, and an electronic element comprising same. The conductive thin film has excellent conductivity, allows the easy adjustment of a work function, also allows easy film formation, and thus can be advantageously used in various electronic elements, such as organic light-emitting devices and organic solar cells.

An organic light-emitting device is an emissive device that has advantages in that it has a wide viewing angle, excellent contrast, and a rapid response time, shows excellent characteristics such as brightness, driving voltage, and response speed, and becomes polychromatic.
A typical organic light-emitting device may include an anode, a cathode, and an organic layer sandwiched between the anode and the cathode. The organic layer may include an electron injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light emitting layer, an electron transport layer, and a cathode. When a voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode, holes injected from the anode move to the light emitting layer via the hole transport layer, and electrons injected from the cathode move to the light emitting layer via the electron transport layer. Carriers such as the holes and the electrons are recombined in a portion of the light emitting layer to generate excitons. In this case, light is emitted as the excitons radiatively decay from an excited state to a ground state.
Meanwhile, at this point of time at which there is an increasing interest in new renewable energy all over the world, organic solar cells having possibilities and various advantages as future energy sources have come into the spotlight. The organic solar cells may be produced at small thickness and low manufacturing costs, compared to the inorganic solar cells using silicon, and thus may be widely applied to various flexible devices in the future.
There is a demand for development of conductive thin films which allow easy film formation while satisfying a work function, conductivity, and the like, which are required for the separate electronic elements such as the organic light-emitting devices, and the organic solar cells. Such conductive thin films can be used as layers configured to compensate for a low work function (4.6 to 4.9 eV) of indium tin oxide (ITO) to improve hole injection or extraction for conventional transparent metal oxide electrodes (i.e., ITO electrodes), and can also be independently used as transparent electrodes instead of the metal oxide electrodes. In particular, since the price of ITO electrodes continues to increase due to the issues regarding to the exhaustion of indium resources, research on materials replacing the indium resources has been urgently required. For this reason, although different types of materials for transparent electrodes replacing the materials for conventional ITO transparent electrodes have been developed, the materials for transparent electrodes having a satisfactory work function remain to be found. Also, since the conventional ITO transparent electrodes tend to be easily broken due to their mechanical instability when they are bent, it is difficult to apply them to flexible electronic elements. Accordingly, there is a demand for development of transparent flexible electrodes.

Conductive thin film, method for producing same, and electronic element comprising same


Using a radar system in a motor vehicle, high frequency individual signal pulses are transmitted from at least one transmitting antenna, and at least one receiving antenna receives reception signals formed by reflection of the transmitted signal pulses from objects in the surroundings. The reception signals are mixed with the high-frequency signal to produce low-frequency mixed signals representing the sequence of individual signal pulses. The phase angle of the mixed signals is varied over successive individual signal pulses thereof by varying the phase angle of: the successive individual transmitted signal pulses, the high-frequency signals used for the mixing, and/or the mixed signals. In further processing of the mixed signals to determine the distance and the relative velocity of detected objects, an interference component can be separated and/or suppressed from a useful signal component because the useful signal component has the known phase angle variation but the interference component does not.

Motor vehicles are being increasingly equipped with driver assistance systems that cover the surroundings by means of sensor systems and derive automatic vehicle reactions from the traffic situation detected in this manner and/or instruct (in particular warn) the driver, wherein a distinction between comfort functions and safety functions is made.
FSRA (Full Speed Range Adaptive Cruise Control) is the most important comfort function as far as present development is concerned. The vehicle adjusts the ego-velocity to the desired velocity predetermined by the driver if said adjustment is possible in the present traffic situation. Otherwise, the ego-velocity is automatically adjusted to the traffic situation.
Besides increased comfort, safety functions will be more and more important in future, wherein a reduction of the length of the brake path in emergency situations will probably play the most important role. The corresponding driver assistance functions range from prefilling the brake automatically for reducing brake latency via an improved Brake Assist System (BAS+) to autonomous emergency braking.
Nowadays, radar sensors are used in most driver assistance systems of the type described above. Said radar sensors reliably operate even in bad weather and are capable of measuring the distance between objects as well as of directly measuring the relative velocity of the objects by means of the Doppler effect.
These radar sensors are still rather expensive, and the detection quality thereof is not perfect, which is very critical particularly with respect to safety functions. Reasons thereof are, for example:                For precisely determining the lateral position of objects, radiation lobes directed in many different directions are required. This is being increasingly realized by using several transmitting and/or receiving antennas integrated in one sensor, wherein a planar design is preferred. Said transmitting and/or receiving antennas are operated in a parallel or quasi-parallel manner. For preventing the antennas from influencing each other, they must be decoupled or isolated very well, which has not been realized in a satisfying manner so far, not even by using expensive circuitry.                    One example are 24-GHz UWB sensors (UWB=Ultra Wide Band). The very restrictive frequency allocation only allows the radiation of a very low transmitting power, which results in the fact that the amount of power unintentionally radiated by the actual receiving antennas on account of insufficient isolation comes close to the amount of power radiated by the transmitting antennas. This may result in problems with respect to the azimuth angle estimation of objects and in sensitivity losses in particular angle regions.                        If several antennas are used, several parallel receiving paths are implemented, which makes analog and digital signal processing very expensive.        Interference coupling or interference radiation (caused by other systems) in the radar frequency range or in the range in which the low-frequency part of the electronic evaluation unit operates may result in incorrect detection and thus in wrong reactions.

Radar system having arrangements and methods for the decoupling of transmitting and receiving signals and for the suppression of interference radiation


There is provided a system and method for providing privacy viewing of an output from a electronic display, including a first polarizer configured to polarize a display signal at a first polarization angle; a second polarizer configured to polarize a noise signal at a second polarization angle orthogonal to the first polarization angle; a combiner configured to combine the polarized display signal and the polarized noise signal, and a third polarizer configured to receive the output of the electronic display and polarize the combined polarized display and noise signal at the first polarization angle. The system includes first and second polarization rotators configured to rotate the first and second polarization angles of the combined polarized display and noise signals prior to being output by the electronic display and prior to being received by the third polarizer.

This disclosure relates generally to viewing of an electronic display, and particularly to privacy viewing of an electronic display.
Nowadays, the display angle of electronic display screens has become wider and wider and very close to 180°. This is good when people want to watch movies or share several screens together. However, in most cases, especially for personal computers, tablets and smart devices such as smart phones, people would like to have some privacy on the screen.
A privacy-filter manufactured by 3M® utilizes a micro-louver technology, in which only persons directly in front of the monitor can see the image on screen. From the side, onlookers see only a darkened screen. The view is narrowed, but not against the people behind the screen and it is not easy to switch between the narrow view and the broad view.
In another prior art method, the viewing angle of the display is controlled, which is similar to the privacy filter but this still does not prevent the view behind the screen. Moreover, when the user changes position, the angle of the display must be changed accordingly, which makes use inconvenient.
Virtual private theatre glasses are known. However, with theatre glasses, the user cannot see anything but the display inside of the glasses.
Therefore, what is needed is a convenient, totally private and environment aware device.

Method and apparatus of private display device

International Business Machines Corporation


Embodiments of millimeter-wave transceivers with coarse and fine beam steering with interference suppression are generally described herein. In some embodiments, a millimeter-wave transceiver configured for multipath reception of multicarrier signals and includes RF circuitry to receive multicarrier signals through at least two independently controllable sub-arrays from first and second directions, a channel-estimation block to generate a set of weighting coefficients for each sub-array based on channel characteristics determined from each sub-array, the weighting coefficients generated for inter-channel interference (ICI) suppression, and maximum-ratio combining (MRC) circuitry to apply a set of the weighting coefficients to baseband signals from each sub-array and to combine the weighted baseband signals from each sub-array to generate combined baseband signals that represent a single data stream.

The millimeter-wave band has the available spectrum and is capable of providing significantly higher-level throughputs than the microwave frequency band. Due to significantly higher attenuation levels and the directional nature of millimeter-wave signals, millimeter-wave devices (i.e., stations) generally employ highly-directional antennas as well as beamforming techniques for communicating. Some key usages of the millimeter-wave frequency band may include transmissions to a wireless display, wireless docking, sync & go, real-time video streaming, and high-definition television (HDTV) streaming, among others.
Once issue with millimeter-wave communications in interference, particularly inter-channel interference (ICI). Conventional beam-steering and beamforming techniques are unable to fully compensate for ICI since an antenna pattern generates may side lobes making it difficult to set a deep null in a desired direction.
Thus there are general needs for millimeter-wave transceivers and methods that are capable of suppressing interference including ICI.

Millimeter-wave transceiver with coarse and fine beamforming with interference suppression and method


Systems and methods for sending secure reliable point to multi-point communication on any communication infrastructure. The infrastructure is not required to conform to any specifications of this inventions other that be capable point to point communications. The system consists of a protocol that allows for Secure Reliable point to multi-point communications irregardless of the support for such communications. This invention does not rely on the Internet or ATM or any other point to point or point to multi-point communications infrastructure.

In order to send data in a Communications network from point to multi-point it may be necessary to send point to multi-point data encapsulated in a point to point message. In order to be compatible with both methods of transmission one must create a protocol that rides on top of the infrastructure being used for communication. Most communication protocols have provisions for point to multi-point transmission but this type of support is optional and in many cases not supported. Until all communication protocols are required to support secure reliable point to multi-point messaging their will be a need for an overlaying protocol to allow for point to multi-point secure reliable transmission.
The current infrastructure for Point to Multi-Point Communications on such as ATM and IP commonly have drawbacks that this invention addresses.
A method for transmission of data (usually radio or television) from one sender to many receivers. For example: when one sends a IP or UPD packet the arrival of the packet at the destination is not guaranteed. This has become known as "fire it and forget it" transmission. The problem is that many types of communication protocols are also "fire and forget it" type of transmissions. Reliability is accomplished by best effort, and security is not addressed by the protocol at all. The solution is to create a new protocol (set of rules) that uses the existing infrastructure to create a secure, reliable, and scalable "one to many" transmission solution. While there may be many schemes to provide reliability and security to the Internet, these types all fail to be inter-operable.
It is the failure of interoperability that lead to the invention which is the subject of this patent application.

Method for secure reliable point to multi-point bi-directional communications


A cleaning device for selectively bombarding a surface with a media sequence, the sequence including at least a first gaseous medium and a second liquid medium, includes a nozzle configured to bombard the surface with the second medium; a cleaning valve with a holding port, a pressure port, a plunger, and a pressure outlet; and a high-pressure accumulator configured to store the first medium. The first medium is loaded with an accumulator pressure. The cleaning device further includes a changeover valve configured to selectively create a connection between a first medium supply line and a holding line connected to the holding port. The pressure outlet is configured to bombard the surface with the first medium in pulse-like fashion.

Cleaning devices, in particular for cleaning sensors in vehicles, are generally known.
A cleaning device of the type described initially is disclosed in DE10 2015 013203 A1. This describes a cleaning unit for an image detection unit of a vehicle, which is provided for detecting the environment, with at least one washing water nozzle which is provided to spray washing water onto a transparent cover surface of the image detection unit, with at least one wiper which is intended to mechanically dry the cover surface of the image detection unit, and with at least one compressed air nozzle which is provided to bombard the cover surface of the image detection unit with compressed air.
The concept could however be improved, in particular with respect to the necessity for a mechanical wiper for cleaning.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,707,896 B2 describes a viewing system for a vehicle comprising a camera with an image converter and a lens. The camera is situated on an outer part of the vehicle and has a field of vision outside the vehicle. An airflow element has an inlet opening and an outlet opening, wherein the outlet opening is configured such that it deflects the air flow in front of the lens in order to conduct dirt away from the lens. The outlet opening is configured such that it deflects the air flow with a speed which is greater than an airflow speed flowing into the inlet port. The inlet opening may have an inlet region which is substantially larger than an outlet region of the outlet port. The system may comprise an airflow generating device for generating or amplifying the air flow through the airflow device. This concept thus creates an air curtain for protecting a sensor from external influences, and is also worthy of improvement in particular with respect to cleaning of the sensor.
It is desirable to guarantee reliable and thorough cleaning, in particular with relatively low complexity, in particular with respect to apparatus. Furthermore, a low consumption of energy and cleaning media is desirable, together with a robust structure requiring as little maintenance as possible.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Cleaning device, compressed air system, cleaning method


A cutting tool comprising first and second surfaces that intersect at an edge, wherein the first surface (e.g., a rake face, a flank surface or a margin) has a textured region comprising a multiplicity of recesses each having a length greater than its width. The recesses are distributed in a pattern comprising rows of recesses arranged lengthwise along respective lines with spaces between neighboring recesses. The recesses of one row are offset from the recesses of the next row. Each recess of the one row having one end portion that overlaps with an end portion of one recess in the next row and another end portion that overlaps with an end portion of another recess in the next row. The recesses are generally parallel to the edge.

The present disclosure relates generally to methods for reducing friction and wear of contacting surfaces in manufacturing processes and machine operation. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods for reducing friction, wear and workpiece adhesion in machining cutters.
Reducing friction and wear of contacting surfaces has been increasingly important as industries strive to improve the energy efficiency of manufacturing processes and machine operation. This is particularly true for the case of cutting tools; high friction and wear in cutting tools can lead to high cutting forces and frequent cutting tool replacement. Use of lubricants between machining cutter and workpiece, and deposition of low-friction coatings on cutters are conventional approaches to friction and wear reduction.
More recently, the creation of surface textures has attracted wide attention because of the possibility of adhesion reduction and lubrication enhancement. Noticeable tribological improvements are evident when properly designed dimples are machined onto contacting surfaces. Theories explaining the effects of surface texturing attribute the tribological benefits to the lubricant pockets created by the dimples. These pockets help to retain lubricant between the contacting parts and reduce side leakage, thereby decreasing friction. Additionally, the textured recesses serve as receptacles for wear particles, preventing further surface damage via plowing. Several works have been conducted to study surface texturing of cutting tools.
There is a need for improved methods for extending the life of tools employed in cutting of metal or metal alloy workpieces. In particular, there is a need for improved methods for reducing workpiece adhesion to cutting tool surfaces and enhancing lubrication during machining of metallic workpieces.


A system and method to optimize multi-core microprocessor performance using voltage offsets is presented. A multi-core device tests each of its processor cores in order to identify each processor core's optimum supply voltage. In turn, the device configures voltage offset networks for each processor core based upon each processor core's identified optimum supply voltage. As a result, the offset voltages produced by the voltage offset networks are subtracted from the multi-core device's main voltage, which results in the voltage offset networks supplying optimum supply voltages to each processor core. The voltage offset networks may include fuses to generate a fixed voltage offset, or the voltage offset networks may include a control circuit to dynamically adjust voltage offsets during the multi-core device's operation.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a system and method to optimize multi-core microprocessor performance using voltage offsets. More particularly, the present invention relates to a system and method to internally generate processor core optimum supply voltages within a device by using voltage offset networks to produce specific offset values for each processor core.
2. Description of the Related Art
Processing devices today include multiple "cores" in order to achieve a higher performance level. These cores may work together, or individually, to execute particular functions within an application. For example, a multi-core processing device may include multiple digital signal processor cores in order to effectively execute highly computational tasks, such as with a gaming application.
One aspect of a processor core's performance is based upon its supply voltage. A processor core's "optimum" supply voltage is a voltage that allows a processor to run at a specified performance at the lowest possible power. With a multi-core device, each processor core requires its own optimum supply voltage in order for the multi-core device to perform at its optimum performance level. A challenge found is that each processor core may require a specific supply voltage due to different core types and process variations. For example, a multi-core device may include core A, core B, core C, and core D, in which their optimum supply voltages are 1.73V, 1.84V, 1.54V, and 1.95V, respectively.
One approach for providing optimum supply voltages to individual processor cores is by including separate voltage planes within the multi-core device for each supply voltage. For example, if a device includes four processor cores, the device also includes four separate voltage planes. A challenge found with this approach, however, is that each voltage plane is connected to different pins on the device for receiving different external supply voltages, thus reducing the amount of pins that the device has available for other functions. Using the example described above, the multi-core device is required to dedicate at least four separate pins to the four different supply voltages.
In addition, since the device receives a specific supply voltage for each processor core, the package and the circuit board in which the multi-core device resides must also provide each of the specific supply voltages. Existing art provides the specific supply voltages by using one voltage regulator module per required supply voltage. Using the example described above, the circuit board in which the four core device resides would include four voltage regulator modules to provide the four specific supply voltages. The package also contains four separate voltage planes to supply the chip. A challenge found with this approach is that using multiple voltage regulator modules increases production cost as well as board layout complexity. In addition, the extra power planes in the package also increase package cost and complexity.
Another approach that existing art uses with multi-core devices is to simply supply a single supply voltage to each processor core. While this approach may minimize cost and simplify board layout, the result is a device that does not operate at its optimum performance level.
What is needed, therefore, is a system and method to provide individual supply voltages to each processor core within a multi-core device while, at the same time, minimizing circuit board layout complexities and production cost.

System and method to optimize multi-core microprocessor performance using voltage offsets


An apparatus and method for degating is provided for separating excess molding material from encapsulated electronic packages while the electronic packages are located in a molding system. At least one holding device is coupled to a mold of the molding system, which is located such that excess molding material is molded onto at least a portion of the holding device during molding. A locking feature on the portion of the holding device locks the excess molding material such that the holding device may hold the excess molding material molded onto it to forcibly separate the excess molding material from the encapsulated electronic packages after molding.

During the assembly of semiconductor packages, semiconductor chips are often attached onto carriers, such as substrates or leadframes, for processing multiple semiconductor chips at the same time. After or during attachment, electrical connections are made between electrical pads on the chips to corresponding contacts or connection pads on the substrates or leadframes. This can be done by wire bonding, or the electrical pads can be directly attached onto the contacts on the substrates or leadframes. Thereafter, it is usually necessary to protect the chips and the electrical connections from the environment by encapsulating them in a molding compound, such as epoxy molding compound ("EMC").
In a typical transfer molding process, the substrate or leadframe with the chips attached is placed into a molding system comprising two mold halves. One or more molding cavities are formed in one or both of the mold halves corresponding to the positions of the chips to be encapsulated. Molding compound is introduced into mold supply pots in the molding system, typically in pellet form. The mold supply pots are linked to the molding cavities through a system of runners and gates through which the molding compound is channeled before entering the cavities. A plunger is insertable into each pot under heat and pressure to crush the pellet and distribute molding compound under the pressure from the plunger through the system of runners and gates and into the molding cavities.
After the cavities have been filled, the molding compound is allowed to set. Besides molding compound that is filled into the cavities for encapsulation, excess molding compound is also created inside to the mold supply pot, and in the runners and gates.
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a molding surface of a lower mold 10 including leadframes 12 that have been encapsulated in the mold 10. Each leadframe 12 contains encapsulated packages 14 corresponding to positions of semiconductor chips that have been attached onto the leadframe 12. Excess molding material 15 is still attached to the encapsulated packages 14, and it can be conveniently referred to as the cull 16, runner 18 and gate 20 portions of the excess molding material 15. The encapsulated portion corresponding to the encapsulated packages 14 protects internal components (not shown) on the leadframe 12 and would be retained. The cull portion 16, runner portion 18 and gate portion 20 are not used and thus need to be removed and discarded before further processing of the leadframe 12.
Conventionally, an offloading arm will transfer the molded carriers from the lower mold 10 to a degating tool. Degating generally involves a process of clamping, punching or flipping the excess molding material to separate it from the electronic packages, and a special degating tool is used to undertake the process. The degated carrier is then transferred to yet another station for further processing as appropriate.
However, the aforesaid conventional degating approach has a number of shortcomings. A major disadvantage is that a separate station is required to accommodate the degating tool. This necessitates a higher cost involved in manufacturing a separate degating tool, and a larger resultant machine footprint takes up valuable floor space. Another disadvantage is that the degating tool has to be custom-made and can only be designed after the design of the mold tool is completed. Furthermore, the degating result, and therefore the quality of the encapsulated packages, cannot be known immediately after molding is performed, as it has to go through the degating station first. The need to have a separate station also means that time is allowed for the carrier to cool, which can be undesirable for some packages if warpage or thermal stress results after cooling.

Apparatus and method for in-mold degating


An instrument for the simultaneous measurement of a diameter of and a lateral distance along a work piece comprises a first member having a longitudinal track therein; a second member secured to one end of the first member having a reference surface for the lateral distance measurement, the reference surface being positioned against an end of the work piece from which the lateral distance is to measured; a third member disposed in the track slideable longitudinally therein; a pair of arms mounted in a pincer-like fashion on the third member and extending through the second member to enable measuring the diameter and the lateral distance from the reference surface of a given portion of the work piece; a first arrangement coupled to the third member and one of the pair of arms to obtain a first readout of the lateral distance from the reference surface of the given portion of the work piece; and a second arrangement coupled to the first arrangement and the other of the pair of arms to obtain a second readout of the diameter of the given portion of the work piece.

The present invention relates to measuring instruments in general and more particularly to an instrument for the simultaneous measurement of a diameter of and a lateral distance along a work piece.
During the manufacture of mechanical parts by lathes or other machine tools it is necessary to measure the dimensions of the work piece, such as the diameter thereof and the lateral distance from a given end of the work piece to a shoulder formed therein. It is also necessary to use a measuring instrument for the inspection of these dimensions to make sure that predetermined tolerances are met. In the past, the internal and external diameter of surfaces of a work piece and the lateral distance along the work piece have been measured by calipers, micrometers and rulers which requires patience and is time consuming, since each diameter measurement and each lateral distance measurement must be made separately.


A locking state detector includes a phase comparing unit configured to compare a reference clock signal and a feedback clock signal to generate a first phase difference distinction signal to distinguish a first phase difference range, and a second phase difference distinction signal to distinguish a second phase difference range wider than the first phase difference range, and a locking state setting unit configured to generate a locking state signal in response to the first phase difference distinction signal and the second phase difference distinction signal.

1. Technical Field
The embodiments described herein relate to a delay locked loop circuit (DLL circuit), and in particular, to a locking state detector that detects the locking state and a DLL circuit including the same.
2. Related Art
Generally, a DLL circuit is used to provide an internal clock signal whose phase is faster than that of a reference clock signal, and is obtained by converting an external clock signal by a predetermined time period. Specifically, the DLL circuit is used to solve the problem of prolonged output data access time, wherein the internal clock signal used in a semiconductor circuit is delayed while passing through a clock buffer and along a transmission line causing a phase difference from the external clock signal. The DLL circuit controls the phase of the internal clock signal to be faster than the phase of the external clock signal by a predetermined time in order to increase the effective data output interval.
The DLL circuit is commonly arranged having a feedback loop configuration, and includes a delay line that delays a reference clock signal transmitted from a clock input buffer in response to a delay control signal to generate a delay clock signal, a replica delayer that delays the delay clock signal with a delay value that is obtained by modeling a delay amount by delay elements presented in the output path of the delay clock signal to generate the feedback clock signal, a phase detecting block that compares and detects phases of the reference clock signal and the feedback clock signal to generate a phase detecting signal, and a delay controlling block that generates a delay control signal in response to the phase detecting signal.
In addition, the DLL circuit further includes a locking state detector that enables a locking state signal, which indicates the completion of the delay locking operation when the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the feedback clock signal is reduced below a predetermined range. If the locking state signal is enabled, then the delay controlling block adjusts the number of unit delays activated in the delay line to stop the changing of the delay value.
Generally, the external clock signal that is input to the DLL circuit includes a jitter component, that effects the toggle timing or the pulse width of the external clock signal. If the jitter is generated in the external clock signal it can cause the phase of the reference clock to change. When this occurs, the phase difference between the reference clock signal and the feedback clock signal instantaneously exceeds the predetermined range. The locking state detector is configured to disable the locking state signal whenever the above phenomenon occurs. Therefore, the enable state of the locking state signal is frequently changed by the jitter of the external clock signal, which causes the DLL circuit to, e.g., frequently change of the operation mode. As a result, the internal clock signal cannot be stably generated. Furthermore, because the stability of the operation of the DLL circuit is reduced, a semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) that uses the DLL circuit is not suitable for stable operation.

Locking state detector and DLL circuit having the same


A high voltage and interlock loop assembly has first and second high voltage connector housings complementarily constructed for releasable engagement with each other and for having a high voltage circuit running therethrough. First and second connectors for an interlock loop circuit are complementarily constructed for releasable engagement with each other with one of the interlock loop connectors being mounted on one of the high voltage connector housings. The first and second interlock loop connectors have complementarily abutment shoulders with one abutment shoulder being on a flexible tab. The flexible tab is movable to misalign its abutment shoulder from the other abutment shoulder when the high voltage connector housings are properly engaged together to allow full engagement of the first and second interlock loop connectors.

Vehicles that are propelled by internal combustion engines have low voltage circuits that are used to operate numerous devices for example, turn signals, headlights, brake lights, radios, and electronic instrument panels. Electric or hybrid vehicles on the other hand need to have a high voltage circuitry to provide the needed wattage to run the main electric motors and other devices that have typically been belt driven. It is foreseen that many more electric type vehicles will enter the commercial market that use high voltage (typically 300V or higher) to power these devices and will need high voltage connectors for the circuits.
In order to allow easy installation and disconnection of various electrical components for repair and replacement, the high voltage circuit for these electric and hybrid vehicles may have several conveniently placed high voltage connectors that may be connected together or disconnected from each other.
Furthermore, due to the high voltage and large amperage involved, it is a prerequisite to shut down the high voltage circuit in question before an automotive technician or other individual disconnects any high voltage connector. To prevent premature physical contact with the high voltage circuit, interlock loop circuitry, often referred to as high voltage interlock loops (HVIL), have been devised which when triggered will activate a shut-off program to shut down the high voltage circuit. One such trigger is an interlock loop connector in the HVIL circuit that often is piggybacked onto the high voltage connectors to allow the high voltage electrical circuit to shut down and adequately discharge after the HVIL circuit becomes disconnected but before the connector housing of the high voltage connector assembly can become disconnected.
Present HVIL connectors system are costly, bulky and contain extra parts which are subject to grease and grime buildup that may eventually interfere in its operation.
What is needed is a smaller and more reliable connector for an HVIL system. What is also needed is an HVIL connector that uses as part of its structure a connection position assurance device on the high voltage connector housing.

High voltage connector and interlocking loop connector assembly


Electromechanical actuation systems and methods are provided. The electromechanical actuation system includes first, second, and third linear actuators having respective first, second, and third ranges of motion and an output member coupled to the first, second, and third linear actuators such that a position of a selected portion of the output member is based on actuation of the first, second, and third linear actuators.

In rotorcraft such as helicopters, the control of the rotors, and other flight control surfaces, is conventionally performed by a series of mechanical interconnections between the flight controls (e.g., a cyclic, a collective, torque pedals, etc.) and the rotors. In modern helicopters, flight control systems typically include a vast collection of mechanical parts such as rods, cables, pulleys and sometimes chains. Additionally, because of the size and power of the vehicles, complex hydraulic circuits, including hydraulic pumps, pipes, valves, and actuators, are also included to assist the pilot in controlling the rotors. Such flight control systems are often referred to as "hydromechanical."
The complexity of modern hydromechanical systems is even further increased when the required redundancy and back-up systems are installed to ensure that the pilot is able to maintain control of the aircraft in the event that the primary flight control system fails. The resulting flight control system requires countless parts and immensely contributes to the overall cost and weight of the helicopter.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a flight control system and method for rotorcraft that reduces the number of components in, as well as the overall weight and costs of, the vehicle, while providing the pilot with reliable and redundant control. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the foregoing technical field and background.

Electromechanical actuation system and method


Method of automating at least a portion of an output gradation adjustment job for an image output apparatus. Test image data are corrected according to an initial gradation correction curve, and a test image is formed according to the image data thus corrected. The test image is read by a scanner to obtain read data. Based on the read data thus obtained, test image data are newly formed. Based on the newly formed test image data, a test image is again formed. The second-time test image thus formed is read by the scanner to obtain read data. Based on the read data obtained by reading the second-time test image, the initial gradation correction curve and a predetermined reference output curve, candidate point data are obtained. Based on the candidate point data, a gradation correction curve is formed and set.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of adjusting the output gradations of an image output apparatus such as an image forming apparatus for forming an image based on image data indicative of the gradations of pixel depths or densities. The present invention also relates to an image output apparatus having an arrangement for automatically adjusting the output gradations. Further, the present invention relates to a method of forming a gradation correction curve to be used in image output apparatuses of the type above-mentioned.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is used a digital color copying machine in which a color document is optically read by a CCD (charge coupled device) scanner or the like and the data thus read are converted into the three primary color signals formed using an additive process of red (R), green (G) and blue (B) and in which, based on the signals thus formed, a color reproduction image of the document is formed. The three primary color signals of R, G and B supplied from the scanner are converted into the three primary color data formed using a subtractive process of cyanogen (C), magenta (M) and yellow (Y) which are respectively the complementary colors of red, green and blue. Each of the three primary color data is an 8-bit data in 256 gradations and indicative of the densities of each color component. Based on the three primary color data of C, M and Y, a black (BK) data is formed.
For example, the surface of a photoreceptor is scanned by a laser beam which is modulated based on the C data, and an electrostatic latent image corresponding to cyanogen is formed on the photoreceptor surface. This electrostatic latent image is developed into a toner image with the use of cyanogen toner, and this toner image is transferred onto a copying paper sheet. Likewise, for the M-, Y- and BK- data, toners of magenta, yellow and black are overlappingly transferred onto this paper sheet, and the toners are finally heated and fixed, thus forming a color copied image.
In view of the nature of a copying machine, an original image can readily be compared with a reproduced image and the demands for the reproducibility are therefore strict. However, a plurality of copying machines individually differ in development characteristics and photoreceptor sensitivity characteristics from one another. Further, the development characteristics vary with the colors of cyanogen, magenta, yellow and black. To faithfully reproduce the colors of an original image, therefore, each copying machine is required to be adjusted for each of the toners in four different colors.
Generally, such adjustment is made by copying a standard color document having an image in standard colors, and by visually comparing the reproduction with the standard color document. Then, there are formed gradation correction curves for correcting the gradations of cyanogen, magenta, yellow and black, respectively, and tables respectively corresponding to these curves are stored in a memory with back-up means in the copying machine.
In such so-called manual adjustment, the adjustment job is troublesome and takes much time. Further, after adjustment, there may possibly be produced variations of output image due to differences among individuals in charge of adjustment.
It is therefore proposed to form gradation correction curves using a data processing unit. However, each of the gradation correction curves is generally a complicated curve which can only be approximated by a curve of the three degree or higher. This disadvantageously causes the calculation to be complicated, requiring a long period of time for forming the gradation correction curves.

Output gradation adjustment method in image output apparatus


A constant temperature and balanced pressure valve core with single handle comprises a valve cover, and a temperature adjusting assembly, a thermo-sensitive element, a put-off spring, an adjuster, combined in the chamber of the valve cover from top to bottom; and the valve cover is provided with a cold water inlet, a hot water inlet and an water outlet; wherein the valve core also comprises a water division mechanism and an compacting sealing part; the water division mechanism matches with the cold water inlet and the hot water inlet, forming the cold water passage and hot water passage, and provides a cold water control port and a hot water control port that respectively match with the cold water passage and the hot water passage; the compacting sealing part forms seal with the inner wall of the valve cover, and holds the water division mechanism in the valve cover; the adjuster matches with the thermo-sensitive element and the put-off spring, and on the action of the thermo-sensitive element and the put-off spring, the adjuster can float between the cold water control port and the hot water control port.

With the advancement of science and technology and the improvement of living standard, the constant temperature valve cores have been widely used in each kind of water supply system for bath in household and hotel, etc. The users can adjust the outlet water temperature according to actual demands by the valve cores, and after presetting temperature, the mixed outlet water temperature will be constant, thus, the problem of sometimes hot and sometimes cold water due to change of inlet water pressure and temperature by common valve core can be solved, and the valve core is safe and prevent user's scald.
The key points of effectively keeping the outlet water temperature constant are to sense and measure true and effective the outlet water temperature, and to sensitively adjust the proportion of cold and hot inlet water. Sensing and measuring true and effective outlet water temperature means to fully mix cold and hot water, sense and measure the temperature of the outlet mixed water, which can be completely achieved with prior art;
In addition, the controlling the inlet water pressure balance is also a critical factor that ensures the outlet water temperature constant. The majority of the prior constant temperature valve cores are not provided with the function of balanced pressure, which is to say cold and hot water directly enter into a mixed water chamber to mix from the bottom or the side end of the valve core; while the few constant-temperature valve cores that are provided with the function of balanced pressure apply independent balanced pressure assembly to control, whose principle is to balance the inlet water pressure through the floating of the balanced pressure assembly, such as the patent of utility model with authorized publication patent number of CN2874157Y. However, applying independent balanced pressure elements has the disadvantages of complex structure and inconvenient assembly.
Besides, the current constant- temperature valve cores have wider scope of temperature adjusting and higher upper temperature limit, without the control of secure temperature, such accidents as scald, etc. are easier to be caused as the outlet water temperature is too high when operating improperly.

Constant temperature and balanced pressure valve core with single handle

Hongwan Industrial Zone Xiangzhou, Zhuhai

Suprema (Zhuhai J/V/) Thermostatic Sanitaryware Co., Ltd.


A hinged device for at least one door (46.1, 46.2) of an aircraft nacelle (40), whereby the door is able to block an opening (44) that is made in the fairing of the nacelle, the device including a base to which is connected at least one door, able to occupy a first retracted state in which the base is located at least in part inside the nacelle and a second extended state in which the base is located outside the fairing of the nacelle so as to be able to move, in a direction that is essentially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nacelle, outside of the nacelle by entraining the at least one door (46.1, 46.2) to release the opening (44) at least in part.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a hinged device for doors of an aircraft nacelle as well as an aircraft nacelle that is equipped with said hinged device.
2. Description of the Related Art
The aircraft engines are generally integrated inside a structure, called nacelle below, connected by connecting means to the aircraft, in particular by a mast to the wing.
This nacelle has several functions, in particular those to regulate and to control the movements of the air around and in the engine so as to optimize the aerodynamic flow, to protect the engine from the outside elements, to minimize noise pollution, to ventilate the internal zones, to participate in the dispersion of mechanical stresses of the engine, and optionally to support the thrust reverser systems.
Finally, the nacelle is to allow the daily maintenance and the maintenance of the engine and its components.
For this purpose, the nacelle comprises, at its outside surface, an opening that allows access to the inside of the nacelle and a moving part that can occupy at least two positions, a first so-called closed position in which said moving part is located in the extension of the outside surface of the nacelle so as to block said opening, and a second position in which it at least in part releases the opening. For the remainder of the description, the moving part is called a door.
In FIGS. 1 and 2, a nacelle that is connected by a mast 12 to a wing 14 is shown at 10, whereby said nacelle comprises an air input 16 at the front and a lateral fuselage 18 with a longitudinal axis 20. The nacelle 10 comprises at least one opening 22, preferably two openings located on each side, on both sides of the mast 12, each able to be blocked respectively by a door 24.
According to the prior art, each door 24 is hinged relative to the upper edge of the opening 22 and pivots around an axis 26 that is essentially parallel to the axis 20 of the nacelle, located close to the mast 12.
In addition, locking means are provided to keep the doors 24 closed. According to an embodiment, the lower ends of the doors are connected when the latter are in a position that is closed by locks (not shown).
Advantageously, as illustrated in FIG. 2, two stands 28 are provided to keep each door in the open position.
Even if this type of door is relatively simple and allows easy access to the elements that are mounted in the low part of the engine, it does not provide full satisfaction for the following reasons:
The positioning of the door in the open position facing the opening at the median part and the top part does not promote access to these parts. Thus, the operators should slide between the door and the engine by first bending down to pass under the panel of the door by taking the risk of being injured by hitting the edges of the door.
In addition, this opening method does not make it possible to ensure optimum safety of the operators. Actually, even if they are held by stands, the doors can suddenly close again, due in particular to wind gusts, and can injure the operator located between the door and the engine.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper parts of the existing hinged doors have significant wind pickup although the structures of the doors are sized to resist wind gusts on the order of 100 Km/h. In fact, these constraints in the open position are much more important than those to which the doors in the closed position are subjected. Thus, the doors are sized for rare cases of use.
Finally, for a door of large dimensions, its handling operation may prove difficult, whereby the operator may have to lift said doors to produce the opening. Beyond certain dimensions, it is necessary to provide an onboard system to assist in opening and closing, complicating the design and increasing the weight installed on the aircraft.
In addition, certain units of propulsion systems, of large dimensions in particular, can be relatively close to other parts of the aircraft, with configurations that can generate interferences between the door in the open position and the wing or the leading edge slat in deployed position, or any other fixed or mobile surface. It is necessary in these cases to install protections that also add additional weight to the aircraft.

Hinged device for doors of an aircraft nacelle and nacelle equipped with said hinged device


A semiconductor storage device has a memory cell (501, 502) storing data; bit lines (BL1, BL2) connected to the memory cell, allowing therethrough data input or output to or from the memory cell; a sense amplifier (506a) connected to said bit lines, amplifying data on the bit lines; and a switching transistor (505a) connecting or disconnecting the bit line connected to the memory cell to or from the bit line connected to the sense amplifier. The switching transistor operates differently in a first memory cell access operation and in a second memory cell access operation.

DRAM (dynamic random access memory) is a RAM in need of refreshing, and is a memory which stores data based on presence or absence of electric charge on capacitors. Data stored in DRAM expires with the elapse of time due to leakage current from the capacitors. It is therefore necessary to read out the data at predetermined time intervals, and to write (restore) them again. This is referred to as refreshing. DARM can be realized with a memory cell area smaller than that of SRAM (static random access memory), and thereby can be obtained as a large-capacity, economic memory.
SRAM is a RAM in no need of refreshing, of which memory cell being composed of a flipflop, and information once written therein will never be lost until a power source is disconnected. SRAM is simple to use and is ready to attain high-speed performance, because only a simple operational timing control is necessary, without needing refreshing.
Pseudo SRAM has memory cells based on a DRAM structure, and has, incorporated therein, a refresh circuit for automatic refreshing. Unlike DRAM, the control thereof is simple, because there is no need of externally controlling the refreshing. External interface of which is similar to that of SRAM.
It is not possible to know timing of the refreshing of SRAM from the external, because SRAM is internally refreshed in an automatic manner. During the refreshing, data cannot be read out from the memory cells. This results in an operation such that, if a read command is entered from the external during the refreshing, the reading can start only after the refreshing comes to the end. Access time (time required before data output) during the reading therefore amounts as much as a sum of the refreshing time and reading time for the worst case. It is therefore an important factor to shorten the refreshing time in view of shortening the access time.


Communication is performed more reliably. A CCI (I3C DDR) processing section determines status of an index when requested to be accessed by an I3C master for a read operation. An error handling section then controls an I3C slave 13 to detect occurrence of an error based on the status of the index and to neglect all communication until DDR mode is stopped or restarted by the I3C master, the I3C slave 13 being further controlled to send a NACK response when performing acknowledge processing on a signal sent from the I3C master. This technology can be applied to the I3C bus, for example.

In the past, the CCI (Camera Control Interface) has been used extensively as the bus IF (Interface) for controlling registers in various devices. With the CCI, the I2C (Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol has been adopted for the physical layer. Also in recent years, there has been a demand for higher speeds under the I2C, with an I3C (Improved Inter-Integrated Circuit) protocol being worked out and revised as a next-generation protocol.
For example, the I2C and I3C protocols are configured to let a master having governing authority over communication via the bus IF communicate with a slave connected with the bus IF and controlled by the master. The I3C protocol further provides a function to maintain compatibility with I2C devices, a function called Hot-Join to let a slave join the bus IF partway through during activity, and a function to have master authority assigned from one master to another among multiple masters.
Also, PTL 1 discloses a communication apparatus capable of performing more reliable communication by defining an error detection method under the I3C protocol in such a manner as to avoid the unavailability of communication due to erroneous detection of a start or a stop of communication.

Communication apparatus, communication method, program, and communication system

Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation


A data processing method includes: presenting one or more control elements on the touch screen, where the one or more control elements are in a one-to-one correspondence with one or more pieces of data; and encrypting or decrypting, based on fingerprint data obtained by the fingerprint recognition module, first data corresponding to a first control element when an operation of dragging the first control element from a location outside a second region to the second region is detected, where the second region includes at least a partial region of the first region. This can further complete operations of confirming that encryption or decryption is to be performed and performing authentication in one step, to shorten steps and time of a data encryption or decryption operation, thereby improving user experience.

Currently, during use of a terminal device, there are many scenarios in which encryption and decryption need to be performed. For example, a user can encrypt, by using a password or a fingerprint, some information or pictures that the user does not want others to view. In this way, other users cannot view the information or pictures, or they need to enter the password or verify the fingerprint for viewing. When the user needs to view the encrypted content, the user decrypts the content by entering the password or verifying the fingerprint, so that the content can be normally accessed.
In an existing encryption or decryption process, to-be-encrypted or to-be-decrypted data needs to be selected first; an encryption operation or a decryption operation is confirmed to be performed; an authentication manner such as verifying a fingerprint or entering a password is popped up for user authentication; and encryption or decryption is completed after the authentication succeeds. In this process, a multistep operation is required from to-be-encrypted/to-be-decrypted data selection to authentication completion. Consequently, steps are complex and time-consuming, and user experience is poor.
Therefore, a technology for shortening steps and time of a data encryption or decryption operation urgently needs to be provided, thereby improving user experience.

Data encryption or decryption method and apparatus, and terminal device


A device controlling a JFET power electronic switch of normally ON type, including a main gate control circuit powered by a main power source for driving the gate of the JFET switch, a protection switching device that is switchable between two states, an auxiliary circuit controlling the switching device, and an auxiliary power source whose positive terminal is connected to the source of the JFET switch and whose negative terminal is connected to the gate of the JFET switch, bypassing the gate control circuit in one of the two positions of the switching device. The switching device can be an electromagnetic or electronic switch.

A JFET transistor is a known electronic switch that comprises a control gate whose function is to allow or disallow a current to flow between a drain and a source. Such a transistor is of the normally ON type if the voltage VDS between the Drain and the source is zero when the voltage VGS between the gate and the source is zero. This implies that the drain-source path is conducting or ON in the absence of a control voltage VGS between gate and source. Conversely, a JFET transistor is of the normally OFF type if the drain-source path is not conducting in the absence of a control voltage VGS between gate and source.
It turns out that a JFET electronic switch of the normally ON type offers much better performance than other types of electronic switches, such as MOSFETs, IGBTs or even JFETs of the normally OFF type. The reason for this is that such a switch offers, notably, the advantages of higher switching speed, lower losses in the conducting state, a better temperature stability, a smaller size and a lower cost.
Nevertheless, any electronic switch of the normally ON type has the drawback of being in the conducting state (or ON) in the absence of a control voltage on its gate. This feature is not fail-safe for the control of large currents since this switch allows the current to flow between drain and source in the absence of control on the gate. This clearly leads to high potential risks for the safety of equipment and people.
Usually, a speed controller of the frequency converter type comprises a rectifier stage responsible for rectifying a voltage coming from an external source of AC electrical power (for example a 380 VAC three-phase electrical supply network) in order to supply a DC voltage onto a DC bus (for example of around 400 to 800 Vcc, or more, depending on the conditions of use). One or more bus capacitors of high capacitance are typically used in order to keep the voltage on the DC bus constant.
The speed controller next comprises an inverter stage responsible for controlling an electric motor with a voltage of variable amplitude and frequency, starting from this DC bus. For this purpose, the inverter stage has two electronic power switches per phase. Each switch is controlled by a control circuit powered by a power supply of the SMPS (Switched-Mode Power Supply) type for the speed controller.
Thus, if it is desired to use electronic switches of the normally ON type in the inverter stage of a speed controller, this may then present several risks:                On power-up of the controller, it must be ensured that the circuits for controlling the electronic switches are correctly supplied with power, in order to be able to open these switches before the voltage appears on the DC bus of the speed controller,        On power-down, it must be ensured that the electronic switches are kept open until the bus capacitor or capacitors are discharged, for example into balancing resistors, being aware that the discharging of these capacitors can sometimes last for up to several minutes,        If a fault occurs, it must also be ensured that the switches are kept open until the capacitor or capacitors of the DC bus are discharged. Such a fault can arise notably from a short-circuit in the control circuit, from a loss of power to the control circuit, etc.
In order to avoid these risks, a solution already exists in which each JFET transistor of the normally ON type is configured in series with another auxiliary component of the normally OFF type, such as for example a CASCODE transistor. This solution however requires the use of two transistors in series for each power switch, which notably leads to an increase in the production costs and an increase in the losses by conduction.

Device for controlling a power electronic switch and speed controller comprising same


The invention provides a device for enhancing performance of a portable cellular phone within a mobile vehicle. The device includes a housing located within the vehicle into which a portable cellular phone may be placed. The housing includes an exterior layer that reflects noise signals and an interior layer that reduces reflection of communication signals within the housing. Signals are transmitted between the cellular phone and an exterior-mount transceiver by means of a wireless RF coupling device that is contained within the housing and connected to the exterior-mount transceiver using a coaxial cable.

Wireless communication devices are commonly available as factory-installed features for mobile vehicles. Speech recognition technology allows a subscriber to place hands-free, voice-activated calls on a wireless network. Typically, a microphone is embedded in the vehicle, and conversation is heard through the vehicle's sound system speakers. Because the communication device is integrated into the vehicle, a factory-installed exterior antenna can be connected to the device to optimize reception and transmission of the radio frequency (RF) signal used by the device.
Vehicle manufacturers are pursuing ways of offering hands-free calling for vehicle owners who wish to use their personal portable cellular phones within the vehicle. The portable phone may be connected to the vehicle sound system using the same types of wireless interface provided for factory-installed wireless communication systems.
However, the portable phone may have very poor performance within the vehicle because the metal body and frame of the car tend to impede reception and transmission of the RF signals. Performance can be greatly enhanced by connecting the portable phone to an exterior antenna. Unfortunately, the RF coupler required to connect a portable cellular phone to an exterior antenna varies widely from one cellular provider to another and from one phone model to another. Thus, a vehicle manufacturer cannot offer a roof-mount antenna system as a factory-installed feature because the physical interface to the cellular phone is not universal.
A device is needed that will provide a universal means of coupling a personal portable cellular phone with an antenna mounted on the exterior of the vehicle, thereby providing enhanced performance of the phone. Such a device would allow a vehicle manufacturer to offer a factory-installed exterior antenna system for use with any portable wireless communication device.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a device for enhancing performance of a portable wireless communication device within a mobile vehicle that overcomes the aforementioned and other disadvantages.

Mobile vehicle housing for a portable communication device


Electronic modules in motor vehicles are reflashed without encountering errors due to insufficient electrical power becoming available during a reflashing. A server system stores a database of update files together with data corresponding to a respective current draw and a respective reflash time associated with the respective update files when applied in each respective vehicle. A vehicle sends pedigree information to the server system which then identifies relevant update files and corresponding current draw and reflash time data for the particular vehicle. The relevant update files and corresponding data are sent to the particular vehicle. A state of charge of a battery in the vehicle is determined. A depleted state of charge is estimated that would remain after applying a relevant update file. The update file is not applied if the estimated depleted state of charge is less than a predetermined state of charge.

The present invention relates in general to electronic systems and modules for motor vehicles, and, more specifically, to remotely reflashing or updating the software or firmware in the modules.
Modern vehicles have a significant number of software components and computerized hardware components that control vehicle subsystems. These components can react to changes in vehicle states to provide advanced capabilities for vehicle control. Additionally, many of these components can interact with each other, linking various modules of the vehicle over one or more data networks, such as, but not limited to, a vehicle CAN bus.
These modules typically include programmable processor/controller circuitry using customizable instruction sets in the form of software and/or firmware. One particular module design can be used with uniquely programmed versions in different vehicle models or in the same vehicle model with different option levels. All that is required is for the manufacturer to "flash" or program each individual module as necessary. In addition, a module may be capable of being dynamically updated after being sold and put into use. Thus, if an improvement or correction to a module's programming is needed, a change can be made to the module without requiring a hardware replacement. Thus, the manufacturer has the ability to rollout improvements to individual vehicles or across group of vehicles (e.g., models) in their vehicle fleet.
Typically, when a change to a module is desired, the vehicle has been brought to a diagnostic point (e.g., dealership) where a technician is present, or the technician with diagnostic and update tools has been dispatched to the vehicle. The technician accesses the desired software module(s), makes any needed changes, verifies that the change has been properly implemented, and then moves on to a next vehicle. When changes are to be made to large groups of vehicles in a fleet, the updating can take a long time and there is a risk that some vehicles may be missed.
In addition to having software control modules, many vehicles are equipped with one or more wireless transceivers capable of either direct communication with a remote network or via a portable wireless device (e.g., cellular phone) carried by the vehicle user. For example, a telematics module is often used to connect with a remote network and a telematics service provider for navigation, roadside assistance, remote vehicle access, and other services.
Using this wireless data communication capability, it becomes possible to reflash programmable memory of electronic modules remotely. For example, U.S. Application Publication 2013/0031540, filed on Jul. 26, 2011, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, generally relates to a computer-implemented method that includes establishing a wireless connection with an update server. The method further includes sending at least a VIN number to the update server and downloading one or more module updates corresponding to the sent VIN number. After reflashing one or more modules to which the one or more updates correspond, the functionality of each module which has been flashed may be verified. Pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/803,850, filed Mar. 14, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses methods and a system that allow for reflashing of multiple fleet vehicles with multiple modules on each fleet vehicle. Automatic documentation of entire flash events for a vehicle and immediate upload to the vehicle configuration database are provided. It discloses automatic detection of vehicle hardware configurations, communication of that configuration to a secure server, assembly of a software package and secure transmission to a vehicle, aiding in ensuring that each vehicle is flashed according to its specific configuration.
In order to reflash any particular module, the module cannot be in active operation. To ensure that a target module is not in use, the vehicle must be parked with the ignition off when conducting an update process. Since the engine is off and it cannot be assumed that the vehicle would be connected to a battery charger, electrical power consumed by the supervisory or master module (e.g., a telematics unit) and the module being updated must be supplied by a storage battery. During a reflash process, battery capacity as measured by its state of charge (SOC) will be depleted. If multiple modules are being reflashed (whether sequentially or in parallel), there is a risk that at some point the battery SOC may be reduced below a level that can support the ongoing reflashing. In that event, the reflash process may not complete, and one or more modules may be left in a nonfunctioning state. If the module is critical (e.g., a powertrain controller), the vehicle may be rendered inoperable, which would require a manual reflashing with a service tool after being towed to a service facility, for example. Even if the inoperable module is not essential for driving the vehicle, the battery may become so depleted that the vehicle cannot be started.

Smart vehicle reflash with battery state of charge (SOC) estimator


A rules driven multiple passwords system is provided wherein a list of stored passwords are used in rotation over time in accordance with a set of rules or conditions managed by the system. With such an arrangement, the currently active password of a system User may automatically be changed, in accordance with the rules or conditions, to the next password in the list. The User is notified as to the newly assigned password.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to password authentication systems and, more particularly, to password authentication systems and methods as may be used to gain access to protected, secured systems.
2. Background and Related Art
Passwords play a large part of typical secured system users experience and are one of the most common means for gaining access to a wide variety of user accounts. For example, E-mail, banks, postals, commercial and various corporate and government networking sites all require passwords.
Typical password authentication systems employ a single password corresponding to a computer-based account. Such systems generally rely on a static history of the previous few passwords used for the account where the system requirement prohibits the reuse of a password within some specified past number of iterations. Such history of previous passwords may also be used to compare the difference between a proposed new password and previous passwords. Where the difference between a proposed new password and previous passwords maintained in the history does not meet some established criteria, the proposed password will be rejected by the system.
In addition, other password rules may be employed by such system. For example, the length of the password string of characters and type of characters employed may be specified. In addition, rules as to the order of characters employed and their position in the string may be specified. Alternatives to password access to systems do exist but are more time consuming, costly and difficult for the user.
Thus, although passwords are the generally accepted approach for user access to networks, accounts and the like, their use can be difficult because of the various rules governing their creation. However, since passwords protect accounts with valuable assets, they have increasingly been subject to attacks by various schemes.
The problems of password access to user accounts, and the like, is made more difficult by the large role passwords play in user lives. It has been found that the average web user has 6.5 passwords, each of which is shared across approximately 4 different sites. Moreover, it has been found that each user has about 25 accounts that require passwords, and types an average of 8 passwords per day.
Accordingly, there is a need for password authentication systems that offer higher security, and yet are less difficult and cumbersome to use by the users. For example, if users are required to obtain and remember a new password every one to three moths for multiple accounts, users are then inclined to use the same weak passwords over several of the accounts.


An operating lever is provided at one of a front face, an upper face, and a back face of a seat including a seat cushion and a seat back. The operating lever may include a first lever having a first end and a second end, and a second lever having a first end and a second end. The second end of the first lever and the first end of the second lever may be pivotably connected to each other, and the first end of the first lever may be pivotably connected to the seat such that the first lever is configured to change an attitude of the seat. In addition, the second end of the second lever may be formed as an operating portion, and when the operating portion is operated in a direction away from the seat, the first lever and the second lever pivot may away from the seat and the attitude of the seat is adjusted.

As an operating lever of a vehicular seat of this kind, there is, for example, Patent Reference 1. In Patent Reference 1, an operating lever is provided at a storing seat arranged at the rearmost row of a vehicle and capable of being stored to a storing recess portion for storing the seat recessed on a rear side of a vehicular floor when not used. The operating lever is constituted by a member having a section substantially in an L-like shape provided at an upper position of a back face of a seat back, exposed to outside on a side of the back face of the seat back at one end side thereof, and connected with a wire on an inner side of the seat back at other end side thereof. Further, the one end side pivotably held around an axial shaft and exposed to the side of the back face of the seat back is urged in a direction of being proximate to the seat by a spring member.    Patent Reference 1: JP-A-2004-106640
The operating lever of Patent Reference 1 is a member having an L-like shaped section, the other end is only pivoted around the axial shaft on the one end side, when the seat back falls to a front side of the vehicle by pivoting the operating lever to release the lock by the lock mechanism by way of the wire. Also the operating lever is moved to the front side in accordance therewith, and therefore, there poses a problem that the hand of a user grabbing the operating lever is pulled.
Thus, there is a need in the art for an operating lever of a vehicular seat releasing lock by a lock mechanism by operating an operating lever and preventing the hand of a user from being abruptly pulled when a seat back falls to a front side of a vehicle.


A process including: an assembly step of assembling a sealed case onto an existing pipe; a cutting step of forming a first opening of a groove shape elongated in a pipe axis direction of the existing pipe; a second boring step of forming a circular second opening at a position of the existing pipe that opposes the first opening; and an insertion step of inserting, in a valve-open state, a butterfly-shaped valve element that is integral with a valve rod, which runs through the first and second openings, into the existing pipe 1 through the first opening until a tip portion of the valve rod protrudes from the second opening.

Techniques for inserting a butterfly valve into a pipeline of an existing pipe without disrupting the flow therethrough are well known in the art. It is also known in the art to form a groove, which is elongated in the pipe axis direction of the existing pipe, in the existing pipe, and insert the valve element of the butterfly valve, which is to be in contact with the inner circumferential surface of the existing pipe, into the existing pipe.

Insertion of butterfly valve without disrupting flow


An apparatus is provided for performing an chemical, biochemical, or biological assay on a sample comprising: a microfluidic assay cartridge (1) that contains at least one sample inlet well (2) configured to receive a sample; and a microfluidic sub-unit (3) associated with the microfluidic assay cartridge (1) and comprising microfluidic channels (8), micro-valves (4, 4a, 9) and at least one separate and fluidicly-isolated isolation channel (5), and at least one hollow element (14); the at least one hollow element (14) being functionalized with a capture moiety or molecules (15) so as to form at least one reaction vessel (19); the microfluidic channels (8) and micro-valves (4, 4a, 9) configured to respond to signaling containing information about performing the assay and to controllably receive the sample and at least one reagent in the at least one reaction vessel (19), and to provide from the at least one reaction vessel (19) light containing information about the assay performed on the sample inside the at least one reaction vessel (19) as a result of said at least one reagent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing assays; and more particularly relates to a method and apparatus for performing chemical, biological or biochemical assays using microfluidic technology.
2. Brief Description of Related Art
One of the primary factors affecting the data quality of a multiplexed system is biological cross reactivity, which is caused when multiple analytes and a multi-reagent detection cocktail are mixed in a single reaction vessel. For example, in a protein assay, the mixing of analytes (proteins) and the detection cocktail (labeled antibodies) can result in unintended secondary cross-reactions or interference that distort the measurements and severely compromise data quality. This biological cross reactivity can be mitigated by attempting to design the assay with components that do not negatively react; however, this becomes increasingly impractical and difficult (due to the high number of variables introduced) as the multiplex level increases. Moreover, even for sets of antibodies in the assay with components that do not negatively react, the multiplexed result is still typically relative to the performance of any one of the individual components, due to the application of a common assay buffer across all of the antibodies, which is typically not the optimal buffer with respect to pH, salinity, etc for each of the antibodies.

Method and apparatus for performing assays


A pacing device provides feedback to a user based on a preselected pace time for an activity. A linear array of colored lights includes two lights of a first color and one light of a second color and is operated in accordance with a predetermined lighting sequence. The predetermined lighting sequence makes: 1) a combination of the two lights of the first color visible to the user during a time less than or equal to the preselected pace time, 2) a combination of one of the two lights of the first color and the one light of the second color visible to the user during a first portion of a time greater than the preselected pace time, and 3) only the one light of the second color visible to the user during a second portion of the time greater than the preselected pace time.

In most exercise or athletic training sessions, coaches provide the necessary incentive, encouragement and feedback about the level of effort being exerted by the performer. Such feedback is particularly important when the performer is trying to maintain a particular pace of activity for a period of time. Unfortunately, involvement by a coach is not always possible or practical. Further, many athletes train by doing distance workouts in a closed course environment such as a swimming pool or track. In such training workouts, the athlete must be able to pace himself as well as count the number of laps completed.
A variety of pacing devices have been disclosed in the prior art. For swimmers, such pacing devices include those in which a point of light moves clockwise around a "clock-like" circle of light emitting diodes in accordance with a preset pace time as taught by U.K. Patent No. 2,169,112. One revolution of the clock-like circle equates to a given pace time. However, the clock-like circle tends to mislead a swimmer since one revolution is most commonly equated with 60 seconds and not a preset pace time that may differ greatly from 60 seconds. In addition, the clock-like pacing device is maintained outside of the pool and therefore requires the swimmer to lift his head out of the water to look at the device which is usually placed at the end of the pool. However, as a swimmer raises his head out of the water to view the pacing device, water beads up on the swimmer's goggles and may obscure his vision. This not only makes it difficult to view the pacing device, but also diverts the swimmer's attention at a time when he may need to concentrate on executing a flip turn. The clock-like pacing device is also limited to a single pace. However, a long distance swimmer may want to train in accordance with a pace that changes (i.e., increases or decreases) during the course of a single event. Finally, the number of lights required to create a clock-like circle dictates that the ultimate device will be of a size, complexity and cost that is impractical for the average self-coached athlete.
Another type of training system designed for lap swimming, as well as running or biking on a track, involves the use of a flexible tube laid alongside the pool or track. The tube contains a series of internally arranged lamps that are sequentially illuminated in accordance with a frequency that equates to a preset pace time. Practically, this type of system requires a great deal of set-up time and lacks the portability for it to be useful in most training applications.


A system that transitions from freeform camera motion to surface following motion as a surface of an object is approached by clipping the vectors for closest point and look-at point. When the surface is reached and while following the surface the user can designate an up model that sets an up vector to conform the view to a users expectations while the system operates using a local up vector for computations. A restricted surface field of view along with an obstacle field of view can be used by the system to allow the view to traverse cavities and maintain a specified surface following distance from an obstacle, from a wall and from a floor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an improved system of push tumble navigation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Surface following can be used to view an object of a scene while inspecting the surface or performing other operations, such as a painting. When users are distant from the object and move toward it, a visual discontinuity can occur when the freeform motion is converted into surface following. When following a surface the closest point on the surface needs to be found so that a constant distance can be maintained. Simple ray casting to locate a closest point can be time consuming. When following a surface the user can also experience a view that is disorienting when some objects are traversed. Users performing surface following can use various types of motion specification. As a surface is being followed variations in the surface including cavities and obstacles can be encountered.
What is needed is a system that can accommodate the above discussed needs.

System for interactive 3D navigation for proximal object inspection