To offer a semiconductor laser drive circuit which can realize high-speed driving of the semiconductor laser. The drive current supply circuit consists of at least 2 diodes D101 and D102 which are connected in series from the bases of the current supply transistors N102 and N103 in a forward direction for the signal output line; data input circuit, which maintains the signal output node ND30 at ground potential when the input signal is at a high-level and maintains the signal output node ND30 at the level of the power supply voltage Vcc when it is at a low level; and a quick-start circuit 50, which consists of a Schottky diode DX501 whose anode is connected to the bases of the current supply transistors N202 and N203 of the bias circuit 20, and a transistor N501 whose base is connected to the cathode of the Schottky diode DX501, whose emitter is connected between the connection point between the 2 diodes D101 and D102, and the collector is connected to the collector of the current supply transistor N103.

In an LBP and PPC, laser light from a semiconductor laser is irradiated over a photosensitive drum in accordance with the video data, such as letters and picture image data, and the aforementioned video data is printed by using a toner by the condition of electrification in accordance with the condition of irradiation.
Semiconductor lasers that are adopted in such an LBP, for example, include anode stem types, in which the anode of the semiconductor laser diode is connected to the power source side, and the current drive circuit is connected to the cathode, and cathode stem types, in which the cathode of the semiconductor laser diode is connected to the power source (ground) side, and the current drive circuit is connected to the anode side.
Of these 2 types of semiconductor lasers, cathode stem type semiconductor lasers are often used from the standpoint of design and reliability, for example.
FIG. 2. is a circuit diagram which shows the structural example of a conventional current drive circuit in a cathode stem type semiconductor laser.
This current drive circuit DRV consists of a drive current switching circuit 10, bias current supply 20, data input circuit 30, and a semiconductor laser 40.
The drive current switching circuit 10 supplies or stops the supply of the drive current ISW to the semiconductor laser 40 in accordance with the data that is input through the data input circuit 30.
Also, the bias circuit 20 supplies the bias current Ib to the semiconductor laser 40.
The drive current ISW and the bias current Ib are supplied to the current supply terminal NDLD, which is a connecting node of the drive current switching circuit 10, bias current supply 20, and the semiconductor laser 40.
In the current drive circuit DRV in FIG. 2, the drive current switching circuit 10 consists of an op amp OP101, npn transistors N101-N104, pnp transistors P101-P103, current-setting resistor R101, and diodes D101 and D102 that are connected in series.
Also, the bias current 20 consists of an op amp OP201, npn transistors N201-N204, pnp transistors P201-P203, and a current-setting resistor R201.
Also, the data input circuit 30 consists of npn transistors N301-N305, pnp transistor P301, Zener diode ZD301, and resistors R301-R305.
Also, the semiconductor laser 40 consists of a laser diode LD401, photodiode PD401, and a resistor R401.
In this current drive circuit DRV, the value of the drive current ISW is determined by the voltage VIN that is applied to the input terminal TIN1 of the drive current switching circuit 10 and the resistance of the current-setting resistor R101. The current which is generated at the input stage in this manner is supplied to the bases of the drive current ISW supply transistors N102 and N103 through the transistors P101-P103 and N104 which make up a current mirror circuit.
Also, the value of the bias current Ib is determined by the voltage VIN2 that is applied to the input terminal TIN2 of the bias circuit 20, and the resistance of the current-setting resistor R201. The current generated at the input stage in this way is supplied to the bases of the bias current Ib supply transistors N202 and N203 through the transistors P201-P203 and N204, which make up a current mirror circuit. In this way, the bias current Ib is supplied to the current supply terminal NDLD.
Thus, the drive current switching circuit 10 supplies or stops the supply of drive current ISW to the current supply terminal NDLD accordance with the input level of the stream signal/DT (where/indicates active low) of the video data, for example, to the data input circuit 30.
More precisely, since video data is input at a high level, the output node ND30 of the input circuit 30 is connected to the ground potential Vss. Accordingly, the cathode side potential of the diode D102 is below the anode side potential of the diode D101, which is at the base potential of the drive current supply transistors N102 and N103 of the drive current switching circuit 10. As a result, the diodes D101 and D102 are turned on, the bases of the transistors N102 and N103 are pulled to ground potential Vss, the transistors N102 and N103 are turned off, and the supply of the drive current ISW to the current supply terminal NDLD is stopped.
Accordingly, in this case, only the bias current Ib is supplied to the semiconductor laser 40 and it is maintained in a turn-off bias condition.
On the other hand, when video data is input at a low level, the output node ND30 of the input circuit 30 is maintained at the level of the power supply voltage Vcc. As a result, the diodes D101 and D102 are turned off, the transistors N102 and N103 are turned on, and the drive current ISW is supplied to the current supply terminal NDLD.
Accordingly, in this case, the current ISW+Ib is supplied to the semiconductor laser 40, and, as a result, the laser diode LD401 emits light.
However, in the conventional drive circuit in the cathode stem type semiconductor laser described above, the semiconductor laser could not be rapidly driven from a turned-off state by the current Ib when the drive current ISW was supplied, while controlling the transistors N102 and N103, to a turned-on state by the stream signal of the video data, the emission characteristic became extremely dull, and achieving a high-speed drive was difficult.
The aim of the present invention, in which such a circumstance is considered, is to offer a semiconductor laser drive circuit in which the semiconductor laser can be driven at high speed.


A digitally formed monopulse radar employing dynamic real-time calibration uring operation. The invention has a transmitter section, timing circuit, RF section, IF section, in-phase and quadrature section and a digital signal processor. A portion of the transmit signal is diverted from the transmitter section for preparation of calibration factors during the calibration period between receive signals. The calibration factors prepared by the digital signal processor are applied by the processor to antenna received signals during the receive mode and to produce the corrected sum and delta pitch, and delta yaw signals and the tracking errors .epsilon..sub.y and .epsilon..sub.p.

In current Radar tracking systems monopulse is used as the primary tracking technique. Conventional phase monopulse tracking (phase monopulse) utilizes a single antenna with four phase centers or a set of four separate antennas. The output of the four phase centers (1, 2, 3, and 4) (see FIG. 1) are fed into an RF circuit to form three channels of information (Sum, Yaw Delta, and Pitch Delta). The Sum channel is formed from 1+2+3+4. The Yaw Delta is formed from (1+3)-(2+4). The Pitch Delta is formed from (1+2)-(3+4). The sum channel is sent through a 90.degree. phase shifter, then all three channels are sent through an AGC with the sum channel used as the normalizing signal. Then the normalized sum is correlated with each of the deltas to form epsilon pitch and epsilon yaw.
The major problem associated with this method is the matching of the three channels. This is done at the time of building of the system with no calibration possible after the system is assembled. The monopulse network used to form the sum and deltas is an added complexity to the system. It also introduces errors and is an added weight to the system.

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


An organic light emitting diode display includes a substrate; a gate wire on the substrate; an interlayer insulating layer covering the gate wire; a data wire on the interlayer insulating layer; a passivation layer on the data wire and the interlayer insulating layer and having a protection opening; a pixel electrode on a first wiring portion of the data wire exposed through the protection opening and the interlayer insulating layer; a pixel definition layer on the passivation layer and having a pixel opening exposing the pixel electrode; an organic emission layer covering the pixel electrode; and a common electrode covering the organic emission layer and the pixel definition layer, wherein the pixel electrode contacting the first wiring portion of the data wire and the interlayer insulating layer has protrusions and depressions.

1. Field
The described technology relates generally to an organic light emitting diode display.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic light emitting diode display includes two electrodes of an anode and a cathode, and an organic light emitting layer located between the two electrodes. The anode injects holes and the cathode injects electrons into the light emitting layer. The injected electrons and holes are combined to form excitons and the excitons emit light as they discharge energy.
Such an organic light emitting diode display includes a plurality of pixels including an organic light emitting diode, which is a self-emission device, wherein a plurality of thin film transistors and storage capacitors for driving the organic light emitting diode are located in each pixel.
To improve a viewing angle of the organic light emitting diode display, protrusions and depressions are formed at a passivation layer made of an organic layer. Also, for application to a larger TV, in the large organic light emitting diode display, a thickness of the passivation layer is increased to minimize parasitic capacitance between the data wire and the cathode.
However, when forming the protrusions and depressions at the thick passivation layer of the large organic light emitting diode display, by applying a half tone photomask to a pad portion, the protrusions and depressions are formed and simultaneously the thickness of the passivation layer must be reduced in the pad portion to perform pad bonding. Alternatively, a separate mask from the mask to form the pad portion must be added to form the protrusions and depressions in the passivation layer of the pixel.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.


A pointing device is disclosed comprising a motion translation unit and one or more physiological response sensors. The motion translation unit identifies and communicates changes in the position of the pointing device to a communicatively coupled host system. In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the one or more physiological response sensors measure and communicate physiological response information of a user of the pointing device to the host system. In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a host system incorporating the teachings of the present invention utilizes physiological response information to modify the operating environment of the host system to suit the physiological state of the host system user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of control devices and, in particular, to a pointing device with integrated physiological response detection facilities.
2. Background Information
Pointing devices facilitating user control of a communicatively coupled host system are well known in the art, and typically include such devices as a mouse, a joystick, a computer stylus, an electronic pen, an x-y tablet and the like. Those familiar with such devices will appreciate that prior art pointing devices typically provide two dimensional motion information as well as signals from momentary contact push-buttons. That is, prior art pointing devices merely provide for the manual control of the host operating environment by providing positional change information and user selection information. Accordingly, such prior art pointing devices are generally limited to the manual control of a pointing icon, e.g., a cursor, on the computer display, and to the selection of objects displayed within the graphical user interface of the host system.
Physiological response sensors which detect and measure certain physiological attributes of an individual are also known. Once relegated to sophisticated medical equipment, novelty computer applications relying on input from such physiological response sensors have recently been introduced. One example of just such a novelty "biofeedback" system is the Aura Video Station from Inneractive Inc., which was introduced at the COMDEX '98 trade show in Chicago. The Aura Video Station is generally comprised of a computer system having a pointing device and a separate physiological response input device. Specialized, novelty software provided with the system uses the physiological response information to provide the user with biofeedback information. The Aura Video Station is typical of prior art biofeedback systems in that (a) they require a separate dedicated physiological response input device that consumes a valuable I/O port of the computer system, and (b) the system relies on a specialized dedicated program which merely provides the user with biofeedback information for purposes of entertainment or self-diagnosis. None of the prior art systems rely on physiological response information for purposes of computer system control via a general operating system.
Thus, an improved method and apparatus for controlling a host system with physiological response information that does not consume excess I/O ports is needed, unencumbered by the inherent limitations and deficiencies commonly associated with the prior art. Accordingly, a pointing device with integrated physiological response detection facilities will be described below, in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Pointing device with integrated physiological response detection facilities


A security shield for a coaxial cable interconnection between a male connector and a female connector includes a gasket having a cross-section fitted to an annular shoulder of the security shield. When the security shield is fitted onto the coaxial cable interconnection, the gasket provides a seal between the security shield, the male connector, and the female connector. In an alternative embodiment, two gaskets are used which are fitted onto different parts of the annular shoulder of the security shield.

A number of connectors are available to terminate a coaxial cable so as to connect the cable to various electronic devices, such as switches, distribution boxes, manifolds, and electronic devices. In a typical coaxial cable network, a "drop" cable is used to carry the signal, which may include analog or digital TV signals, internet signals, security monitoring signals, etc., from the rigid coaxial cable near the road to the end user's home. The connector in many cases has to be installed outside of the end user's home so that the servicing and installation personnel can perform troubleshooting as well as connecting and disconnecting the signal without entering the end user's premises. The connector is thereby exposed to weather elements, including periods of high moisture, temperature fluctuations, rain, snow, etc. In addition, as the connectors are installed outdoors, they are prone to unauthorized assess, tampering, or theft.
The drop cable typically has an elongated copper or a copper clad steel center conductor, surrounded by a dielectric in turn surrounded by a conducting braid and/or foil which is used as a shield, which is in turn surrounded by a polymer-based insulating jacket, typically made of PVC or PE.
A typical interconnection of the "F" female port and "F" male connector is shown in FIG. 1. The "F" female port and "F" male connector are interconnected and sealed with a sleeve which is independent of the connector but is dependent on the attachment of the "F" male connector to the "F" female port. The sleeve provides the critical protection against moisture. Inadequate sealing of the connection is known to cause a non-hermetic seal and thereby allow penetration of moisture into the interconnection. The signal quality is then compromised at the subscriber's location due to parasite electrical pathways between the center conductor and the shielding formed by moisture, as well as the oxidation and corrosion of the internal connector components and of the center conductor, with consequent deterioration of the quality of the connection.
Security shields protecting the interconnection and providing security against unauthorized access, theft, and tampering are known in the art. A typical security shield is a shell slideably fitting over the interconnection and preventing physical access. A special tool is commonly required to attach the security shield. Once the security shield is attached, it is impossible to disconnect the connectors without first removing the security shield. However, typical security shields are difficult to fit over the sealing sleeves such as shown in FIG. 1 due to spatial constraints.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,824,386 discloses a security connector with a shield 22b and a retaining ring 152 in FIGS. 4 and 5. There is no provision for a weather seal. The retaining ring 152 cannot provide any weather seal or perform sealing gasket-like functions being cut in the middle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,822,293 discloses a sealing housing 10 which includes a tubular member 12 and two O-rings 40 and 46. Although not a security sleeve, housing 10 is very similar to one. This design requires a complicated assembly and insertion of gaskets 40 and 46 which can fall off during the connector assembly without the assembler noticing.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,818 discloses a hollow elastically deformable sealant member 180 which provides a weather seal between the male and female "F" connectors. This sealing apparatus is similar to the prior art embodiment shown in FIG. 1, and is subject to leakage through the treads of the male threaded member, especially when exposed to temperature fluctuations when in service. Another disadvantage of this sealing apparatus is the extra part of the assembly represented by the elastically deformable sealant member and the extra time required when performing assembly in the field.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,633 discloses an O-ring 124 (FIG. 2) which seals between outer shell 98 and tubular component 68 of housing 66. Outer shell 98 performs a locking function similar to a security shield.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,439,386 discloses a locking member 100 (FIGS. 7, 7A, 7B) with O-rings 38 and 154 providing a seal between the locking member, chassis mounting portion 6, and adaptor 8. This is a complicated design requiring complex assembly and multiple sealing gaskets.
None of the prior art has addressed the tight weather seal requirements for the "F" interconnection as well as the security shielding requirements, along with the concomitant need to prevent direct detaching or loosening of the connector from the mating port, unauthorized access, tampering, and theft, in an economic, easy to assemble, and compact package. The complexity of design and number of required parts makes some of these connectors impractical and expensive to manufacture. In addition, the procedures required to assemble these connectors in the field, often in inclement weather conditions, are complicated.


A transparent display panel and a display panel. The transparent display panel includes a transparent display area. The transparent display area includes a plurality of first pixel units. Each of the first pixel units includes a plurality of first sub-pixels. Each of the first sub-pixels includes: a first electrode being light-transmitting; a first light-emitting structural block located on the first electrode; and a second electrode located on the first light-emitting structural block. At least one pixel driving circuit for driving the first sub-pixels to emit light is arranged outside of the transparent display area. A separating area is arranged between an area where the at least one pixel driving circuit is arranged and the transparent display area.

With rapid development of display devices, users have increasingly higher requirements on screen-to-body ratio. Because the top of the screen needs to install components such as cameras, sensors and earphones, a part area on the top of the screen is usually reserved for the installation of the above components, for example, the "notch" area of the iPhone X, which affects the overall consistency of the screen. The full-screen display is receiving more and more attention from the industry.

Transparent display panels and display panels

KunShan Go-Visionox Opto-Electronics Co., Ltd.


A stimulation strategy for cochlear implants is disclosed. The method and devices that provides electrical stimuli seek to approximate the time domain response of a patient's neural system to electrical stimuli, to the time domain response of a normal hearing person to a corresponding acoustic stimulus.

Cochlear implants of various types have been proposed and constructed. For the purposes of explanation of the present invention, reference will be made to arrangements such as are commercially available from Cochlear Pty Ltd. However, it will be appreciated that the present invention is equally applicable to other types of auditory prostheses. An intracochlear electrode array is surgically implanted in a patient, together with a receiver stimulator unit for providing electrical stimuli to selected electrode pairs within the array. The receiver stimulator unit is connected, via an inductive transcutaneous link or a direct percutaneous connection, to an external sound processing device and microphone.
The present invention is concerned principally with the process of selecting appropriate stimuli, and with the actual stimulus pulses delivered in response to the acoustic stimuli. According to known arrangements, stimuli may be applied between different pairs of electrodes, to provide different modes of stimulation. In general, the electrode pair selected is related to the pitch of a detected tone. In this case, stimuli have generally used a consistent pulse timing and shape, and amplitude is determined by reference to the amplitude of the detected sound signal. It is also known to stimulate at a rate related to a detected tone, so as to induce a pitch percept.
However, it has been determined that the perceptions of patients in response to these stimuli are different from the perceptions using the normal hearing mechanisms. It has been determined that, in particular, the response of the auditory nerve to such stimulation is quite dissimilar to the neural response of a normally hearing person to the same sound.
In a paper by Parkins et al, entitled "A fibre sum modulation code for a cochlear prosthesis", Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1983 at p 490, the authors discuss providing stimuli in such a way as to mimic the neural response of a normal hearing person to acoustic stimuli. The stimulus waveform is modified, using a complex mathematical model, so that the post stimulus time histogram approximates that of the normal hearing case. However, the arrangement described is not suited for real time processing so as to facilitate implementation in an implantable or portable device.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,384 to Scott et al discloses a real time processing arrangement for a cochlear implant. This disclosure does not describe a system which accounts for the refractory period of nerve fibres, and as a result the stimuli produced do not provide a neural response having a time domain waveform similar to the normal hearing case.
In a paper by Motz and Rattay, (1988), "Signal processing strategies for electrostimulated ear prostheses based in simulated nerve response", the stimulated authors discuss the problems associated with hyperpolarisation of the auditory nerve fibres, and consequent loss of perception of higher formants by patients. The stimuli were simulated as if presented from a single electrode. The authors propose the use of further pulses after the initial stimulus pulse, the later pulses having considerable linear increases in amplitude, to improve the perception of higher formants. There is no disclosure of selecting pulses so as to produce a desired post-stimulus time histogram in the auditory nerve structures.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a practical arrangement for generating electrical stimuli so that an auditory nerve response is produced which better approximates the time domain response of the neural structures of a normal hearing person to a given acoustic stimulus.


A medical image processing apparatus comprises processing circuitry configured to: obtain volumetric data corresponding to a three dimensional region of a subject; perform a sampling process that comprises sampling the volumetric data at a plurality of sampling points along a plurality of sampling paths; for each of a plurality of intervals between sampling points on sampling paths, determine a position of a shading evaluation point in the interval based on intensity values and/or opacity values for a front sampling point and back sampling point of the interval; and determine a value for a shading parameter at the determined shading evaluation point; and perform a rendering process using the determined values for the shading parameter.

Volumetric medical imaging techniques that can produce three-dimensional medical imaging data using any of a variety of imaging modalities, for example CT, PET, MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray, are now widely used for imaging or diagnostic purposes.
Volumetric medical imaging data may comprise a three-dimensional array of voxels, each voxel representative of a particular position in three-dimensional space and each voxel having one or more data values. For example in the case of CT data, each voxel may have an associated intensity value which is representative of the attenuation of the applied X-ray radiation provided at the location represented by the voxel, for example the attenuation of the part of a patient's anatomy present at that location. The intensity value may be referred to as an image value, gray value, gray level, voxel value or CT value. The intensity value may be measured in Hounsfield units (HU).
A wide variety of rendering techniques are known that are used to process volumetric image data in order to display a desired representation of a patient or other subject.
For example, the volumetric image data may be rendered to display a two-dimensional projection of the three dimensional volumetric data. The two-dimensional projection may include desired texture or shading effects, and may provide an impression of a surface in three dimensions to the viewer.
Commonly used volume rendering techniques use a transfer function to map each of a series of sampled voxel values to an opacity value and a color value (usually represented by a combination of red, green and blue color values). In ray casting and similar techniques, for each pixel in the 2D projection a virtual ray is cast from the perspective of the viewer through a corresponding point on a two-dimensional virtual image plane and through the volume represented by the volumetric image data.
Shaded direct volume rendering (SVR) has become commonplace in Advanced Visualization applications. Global illumination (GI) is another type of volume rendering having a more accurate optical model.
Standards for image quality have increased since the introduction of SVR. There may be some image artifacts that were once considered to be acceptable to the viewer, but are no longer tolerated.
One image quality issue in SVR may be the presence in some SVR images of tree-ring artifacts. In some circumstances, sharp edges caused by steep ramps in the transfer function make the sampling grid interfere with the surface. The term tree-ring artifacts refers to lines resembling tree-rings or contours which appear on a surface that is intended to have more consistent coloring, for example to have gradual transitions between color values.
FIG. 1a shows an example of an image having tree-ring artifacts. FIG. 1b shows an image rendered from the same imaging data as FIG. 1a, in which the tree-ring artifacts are reduced.
FIG. 2a is a schematic illustration of a sampling process. FIG. 2a represents a two-dimensional slice of a volumetric imaging data set. A plurality of rays r1, r2, r3, r4, r5, r6, r7, r8, r9 enter the volumetric imaging data set from the left side of FIG. 2a. Each ray r1 to r9 samples the volumetric imaging data set at plurality of sampling locations s1, s2, s3, s4, s5, s6, s7, s8 along the ray. Each sampling location s1 to s8 on each ray r1 to r9 may also be referred to as a sampling grid point.
The rays r1 to r9 enter a body 10 that has a curved surface. For each ray r1 to r9, the arrow at the end of the ray r1 to r9 indicates the first sampling point on the ray r1 to r9 that is inside the body 10.
As can be seen in FIG. 2a, the planar sampling grid points land at different distances from the curved edge of the body 10. The distances between the sampling grid points and the edge of the body 10 are not random. The distances between the sampling grid points and the edge of the body 10 phase in and out and the surface of the body 10 curves around.
FIG. 2b is a plot of the distance from the boundary of the body 10 to the first interaction (sampling point) inside the body 10, for each ray r1 to r9. FIG. 2b shows the variation of the distance between the edge of the body 10 and the sampling point for each of the rays r1 to r9.
In some circumstances, neighboring rays may have highly aliased colors. For example, consider r4 and r5 of FIG. 2a. FIG. 2c shows a plot of sample values for r4. The values for samples at s1, s2 and s3 are low (below 10) and the sample value at s4 is 60. FIG. 2d shows a plot of sample values for r5. The values for samples at s1, s2 and s3 are low (below 10) and the sample value at s4 is 100.
FIG. 3 shows a transfer function using in rendering. The transfer function may also be described as a preset. The transfer function maps color values and opacity values to intensity values. In the case of FIG. 3, the intensity values are gray levels. For each gray level, the transfer function defines a color value and opacity value to be associated with that gray level.
The transfer function of FIG. 3 represents the opacity and color that are associated with each gray level for rendering. Opacity is shown on the vertical axis and gray level on the horizontal axis. Gray levels below 50 are rendered as fully transparent. Opacity increases between 50 and 65, then remains level between 65 and 80 before rising again between 80 and 100. At gray levels of 100 and above, the opacity value is 100%.
A gray level of 50 is colored yellow. The yellow color reddens as the gray value increases from 50 to 80 or so, after which the color is uniformly red. We note that the yellow and red colors have been converted into a grayscale in this illustration.
The transfer function of FIG. 3 may be used to determine color and opacity values for the gray level of s4 for ray r4 (shown in FIG. 2c) and the gray level of s4 for ray r5 (shown in FIG. 2d). According to the transfer function, sample s4 of ray r4, having a gray level of 60, is rendered in yellow and partially opaque. Sample s4 of ray r5, having a gray level of 100, is rendered in red and fully opaque. In this case, neighboring rays have highly discretized colors.
FIG. 4a is a further schematic illustration of a sampling process. Color of a sample, c(s), is sampled in discrete steps along rays cast through a volume. For a series of (usually equally spaced) sample points along the ray path through the volume, a transfer function (for example, the transfer function of FIG. 3) is used to assign opacity and color values to the sampled points. A process is then performed to combine the color and opacity values of the sampled points in sequence along the ray path to produce a single color value for that pixel.
If, for example, the opacity of the first sampled point is high, as determined by the transfer function based on the measured intensity value for that point, then the color of the corresponding pixel may be determined entirely, or almost entirely, by the color value for that sampled point, as the virtual ray effectively does not penetrate into the volume beyond that initial high opacity point. If the opacity values of the first points in the series of sampled points are relatively low then the color of the corresponding pixel may be determined from a combination of the color values for those sampled points in the series up to the point where the accumulated opacity reaches a sufficiently high value.
The color and opacity values are only determined at discrete sampling points. A series of blocks in FIG. 4a represent the calculated color values for the sampling points. It can be seen that there may be substantial changes in value between one sampling point and the next sampling point.
The simple sampling approach illustrated in FIG. 4a and FIGS. 2a to 2d may be vulnerable to volatility in the transfer function and in the data sampled. The simple sampling approach may result in tree-ring artifacts as illustrated in FIG. 1a.
One known method that may reduce tree-ring artifacts is a standard technique called pre-integration, which is illustrated in FIGS. 4b and 5.
Pre-integration is a technique that involves using colors that are pre-computed for a sample interval between adjacent sampling points. The results of the pre-computations are stored in a 2D look-up table. The 2D look-up table stores a pre-computed value for each combination of front sample intensity value and back sample intensity value. Corresponding opacity and color values for each possible pair of intensity values and sample spacings are pre-computed using the transfer function and stored in the look-up table.
The 2D look-up table provides pre-computed color values for use in rendering. For each successive pair of samples along the ray path, indicated as front slice (Sf) and back slice (Sb) in FIG. 5, a renderer looks up the pre-computed color and opacity value for that pair of samples from a 2D look-up table that corresponds to that pair of sampled intensity values and that sample spacing.
The 2D look-up table is represented graphically in FIG. 5 as a 2D intensity plot 12. The horizontal axis of the 2D intensity plot is the intensity value for the sampling point on the front slice, Sf. The vertical axis of the 2D intensity plot is the intensity value for the sampling point on the back slice, Sb. The intensity plot 12 shows pre-integrated colors for each pair of intensity values. In the example of FIG. 5, the pre-integrated colors are RBG colors. However, they are represented as grayscale in FIG. 5 for ease of reproduction.
The sampling point that the ray reaches first may be referred to as the front sample, and the other sampling point of the pair may be referred to as the back sample. In general, front and back refer to the direction of travel of the ray, with points that the ray reaches earlier being described as being in front of points that the ray reaches later. The interval between the front sampling point and the back sampling point may be referred to as a span.
The pre-integration approach presumes that for each pair of sampled intensity values, the intensity varies linearly (or in some other specified way) in the interval between the sampled points. The stored value in the look-up table for a particular pair of sampled intensity values can be considered to represent averaged opacity and color values of the transfer function for the range of intensities between the two sampled intensity values.
The use of the 2D pre-integration can turn the estimate provided by the sampling approach of 4a to a smoother estimate, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 4b. Effectively, each discrete block of FIG. 4a is now replaced by a pre-computed integral of the transfer function between the two samples. This computation is subject only to the sampling rate and the transfer function, independent of the volume data, the viewing angle and other rendering parameters. The 2D pre-integration approach may be considered to provide a slab-by-slab rendering process rather than slice-by-slice rendering process for each pixel. The 2D pre-integration approach may provide a smoothing to counteract volatility in the transfer function and in the data sampled.
A simple numerical sampling approach, for example as described with reference to FIG. 4a, may lead to artifacts such as the tree ring artifacts shown in FIG. 1a that results from a thin skin layer going un-sampled in particular areas due to the discretization of the simple numerical approach. The 2D pre-integration approach of FIGS. 4b and 5 may capture skin detail more accurately, for example as shown in FIG. 1b.
The pre-integration algorithm takes into account the transfer function not only at the sampling grid points but on the whole interval between a front and back sampling point.
The grayscale signal is often modelled as a linear function between a front and back sample. For each pair of possible front and back samples, the true integral may be pre-computed and cached. The sampling grid does not change when pre-integration is used. Only the integration method is changed by the use of pre-integration. In order to support a continuous linear model, two samples (front and back) form a ray span with a precomputed accurate interval.
A shading function used in rendering (for example, an SVR or GI rendering) may also be considered to interfere with the sampling grid. Shading artifacts due to the evaluation of the shading function on a fixed grid may result in a loss of image quality. Shading calculations may suffer from discretization effects. The discretization effects in shading calculations may be considered to be similar in some ways to the tree ring artifacts described above (which were due to discretization of color).
Shading may be performed by, for example, calculating a gradient at each sampling point and applying shading based on the calculated gradients. However, a value for gradient may change rapidly near surfaces. A surface angle may change very rapidly between sampling points.
The position from which an irradiance is calculated in global illumination may also be considered to interfere with a sampling grid. It may not be possible to easily pre-integrate the position from which irradiance is calculated as it forms a double integral with the main ray path.
A global illumination algorithm may estimate an irradiance at a point by reading a value from a cached irradiance; by casting one or many rays to determine the irradiance; or by reading the irradiance at a fixed distance from the point and refining the value by attenuating it in a fixed number of steps.
The exact point at which to evaluate the irradiance between the front and back sample may be important and may be a source of aliasing. In some circumstances, there may be a fast-changing irradiance gradient. Often, but not always, the irradiance may be fast-changing when the gradient is fast-changing.
One option for improving shading may be to perform a super-sampling. The super-sampling may comprise sampling using a smaller sampling interval, which may reduce discretization effects. However, super-sampling may make the rendering process extremely slow.


When printing an image on a printing sheet, it is judged whether or not an RFID tag has been arranged in the printing sheet. When an RFID tag has been arranged, an image indicating the presence of RFID tag is printed, or an RFID tag cutting assistant line or the like for invalidating RFID tag is printed, whereby the user can easily recognize the presence of RFID tag. Also, the user can easily cut out and invalidate the RFID tag. When the user's information has been recorded on the RFID tag, a mark indicating the writing of information into RFID tag is attached to the printing sheet, whereby the user can easily recognize the presence/absence of information recorded on RFID tag. Consequently, there can be provided a method capable of identifying and easily discarding a printing sheet with RFID tag which can leak out the user's secret, privacy information or the like, and a method for easily judging whether or not ID information has already been recorded on a printing sheet with RFID tag.

In recent years, there have been proposed image forming apparatuses in which, by using a recording medium with RFID composed of a recording medium, such as various sheets, having incorporated therein an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag, a printing on the recording medium can be performed and at the same time various information can be written in the RFID tag attached to the recording medium. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an image forming apparatus in which a label printing on a label sheet with RFID having incorporated therein an RFID tag can be performed and at the same time information can be written in the RFID tag.
Meanwhile, there has also been proposed a method of attaching an RFID tag onto a picture and thereby writing information associated with the picture in the RFID tag. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses a method of performing a picture printing on a recording medium with RFID tag by a digital still camera having incorporated therein a printer.
However, when an RFID tag is incorporated into such product label and picture recording material, the following problems arise. For example, there is a risk in that the tag information is read by a third party without the owner of the printed material having incorporated therein an RFID tag knowing, thus invading the privacy of the owner. Also, when a printed material having incorporated therein an RFID tag is discarded, the information remains in the discarded RFID tag, causing a risk of leakage of information.
Meanwhile, as a countermeasure against leakage of information, methods for invalidating RFID tag have been proposed. In Patent Document 3, there has been proposed a voltage generation method for generating a voltage for breaking or disable a contactless card circuitry. According to the method, an IC tag on a contactless card is physically broken by an applied voltage. In Non-patent Document 1, the Auto-ID Center proposes the RFID tag specification in which the invalidation command is installed in an RFID tag, whereby when a product with RFID tag is purchased, the RFID tag is invalidated in the shop or the like. According to this technique, a specific apparatus (a dedicated apparatus) is used to transmit the Kill command to thereby invalidate the RFID tag.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-140548
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-72146
[Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-325223
[Non-patent Document 1] 14.4.8 Kill (binary '01 111111 1') "Draft protocol specification for a 900 MHz Class O Radio Frequency Identification Tag" 23 Feb. 2003 (Auto-ID Center) (http://www.epcglobalinc.org/standards_technology/Secur e/v1.0/UHF-class0.pdf)
However, it is difficult for a general user to judge whether or not an RFID tag is attached to the recording medium. Thus, when the printed material or the product label is broken, it is not possible to judge whether or not it is necessary to invalidate it.
According to the conventional technique described above, in order to invalidate the RFID tag, a dedicated apparatus used to invalidate it must be provided. Thus it is not possible for a general user having the printed material or product with RFID tag to easily invalidate the RFID tag at home.
According to the technique in which the visual appearance of RFID tag does not vary, such as the technique of transmitting the Kill command and thereby invalidating RFID tag, it is difficult to confirm whether or not the RFID tag has been surely invalidated, thus causing the user to feel uneasy.
It is also difficult to judge from the visual appearance of the printed material with RFID tag whether or not information has already been written.

Image forming apparatus and control method thereof


A battery having at least one anode, at least one cathode, and at least one electrolyte disposed between the anode and the cathode is presented. Each anode comprises an anode current collector, a first soluble, amorphous, thermoplastic polyimide; an electronic conductive filler; and an intercalation material. Each cathode comprises a cathode current collector; a second soluble, amorphous, thermoplastic polyimide; an electronic conductive filler; and a metal oxide. Lastly, each electrolyte comprises a third soluble, amorphous, thermoplastic polyimide and a lithium salt. The process for preparing the battery comprises the steps of preparing an anode slurry, a cathode slurry, and an electrolyte solution. Casting a film of the electrolyte solution to form an electrolyte layer. Coating the anode slurry and the cathode slurry on each respective current collector to form an anode and a cathode. Drying the electrolyte layer, the anode and the cathode and assembling the electrolyte layer, anode and cathode to form a battery.

Lithium battery technology is a relatively new field and the subject of intensive research. The main battery characteristics sought to be improved by new research are size, weight, energy density, capacity, lower self discharge rates, cost and environmental safety. The goal is to simplify the fabrication techniques and improve interlayer adhesion to produce a dry cell battery that is small and light weight, has a long useful life, has greater energy density, and contains little or no toxic compounds that may enter the environment upon disposal. These batteries are useful for many applications such as power supplies for cellular phones, smart cards, calculators, portable computers, and electrical appliances.
Schmutz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,357) address a problem with adhesion between the electrode and collector elements. Their solution is to pretreat the collector elements in which a 0.25% to 3.0% solution of a polymeric material compatible with the matrix polymer is applied to the collector foil or grid and dried to form a coated film. The resulting coated collector element is heated to make the polymer tacky. The pretreated coated collector element is further processed by applying the appropriate electrode composition to it to form an anode or a cathode. These electrode and separator elements are formulated as layers of plasticized polymeric matrix compositions that are laminated with the electrically conductive collector elements to form a unitary battery cell structure.
Gozdz et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,587,253) disclose a lithium ion battery with an electrolyte/separator composition comprising a polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer and a plasticizer. The crystalline structure of the polyvinylidene fluoride copolymer necessitates the introduction of plasticizers to disrupt the crystalline regions of the copolymer matrix simulating an amorphous region which leads to higher ionic conductivity. In addition, the introduction of plasticizers helps to lower the glass transition temperature of the polymer allowing it to undergo melt flow or softening during the operation of the battery. This helps to facilitate the mobilization of the ions through the membrane. Eventually, the plasticizer must be replaced with an electrolyte salt solution which contains another plasticizer combination of ethylene carbonate and dimethyl carbonate.
The battery is formed by laminating each of the composite anode and cathode compositions separately onto wire grid current collectors. Gozdz et al. further address the problem with adhesion by surface cleaning the electrode elements in a common copper bright solution, rinsing in water, air drying, dip coating in an acetone solution of the copolymer solution and drying it to a tacky state. In particular each electrode was prepared by cutting a film and overlaying it upon the dip coated grid to form an element pair. The element pair was placed between buffer sheets of abherent polyethylene terephthalate and was then passed through a laminating station. An electrode/collector pair was laminated with an interposed electrolyte separator membrane. In order to activate the battery, the laminated battery structure was extracted of a substantial amount of the plasticizer comprising the polymer matrices of the laminated layers, particularly the separator/electrolyte. The extracted battery structure was then activated in preparation for charge/discharge cycle testing by immersion, under a substantially moisture-free atmosphere. During immersion, the battery imbibed an amount of a 1M electrolyte solution of LiPF.sub.6 in 50:50 ethylene carbonate (EC):dimethyl carbonate (DMC) for about 20 minutes during which the battery imbibed an amount of solution which substantially replaced the extracted plasticizer with the EC/DMC solution.
Skotheim et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,947) disclose "gel-type" solid electrolytes that consist of a high molecular weight polymer matrix into which is dissolved an electrolyte salt, then subsequently swollen with a low molecular weight liquid (propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, glymes, low molecular weight polysiloxanes, and mixtures thereof) which effectively acts as a plasticizer for the salt-polymer matrix. Useful gel-type electrolytes include sulfonated polyimides which have been swollen. The introduction of these plasticizers affects the dimensional stability of the material in that they have a tendency to leach out of the material causing it to return to a brittle and inflexible state. This affects the ionic mobility of the system and causes the adhesion to fail.
Whang (U.S. Pat. No. 5,407,593) teaches that the main path for ion transportation in a polymer electrolyte is via the amorphous region of a polymer matrix. Thus, the ionic conductivity of a polymeric electrolyte can be increased by diminishing the crystalline region and increasing the amorphous region of the polymer matrix. The methods frequently used to achieve this are: (1) preparing a new polymer such as copolymer or polymer with network structure; (2) adding non-soluble additives to improve the electrolytic property; and (3) adding soluble additives to provide a new path for ionic conductivity. Polymers having high-dielectric constants are good matrices for preparing polymeric electrolytes. However, because they have high glass transition temperatures or high degrees of crystallinity they do not result in desirable polymeric electrolytes. To remedy this, Whang discloses a polymeric electrolyte containing no volatile components. This assures that no change in conductivity and composition occurs due to the volatilization of some compounds contained therein. Thus, the conductivity is kept constant. The polymeric electrolytes of his invention include a polar polymer matrix, a dissociable salt, and a plasticizer of polyether or polyester oligomer with terminal groups halogenated.
Fujimoto et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,468,571) disclose a secondary battery with a negative electrode comprising a carbon powder, particles constituting the powder being consolidated with a polyimide binder. The polyimide may be either a thermosetting polyimide or a thermoplastic polyimide, the former including both condensation type and addition type. A representative example of condensation type polyimide resins is one obtained by heat curing (dehydration condensation reaction) a solution of a polyamide acid (a polyimide intermediate) in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. The polyamide acid in turn being obtained by reacting an aromatic diamine with an aromatic tetracarboxylic acid anhydride. The heat curing is preferably conducted at a temperature of at least 350 degrees C. for at least two hours to complete the dehydration condensation reaction. They note that if the polyimide intermediate with which the dehydration condensation reaction has not been completed, remains in the negative electrode after the heat curing, it may, when the battery temperature becomes abnormally high, condense to release water which should react vigorously with lithium. Addition type polyimides also require heat curing.
An object of the present invention is to provide a polyimide battery that is based on a soluble, amorphous, thermoplastic polyimide.
Another object is to provide a polyimide electrolyte that does not require swelling or introduction of plasticizers.
Another object is to provide a polyimide battery that exhibits excellent interlayer adhesion.
Another object is to provide a polyimide battery that is capable of dissolving a large amount of lithium salt.
Another object is to provide a polyimide battery that is environmentally safe.
Another object is to provide a polyimide battery that exhibits high ionic conductivity with insubstantial change over a range of temperatures and pressures.
Another object is to provide a process for preparing a polyimide battery.
Another object is to provide a process for preparing a polyimide battery that does not require pre-treatment of the current collectors.
Another object is to provide a process for preparing a polyimide battery that does not require curing of the polyimide.
Another object is to provide a process for preparing a polyimide battery that does not require heating the polyimide above its glass transition temperature.
Another object is to provide a process for preparing a polyimide battery that does not require high temperature and high pressure to form the battery.
Another object is to provide a flexible polyimide battery.


The present invention includes a process for selectively etching a low-k dielectric material formed on a substrate using a plasma of a gas mixture in a plasma etch chamber. The gas mixture comprises a fluorine-rich fluorocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon gas, a nitrogen-containing gas, and one or more additive gases, such as a hydrogen-rich hydrofluorocarbon gas, an inert gas and/or a carbon-oxygen gas. The process provides a low-k dielectric to a photoresist mask etching selectivity ratio greater than about 5:1, a low-k dielectric to a barrier/liner layer etching selectivity ratio greater about 10:1, and a low-k dielectric etch rate higher than about 4000 Å/min.

The maximum operating speed of current semiconductor devices is limited by the time delay factor T=RC of metal lines, where R is the resistance of the metal lines and C is the capacitance of the dielectric insulating material surrounding the metal lines. As the minimum feature size of integrated circuits continues to shrink, the metal lines become thinner and more densely packed, resulting in greater resistance in the metal lines and larger inter-metal capacitance, and therefore a longer time delay. By changing to different materials, i.e., higher conductivity material for the metal lines and lower permittivity (low-k) dielectric for the insulating material, device geometry can continue to shrink without adversely impacting the maximum operating speed. This has prompted the switch from aluminum and silicon dioxide to copper and low-k dielectrics such as organosilicate glass in the backend process flow for manufacturing many current and future semiconductor devices.
The switch from aluminum/oxide to copper/low-k involves a variety of fundamental changes in the backend manufacturing process flow. Since it is difficult to etch copper, new approaches such as "damascene" or "dual damascene" processing are required. Copper damascene/dual-damascene is a process where vias and trenches are etched into the insulating material. Copper is then filled into the vias and trenches and sanded back so the conducting materials are only left in the vias and trenches. Among the many challenges presented by this process, etching trenches or vias in low-k dielectrics can be tricky due to the more complicated chemical composition of the dielectric material and the many different kinds of low-k dielectric materials available. The etch chemistry for etching a low-k dielectric material may have to be tailored to match up with the amount of carbon, hydrogen, silicon, fluorine and oxygen in the material.
The ratio of the rate of etching a low-k dielectric layer to the rate of etching one of the adjacent layers of other materials is called etching selectivity. A photoresist layer is typically used to mask the low-k dielectric layer during the etching process. As the feature sizes continue to shrink, the photoresist mask becomes thinner in order to meet lithography-related challenges posed by smaller feature sizes. The thinner resist requires tighter control on the dielectric etch selectivity. However, like photoresist, many low-k dielectric materials also contain some carbon and hydrogen, making it harder to meet the selectivity requirement. Therefore, compared with traditional dielectric etching processes, selectively etching low-k dielectric materials requires more precise tuning of the process chemistry and process parameters.
Another problem associated with etching low-k dielectrics is the dependence of the low-k dielectric etch rate upon pattern density and topographic dimensions of etched features (e.g. vias and trenches), which is known as etch rate microloading, or microloading. The etch rate microloading is a measure of the difference in etch rate in features having different sizes, and is calculated as a percent value of the difference between etch rate in a larger feature and etch rate in a smaller feature divided by the etch rate in the larger feature. It has been noted that microloading increases as the size of an opening of the small feature decreases and as the aspect ratio of the small feature increases.

Selective etching of carbon-doped low-k dielectrics


A base image is created from RGB image signals. A B/G ratio between the B image signal and the G image signal is calculated, and a G/R ratio between the G image signal and the R image signal is calculated. A frequency component-enhanced image in which a frequency component corresponding to an abnormal part different from a normal part is enhanced is generated based on the base image. A composition ratio which indicates the ratio for composing the frequency component-enhanced image with the base image is set based on the B/G ratio and the G/R ratio. The frequency component-enhanced image is composed with the base image at the set composition ratio to generate a structure-enhanced image in which the structure of the abnormal part is enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing device which processes an image for use at the time of diagnosis of atrophic gastritis, and an operation method therefor.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
In a medical field, diagnosis or the like using an endoscope system comprising a light source device, an electronic endoscope, and a processor device has been widely performed. In a recent endoscope system, with high resolution using a high-vision system, such as high sensitivity or an increase in the number of pixels of an imaging element incorporated in an electronic endoscope, a high-definition image exceeding conventional image quality has been able to be displayed. With this, it is possible to depict even a small lesion of a fine blood vessel or a mucosa very realistically.
With the realization of high-vision, since the shape or size of a lesion part is made clear, it is possible to facilitate the detection of the lesion part. However, a doctor finds the lesion part from a slight difference in color of a mucosa as well as the shape or size of the lesion part. For example, a portion which is reddish and has a slight difference in color from the mucosa is detected as an early lesion part. There is a case where the slightly reddish portion cannot be found even if high-vision is realized if just resolution is increased.
Accordingly, in Japanese Patent No. 3228627, color enhancement processing for reddening a reddish portion and whitening a white portion is performed to make a boundary of a lesion part noticeable. As in United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0078044 (corresponding to JP2012-71012A), the size of a discolored area different in color from a mucosa, such as a brownish area (BA), is detected, and frequency band-enhancement processing is performed according to the size of the discolored area to enhance the structure of the discolored area. The color enhancement processing or frequency band enhancement processing is performed, whereby it is possible to find a lesion part which cannot be found with just the realization of high-vision.
In recent years, a lesion part of the stomach, such as a gastric cancer, has been detected from the state of atrophic gastritis. This uses the following relationship between atrophic gastritis and the lesion part of the stomach. In a case of a normal gastric mucosal structure shown in FIG. 18A, since a mucosal layer of a surface is increased in thickness, most of light is absorbed or reflected in the mucosal layer. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 18B, it In contrast, as shown in FIG. 19A, in a case of a gastric mucosal structure in which atrophic gastritis has progressed, a mucosal layer is decreased in thickness with a decrease in the number of gastric gland cells. The change of the internal structure of the gastric mucosa with the progress of atrophic gastritis appears as changes (A) and (B) described below on an endoscopic image.
(A) A lamina muscularis mucosae of a color close to white becomes see-through, and the color of atrophic mucosa becomes a faded color compared to a normal part.
(B) In an area where there is an atrophic mucosa, when a mucosal layer is decreased in thickness with atrophy, a blood vessel of a submucosa becomes see-through (see FIG. 19B).
Accordingly, in diagnosis of a gastric lesion part based on atrophic gastritis, the degree of progress of atrophy or the boundary between a normal part and a gastritis part is determined using the two features (A) and (B) described above.
In a case where atrophy has progressed to a high degree (for example, in a case of atrophy included in a group C or a group Din an ABC examination), it is possible to observe the two features (A) and (B) described above on an endoscopic image clearly. However, in a case where atrophy has not progressed much, that is, atrophy is progressing (for example, in a case of atrophy included in a group B or a group C in an ABC examination), the difference between an atrophic part and a normal part on an endoscopic image is slight, and it is difficult to determine the degree of progress of atrophy or the boundary between a normal part and a gastritis part in some cases. Accordingly, there is a demand for making the two features (A) and (B) described above on an endoscopic image clear to make the boundary between a normal part and a gastritis part clear.
In regard to this, the application of the methods of Japanese Patent No. 3228627 and United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0078044 is considered. The method of Japanese Patent No. 3228627 enhances a color such that a reddish portion becomes redder, instead of enhancing change in color faded with atrophy of the stomach or change in color such that a blood vessel of a submucosa becomes see-through with atrophy of the stomach. The method of United States Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0078044 performs enhancement processing of a frequency band according to the size of the discolored area, instead of performing enhancement processing according to change in color with atrophy of the stomach.

Image processing device and operation method therefor


A vehicle includes an engine, drive wheels, a continuously variable transmission (CVT), and a controller. The CVT includes an input member connected to the engine, an output member delivering output torque to the wheels, and a variator assembly connecting the input and output members. The controller determines, via a method, an input and output speed of the variator assembly, converts the output speed to an equivalent input speed using a calibrated variator speed ratio, and calculates a gross slip of the variator assembly using the input and equivalent input speeds. A gross slip flag is set only when the gross slip exceeds a calibrated slip value for a predetermined duration. A CVT assembly includes the controller, input and output members, and variator assembly. The variator assembly may include drive and driven pulleys, a drive mechanism connecting the pulleys, and an actuator applying a clamping force to one of the pulleys.

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) can change steplessly through an infinite number of transmission torque ratios between and inclusive of a calibrated maximum and a minimum transmission torque ratio. A typical CVT includes a variator assembly having two pulleys, i.e., a drive pulley and a driven pulley. A belt or other drive mechanism is disposed between sheaves of both of the pulleys. Other CVT designs may use conical rollers in lieu of a belt. Frictional engagement of the belt with the sheaves transfers torque from the drive pulley to the driven pulley, with the drive pulley being connected to an input member of the CVT and the driven pulley being connected to an output member.
The transmission torque ratio of a CVT is the ratio of an amount of torque carried by the driven pulley to an amount of torque carried by the drive pulley. The transmission torque ratio may be varied by moving the sheaves of a designated one of the pulleys closer together, while at the same time moving the sheaves of the other pulley farther apart. Movement in this manner causes the belt to ride higher or lower on the respective pulleys. As the vehicle accelerates, the spacing of the sheaves may be varied. Proper diagnostics of a variator assembly in a CVT may help to ensure optimal ongoing performance of the CVT.

Gross slip-based control of a variator assembly


An electrical energy generator for converting potential energy into electrical energy. The electrical energy generator includes a water tank filled to a predetermined level with a predetermined amount of water. A circulation tube having a top and bottom end which are both connected to the water tank. A first pump is connected to the circulation tube for drawing water from the water tank for circulating through the circulation tube and back to the water tank and a second pump for delivering air to the circulation tube for mixing with the water and delivery to and compression in the water tank. An air engine is connected to receive the compressed air within the water tank and expand the compressed air to release energy contained therein. An electrical generator is connected to the air engine and receives the energy released from the compressed air for generating electricity by conversion of the energy released from the air.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates generally to electrical generators and, more specifically, to an electrical energy generator powered by conversion of potential energy stored in compressed air.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous electrical energy generators have been provided in the prior art and conversion of energy from one form to another has been practiced for centuries. For example, windmills have been used to harness the potential energy of the wind and convert the energy to mechanical energy. Water wheels have also been used for energy conversion purposes to use the power stored within flowing water. Such wheels have been used to harness the potential energy of the flowing water and convert it to a more useful form. Presently, nuclear power plants are used to convert nuclear energy into a more convenient form of electrical energy and solar panels are used to harness the energy of the sun for conversion into electrical energy for lighting and heating houses and buildings. However, present methods and devices used for energy conversion are unable to convert a large amount of the potential energy from its original form to a more suitable form and require a large amount of energy to perform the conversion process. Therefore, these methods are highly inefficient and costly.
While these devices and methods may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they would not be as suitable for the purposes of the present invention as heretofore described.


An audible safety warning message is recorded on a digital sound chip and the chip is installed in an extension tool such as an extension pole, a ladder or the like. The message playback sequence is initiated when the tool is activated to provide the user with a warning to avoid dangers such as overhead power wires and the like.

This invention relates to a safety warning system for use with extension tools and other tools. When activated, the system provides an audible safety warning message.
Tools such as ladders, extension ladders, extension poles and the like are used by workers in innumerable situations where there is a need to extend the worker""s reach. An unfortunate and often tragic accidental consequence of improper use of such extension tools occurs when the tool inadvertently makes contact with live electrical wires. When this happens the worker using the tool may be injured by the electrical shock conducted from the power wire, through the tool and to the worker. All too often these accidents are fatal. In addition to the personal toll caused by these accidents, any accidental electrocution results in unwanted costs, including lost worker time, increased manufacturing costs to minimize risks, increased insurance costs, and liability costs.
The dangers resulting from extension tools striking power lines are well documented. Every year in the United States alone there are thousands of cases where workers are injured or killed when an extension tool of some type makes contact with a live power wire. There are numerous resources available to educate workers about risks when using extension tools, and how to use the tools to avoid risks. To name just a few, most electric power utilities provide worker training and education resources so people will recognize the dangers involved in working around live power wires. Governmental and quasi-governmental agencies also provide educational information and other resources to employers and workers to reduce the numbers of accidents. And employers are generally encouraged or required to educate their employees in the safe and proper use of extension tools, and to provide for a safe workplace in which dangers from overhead power wires are eliminated.
Manufacturers of extension tools and employers who use them are very well aware of the risks arising from use of their tools. As just one example, various state and federal government agencies require ladder manufacturers to post warning labels on their products. The goal is of course to educate those who use the tools about dangerous situations, and to thus avoid accidents. But the risks to tool manufacturers extend beyond the risk of accidents to the user""s of the tools, and there are substantial product liability risks arising from making such tools. It is likely that every ladder manufacturer and maker of extension tools is acutely aware of these product liability risks arising when a customer uses the tool. When a tool user is injured, the manufacturer may be held liable in a products liability lawsuit. These known risks account for relatively high transactional costs in the manufacturing sectors for these tools; not only must the manufacturers make sure that their products are as safe as possible and include appropriate warning labels, but the high risk arising from use of the products and the associated high accident rate may contribute to higher insurance rates.
In continuing efforts to eliminate accidents, tool manufacturers thus are always looking for methods to make their products safer, and to inform users about the risks arising out of use of the tools and to instruct users on how to avoid those risks and to thereby avoid accidents. As noted, safety warning labels such as those used on new ladders and extension poles are often required by law or regulation, and do provide some measure of warning. However, labels applied to tools may be ineffective for any one of several reasons. First, it is easy for a worker to simply ignore a printed warning label. This can occur, for example, when the text is in a language that the worker does not read, or where the worker simply cannot read the text. But workers who are completely capable of reading a warning label often do not do so. Moreover, labels may be torn off over time, obliterated or for other reasons may become unreadable. To address these problems, some ladder manufacturers have included safety messages molded into ladder parts, such as rails, rungs and steps. While this improves the durability of the message, it does little to prevent the worker from ignoring itxe2x80x94for whatever reason.
But even where an extension tool manufacturer has met all applicable safety regulations, where all appropriate safety warning messages are in place, the user may still be involved in an accident such as where the tool strikes a power line. There is always a need, therefore, for new and improved safety warning systems that apprise workers in the recognition and avoidance of hazards.
The present invention provides a system for delivering a spoken audible safety warning message to persons using extension tools such as ladders, extension ladders, extension poles and the like. The audible message is activated when the tool is activated, or moved between retracted and extended positions and vice versa. For example, with reference to an extension pole, the message may be activated when a working tool is attached to the end of the pole, or when the pole is extended. As another example, the message may be activated when an extension ladder is extended.
The message is a spoken warning that may be in any selected language and which contains general safety information and/or information appropriate to the specific kind of tool. In the case of an extension ladder, the message may provide information about safe use of the ladder, identification and avoidance of overhead power lines, and the like. The system may include multiple safety messages, each having a different topic; a specific message may be selected at random and played back each time the tool is activated. Because the message is audible and is spoken, the worker cannot avoid hearing it and as such, accidents may be avoided.
The message is preferably recorded onto any one of a variety of integrated circuits that are well known and commercially available. There are currently available numerous speech-synthesis ICs that have playback capability with high quality sound reproduction. A preferred IC for use with the present invention is a commercially available digital sound chip that stores sound in external memory and sophisticated compression techniques so that the chips are stand alone units that are operable with replaceable batteries.


A method for transmitting reference signals in a radio communication system in which a frequency band is divided into a plurality of sub-frequency bands. The reference signals are transmitted through at least one of the plurality of sub-frequency bands, and data signals are transmitted through the plurality of sub-frequency bands except for the at least one of the plurality of sub-frequency bands. The method includes the steps of: determining a reference signal pattern representing positions of the at least one of the plurality of sub-frequency bands through which the reference signals are transmitted in consideration of a preset time and a preset bandwidth; generating the reference signals using a PN code and a Walsh code; and transmitting the reference signals through the sub-frequency bands corresponding to the reference signal pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a communication system using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) scheme, and more particularly to an apparatus and a method for generating a pilot signal (or pilot pattern) for distinguishing a base station.
2. Description of the Related Art
An OFDM scheme has recently been used as a data transmission scheme using multi-carriers for high-speed data transmission in a wired and/or wireless channel. More specifically, the OFDM is a multi-carrier modulation scheme in which symbols input in series are serial-to-parallel converted in order to be modulated into a plurality of sub-carriers being orthogonal to each other, i.e., a plurality of sub channel, which are then transmitted.
The OFDM scheme is widely used in digital transmission technologies, such as digital audio broadcasting (DAB), digital televisions, wireless local area network (WLAN), and wireless asynchronous transfer mode (WATM). That is, conventionally, the OFDM scheme was not widely used due to the complexity of the required hardware, but it has been recently realized because of the development of various digital signal processing technologies including a fast Fourier transform (FFT) and an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT).
The OFDM scheme is similar to a conventional frequency division multiplexing (FDM) scheme but can achieve an optimum transmission efficiency because a plurality of sub-carriers are transmitted while maintaining orthogonality between them in the OFDM. That is, the OFDM scheme is efficient in its use of frequencies and is highly resistant to multi-path fading, thereby achieving optimum transmission efficiency in high-speed data transmission.
Further, because the OFDM scheme uses an overlapped frequency spectrum, it is efficient in its use of frequencies and is highly resistant to frequency selective fading and multi-path fading. In addition, the OFDM scheme can reduce inter symbol interference (ISI) influence by utilizing a guard interval and enables the hardware structure of an equalizer to be simply designed. Furthermore, because the OFDM scheme is highly resistant to impulse noise, it has been actively utilized in the structure of a communication system.
Hereinafter, operations of a transmitter and a receiver of a communication system using the OFDM scheme, i.e., an OFDM communication system, will be briefly described.
In the transmitter of the OFDM communication system, input data is modulated into sub-carriers via a scrambler, an encoder, and an interleaver. The transmitter provides various variable data rates and has different code rates, interleaving sizes, and modulation schemes according to the data rates.
Conventionally, the encoder uses a code rate of ½, ¾ etc., and the size of the interleaver for preventing burst error is determined depending on the number of coded bits per symbol (NCBPS). The modulation scheme uses a quadrature phase shift-keying (QPSK) scheme, an 8 phase shift keying (8PSK) scheme, a 16 quadrature amplitude modulation (16QAM) scheme, a 64 QAM scheme, etc.
A predetermined number of pilot sub-carriers are added to a signal modulated into a predetermined number of the sub-carriers by the aforementioned elements. Then, the signal including the pilot sub-carriers passes through an IFFT block to generate an OFDM symbol. A guard interval for eliminating ISI in multi-path channel environments is inserted into the OFDM symbol. The OFDM symbol passes through a symbol waveform generator and is finally input to a radio frequency (RF) processor. The RF processor RF-processes an input signal and sends the processed signal through the air.
The receiver of the OFDM communication system corresponding to the transmitter as described above performs a process inverse to the process performed by the transmitter and has an additional synchronization process. First, the receiver must perform a process in which frequency offset and symbol offset are estimated for the received OFDM symbol by means of a preset training symbol. Then, data symbols from which the guard interval has been eliminated pass through an FFT block and are restored to a predetermined number of sub-carriers including a predetermined number of pilot sub-carriers.
Further, in order to overcome path delay on a radio channel, an equalizer estimates a channel state for a received channel signal and eliminates signal distortion on the radio channel from the received channel signal. Data for which the channel estimation has been performed by the equalizer is converted into a bit sequence, passes through a de-interleaver, and is output as final data via a decoder and a de-scrambler for error correction.
As described above, in an OFDM communication system, a transmitter (i.e., base station) transmits pilot sub-carrier signals (pilot channel) to a receiver (i.e., a terminal). That is, the base station transmits data sub-carrier signals (data channel) and simultaneously transmits the pilot sub-carrier signals. Herein, the pilot sub-carrier signals are transmitted for synchronization acquisition, channel estimation, and base station differentiation.
Further, the pilot signals operate as a kind of training sequence and enable channel estimation to be performed between the transmitter and the receiver. The terminal may differentiate a base station to which the terminal itself belongs using the pilot signals. A position at which the pilot signals are transmitted has been predetermined between the transmitter and the receiver. As a result, the pilot signals operate as a kind of reference signal.
The base station transmits the pilot signals with a relatively high transmission power than that for data signals, which enables the pilot signals to reach even a cell boundary, while the base station enables the pilot signals to have a specific pattern, that is, a pilot pattern.
The high power transmission of the pilot signals, even with a specific pilot pattern, enables the pilot signals to reach the cell boundary. That is, when the terminal enters a cell, the terminal does not have any information on a base station to which the terminal itself currently belongs. Accordingly, in order to detect a base station at which the terminal is currently located, the terminal must use the pilot signals. Therefore, the base station transmits the pilot signals with relatively high transmission power in order to have a specific pilot pattern, such that the terminal can detect the base station to which the terminal itself belongs.
Further, the pilot pattern is by the pilot signals transmitted from the base station. That is, the pilot pattern is differentiated by a slope of the pilot signals and a starting point at which the pilot signals are transmitted. Accordingly, in the OFDM communication system, in order to enable base stations included in the OFDM communication system to be differentiated from each other, the base stations must be designed to have pilot patterns different from each other.
Further, the pilot pattern is generated based on a coherence bandwidth and a coherence time. Hereinafter, the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time will be described.
The coherence bandwidth represents a maximum bandwidth in which the identity of channels can be assumed on a frequency domain, that is, the invariability of channels can be assumed. The coherence time represents a maximum time for which the identity of channels can be assumed on a time domain, that is, the invariability of channels can be assumed.
As described above, because the identity of channels can be assumed in the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time, even though only a pilot signal is transmitted in the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time, no problem occurs in synchronization acquisition, channel estimation, base station differentiation, etc. Further, because data signals can be maximally transmitted, the entire performance of a system can be improved.
As a result, a minimum frequency separation enabling the transmission of pilot signals is a coherence bandwidth and a minimum time separation (i.e., minimum OFDM symbol time separation), enabling the transmission of the pilot signals is a coherence time.
The number of base stations included in the OFDM communication system is changed according to the size of the OFDM communication system. That is, the number of the base stations increases as the size of the OFDM communication system increases. Accordingly, in order to differentiate the base stations from each other, pilot patterns having different slopes and starting points must exist by the number of the base stations.
However, in order to transmit pilot signals on a time-frequency domain in the OFDM communication system, the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time must be considered as described above. When the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time are considered, the number of the pilot patterns having different slopes and starting points is limited.
When pilot patterns are generated without considering the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time, pilot signals are scattered in pilot patterns representing different base stations. In such a case, it is impossible to distinguish base stations from each other by means of the pilot patterns.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating possible slopes of pilot patterns in a conventional OFDM communication system. Referring to FIG. 1, the possible slopes of pilot patterns and the number of the slopes, that is, the slopes and the number of the slopes according to the transmission of a pilot signal, depend on a coherence bandwidth and a coherence time. In a case in which the coherence bandwidth is six and a coherence time slot is 1, when it is assumed that the slope of a pilot pattern has a value of integer, the number of slopes of a pilot pattern capable of being generated under the condition is six from s=0 to s=5. That is, the slope of the pilot pattern capable of being generated under the condition has one integer of 0 to 5. As described above, because the number of slopes of a pilot pattern capable of being generated under the condition is six, the number of base stations capable of being differentiated by means of the pilot pattern is six in the OFDM communication system satisfying the condition.
Hereinafter, a pilot sub-carrier in which the slope of a pilot pattern is six will be described. Actually, because there is no difference between a case (s=0) in which the slope of a pilot pattern is zero and a case in which the slope (s=6) of a pilot pattern is six, only one slope of the two cases can be used. That is, as described above, the pilot sub-carrier in which the slope of the pilot pattern is six is equal to another pilot sub-carrier in which the slope of a pilot pattern spaced the coherence bandwidth apart from the pilot sub-carrier is zero. Therefore, the case where s=0 and the case where s=6 cannot be distinguished from each other.
The circle hatched by oblique lines illustrated in FIG. 1 represents pilot sub-carrier signals spaced by the coherence bandwidth. That is, a case in which the slope of a pilot sub-carrier marked by the white circles is six is equal to a case in which the slope of the pilot sub-carrier marked by the circle having the oblique is zero. Accordingly, the slope of the pilot sub-carrier is limited to the coherence bandwidth.
Herein, all slopes enabling the generation of the pilot pattern can be expressed by Equation (1).
                              S          val                =                  [                      0            ,            …                                                              ,                                                            B                  c                                                  T                  c                                            -              1                                ]                                    (        1        )
In Equation (1), Sval represents the slope of a pilot pattern capable of being generated in the OFDM communication system. Herein, it is preferred that the slope of the pilot pattern has a value of integer, but it is not always necessary that the slope of the pilot pattern has a value of an integer. Further, in Equation (1), Tc represents a coherence time, that is, the number of basic data units constituting the coherence time on a time domain.
In FIG. 1, a basic data unit included in the coherence time is an OFDM symbol and Tc represents the number of OFDM symbols. Further, in Equation (1), Bc represents a coherence bandwidth, that is, the number of basic sub-carrier units constituting the coherence bandwidth on a frequency domain.
The actual maximum number of slopes enabling the generation of a pilot pattern can be expressed by Equation (2).
                              S          no_max                =                              B            c                                T            c                                              (        2        )
In Equation (2), Sno—max represents the maximum number of slopes enabling the generation of the pilot pattern in the OFDM communication system.
Therefore, as described above, because the pilot patterns used to differentiate base stations included in the OFDM communication system in the OFDM communication system are generated depending on the coherence bandwidth and the coherence time, there is a limitation in the number of generable pilot patterns. Accordingly, when the number of the base stations included in the OFDM communication system increases, the number of distinguishable base stations is limited due to the limitation in the number of the generable pilot patterns. Further, because adjacent base stations may have the same pilot patterns, it is impossible to distinguish the base stations from each other. Moreover, it is difficult to exactly estimate a channel due to interference between adjacent cells.

Apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving a pilot signal for distinguishing a base station in a communication system using an OFDM scheme


A developing cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus includes, a toner housing, a toner storage chamber, a toner feeding chamber, a feeding roller, a developing roller and a shielding device. One side of the toner housing has an opening, and the toner storage chamber and the toner-feeding chamber communicate with each other through a communication hole. The shielding device is installed within the toner storage chamber so as to move from a shielding position where it shields the communication hole to an opening position where it opens the communication hole. Accordingly, since the shielding member is capable of moving within the toner storage chamber, the user can save trouble of separating and removing the shielding member from the toner housing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electrophotographic image forming apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to a developing cartridge for an electrophotographic image forming apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
As is well known in the art, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus is a printing apparatus, in which a toner is deposited on a photosensitive medium, where an electrostatic latent image is formed when a laser beam scans the photosensitive medium, thereby forming a toner image, and transferring the toner image to a paper being fed. Accordingly, a desired image is printed out. Since the electrophotographic image-forming apparatus has to be continuously fed with the toner, the electrophotographic image forming apparatus is usually provided with a separate toner storage means. The toner storage means is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus body for replacement.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating a conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus. Referring to FIG. 1, the conventional electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 comprises an exposure device 110, a developing cartridge 200, a transfer roller 120, a fixation device 130 and a paper-feeding device 140.
In the electrophotographic image forming apparatus 100 as constructed above, when a printing command is applied to the image forming apparatus 100, a laser beam in the exposure device 110 scans photosensitive drum 221 provided within the developing cartridge 200. Then, an electrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 221, and the toner is deposited on the electrostatic latent image, thereby forming a toner image. When a paper is fed from the paper-feeding device, the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 221 is transferred to the paper by the transfer roller 120. The toner image transferred to the paper is fixed on the paper as the paper passes through the fixation device 130.
In the above construction, the developing cartridge 200 has a predetermined lifespan, and is detachably mounted to the image forming apparatus body 101 for replacement.
As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional developing cartridge 200 is generally divided into a toner housing 210 and a photosensitive drum housing 220.
The toner housing 210 comprises a hopper housing 211 and a developing housing 212. The hopper housing 211 is provided with a toner storage chamber 211a, into which a toner is charged. A toner feeding chamber 212a is provided within the developing housing 212, and an agitator 213, a feeding roller 214 and a developing roller 215 are provided within the toner feeding chamber 212a. The toner feeding chamber 212a is opened to feed the toner to the photosensitive drum housing 220, in which the opened part is shielded by the developing roller 215, a restraint blade 216 and a shielding membrane 217. In addition, a photosensitive drum 221 and an electrification roller 222 for electrifying the photosensitive drum 221 are provided within the photosensitive drum housing 220.
The above-constructed conventional developing cartridge 200 is tested by examining an image produced using the developing cartridge 200, after the photosensitive drum housing 220 and the developing housing 212 are assembled, and a small amount of toner is fed thereto, while being manufactured.
If the developing cartridge 200 is in good order, a hopper housing 211 filled with toner is assembled to the developing housing 212. At that time, a shielding film 230 seals the toner storage chamber 211a of the hopper housing 211a to prevent leakage of the toner. If the toner storage chamber 211a communicates with the toner feeding chamber 212a, the pressure of toner moving to the opened part of the toner feeding chamber 211a increases. As a result, the toner may leak out due to vibration or external impact that can be caused during the transportation of the developing cartridge 200.
As can be appreciated from the above, in the conventional cartridge 200, the toner storage 211a and the toner feeding chamber 212a are partitioned by the shielding film, and therefore, the toner feeding chamber 212a is not used. Therefore, there is a limit in space for storing toner, which shortens a life span of the developing cartridge 200. In order to increase the toner-storing space, the size of the hopper housing 211 can be increased. However, this approach is not preferable since it will also increase the whole size of the image forming apparatus 100.
In addition, inconvenience will be caused when using the conventional cartridge 200 because a user has to detach and remove the shielding film 230 before mounting the cartridge to the image forming apparatus body 101. Furthermore, when the shielding film 230 is removed, the toner adhered to the shielding film 230 may be dispersed, thereby contaminating surroundings.

Developing cartridge for electrophotographic image forming apparatus