A workstation (desk) 7 that can be assembled or disassembled without the use of tools or fasteners, mounted on casters 40, with adjustable integrated privacy enclosure panels 8, 10, 12, 14. In an open plan work environment a user of the workstation (desk) can create private, semi private and open personal workspace by pivoting the integrated privacy enclosure panels 8, 10, 12, 14, easily roll the workstation (desk) 7 to another location without disturbing other workstations (desks) 7, and create new workstation (desk) 7 configurations by connecting workstation together using the integrated privacy enclosure panels 8, 10, 12, 14 as common connecting elements. Thus a considerably more versatile workstation is provided that can enable users the ability to immediately create a multitude of workstation configurations and arrangements to suit their long term and immediate needs.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to workstations for open plan work environments, specifically to workstations (desks) that have casters to facilitate moving the location of the workstation, integrated and adjustable privacy enclosure panels as a means of providing visual privacy and sound attenuation, and the capability to be assembled and disassembled without the use of tools or fasteners.
2. Description of Prior Art
Partition based workstations sometimes referred to as 'cubicles' are an inherently complex and expensive systems to install and re-configure, these systems rely on many small unique parts and tools to attach the work surfaces and panels to one another, and the privacy panels used are usually shared by more than one workstation.
Typically it is beyond the ability of the person who uses this type of system to make any sort of adjustment as to the location of the workstation itself, or to reconfiguring the privacy panels that are a part of the workstation.
The effectiveness of individuals who work in an open plan work environment can usually be enhanced by reconfiguring the arrangement of workstations to meet specific and ever changing needs of business. Because typical 'cube' systems are so complex, time consuming and expensive to reconfigure, many office environments simply wait until there is an overwhelming need for change before committing the time and resources to reconfiguring the furniture in the office.
Insofar as I am aware, no desk, workstation or work environment formerly developed provides the users with an easy and immediate means of: moving the workstation (desk) itself, easily adjusting the privacy panels, or assembling or disassembling the workstation (desk) without tools or fasteners.

Mobile desk with an integrated and adjustable privacy enclosure


A method of fabricating an integrated circuit with locally confined deep pocket regions utilizes a dummy or sacrificial gate spacer. Dopants are provided through the openings associated with sacrificial spacers to form the pocket regions. The dopants are provided after silicidation. The openings can be filled with spacers. The process can be utilized for P-channel or N-channel metal oxide field semiconductor effect transistors (MOSFETS).

The present invention relates to integrated circuits and methods of manufacturing integrated circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing integrated circuits having transistors with pocket regions.
Integrated circuits (ICs), such as, ultra-large scale integrated (ULSI) circuits, can include as many as one million transistors or more. The ULSI circuit can include complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) field effect transistors (FETS). The transistors can include semiconductor gates disposed between drain and source regions. The drain and source regions are typically heavily doped with a P-type dopant (boron) or an N-type dopant (phosphorous).
The drain and source regions generally include a thin extension that is disposed partially underneath the gate to enhance the transistor performance. Shallow source and drain extensions help to achieve immunity to short-channel effects which degrade transistor performance for both N-channel and P-channel transistors. Short-channel effects can cause threshold voltage roll-off and drain-inducted barrier-lowering. Shallow source and drain extensions and, hence, controlling short-channel effects, are particularly important as transistors become smaller.
As transistors disposed on integrated circuits (ICs) become smaller (e.g., transistors with gate lengths approaching 50 nm), CMOS fabrication processes have utilized a two-dimensional channel-doping technique. With reference to FIG. 1, a conventional MOSFET 110 is provided on a portion 112 of an integrated circuit. MOSFET 110 is provided between insulation regions 114 and includes a source 116, a drain 118, and a gate structure 120. Gate structure 120 includes spacers 122, a dielectric layer 124, and a gate conductor 127.
Dielectric layer 124 is provided between and partially over a source extension 126 and a drain extension 128 (e.g., above a channel region 130). A silicide layer 132 is formed over gate conductor 127, source 116, and drain 118. Channel region 130 does not include a two-dimensional doping implant, wherein the channel-doping profile in the lateral direction is non-uniform and the channel-doping profile in the vertical direction is a super-steep retrograded channel-doping profile. The two-dimensional channel-doping profile is critical to scaling (i.e., proportional operation and structural elements in the ultra-small dimensions of MOSFET 110).
MOSFET 110 includes shallow pocket regions 134 and 136 which effectively suppress the short-channel effect (which degrades the robustness of the transistor to random process variations). Shallow pocket regions 134 and 136 are provided in a conventional CMOS pocket implant process. The implant process is performed after gate structure 120 is fabricated and before layer 132 is formed. Regions 134 and 136 are not deeper than source 116 and drain 118. Regions 134 and 136 are formed before extensions 126 and 128, regions 116 and 118, and spacers 122.
Pocket regions 134 and 136 should be deep enough to suppress punch through effect. However, with conventional processes, regions 134 and 136 cannot be made deep enough without forming a xe2x80x9chalo-like structurexe2x80x9d. The disadvantages xe2x80x9chalo-like structurexe2x80x9d are discussed below with reference to FIG. 2.
With reference to FIG. 2, a MOSFET 134 is substantially similar to MOSFET 110, as discussed with reference to FIG. 1. However, MOSFET 134 includes deep pocket implant regions 135 and 137. Channel 130 includes a two dimensional doping implant, wherein the channel-doping profile in the lateral direction is not uniform, and the channel-doping profile in the vertical direction is a super-steep retrograded channel-doping profile. Implants 135 and 137 are formed after extensions 126 and 128, drain 116, source 118, and spacers 122 in a conventional process. The pocket implant associated with regions 135 and 137 results in a xe2x80x9chalo-likexe2x80x9d structure around the border of regions 116 and 118 located proximate channel region 130.
The halo-like structure of pocket regions 135 and 137 (FIG. 2) increases the doping concentration near the junction of source 116 and drain 118. Increased doping concentration near the junction of source 116 and drain 118 degrades (i.e., increases) the source/drain junction capacitance (e.g., parasitic capacitance) and, hence, reduces the speed of MOSFET 134.
Thus, there is a need for a method of forming deeper pocket regions which do not have a halo-like structure. Further still, there is a need for transistors that have locally confined deep pocket regions. Even further still, there is a need for an efficient method of manufacturing deep pocket regions for a transistor having a two-dimensional channel profile.
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an integrated circuit. The integrated circuit includes a gate structure between a source region and a drain region in a semiconductor substrate. The gate structure includes a plurality of dielectric spacers. The method includes removing the dielectric spacers, thereby exposing the semiconductor substrate at a first location and a second location, and providing an ion implant at the first location and at the second location. The ion implant forms deep pocket regions.
The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing an ultra-large scale integrated circuit including a plurality of field effect transistors having locally confined deeper pocket regions. The method includes steps of forming at least part of a gate structure on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and between a source and a drain. The gate structure includes a spacer. The method also includes forming a silicide over at least the source and the drain, removing the spacer, and providing a dopant at a location associated with the spacer. The dopant forms the locally confined deeper pocket region.
The present invention still further relates to a process for forming a first pocket region at least partially below a shallow source extension and a second pocket region at least partially below a shallow drain extension. The process includes forming a plurality of gate structures on a top surface of a substrate, stripping dummy spacers associated with the gate structure to form openings to the substrate, and providing a dopant through the openings to the substrate. The dopant forms the first pocket region and the second pocket region.
The present invention also relates to an integrated circuit including a transistor. The transistor has a gate structure on a top surface of a semiconductor substrate and is disposed between a source and a drain. The transistor includes a first pocket region and a second pocket region. The first pocket region extends below the drain. The second pocket region extends below the source. The first pocket region meets the second pocket region under a channel.

Locally confined deep pocket process for ULSI MOSFETS


A fast mounting mechanism for a telescoping slide, the slide includes an inner rail to receive the mounting of a drawer or the like and an outer rail. The inner rail comprises mounting holes. Each mounting hole contains a vertical channel and a horizontal channel connecting through each other. A positioning member and a release member are provided on the inner. side of the inner rail adjacent to one of the mounting holes. The positioning member has a first end locked to the inner side of the inner rail and a second end provided with a protruding bit facing the horizontal channel of the mounting hole. The release member disposed on the inner rail slides in relation with and pushes against the positioning member for its protruding bit to move away in opposite direction relatively to the inner side of the inner rail.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fast mounting mechanism for a telescoping slide, and more particularly to one that allows a drawer or the like to be fast mounted and secured in place and easily released from secured position.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
In addition to using screws or similar locking members to respectively fasten two inner rails of both left and right slides to both sides of a wooden drawer or the like, or pins are provided to be incorporated with insertion holes and insertion plates of the telescoping slides in case of metal drawer or the like for mounting telescoping slides to the drawer or the like, there are more convenient means available from the prior art commonly observed in the cabinet products for computer servers and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,331,369, 5,632,542, 6,123,314, 6,209,979 B1, 6,588,866 B2, and 6,601,933 B1, as well as U.S. patent application Nos. US 2001/0040203 A1, US 2003/0141791 A1, US 2004/0108797 A1, US 2005/0088069 A1, and Taiwan Patent Publication No. 538716 [i.e., US 2004/0108797 A1].
In all those prior arts cited above, it becomes very troublesome to remove the drawer or the like from the slides since it takes a user to use a hand tool or his fingers to turn an elastic tongue or a dancer adapted to hold against protruding bolts respectively provided on both sides of the drawer or the like without leaving the bolts until those bolts are removed. When the slides have been already mounted to a cabinet, the user must have one hand turning the elastic tongue or the dancer and the other hand removing the bolts from the drawer or the like. Furthermore, the operation of human resources is compromised if the drawer or the like is a heavy server of computer. In such case, it usually takes two persons to get the job done.

Fast mounting mechanism for a telescoping slide


Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method and device for determining carriers to be monitored. In example embodiments, a first number of carriers of a first radio access technology (RAT) to be monitored by a terminal device when operating using a second RAT is determined. The second RAT is different from the first RAT. A first total number of carriers to be monitored by the terminal device when operating using the second RAT is determined at least in part based on the first number. A second number of carriers of the second RAT to be monitored by the terminal device when operating using the first RAT is determined. A second total number of carriers to be monitored by the terminal device when operating using the first RAT is determined at least in part based on the second number. Further, when the terminal device operates using both the first and second RATs, carriers to be monitored by the terminal device are determined based on a difference between a first sum of the first and second total numbers and a second sum of the first and second numbers. In this way, terminal inter-RAT mobility may be enhanced. Meanwhile, due to the subtraction of the duplicated numbers, terminal operations may be simplified, and terminal performance may be improved.

Next Radio (NR) is being developed in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). In the first phase of this development, Non-Standalone (NSA) NR is concerned where a terminal device may operate in Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRAN)-NR Dual Connectivity (EN-DC) with both NR and Long Term Evolution (LTE) networks. In later development phases of the NR, Standalone (SA) RN will be discussed.
In general, performance related requirements and the correspondingly expected minimum requirement may be predefined for the terminal device in the 3GPP. For example, the 3GPP may specify the requirements on the minimum terminal capability in terms of measurement capacity for carriers, such as the number of carriers to be measured by a terminal device during a handover. Accordingly, a minimum set of carriers to be measured may be determined based on these requirements for all terminal devices within a network, and proper measurement configurations for these terminals may be determined. Moreover, these requirements may be used for dimensioning and algorithm designs of the terminal devices.

Determination of carriers to be monitored in communication


A medical communication system for monitoring an ambulatory home-care patient is provided. The system includes a two-way pager worn by the patient and a computer storing the treatment plan of the patient. The computer initiates the transmission of inquiries to the pager worn by the patient and records responses transmitted by the patient back to the computerized system. The computerized system can contact the patient anywhere within a local service area. The patient responds to one or more inquiries from the system by pressing appropriate buttons on the two-way pager which are sent back to the computer. The responses are recorded by the computer. If the computer does not receive a response from the patient or if the responses do not fall within compliance guidelines, an automated phone call is initiated requesting the same information. If the patient responds to the automated phone call, the responses are recorded by the computer. If the patient fails to respond or provides non-complying responses to both the pager and the automated phone call, the treatment plan is forwarded to a staff nurse, who attempts to contact the patient by telephone. If no response or an unsatisfactory response is secured, emergency medical services and/or health care providers are contacted according to a response plan tailored to the particular patient and stored within the computer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates broadly to outpatient medical monitoring systems. More particularly, this invention relates to outpatient medical communication systems for ambulatory home-care patients.
2. State of the Art
Current trends within managed health care mandate reducing the costs of the delivery of health care. The most costly method of delivering health care is care within a hospital facility. Therefore, there is a prevailing trend towards discharging patients sooner in order to reduce the cost of care, and to `treat` the patients with out-of-hospital or home-based health care. This trend toward home-based health care will continue to grow as greater cost constraints are implemented in order to manage health care at lower delivery costs.
A number of home-care systems are currently available which use basic monitoring technology. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,228,449 to Christ et al. discloses a one-way remote alarm system in which vital signs of a home care patient are monitored and an alarm signal is sent to a remote monitoring station in an emergency situation. U.S. Pat. No. 3,843,841 to Rubinstein discloses another health care system which automatically dials a telephone number and delivers a prerecorded message if a home residing patient fails to respond to a periodic signal. However, the above referenced systems other than generating an alarm signal in a presumed emergency situation provide no opportunity for a dialogue between the patient and the care provider. These types of systems are therefore inadequate for monitoring the general health of home care patients (i.e., reminding patients to monitor their vital signs and to self-administer medication, inquiring about medicament side-effects, monitoring the symptoms of disease, determining non-emergency care needs, and inquiring about the patient's perceived state of health) which might prevent emergency situations from occurring. In addition, systems which require a patient to remain in the vicinity of the alarm system do not meet the needs of ambulatory home-care patients.
More recently, the telemedicine trend has led to the production of more interactive devices which use costly computer screens and miniature television cameras with telephonic connections. These devices permit a greater degree of interactivity between the home-residing patient and a monitoring station than the `emergency` alarms. However, the cost of the equipment is large, thereby limiting the use of the equipment to a selected few recipients. In addition, like more basic monitoring systems, the systems are localized, requiring the patient to be near the computer screen to interact with the system. However, a large percentage of patients that are discharged and that need to be monitored (e.g., reminded to self-administer life critical medication), are quite ambulatory.

Medical communication system for ambulatory home-care patients


A method for producing a group III nitride single crystal (ingot) includes providing a seed crystal comprising a first crystal face that is perpendicular to a growth direction of the single crystal and has a first predetermined area, and a second crystal face that is inclined to the growth direction and has a second predetermined area and growing the group III nitride single crystal on the first crystal face and the second crystal face by controlling a growth condition of the single crystal so as not to change the first predetermined area and the second predetermined area. A method for producing a group III nitride single crystal substrate includes further cutting the group III nitride single crystal substrate off from the grown group III nitride single crystal (ingot).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method for producing a group III nitride semiconductor single crystal and a method for producing a free-standing substrate of a group III nitride semiconductor single crystal.
2. Description of the Related Art
For example, a conventional method for producing a free-standing substrate of a group III nitride semiconductor single crystal is conducted such that a GaN layer is grown on a hetero-substrate such as sapphire by HVPE (halide vapor phase epitaxy) and the hetero-substrate is removed to have a GaN free-standing substrate after the GaN growth is completed (See JP-B-3631724).
In the above method, a base substrate is formed by growing a first group III nitride semiconductor layer on a base material, a metal film is formed on the base substrate, voids are formed in the first group III nitride semiconductor layer through openings in the metal film by heat treatment, and a second group III nitride semiconductor layer is grown on the first group III nitride semiconductor layer with the voids formed therein. By using the method, the second group III nitride semiconductor layer is grown as a single crystal which yields a group III nitride semiconductor substrate with low dislocation density, good crystalline quality and no warping, and allows the easy removal of the hetero-substrate.
On the other hand, another method is proposed that an ingot of GaN single crystal is grown by using a GaN crystal as a seed crystal by HVPE, and plural GaN substrates are cut out from the grown ingot (See JP-A-2003-527296).
However, the method as disclosed in JP-B-3631724 has the drawback that it is not suited to produce the plural group III nitride semiconductor single crystal substrates at once since only one group III nitride semiconductor single crystal substrate can be obtained by each growth of the method. Also, the method as disclosed in JP-A-2003-527296 has the drawback that it only provides for a reduced area in cutting out the substrate due to a difference in crystal face orientation caused when growing the group III nitride semiconductor single crystal on the seed crystal.

Method for producing group III nitride single crystal


A phase module for a power converter includes first and second busbars and at least two semiconductor modules. The first busbar is connected to AC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules. The second busbar is connected to DC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules. At least one section of the first and second busbars is arranged at a distance to one another, the value of which is less than half the value of the distance between the AC voltage connection and the DC voltage connection of one of the semiconductor modules. At least one of the busbars has a separator arranged at a right angle on the remaining part of the busbar and connecting the busbar to at least one of the DC voltage connections or one of the AC voltage connections of one of the semiconductor modules. The separator is arranged along a surface of the one semiconductor module.

The invention relates to a phase module for a power converter comprising a first and a second busbar and at least two semiconductor modules, wherein the first busbar is connected to AC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules, wherein the second busbar is connected to DC voltage connections of the semiconductor modules. The invention further relates to a power converter and a method for operating a phase module of this type or a power converter of this type.
Power converters are used to supply electrical consumers, such as, for example, motors with electrical energy. Herein, power converters can provide a voltage with a variable voltage level and variable frequency at their AC voltage outputs.
The individual AC voltage outputs of the power converter are referred to as phases. The individual phases in the power converter can be formed by so-called semiconductor modules.
A semiconductor module comprises one AC voltage connection and at least two DC voltage connections. The semiconductor module is generally an arrangement with at least two semiconductor switches, which enable the AC voltage connection to be electrically connected to one of the two or more DC voltage connections. Switching the semiconductor switches enables a predefinable voltage to be generated at the AC voltage connection over a time average.
The semiconductor switches are, for example, IGBTs, which change their switching status (conducting/blocking) in dependence on their control. IGBTs can be operated with a high switching frequency. A simple embodiment of a semiconductor module with two DC potentials is for example a so-called half-bridge. The half-bridge comprises a series connection of two semiconductor switches, wherein the interconnection point between the two semiconductor switches is the AC voltage connection. The DC voltage connections are located on the outer edge of the series connection.
The electrical performance capability of a phase of the power converter can be improved by an electrically parallel arrangement of a plurality of power converters. Herein, the total current is equal to the sum of the module currents of the individual semiconductor modules. Herein, the module current is the current that flows through the corresponding semiconductor module during operation. With parallel connection, i.e. an electrically parallel arrangement, of the semiconductor modules, each of the different DC voltage connections and AC voltage connections of the various semiconductor modules are, for example, connected to one another by means of busbars. Hereinafter, such an arrangement is referred to as a phase module.
Depending upon their cross section, busbars are suitable for carrying high currents. Busbars have lower inductance than cables. Their low inductance makes busbars in particular suitable for semiconductor modules, in particular for power semiconductors, which are operated at high switching frequencies. Modern IGBT modules in particular belong to the group of power semiconductors or semiconductor modules that allow operation at a high switching frequency.
Herein, busbars are usually made of copper because of the high conductivity. Due to the high price of copper, the cross sections and conduction paths are optimized in order to minimize use of materials and hence also the costs of busbar systems.
In addition to phase modules with two DC voltage connections, there are also phase modules with more than two DC potentials, in particular three or five potentials, which are used to construct a 3-point, 5-point or, generally, n-point power converter.
The European patent application with the filing reference 15 201 849.5 discloses a busbar arrangement with which two busbars are arranged with the greatest possible degree of overlapping for connection to a DC intermediate circuit in order to reduce disruptive electrical fields at the connections of the semiconductor switches. This enables the semiconductor switches to be switched at high frequencies.


A first cavity is formed between a mold and a core. One of a cylinder block material and a liner material is supplied to the first cavity. A second cavity is formed by expanding or shrinking the core or replacing the core with another core. The other of the cylinder block material and the liner material is supplied to the second cavity. The cylinder block with a liner is produced successively using the same apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a production method for a cylinder block with a liner, of an internal combustion engine.
2. Description of Related Art
For a production method for a cylinder block with a liner, there are two methods: 1 to press-in a machined liner to a hole formed in a cylinder block and 2 to set a liner manufactured at a different step in a mold and then to supply a molten cylinder block material into the mold thereby molding the cylinder block integrally with the liner.
Japanese Patent Publication No. HEI 2-37955 discloses the above-described production method 2, wherein a pre-manufactured liner is inserted into a mold, then a molten cylinder block material is supplied into the mold thereby integrally casting the cylinder block with a liner, and then the liner is machined.
However, the conventional methods have the following problems:
With the above-described method 1, a liner manufacturing step needs to be provided independently of the cylinder block casting step, which increases the number of steps necessary in producing the cylinder block with a liner.
With the above-described method 2, since the liner is manufactured at a step independent of the cylinder block casting step, the same problem as with the method 1 arises. In addition, with the method 2 there is a problem that since a clearance needs to be provided between the liner and the mold when the liner is set in the mold, when the liner is set within the mold, the liner may be dislocated from a correct position due to a dimensional error of a liner supporting member.

Production method for a cylinder block of an internal combustion engine


A stun-gun dart has a bullet shaped body that defines both a cavity and a front aperture. A spear is disposed within the cavity, is aligned to the aperture and has a sharp, barbed front tip and a rear mass-piece that is wider than the aperture, to prevent the spear from entirely passing through the aperture. Also, a spring has a first end attached to the body and a second end attached to the rear mass-piece of the spear, and is properly tensioned to entirely retain the spear within cavity until the dart undergoes rapid deceleration. But when the dart, after being fired into air and hitting a target, undergoes rapid deceleration, the spring permits the tip of the spear to protrude from the aperture to engage with and barb to flesh.

The proliferation of stun guns among law enforcement, security forces and facilities for holding large animals throughout the world, has caused an unanticipated problem. Stun guns, such as the Taser® gun, work by shooting barbed darts into the subject. These darts are typically connected to thin wires, through which a series electric pulses is passed to pacify the subject.
After the subject has been subdued, it is necessary for a responding professional to remove the dart(s) from the subject. This is typically done by holding the subject down with one hand, while removing the dart with the other. Unfortunately, during this operation the subject may suddenly and unexpectedly move. This, in turn, may throw the responding professional off balance to the point that he inadvertently jabs the barbed end of the newly removed dart into the hand used to hold down the subject.
Far from being a minor, temporary injury, this brief event may have a life-long and tragically life-shortening effect on the responding professional, who may contract a strain of hepatitis, HIV-AIDS or any one out of a long list of blood born pathogens from blood on the dart.
This very occurrence has become all too common, with thousands of people reporting injury every year and with a percentage of those infected with a deadly virus through this type of mechanism or a related cause, such as an intravenous, arterial, subcutaneous or intramuscular needle-stick type injury. Some way must be found to make the removal of stun gun darts safer for the personnel who must remove them from the subjects as part of their profession.
Additionally, after retrieval it is desirable to take steps to preserve the dart as evidence for law enforcement.


A contactless electric power supply device configured to widen a range in which power supply is possible to a moving body in a connection direction by supplying electric power from a supply coil to the moving body provided with the receiving coil in a contactless manner and connecting power supply modules provided with the supply coil, wherein, when at least one of the receiving coils is positioned to be able to receiver power from at least one of the supply coils, the contactless electric power supply device performs communication from the power supply module to an alternating module that supplies alternating current and performs communication from the alternating module to the power supply module, and causes a semiconductor switch provided on the power supply module to conduct electricity.

Patent literature 1 discloses an example of technology for reliably supplying electric power to one of two receiver coils while detecting a position with a sensor when using two supply coils and two receiver coils.
Patent literature 2 discloses an electric power supply device that charges a battery of a moving body from a primary coil on the ground via a secondary coil using electromagnetic induction.
Background art such as that given above is known.

Contactless electric power supply device


The present invention relates to a stationary ion cold cathode fluorescent lighting system comprising a cold cathode fluorescent lamp with a radial D. C. electric field established therein so as to sufficiently energize electrons ionized therein through a process of chain collision and reduce the radial velocity of mercury ions (Hg+2) and argon ions (Ar+2) ionized therein to a virtual zero when touching a phosphor layer on the inside surface of the lamp, preventing the phosphors from being bombarded by the ions and forming an amorphous layer thereon, and preventing mercury from embedding in the phosphor layer, and with an axial anti-equivalent D. C. electric field established between electrodes of the lamp so as to prevent mercury from accumulating on the electrodes and to maximize the life of the phosphor layer as well as the lamp.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cold cathode fluorescent lighting system, more particularly to a stationary ion cold cathode fluorescent lighting system comprising a cold cathode fluorescent lamp with a radial D. C. electric field established therein to reduce the radial velocity of the ions therein to a virtual zero when touching the phosphors evenly coated on the inside surface of said lamp, and with an axial anti-equivalent D. C. electric field established between the two electrodes of said lamp so as to prevent a mercury accumulation on the cathodes and to lengthen life of said lamp.
2. Prior Art of the Invention
Referring to FIG. 1, the glass lamp 10 of a conventional fluorescent lighting system is mainly used for forming a closed space filled mainly with some inert gas e.g., argon (Ar) at a pressure about 0.3% atmosphere pressure and mercury (Hg); a layer 11 of phosphor layer e.g., zinc silicate (Zn2SiO4) on the inside surface of the lamp is used for illuminating purpose; both the two ends of the lamp are provided with tungsten filaments 121, 122 (also used for cathodes); one end of each of the filaments 121, 122 is electrically connected through an insulating end plug 123 to a starter 13; the other end thereof is electrically connected through the insulating end plug 123 to an A. C. power source 16 via a ballast 14 and a switch 15, respectively. Referring to FIG. 2, said starter 13 mainly comprises a parallel capacitor C and a neon lamp 130 provided therein with two electrodes 131, 132 which are unconnected electrically when the system is not operating, wherein the bimetal electrode 132 tends to bending toward making an electrical contact with the electrode 131 under thermal influence; the ballast 14 is an inductor comprising a solenoid with a soft magnetic core for coordinating with the A. C. electric power source 16 and the ballast 14 to control the current I13 of the starter and the current of the lamp 10 and safeguard the starter 13 and the lamp 10.
Referring again to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the operating sequence of said lighting system is as follows:
1. After the switch 15 is turned on, the bimetal electrode 132 bends and makes an electrical contact with the electrode 131 under the thermal influence of the neon discharge between said two electrodes, forcing a current I13 through and heating up said filaments 121, 122 so as to release massive thermionic electrons while the lamp 10 is still not conducting.
2. Once an electrical contact is made between the electrodes 131, 132 of the bimetal switch, the bimetal electrode 132 cools off and breaks away from the electrode 131, interrupting the current I13 in the starter 13, the filaments 121, 122 and the ballast 14.
3. At the interruption of the current I13, the ballast (inductor 14) induces a voltage of 1500 volts, wherein approximately 600 volts thereof is applied briefly between the two points a and b as shown in FIG. 1 which is too low to trigger the neon lamp 13 but is high enough to energize the thermionic electrons into an argon discharge with massive argon ions (Ar+2) and argon electrons ea− (a symbol for differentiating from the mercury counterpart) produced; said argon electrons ea− are energetic enough to force the mercury into a process of chain discharge with massive mercury ions (Hg+2) and mercury electrons (eh−) produced. Through the process of splitting and recombination, these particles form a plasma in the lamp 10 in equilibrium state with the mercury electrons (eh−) carrying an ultraviolet (UL) light of 2537 Å (10 exp–10 m) useful for phosphorescing purpose, while the argon electrons ea− carrying their characteristic UV light for ionizing the mercury.
When the said particles touch the phosphor layer 11 on the inside surface of the lamp 10, they affect the phosphors differently. The argon electrons ea− do not cause the phosphors to illuminate; the mercury electrons eh− force the phosphors to illuminate visible light (380 Ř780 Å) according to Stokes Law and the following photoelectric quantum formula:
                                          Δ                                                                          W                    =                      hc            λ                          ,                            (        1        )            wherein ΔW refers to the released energy, h refers to Planck constant (6.62517 exp (−34) j×sec), c refers to the light speed (3 exp 8 meter per second), λ refers to the wavelength of the phosphoresced light. Again referring to FIG. 1, since the production of the light by this system is initiated by the thermionic electrons from the hot cathodes in its lamp, this conventional lighting system is called "hot cathode fluorescent lighting system", which is abbreviated as "HCFL".
It is known that the phosphor layer 11 in the coating is of a crystal structure with the atoms fixed in the lattice, and is capable of phosphorescing visible light when suitably excited by some radiation (e.g., the said UV radiation of 2537 Å) as long as the crystal structure remains undisturbed. However, when the phosphor layer 11 is bombarded by the high energy mercury and argon ions, the atoms in the lattice can be dislodged easily, resulting in forming a non-luminescent, discharge absorbing amorphous layer on the phosphor layer 11 according to the following formula:S=C√{square root over (tI)},  (2)wherein I refers to the bombarding current in the lamp, t refers to the duration of time when the current is on, C refers to a constant describing the stability of the phosphor against damage by bombardment, S refers to the thickness of the amorphous layer.
The luminosity of the phosphor layer decreases with the thickness of the amorphous layer. The mercury embeds in the phosphor layer in an irreversible process. Therefore, the forming of an amorphous layer and the embedding of the mercury decrease the luminosity of the phosphor layer 11 according to the following formula:
                                                        B              t                                      B              0                                =                      exp                                      (                                                -                  a                                                                                C                  ·                                      tI                                                              )                                      ,                            (        3        )            wherein Bt refers to the luminosity at time t, B0 refers to the initial luminosity, a refers to the light absorbing constant of the amorphous layer. Because a and C are constants, and I is roughly constant in operation, they can be combined for obtaining the Lehmann formula below:
                                                        B              t                                      B              0                                =                                                    exp                                                  (                                      -                                                                  t                        /                        υ                                                                              )                                                                                υ                        =                          1              /                              (                                                      C                    2                                                                          a                    2                                                      I                                )                                                    ,                            (        4        )            which has been confirmed by Willi Lehmann in his report in J. Electrochem. Soc., 426 (February, 1983) and by Osamu Tada's report in J. Electrochem. Soc., 1366 vol. 131 No. 6 (June, 1984). Therefore, it can be determined that, the luminosity of the fluorescent lamp 10 decreases with time by the amorphous layer formed on the phosphor layer and the mercury embedding in the phosphor layer.
Regarding the liquid crystal display (LCD), especially for the portable type LCD, where the cold cathodes fluorescent lamp (abbreviated as "CCFL") is used for backlighting the liquid crystal display, as shown in FIG. 3, which has the following differences in comparison with the structure of the "hot cathode fluorescent lighting system" shown in FIG. 1:                1. Without filaments in the lamp,        2. Without neon starter,        3. Without ballast, and        4. A self-contained high frequency A. C. power source 26 for the CCFL.
In the case of a lighting system with a lamp of 3 mm×160 mm, as shown in FIG. 3, it requires to apply a voltage of 1600 volts at 55 kHz in frequency from A. C. power source 26 to its two cathodes 221, 222 for turning on the light.
For both the HCFL and the CCFL lighting systems, the ideal power source is to be with a waveform of zero crest factor. The system as shown in FIG. 1 can easily meet this requirement, as it is powered from an ideal mains of A. C. sine wave power source of the frequency 60 Hz. But due to the component spread, and the other reasons the Royer converter together with the lamp inside the system as shown in FIG. 3, provides the system with an asymmetric power waveform of the frequency 55 KHz, unable to meet the requirement of having a crest factor equal to zero. Such a power produces an axial equivalent D. C. electric field in the plasma in the lamp. When the electrode 221 is at a potential relatively higher than the electrode 222, the axial equivalent D. C. electric field forces a steady ion migration of, and a mercury accumulation on the electrode 222. This phenomena means that the mercury component forcing the phosphors to illuminate visible light is decreasing, resulting in luminosity reduction for the lamp 20. Therefore, said mercury accumulation on the cathode, the mercury embedment in the phosphor layer and the formation of an amorphous layer on the phosphor layer by ion bombardment are the three major determinant factors for the life of the lamp which has a minimum requirement of 20,000 hours at 50% luminosity for such application.
Furthermore, the electromagnetic radiation from the A. C. power source interferes with the neighboring electrical equipments; causing a myopia and hazard for the long term user. To limit the field intensity of such a radiation, a Swedish specification TCO91 has been established as follows:
TCO91Electrostatic Potential<±500 voltsMagnetic FieldFrequency Band I 5 Hz~2 kHz≦200 nTrms, measured from30 cm in front of thedisplay and 50 cm aroundthe displayFrequency Band II 2 kHz~400 kHz≦25 nTrms, measured from50 cm around the displayAlternating Electric FieldFrequency Band I 5 Hz~2 kHz≦10 V/mrms, measured from30 cm in front of the displayFrequency Band II 2 kHz~400 kHz≦1.0 V/mrms, measuredfrom 30 cm in front of thedisplay and 50 cm aroundthe display
The present invention is prompted by the intention to solve said problems in said conventional fluorescent lighting systems, yet with low cost solutions.

Stationary ion cold cathode fluorescent lighting system


The heat exchanger includes a tube having axially spaced fins or a continuously spirally wound fin about the tube. One or more of the fins are dimpled, mechanically or molded, to provide concavities and projections on opposite sides of the fins or alternating concavities and projections on opposite side of the fins. The dimples improve the heat transfer between the fluid flowing through the tubes and the air circulating about the tubes and through the fins. The dimples create vortices and turbulent flow between the fins and effectively increase the heat transfer rate.

The present invention relates to finned tube heat exchangers and particularly relates to air cooled heat exchangers having increased heat transfer coefficients achieved by increasing the finned surface area.
Heat exchangers having finned tubes providing heat exchange between a hot flowing fluid within the tubes and cooling air flowing about the tubes and the fins are well known. Such heat exchangers are typically manufactured by grooving the external wall of the tube and applying fin material pressed on-edge into the groove. The tube may be spirally grooved or provided with plural annular grooves for receiving the fin or fins. Alternatively, steel tubes are often coated with an aluminum jacket which is shrink fit onto the tube. Fins are extruded from the aluminum material, i.e., the aluminum material is deformed to form the fins.
It is desirable in many instances to enhance the heat transfer, i.e., increase the heat transfer coefficient, in these types of heat exchangers. However, methods to effect increased heat transfer rate or heat transfer coefficient in many products have the undesirable effect of incurring a large pressure drop penalty. Thus, airflows about the tube and fins, particularly fins having surface irregularities, pay a high cost in pressure drop to increase the heat transfer rate. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a finned heat exchanger having enhanced thermal effectiveness with little or no added pressure loss in the fin tube bundle.

Air cooled heat exchanger with enhanced heat transfer coefficient fins


The aim of the invention is to record the registration of the connection of a household appliance to a bus line configuration to which a plurality of household appliances is to be, or is, connected, for the transmission of data. To this end, the household appliance in question is provided with an intrinsic interface that can be connected to the cited bus line configuration, and by which data can be transmitted into and/or from the household appliance. The household appliance also contains at least one display device for displaying operating states and/or operating data of the household appliance, the display device also being used to visualize the course and/or state of the registration of the connection of the household appliance to the bus line configuration.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting the registration of a connection of a domestic appliance to a bus line configuration, on which a plurality of domestic appliances for transmitting data is to be connected or respectively is connected. The relevant domestic appliance can be connected by an appliance interface to the above-mentioned bus line configuration, over which data can be transmitted into the and/or from the relevant domestic appliance. The above-mentioned domestic appliance has at least one display device, by which operating modes and/or operating data of the relevant domestic appliance can be displayed.
It is already known from published, non-prosecuted German patent application DE 100 56 492 A1 to connect a plurality of domestic appliances to a bus line configuration, via which data can be transmitted to and from the relevant domestic appliances. The bus line configuration can at the same time be a communications network utilizing the voltage or respectively current supply lines of the relevant domestic appliances. Also, at least some of the relevant domestic appliances can be equipped with a display device, by which operating modes and/or operating data can be displayed in the relevant domestic appliances. In this context it is also known that the respective domestic appliance with its appliance number logs on with a service provider, who then transmits different information, such as updated programs, advertising, etc. if required for display on the domestic appliance-intrinsic display device by the appliance numbers available to him. In the relevant context however there are no further details given on procedures, which run when such a domestic appliance is connected to the above-mentioned communications network.
The measure of providing a domestic appliance with an intrinsic appliance interface, which can be connected with a bus line configuration, over which data can be transmitted into the and/or from the relevant domestic appliance, has already been put forward elsewhere. The connection of the relevant appliance interface to the above-mentioned bus line configuration tales place via a modem, which is connected with a voltage supply line, which for one delivers the supply voltage for the relevant domestic appliance and also is used as the above-mentioned bus line configuration. In the relevant context it is assumed known that a domestic appliance is to be clearly identified by identification data. However, there is nothing in this context given on measures or respectively procedures, which rub in context with connecting such a domestic appliance to a bus line configuration.

Method and device for recording the registration of the connection of a household appliance to a bus line configuration


The disclosure identified as methods of mounting integrated circuits, including solar cells, to a substrate wherein the circuits are mounted prior to being singulated into discrete die. Once the semiconductor die sites or other circuits are formed on a wafer, the wafer will be attached, either whole, or divided into one or more multi-die site wafer segments, to a substrate. This attachment may be by conventional surface mount technology, for example. After such mounting, the individual die sites on the wafer segments will be singulated to form discrete die already mounted to the supporting substrate. The singulation may be preferably performed by laser dicing of the wafer segments.

The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for assembling integrated circuit components to substrates; and more specifically relates to improved methods and apparatus for singulating semiconductor devices after mounting to a substrate. Along with uses with other types of semiconductor devices, the present invention provides particular advantages with respect to the assembly of components including solar cells, such as in the forming of solar arrays.
The present invention will be described herein in the context of semiconductor devices. Semiconductor devices are typically formed using a semiconductor material wafer, such as a monocrystalline silicon wafer or a gallium arsenide wafer, with additional layers and structures then formed on the wafer. However, the use of such a semiconductor material substrate as a starting point is not essential, as conventional techniques allow the use of other substrates, such as quartz, with an appropriate semiconductor material grown or otherwise formed on or bonded to such substrate. In all cases, the resulting devices would be "semiconductor devices," as discussed herein.
Using the example of semiconductor die which include photo-voltaic cells, commonly referred to as "solar cells," many if not most applications of solar cells require the use of multiple such cells in order to form a useful assembly, such as a solar panel. Such solar panels may range from relatively small, such as only a few square inches, as might be used to provide power to a portable, consumer-type device, to very large solar panels, several square feet in size, as might be used, for example, either alone or with a number of comparable panels, such as in a rooftop installation on a building.
Additionally, as is well-known in the art, regardless of the ultimate size of the solar panel, individual solar cells are not susceptible to being significantly scaled in size, and thus are typically relatively small structures, often having an area on the order of approximately 1.5 to 8 sq. mm. For example, a conventional, individual solar cell, typically a simple photodiode, can produce somewhere between approximately 0.35 and 0.8V, with some more complex, very high efficiency cells generating up to approximately 2.5V, depending upon the materials and construction used in the cell. However, to produce adequate voltages and currents for most end purposes, multiple solar cells must be used in combination, and each solar cell must be electrically isolated from other solar cells. For example, if there is electrical communication between solar cells, such as electron migration through a common substrate, the diode properties of each solar cell will be compromised, leading to loss of efficiency in the cell, if not failure of the solar cell. Some attempts to achieve this isolation involve doping of the semiconductor substrate to establish diffusion barriers, or neutral zones, within the substrate and between the solar cells. While such steps can be reasonably effective, they also significantly increase the difficulty of processing the wafers, as it can be difficult to establish the isolation regions without impairing the semiconductor properties of the adjacent regions in the substrate. Additionally, such diffusion operations increase the time and complexity, and thus cost, of manufacture of the solar cells.
Because of the difficulties of such processing, the more common strategy is to physically singulate each of the solar cells from the wafer in which they were processed. Each singulated solar cell is then individually removed from the remainder of the diced wafer, and individually placed, such as through use of a placement device known in the industry as "pick and place" equipment, on a supporting substrate. While such processes are generally satisfactory in terms of the performance of the resulting device, the processes are relatively inefficient, requiring individual movement of each individual cell, and the separate alignment of each such cell with the supporting substrate. Since it is not uncommon for even a relatively small solar panel assembly to include tens, if not hundreds of discrete solar cells, the process can be undesirably time-consuming, and therefore costly.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a new method of assembling semiconductor device components, including but not limited to solar cells, to a supporting substrate; with such methods providing efficiencies not present in prior art methods.

Method of assembling integrated circuit components


A system for translating ambiguous expressions from one natural language to another is described. Electronic processing means are used in conjunction with stored grammatical rules to determine multiple parse structures for expressions in the input language and to create corresponding structures for candidate expressions in the output language. In one version of the invention, the possible structures for each candidate output expression are compared with those of the corresponding input expression to determine whether there is an output expression with a set of possible interpretations that matches that of the input expression.

One of the most ambitious goals of early electronic data processing system designers was to automate the translation of documents from one natural language to another. Although extensive efforts have been invested to this end, and improvements in the speed and storage capacity of electronic data processing equipment have advanced the capability of implemented systems, machine translation has never been entirely successful.
In general, two approaches to machine translation have been taken. Multilingual systems embody an internal representation language into which input documents are first translated. This scheme facilitates translation among several languages, since the design of procedures to translate input from a given language to the internal representation language enables translation into any other language accommodated by the system. Transfer systems, by contrast, comprise procedures to translate directly from a specific input language to a specific output language.
In practice, the versatility of the multilingual system approach is offset by the difficulty of designing procedures to correctly interpret potentially ambiguous input expressions. Early designers envisioned machine translation systems as little more than large electronic dictionaries allowing words in the output language to be automatically looked up at high speed. This capability is still one of the main appeals of machine translation, but only with repeated failures to produce understandable translations was the magnitude of the problem of ambiguity appreciated. Resolving ambiguity in natural language expressions often requires an intricate application of specialized or general semantic knowledge to the expression and its context. As such, multilingual systems require large bodies of facts to be encoded and made accessible to the translation procedures.
One approach to dealing with ambiguity in a multilingual system is illustrated by the KANT system, developed at the Center for Machine Translation, Carnegie Mellon University and described in "Coping with ambiguity in a large-scale machine translation system", K. Baker et al, Proceedings of the 15th International Conference on Computational Linguistics, Kyoto, Japan, 1994. The KANT system is designed to translate from English to a number of other languages, and makes use of a preprocessor to detect ambiguity in English input sentences. Although some ambiguous input sentences can be resolved by the preprocessor, others must be rewritten or tagged by the original author to make the intended meaning clear. Thus, the KANT system depends on an interactive exchange with the writer and a sophisticated interface to guide the writer in the resolution of ambiguous input, and as such is not generally applicable to translation of existing documents whose authors are not available to make revisions.
To some extent, the problem of resolving ambiguity may be avoided in transfer type systems. If an input expression admits of several interpretations, but an expression with the same interpretations can be found in the output language, there is no problem. Transfer procedures are typically designed to deal with the syntactic structure of the input and output, and further interpretation is not usually necessary. As such, the quantity of encoded semantic information needed is much less than that in multilingual systems. Even in transfer type systems, however, structural ambiguity remains a problem, and often requires the use of semantic data. The present invention relates to transfer type machine translation systems in particular, but its applications to multilingual systems will be obvious to those skilled in the art.
An example of a transfer type machine translation system is that of the Japan Information Center of Science and Technology (JICST), which has been used since 1990 to translate titles and abstracts of scientific and technical papers from Japanese to English. While providing substantial savings of man-hours as compared with manual translation, the raw output from JICST's system still requires extensive post-editing. A significant source of output errors that must be corrected by such manual post editing is structural ambiguity in the input.
In view of the present problems of machine translation systems, a first goal of the present invention to reduce the amount of semantic information needed in machine translation systems for structural disambiguation.
Yet another goal of the present invention is to reduce the instances of errors in the output of machine translation systems due to structural misinterpretations of input expressions.
A still further goal of the present invention is to reduce the need for manual post-editing of machine translation output.
Still another goal of the present invention is to produce a machine translation system that does not require an interactive exchange to resolve ambiguous input.

Method for automated translation of conjunctive phrases in natural languages

Japan Science and Technology Corporation


A method of operating a controller of an HVAC system comprising the steps of: constantly establishing the validity of each of a plurality of input devices; and reconfiguring the mode of operation of the HVAC system each time the validity of any of the plurality of input devices changes to ensure that the HVAC system operates in the best available mode of operation.

The present invention is directed to a self-configuring controller for a heating, ventilating and air conditioning system (HVAC system) and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for accurately, automatically, and continually configuring the controller of the HVAC system to select the optimal operating mode for the current system configuration.
Large scale HVAC systems are tailored to the owner's specific needs and requirements. An HVAC system will typically include one or more compressors, one or more condensers, one or more evaporators, and one or more condenser fans, all of which are controlled by a controller. The HVAC system can also include an economizer, heat pump operation, a building automation system, and a heating system. The controller is generally provided to monitor and control the operation of the system as configured by the owner of the HVAC system.
Many problems which are found in prior systems result from human error in programming or identifying the system configuration to the controller. Other problems occur because the system configuration changes due to component failure or recovery, or to modification of the system by the owner.
Prior art systems have relied on configuration jumpers and DIP switches to initially inform the controller of the system's configuration. Configuration jumpers are a series of paired input terminals which are individually connected or disconnected by an installer to inform the controller of the presence or absence of particular system elements or functions. Similarly, a DIP (dual in-line package) switch is a bank of small switches adapted for easy insertion into a printed circuit board. The individual switches of the DIP switch are opened or closed by an installer to provide an input to the controller representative of the presence or absence of particular system functions or elements. However, both configuration jumpers and DIP switches are subject to installer error during the initial system configuration, and both are subject to accidental alteration once the system has been established. Additionally, DIP switches have been known to be install backwards, leading to additional errors.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,210 to Lord shows an electronic program control including programmable headers with fixed jumpers which develop a binary code to configure a microprocessor to the physical characteristics of an assembled refrigeration unit. The programmable header is programmed at the factory by selectively breaking the jumpers to develop the binary code. Programming of the microprocessor for accessory equipment can be performed by field service personnel using small dip switches to develop a binary code for the microprocessor. Both dip switches and the selectively broken jumpers of the programmable header are subject to considerable human error in determining the physical characteristics of the assembled refrigeration unit and the accessory equipment. Additionally, programmable headers require considerable design effort in laying out the configuration of the controller, to ensure that there exists a single location containing all of the connections to the programmable header, and all of the connections to the dip switches. Furthermore in addition to the cost and limitations of such a design effort, the cost of the programmable headers, the fixed jumpers, the connections, and the dip switches can add considerable expense to a controller.
Once the HVAC system has been initially configured, and is operating, further problems occur. In existing systems, the failure of an input such as a sensor due to a lack of a signal or to an out of range signal typically results in a system shutdown or in diminished, inaccurate operation. Essentially, previous approaches to operational failures use a fail safe approach. In a fail safe approach a predetermined default mode is used without regard to whether the component which actually failed effects the mode of operation being used. No attempt is made to determine and to continue to operate in the best available mode of operation possible without the failed component.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,598,355 to Shepler et al. shows a fault tolerant controller which includes means for detecting a fault in the controller or in an output device. The output device is controlled in a fail safe mode of operation wherein any type of failure results in a mode of operation which controls the output device as if the controller was not present in the system. A return to the normal mode of operation is caused only if the fault ceases to exist while in the fail safe mode of operation. This patent makes no attempt to continue to operate in the best available mode of operation. Additionally, the fail safe mode of operation is limited to output device failures. When the controller itself or one of its primary functions experiences a failure, a permanent fail safe flag is set ton indicate a non-recoverable type error.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,432,210 to Saito shows an air conditioning control method for setting the desired outlet air temperature in response to abnormal sensor inputs. The method selects one of a plurality of fail safe calculation formulae, the selected formulae being one which does not employ any of the abnormal sensor inputs. The mode of operation does not change. Only the outlet air temperature setting varies in response to an abnormal sensor input.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,535,598 to Mount shows a method and control system for a refrigeration system which aborts the start up of the refrigeration system if a signal provided by a sensor is not within normal limits prior to start up. Additionally, the control system shuts down the operation of the refrigeration system if the system verifies an out of bounds signal provided by the sensor during the operation of the refrigeration system. No attempt is made to continue to operate the system in any other mode of operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,279 to Watabe shows an operating mode selector which selects between cooling, shut down, and heating modes of operation by determining whether a temperature T sensed by a temperature sensor is within upper and lower preset limits. The selected operational mode is maintained as long as the sensed temperature is within the upper and lower limits. A new mode of operation is selected when the sensed temperature exceeds the preset limits of the previous mode of operation. Component failure or invalid input signals are not contemplated.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,381,549 shows a microprocessor controlled apparatus for automatically diagnosing faults in a heat pump system. As long as any one indoor temperature sensor operates properly, the system will continue to operate properly. When all temperature sensors fail, a fault condition arises. However, neither a fault condition nor the failure of individual sensors results in a change in the mode of operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,333,316 shows a heat pump control apparatus in which normal target temperature settings are automatically converted to an expanded operating temperature range in response to a predetermined number of invalid data signals. Again, the mode of operation is not changed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,580,947 to Shibata et al. shows a method of controlling the operation of a plurality of compressors. The method attempts to prolong the life of the compressors by stopping the compressor which has worked the longest whenever the system load decreases, and starting a compressor other than the compressor working the longest whenever the system load is increasing.


An oil filter canister removal tool comprising a cup-shaped plastic body long enough to receive the filter therein and of sufficient diameter as to provide radial clearance between the filter canister and the top rim of the body. A snug fit can be provided by integral flutes or bonded in strips of elastomeric material. In operation the tool is slipped over a canister after the canister has been loosened relative to the engine block. The tool is manually rotated until the canister is free of the engine. The tool can be cleaned up and reused after disposal of the oil filter canister. The tool may also be thrown away with the used filter.

I have found that it is common for a small quantity of dirty oil to drip from an oil filter canister during the process of removing the used oil filter canister from the threaded connection with an engine block. The dirty oil typically drips onto a garage floor or, in the case of a marine engine, into the bilge of the boat where space constraints make clean up operations particularly difficult.


Disclosed herein is fletching for an arrow, which is light and displays sufficient air resistance, thus ensuring the linear travel and stability of the flight of the arrow, being easy to attach to a shaft, and reliably maintaining the shape of the fletching. The fletching includes a wing part and an adhesive part. The wing part includes a frame formed such that an inside portion of an outer edge thereof is open and defining an overall structure, a plurality of vertical ribs connecting upper and lower portions of the frame to each other and arranged to be spaced apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the frame, and a thin film provided in an empty space defined by the frame and each of the vertical ribs. The adhesive part is provided on the lower end of the wing part and attached to a shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to fletching for an arrow and, more particularly, to fletching for an arrow which is lighter than conventional fletching, ensures in-flight stability and linear travel of the arrow, and imparts a pitch to a wing part in advance to allow the fletching to be easily mounted to a shaft.
2. Description of the Related Art
An arrow is a projectile which straddles the string of a bow or crossbow to be shot therefrom, and includes a shaft, a pile, fletching and a nock. The pile is provided on the front end of the shaft, and the nock is provided on the rear end of the shaft to straddle the string of the bow or crossbow. Generally, the arrow which has been shot from the string of the bow or crossbow flies to a target while describing a parabola. At this time, the arrow flies while rolling and pitching with respect to the center of gravity of the arrow. That is, the arrow does not fly straight towards a target but flies unsteadily as if it were a swimming fish. This is referred to as the arrow paradox. The fletching of the arrow functions to overcome the unsteady motion, thus allowing the arrow to fly straight using air resistance. Further, the arrow flies while being rotated by air resistance acting on the fletching of the arrow. The directionality of the rotating arrow is much more stable than that of an arrow which does not rotate. That is, a small pitch is imparted to the fletching mounted to the shaft to rotate the arrow, thus ensuring the stable movement of the arrow. Such an effect is called a gyro effect.
FIG. 10 is a side view illustrating conventional fletching for an arrow. The conventional fletching 10 includes a wing part 11 having a plate shape, and an adhesive part 12 which is provided on the lower end of the wing part and used to attach the fletching 10 to a shaft.
FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating part of the arrow, in which the conventional fletching is mounted to the shaft. As shown in the drawing, the conventional fletching 10 is attached to the outer circumference of a shaft 20. Generally, two to four feathers constituting the fletching 10 are attached to the outer circumference of the shaft to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals in the circumferential direction thereof. Here, in order to use the gyro effect of the arrow, a predetermined pitch is imparted to the fletching 10, thus allowing the arrow to rotate while in flight. That is, when the fletching 10 is attached to the shaft 20, as shown in the drawing, the adhesive part 12 is not attached straight along the central axis of the shaft 20 in a longitudinal direction thereof, but is twisted and attached such that the adhesive part 12 deviates slightly from the central axis. Through such an attaching method, the side of the wing part 11 of the fletching 10 is slightly curved, thus serving as a pinwheel that allows the arrow to rotate when the arrow is in flight. However, the conventional fletching is problematic in that a worker or user must manually impart a pitch to the fletching 10, so that it takes a long time and is very difficult to impart the pitch. In other words, since the same amount of pitch is imparted to two to four feathers mounted to the shaft 20, it is difficult to precisely attach each feather to the shaft 20 in a constant pitch.
Further, recently, as the weight of the shaft shows a tendency towards reduction, light fletching is required, and besides, the development and supply of fletching for an arrow which is capable of maintaining air resistance and rotary force acting on the fletching to a proper level are needed.


A method and apparatus for providing a lower frequency signal with reference to a higher frequency signal are disclosed. The apparatus of the invention comprises an oscillating signal generator, an integer logical divider, and a signal combiner. The signal generator receives an input voltage and, in response thereto, generates a first output oscillating signal and a second output oscillating signal, both having a first frequency. The two oscillating signals are separated by a ninety-degree phase shift. The integer logical divider receives the two oscillating signals and provides two output divided signals in response. The first divided signal is representative of the first oscillating signal except that its frequency is one-third the frequency of the first oscillating signal. Likewise, the second divided signal is representative of the second oscillating signal except that its frequency is one-third that of the second oscillating signal. The signal combiner receives these two divided signals and performs an XOR operation on them to produce an output signal having a second frequency which is equal to the first frequency divided by 1.5. Thus, the apparatus of the invention performs a logical divide-by 1.5 operation. By adjusting the phase difference between the two oscillating signals, and by properly modifying the other elements of the apparatus, other logical divide-by operations may be performed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic frequency dividers and more specifically to a frequency divider comprising a voltage-controlled ring oscillator having multiple phase-shifted outputs, an integer logical divider, and a signal combining circuit.
2. Description of the Background Art
As computers, especially personal computers, gain in functionality, they impose greater requirements on data storage devices such as hard disk drives. Because of the greater running speeds of today's computers, today's disk drives must likewise operate faster. To facilitate fast data access, many hard disk drives implement a 1/7 encoding format. The use of this format requires that two clock signals be generated: a first clock signal (hereinafter, "data rate signal") which has the same frequency as the desired data rate, and a second clock signal (hereinafter, "higher frequency signal") which, because of coding requirements, has a frequency 1.5 times that of the data rate.
These clock signals could be generated separately by individual clock generators, but it would be very difficult if not impossible to synchronize the two separate signals. For this reason, the two required clock signals are usually generated using a single clock source. The higher frequency signal is typically generated by a voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO), and the data rate signal is derived from the higher frequency signal by performing a "logical divide by 1.5" operation on the higher frequency signal to obtain a signal having a frequency equal to the higher frequency divided by 1.5. The difficult aspect of this process is the implementation of the logical 1.5 divider.
The prior art has used several methods to implement the logical 1.5 divider. One method requires that a first signal be generated by a VCO having a frequency equal to 1.5 times the desired data rate. Then, every third clock pulse is deleted from this first signal to provide an output signal having an effective frequency equal to the frequency of the first signal divided by 1.5. Hence, the data rate signal is derived. While this method does generate a data rate signal having the correct number of clock pulses, the resulting signal is non-symmetrical. That is, while the number of clock pulses is correct, the duration of each clock pulse is the same as if the pulse had been from the higher frequency signal. This in effect forces the controller integrated circuit (which is driven by this clock signal) to respond with the same speed as if it were being driven by the higher frequency signal. Thus, even though the nominal frequency of the signal is correct, the controller effectively operates as if it were being driven by the higher frequency signal.
Another prior art method requires that a VCO generate a first signal having a frequency three times that of the desired data rate. The data rate signal is derived from the first signal by using a logical divide-by-three circuit, and the higher frequency signal is derived from the first signal by employing a divide-by-two circuit. The result is that the higher frequency signal has a frequency which is 1.5 times that of the data rate signal. A problem with this method is that it requires the VCO to generate a signal having a frequency three times that of the data rate. The frequencies that a VCO can generate are limited. Currently, it is difficult for any VCO to generate signals having frequencies much higher than 60 MHz. This would means that the data rate signal may only have a frequency of approximately 20 MHz. This imposes a significant and undesirable limitation on the rate of data transfer.
Therefore, there exists a need for a logical 1.5 divider which provides a symmetrical output signal without needing to generate a signal having a frequency three times that of the data transfer rate.

Method and apparatus for providing a lower frequency signal with reference to a higher frequency signal


Scanning rangefinder of simple, compact construction. The rangefinder is furnished with: an outer cover (1) in which a transparent window (2) is formed; a cylindrical rotary unit (3) inside the outer cover (1); a scanning/receiving window (4) provided in the rotary unit (3); a dual scanning/receiving mirror (5) disposed, angled, along the rotational axis of the cylindrical rotary unit (3); a motor (6) for rotationally driving the rotary unit (3); a disk part (13) arranged in the cylindrical rotary unit (3), anchored in an inside region thereof; a beam projector (14) anchored in a location where it is disposed slightly spaced apart from the rotational axis of the rotary unit (3); and a light receiver (16) anchored to, arranged coincident with the rotational axis of, the disk part (13) in the inside region of the rotary unit (3), and connected to a distance computation circuit (19).

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to so-called scanning rangefinders, designed to informationally receive, with an electromagnetic wave receiver connected to a distance computation circuit, reflection of electromagnetic waves that from an electromagnetic wave projector have been directed onto and scanned over scanning targets, and to computationally gauge the distance to the scanning targets.
2. Description of the Related Art
To date, two configurations, as represented in FIGS. 9 and 10, have been known for scanning rangefinders that use a rotating mirror(s) and wobble its optical axis over an entire 360-degree circuit. In either configuration the optical axis of the mirror(s) and the shaft of the motor that rotates the mirror(s) are made coincident.
The rangefinder in FIG. 9 is structured to employ a double-shaft motor 42 from which common rotary shafts 41a and 41b are jutted out vertically, with a scanning mirror 43 on the shaft 41a on the one hand, and a receiving mirror 44 on the shaft 41b on the other, being mounted in phase with each other. (At 45 in FIG. 9 is a beam projector; at 46, a ray receiver; at 47, a projection lens; and at 48, a receiving lens.) This configuration enables the rangefinder sensitivity to be raised, in that because the scanning optical system and the receiving optical system are completely separated, there is little straying of rays from the projection optical system into the receiving optical system, and in that there is little concern that surface reflection from the inner side of a scanning/receiving transparent window 53, nor that rays reflected from debris clinging to the transparent window 53, will enter the ray receiver 46.
The rangefinder in FIG. 10 is structured to employ a motor 42 from which a rotary shaft 41c is jutted upward, with a dual scanning/receiving mirror 49 being mounted on the rotary shaft 41c. Rays output from the beam projector 45 pass through a projection lens 50, is reflected downward by a semitransparent mirror 51, and is shone onto the dual scanning/receiving mirror 49; the rays reflected there are deflected leftward by the mirror 49 and cast onto a subject to be illuminated. Reflected rays from the scanned object are deflected upward by the scanning/receiving mirror 49, are transmitted through the semitransparent mirror 51, pass through a receiving lens 52, and enter the ray receiver 46. With this configuration there is no blind spot even at short range, since the scanning mirror (semitransparent mirror 51) and the receiving mirror (dual scanning/receiving mirror 49) are arranged coaxially on the motor 42; and there is a high degree of flexibility in installing the rangefinder, because the scanning mirror and receiving mirror are disposed unilaterally with respect to the motor 42.
Nevertheless, scanning rangefinders of the FIG. 9 structure suffer from the following drawbacks.    1) The fact that the motor 42 is disposed between the scanning mirror 43 and the receiving mirror 44 makes the distance between the optical axes of the scanning beam and received rays necessarily large. Consequently, at short range reflected rays do not enter the ray receiver 46, which produces a blind spot.    2) Because the center of the optical system is the center of the rangefinder, and the rangefinder is vertically extensive, restrictions on how the rangefinder may be installed result.
In turn, scanning rangefinders of the FIG. 10 structure suffer from the following disadvantages.    1) The semitransparent mirror 51 is used to make the optical axes of the scanning beam and received rays coincide, but in dividing rays the semitransparent mirror 51 lowers the amount of radiation by approximately one-half. This drop in luminous energy means that the power of the laser radiation from the beam projector 45, and the amplifying characteristics of the ray receiver 46, must be jacked up by four times overall, compared with the spilt-optics type of rangefinder of FIG. 9.    2) Inasmuch as the dual scanning/receiving mirror 49 is employed, projection-beam surface reflection off the inner side of the scanning/receiving transparent window 53, and rays reflected from debris clinging to the transparent window 53, enters the ray receiver 46 by way of the scanning/receiving mirror 49 and the semitransparent mirror 51, becoming noise, which consequently is prohibitive of heightening the radiation-receiving sensitivity of the rangefinder.


A device for rapid detection of cerebrospinal fluid in a sample fluid, the device uses a sample pad with sensors for detecting the presence of one or more analytes in the sample fluid and an analyzer operatively connected to the sample pad, for quantitative analysis of one or more analytes. A display unit operably connected to the analyzer, for displaying an output of the analysis may also be a part of the device, wherein the display unit may be able to indicate presence or absence of cerebrospinal fluid leakage using an indicator.

Skull base fracture is one of the most complex medical issues, especially in neurological emergencies and trauma services. Skull fractures occur commonly in patients who are in heavy accidents or severe trauma resulting in a critical health condition. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a problem that is frequently associated with base skull fractures. CSF leakage can occur anywhere along the craniospinal axis and the most common clinical manifestation of CSF leakage involves rhinorrhea and/or otorrhea.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage can also occur under non-traumatic conditions such as leaks caused directly or indirectly by tumors, hydrocephalus, osteomyelitic erosion and congenital abnormalities. Clinical manifestations of CSF leakage range from drainage of CSF that is easily recognized to slow, intermittent leakage that can be difficult to diagnose. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage may be traumatic, iatrogenic, or spontaneous in origin, and it affects a relatively large proportion of neurosurgical patients.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is generally detected based on analysis of samples such as nasal discharge or secretions from ear or nose of a patient. The samples collected from patients will be sent from a sampling location to a laboratory for analysis, which is a time consuming process, for example, the analysis may take many hours or even a few days. The time delay may lead to further deterioration of patient's condition and prolongs the time required for making critical decisions. Further, the report of the analysis would require a medical technician to collect and process clinical samples and a qualified medical professional to interpret the results.
In traditional methods of CSF detection, sample fluids from the patient's nose or ear are collected inside a sample tube and sent to laboratories to accurately determine the quantities of analytes such as glucose, chloride and beta-2 transferrin. The above method consumes a considerable amount of time for transporting the sample to the laboratory and analyzing the sample at the laboratory. The above method also provides results in a format which can be clearly interpreted only by a qualified medical professional, which might further delay the time to take critical clinical decisions, such as opting for surgery. Due to the typically urgent nature of this medical problem, any delay in diagnosing CSF leakage can increase the risk of mortality.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a device and a method for rapid detection of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, thereby helping in making faster decisions regarding emergency medical treatments and reducing mortality rate among head trauma patients. In addition, there is a need in the art for a device that can easily handle and rapidly provide a readily discernible output of the analysis for determining CSF leakage.

Device and methods for detecting cerebrospinal fluid leakage


A public parameter PK is key information used in a secret search system having: a transmission device generating and sending an encryption tag which is an encrypted keyword; a server receiving and storing the encryption tag and conducting a secret search in response to a request for the secret search; and a reception device generating a trapdoor which corresponds to a digital signature of the keyword and as well data requesting the secret search, sending the trapdoor to the server, and receiving a search result. The public parameter PK includes a true public parameter PP and a protection key PK′. The transmission device and the reception device require both the true public parameter PP and the protection key PK′; however, the server does not require the protection key PK′. The key generation device generates separately the true public parameter PP and the protection key PK′ included in the public parameter PK.

In the field of public key cryptography (PKC), public-key encryption with keyword search (PEKS) is known as technique which enables a keyword search while the keyword is encrypted (for instance, Non-Patent Literature 1). In the following, the public-key encryption with keyword search will be referred to as PEKS.
The PEKS implements, for instance, applications like the following. It is assumed that "a sender sends a data file including confidential information via an external database ("server", hereinafter) to a receiver". That is, a case is considered, in which the sender uploads the data file to the server, and the receiver downloads his necessary data file from the server using a keyword search. Here, the sender and the receiver want to share both of the data file and the keyword, while the server is unaware of them.
The receiver prepares a pair of a public key and a secret key of the public key cryptography (used for encrypting and decrypting the data file itself) and a pair of a public key and a secret key of PEKS (used for encrypting a keyword and generating a search query) beforehand. Then, the receiver releases both public keys.
The sender encrypts the data file using the public key of the public key cryptography of the receiver and generates ciphertext of the data file. In addition to the above, the sender encrypts the keyword using the public key of PEKS to generate ciphertext of the keyword. In the following, the ciphertext of the keyword generated by using the public key of PEKS is referred to as an "encryption tag". The sender uploads the ciphertext of the data file with the encryption tag to the server.
The receiver generates data corresponding to a digital signature of the keyword using the secret key of PEKS. In the following, data corresponding to the digital signature of the keyword generated by using the secret key of PEKS is referred to as a "trapdoor". The receiver sends the trapdoor to the server as a search query. The server conducts a secret search of ciphertext of all the data files of the database for each encryption tag using the received trapdoor. Then, the server sends the ciphertext of the data file hit by the secret search to the receiver.
In this manner, PEKS takes an essential role upon implementing an outsourcing application of the encrypted data.

Key generation device, key generation program, secret search system, and key distribution method


Provided is a process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member, the process including the steps of: preparing a dispersion liquid by dispersing particles each containing an electron transporting substance in an aqueous dispersion medium; forming the coat of the dispersion liquid on the support; and forming an undercoat layer by heating the coat at a temperature equal to or more than the melting point of the electron transporting substance.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing an electrophotographic photosensitive member.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electrophotographic photosensitive member containing an organic photoconductive substance (hereinafter referred to as "charge generating substance") is known as an electrophotographic photosensitive member to be mounted on an electrophotographic apparatus. At present, the above-mentioned electrophotographic photosensitive member has been a mainstream electrophotographic photosensitive member to be used in a process cartridge of an electrophotographic apparatus or in the electrophotographic apparatus, and has been put into large-scale production. Of such electrophotographic photosensitive members, a laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member improved in characteristics by separating functions needed for an electrophotographic photosensitive member into its respective layers has been frequently used. A construction obtained by laminating an undercoat layer, a charge generating layer, and a hole transporting layer in the stated order on a support has been adopted as a main construction of the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member.
A method involving dissolving a functional material in an organic solvent to prepare an application solution (application liquid) and applying the solution onto the support has been generally employed as a method of producing the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member. The reduction of the organic solvent in the step of forming a coat for each layer has been desired in recent years. Such a proposal as described below has been made in a layer in which a metal oxide has been dispersed or a layer in which an electron transporting substance has been dispersed as a proposal for the reduction of the organic solvent for the undercoat layer of the laminated electrophotographic photosensitive member.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-113005 proposes a method involving: forming a coat of a dispersion liquid obtained by dissolving a polyol-based resin and a blocked isocyanate compound in an aqueous dispersion medium, and dispersing metal oxide particles in the medium; and heating the coat to form an undercoat layer in which the metal oxide particles have been dispersed. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-128397 proposes a method involving: producing a water dispersion liquid containing polyolefin resin particles and particles each containing an electron transporting substance; forming a coat of the dispersion liquid on a support; and forming an undercoat layer by heating the coat to melt the polyolefin resin particles. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-128397, the undercoat layer in which the particles each containing the electron transporting substance have been dispersed is formed.
Although the undercoat layer can be formed by using the aqueous dispersion medium in each of the methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-113005 and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-128397, an additional improvement in uniformity of the undercoat layer has been required for an additional improvement in image uniformity. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-113005, the metal oxide particles each functioning as an electron transporting substance need to be dispersed in an additionally uniform manner. However, it may be difficult to improve dispersibility of the metal oxide particles in the aqueous dispersion medium. In addition, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2012-128397 is a method of forming an undercoat layer in which the electron transporting substance has been dispersed in a state of particles each containing the electron transporting substance, and hence uniformity of a surface of the undercoat layer is liable to reduce. Therefore, a production method by which the organic solvent is reduced and the uniformity of the surface of the undercoat layer is improved upon formation of the undercoat layer has been desired.

Process for producing electrophotographic photosensitive member