Devices, systems, and methods for providing delta-sigma modulation in conjunction with analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog signal conversion are disclosed. The delta-sigma modulator and delta-sigma converter include dynamically-scalable coefficients, which, at relatively low signal amplitudes, allow the delta-sigma modulator and delta-sigma converter to modulate the signals using a first noise transfer function and, at relatively greater signal amplitudes, allow the delta-sigma modulator and delta-sigma converter to modulate the signals using a second noise transfer function.

The present invention relates to delta-sigma modulation for analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog converters and, more particularly, to fourth-order delta-sigma modulation that includes dynamically altering the noise transfer function to provide an extended range of maximum, stable output amplitudes.
Power converters, which convert an AC input into a DC output, and power inverters, which convert a DC input into an AC output, (hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, referred to collectively as "converters") are used in power electronics to provide a desired output. Furthermore, converters are adapted to convert analog to digital or digital to analog. As with most power electronics, control plays a big factor in design. Indeed, external control of power converters is necessary to provide improved regulation of the output signal. Some of the various means of external control include delta modulation and delta-sigma modulation.
Delta modulation for analog-to-digital signal conversion involves approximating an analog signal using a series of digital segments. Each of the digital segments is then compared to the original analog signal to determine any change (i.e., an increase or decrease) in relative amplitude. This increase or decrease associated with each segment determines the state of successive bits in the bit stream. For example, if there is no change in the relative amplitude, the modulated output signal remains at the digital 0 (zero) or 1 state; whereas, if there is a change in relative amplitude, then the modulated output signal changes from 0 or 1 accordingly.
Delta-sigma (ΔΣ) modulation is a hybrid analog-to-digital or digital-to-analog delta modulation technique. During ΔΣ modulation, an error (difference) between the input signal and a negative feedback signal is determined, then integrated. The integrated error is then compensated for by a comparator (or quantizer). The error value output is also fed back, inverted, and summed with the input signal. Accordingly, the mean output value is equal to the mean input value.
Delta-sigma (ΔΣ) modulators differ from more "conventional" modulators in that they include a delta-sigma (ΔΣ) converter, for converting an analog input signal into a digital bit stream, and a filter, which adds gain to the average signal level out of the bit stream. An example of a first-order ΔΣ modulator 10 is shown in FIG. 1.
The analog input signal 11 and an analog feedback signal 18 from a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) 19 are summed at summer 12. Those skilled in the art can appreciate that the input signal 11 and the feedback signal 18 could also be digital signals without departing from the scope or spirit of this disclosure. The difference between or error 13 of the two signals 11 and 18 from the summer 12 is integrated by an integrator 14. The integrated error signal 15 then enters a quantizer 16, which includes a pre-determined threshold value. The integrated error is either higher or lower or equal to the pre-determined threshold value. The digital output signal 17 of the quantizer 16 is filtered by a low-pass filter 20 and is also fed back to the summer 12 through the DAC 19.
Whenever signals are represented digitally, which is to say whenever signals are quantized, the imprecision in the conversion from analog-to-digital or from digital-to-analog unavoidably produces error between the continuous analog signal and the quantized digital signal. This error consists of additive, white (quantization) noise. The amount of quantization noise depends on the order of the modulator and the oversampling ratio.
The number of integrators and the number of feedback loops determine the "order" of the ΔΣ modulator. The ΔΣ modulator 10 in FIG. 1 is a "first-order" modulator because there is a single integrator 14 and a single feedback loop 25. A second-order ΔΣ modulator 30 is shown in FIG. 2. The second-order ΔΣ modulator 30 includes two integrators 22 and 24 and two feedback loops 21 and 23.
Better signal-to-noise performance implies a higher signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Hence, a relatively high SNR is desirable. At DC (no frequency) and relatively low frequencies, such as between 0 and about 1,000 Hertz (Hz), increasing the order of an ΔΣ modulator results in a higher SNR and, accordingly, better signal-to-noise performance. Consequently, for small amplitude signals at DC or relatively low frequencies, output precision is improved by using higher-order ΔΣ modulators.
SNR of higher-order ΔΣ modulators at higher frequencies, however, is lowered. Moreover, with higher-order ΔΣ modulators, the maximum amplitude of the output signal beyond which the modulator becomes unstable is reduced. For many modulators, this does not pose a problem because the quantized output signal can simply be amplified. This is not the case for all ΔΣ modulators.
For example, in DAC systems in which the ΔΣ modulator directly drives an output bridge circuit in which the output(s) is/are switched to various reference voltages, depending on the ΔΣ output level, amplification prior to the output is not possible. In the case of a three-level ΔΣ output directly driving a differential H-bridge output, the bridge outputs are switched depending on the ΔΣ output in accordance with the following:
ΔΣ LevelVOUT+VOUT−+1VREF+VREF−−1VREF−VREF+0VREF+VREF+ orVREF−VREF−
The ΔΣ modulator drives and tracks the output signal directly without intervening signal processing. Hence, the reduced maximum, stable output amplitude limits the maximum output signal deliverable, which is to say, conventional ΔΣ modulation limits the range of maximum output signal amplitudes that can be delivered. For example, regardless of stability, a conventional fourth-order ΔΣ modulator having three quantizer levels (+1, 0, −1) may have a maximum stable output of about −6 dB relative to the maximum possible digital output amplitude. Notwithstanding the reduction in SNR for higher amplitude signal values, in certain ΔΣ modulator applications, such as voice or audio signal conversion, at relatively high signal amplitudes, better SNR performance can be sacrificed to increase the maximum output signal amplitude range because high signal amplitudes can better mask low levels of noise.
Therein lies the designer's dilemma: with smaller amplitude signals, higher-order ΔΣ modulators are highly desirable but with larger amplitude signals, lower-order ΔΣ modulators are more desirable. Switching between a higher- and lower-order ΔΣ modulators is one plausible solution. Indeed, dynamically varying the order of the ΔΣ modulator between higher-order AS modulators for smaller signals and lower-order ΔΣ modulators for larger signals is feasible. However, such modulation can result in relatively large and abrupt decreases in SNR for moderate to high oversampling ratios. Oversampling ratios (OSR) involve sampling a signal at a sampling frequency significantly higher than two times the bandwidth or highest frequency of the signal being sampled. For example, decreasing a three-level modulator's order from four to two at an OSR of 32 can cause an abrupt 26 dB reduction in SNR when the transition is made.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a ΔΣ converter as well as a ΔΣ modulator that are adapted to dynamically-control higher-order ΔΣ modulation and, moreover, that are adapted to dynamically-control higher-order ΔΣ modulation to provide a high SNR at relatively low signal amplitude levels using a first noise transfer function; but that is "detunable" at relatively greater signal amplitude levels using a second noise transfer function, to provide a greater range of stable, output signal amplitudes.

Extended range delta-sigma modulator and delta-sigma power converter


Provided is an ankle-foot orthotic device and method for preventing foot drop of a person wearing footwear. The device includes an elongated member adapted to extend along an anterior portion of the lower leg and conforms to a portion of the dorsal surface of the foot. The elongated member is further adapted to secure to an upper outer region of the person's footwear. Securing the device to the lower leg and footwear of a person maintains the foot in a dorsiflexion position. The elongated member may include an upper portion positionable relative to an intermediate portion providing an ankle-foot orthotic device variable in length.

Foot drop is a condition whereby movement and control of the ankle is reduced due to weakened dorsiflexion muscles. Foot drop may be the result of a neurological, muscular, or anatomical disorder or injury. This disorder impairs normal ambulation as the dorsiflexion muscles are unable to support the foot during swing and heel strike. Left untreated, the diminished dorsiflexion control increases the risk of falling or further foot injury. In addition, a person with foot drop may strain or damage other joints such as the knee or hip, as the person attempts to compensate for the foot drop impediment during ambulation.
Orthotic treatments for foot drop typically isolate or immobilize the ankle giving the patient more control and stability during the gait cycle. Conventional lower leg orthoses, however, are cumbersome, bulky, and difficult to wear with ordinary footwear. Devices insertable into footwear tend to cause discomfort and impart excessive pressure on the wearer's foot and leg. In addition, prolonged wear tends to cause undesirable friction between the device and the wearer's skin resulting in pain and tissue trauma.
A need exists for an orthotic device to treat foot drop that is easy to apply and provides comfort to the wearer particularly during periods of prolonged wear. A need further exists for a lower leg orthotic device that is readily attachable to the exterior of standard footwear and can accommodate lower legs having various lengths.


An amplifier circuit for providing an amplified signal in response to an input signal. The amplifier circuit includes an input network for applying the input signal to a selected at least one of a plurality of amplifier stages. An output network is provided for coupling the amplified signal from the selected at least one amplifier stage. The appropriate amplifier stage is selected by a control circuit in response to a desired power value of the amplified signal. By selectively activating only the amplifier stage(s) that are necessary to provide the desired level of output power, increased DC efficiency can be accomplished in applications that require an amplifier which operates linearly over a wide dynamic range.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to signal amplifiers. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods and circuit arrangements for providing highly efficient, linear signal amplification over a wide dynamic range by employing multiple parallel amplifying devices.
II. Description of the Related Art
The use of code division multiple access (CDMA) modulation techniques is one of several techniques for facilitating communications in which a large number of system users are present. Although other techniques such as time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), and amplitude modulation (AM) modulation schemes such as amplitude companded single sideband (ACSSB) are known, CDMA has significant advantages over these other techniques. The use of CDMA techniques in a multiple access communication system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,307 entitled "SPREAD SPECTRUM MULTIPLE ACCESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM USING SATELLITE OR TERRESTRIAL REPEATERS", assigned to the assignee of the present invention, the disclosure thereof incorporated by reference.
In the just mentioned patent, a multiple access technique is disclosed where a large number of mobile telephone system users each having a transceiver communicate through satellite repeaters or terrestrial base stations (also known as cell-site stations, or for short cell-sites) using code division multiple access (CDMA) spread spectrum communication signals. In using CDMA communications, the frequency spectrum can be reused multiple times thus permitting an increase in system user capacity. The use of CDMA results in a much higher spectral efficiency than can be achieved using other multiple access techniques. In a CDMA system, increases in system capacity may be realized by controlling the transmitter power of the portable units associated with each user so as to reduce interference to other system users.
In a terrestrial CDMA cellular communication system it is extremely desirable to maximize the capacity in terms of the number of simultaneous communication links capable of being supported by a given system bandwidth. System capacity can be maximized if the transmitter power of each portable unit is controlled such that the transmitted signal arrives at the cell-site receiver with the minimal signal to noise interference ratio which allows acceptable data recovery. If a signal transmitted by a portable unit arrives at the cell-site receiver at a power level that is too low, the bit-error-rate may be too high to permit high quality communications. If, on the other hand, acceptable communication is established by setting the mobile unit transmitted signal at a power level that is too high when received at the cell site receiver, interference will occur with other mobile unit transmitted signals that are sharing the same channel, i.e. bandwidth. This interference may adversely affect communications with other portable units unless the total number of communicating portable units is reduced.
The signals received from each portable unit at the cell-site station are measured, and the measurement results compared with a desired power level. Based on this comparison the cell-site determines the deviation in the received power level from that which is necessary to maintain the desired communications. Preferably the desired power level is a minimum power level necessary to maintain quality communications so as to result in a reduction in system interference.
The cell-site station then transmits a power control command signal to each system user so as to adjust or "fine tune" the transmit power of the portable unit. This command signal is used by the portable unit to change the transmit power level closer to a level required to sustain communication on the reverse link between the portable unit and the cell-site. As channel conditions change, typically due to motion of the portable unit, both the portable unit receiver power measurement and the power control feedback from the cell-site station continually readjust the transmit power level so as to maintain a proper power level.
The utilization of these types of power control techniques requires that the portable unit transmitter be capable of linear operation over a relatively wide dynamic range. Since existing portable units operate on battery power, it is also necessary that the transmitter power amplifier be capable of efficient, linear operation over the dynamic range typical of CDMA communication systems. Since conventional power amplifier designs, both variable gain and fixed gain, have been found to lack the requisite efficiency and linearity over a wide dynamic range, there exists a need for a power amplifier capable of providing this type of performance.

Efficient parallel-stage power amplifier


The method for controlling the hydraulic brushless motor operates the hydraulic brushless motor by switching the conduction timing to a plurality of switching elements. The method for controlling the hydraulic brushless motor includes detecting the oil temperature and advancing the conduction start timing when the oil temperature is lower than or equal to a predetermined value.

The present invention relates to methods for controlling a hydraulic brushless motor and controlling devices, and more specifically, relates to a method and a device for controlling the brushless motor mounted on an automobile and used in hydraulic pumps and the like.
A DC motor with brush is conventionally used as an electrically operated motor for driving the hydraulic pump for transmission or power steering mounted on the automobile, but problem regarding reliability due to durability of the brush arises. The brushless motor is thus desirably used.
The controlling device of the brushless motor is configured by a motor with magnetic coils of three phases, the U phase, the V phase and the W phase; and a switching circuit including six switching elements for driving the motor.
The operation of the brushless motor is performed by sequentially switching the switching element for conduction to the magnetic coils of three phases. For example, if the conduction angle is 60 degrees, the conduction signal of each switching element is continuously turned ON only over 120 degrees out of the electrical angle of 360 degrees, whereby the conduction of 120 degrees is performed in each switching element. Two out of six switching elements are simultaneously turned ON, where one of the two switching elements that are turned ON is turned OFF and one of the other four switching elements is turned ON every 60 degrees. This operation is subsequently repeated. The method for controlling the motor for operating the motor by sequentially switching each switching element in the above manner is known. In the motor of the in-vehicle hydraulic pump, high torque low rotation is required when the oil temperature is low, and low torque high rotation is required when the oil temperature is high.
Since the usage voltage is relatively low and restrictions such as current consumption and size are extremely severe for the in-vehicle motor, the required output is particularly difficult to obtain on the high torque side, and the required output points for both the high oil temperature and the low oil temperature cannot be satisfied without enlarging the motor when the method for controlling the motor by 60 degrees conduction as disclosed in patent article 1 is applied (see patent article 1=Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 05-103454)

Method for controlling hydraulic brushless motor and controlling device


An improved demodulator recovers data symbols from a serial data stream comprising digital bits and outputs said data symbol in parallel data format. The demodulator includes sampling means to take multiple samples of each data bit in the received serial data stream, correcting any irregularity in the duration of the bit, and from those samples reconstructs a parallel data stream. A companion modulator serves to transform a parallel data stream in the serial data form. Together the modulator and demodulator are formed within a single substrate of semiconductor material. The modulator demodulator serves preferably as elements of a media access controller for a fiber optic transmission system that transmits data at rates of 100 Mhz.

The serial transmission of data electronically in digital form as enables computer to computer communication is known and is in wide spread use. In that transmission, information is encoded in digital form, typically through use of the binary code consisting of a series of "ones", or highs, and "zeros", or lows, with each group of a predetermined number of consecutive bits in the serial transmission, such as 5, representing a symbol and a group of such symbols representing a "frame" or message. At the receiving end, the coded information is decoded and processed into a form useable by other electronic apparatus for processing, and/or control or display. As those skilled in the art recognize, the media used for data transmission can be of many types, typically copper wires, and in more modern systems fiber optic cables. With fiber optic cables the encoded information is converted into modulation of light; turning the light on and off at high rates so as to represent the digital information.
This latter type of medium has been recognized as the preferred form of transmission line for data transmission purposes in the local area networks, LAN, in which a large number of stations are effectively "tied" together; one station can send digital information to other stations in the loop or network, and, likewise receive information addressed to the respective station by any other station in that loop.
Professional users of network computers are familiar with the local area network as incorporated within the modern business or office for allowing communications between computers. Those networks, however, have other more critical application in military networks and, particularly, in space satellites. As those skilled in the art appreciate, a fiber optic local area data network replaces heavy and bulky wire harnesses and cabling systems. By allowing many stations to use the same transmission line and permit individual addressing of a particular station along the loop, the need for a cabling system wired between each station and every other station so as to allow direct communication, is avoided, as was recognized many years ago with the Digital Equipment Company PDP-11 System. In spacecraft applications weight is at a premium. Hence, the elimination of heavy and bulky transmission line harnesses, common to present spacecraft, is a desireable end.
The fiber optic transmission medium permits greater band width, hence, greater data transmission rates, than ordinary copper wire transmission lines. Hence, with the recent introduction and application of fiber optic systems higher data transmission rates are being achieved with which to allow more efficient and productive use of the transmission medium. Greater amounts of data may be sent and/or received in shorter periods of time. In a local area network, thus, each computer or station in the network can complete its transmission or reception more quickly, allowing the other stations in the loop to do so as well. Further, with higher data transmission speeds, accordingly, a greater number of stations may be incorporated within any given network.
As those skilled in the art recognize, a given electronic device, such as a computer, consists of many different sections that are electrically wired together. With high speed data transmission fiber optic loops it is conceivable that the individual sections of such electronic device may be connected together over a single fiber optic cable in a local area network, eliminating the copper wiring between circuits. To assure that data transmission equipment of one manufacturer is compatible with, that is may "speak to", data transmission equipment of a different manufacturer, the manufacturer's adhere to industry accepted standards in the design and operation of their equipment. For this purpose, the American National Standards for industry has established a specification for a fiber-distributed data interface, FDDI, ANSI X3T9 Series 3.1.39, which specifies the protocol and tolerances for LAN digital signal communications in the fiber optic media. That standard specifies a non-return-to-zero, NRZI, indication. The protocol requires a modulator demodulator circuit that processes data into a serial stream for transmission over a media and successfully recovers the data at the destination at rates of 100 million information bits per second and an acquisition capability within twelve symbol periods or less.
In such a data transmission system there is no separate synchronizing circuit, as would signal the receiving station separate via a separate transmission path that a symbol is to start or that message is being started and sent. The receiving station must, on its own, determine from the serial data stream presented on the network that there is data on the network being transmitted, must derive a clock signal with which to enable the determination of a start of symbol operation in the data and must decode the data so as to ascertain whether the selected station is the addressee and, if so, decode the message. To do so, the cited standards require that the receiving equipment "acquire" the incoming signal within twelve symbol periods or less for un-encoded data rates of at least 100 million bits per second. Digital modulator/demodulator circuits for performing these functions at those rates are commercially available. However, those circuits all rely upon an analog phased-lock loop recovery method. While phased-lock loop type oscillator circuits have received wide application in digital communications systems, and serve an almost indispensable part of present day systems, they have limitations.
Analog phased-locked loops are subject to degradation over long periods of time, such as, for example, the ten to fifteen year period in which space satellites on a long mission explores the cosmos. Phase locked loop oscillators are also subject to degradation through exposure to both naturally occurring and militarily induced radiation, such as occurs in parts of the stellar system and/or which might be released as energy by an atomic blast. Whereas failure of the phased-locked loop oscillator in business and office local area networks, though inconvenient, is easily repaired by telephoning the technician and giving him immediate access to the system parts. However, repair to a satellite communications system that fails two years into a stellar journey is not practical. An object of the invention, therefore, is to provide a digital transmission system and, more particularly, an modulator/demodulator for such a system that is of greater long term reliability than other systems employing a phased-locked loop oscillator.
With a modulator/demodulator of greater reliability suitable for space application, a necessary fall-out of that application is that the same circuits may be used in business and industrial application to enhance the reliability in those applications as well and minimize the need for the repair technician.
To that same end, the initial cost of an improved modulator demodulator, constructed according to the disclosed specification, must be cost competitive initially, with those prior systems containing a phase-locked loop oscillator. To that end an entirely digital circuit, as may be implemented on a single chip of semiconductor material, by large scale integration, LSI, techniques, offers a ready low cost solution. Once the initial costs of chip design are amortized, the continued production of additional copies of chips results in a lower per unit manufacturing cost. Accordingly, a further object of the invention is to provide a design for an modulator/demodulator that can be implemented on a single semiconductor chip as the preferred form.
As has long been known, Gallium Arsenide based semiconductor devices are capable of operating at greater speeds than semiconductor chips fabricated using Silicon technology. While the silicon technology is wide-spread, in part because of lower manufacturing costs and acceptable performance, the Gallium Arsenide technology, which has not received as wide use, is, at present, more expensive. The Gallium Arsenide technology may be said to have been limited in application to the very high speed devices, where the silicon technology is unsatisfactory in performance. At digital data transmission rates of 125 million cycles per second and consequent clocking rates of 500 MHz the Gallium Arsenide is preferred. Accordingly, an additional object of the invention is to provide a design for a high speed digital modulator/demodulator that may be implemented on a Gallium Arsenide semiconductor chip.
Silicon semiconductor technology need not be neglected. Although the high speeds desired as an object are perceived as requiring implementation in Gallium Arsenide materials, it is also possible to provide an modulator/demodulator circuit design that can be operated at lower speeds and be implemented in a silicon semiconductor chip. Accordingly, a still additional object of the invention is to provide a design for an modulator decoder that is entirely digital in operation that may be implemented in either of the two semiconductor technologies. By providing for operation at lower clock speeds, the circuit as implemented on a silicon-type chip should perform satisfactorily.
Modulator/demodulator circuits convert a serial stream of data into a parallel data stream, such as a five bit parallel code, which is output to succeeding circuits associated with the receiving station. The demodulator must, thus, interface with other equipment. An additional object of the invention, therefore, is to provide an improved modulator/demodulator for use in a media access control structure suitable for the high speed FDDI Token Ring Network. In that application the output signals must be predictable and reliable. An ancillary object of the invention is to provide a modulator circuit that is capable of outputting a data stream at a relatively constant rate.


A digital probing type atomic force microscope (AFM) for measuring high aspect structures with high precision. A probe 21 is vibrated while moved to the vicinity of an atomic force region on a specimen surface. The position of the probe is measured when a specified atomic force is detected in the atomic force region. The probe is then moved away from the specimen surface. A servo system for maintaining a gap between the probe and specimen surface is stopped. The probe is moved to a measurement point along the specimen surface while kept away from the specimen. The vibration frequency is a frequency slightly offset from the cantilever resonance point. The atomic force is detected based on the vibration amplitude of the cantilever.

In recent years, along with the growth of our information society, there are increasing needs for technology capable of joint use of large amounts of information. The semiconductor field is making progress in miniaturization. Current leading edge technology is seeking to miniaturize devices to a minimum scale of 0.13 μm. Along with this progress, there is also a need for higher precision and greater miniaturization in device isolation technology, wiring technology and contact technology, etc. Structures with a higher aspect ratio (depth/aperture diameter) are also being proposed and technology to fabricate these structures is being sought. Besides fabrication technology, advances in measurement technology are also needed. In particular, development of methods for measuring precision on the nanometer scale are needed. More specifically, according to the semiconductor road map for the future, the current minimum hole diameter of 180 nanometers will shrink to 60 nanometers by the year 2010. Also, aspect ratios will increase from 7 to 12 so measurement down to these dimensions will also become increasingly difficult. Current technology uses the scanning electron microscope (SEM), to observe a cross-section of the specimen after splitting it open or machining it with a focusing ion beam (FIB) technology.
These types of methods using probe microscopes to measure surface structures with high aspect ratios include a method (U.S. Pat. No. 2,936,545) for discrete scanning of the specimen in a state where the probe is separated from the specimen, and the probe is moved to a measurement point in proximity to the specimen to measure the surface position. In this method, during scanning of the surface, the gap between the specimen and probe when making an actual physical measurement is larger than necessary and the probe moves at high speed to the next pixel; and when making surface measurements, the scanning is stopped, and the probe is moved in proximity to the specimen and measures the surface position.
Measurements of a specimen surfaces with a large aspect ratio and small aperture diameter require attaching an extremely slim probe as a tip of the cantilever. The elasticity (spring constant) of the probe is therefore poor horizontally and is nearly the same spring constant as the cantilever. The probe therefore warps or deforms on reaching the oblique surface (of the specimen).
In atomic force microscopes (AFM) of the conventional art with contact type digital probing, the probe at the pixel position, repeatedly moves close to the specimen surface and then back. When the probe captures the specimen surface while nearing it, and when the oblique surface is steep, the cantilever 80 and probe 81 are twisted as shown in FIG. 10, and an error appears in the position measurement on the surface of the specimen 82. The measurement position error Δr (surface interior) and Δz (perpendicular direction) are expressed as follows due to the warping of the probe.Δr=Fc tan θ/k(k=El/(5γa3), γa=l/t)  (1)Δz=Δr tan θ  (2)Fc=F cos2θ  (3)
Here, Fc is the fixed atomic force, θ is the angle the oblique surface tilts from perpendicular relative to the probe, k is the spring constant of the probe, E is the Young's modulus of the probe, l is the probe length, and t is the probe thickness. The γa is here called the probe aspect ratio. The probe aspect ratio holds roughly the same significance as the specimen aspect ratio. This type of measurement cannot be performed unless the probe aspect ratio is higher than the specimen aspect ratio.
In contact type methods for detecting atomic force such as the light deflection method, the force setting is approximately 10−8N. For example, when the atomic force Fc setting is 10−8N, the angle θ is 45 degrees, the Young's modulus E of the probe is 2×1011N/cm2, the probe length l is 1 μm, and the probe thickness is 50 nanometers (γa=20), then the Δr and the Δz are 2 nanometers. When the angle θ is 80 degrees, then the Δr is 11 nanometers and the Δz is 64 nanometers. Further, when the angle θ is 85 degrees, the Δr is 23 nanometers, the Δz is 261 nanometers, it can be seen that the probe tip will slip on the specimen surface. This slippage shows that the technology of the conventional art is not capable of accurately measuring the shape of surface structures having a high aspect ratio.
In view of the problems with the conventional art, the present invention has the object of providing a scanning probe microscope capable of accurately measuring surface structures with high aspect ratio, and a method for measuring surface structures of specimens having a high aspect ratio.

Scanning probe microscope and specimen surface structure measuring method


An elongated patient support table with a horizontal patient support surface is provided with a radiolucent table extension connected thereto in cantilever fashion for supporting the head and upper torso of a patient. The outer end of the extension has a reduced width compared to the support table to enable extendable movement of the radiolucent extension into a scanning zone of a diagnostic unit such as a CT scanner. The table extension has at its outer end a tool support for supporting and stabilizing medical instruments, and the table extension is tiltable above and below the horizontal. The combination of the support table with the radiolucent table extension supports the patient in a desired posture for an operative procedure both during the scanning and surgical procedures.

With current medical practices, it is common for a patient to undergo a diagnostic scanning procedure, which is normally performed in a separate suite containing the scanning machine and dedicated to scanning procedures. The scanning machine may be a CT, MRI, or other scanning device. Thereafter, the scan data is utilized in a surgical planning process, which conventionally takes place at a location, for example, an office or an operating room. In some surgical procedures, the scanning data is utilized with a system for post processing the scan data acquired during imaging. Further, the imaging system may be located in a surgical suite, and the surgical planning performed before and during surgical procedure utilizing the imaging system and scan data.
During the scanning procedure, the patient must maintain a perfectly still and motionless posture, and while most often, the patient simply lies on a scanning support table, in some situations, the patient may be supported in the desired scanning position with pads, straps or other supports. Further, the support on which the patient rests is normally radiolucent, that is, transparent to the scanning device, so that the support does not compromise the utility of the scanned image. Further, the patient support used for scanning normally translates with respect to the imaging device. Translation of the patient support permits the patient to be moved into the scanning field or zone of the scanning machine.
After the scanning process is completed, often the patient is then moved to an operating room which requires either that the patient walk, or be carried, for example, by transferring the patient from the scanning table to an operating table. Alternatively, as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,884, the patient may be supported on a portable support plate, which is easily moved between the scanning table and the operating table. The scan data is often used in a post processing imaging system for surgical planning purposes both prior to and during surgery. If during or after a surgical process, it is desired to scan a patient again, the patient must be moved from the operating room to the scanning suite, transferred to and from the operating table to the scanning table, and after scanning, transferred back to the operating table and returned to the operating room. The above process is cumbersome, time consuming and potentially risky for the patient.
Some newer scanning machines are substantially reduced in size. Consequently, such scanning machines do not require their own suite or room, but instead, they may be used within the operating suite itself. Thus, in an operating room, the patient may be scanned; the surgical planning performed; an operative procedure executed; and the patient scanned again to determine the current status of the operative procedure. Based on the new scanned images, the operative procedure can be continued and the above process repeated as necessary.
A limitation of the current state-of-the-art is that the posture of the patient during the scanning process is often different from the patient's posture during surgery. If a patient is positioned in one posture on a scanning table during the scanning process, and then is moved to an operating table, that motion of the patient may cause the position of the target to change with respect to the body surface. During surgery, this problem is compounded by tissue shifts attendant to the opening of body cavities, removal of body fluid or tissues and tissue retractions. Thus, while such motion may be small, any motion of the target will reduce or compromise the utility of the preoperative scan data.
The solution to these problems is to scan the patient in the operating room during surgery while the patient is maintained in the surgical posture.
While current scanning tables are radiolucent and provide a translation to move the patient into the scanning machine, such scanning tables do not have the accessories required to attach, support and stabilize surgical instrumentation and to properly support the patient's body in the desired surgical posture. Further, while operating tables contain numerous accessories and couplings to which surgical instrumentation may be attached and supported, most operating tables are not compatible with scanning instrumentation. Thus, as presently known, scanning tables cannot be used as operating tables, and generally, operating tables are inappropriate for use as scanning tables. Therefore, there is a need to provide a patient support or table that not only is compatible for use with a scanning machine, but also provides the necessary tool supports for surgical instruments. Ideally, such a table should permit a patient to be positioned on the table in a posture suitable for a surgical procedure, and further, the table should permit the patient to be scanned in the desired surgical posture. Therefore, the patient is not moved with respect to the patient support during both the scanning and surgical procedures, and hence, a selected target should remain in a fixed and constant position during both the scanning and surgical procedures.


The embodiments of the present invention relate to multilayer thermoplastic structures having improved sealability and tearability. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multilayer heat sealant structure having at least three layers that may be coextrusion coated or otherwise laminated to a substrate, such as metallized polymeric material, foil, or other substrates.

It is generally known to provide multilayer structures that may be utilized as heat sealant structures to form packages for products, such as, for example, flowable products. Many multilayer structures are known having a variety of properties, such as heat sealability, flowability, and the like.
Packages for enclosing products are typically made by forming a thermoplastic polymeric structure into a shape to accommodate the product, placing another thermoplastic polymeric structure over the product and then heat sealing the structures together to maintain the product within the two structures. Packages for products may also be made by forming a thermoplastic polymeric structure into a pouch, or otherwise folding a thermoplastic polymeric structure over itself, filling the structure with a product, and then heat sealing the structure closed. The packages made from the above, however, can have problems in their heat-sealing and tearability properties. These issues are especially problematic if the package, containing a flowable product, is intended to be opened by a consumer wherein a combination of good seal and good tear properties are desired and necessary.
Certain products, such as, for example, condiments, require thermoplastic multilayer structures to form relatively small packages. For example, it is well known that catsup, mustard and other like condiments are packaged in individual serving sizes, especially at fast-food restaurants or the like.
Typical packages for flowable products, such as condiments, have walls made from multilayer thermoplastic structures that are not typically easily torn, such that the product may not be easily retrieved or otherwise utilized from the package. Therefore, packages may be difficult to open by young children, the aged or infirm, and other like individuals having reduced ability to cause the structures to tear. The walls of a package for flowable products, such as, for example, condiments or the like, should be easily tearable without also causing the product to be spilled or otherwise lost.
Moreover, typical packages for flowable products, such as, for example, condiments and/or wrinkles or the like, do not provide good seals when heat sealed because of contaminants and/or wrinkles that may be present within the heat seal zone. Typically, condiment packaging is made by a known process called vertical form, fill and seal (VFFS), which comprises bringing together two thermoplastic polymeric structures in face-to-face contact and wrapping the structures around product filling tubes. The structures are heat sealed on opposite sides of the product filling tubes in the machine direction to form side seals of the condiment packages. A heat seal is then placed across the structures in the transverse direction of the thermoplastic structures below the product filling tubes to form a pouch. Product is then delivered into the individual pouches and the delivery tubes are then extracted from the pouches. A final heat seal is disposed to seal the tops of the individual pouches. Heat seals, however, typically require heat seal zones free of contaminants and/or wrinkles to prevent weak heat seals from forming. Weak heat seals can cause a loss of a flowable product since a flowable product contained in packages having weak heat seals may spill from the packages if the heat seals break or otherwise delaminate. Moreover, packages having weak heat seals may lose their oxygen or moisture barrier characteristics.
Typically, to increase the sealability of packages for flowable products, a high melt flow thermoplastic material is used as the heat sealant layer. However, high melt flow materials tend to increase the tear resistance of the packages, thereby making it more difficult to open by using tearing forces.
A need, therefore, exists for a multilayer heat sealant structure having improved tearability, while also being easily heat sealed, even in the presence of contaminants and/or wrinkles. Moreover, a need exists for packages made from the multilayer heat sealant structure to contain flowable products therein, such as, for example, condiments and the like. In addition, a need exists for structures, packages and methods of making the same that solve the problems associated with prior art structures and packages for flowable products, such as, for example, condiments or the like.

Multilayer heat sealant structures, packages and methods of making the same


With respect to a work obtained by joining a semiconductor wafer and a supporting member to each other via a both-faced adhesive sheet having heating separability, the surface of the supporting member is suction-held at a suction stage and is heated, thereby making the adhesive strength of an adhesive layer almost disappear. A Bernoulli chuck is moved close from the back side of the semiconductor wafer to separate the semiconductor wafer in a non-contact manner and to suspension-hold the semiconductor wafer in a state where the semiconductor wafer floats in the air.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of separating a semiconductor wafer held by being joined to a supporting member such as a glass plate via a double-faced adhesive sheet from the supporting member, and to a separating apparatus using the method.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Generally, a semiconductor wafer is subjected to a process of forming a number of devices on the surface of the semiconductor wafer. After that, in a back grind process, the back face of the semiconductor wafer is ground or polished to a desired thickness. The resultant semiconductor wafer is diced into devices in a dicing process.
In resent years, with rapid progress of an application, reduction in thickness of a semiconductor wafer to 100 μm to 50 μm, in some occasions, even to 25 μm is demanded. Such a thin semiconductor wafer is brittle and easily distorted and its handling is extremely difficult. Consequently, the semiconductor wafer is held by being joined to the surface side of a supporting member having strength such as a glass plate via a both-faced adhesive sheet. After the semiconductor wafer is reinforced by backing with the supporting member as described above, the back grind process is performed on the back face of the semiconductor wafer, and the semiconductor wafer is separated from the supporting member.
Hitherto, means for separating a semiconductor wafer held by being joined to a supporting member via a both-faced adhesive sheet is performed as follows. A both-faced adhesive sheet of an ultraviolet curing type whose adhesive strength is weakened by irradiation with an ultraviolet ray is used. First, by irradiation with ultraviolet rays, the adhesive strength is preliminarily decreased. In the subsequent process, the semiconductor wafer is sandwiched by upper and lower two tables and heated in a vacuumed state so as to be shrink-deformed, thereby reducing the contact area between the both-faced adhesive sheet and the semiconductor wafer, and the semiconductor wafer is floated.
After completion of the shrinking and separation of the both-faced adhesive sheet, suction of the upper table is cancelled and the upper table is withdrawn to the upper side. After that, in a state where the semiconductor wafer is suction-fixed on the lower table, a holding member is sucked and moved by a transport arm, thereby separating the semiconductor wafer from the both-faced adhesive sheet. Such means is proposed and carried out (see, for example, JP-A 2001-7179).
As the both-faced adhesive sheet used, not only a both-faced adhesive sheet of the ultraviolet curing type but also a both-faced adhesive sheet having heating separability which foams when heated and whose adhesive strength decreases are used.
The conventional means has the following problems.
First, when a semiconductor wafer is sandwiched and suction-held, an almost vacuum state is obtained in the space. Therefore, after separating of the both-faced adhesive sheet is determined, when suction of the upper table is cancelled and the upper table is withdrawn to the upper side, the contact faces of the supporting member and the upper table are in a nearly vacuum state, so that negative pressure is generated on the contact faces of both of the members. It causes a problem of occurrence of a warp in the semiconductor wafer.
Second, the distribution of the adhesive strength largely varies according to conditions such as the degree of shrink deformation of the both-faced adhesive sheet, the degree of ultraviolet curing, and the like. When the semiconductor wafer which is suction-fixed on the lower table is lifted and moved by forcefully suction-holding the supporting member, local separating stress acts on the semiconductor wafer, and there is a possibility in that a warp or breakage occurs.

Method of separating semiconductor wafer, and separating apparatus using the same


In a wireless code-division multiple access (CDMA) system (100), a talkgroup (101) of subscriber units is provided. A sub-group (102) of subscriber units, forming a part of the talkgroup is assigned at least one inbound code (416-417). The entire talkgroup is assigned an outbound code (415). Members of the sub-group may simultaneously transmit voice information (410-411) using the at least one inbound code, which voice information is summed (412) and re-transmitted to the talkgroup using the outbound code. Subscriber units in the talkgroup, but not included in the sub-group, are allowed to transmit voice information only after requesting, and receiving, an additional inbound code.

Two-way wireless communication systems incorporating group dispatch services are known in the art. Group dispatch services typically provide communications within a talkgroup. A talkgroup is a set of logically united subscriber units (e.g., in-vehicle mobile and/or hand-held portable radios) capable of engaging in group-wide communications. In normal talkgroup communications, a single subscriber unit of the talkgroup transmits voice information that is received by a fixed infrastructure and re-transmitted to the other subscriber units in the talkgroup. Typically, such systems use frequency-division multiple access (FDMA) and/or time-division multiple access (TDMA) methods to receive and rebroadcast the transmission. In FDMA systems, an inbound channel is normally paired with an outbound channel, and the inbound channel can be used by only one subscriber unit at a time. Similarly, in TDMA systems, inbound and outbound time slots are paired and only one subscriber unit at a time can transmit an inbound message for re-transmission.
While these systems provide useful group communications, they force communications to be somewhat regimented in that only one subscriber "owns" the call at any time. That is, more natural, group-style communications in which there are simultaneous multiple speakers and multiple listeners are not possible because only one subscriber unit can be transmitting at any time. Although numerous prioritization methods exist today to allow high priority users, or users originating high priority traffic (i.e., emergency calls), to be declared the owner of a talkgroup call, communications are still restricted to single speaker/multiple listener configurations.
Current telephone services provide for conference calls in which multiple speakers and multiple listeners may simultaneously participate in the call. Conference calling can be extended to current wireless systems by allocating a separate inbound channel or time slot to each potential speaker and a separate outbound channel or time slot for potential listeners. Further still, separate full duplex channels (inbound and outbound resources) could be allocated to each subscriber unit of the talkgroup. While these approaches are functional, they are highly inefficient in terms of resource usage. For example, it is not uncommon in public safety organizations to have talkgroups encompassing up to 100 subscriber units. Obviously, establishing a group conference call using separate inbound and/or outbound resources for up to 100 separate subscriber units would require communication resources beyond the capacity of most communication systems.
Thus, a need exists for duplex communications between members of a talkgroup in wireless communication systems.

Method and apparatus for a talkgroup call in a wireless CDMA system


An automotive in-cabin audio system comprising a plurality of speakers installed at different positions in the cabin is disclosed, in which the playback signal from a multichannel player having sources of at least three channels recorded therein is processed in accordance with the position of a listener seated in the cabin thereby to reproduce a sound similar to the original sound at the position of the listener. The signal of the sound reproduced from a speaker far from each seat in the cabin is retrieved as a branch signal and delayed in accordance with the law of the first wave front. At the same time, the level of the particular signal is attenuated to produce a processed sound signal, which is added to the signal of the sound reproduced from the speaker near each seat. As a result, a sound similar to the original sound can be heard at any hearing position in the cabin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an automotive in-cabin audio system or, in particular, to an improvement of the audio effect of an automotive in-cabin audio system in which an independent signal is sent to each of a plurality of speakers in the cabin from a multichannel player, that can reproduce the music sources of a multichannel recording system, such as a DVD (digital versatile disk) player.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, vehicles such as automobiles are equipped with an audio system for enjoying music in the cabin. In early stages of development, a simple two-channel stereophonic system comprising two speakers arranged on the left and right side was the mainstay of the audio system installed in the cabin. The demand for enjoying better music in the cabin, however, has promoted the extension of an in-cabin audio system with an increased number of speakers installed in the cabin.
An in-cabin audio system having six speakers is an example. The six speakers include, for example, a center speaker installed at the front center in the cabin, a left front speaker and a right front speaker installed on the front left side and the front right side in the cabin, a left rear speaker and a right rear speaker installed on the rear left side and the rear right side in the cabin, and a woofer. As an advanced form of this 6-speaker system, a tweeter is added to each of the left and right front speakers. In this audio system, the sound is reproduced from each speaker by correcting the frequency characteristic and processing the reverberation of the sound distributed to the left and right channels. In the process, the sound heard by an occupant in a rear seat, for example, produces an audio effect based mainly on the sound output from the rear speakers.
Recent years, on the other hand, have seen the extension of a multichannel audio system with an increased number of channels for music sources in place of the two-channel music sources such as the audio cassette and CD. A DVD system employing an independent 6-channel or 8-channel digital surround system is an example of the multichannel audio system.
In the DVD digital surround system, the music sources are reproduced from six speakers arranged in the cabin from the disks in which the music sources are recorded for the six speakers by independent multichannel recording systems. The six speakers for the DVD system include a center speaker, a front left speaker, a front right speaker, a rear left speaker, a rear right speaker and a woofer. The sound reproduced from the woofer is a low-pitched sound of not higher than 120 Hz and has a smaller amount of information than the other channels reproducing up to 20 kHz. The six channels in the DVD, therefore, are called 5.1 channels.
If it is assumed that the six speakers described are mounted in an automobile, in the case where an occupant (listener) is seated in the rear right seat, for example, the same sound is reproduced basically from the front right speaker and the rear right speaker of the conventional two-channel stereo system. In the case where the same sound is reproduced from the front right speaker and the rear right speaker, therefore, the sound heard by the listener seated in the rear right seat is governed by the rear right speaker.
In the case where the sound of 5.1 channels described above is reproduced from the six speakers, on the other hand, the sound reproduced from the five speakers other than the woofer can be freely controlled in view of the fact that the sound of the six channels are recorded in the recording media independently. The sound can run around the listener, for example, in the case where the same sound is reproduced from the five speakers each with a predetermined time lag.
In the case where a music source is reproduced in such a manner that the sound runs around the listener as described above, however, the problem is that the sound heard by the listener seated in the rear right seat from the front left speaker far from him is low in pressure with the high-pitched sound attenuated while the sound heard from the rear right speaker is high in pressure with a wide bandwidth with the result that the same sound is heard as a different sound for the listener.
This problem arises from the difference of the sound pressure and the frequency characteristic between the sound reproduced from the speakers far from the listening position and the speakers situated near the listener who listens to the independent sounds of many channels of multichannel sources reproduced from a plurality of speakers. In the case where the sound reproduced from the front speakers and the rear speakers mounted on the vehicle are different, for example, the sound originating from the front speakers and the sound originating from the rear speakers are heard differently by the occupant of the rear seat. In such a case, the sound coming from the front speakers is lower in sound pressure than the sound from the rear speakers and tends to have a deteriorated frequency characteristic, especially in the high frequency range.


Provided is a fat or oil composition having high oxidative stability even though containing large amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid, and having suppressed degradation odor and unpleasant odor derived from a rosemary extract at the time of cooking. The fat or oil composition comprises the following components (A), (B), and (C):(A) a fat or oil in which a total content of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in constituent fatty acids of the fat or oil is from 0.1 to 20 mass % with respect to total constituent fatty acids of the fat or oil; (B) a rosemary extract; and (C) a dill extract, in which a mass ratio of a content of the component (B) to a content of the component (C), [(B)/(C)], is from 2 to 200.

In recent years, with increasing interests in maintenance and enhancement of health and prevention and treatment of diseases, many studies have been made on physiological functions of fish oil and of eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5, EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6, DHA), which are constituent components of the fish oil. Specifically, an anti-atherogenic action, a cerebral function improving action, a visual function improving action, an anti-tumor action, an anti-inflammatory action, and the like have been reported (Non Patent Document 1). In 2005, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare defined a recommended total intake (adult) of DHA and EPA of 1 g/day, and use of a DHA and EPA-rich fat or oil has been desired.
On the other hand, a highly-unsaturated fatty acid-rich fat or oil has very low oxidative stability and is liable to produce deterioration odor and unpleasant odor/taste, and hence practical realization thereof is significantly restricted.
As technologies for improving oxidative stability of a fat or oil, there has been known, for example, a method involving adding a roasted sesame oil, an ascorbic acid ester, and an herb extract to a fat or oil containing a polyunsaturated fatty acid to stabilize the fat or oil (Patent Document 1). Further, there have been known a lipophilic antioxidant containing, for example, a bayberry extract and a rosemary extract (Patent Document 2), a lipophilic antioxidant containing gallic acid, a water-soluble antioxidant, and an oil-soluble antioxidant (Patent Document 3), and an antioxidant composition including an acetone extract of tea leaves together with a tocopherol and an ascorbic acid ester (Patent Document 4). In addition, the rosemary extract has been known to have high antioxidative property (Non Patent Document 2), an antioxidant including a rosemary extract that includes hexanal, carnosol, and carnosic acid in specified amounts (Patent Document 5), and the like have been reported.


A take-off device for gripping and releasing an article has a gripper heat capable of imparting a downward force to an article gripped thereof. The gripper head has a lower jaw and an upper jaw, the lower jaw being capable of moving linearly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the take-off device. The upper jaw is capable of pivotal movement below the line of linear movement of the lower jaw after the lower jaw has moved linearly to release the article gripped by the gripper head, whereby a downward force to an article gripped and released by the take-off device may be imparted.

The present invention relates generally to the field of take-off devices, and, more particularly, to a screen printing take-off device which grips printed stock and moves the stock away from the printing device and then, in an improved and unusual manner opens and releases the stock.
Paper stock take-off devices are well known in the paper printing trade which grab the paper stock, such as a poster, play bill, etc., pull it away from the printing device and then release the stock, letting it fall to a conveyor belt or other receptacle below the take-off point. Because such printing systems commonly operate at a very high rate, for example, up to approximately 1000 cycles per hour, precise timing and functioning of all elements of the equipment is critical. Unfortunately, with known take-off devices paper jams are a common problem.
Conventional take-off devices have one or more gripper heads, each having upper and lower jaws which "bite" together to grip and pull a piece of paper stock. To release the paper stock after it has been completely removed from the printing machine, one of the jaws simply opens up or down, while the other (usually the bottom jaw) remains stationary. Alternatively, both jaws pivot simultaneously but in opposite directions.
A problem occurs with known take-off devices because of the high rate of speed at which the system is operating. The paper being removed from the printer is being pulled at such a great velocity, that when the upper and lower jaws of the take-off device release from one another the paper does not, and indeed cannot, simply drop directly downwardly away from the jaws merely because the previously gripping and pulling jaws have released. Instead, it continues to travel under its own momentum toward the open jaws of the take-off mechanism.
Having opened, the lateral velocity of the jaws dramatically decreases to zero so that the jaws can reverse both direction of travel and velocity to return to the screen printer to remove the next set of printed stock. Because the lateral velocity of the jaws is decreasing while the just-released printed stock is continuing under its own inertia and momentum, the stock occasionally becomes jammed in the jaws.
As a result, the entire printing process must be stopped while the jam in the take-off device is cleared. Because such printing systems commonly operate at such high speeds, possibly printing multiple copies with each cycle, significant production volume is lost with each stock jam, decreasing productivity and increasing labor and material costs.
The new screen printing take-off device described and claimed herein is provided with a unique structure and operation which overcome the above problems by virtue of a gripping head which does not simply open its "mouth", but instead combines a sliding action which releases the printed stock with a pushing or "knock-down" action. The effect of this combined action is to mechanically force and direct the stock downwardly toward the conveyor below the take-off device.
Designed as described hereafter for use with flat-bed printers, the new take-off device makes printing operations much more efficient by virtually eliminating the above-described "paper-hang", stock jams which bring the operation to a temporary halt and damage individual stock pieces in the process. As a result of this improved paper releasing function, the path of travel of the gripper head carriage can be shorter than is usually necessary for removal of the gripper heads from the line of movement of the paper stock being taken off the printing line. Accordingly, the overall. length of the chassis upon which the carriage travels is also shorter, requiring less floor space, and of course, less material to make the chassis, improving operating and manufacturing costs, respectively.
Thus, it is among the several objects of the-present invention to provide an improved print stock take-off device for screen printing operations which has a relatively simple construction and thus is facile and inexpensive to manufacture and yet operates at high rates of speed without experiencing the usual paper jams.
It is further among the objects of the invention having the features enumerated above, that the new take-off device be constructed so that it can be easily operated with little or no additional training by a single individual already able to operate conventional take-off devices, and that it require a minimal amount of maintenance to remain in ideal operating condition.
It is also among the objects of the present invention that the overall length of the new take-off apparatus be shorter than would ordinarily be required.
It is further among the objects of the present invention, having the features enumerated, that the new take-off apparatus be adjustable with regard to gripper tension and positioning to accommodate variations in stock size and image location on the stock.
Accordingly, in furtherance of the above objects, the present invention is, briefly, a take-off device for gripping and releasing an article. The take-off device includes a gripper head capable of imparting a downward force to an article gripped thefeb. The gripper head has a lower jaw and an upper jaw. The lower jaw is capable of moving linearly with respect to the longitudinal axis of the take-off device and the upper jaw is capable of pivotal movement below the line of linear movement of the lower jaw after the lower jaw has moved linearly to release the article gripped by the gripper head, whereby a downward force to an article gripped and released by the take-off device may be imparted.
The present invention is also, briefly, a screen printing take-off device for removal of printed paper stock from a printing machine. The device includes a chassis supported above a floor and having parallel right and left sides, relative to a printing machine opposite end view of the device. A carriage is movably mounted upon the chassis so as to travel along a longitudinal axis thereof. The carriage has a plurality of support rods mounted rotatably thereon, transversely in relation to the path of travel of the carriage on the chassis. The device also includes structure for causing the carriage to move forward and backward on the chassis, away from and toward the printing machine from which the stock is to be removed. The device further includes at least one gripper head mounted on the rotatable support bars perpendicularly thereto in such a fashion as to cause gripping and releasing of stock gripped thereby upon rotation of the support bars. The at least one gripper head has an upper jaw and a lower jaw. The upper jaw is pivotally mounted on the gripper head and the lower jaw is slidably mounted on the gripper head in such manner that the lower jaw slides to release the stock from the gripper head and the upper jaw pivots, pushing the stock, to thereby mechanically force and direct the released stock to fall clear from the gripper head. Also included is structure for causing the lower jaw to slide, to thereby release the stock gripped by the gripper head, and structure for causing the upper jaw to pivot after the lower jaw has slid, to thereby forceably change the direction of travel of the stock.
Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinbelow.


Input is applied to a two-partition circuit that substantially equally distributes input power into two partitions having a phase difference of 90.degree., and the thus-distributed output is applied to a first driver that generates circularly polarized wave. The two outputs of the second driver, in which the circularly polarized waves generated from the first driver are coupled, are combined in a combining circuit. The end portion of the opening of the sealed case incorporating the first driver fits together with the end portion of the opening of the sealed case incorporating the second driver such that the two sealed cases together with the first and second drivers may rotate relative to each other around their cylindrical axis. The phase difference between the input of the two-partition circuit and the output of the combining circuit changes according to the relative angle of rotation around the cylindrical axis between first and second drivers.

When attempting to vary the direction of maximum radiation or side lobe characteristic of an array antenna by appropriately controlling the driving phase of each of a plurality of radiating elements forming the array antenna, or when attempting to realize a high-output transmitting device by parallel-operating a plurality of transmitters and controlling the output phase of each transmitter such that each is the same phase, line stretchers constructed so as to mechanically vary the length of the transmission line of a signal, or waveguide-type phase shifting devices formed by inserting a dielectric plate within a waveguide have conventionally been used.
FIG. 1 presents several views of a waveguide-type phase shifting device of the prior art, FIG. 1A showing a plan view, FIG. 1B showing a side view, FIG. 1C showing a sectional view taken at the B--B line of Fig. 1B, and Fig. 1D showing a sectional view taken at the A--A line of FIG. 1A.
In rectangular waveguide 11, flanges 12.sub.1 and 12.sub.2 are provided for inserting and connecting such a waveguide-type phase shifting device within a rectangular waveguide circuit. A dielectric plate 13 is provided within rectangular waveguide 11 such that the plate surface is parallel to the electric field within the waveguide 11. As shown in FIG. 1D, the contour of this dielectric plate 13 is formed as a parallelogram, this parallelogram having inclines on the edges of the radio-wave incident side and edges of the opposite side which are formed so as to improve the radio-wave reflection characteristic at these edge portions.
Instead of providing inclines to the edges of the radio-wave incident side and edges of the opposite side of this dielectric 13, the radio-wave incident portion and opposite side portion of the dielectric 13 may be formed such that the plate thickness gradually varies.
Support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 for dielectric plate 13 pass through the opposing short sides of rectangular waveguide 11 and dielectric plate 13. Support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 may freely slide at the portions where they pass through the opposing short sides of rectangular waveguide 11 but are secured to the portions where they pass through dielectric plate 13.
Coupling plate 15 links together support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2. This coupling plate 15 serves as a handle for moving support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 either forward or backward in the axial direction of each of support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 while maintaining dielectric plate 13 in the attitude shown in Fig. 1D, thus allowing the plate surfaces of dielectric plate 13 to be moved from a position coinciding with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of rectangular waveguide 11 to a position close to either of the opposing short sides as shown in FIG. 1C, thus enabling variation in the proportion of shift change of radio waves propagated through rectangular waveguide 11.
In other words, such a phase shifting device uses the change in propagation speed of radio waves within rectangular waveguide 11 according to the dielectric constant, thickness, and length in the direction of wave propagation of dielectric plate 13. When interposed at a position coinciding with the central axis in the longitudinal direction of rectangular waveguide 11, where the electric field intensity is at maximum strength, dielectric plate 13 exercises a large effect upon the propagation speed of radio waves, but the electric field strength progressively weakens with distance from the longitudinal central axis of the rectangular waveguide 11 and proximity to either of the short sides, and consequently, as the position of insertion of dielectric plate 13 shifts away from the central axis of rectangular waveguide 11 and approaches either of the short sides, the effect upon the propagation speed of radio waves decreases. Accordingly, the degree of phase shifting can be varied by changing the position of insertion of dielectric plate 13.
Support fittings 14.sub.1 and 14.sub.2 are maintained parallel to each other, their relative spacing (spacing in relation to the longitudinal direction of rectangular waveguide 11) being selected as .lambda..sub.g /4 (.lambda..sub.g is the wavelength within the waveguide corresponding to the employed frequency), whereby reflected waves arising at the support fitting 14.sub.1 closer to the radio-wave-incident portion and reflected waves arising at support fitting 14.sub.2 which travel back to the position of support fitting 14.sub.1 are of mutually reversed phase and cancel each other, thereby enabling an improved reflection characteristic.
A line stretcher used in the prior art must regulate the line length according to the required degree of phase shifting, and therefore, when the required degree of phase shifting is great, not only is a large-scale mechanical structure required, but a relatively time-consuming and labor-intensive adjustment is required to accurately match the line length with the degree of phase shift.
The waveguide-type phase shifting device shown in FIG. 1 involves the drawbacks that a long dielectric plate 13 is required when a large amount of phase shift is called for, resulting in a phase shifting device of large overall size, and that a great deal of time and effort is required to adjust the insertion point of the dielectric plate 13 to accurately match the amount of phase shift with the required value.
FIG. 2 shows a power supply circuit configured using phase shifting devices of the prior art for controlling the driving phase of subarray antennas and for varying the direction of maximum radiation as well as the side lobe characteristic of an array antenna. This power supply circuit is configured from subarray antennas 16.sub.1 -16.sub.4 each composed of a plurality of element antennas, phase shifting devices 17.sub.1 -17.sub.3 of the above-described prior art, transmission lines 18.sub.1 -18.sub.3 having a degree of phase shift that serves as a standard, and two-branch circuits 19.sub.1 -19.sub.3.
A phase shifting device of the prior art not only entails the same drawbacks as the above-described line stretcher, but when used as shown in FIG. 2, in which a power supply circuit is configured for varying the direction of maximum radiation or side lobe characteristic of an array antenna, further entails the drawback of complex structure of the power supply circuit due to the need for transmission lines 18.sub.1 -18.sub.3 having an amount of phase shift that serves as a standard and two-branch circuits 19.sub.1 -19.sub.3 for phase shifting devices 17.sub.1 -17.sub.3, respectively.

Phase shifting device with rotatable cylindrical case having driver means on the end walls


An electric window dimming device for reducing the light transmission of a window for an aircraft. The electric window dimming device comprises a capacitance. The electric window dimming device is adapted for being connected to the capacitance and to a primary energy source that provides energy. If the primary energy source fails, the capacitance supplies energy for electric window dimming device.

The present invention relates to an electric window dimming device, a window unit, a method for controlling an electric window dimming device, an aircraft as well as the utilization of the electric window dimming device in an aircraft.
Modern window technology may make it possible to equip aircraft windows in today's commercial aircraft with electrically operated window shades. This free adjustability by an electric window shade makes it possible for the passengers to adjust the light transmission of an aircraft window in accordance with personal preferences. Possible dimming devices for windows are, for example, electrically or electromechanically operated awnings or covering devices that may enable the passengers to cover a certain region of an aircraft window.
Modern window technology furthermore may make it possible to adjust the light transmission over the entire window pane by electrically obscurable window films or coatings. These window films may be based on LCD-technologies, electrochromic films, LC-films (liquid crystal) or SPD-films (suspended-particle devices). In this case, the passengers may be able to individually adjust the respectively desired light transmission of a window pane similar to the effect of sunglasses.
Electric dimming devices may be operated with electric energy obtained from the on-board network. However, certain safety guidelines in the aircraft industry may stipulate that it must also be possible to set or adjust the electric dimming devices to a transparent state in case of a power failure of the on-board network. Transparency may be ensured, in particular, for door windows or windows near doors, for example, in order to make it possible to identify a fire in front of the door.
Consequently, it may have to be possible to set electromechanical dimming devices to the transparent state or to adjust obscurable coating or film technologies to the transparent state in case a power failure occurs. In this respect, the utilization of obscurable film technology, particularly the SPD-technology, may be problematic because the devices may be set to the opaque state in case of a power failure. SPD-films therefore may require some energy in order to remain in the transparent state.
This is usually realized with batteries that are intended to ensure that the electric dimming devices may still be operated in case of a power failure. Consequently, it is important to constantly check the batteries with respect to their operability and, if so required, to replace the batteries.

Power supply for an electric window dimming device


An image reproducing device that displays frames or index images of still images and moving images so that a user can distinguish the still images from the moving images when looking at them in one-frame reproducing or index reproducing. The display style of the still images is different from that of frames of the moving images For example, each still image has a white frame like a picture, and a frame of each moving image has perforations like a movie film. Therefore, the user can distinguish the still images from the moving images when looking at them.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an image reproducing apparatus and a digital camera. The present invention relates more particularly to an image reproducing apparatus and a digital camera that select files from storage mediums storing files of both still images and moving images to reproduce still images or moving images.
2. Description of Related Art
A digital camera can record still images and moving images in a memory card and reproduce the images.
The digital camera displays index images of the still images and the moving images on an image monitor in index reproduction, and the user selects a still image or a moving image according to the index images and presses an execution button. The digital camera reads image data of the selected image from the memory card to display the selected still image or moving image on the image monitor.
Also, the digital camera displays the still images and the first frames of the moving images when the user presses a next image button or a last-image button in one-frame reproduction. If the user presses the execution button when the first frame of a moving image is being displayed, the moving image is displayed.
However, the user can not grasp the moving images since only the first frames of the moving images are displayed in the index reproduction and the one-frame reproduction, and thus the user can not determine whether or not the user wants to reproduce the moving images.
Once moving image reproduction is started, the moving image reproduction can not be quickly stopped and the other images can not be reproduced until the moving image reproduction ends. This is because a CPU has a heavy load during the moving image reproduction.
In addition, the digital camera can record sound with the moving images and reproduce the sound with the moving image at the moving image reproduction. The digital camera can reproduce the images anywhere since the digital camera is portable. But, it is bothersome to reproduce a moving image with sound in a quiet place or a public place such as a train. For this reason, the digital camera has a volume adjusting function and an earphone jack.
But, the moving image can be reproduced with the sound with much volume in the quiet place, and the user does not always carry earphones. Also, if the moving image is recorded in a construction site or some other place, the user does not want to reproduce the unpleasant sound. In this case, the user needs to adjust the volume.

Image reproducing apparatus and digital camera


A water atomization apparatus for a fuel cell system, comprising a plurality of fuel cells connected together to form a fuel cell stack and each having an anode, a cathode and a membrane, with the fuel cell stack having an anode side with an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for non-consumed fuel and exhaust gases which arise at the anode side, a cathode side with an inlet for a gaseous oxidation agent such as air and an outlet for exhaust gases arising at the cathode side, and a compressor connected upstream of the cathode side inlet, is characterized in that the water atomizing apparatus comprises a supply tank for deionized water, a pressure pump which is connected to the supply tank, a reservoir which is fed by the pressure pump and contains deionized water under pressure in operation, a pressure regulating valve having an inlet connected to the reservoir and determining the operating pressure which prevails in the reservoir and also at least one controllable injection valve which injects atomized water into the cathode side and or into the anode side of the fuel cell stack.

As is generally known, a fuel cell system frequently comprises a plurality of fuel cells assembled together to form a fuel cell stack which each have an anode, a cathode and a membrane. The anodes of the individual fuel cells are electrically connected together so that one speaks of the anode side of the fuel cell stack. In the same manner the cathodes of the individual fuel cells are electrically connected together and one speaks here of the cathode side of the fuel cell stack. At the anode side the fuel cell stack has an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for a non-consumed fuel and also for exhaust gases which arise at the anode side. At the cathode side the fuel cell stack likewise has an inlet, either for a gaseous oxidizing agent such as air and an outlet for exhaust gases which arise at the cathode side, with a compressor normally being connected upstream of the cathode side inlet of the fuel cell stack.
It is generally known that the membranes of the individual fuel cells must be kept moist in operation in order, on the one hand, to protect them from damage and, on the other hand, to achieve a high degree of efficiency.
In the operation of a PEM fuel cell (PEM=proton exchange membrane) protons which originate from the hydrogen component of the fuel supplied to the anode side migrate through the humidified membranes and react at the cathode side with the oxidizing agent, which is normally supplied in the form of atmospheric oxygen, and thereby form water with the simultaneous generation of electrical power. Thus water always arises at the cathode side. In the operation of the fuel cell stack a part of this water diffuses through the membranes to the anode side of the fuel cell stack so that both sides of the fuel cell stack are humidified. Since the water which is produced is frequently present in excess it is removed from the anode side and the cathode side and then collected and/or drained off.
Despite this water which is produced in operation, the problem nevertheless remains that the gaseous oxidizing agent supplied to the cathode side and also the fuel supplied to the anode side have to be adequately humidified so that in all operating states of the fuel cell system, for example during startup and with dry environmental conditions, i.e. dry air, the membranes are always kept moist and an adequate humidity is present both at the anode side and also at the cathode side.
The active humidification of the gas flows that are supplied is frequently restricted to the cathode side of the fuel cell system, because this is generally sufficient in order to humidify the membranes and, as already stated above, a diffusion through the membranes to the anode side of a fuel cell system in any event takes place. Up to now relatively complicated devices are known for the humidification of the gas flows which are operated with fully demineralized, i.e. deionized water which originates from the operation of the fuel cell system. Since such humidifying apparatuses are not only complicated but also take up a relatively large amount of space another system has been tested at the applicants premises in which two nozzles are supplied with deionized water from a pressure pump and the nozzles spray water into the induced air stream. It has, however, been shown that droplet formation can occur, in particular on switching on the pressure pump, which can lead to problems. When switching on the pressure pump a sudden pressure loading of the nozzles arises which leads to the droplet formation, with the droplets being able to migrate under some circumstances up to and into the fuel cell stack. Such droplets can have a negative effect on the degree of efficiency of a fuel cell system because they for example block fine flow passages in the area of the cathode. Moreover, it can transpire that a water droplet lands on a temperature sensor provided in the fuel cell system or in the fuel cell stack and cools it down to such an extent that the outlet signal of the temperature sensor simulates a temperature reduction of the fuel cell stack and leads, via the control of the fuel cell system, to an unnecessary and undesired switching off of the fuel cell system.

Water atomization apparatus for a fuel cell system and also a method for humidifying a gas flow supplied to a fuel cell system


A lateral collision is pre-detected and an integral lateral reinforcement structure is formed between both center pillars, thereby preventing an excessive deformation of the lateral vehicle body due to the exterior impact, protecting occupants from a direct impact by the deformation of the vehicle body, and greatly improving collision stability.

Passenger vehicles are generally configured with a mutually welded plurality of panels at the vehicle body. The stiffness of the panels is reinforced by joint numbers and formation of the inner cross-section. In order to obtain a lateral stiffness against exterior impact, a cross member having a closed cross-section is mounted and a center pillar (B-pillar) is formed in the section between the front and rear doors.
However, an excessive indentation can be made into a conventional vehicle body upon a major lateral impact due to a lack of sufficient stiffness, thus making the occupants susceptible to injury.
Thus, the vehicle floor or center-pillar is reinforced in stiffness thereof, however, the middle portion of the center-pillar has an inadequate rigidity upon a severe impact.
In the case of racing vehicles, X-shaped reinforcement pipes are occasionally installed in the vehicle body. Such pipes, however, take up a lot of room in the compartment space, resulting in inefficient use of the space in the passenger vehicles.

Lateral stiffness reinforcement device of vehicle body


A method, apparatus and system are described providing a high dynamic range pixel. An integration period has multiple sub-integration periods during which charges are accumulated in a photosensor and repeatedly transferred to a storage node, where the charges are accumulated for later transfer to another storage node for output.

An imager, for example, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) imager, includes a focal plane array of pixels; each cell includes a photo-conversion device, for example, a photogate, photoconductor or a photodiode overlying a substrate for producing a photo-generated charge in a doped region of the substrate. A readout circuit is provided for each pixel and includes at least a source follower transistor and a row select transistor for coupling the source follower transistor to a column output line. The pixel also typically has a floating diffusion node, connected to the gate of the source follower transistor. Charge generated by the photo-conversion device is sent to the floating diffusion node. The imager may also include a transistor for transferring charge from the photo-conversion device to the floating diffusion node and another transistor for resetting the floating diffusion node to a predetermined charge level prior to charge transference.
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a CMOS imager device 208 having a pixel array 200 with each pixel being constructed as described above. Pixel array 200 comprises a plurality of pixels arranged in a predetermined number of columns and rows. The pixels of each row in array 200 are all turned on at the same time by a row select line, and the pixels of each column are selectively output by respective column select lines. A plurality of row and column lines are provided for the entire array 200. The row lines are selectively activated in sequence by the row driver 210 in response to row address decoder 220 and the column select lines are selectively activated in sequence for each row activated by the column driver 260 in response to column address decoder 270. Thus, a row and column address is provided for each pixel. The CMOS imager 208 is operated by the control circuit 250, which controls address decoders 220, 270 for selecting the appropriate row and column lines for pixel readout, and row and column driver circuitry 210, 260, which apply driving voltage to the drive transistors of the selected row and column lines. The pixel output signals typically include a pixel reset signal, Vrst, taken off the floating diffusion node when it is reset and a pixel image signal, Vsig, which is taken off the floating diffusion node after charges generated by an image are transferred to it. The Vrst and Vsig signals are read by a sample and hold circuit 265 and are subtracted by a differential amplifier 267 that produces a signal Vrst-Vsig for each pixel, which represents the amount of light impinging on the pixels. This difference signal is digitized by an analog to digital converter 275. The digitized pixel signals are then fed to an image processor 280 to form a digital image. The digitizing and image processing can be performed on or off the chip containing the pixel array.
Image sensors, such as an image sensor employing the conventional pixels described above, as well as sensors employing other pixel architectures, have a characteristic light dynamic range. Light dynamic range refers to the range of incident light that can be accommodated by an image sensor in a single frame of pixel data. It is desirable to have an image sensor with a high light dynamic range to image scenes that generate high light dynamic range incident signals, such as indoor rooms with windows to the outside, outdoor scenes with mixed shadows and bright sunshine, night-time scenes combining artificial lighting and shadows, and many others.
Image sensors also have a characteristic electrical dynamic range, commonly defined as the ratio of its largest non-saturating signal to the standard deviation of the noise under dark conditions. The electrical dynamic range is limited on an upper end by the charge saturation level of the sensor and on a lower end by noise imposed limitations and/or quantization limits of the analog to digital converter used to produce the digital image. When the light dynamic range of an image sensor is too small to accommodate the variations in light intensities of the imaged scene, e.g., by having a low light saturation level, the full range of the image scene is not reproduced. The illumination-voltage profile of the conventional pixel is typically linear, as shown in FIG. 2, which illustrates an illumination v. output voltage graph of a prior art pixel. A pixel's maximum voltage Vout-max may be reached at a relatively low level of illumination Imax-1 which causes the pixel to be easily saturated, thus limiting the dynamic range of the pixel.
When the incident light captured and converted into a charge by the photosensor during an integration period is greater than the capacity of the photosensor, excess charge may overflow and be transferred to adjacent pixels. This undesirable phenomenon is known as blooming, or charge cross talk, and results in a bright spot in the output image. Furthermore, the output of each cell in an array of image pixels may vary even under uniform illumination due to inherent variations in the physical makeup of each pixel, such as slight differences in threshold voltages of transistors. These differences cause additional defects in the output image referred to as fixed pattern noise.
Imager pixels, including CMOS imager pixels, typically have low signal-to-noise ratios and narrow dynamic range because of their inability to fully collect, transfer, and store the full extent of electric charge generated by the photosensitive area of the photo-conversion device. Since the amplitude of the electrical signals generated by any given pixel in a CMOS imager is very small, it is especially important for the signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic range of the pixel to be as high as possible. Generally speaking, these desired features are not attainable without additional devices that increase the size of the pixel. Therefore, there is a need for an improved pixel for use in an imager that provides high signal to noise ratio and high dynamic range while maintaining a small pixel size.

Method, apparatus and system providing a storage gate pixel with high dynamic range