A room temperature bonding apparatus includes a first beam source, a second beam source, and a press bonding mechanism. The first beam source emits a first activation beam that irradiates a first surface of a first substrate. Independently from the first beam source, the second beam source emits a second activation beam that irradiates a second surface of a second substrate. The press bonding mechanism bonds between the first substrate and the second substrate by contacting between the first surface and the second surface after the first surface is irradiated with the first activation beam and the second surface is irradiated with the second activation beam. Thus, a plurality of the substrates made of different materials is appropriately bonded.

A MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) device, in which micro electrical components or micro mechanical components are integrated, is known. As the MEMS device, a micro-machine, a pressure sensor, an ultra-small motor etc. is exemplified. A semiconductor device which is produced by stacking LSI (Large Scale Integration) on a semiconductor wafer is known. Such a semiconductor device can reduce such as increase of leakage current and a signal delay in wiring.
A room temperature bonding for bonding wafers by contacting wafer surfaces with each other, which are activated in a vacuum environment, is known. For example, a bonding method of silicon wafers is disclosed in JP Patent No. 2,791,429 (Patent Literature 1). The room temperature bonding method of the silicon wafers is a method of bonding one silicon wafer and another silicon wafer to each other. According to the room temperature bonding method of the silicon wafers, bonding surfaces of both the silicon wafers are sputtered and etched with an inert gas ion beam or an inert gas fast atom beam in a vacuum environment at room temperature, prior to bonding.
In addition, a manufacturing method and a laminated structure are disclosed in JP 2004-358602 A (Patent Literature 2). According to the manufacturing method of the laminated structure, a donor substrate, in which a plurality of cross-section pattern members corresponding to cross-section patterns of the structure is formed, is prepared. Then, the donor substrate and a target substrate are disposed such that these substrates are faced with each other. And then, the target substrate is aligned to the cross-section pattern member and pressed to the cross-section pattern member. After that, these substrates are separated from each other. By repeating the above processing, the cross-section pattern members are transferred to the target substrate and the laminated structure, in which the cross-section patterns are laminated and bonded, is manufactured. Preparation of the donor substrate includes a first step of forming a reverse pattern layer obtained by reversing a cross-sectional pattern of the structure on the donor substrate, a second step of forming a plurality of the cross-section pattern members by plating in space portions corresponding to the cross-sectional pattern of the structure with the reverse pattern layer, and a third step of removing the reverse pattern layer.
Moreover, a room temperature bonding method is disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 4,172,806 (Patent Literature 3: corresponding to US2010/0,000,663A1). This room temperature bonding method is a method of bonding a plurality of substrates via an intermediate material at room temperature. This room temperature bonding method includes a step of forming the intermediate material on a substrate surface to be bonded by sputtering a plurality of targets physically, and a step of activating the substrate surface to be bonded by physical sputtering.
Such room temperature bonding is suitable for manufacturing the MEMS device, and it is suitable for manufacturing the semiconductor device. Therefore, in recent years, MEMS devices and semiconductor devices using the room temperature bonding apparatus has been produced, and the devices using the room temperature bonding are spreading. As a result, regarding room temperature bonding, a request for bonding different kinds of materials to each other is coming out. The different kinds of materials are, for example, different kinds of materials never bonded to each other so far, or different kinds of materials which are difficult to be bonded to each other.
Between different kinds of materials, etching rate or thickness of an oxide film and an adsorption layer is different for each material. Therefore, when etching surfaces of two wafers (substrates), which are composed of different materials from each other, under the same condition (as disclosed in Patent Literature 1), there is a case that the oxide film and the adsorption layer on each wafer surface cannot be appropriately removed and that it is difficult to bond both wafers to each other. For example, there may be a case that an oxide film on a surface of one wafer is removed and an oxide film on a surface of the other wafer is remained. Alternatively, there may be a case that an oxide film on a surface of one wafer is removed while a surface roughness of the wafer is proper and an oxide film on a surface of the other wafer is too much removed while a surface roughness of the wafer is degraded. Both of the cases, it is impossible to bond the both wafers to each other. Note that the adsorption layer is, for example, an adsorption film including contaminants deposited on a bonding target wafer (substrate) which prevent the bonding, or an inert layer such as a layer of natural oxide film to be removed. Moreover, as to different materials, it is treated as different materials, if a surface state is clearly different for each material even if the material itself is the same for each material.
In addition, in a case that forming an intermediate layer aggressively on surfaces (surfaces to be bonded) of two wafers (substrates), which are made of different materials with each other, and that the two wafers are bonded via the intermediate layer as a bonding layer, it is imagined that conditions of etching are the same for each wafer surface when the simultaneous etching of the both wafer surfaces is performed. Therefore, in this case, the oxide film and the adsorption layer on each wafer surface may not be appropriately removed as in the case of using the technic disclosed in the Patent Literature 1. As a result, it is difficult to bond both wafers to each other.

Room temperature bonding apparatus and room temperature bonding method

MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES MACHINE TOOL CO., LTD.

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ADVANCED INDUSTRIAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY


The invention relates to an amphoteric water-soluble polymer dispersion containing polymer particles with particle diameters of 100 μm or smaller and produced by dispersion-copolymerization of a monomer mixture comprising a methacrylate monomer containing a quaternary ammonium salt group, an acrylate monomer containing a quaternary ammonium salt group, an anionic monomer, and a (meth)acrylamide in respectively ratios specified in an aqueous salt solution in the presence of a polymer dispersant soluble in the aqueous salt solution and the invention also relates to a dewatering agent for organic sludge, a pretreatment agent or yield improver for paper making raw materials, and/or a drainage properties-enhancing agent using the amphoteric water-soluble polymer.

An amphoteric water-soluble polymer has been used as a water treatment agent in fields relevant to sludge dewatering treatment, retention rate improvers for raw materials of paper making, and the like. For example, with respect to sludge dewatering treatment, because of increase of the generation quantity of sludge and deterioration of sludge properties in these years, conventional cationic polymer dewatering agents are limited in the capabilities of treating sludge and are not necessarily capable of promoting treatment to a satisfactory extent in terms of the water content of a dewatered cake, the SS recovery ratio, the release property of the cake from a filter cloth, and the like, and thus it is urgent to improve the agents. In order to overcome the defects of such conventional cationic polymer dewatering agents, a variety of amphoteric polymer dewatering agents have been proposed, however these amphoteric polymer dewatering agents are not necessarily satisfactory. For example, (1) an amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having a tertiary amino group (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 62-205112), (2) an amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having a quaternary ammonium group (JP-A No. 53-149292), and (3) an amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having both tertiary and quaternary groups (JP-A No. 3-18900) are disclosed.
However, with respect to the foregoing amphoteric polymer dewatering agent (1), although it is excellent in flocculation property as compared with the conventional cationic polymer dewatering agent and forms large flocculated flock, its capability is considerably deteriorated for the sludge with high pH such as digestion sledges of wastewater and night soil since the tertiary amino group is not dissociated in a high pH range and it is significantly affected by fluctuation of the sludge properties such as the sludge concentration as well as pH and incapable of promoting stable treatment and it is also disadvantageous in terms of product stability in powder or solution state as compared with the conventional cationic polymer dewatering agent. With respect to the foregoing amphoteric polymer dewatering agent (2), although it is good in terms of the product stability as compared with the amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having a tertiary amino group and has high flocculation capability as compared with the conventional cationic polymer dewatering agent, it has many disadvantageous points to be improved: it is required to add them in a large quantity: the water contents of resulting cakes are high: separation property of cakes from filter cloths is inferior: and so forth. On the other hand, the foregoing amphoteric polymer dewatering agent (3) is improved in the disadvantageous properties which the agents (1) and (2) have, however it is not yet satisfactory in terms of the required addition quantity and the water content in cakes. Further, JP-A No. 7-256299 discloses an amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having a high methacrylate content and cationic group content, and especially JP-A No. 7-256300 discloses an amphoteric polymer dewatering agent having a high methacrylate content and anionic group content. Various polymers as sludge dewatering agents have been developed; nevertheless, there are still many problems to be solved for practical use.
Meanwhile, new movements have taken place in paper making industries. That is, recycling has become important and mixing ratio of waste paper has been increasing from a viewpoint of saving resources and preserving environments. Further, the ratio of the use of mechanical pulp, which can be produced in short process with a small amount of a chemical agent and suppressed generation of production wastewater as compared with chemical pulp, tends to be increased. The mechanical pulp, although its production cost is low, has a short pulp fiber and therefore, its retention rate on wires is inevitably decreased. Moreover, anionic substances extracted from raw material wood cannot be completely removed in relation to the technical aspect and cost performance and contaminate paper making raw materials. Accordingly, it is difficult to improve the retention rate by conventional retention process.
An object of the invention is to develop a polymer flocculant which can highly efficiently carry out dewatering treatment of sludges regardless of the seasonal fluctuation of the sludges; which can maintain a high retention rate even if the mixing ratio of waste paper and machine pulp is increased in the case of using the flocculent as a retention rate improver in paper making; and which has high flocculating capability and quick solubility as compared with a flocculent in powder state. For that, another object the invention is to develop a polymerization method for efficiently synthesizing an amphoteric polymer having cationic groups in a high concentration from an acrylate monomer containing a quaternary ammonium salt group and a methacrylate monomer containing a quaternary ammonium salt group with a high concentration. Further, another object of the invention is to provide various flocculation methods using the amphoteric polymer flocculent.

Amphoteric water-soluble polymer dispersion and use thereof


The disclosure generally describes computer-implemented methods, software, and systems for creating and using shared queries based on heterogeneous data sources. One example method includes receiving a request to execute a shared query, identifying at least one data source and a query specification associated with the shared query, generating a native query for each identified data source based on the identified query specification, executing the generated native queries at the respective data sources to collect a set of query results from the respective data sources, and formatting the set of query results from the respective data sources into a unified set of query results.

The present disclosure relates to computer-implemented methods, non-transitory computer-readable media, and computer systems for creating and using shared queries based on heterogeneous data sources.
Various reporting tools allow users to query databases through various technologies supported by their respective middleware applications and services. Generally, each query may be performed upon a single database or data source. For example, business object universes, as well as universes that contain business objects (e.g., SAP's BusinessObjects Universes) have been created to hide relational database complexity (e.g., their specific tables and columns) and to allow users to search and to query universes based on particular business objects these universes contain or are otherwise associated. Queries specific to these universes can be defined to allow searching the databases based on known or desired business object criteria. Another example of data sources directly queried include particular files and data sources, including but not limited to text files, web services, Extensible Markup Language (XML), spreadsheet files, and other suitable sources. Specific fields or information from each of these sources may be extracted using known techniques, allowing for queries based on the extracted information to be used in search operations. Additionally, direct access methods can be used to query online analytical processing (OLAP) databases. In some instances, a new multidimensional universe may be created on the fly on top of metadata exposed by the OLAP database, with particular fields or other searchable categories to be provided and searched via standard query tools.

Interoperable shared query based on heterogeneous data sources


A flexible display device with a flexible touch screen includes, a window substrate divided into an active area and a non-active area outside of the active area, a touch screen panel including a plurality of sensing patterns on the active area and a plurality of sensing lines on the non-active area, the sensing lines coupled to the sensing patterns, a display panel on one surface of the touch screen panel, a transparent adhesive having at least two layers configured to attach the window substrate, the touch screen panel, and the display panel to one another, and a bending compensation portion on the same layer as at least one layer of the transparent adhesive. The flexible display device includes a folding axis in a first direction along which the window substrate, the touch screen panel, and the display panel are to be repeatedly bent.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to a display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A touch screen panel is an input device capable receiving a user's commands to select instructions displayed on a screen, e.g., an image display device, or the like, using a hand or an object. The touch screen panel is provided to a front face of the image display device and converts a contact position which is directly contacted with his/her hand or an object into an electrical signal. Therefore, the instruction contents selected at the contact position are recognized as input signals.
Since the touch screen panel as described above may substitute for a separate input device, e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, etc., connected to the image display device and operated, it has been widely used. Types of touch screen panels include a resistive type, an optical sensing type, a capacitive type, and the like. When a user's hand or object contacts a capacitive type panel, a conductive sensing pattern senses a change in the capacitance formed with other adjacent sensing pattern or a ground electrode, or the like, to convert a contact position to an electric signal.

Flexible display device with flexible touch screen panel


A laser scanning unit is provided which can use an inexpensive and easily manufactured fθ lens and which can further ensure good precision in adjustment. The laser scanning unit can repeatedly scan focused light onto a scan line, and includes a multi-beam light source for emitting parallel light, first and second cylindrical lenses for focusing the parallel light in a sub-scanning direction and a main scanning direction, respectively, a polygon mirror for deflecting the focused light in the main scanning direction, and an fθ lens for focusing the deflected light on the scan line.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) of Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-093258, filed in the Japanese Intellectual Property Office on Mar. 26, 2004, and of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0075971, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Sep. 22, 2004, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser scanning unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a laser scanning unit that is applied to a tandem color image forming system or the like, and which deflects a plurality of laser beams using one light deflecting means, separates optical paths of the deflected laser beams, and radiates the separated laser beams on a plurality of exposed media.
2. Description of the Related Art
Laser scanning units are typically used in image forming systems, such as printers or digital copiers, to scan laser beams deflected by light deflecting means onto the image forming optical systems using a singlet plastic fθ lens.
Such a laser scanning unit, which can make incident light parallel in a main scanning direction to easily dispose a light source in front of light deflecting means, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2621838 (see FIG. 1), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The laser scanning unit is constructed such that light radiated from a semiconductor laser is collimated into a parallel beam by a collimating lens, and the parallel beam is focused only in a sub-scanning direction, which is a rotational direction, by a cylindrical lens. The focused parallel beam is then imaged on a position at a rotating polygonal deflector or a polygon mirror used as a light deflecting means, and the light is scanned at a constant speed by a singlet scanning lens in an axial direction of a photosensitive drum.
Further, a laser scanning unit, which can reduce a magnifying power necessary for a singlet plastic fθ lens by radiating focused light from a light source and thereby make the singlet plastic fθ lens more easily manufactured, is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. hei 7-111501 (see FIGS. 1, 3, and 4), the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The laser scanning unit includes a first optical scanning system, which focuses light radiated from the light source and emits the focused light to a deflection point formed on a deflecting surface of light deflecting means, and a second optical scanning system, which has an fθ lens made of a single lens. Accordingly, if the thin fθ lens is made of plastic, it can be easily manufactured and mass produced at lower costs.
However, the two conventional laser scanning units have the following drawbacks. Since the former laser scanning unit obtains a magnifying power necessary for image formation in the main scanning direction using only the singlet scanning lens, the magnifying power of the scanning lens needs to be increased. Consequently, the scanning lens has a non-uniform shape, which is thick in the middle compared to its edges, thereby increasing a possibility of internal deformation during a lens forming process.
Since the latter laser scanning unit causes the focused laser beam to be incident on the fθ lens, the laser scanning unit is superior in lens forming efficiency to the former laser scanning unit. However, if an optical path from the light source to the photosensitive drum is extended, magnifying power increases such that the light source unit is required to satisfy a higher assembly precision, and assembly productivity decreases. Also, since an outer diameter of the collimating lens needs to increase, associated costs also increase, and changes in product performance due to changes in environmental conditions, including temperature increases.
An optical scanning system, which can be produced inexpensively by commonly using only one expensive deflector for four laser beams, is used for conventional tandem color printers. In this case however, both an optical path synthesizing unit for synthesizing optical paths of the four laser beams and an optical path separating unit for separating the four optical paths are necessary, thereby, increasing the entire optical path length. Accordingly, such an optical scanning system is difficult to be applied to the latter laser scanning unit.
Accordingly, a need exists for a system and method for a laser scanning unit that can be provided with reduced assembly precision requirements, and also minimize changes in performance due to changes in environmental conditions, including temperature increases.


A system includes an enclosure and a compressible device. The enclosure forms a confined space where water can accumulate in ambient conditions that fluctuate between freezing and non-freezing water temperatures. The enclosure can contain a protected item within at least a portion of the confined space. The compressible device is within at least the portion of the confined space and compresses under pressure from an uncompressed state to a compressed state that increases the available volume for water within the confined space. The compressible device compresses from the uncompressed state to the compressed state under a first pressure force created by the expansion of frozen water within the enclosure. The first pressure force is less than a second pressure force capable of damaging the enclosure or the protected item.

Optical fiber cables contain one or more optical fibers that transmit optical signals that are used for providing telecommunication services to business and residential locations. Cables provide protection from the environment and a method to deploy optical fibers in various construction environments. Various cable constructions exist, depending on the type of deployment and/or vintage (direct buried, aerial, conduit, etc).
In some fiber optic transmission systems, lengths of fiber optic cables are installed inside of a conduit that may hold single or multiple cables within a conduit or fiber duct. In long-haul networks, these cables can be run for hundreds of miles in conduit. In metro networks, cables can be run in shorter span-lengths. Regardless of whether deployment is long-haul, metro, or local access networks, cables experience harsh environments, specifically ice in ducts, manholes, etc.

Compressible device for freeze mitigation


A U-shape bed is a new design of art furniture structure that includes: a U-shape form base being made from a polystyrene EPS geofoam—super light weight material which provides required strength for support and comfort; a mattress having substantially the same U-shape form and made from memory foam with orthopedic support or other types of materials; and a headboard being made from materials such as a wood, a plastic, or EPS geofoam.

The present invention of a U-shape bed relates to the improvement of a base of a bed for the support of a U-shape mattress. The main support of the structure of a base of a bed with a U-shape form design of one side contributes to having more room and more safety for moving around the bed, because of the absence of sharp corners.


A spare tire carrier for use with a truck, comprising a frame attachable underneath a truck, the frame having arms and a flat bar sized and shaped to hold a tire and a frame plate holding the frame to the truck, a rod attached in between the arms, the rod having a pole that rotates on the rod from a resting position to an upright position, wherein in the upright position the pole can hold a tire, a locking mechanism having a swing arm and a lock, the swing arm attached to the frame plate and is removably connected to the top of the pole, wherein the swing arm and pole are locked together with a lock.

1. Field of the Invention
The apparatus of the present invention relates generally to spare tire carriers for use with trucks. More particularly, the present invention relates to a spare tire frame that attaches underneath trucks, such as for example utility trucks or G-series trucks.
2. General Background of the Invention
Spare tires are typically carried on a truck bed, rear frame, or below the tailgate of a truck. When cargo is carried in a truck, there is often no room for a spare tire. Also, for trucks such a G-series trucks, a spare tire carrier cannot be secured under the tailgate of the truck. Spare tires are often removed from a truck if there is no room for it, leaving a driver and his cargo on the side of the road with a flat tire and no spare tire to fix it. It is desirable to carry a spare tire underneath a truck so that there is more space in the truck and it is easily accessible if needed.
It is also desirable to securely fasten a spare tire to a truck to prevent theft of the tire and to stop/prevent the tire from falling off of the truck during transit. In the past, tires have been secured using a rope, cable, lock bar, and/or padlock. These securing mechanisms are not protected and can easily be cut and removed, allowing the tire to be stolen.
The following possibly relevant US Patents are incorporated herein by reference:
TABLEPAT/PUB. NO.DESCRIPTIONISSUE/PUB DATE3,613,972Spare Tire Bracket ApparatusOct. 19, 19713,904,093Spare Tire CarrierSep. 9, 19754,228,936Tire and Tool CarrierOct. 21, 19804,278,191Spare Tire CarrierJul. 14, 19814,312,620Spare Tire RackJan. 26, 19824,386,722Vehicle Spare Tire HolderJun. 7, 19834,428,513Spare Wheel CarrierJan. 31, 19844,573,855Swingable Tire CarrierMar. 4, 19864,805,817HelterbrandFeb. 21, 19895,638,710Method for Securing a Spare TireJun. 17, 19975,755,365Spare Tire Carrier for Towable TrailersMay 26, 19986,142,449Apparatus Suitable for Securing Nov. 7, 2000an Article under a Vehicle6,499,724Safety Latch Fora Tire CarrierDec. 31, 20026,749,094Lug Wrench and Spare Tire LockingJun. 15, 2004Assembly6,969,087Semi-tractor Tire Rack ApparatusNov. 29, 2005

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Niobium, Nb, is refined from FeNb by electron beam melt refining. The amount of the impurities in the FeNb which form suboxides with oxygen is optionally determined. Sufficient oxygen is added to form oxides with these impurities. The electron beam melt refining process is carried out at a sufficiently high temperature and under a sufficiently low vacuum so that the impurities are removed as oxides from the liquid Nb and the purified Nb is recovered. Preferably the oxygen is added as an oxygen-containing compound such as Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5. The recovered Nb can be subjected to additional electron beam melt refining cycles to obtain the desired purity.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of extractive metallurgy, and, specifically, to the production of niobium metal (Nb) from its precursor compound metallurgical grade ferroniobium (FeNb) or any similar compound ranging from 20% Nb up to 95% or even higher Nb contents.
2. Description of the Previously Published Art
Niobium is a heat resistant, corrosion resistant metal with many specialized applications. Niobium and its alloys are used in sodium vapor lamp filaments, nuclear reactors, rocket nozzles, superconducting alloys, jewelry, and jet engine afterburners, among many other uses.
Most metallic Nb is produced according to the process of aluminothermic reduction (ATR) of niobium pentoxide, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, with powdered aluminum (Al), according to the reaction EQU 3Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 +10Al=>6Nb+5Al.sub.2 O.sub.3. (1)
ATR is an extremely exothermic reaction and it generates sufficient temperature to achieve the melting point of Nb at 2415.degree. C. The slag formed is slightly substoichiometric Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and is very viscous. The high viscosity makes separation of the slag and metal difficult resulting in lowered recovery of the Nb metal. For this reason, a slag modifier which will greatly reduce the viscosity of the slag is added in the form of BaO.sub.2 (barium peroxide), along with sufficient Al to react with all of the oxygen provided by the BaO.sub.2. The reaction is: EQU 2Al+3BaO.sub.2 =>Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 +3BaO
The barium must be used as a peroxide to provide sufficient heat to bring the BaO up to the temperature of the other reactants. The metal and slag then separate according to their different liquid densities with the metal on the bottom and the lighter slag on top. The amount of BaO.sub.2 is determined by selecting a low melting point in the Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 --BaO.sub.2 phase diagram which will facilitate the separation of slag and metal. The slag solidifying last and the metal first after they have separated.
The slag layer contains mostly Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 with barium oxide, BaO. Of economic import, BaO is toxic, and thus the slag must be treated at some expense prior to disposal. The Nb layer, referred to as a Nb thermite "derby," contains several weight percent Al, up to several thousand ppm oxygen, and trace amounts of other impurities, all of which render the derby material friable and unsuited for conventional metallurgical processes. Electron beam melt refining is the accepted practice to purify the niobium and make it ductile and suitable for fabricating into useful shapes as well as for alloying.
In the electron beam melt refining process, the derby material is hung vertically in an electron beam melting furnace, and exposed to intense electron bombardment under high vacuum conditions. The electron beam causes the material to melt and drip into a water cooled copper ingot mold, thereby forming a consolidated ingot of Nb.
Under the high vacuum conditions within the furnace chamber, volatile impurities within the derby are vaporized at the temperature of liquid Nb. These impurities evaporate away from the pool of liquid Nb maintained in the ingot mold, and condense on the interior walls of the furnace chamber. Iron and some aluminum are removed by simple vaporization in this manner. Nitrogen is removed as gaseous nitrogen. Oxygen is removed as various niobium oxides, such as NbO or Nb.sub.2 O in the form of carbon monoxide, CO (if sufficient C is present) or in various suboxides of Al. Many of these compounds are non-stoichiometric, and are formed and liberated only in the intense heat and high vacuum conditions present within the furnace of about 2450.degree. C. and about 0.1 millitorr, as known to those skilled in the art.
The removal of volatile impurities is an exponentially decaying process, in which large amounts are removed during the first electron beam refining melt, but successively smaller amounts are removed during subsequent melts, in which the ingot from a previous melt is remelted to form a new ingot. Experience has shown that typical Nb thermite derbies must be subjected to the electron beam melt refining process several times before Nb of adequate purity is obtained. ATR and electron beam melt refining are described in the book Extractive Metallurgy of Niobium, by C. K. Gupta and A. K. Suri, CRC Press, 1994 (referred to as "Gupta" below). ATR is additionally taught in U.S. Pat. No. 2,789,896; Canadian patent 620,036; and the article "Metallothermic Reduction of Oxides in Water-Cooled Copper Furnaces," Transactions of the Metallurgical Society of AIME, Vol. 239, pp. 1282-1286.
This method of producing pure Nb is very expensive, but to date has been the only method proven capable of producing adequately pure Nb. A major portion of the expense lies in the production of the precursor compound niobium pentoxide, Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5.
Most Nb is extracted from Brazilian pyrochlore, a complex ore containing iron, niobium, tantalum, oxygen, barium, phosphorus, silicon, titanium, sulfur, manganese, and other elements. Pyrochlore is subjected to various treatments to concentrate the niobium values and is then subjected to an electric arc smelting process using aluminum as a reductant and iron oxide additions to produce metallurgical grade ferroniobium (FeNb), a nearly stoichiometric intermetallic compound of iron and niobium, which is typically on the order of 65% Nb by weight. Of great significance, FeNb contains appreciable amounts of P and Si, which elements are not always appreciably removed by the process of electron beam melt refining. For this reason, FeNb has not itself, in the past, been successfully subjected to electron beam melt refining as a method of producing pure Nb.
FeNb is sold directly to the steel industry, where it is an important additive for alloying purposes. FeNb is also the starting point for the production of pure Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 to be used for the production of ATR pure Nb. There are several methods by which FeNb may be converted to Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, two of which are described below. One method is the chlorination of FeNb at a temperature between 500 and 1,000.degree. C., which yields FeCl.sub.3 and NbCl.sub.5. The FeCl.sub.3 is removed by passing the mixed chloride vapors through a bed of NaCl, which forms a eutectic composition with FeCl.sub.3 and thereby removes it. The NbCl.sub.5 is condensed to a solid and after several additional processing steps is ultimately calcined in a rotary kiln to produce pure Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 with only trace amounts of P and Si. This method of producing Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5 from FeNb is also described in the reference Gupta.
A more recent method is to nitride FeNb by reaction with nitrogen at 1,000.degree. C., producing ferroniobium nitride. An acid solution is then used to dissolve the iron content (also reducing the P and Si content), yielding niobium nitride, NbN. This compound is then calcined to produce Nb.sub.2 O.sub.5, or NbN may be subjected to a high temperature vacuum heat treatment, which removes enough nitrogen that the product may be subjected to electron beam melt refining without having to undergo ATR. The production of ferroniobium nitride is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,548, Kieffer et al.; by Guidotti et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,096; by Sommers et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,284,639; and in Gupta. Decomposition of NbN to produce pure Nb is taught by Guidotti et al in U.S. Pat. No. 3,775,096; in U.S. Bureau of Mines Report of Investigations 8103, and in Japan Patent JP 0339,426 [91 39,426]. Although the nitride route may offer some cost advantages over the chlorination method, the production of ferroniobium nitride is also relatively expensive.

Electron-beam melt refining of ferroniobium


A system for automatically providing an incoming calling line identification (ICLID) to a paging system, so that a called party knows who called (or, at a minimum that a call was received) when he/she is away from a telephone. By this method, the calling party does not have to know any other numbers besides the called party's base number, and does not have to know PIN or other identification systems for use with a paging system. An incoming calling line ICLID is received, and the call is completed either to an answering machine on the customer premise or, alternatively, to a voice mail system. The customer premise device waits until the line has cleared and then dials a telephone number of a paging service, optionally entering any PIN number or other code number and then outpulses the received ICLID to the paging service. The paging service then pages the called party, and causes the ICLID to be displayed.

People are feeling an ever-increasing need to stay "in touch." Among these people are doctors, lawyers, real estate agents, etc. to whom time is money. Also, many of today's workers are perpetually "on call," requiring them to be available at any time.
In response to this need, telephone service providers have developed many different ways of trying to keep people "in touch." People may have a plurality of telephone devices (some wireline and some cellular), and these devices may be all contacted via a single telephone number (see, for example, Harlow, U.S. Pat. No. 5,206,901). Alternatively, many different combinations of voice mail and paging systems are available, wherein a user can dial one number and leave a voice mail message, and then the called party is paged. However, the called party must call the voice mail center, or alternatively an answering service, in order to retrieve messages to find out who is calling, and the calling party must either enter a telephone number or leave a number verbally.
In another form of paging, the calling party dials a paging service number, optionally enters a personal identification number (PIN) of the called party and then enters a number at which he/she may be reached. This number is displayed on an alpha-numeric display on the called party's paging unit. However, the calling party must know the pager number of the called party, the PIN if necessary, must know how to leave a number on that particular type of paging service and, of course, be dialing from a telephone capable of sending dial-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. In addition, if the calling party chooses to take no action (i.e., does not leave a message or does not page the called party) the called party is not aware that someone tried to reach him/her. Therefore, a problem in the art is that there is no system or method for paging a called party and providing the called party with information about the calling party without several steps being required by the called and/or the calling party.

System and method for automatically delivering an incoming calling line identification to a paging system


A combined generator with built-in eddy-current magnetic resistance including a rotor and a stator iron core with generating coils winding therearound. The rotor consists of an outward turning type inertia flywheel and permanent magnets. A self-generated supply is achieved when the flywheel is driven by a fitness apparatus or a rehabilitation apparatus. An internal ring (A magnet-conductive ring) between the wheel hub and the external ring of the flywheel is extended from the internal wall toward the opening end. The internal diameter of the stator iron core is greater than the external diameter of the magnet-conductive ring such that a magnetic field gap is created. At least one receiving portion is formed in at least one portion of the internal circumference of the stator iron core for receiving at least one solenoid. The power required by the solenoid is supplied by the self-generated system such that the solenoid produces a magnetic field (by input of the power), thereby providing the magnet-conductive ring coupled to and rotated on the inertia flywheel with an eddy-current magnetic resistance. In this way, a reverse resistance acts from the inside on the inertia flywheel such that a braking effect is achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a combined generator with built-in eddy-current magnetic resistance, and more particularly to a generator that employs an outward turning type inertia flywheel to form a self-generated supply system. Meanwhile, one or several solenoids for producing the eddy-current magnetic resistance are integrally formed on the internal circumference of the stator iron core.
2. Description of the Related Art
The direct application of the automotive generator to the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus that serves as a resistance system is traced back to the American fitness apparatus at the early stage. The American automotive industry is well developed. Meanwhile, the generator employed in the fitness apparatus was not popular. Therefore, no generator specially designed for the fitness apparatus is available. Due to the easy access and the mature technique, most of the fitness apparatus assembly manufacturers employed the automotive generator to be power supply and resistance source of the fitness apparatus. However, the automotive generator is not designed specially for the fitness apparatus. As a result, there are many parts that do not comply with the features of the fitness apparatus. This will be described as follows:
Generally, the automotive engine requires a higher rotational speed. Therefore, the problem of efficiency of the low rotational speed is often neglected when the automotive generator is developed. To the contrary, the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus just require the low rotational speed. In order to obtain a higher efficiency under the low rotational speed, the fitness apparatus manufacturers tried to enhance the rotational speed for fulfilling the requirement of high rotational speed of the automotive generator. The rise of the rotational speed of the generator results in the increase of the efficiency. However, other problems appear:
1. In order to achieve the rise of the rotational speed, the one-stage transmission has to be changed in a two-stage transmission, thereby increasing the manufacturing difficulty and cost.
2. The high rotational speed causes a greater resonance and magnetic sound. It is much unfavorable for the people to use the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus indoors since they normally do not like noise to disturb their mood.
3. Unlike the fitness apparatus, the automotive generator does not require the application of inertia. Therefore, no inertia flywheel is installed in the automotive generator. However, the automotive generator employed in the fitness apparatus brings the operator an uncomfortable feeling in using the apparatus.
4. The automotive generator has a greater length so that the vehicle body of the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus is correspondingly wider. Therefore, the feet of the operator have to be opened to a greater extent, thereby causing discomfort in use.
As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the generator used as resistance system of fitness apparatus includes a shaft 11 passing through an inertia flywheel 12 and a magnet core 14. A plurality of generating coils 15 is disposed on the circumference of the magnet core 14. A generator 10 is formed when the inertia flywheel 12 and the permanent magnets 13 on the internal side thereof are rotated. Such a structure is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,775,145, 5,558,624, 5,236,069, etc. In comparison with the automotive generator, it is more suitable for the application to the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus. Advantages thereof are described as follows:
1. The form is flat and suitable for the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus. Meanwhile, the vehicle body can be designed in a flat form so that it is not necessary for the operator to open his feet greatly. As a result, a comfortable feeling in taking exercise can be obtained.
2. The structure is designed specially for the fitness apparatus. Therefore, an inertia flywheel is available for providing sufficient inertia that ensures a smooth movement.
However, it still has the following inevitable drawbacks:
1. The resistance source is mainly resulted from the reverse connection of the power source of the generator. When the resistance is required, the type of the original generator is converted into the type of an electric motor, thereby creating a force opposite to the movement direction for achieving a braking effect. However, this braking effect is not enough. In order to eliminate this drawback, the speed ratio has to be enlarged by increasing the rotational speed of the generator. Nevertheless, the increase of the speed ratio will create the drawbacks as depicted in points 1 and 2 of the automotive generator.
2. The vibration and the noise created by multiple resonance of the reverse connection of power depicted in point 1 will be more intensified.
3. The power of the generator is not always effectively utilized. In other words, one part of the power must be consumed and lost. Therefore, a great resistance has to be installed for consuming the redundant power, thereby increasing the cost and lowering the efficiency.
Another composite generator includes a solenoid 16 and a magnet core 17. The structure is illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,084,325. This structure employs the redundant power of the generator to create the braking force as the resistance for the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus. In this way, the drawbacks of the above-mentioned two products can be effectively removed. In other words, this structure successfully changes two-stage transmission of the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus of the generator into one-stage transmission, thereby considerably reducing the production cost and lowering the demand on the vehicle body. The advantages and the disadvantages are shown as follows:
Advantages:
1. The efficiency is effectively increased such that the two-stage transmission of the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus is changed into one-stage transmission, thereby ensuring a great reduction of cost.
2. The demand on the precision of the vehicle body is decreased due to the one-stage transmission, thereby reducing the failure rate of the whole vehicle.
3. The rotational speed of the generator is low due to the one-stage transmission, thereby effectively minimizing the resonance and the noise.
4. The flat structure is favorable for the design of the vehicle body and suitable for the fitness apparatus and the rehabilitation apparatus. In other word, the vehicle body can be made flatter. Meanwhile, it is not necessary for the operator to open his feet widely, thereby ensuring a comfortable exercise.
Disadvantages:
1. The fixed structure: A higher performance is only available when a uniform gap between the solenoid 16 (as well as the magnet core 17) and the inertia flywheel 12. Due to the fixed structure, the dimensions of the generator are not changeable according to the demand of each operator.
2. The magnet core 14 and the magnet core 17 of the generator are two separate and independent systems so that the production cost is higher.
3. The solenoid 16 is a separate body installed outside the inertia flywheel 12 so that the volume thereof is greater. This is unfavorable for the design of the whole vehicle body.
The above-mentioned systems have their own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, we keep the advantages of all systems and improve the disadvantages. It is expected to resolve the above-mentioned problems.

Combined generator with built-in eddy-current magnetic resistance


A computing platform of a vehicle may communicate with a plurality of mobile devices. The computing platform may identify a voice profile as matching voice input received from a user, the voice profile associated with one of a plurality of mobile devices within the vehicle; perform speech recognition on the voice input using the voice profile to determine a voice command; and process the voice command in the context of the mobile device associated with the voice profile. The voice profiles may be retrieved from a remote telematics server based on unique device identifiers retrieved from the mobile devices connected to the computing platform or retrieved from storage of the mobile devices connected to the computing platform.

Vehicle computing platforms frequently come equipped with voice recognition interfaces. Such interfaces allow a driver to perform hands-free interactions with the vehicle, freeing the driver to focus maximum attention on the road. If the system is unable to recognize the driver's commands, the driver may manually correct the input to the system through a button or touchscreen interface, potentially causing the driver to be distracted and lose focus on the road.
Voice recognition is typically a probabilistic effort whereby input speech is compared against a grammar for matches. High quality matches may result in the system identifying the requested services, while low quality matches may cause voice commands to be rejected or misinterpreted. In general, vehicles may use recognition systems at least initially tuned to provide good results on average, resulting in positive experiences for the maximum number of new users. If a user has an accent or unusual mannerisms, however, match quality may be reduced. Moreover, as voice command input to a vehicle may be relatively infrequent, it may take a significant time for a vehicle to learn a user's speech patterns.
U.S. Patent Application 2010/0185445 generally relates to a machine, system and method for user-guided teaching and modifications of voice commands and actions to be executed by a conversational learning system. The machine includes a system bus for communicating data and control signals received from the conversational learning system to a computer system, a vehicle data and control bus for connecting devices and sensors in the machine, a bridge module for connecting the vehicle data and control bus to the system bus, machine subsystems coupled to the vehicle data and control bus having a respective user interface for receiving a voice command or input signal from a user, a memory coupled to the system bus for storing action command sequences learned for a new voice command and a processing unit coupled to the system bus for automatically executing the action command sequences learned when the new voice command is spoken.

Voice profile-based in-vehicle infotainment identity identification


A multidimensional analytical view (MDAV) type can be supported for an in-memory, columnar database, and MDAV calculations can be integrated into the database. Such an MDAV can be combined with other MDAV types as desired. Calculations typically performed at the application layer can be pushed down to the database. A model-based approach allows generation of a calculation plan, and calculations can be performed directly on the database.

As enterprises accumulate ever greater amounts of data on their transactions, processes, products, and operations, online analytical processing has become an essential part of doing business. The number of tools and techniques addressing analytical processing has grown, enabling data analysts to quickly analyze and navigate through vast complex collections of data.
By conventional practice, online analytical processing is traditionally performed on data that is separate from live transactional data. Further, joins, unions, and calculations are typically performed on data retrieved from a database. So, if a user wishes to combine views, complicated modifications to the analytical software are often required. Accordingly, although current approaches provide a wide variety of functionality, there is room for improvement.

In-memory, columnar database multidimensional analytical view integration


A multiplex writing implement of the invention has a multiple number of writing elements, including at least one ball-point pen element which is filled up with a thixotropic water-soluble or low-viscosity oil-based ball-point ink. The ink reserving portion of the ink reservoir of the ball-point pen element is non-flexible and has a relatively large cross-section. A portion for jointing the point assembly with the ink reserving portion is formed so that the element can readily be deflected transversely with respect to the axial direction. The writing tip portions of these writing elements can selectively be projected from and retracted into the barrel front. This multiplex writing implement is able to create line traces with thick line density without causing any blobbing of ink or ink starving. It is also possible to prevent accidental ink leakage. That is, ink can be prevented from staining the barrel cylinder, user's hands, clothes etc., which would be caused by forward leakage of ink or back leakage of ink due to upward writing as well as due to impacts from being dropped or clicked. Still, the multiplex writing implement has a suitable barrel size which meets the demands for portability and high performances of handling.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multiplex writing implement, and more detailedly to a multiplex writing implement having a plurality of writing elements selected from any combination of the following writing elements:--normal oil-based ball-point elements; ball-point writing elements which are filled up with so-called thixotropic water-soluble or low-viscosity oil-based ball-point ink; mechanical pencil elements; etc.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
A ball-point pen is typically composed of a point assembly consisting of a ball and a tip holder, an ink reservoir, a pen barrel, etc. In writing with the ball-point pen, when the ball as a writing point is rotated, ink flows out from the point assembly and is transferred to or infiltrated to a recording medium such as paper etc., whereby line traces as well as drawn lines are formed by the transfer.
Since water-type ball-point pens use an ink which has a low viscosity of some mPa S or less, the ball-point pens of this kind offer an advantage to the user, namely the user does not need to press hard and can write comfortably. Ball-point pens of this kind, however, surfer from some drawbacks, such as the forward leakage phenomenon, the back leakage phenomenon, etc. The former phenomenon causes the ink to ooze out from the writing point, whilst the latter phenomenon is caused by air entering the point assembly via writing point, inducing the ink to flow out backwards. These phenomena can be prevented by using a piece of fabric called `tampon`. On the other hand, if the ball-point pen is left with its cap off, the vapor pressure of the solvent will increase causing the solvent to evaporate. Therefore, there is a concern that the writing point might dry up, causing a lack of ink flow thereby prohibiting writing.
Meanwhile, since conventionally known oil-based ball-point pens use an ink having a viscosity of some thousands mPa S or more, a considerably large friction arises when the ball rolls and the ink flows out from the writing point. Therefore, there is a concern that the conventional oil-based pen can not provide a smooth writing sensation. Further, in the conventional oil-based pen at times an insufficient amount of ink flows from the writing point during writing and at others too much leaks out causing blobbing. Therefore, the conventional oil pen suffers from defects, namely that lines drawn in parts may be irregular, the density of the written trace may be light, or a strong pressure for writing may be needed to be exerted.
For these reasons, recently, a ball-point pen for water-soluble ink which has a viscosity half way between that of the above water-soluble type and the oil type (ranging from some mPa S to some thousands mPa S), has been developed for the improvement of the oil-based ball-point pen. This ball-point pen uses water-soluble ink that presents a relatively low viscosity and has so-called thixotropy. Thixotropy is the characteristic which lowers the viscosity of ink as the tip ball rolls during writing, thus allowing smooth distribution of ink. This type of ball-point pen, however, has the defect that the ink tends to dry up; therefore, it normally needs a cap which is able to seal off the tip part of the writing element. Additionally, since the amount of the ink flowing out will increase, it is also necessary to make the ink reservoir greater in diameter to hold a larger quantity of ink, in order to increase its life of writing.
As the improvement of the oil-based ball-point pen, it is possible to also consider a ball-point pen which uses an oil-based ink which has both a low viscosity and an excellent dryout-resistance. But a ball-point pen of this type, still has the problem that a large amount of ink flows out. Again, in this case, it is necessary to make the ink reservoir greater in diameter to hold a greater quantity of ink, in order to increase its life. Moreover, since the viscosity of the ink is low, when the tip is placed down and a gap is created between the tip ball and the tip holding portion, forward leakage of ink occurs, thus ink oozes out.
That is, since the water-soluble ink having a medium viscosity and the low-viscosity oil-based ink both have a relativity low viscosity, this tends to cause back leakage or forward leakage of ink. If the back or forward leakage of ink occurs, the ink may stain clothes etc. Further, another defect may occur in which, due to impacts from being dropped or clicking, the ink will become clogged causing ink-starving in writing.
For the ball-point pen with a medium-viscosity water-soluble ink, a translucent, nondrying greasy material called `follower` is usually filled at the rear end of the ink reservoir. Therefore, when trying to prevent ink evaporation, it is enough to consider the reduction of ink due to the evaporation from the gap between the writing point or the ball and its holder. Therefore, if, for example, a solvent having a considerably low vapor pressure is mainly used as in the oil-based ball-point pen, it is not necessary to consider the evaporation of ink. In the case of the water-soluble ink, however, the main component of the solvent is water; therefore the use of a low vapor pressure solvent can not prevent water from evaporating.
Meanwhile, an ink has been known which can be erased by a rubber eraser. This ink uses the difference in solubility of rubber component in the ink solvent. That is, the ink will be a gel inside the ink reservoir while it will become a sol when the tip ball rolls during writing. The ink will again become a gel when the ink is drawn on the writing surface, so that the ink will not be absorbed into the paper.
There is a known writing implement called a multiplex writing implement, which has a plurality of writing elements such as a mechanical pencil and a ball-point pen etc., and which selectively allows either of the elements to come in and out at the front end thereof. Various kinds of the mechanisms for achieving the writing elements to be projected and retracted at the front end of the multiplex writing implement, have been known. Examples of the mechanisms include a clicking type, a slider type in which sliders exposed to the outside from the side of the barrel cylinder of the writing implement should alternately be slid, a cam type in which a cam cylinder having a slope is rotated to achieve the function, etc.
Known examples of the multiplex writing implement of this kind, include a configuration in which a plurality of normal-type oil-based ball-point writing elements are pushed out. This implement is constructed so that the writing elements fixed to corresponding click-operating portions inside the barrel cylinder are slidably provided along corresponding length-wise grooves formed inside the barrel cylinder, and when one of the tip portions of the writing elements is selectively projected out from the front end opening of the barrel cylinder and engaged in place, the engagement of the other writing element is released so that the disengaged writing element is retracted into the inside of the barrel cylinder by the action of the return spring.
In the multiplex writing implement of this kind, when one of the writing elements is selected so that the tip portion of the selected element is projected out from the front end opening of the front barrel, the click-operating portion will be engaged in a flexed state with respect to the axial direction. Therefore, the writing element, if it is non-flexible, will not achieve the necessary function. Particularly, consider a case where a ball-point pen having a water-soluble medium-viscosity ink or oil-based low-viscosity ink is used as a writing element of the multiplex writing implement. In this case, since the ink reservoir needs to be of a greater diameter as stated above, it is impossible to create a sufficiently large margin between the writing elements, unlike in the configuration in which the regular-diametric writing elements were used. Therefore, the tip part of the writing element to be projected can not be guided smoothly to the center of the front end opening of the barrel cylinder. That is, the movement of the writing elements is impeded, and consequently, the tip parts of the writing elements could be disallowed from either projecting or retracting. For the large-diametric writing elements to be projected or retracted, the diameter of the barrel cylinder may be made very large. This, however, gives rise to a problem of deteriorating the portableness and handling performance of the writing implement.
As stated above, since the projecting/retracting mechanism of the conventional multiplex writing implement incorporates return springs for retracting writing elements into the barrel cylinder, it has a complicated structure needing an increased number of parts and resulting in an increased cost. Additionally, the conventional mechanism requires a large space, this means that there is dimensionally little space for the writing elements.
The conventional multiplex implement suffers from other drawbacks such as it will stain clothes if the writing implement is placed in a breast pocket etc. with its writing point projected out.
Publicly known technologies relating to the multiplex writing implement of the invention include those disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 7 No.214,986, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Hei 6 No.328,891, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Hei 6 No.53,185, Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open Hei 7 No.33,680 and Japanese Utility Model Publication Hei 3 No.35,589.


A read head for reading magnetically stored data in adjacent tracks of a medium has at least two elongate bodies, each having at least one magnetoresistive part. The magnetoresistive parts have sensor portions defined along a length of the elongate bodies, by electrical connections to the magnetoresistive parts. A shield is provided at least on opposite transfer sides of the elongate bodies. The read head is used for calculating a position error signal by calculating a correlation between signals received from the respective sensor portions when the head is positioned over adjacent tracks on the medium, with one of the sensors positioned near a boundary between the tracks. The position error is calculated by determining the correlation between signals from the respective sensor portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally a read head for reading data from magnetic media and in particular to a magnetoresistive read head and a method for obtaining position error information from this read head.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic media, such as magnetic tapes and disks, are recorded with data, such as computer data, music, video, etc. The recorded data are read from the magnetic media by a read head, which passes over the magnetic media to detect changes in the magnetic fields recorded on the magnetic media. Read heads, sometimes referred to as playback heads, may be single read heads or multitrack read heads. In disk recording, most read heads are single read heads, and the disk drive will typically use several single read heads to increase reading speed. In tape drives, most read heads are multitrack read heads, and the drive typically will use one multitrack read head.
As the data density on tapes and disks has increased, the tape- and disk drive typically will employ some type of fine positioning of the head relative to the tape or disk based on the feedback of position information from the media (position error signal—PES). This is typically denoted tracking servo. Several methods exist to generate PES from tape or disk.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,384 describes an arrangement for timing-based PES generation wherein the time between the output pulses of the head is measured and the position of the head relative to the tape is determined from this timing. U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,543 describes an arrangement for amplitude-based PES generation wherein the output of the head is amplitude modulated, and wherein the amplitude modulation is a measure of the position of the tape relative to the head. Both of these systems for generating PES have the disadvantages that they a) require magnetic pre-formatting at the media manufacturer, which is a cost concern b) have inaccuracies associated therewith that may cause a tracking error when the track width becomes small.
The data may be recorded on the magnetic media in adjacent tracks simultaneously. A write head for writing such tracks is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,496. Because the data are written on all the adjacent tracks in the track set at the same time, the read head required to read such track set includes multiple read sensors positioned very close to each other or a contiguous sensor element and precise positioning relative to the tracks. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,920,538 and 6,771,567 are examples of read heads for reading such adjacent tracks. A method and apparatus for preventing crosstalk between sensors positioned to sense data from such consecutively recorded parallel tracks is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,553. Such a cross-talk cancellation technique has serious limitations at very narrow track widths: During the writing of the data, the edge of the track always will be written imperfectly due to the field gradient around the corner of the pole pieces of the head. The write field distribution and the field strength are different at the edge of the head than in the center of the head. Because of this, there is always a "side write" or "erase" band at the track edge, which to a certain degree is a source of noise during playback if the read head is sensing it. In order to have cross-talk between two adjacent readers as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,493,553 when the tracks are written as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,650,496, the read heads therefore also must sense the noise from the "side write" or "erase" band, which is a serious disadvantage when reading narrow tracks. Such erase bands are described, for instance, in the article "Tape Erase Bands Measured by MFM Compared to MR Head Cross Erase Band Responses," T. Pan et. al., IEEE Trans. Magnet., Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 3407-3409 (1996).
Read heads based on the magneto-resistive (MR) effect are well known technology for reading recorded data and servo information on a magnetic media. A large number of patents, articles and books have been published on the subject, and a number of products are based on this technology. A possible solution for reading data from adjacent tracks is to use a MR head having a single bias current to bias two or more MR sensors at the same time ("comb head") as described in the article "Multi-Tapped Magnetoresistive Heads for Magnetic Tape Tracking Servo," presented at Joint Intermag/MMM 1998 Conf., San Francisco, Calif. 1998 (Paper AE-07) and published in revised form in IEEE Trans. Magnet., Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 1904-1906 (7/1998). Using this configuration it is possible to sense, as described in the article, two track edges at the same time differentially to obtain position information from a simple servo pattern written on the tape. It is clear that the same head also can be used to sense data information from two or more adjacent tracks, but the read sensors also would sense the noise from the erase bands between the tracks, which is problematic for the data decoding, in particular modern detection methods like Partial Response Maximum Likelihood (PRML).

Adjacent magnetoresistive read head and method for obtaining position error signal


A walk away packaging for condiments comprising an eating utensil and at least one storage chamber formed in the handle of the eating utensil. The chamber has an open end at the distal end of the handle and extends therefrom longitudinally through a portion of the handle. A releasable sealing member is mounted within the open end of the chamber. Preferably, two spaced apart, parallel chambers are formed in the utensil for storing different condiments.

The fast-food industry is booming, in part, due to the convenience and speed provided by the ability to take out food and drive through for food. Condiments are typically packaged in small paper or plastic containers for these purposes. Consumers often forget to ask for condiment packets, and typically they are not provided except upon request. Furthermore, condiment packets are not reusable and are wasteful since they must be thrown away after one use despite having some left.


Techniques are disclosed that allow for automatic signing of a digital document in response to some event and/or when the document satisfies some predefined condition. The document may be, for example, an agreement, a technical paper for publication, a press release or marketing materials, or any other digital document that might need to be assented to, approved by, and/or attributed to one or more persons or representatives. The techniques may further provide support for automatic signature tracking and notification in order to assist with auditability. In one example embodiment, the techniques are implemented in the context of an e-signature application or service, which may be installed locally on the user's computer or provided to the user via a network from a server. In one example embodiment, the e-signature service is configured to automatically impress a signer's signature into a given document, if the signer's pre-established auto-sign criteria is met.

An electronic signature, or so-called e-signature, generally refers to an electronically born manifestation of a person's signature or mark that indicates that the person has assented to the contents of a digital document or in some cases that the person has prepared the digital document. An e-signature can be represented as stylized script that appears to have been written by hand, and when a digital document that has been executed using an e-signature is printed or displayed, the stylized script of the e-signature appears in the appropriate location in that document. Such e-signatures are generally accepted as a legal signature in the same fashion as an ink-based hand-written signature. To this end, there are a number of commercially available e-signature services, such as EchoSign by Adobe Systems Incorporated and DocuSign by DocuSign, Inc.

Automatic E-signatures in response to conditions and/or events


An embodiment of the system and method of the present invention organizes the recovery of a communications network to minimize the interference between the recovering nodes and thus allows for a faster recovery. A metered rate is calculated at which nodes recover from a major network failure; when nodes recover at the metered rate, the network recovers quickly but without performance degrading interference. A measure of the interference between recovering nodes may be created; the interference measure may be used to partition the network, where the nodes within each partition set interfere minimally with each other during recovery and each set recovers separately. Recovering items (nodes or sets) may be sequenced so that each item recovers substantially separately in time, but where adjacent sequence items recover with some temporal overlap. Alternate embodiments may organize any system of items such as objects or devices competing for resources to minimize interference; a metered rate or measure of interference may be created, and the items may be partitioned and sequenced.

This invention relates to communications networks. More particularly, this invention relates to an improved system and method for quickly recovering from failures or error conditions.
A telecommunications network transports information from a source to a destination. The source and destination may be in close proximity, such as in an office environment, or thousands of miles apart, such as in a system transmitting credit card transaction data throughout the United States. The information (traffic), which may be, for example, computer data, voice transmissions, or video programming, usually enters and leaves a network at nodes (also termed backbone switches or offices), and is transported through the network via links and nodes. The overall traffic comprises multiple data streams which may be combined in various ways and sent on common links.
Nodes are devices or structures that direct traffic into, out of, and through a network. They can be implemented electronically, mechanically, optically, or in combinations thereof, and are known in the art. Nodes range in complexity from simple switching or relay devices to entire buildings containing thousands of devices and controls. Nodes in a network can be controlled by a central network operations center (xe2x80x9cNOCxe2x80x9d) and can be programmed with varying degrees of automated traffic-managing capabilities. Links, which may be termed trunks, connect nodes and transmit data between nodes.
A node may become inoperative in a number of ways: for example, power outage, flood or an abnormal amount of messages flooding the network. A link can become inoperative in numerous ways, but most often becomes inoperative as a result of being cut. A network error condition or a network failure is any condition or occurrence that adversely affects the performance of a network or interrupts traffic flow; such a condition may affect only a portion of the network. For example, an error condition may be the failure of a link, a software or control failure, or an overload condition.
Because of the significant volume of traffic typically transported by a network, any disruption in traffic flow can be devastating to large numbers of users transmitting information. The ability to quickly restore network service should a portion of the network become inoperative is of high priority.
A frame relay network is a communications network which transmits data of variable length packets between two points. A frame relay network may accept data in a frame relay format, convert the data to asynchronous transfer mode (xe2x80x9cATMxe2x80x9d), transmit the data in ATM form, and convert the data back to a frame relay form when the data leaves the network. ATM uses packets of a fixed length. Thus in such a network a variable length frame entering the network may be broken up into multiple packets of a set length, which are reassembled into the frame when the data leaves the network.
Traffic is routed through a network via a path, a physical or logical route between two points in a network. A path between any two nodes is a route allowing for data transmission between those two nodes; a path may be one link, or may be comprised of multiple links and nodes and other network elements. The length of a path is an indication of the amount of equipment comprising the path; for example, meters of fiber or number of hops (links separated by nodes). A network may transmit data via virtual circuits. A virtual circuit is a path transmitting data between two endpoints in a manner giving the appearance that a dedicated path exists between the two endpoints; in reality any of numerous paths, each path having multiple links and nodes, may be used to connect the two endpoints. For any number of reasons a network may reconfigure a virtual circuit, i.e., change the routing scheme of the virtual circuit.
In one frame relay network, users transmitting data may have a router at a user site for connecting with the frame relay network via an edge vehicle switch (located remotely from the user site) which in turn connects to a node in the network. A user sends data in frame relay form to the network via the router and edge vehicle switch.
The edge vehicle switch converts the data to packets of standard length. The packets are sent through the network via a virtual circuit. An edge vehicle switch connecting to one end of the virtual circuit converts the data to frame relay form and transmits the data to a router located at a user site.
A permanent virtual circuit (xe2x80x9cPVCxe2x80x9d) is a virtual circuit having a path which is relatively stable over time. In one known network, each PVC is owned by a master node. The master node owning a PVC establishes, monitors, and maintains the PVC and is typically one of the two endpoint nodes for the PVC. Each node is responsible for allocating the capacity of the trunks directly connected to it. Most, if not all, nodes in such a network are both master nodes, owning many PVCs, and via nodes, part of many PVCs owned by other nodes. Establishing a PVC involves finding a path for the PVC. The master node determines a path based on its knowledge of network capacity and transmits requests to numerous potential via nodes in the network. A requested via node responds negatively to a request only if the master node is incorrect as to the trunk capacity allocated by the requested via node, and the trunks for which the requested via node is responsible do not have the capacity to participate in the PVC.
In such a network a failure of a network component, e.g., a node or link, affects multiple PVCs. For example, if one node fails, data cannot flow on the numerous PVCs which use that node as a via node. The affected PVCs must be rerouted: for each PVC the master node owning the PVC must select a set of nodes from the remaining healthy nodes in the network to re-form the PVC. This must be done quickly, and must be done for numerous PVCs, as the failure of even a single node or link may interrupt data transmission for many PVCs.
The reestablishment of a PVC requires the use of network resources such as the processing time of nodes and the communications resources of the network. In certain networks, on the occurrence of relatively small failures, e.g., the failure of two nodes in a 200 node network, master nodes may recover (i.e., reestablish their PVCs and perform other tasks) simultaneously without interfering significantly with each other""s recovery. However, on the occurrence of a major disruption, for example, the failure of a majority of the nodes, the load on various network resources from recovering nodes results in interference between nodes trying to reestablish PVCs, which results in inefficiencies delaying overall network recovery.
As part of a node""s recovery process, the node queries and receives responses from other nodes to determine whether the other nodes may become via nodes in PVCs owned by the node. Potential via nodes may accept or decline to become part of a PVC based on the capacity of trunks local to the potential via node and on the resource requirements of the PVC. While a potential via node is being queried by one master node, it is unavailable for querying by another master node. Furthermore, when a via node accepts a master node request, it must reconfigure its equipment to become part of that PVC; it is unavailable to respond to other PVC requests during this time. When a node is unable to respond to the PVC request of a second master node because it is responding to the PVC request of a first master node, a collision occurs; the second master node must back-off and attempt the reroute of the entire PVC at a later time. A collision may also occur if a first master node queries a second master node which is busy making a via request of a potential via node. In general, a collision occurs when two objects or devices in a system attempt to access the same resource at the same time, when the resource can service only one object or device.
A collision and the subsequent reroute reattempt waste the resources of both the master node and the nodes already existing in the PVC being constructed, and lengthen the recovery time of the master node and thus that of the entire network. Since a via node is typically part of multiple PVCs, one master node""s recovery may thus interfere with the recovery of other master nodes. This creates problems when major network outages occur and large numbers of nodes are attempting to recover simultaneously. A master node making a reroute attempt and experiencing a collision after rerouting a portion of a PVC has, during its reroute attempt, created interference with other master nodes which is unnecessary, as that master node has not achieved an actual reroute.
During normal operations and during recovery, each node in such a network performs a certain amount of background processing. Each node has a certain amount of processor capacity, used for background processing and rerouting activities. Rerouting activities load a node""s processor, increasing processor occupancy (a measure of the fraction of time a processor is working as opposed to idle). Rerouting PVCs requires a certain amount of processing in addition to background processing on the part of a master node (generally resulting from contacting via nodes). If the combination of the amounts of background processing and rerouting processing increase enough, the amount of rerouting able to be done may be limited. A request to a via node to participate in a PVC consumes a portion of the processing resources for that node. In addition, a request also prevents another request from taking place to that via node. Thus a collision increases the processing load of both master and via nodes and increases the time for overall network recovery.
Timing limitations on nodes in a network may be created to minimize interference among the nodes during recovery. A node may be given a set time to wait before re-querying a via node or between PVC creation reattempts; this time may be increased in the event of a collision. Increasing the interval between master node queries of via nodes or PVC creation reattempts decreases interference, which increases the efficiency of the recovery; however, increasing this interval increases the recovery time of each node and thus of the whole network. These factors must be balanced if an interval is to be effective in improving overall recovery time. Current methods of creating timing limitations, relying on a dynamic increase in a timing delay in response to collisions, do not optimally reflect the relationship between network interference and reroute attempts, and do not balance the need to avoid interference and the need to recover quickly.
In current networks, nodes may be manually divided into sets which recover at different times. The sets are created according to an operator""s guess as to the interference between nodes; such a guess may be based on, for example, the geographic location of the nodes. Such a method provides at best an approximation of the true interference between nodes in a network, which may be based on a complex network and PVC architecture. A method of dividing the nodes in a network into sets based on accurate information as to the interference between recovering nodes does not exist.
Two or more nodes recovering at the same time interfere minimally with each other when, according to some measure, each nodes"" queries to via nodes results in a minimum number of collisions with other nodes"" queries to via nodes. Objects or devices, including nodes, may interfere with each other""s operation when they compete for the same resource; such interference may occur, for example, when two nodes in a network make a via request to the same node during the same time period. Two or more objects competing for resources at the same time interfere minimally with each other when each object""s use of the resources results in a minimum number of collisions with the other object""s use of the resources. Entities such as objects or devices may be, for example, applications or modules in a computing device, physical nodes competing for access to other nodes, or any other entities which perform activities which may interfere with or compete with each other. Activities entities perform may be, for example, accessing limited operating system resources, communicating with nodes, or any other activity.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for organizing the activities of items such as devices, objects, or nodes competing for the same resources such that the interference between items is minimized. There is a need for a method to determine the amount of interference between devices, objects, or nodes competing for the same resources (e.g., master nodes in a network competing for via nodes). There is a need for organizing devices, objects, or nodes competing for the same resources into sets such that the interference between items within sets is minimized; if such sets access resources in overlapping time periods there is a need to provide an optimum sequence for such activity so that interference among sets is minimized. There is a need to provide a timing limitation on objects such as nodes competing for resources which accurately reflects the relationship between accessing resources and interference among access attempts.
It would be desirable to provide a system and method for allowing a set of nodes in a network to reestablish connections in the network in the quickest manner possible. There is a need for a system and method for organizing the recovery of network equipment to minimize interference between the network components and thus maximize recovery efficiency and speed. There is a need to provide a measure of inter-node recovery interference and to separate nodes into sets, or into a sequence of sets, where this interference is minimized. There is a need to provide an accurate timing limitation on recovering nodes in a network to minimize interference.
An embodiment of the system and method of the present invention organizes the recovery of a communications network to minimize the interference between the recovering nodes and thus allows for a faster recovery. Alternate embodiments may organize any system of objects or devices competing for resources to minimize interference between the resources.
An embodiment of the system and method of the present invention calculates a metered rate at which nodes recover from a major network failure, based on the architecture of the network and the characteristics of the nodes in the network, and of the virtual circuits forming the network. An optimum metered rate is calculated, at which the network recovers quickly but without performance degrading interference. An embodiment creates a measure of the interference between recovering nodes; the measure of interference may be used to partition the set of recovering nodes into subsets, where the recovery process of each node within a subset interferes minimally with the recovery processes of other nodes within that subset. The subsets recover at different times, reducing overall recovery interference and speeding recovery. Recovering items (nodes or sets of nodes) may be sequenced so that each item recovers substantially separately in time, but where adjacent sequence items recover with some temporal overlap. The amount of interference occurring between adjacent items in the sequence is minimized.
Embodiments of the system and method of the present invention may organize the activities of any system of items such as objects or devices such that interference among items is minimized. An optimum rate for activities undertaken by items may be created to minimize overall interference. A measure of interference between items competing for resources may be created; this measure may be used to partition and sequence the items.

Network disaster recovery and analysis tool


A viewpoint control unit 204 detects a user operation on a display surface for displaying a virtual-viewpoint video (S801) and controls at least one of the position and the orientation of a virtual viewpoint concerning generation of the virtual-viewpoint video in accordance with the user operation (S805, S808, S812, S814).

Virtual-viewpoint video generating technologies are known, which generate videos of arbitrary viewpoints from multiple videos captured by multiple cameras having different viewpoints. Methods of generating the virtual-viewpoint videos based on predetermined moving paths of the virtual viewpoints and methods of generating the virtual-viewpoint videos in accordance with the positions, the attitudes, and so on of the virtual viewpoints specified by viewers or the likes are known as the methods of generating the virtual-viewpoint videos (rendering methods).
With the virtual-viewpoint video generating technologies, it is possible for the viewers to view the videos of high interactivity. In contrast, with devices, such as tablets and smartphones, which use touch panels as main interfaces, it is difficult to desirably operate the viewpoints. PTL 1 describes selection of one of multiple pieces of viewpoint coordinate data and one of multiple pieces of rotation start point data by a user and inputting of the rotation angle and the amount of movement of the viewpoint to set the viewpoint.

Control apparatus, control method, and storage medium


The present invention discloses a method for reducing the reflectivity of a silicide layer. This invention utilizes a rapid thermal oxidation process to treat a tungsten silicide film in order to reduce the reflectivity of the tungsten silicide film. Thus, an anti-reflectivity layer is not required in the present invention. In addition simplify the present invention, a thin oxide layer is growth on the tungsten suicide layer during the rapid thermal oxidation process and the thin oxide layer serves as a hard mask in subsequent steps. In addition, because utilizing the rapid thermal process, the present invention can greatly reduce the resistance of the tungsten silicide in order to increase the speed of the devices.

Typically, a tungsten silicide film is used combining with a polysilicon film, i.e. so called polycide structure, to reduce the resistance of the device. However, because the tungsten silicide film has high reflectivity (about 50% i-line) or the surface of the wafer has bad topography, the resolution of the photolithography is limited. Moreover, it results in uneven linewidth and a notching phenomena. In order to solve the phenomena, an anti-reflective coating layer is required to form on the tungsten silicide layer to decrease the reflectivity of the tungsten silicide layer. The anti-reflective coating layer can be a thin polysilicon layer (amorphous silicon), a titanium nitride layer, or an oxynitride layer (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 O.sub.x). Another method for solving the phenomena is that an oxide layer is formed on the tungsten silicide layer by using chemical vapor deposition before the photolithography process starts. The oxide layer with the patterned photoresist serves as a hard mask to enhance the function of etching mask when etching the wafer to form the polycide structure.
The two aforementioned methods are to increase the resolution of linewidth in the wafer, whether forming a thin polysilicon layer (amorphous silicon), a titanium nitride layer, or an oxynitride layer (Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 O.sub.x) as an anti-reflective coating layer or an oxide layer as a hard mask. Unfortunately, the two conventional methods also increase the complexity of the process and burden in the production line so as to increase the cost of the product.

Method for reducing the reflectivity of a silicide layer


A crane camera system employs a hook camera transmitter to send wireless signals vertically upward to a trolley receiver, which are then relayed by a trolley transmitter to the operator cabin. This allows line-of-sight wireless transmission of signals from the hook to the cabin to take place reliably without interference from obstructions on the work site. It is especially suitable for a tower-type overhead or boom-type crane. A trolley camera may also be provided for taking look-down images of the hook and transmitting them to the cabin in tandem with the hook camera signals. The hook and trolley camera images allows the operator to see more precisely the positioning of the hook relative to the ground, thereby greatly reducing the possibility of accidents or damaging collisions with persons or objects on the ground. A hook assembly mounting the hook camera on the hook has a longitudinal frame fastened with vibration-dampeners to two lateral hook spindles in the hook to avoid reducing the integrity of the hook or contact with moving parts of the hook.

Various types of crane camera systems have been proposed to enable the crane operator to see conditions around the crane arm or around the load being worked by the crane. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,894,621 and 6,744,372, and U.S. Published Application 2004/0026348 disclose providing displays in the crane cab of videocam images from one or more cameras mounted on the trolley of an overhead crane and/or on the hook or hoist device, along with other safety sensors, such as for detecting wind gusts or the proximity of obstructions. U.S. Pat. No. 6,985,085 discloses providing a remote-controllable and steerable camera on the boom of a crane for imaging the vicinity of the load. U.S. Pat. No. 6,880,712 discloses look-down sensors on the trolley of an overhead-type crane for detecting the corners of a load. U.S. Pat. No. 3,881,608 teaches the use of sensors on a overhead crane boom to detect the trolley position. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,894,621 and 6,351,720 and U.S. Published Applications 2005/0192732, 2005/0232733, 2004/0026348, and 2004/0149056 also disclose various systems of cameras or sensors provided on the trolley to detect the position of the load.
However, these prior systems have not provided for reliably transmitting video signals to the crane operator while working around various types of obstructions typically encountered on a work site. If the video signals are carried by a wire cable or optical fiber cable, then the range of motion of the moving video camera may be limited by the wired connection. If wireless transmission is used, then for high-frequency (MW) signals, line-of-sight transmission between the hook and the operator cabin must be maintained despite obstacles on the worksite and the constant motion of the hook to the operator cabin. If low-frequency (RF) signals are used, then the data rate that can be transmitted is reduced and/or the image resolution must be lowered, and signal transmission may deteriorated by obstructions on the work site.


A sensing circuit includes a plurality of sensors, a controller, a multiway switch, a linear optocoupler, and a logical control unit. The plurality of sensors are capable of measuring physical quantity, and each of the plurality of sensors is capable of generating a sensing signal in accordance with the physical quantity. The controller is capable of receiving and analyzing the sensing signals, and transforming the sensing signals into sensing events. The multiway switch is capable of selectively connecting one of the plurality of sensors to the controller. The linear optocoupler is connected between the plurality of sensors and the controller. The logical control unit is capable of controlling the multiway switch to selectively connect one of the plurality of sensors to the optocoupler, and generating a control signal to the controller, wherein the control signal indicating the one of the plurality of sensors connected to the controller.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a sensing circuit, and particularly, to a sensing circuit for an electronic device.
2. Description of Related Art
Most electronic devices use sensing circuits to measure physical quantity around the electronic devices. Generally, a sensing circuit includes sensors, linear optocouplers, and controllers; sensing signals generated by the sensors are transferred with electrical isolation by the linear optocouplers to the controllers for analyzing. However, referring to FIG. 1, in a traditional sensing circuit, if eight sensors (S1-S8) are used, eight linear optocouplers (K1-K8) are required to be correspondingly connected with the eight sensors, and this increases cost.

Fu Tai Hua Industry (Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.