An Internet facsimile apparatus is provided for eliminating inconveniences possibly experienced by the user when receiving a plurality of electronic mail from the same Internet facsimile apparatus. Since the contents of transmitter unique information is placed in a From field or a Subject field of an electronic mail received from an originating Internet facsimile apparatus, the user can estimate the contents of the electronic mail by referring to the contents of a list of electronic mail information to readily find a desired electronic mail.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for facsimile, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for facsimile which is capable of performing communications with data processing machines such as personal computers as well as communications with facsimile machines.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, a so-called Internet facsimile apparatus, which is connected to a local area network linked to an Internet service provider through a dedicated line or through a dial-up function, has been used to provide at least a function of communicating an electronic mail on a local area network and on the Internet. The apparatus has also been used to perform a function of transmitting image information using an ordinary public line in accordance with a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure.
The use of such an Internet facsimile apparatus enables, for example, transmission of image information between a workstation (a personal computer or the like) connected to a local area network and a facsimile apparatus connected to an ordinary public line external to the workstation utilizing a relay function of the Internet facsimile, thus providing a very convenient service.
Also, when the Internet facsimile apparatus is connected to an Internet service provider through a dedicated line, the use of the relay function provided by the Internet facsimile apparatus is highly advantageous in that communication expenses can be largely reduced for image information communications between facsimile apparatuses located at remote sites from each other, because no extra rate is added for communication between the Internet facsimile apparatuses.
Generally, when an Internet facsimile apparatus is to communicate image information with a workstation connected to a local area network, or communicate image information with another Internet facsimile apparatus through the Internet, an electronic mail is used as its communication application.
The electronic mail utilizing the Internet, on the other hand, is subject to a data format, protocol and so on defined therefor. For example, each electronic mail should contain header information which includes a variety of significant information such as the mail address of an originating user ("From" field), subject information indicative of the contents of the main text of information ("Subject" field) and so on as well as the mail address of a destination user ("To" field).
With a conventional Internet facsimile apparatus, however, information inherent to the Internet facsimile apparatus is added to the "From" field and the "Subject" field in the header information of the electronic mail irrespective of the user who uses the Internet facsimile apparatus. Therefore, if a plurality of image information transmissions are delivered from the same Internet facsimile apparatus to a user, the user will receive a plurality of electronic mails which are only different in received date and time (or transmitted date and time) but have the same transmitter name and the same subject name.
Specifically, when the user of a workstation displays a list of received electronic mails, the contents as shown in FIG. 1, for example, are displayed on the screen of the workstation.
Thus, the user who has received a plurality of electronic mails from the same Internet facsimile apparatus cannot know the contents of the respective electronic mails from a list of electronic mails as shown in FIG. 1. If the user desires certain image information, the user must display the contents of all the electronic mails for finding the desired image information, thus experiencing an inconvenience.

Method and apparatus for facsimile capable of communicating with data processing and facsimile machines


A new apparatus for reducing sway of a trailer towed by a towing vehicle has a draw bar for linking a trailer to a vehicle, a ball for hitching the trailer to the draw bar, and a pin for hitching the draw bar to the vehicle. The apparatus also has a body that is associated with the ball in such a way that horizontal angular movement of the draw arm relative to the draw bar causes a substantially equivalent horizontal angular movement of the body relative to the draw bar. A hydraulic dampener linked to the body dampens horizontal angular movement of the body and, thereby, dampens horizontal angular movement of the trailer.

The term trailer as used herein refers to any form of towed vehicle, including an open tray trailer and a caravan.
Sway or oscillation of a trailer behind a vehicle is not an uncommon occurrence and can be a result of the actions of the driver, the condition of the road, other traffic, the weather or a combination of these or other factors. The results of an uncontrolled oscillation (commonly referred to fishtailing) can lead to serious damage to the trailer or vehicle and even to the occupants of the vehicle.
A variety of solutions have been proposed in order to resolve the problem of swaying movement of a trailer behind a vehicle. Some solutions involve controlled breaking of the trailer and other solutions involve devices for dampening the swaying movement. The present invention is directed to dampening swaying movement.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,489 to Hoog discloses an arrangement for reducing the sway of a trailer that is attached to a towing vehicle.
The arrangement comprises a towing beam that is disposed generally parallel to the bumper of a vehicle and has approximately the same length as the bumper. The towing beam includes a plate that extends from an extreme side of the beam, i.e. offset from a drawing arm of the trailer. The trailer is hitched to the beam by a towing arm that is modified to receive a first end of two extendible piston-type dampeners. The plate receives a second end of each piston-type dampener. Accordingly, any angular disposition of the trailer arm relative to the beam is resisted by the dampeners.
Although assisting to reduce sway of a trailer behind the vehicle, this arrangement suffers several draw backs.
The dampeners resist the extent to which the trailer can be angularly displaced relative to the vehicle in both horizontal and vertical directions.
In terms of restrictions on horizontal movement, this arrangement limits the extent to which the vehicle can turn around sharp corners and limits the manoeuvrability of the trailer relative to the vehicle. That is, the dampeners compress only to a certain extent at which point the dampeners form of rigid link between the vehicle and the arm of the trailer to prevent further angular displacement of the trailer relative to the vehicle. Any attempt to increase the angular displacement beyond this extent would result in destruction of the dampeners.
In terms of restrictions on vertical movement, the dampeners are fastened to the plate and the modified trailer by upright pins. While the pins permit the ends of the dampeners to pivot about a vertical axis of the pins, i.e. in a horizontal plane, the pins do not accommodate vertical angular movement of the vehicle relative to the trailer. Accordingly, the arrangement disclosed in Hoog does not account for pivoting the dampeners when the trailer is taken up a steep driveway, over a speed hump or down a boat ramp.
This arrangement also requires the dampeners to be attached either to the trailer or the vehicle each time the trailer is hitched to the vehicle. Similarly, the dampeners must be detached from the trailer or vehicle each time the trailer is unhitched from the vehicle. This is a nuisance when the trailer is frequently hitched and unhitched from the vehicle.
The dampeners in Hoog must be very stiff in order to resist movement of the trailer relative to the vehicle. However, if the dampeners are removed to enable unhitching of the trailer from the vehicle, the dampeners would be in a certain extended disposition. In order to refit the dampeners when hitching the trailer to the vehicle, the trailer must be disposed at the exact angular displacement relative to the vehicle when the dampeners were removed so the disposition of dampeners does not need adjustment to bridge the exact distance between the plate and the arm of the trailer. Alternatively, the disposition of the dampeners must be adjusted to bridge the exact distance between the plate and the arm of the trailer. In either case, this is a difficult task and makes the arrangement disclosed in Hoog difficult to use.
The arrangement disclosed in Hoog further requires a modification to be made to the vehicle and/or trailer to properly fit the arrangement and thereby have a sway-reducing effect. The need to modify the trailer and the vehicle contributes to an increased cost of using this arrangement. This is disincentive financially and modifications to the vehicle may be insightly.


An encoder generates a compressed data sequence from an original data sequence using many-to-one mapping independently of a source model associated with the original data sequence and without extracting the source model. A decoder uses both the source model associated with the original data sequence and the mapping applied during compression that is devoid of, in substance, the source model, to regenerate, at least in part, the original uncompressed data sequence from the compressed data sequence that does not include a significant portion of the source model.

Storage and transmission of data often incur significant costs. Compression can reduce these costs by allowing one to reproduce the same or nearly the same data using more succinct descriptions. A compression/decompression system typically includes an upstream encoder and a downstream decoder, the internal algorithm for both of which is generally carefully designed to maximize compression efficiency. To operate, the encoder and/or the decoder typically use knowledge about the special characteristics of the data.
In particular, the compression of data is predicated on the existence of certain predictable or typical statistical characteristics in data, which must be identified by an expert or inferred by an algorithm. This information is commonly called the "source model" because it models the statistical source from which the data is presumed to be drawn. The efficiency with which compression can be performed on data is described by Shannon's information theory on source coding, in which the predictability of various sources is characterized by the "entropy" of the source model. Entropy forms the ultimate lower bound on how much data can be compressed while remaining faithful in reproduction (or with some preset loss as measured by a metric). The source model is generally the key piece of information in known compression systems. Various systems have been designed to exploit the source model of the data either explicitly or implicitly.
In practical systems (e.g., image compression), a compression input is often deconstructed by the upstream encoder according to its assumption of a source model (e.g., a model for natural images), such as by transforming the data into a different domain (e.g., a frequency domain, for images) in which the data is in a "simpler" form for subsequent coding. Such a process often becomes the basis of a compression standard for the type of data in question, defining the parameters within which the encoder operates, the format of the compressed output from the encoder, and the decoder that must parse this output to reconstitute the data in the reverse process. Once widely deployed and legacy compressed data is generated, the process of encoding becomes ossified to a large extent, even as newer understandings about the source model or better coding methods may evolve. This is one reason for the lack of uptake for JPEG2000, a technologically superior successor to JPEG image compression.
Typically, noise is introduced in the information/data sequence (also called data message) when it is transmitted through a medium, e.g., air. The noise can cause symbols (e.g., bits) of the data sequence to change, resulting in the reception of a data sequence that may contain erroneous symbols. Error correction codes can address this problem. In general, error correction codes introduce redundancy, e.g., parity bits, prior to the transmission of a data sequence. To this end, during encoding, some error correction codes employ a so called "generator" matrix. In some systems, a joint source-channel coding model is employed, where the channel coding may provide for error correction by introducing and/or exploiting redundancy in a sequence of data to be transmitted. The joint model is limited to only a few kinds of source models.
When the data sequence is received, one or more of the informational symbols (e.g., data bits) and one or more of the redundant symbols (e.g., parity bits) that were added during encoding can be erroneous. By analyzing the entire received data sequence, any errors in one or more of the informational symbols can be detected and may even be corrected. To this end, during decoding, some error correction codes employ a so called "parity matrix," which is related to the generator matrix. If there are no errors in the received data sequence, applying the parity matrix to the received data sequence yields a zero scalar or vector value, indicating that there were no errors in the received data sequence.
The error correction codes typically add new symbols to the data sequence to be transmitted and/or stored and, thus, generally perform in a manner opposite to that of compression/decompression systems. Specifically, instead of decreasing the number of symbols to be transmitted and/or stored, error correction codes generally increase the total number of symbols to be transmitted and/or stored.
As described above, the encoders in the known compression/decompression systems typically use knowledge about the special characteristics of the data. However, wherever specialized knowledge is used in the system, the downstream system is generally dependent on the particular choice, which usually reduces flexibility in system design and network transport, and may prevent future improvements without a significant overhaul of the entire system and losing compatibility with already compressed data.

Systems and methods for model-free compression and model-based decompression


An imaging device includes an imaging processing unit that includes a solid-state imaging device outputting a pixel signal according to incident subject light and outputs a captured image according to the pixel signal output by the solid-state imaging device, image processing circuits that generate a photography image by performing image processing on a corresponding region within a processed region cut out from the captured image output from the imaging processing unit, and a division position determination unit that detects movement of a photography position at which the solid-state imaging device photographs a subject within a captured region of the solid-state imaging device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging device and an imaging method.
Priority is claimed on Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-278484, filed Dec. 20, 2012, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, with increases in resolution and performance of imaging devices such as digital still cameras or video cameras, more complicated image processing at a higher speed is required at the time of photography. For this reason, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-289631 discloses a technology for performing image processing at a high speed. According to the technology disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-289631, a region (hereinafter referred to as an "imaged region") imaged by a solid-state imaging device included in an imaging device is divided into a plurality of regions and a plurality of image processing circuits corresponding to the divided regions perform image processing in parallel, so that a processing time of the image processing necessary to generate one photographed image can be shortened.
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of a method of shortening a time necessary for image processing in an imaging device according to the related art. FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C show a difference in the processing time necessary for the image processing performed by the imaging device according to a difference in the number of image processing circuits included in the imaging device.
When the imaging device includes only one image processing circuit, as illustrated in FIG. 6A, the one image processing circuit performs image processing on the entire imaged region, that is, performs the image processing corresponding to the number of pixels included in the solid-state imaging device. On the other hand, when the imaging device includes two image processing circuits, as illustrated in FIG. 6B, the imaged region is divided into two equal regions (regions X and Y). Image processing circuits X and Y included in the imaging device may perform the image processing on the corresponding regions in parallel. That is, the image processing circuits X and Y each perform the imaging process on half of the number of pixels in the solid-state imaging device. Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 6C, it is possible to shorten the processing time necessary for the imaging device to perform image processing.
FIG. 6C shows an example in which the processing time in the case in which the one image processing circuit performs the image processing on the entire imaged region, as illustrated in FIG. 6A is compared to the processing time in the case in which the two image processing circuits X and Y perform the image processing on the divided imaged regions in parallel, as illustrated in FIG. 6B. As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the processing time necessary for the image processing is halved when the image processing circuits X and Y respectively perform the image processing on the regions, which are imaged regions X and Y equally divided from the imaged region, in parallel compared to the case in which one image processing circuit performs the image processing on the entire imaged region rather than dividing the imaged region. Accordingly, a throughput from imaging performed by the imaging device to completion of the image processing performed to generate one photographed image is doubled, and thus it is possible to realize a high speed imaging device.
Recent imaging devices are configured to have a photography assistance (supporting) function such as a camera-shake correction function. Therefore, recent imaging devices do not perform the image processing on the entire imaged region imaged by a solid-state imaging device, and generally perform image processing on a region partially cut from an imaged region in consideration of the fact that a position (hereinafter referred to as a "photography position") at which the solid-state imaging device images a subject is shaken in the imaged region due to camera shake.
FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D, and 7E are diagrams illustrating an example of a relation between a change in a region caused due to camera shake in an imaging device according to the related art and a time necessary for image processing. When camera shake occurs in directions of arrows illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B at the time of photography by the imaging device, a partial region (hereinafter referred to as a "processed region") necessary to perform image processing in order to generate one photographed image is moved in an opposite direction to the direction in which the camera shake occurs, as in a processed region Z illustrated in FIGS. 7A and 7B. Since an amount or a direction of camera shake differs for each frame photographed by the imaging device, a cutout position of the processed region at which the image processing is performed also differs for each frame photographed by the imaging device.
For this reason, when camera shake occurs and an imaged region imaged by a solid-state imaging device is simply divided into two equal regions, as in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2004-289631, the sizes (areas) of the processed regions Z included in the regions X and Y may not be equal, as illustrated in FIGS. 7C and 7D. Accordingly, allocation amounts of the image processing allocated to the image processing circuits X and Y may not be equal.
Further, when the allocation amounts of the image processing allocated to the image processing circuits X and Y are not equal, processing times of the image processing performed on the regions X and Y to which the image processing circuits X and Y correspond may differ from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 7E. FIG. 7E shows an example in which the processing time of the image processing circuit X is compared to the processing time of the image processing circuit Y when the image processing is allocated to the ranges of the processed regions Z of the image processing circuits X and Y, as illustrated in FIG. 7D.
When the processing times of the image processing circuits X and Y differ from each other, as illustrated in FIG. 7E, a time necessary until the image processing circuit X to which the greater allocation amount of the image processing is allocated completes the image processing, that is, the processing time of the image processing circuit X in the imaging device, may be a time necessary for image processing of one frame. From the viewpoint of the image processing on each frame, the frame rate, and accordingly the processing performance, of the imaging device may deteriorate.

Imaging device and imaging method where shake adjusted image is divided into regions for parallel processing


A method and system for minimizing sub-threshold leakage in a logic block is disclosed. An NDR isolation device is coupled between the logic block and ground to form a virtual ground node. To put the logic block into sleep mode, the virtual ground control device raises the voltage at the virtual ground node above an isolation voltage, which causes NDR isolation device isolates the virtual ground node from ground. The virtual ground control device can then raise the voltage at the virtual ground node to the positive supply voltage to eliminate sub-threshold leakage currents the logic block. Alternatively, the virtual ground control device can raise the voltage at the virtual ground node to the positive supply voltage minus a retention voltage so that storage elements in the logic block can retain state information while still greatly reducing sub-threshold leakage current.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to design of semiconductor chips. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus for minimizing sub-threshold leakage current for logic circuits in sleep mode.
2. Related Art
Increasing circuit density is an important component for lowering the cost and increasing the performance of semiconductor chips. Therefore, device sizes in semiconductor chips have been steadily shrinking. However, as devices become smaller, sub-threshold leakage current becomes an increasingly larger part of the overall power consumption of the semiconductor chips. For example, in semiconductor chips with a devices size of 45 nm, sub threshold leakage accounts for approximately 50 percent of the total power consumed.
Sub-threshold leakage current occurs when the gate voltage is below the threshold voltage of a transistor. Thus, sub-threshold leakage occurs when the device is turned off because the gate voltage is below the threshold voltage. Implementing a sleep mode for logic blocks not currently in use can reduce sub-threshold leakage currents. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a circuit using multi-threshold CMOS (MTCMOS) to implement sleep mode in a logic block. Specifically, a logic block 120 coupled to the positive power supply through a high threshold P-type transistor 110, which provides a virtual positive power node V13 VDD for logic block 120. For clarity the voltage at the positive power supply is referred to as positive supply voltage VDD. Logic block 120 is coupled to ground through a high threshold N-type transistor 130, which provides a virtual ground node V_GND for logic block 120. For clarity, the voltage at ground is referred to as ground voltage VSS. A sleep signal SLEEP is applied to the gate of high threshold P-type transistor 110. Conversely, a not sleep signal !SLEEP (which is the inverse of sleep signal SLEEP) is applied to the gate terminal of high threshold N-type transistor 130. In normal operation, sleep signal SLEEP is at logic low and not sleep signal !SLEEP is at logic high. Therefore, both high threshold P-type transistor 110 and high threshold N-type transistor 130 are turned "on". Consequently, the voltage at virtual positive power node V_VDD is very close to the positive supply voltage VDD and the voltage at virtual ground node V_GND is very close to ground voltage VSS. Therefore, logic block 120 can operate normally.
For sleep mode, sleep signal SLEEP is driven to logic high and not sleep signal !SLEEP is driven to logic low. Therefore, both high threshold P-type transistor 110 and high threshold N-type transistor 130 are turned "off". This prevents normal operation of logic block 120 but also serves to reduce but not eliminate the sub-threshold leakage current in logic block 120 because the sub threshold leakage current is proportional to the drain to source voltage (VDS) of the transistors in logic block 120. Specifically, high threshold P-type transistor 110, logic block 120, and high threshold N-type transistor 130 act as a voltage divider ladder. Therefore, the voltage at virtual positive power node is slightly greater than the voltage at virtual ground node V_GND resulting in a small drain to source voltage for the transistors in logic block 120, which allows sub-threshold leakage currents in logic block 120.
Furthermore, storage elements in logic block 120 are not able to store state information (i.e., data) during sleep mode. To prevent loss of state information, redundant storage elements are used in logic block 120. The redundant storage elements are coupled directly to the positive power supply and ground rather than virtual positive power node V—VDD and virtual ground node V_GND. Thus, the redundant storage elements do not go into sleep mode. FIG. 2 shows an inverter 215 and an inverter 218 coupled together to form a storage element 210 from logic block 120. Thus, inverters 215 and 218 receive power from virtual positive power node V_VDD and virtual ground node V_GND. Therefore, when logic block 120 is put into sleep mode, storage element 210 loses the data in storage element 210 prior to entering sleep mode. To retain data during sleep mode, a redundant storage element 220 that is not put into sleep mode is used with each storage element 210. As illustrated in FIG. 2, an inverter 225 and an inverter 228 are coupled to form a redundant storage element 220. Redundant storage element 220 is coupled to storage element 210 through a pass gate 230. Redundant storage element 220 mirrors the data in storage element 210 during normal operation of logic block 120. However, unlike inverters 215 and 218, inverters 225 and 228 are powered directly from the positive power supply and ground. Therefore, when logic block 120 enters sleep mode, redundant storage element 220 stores the state of storage element 210 prior to entering sleep mode. When logic block 120 leaves sleep mode, redundant storage element 220 resets the data in storage element 210.
While redundant storage elements prevents loss of state information during sleep mode, the cost in terms of silicon resources for redundant storage elements is enormous. In addition to the area for the redundant storage elements, additional silicon area is used for routing the separate power lines to the redundant storage elements. Furthermore, the redundant storage elements consume additional power. Hence there is a need for method and system to reduce sub-threshold leakage currents with the ability to maintain state information.

Leakage power management with NDR isolation devices


A paint storage apparatus comprising a cap, a container divided into a plurality of chambers, and a lid having a plurality of orifices is disclosed. The apparatus is preferably substantially cylindrical and is uniformly formed from a homogenous material. When the lid is fixed on the container, the orifices are aligned over the chambers, with one of the plurality of orifices over each of the plurality of chambers. Further, when the lid and the container are mated, the plurality of chambers in the container are sealed such that paint cannot be interchanged between the chambers. The cap is configured to detachably couple to the lid and prevent spillage and spoilage of paint stored within the container. In addition, the cap and the lid preferably each further comprise tabs configured to facilitate removal of the lid from the container and to facilitate removal of the cap from the lid.

Paint storage containers such as paint cups are well known and have been used by painters for many years. Painters use paint cups by dipping their paintbrushes into the cups, and then applying the paint from the cups to an accompanying surface. A painter may use a paint cup by itself, or in conjunction with other paint cups, which normally contain other paint colors. Paint cups may be placed near a painter's surface, such as on or near a painter's easel, for easy access and use by the painter.
Paint cups may be made of a variety of materials, including plastic. Paint cups also may exist in various sizes, depending on the amount of paint that the painter needs to utilize, and various shapes such as cylindrical or square. For example, cylindrical/rounded cups are used for ease of fit into easels and cup holders.
Currently, paint cups contain a single chamber space designed to hold only one color of paint. In other words, current paint cups are unable to separately hold more than one color of paint at the same time. This has many disadvantages: multiple cups are required by a painter who is using more than one color or type of paint; and more space is required at or near a paint easel for storing multiple paint cups. Further, current paint cup lids contain only one hole through which the painter may dip his/her paintbrush.


An apparatus for protecting and providing user access to a touch sensitive device underwater, comprising a waterproof casing comprising an inner cavity configured to receive the touch sensitive device, the casing comprising: a first area of the casing for providing user access to the touch sensitive device; a transparent first membrane arranged to cover at least part of the first area of the casing, the inner cavity configured to receive the touch sensitive device so that user interface of the touch sensitive device being arranged adjacent to the membrane of the first area; a pressurized non-conductive fluid arranged to the inner cavity to provide a gap between the user interface of the touch sensitive device and the membrane; a pressure control membrane arranged to cover at least part of a second area of the casing; and a pressure control element operationally connected to the pressure control membrane, configured to flexibly bend the pressure control membrane to change pressure of the pressurized non-conductive fluid.

Particularly since the introduction of the scuba equipment, people are exploring underwater environments in great numbers.
Simultaneously, the increase in the number of those exploring underwater areas has triggered significant progress in diving-related technology. However, there are still areas, such as touch sensitive devices, in which significant needs still exist.
Known solutions exist where a touch-sensitive device is enclosed in a stiff or flexible waterproof casing.
If flexible casing is used, the underwater pressure may squeeze the casing against the touch sensitive surface and generating erroneous signals. If the touch sensitive device comprises a resistive touch element, the error signals are caused by the outer layer squeezing towards the inner layer due to the pressure and causing thus the electrical current to flow between the layers. In case the touch sensitive device comprises a capacitive touch element, the error signals are caused by the electric charge of the water layer adjacent to the touch sensitive element. In both cases, the usage of the touch-sensitive device underwater is difficult of even impossible.
If stiff casing is used, a display of the touch-sensitive device may be visible but the touch-sensitive element cannot be accessed through the stiff housing, even if it is transparent.
Further problems arise, when the touch-sensitive device is used in different depths causing different pressure towards the casing of the touch-sensitive device.
A solution is needed for providing an improved solution for allowing user access to touch-sensitive device underwater in different depths.

Method and apparatus for providing user access and protection to touch sensitive device underwater


An identification mark comprises a set of a plurality of mark elements. One mark element is divided into a large number of first and second fine square regions alternately arranged. One or two basic gratings selected from a plurality of types of basic gratings is/are drawn in both fine square regions, so that patterns are formed. Since the basic gratings are different in direction of the grating or spatial frequency, the types of the basic gratings are different from each other. One selected type of basic gratings is drawn in all first fine square regions. Similarly, the one or another type of basic gratings is drawn in all second fine square regions. At least one first fine region and at least one second fine region exist in the diameter of the light beam when light is radiated on the mark element for optical read. Thereby, types of patterns, which one mark element can obtain, are increased.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optically readable identification mark member and a card using such an optical identification mark member, and more particularly to a card such as a credit card, a prepaid card in which a seal for prevention of fake product or fake prevention treatment is provided.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been disclosed a technique in which diffraction grating patterns are added to a card as information recording means or these identification marks are optically read, thereby the card is identified. Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application (PUJPA) 3-71383 (Nishiruma et al.) discloses an optical identification mark using a holographic diffraction grating, and its reading technique.
FIG. 1 shows one example of diffraction grating patterns based on the concept disclosed in the above PUJPA 3-71383. The identification mark comprises a plurality of mark elements such as four mark elements 1a to 1d as shown in the drawing. Each mark element has its own diffraction grating pattern. Such a diffraction grating pattern can be produced by, for example, using a two-beam laser and exposing a photosensitive film with fine interference fringes generated by interference of the two beams.
Reading the mark elements is performed by radiating the laser beam to each element sequentially from the right above and detecting the diffracted light by a plurality of sensors, such as photodiodes. Then, one signal is formed by the diffracted light from each element, and the identification mark, which is formed of a set of four element, is discriminated by the types of plurality of signals, for example, four signals as shown in the drawing, and the order thereof. The own signal, which each element has, is determined based on the principle to be explained as follows.
A first factor concerns a relationship between the direction of the grating pattern and that of the diffracted light. The diffracted light returns to a direction perpendicular to the lines of the gratings. Due to this, if the directions of the grating of elements are different from each other at 90.degree., as in the case between the elements 1a and 1b in FIG. 1, the directions to which the diffracted light return are different from each other at 90.degree. in the plane. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the relationship between the direction of the grating and that of the diffracted light can be understood, though they show the outline of an apparatus used in the present invention.
A second factor concerns a relationship between a spatial frequency of the pattern grating, that is, pitches of lines, and the diffraction angle of the diffracted light. As the spatial frequency of the grating is higher, that is, the pitches of the lines are narrower, the diffraction angle becomes larger. Therefore, as in the case between the elements 1b and 1c in FIG. 1, if the pitches of the lines of the gratings of elements are different from each other, the diffraction angles of the respective diffracted light differ from each other. With reference to FIGS. 16 and 17, the relationship between the spatial frequency of the grating and the diffraction angle of the diffracted light can be understood, though they show the outline of an other apparatus used in the present invention.
However, as shown in FIG. 1, in a case where an identification mark is formed of mark elements having diffraction grating patterns, following problems occur.
Specifically, if the types of patterns are increased in order to increase the types of signals which the mark elements can obtain, the number of sensors (e.g., photodiodes) must be increased in proportion to the number of patterns. If the number of sensors is increased, there occur problems in that the cost of the reading apparatus is increased and reading errors are easily generated.

Optical identification multiple diffraction grating mark member and card using the same


An optical encoder includes: a rotary slit plate having a rotation angle detection track including an optical slit; a light source for applying light to the optical slit; light detecting elements for rotation angle detection and arranged at positions to which light emitted from the light source is applied to the optical slit, to detect the light emitted from the light source and passing through the optical slit; and light detecting elements for light amount monitoring arranged at locations on a circumference in corresponding relationship with positions to which light emitted from the light source is applied to the optical slit, to detect the light emitted from the light source and passing through the optical slit. The light detecting elements for light amount monitoring have an angular width that is an integer multiple of the angular interval of the light intensity distribution on surfaces of the light detecting elements for light amount monitoring.

An optical rotary encoder generally has a light source; a rotary slit plate which is attached to a motor and is provided with a rotation angle detection tracks formed by optical slits for converting light emitted from the light source into pulsed light; and rotation angle detection light receivers responsible for the photoelectric conversion of the pulsed light thereby formed. The rotation angle detection light receivers have light receiving patterns with a pitch corresponding to the pitch of the optical slit. The rotation angle detection light receivers convert light emitted from the light source and modulated by the optical slits into electric signals, and observe the electric signals thereby converted to detect the rotation angle of the motor.
This type of optical rotary encoder is intended to monitor variations of the light amount of the light source without increasing the outer dimensions of the rotary slit plate and without sacrificing the output of a rotation angle detection signal. As an example, patent publication 1 titled "Absolute Encoder" discloses in its claims an optical absolute encoder including: a rotary slit plate with rotational position detection tracks (rotation angle detection tracks) made of optical slits; light emitting elements (light sources) for emitting light; a fixed slit plate with rotational position detection slits corresponding to the rotational position detection tracks and with light amount monitoring slits for monitoring the light amounts from the light emitting elements; light receiving elements for rotational position detection that are arranged in corresponding relationship with the rotational position detection slits; and light receiving elements for light amount monitoring arranged in corresponding relationship with the light amount monitoring slits. In this optical absolute encoder, the light amount monitoring slits of the fixed slit plate are arranged in a circumferential direction in corresponding relationship with the rotational position detection tracks of the rotary slit plate, and some of the rotational position detection tracks are also operative to function as light amount monitoring tracks. It is also disclosed that the width (angular width) of the light amount monitoring slits in the circumferential direction is an integral multiple of the pitch (angular interval) of the optical slits constituting the rotational position detection tracks that also serve as the light amount monitoring tracks.
Patent Publication 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-294666


Radiated from each orbiting satellite of a satellite communication network to M cells (M representing an integer, such as thirty-seven) covered with a predetermined solid angle on the earth, M spot beams are identified by M identification codes. In an earth station which may be a portable unit, a burst signal transmitter device (31) comprises a receiver part (35) receiving one of the spot beams as a received beam at a reception time, to recognize as a recognized code one of the identification codes that identifies the received beam, and a transmitter part (45) for transmitting burst signals at a transmission time delayed from the reception time by an offset amount selected by the recognized code from M offset amounts predetermined for the identification codes. Preferably, the M offset amounts are stored in a memory (43).

This invention relates to burst signal transmission, in a satellite communication network having a plurality of satellites orbiting the earth, between a great number of earth stations which may be fixed stations and/or selectively called mobile stations. In recent practice, the orbiting satellites are often called low earth orbit satellites. More particularly, this invention relates to a method of transmitting a burst signal from an arbitrary one of the earth stations to one of the orbiting satellites, to a burst signal transmitter device for use in such an earth station, and to a transponder for use on each orbiting satellite.
Satellites in geostationary orbit are in general use multiple access communication networks. Such a communication network was proposed circa 1950.
Large scale rockets have recently become available for launching small sized satellites accompanying a large sized satellite. Rockets have also been developed for launching small sized satellites. This has made it economical to launch small sized satellites. As a consequence, attention has been drawn to satellite communication networks employing a plurality of small sized orbiting satellites at low and/or middle orbit altitudes. Such satellite communication networks are superior to network using geostationary satellites because they allow shorter propagations delays between earth stations and compact transmission and reception terminals. As a typical example of communication networks using orbiting satellites, the IRIDIUM system of Motorola, Inc., U.S.A., is described in a report in the Japanese language in the periodical "Nikkei Kommunikeisyon" (Nikkei Communications), No. 112, published by Nikkei BP on the 21st of Oct. 1991, pages 31 to 32. This report is based on a paper entitled "Application of Motorola Satellite Communications, Inc., for a Low Earth Orbit Mobile Satellite System before the Federal Communications Commission, Washington, D.C., December 1990", of which eight pages are available to us, including the title page and two figure pages 1a and 1b.
As be described below in greater detail, it has been unavoidable to use a long guard time in a conventional burst signal transmitter of an earth station of such an orbiting satellite communication network the transmitting burst signals to other earth stations through one of orbiting satellites. The long guard time results in a reduced transmission efficiency.

Burst signal transmission from an earth station to an orbiting satellite with a short guard time


Techniques for providing cost effective and tamper evident prepaid card packaging are described. By containing a relatively wide glued area by gluing two relatively tin side panels together, the resulting package is highly resistant to being slit open on an edge without the effort to open the package being highly evident. A foldover magnetic stripe panel provides additional thickness to a portion of the package typically read by a magnetic strip reader while allowing very thin side panels.

As prepaid cards have become more and more prevalent, techniques for cost effectively packaging such cards in a tamper evident manner are highly desirable. While a wide variety of previous approaches have been tried, many such approaches have failed to provide the right balance of features. For example, a highly secure package may be too hard to open by a legitimate customer after purchase, too expensive or both. A very cost effective package may be too susceptible to fraud.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Methods and apparatus for prepaid card packaging


A metal oxide thin film transistor (TFT) includes a gate electrode, a gate insulating layer, a metal oxide active layer, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. The gate electrode is formed on a substrate. The gate insulating layer is formed on the substrate and covers the gate electrode. The metal oxide active layer is formed on the gate insulating layer. The drain electrode and the source electrode are formed on two opposite ends of the metal oxide active layer in a spaced-apart manner, in which at least one of the orthographic projection of the source electrode and the orthographic projection of the drain electrode on the substrate does not overlap the gate electrode.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor (TFT). More particularly, the present invention relates to a metal oxide TFT.
2. Description of Related Art
With advances in display technology and semiconductor processes, flat panel displays have been used in many kinds of electronic devices. A modern flat panel display has a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate which is formed by a plurality of pixel units arranged in an array. Each pixel unit comprises a driving TFT and a switching TFT. The driving TFT is configured to drive a light-emitting element, and by switching on or off the switching TFT, image data can be stored in each pixel unit. Thus, the image quality of the flat panel display is largely dependent upon the performance of the TFTs therein.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a prior art TFT 100, in which the material of an active layer 140 of the TFT 100 is amorphous silicon. When a voltage larger than a threshold voltage of the TFT 100 is applied to a gate electrode 120, a channel is formed within the amorphous silicon active layer 140, causing the TFT 100 to be switched on. However, due to the low carrier density and carrier mobility in the amorphous silicon, both the orthographic projections of a source electrode 150 and a drain electrode 160 on a substrate 110, which are marked P1, P2 in FIG. 1, are required to overlap the gate electrode 120. Moreover, the low carrier density and carrier mobility in the amorphous silicon also limit the operating speed of the TFT 100, and therefore place limitations on the development of high-quality flat panel displays.
Thus, there is an urgent need to eliminate such defects.


A machine for carrying out a process of treating small parts with a liquid treatment medium, especially for coating the small parts or for chemically deburring the small parts, has a closable container which includes a drum to receive the parts. The drum is rotatingly drivable and adjustable between an inclined axis position and a vertical axis position. The process includes filling the drum with small parts and evacuating the closed container. Filling the container with a treatment medium, with the internal pressure set to a value in excess of the steam pressure of the most liquid component of the treatment medium. Inclining the drum to its inclined axis position and rotatingly driving the drum at a low speed. Ventilating the container and setting the drum to its vertical position.

This application is based upon and claims priority to German Patent Application 199 31 663.5 filed Jul. 8, 1999, which application is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a process and device for treating small parts with a liquid treatment medium, especially for coating small parts or for chemically deburring the small parts, in a treatment machine. The machine comprises a closable container which includes a drum to receive the parts. The drum is rotatingly drivable and adjustable between an inclined axis position and a vertical axis position.
Processes and machines have been developed and produced by the Applicant for some time. Examples are found in the following patents: DE 31 21 397 C1, DE 32 30 108 C2, DE 34 20 859 C2 and DE 42 02 880 C1. In each of these cases, the perforated drum that receives the small parts is designed to be releasable from its driving means in the machine. Thus, the drum can be filled and emptied outside the machine. In consequence, the drum, together with the small parts, can be inserted into different machines with identical driving means. The machines serve to carry out different treatment stages. The different treatment stages are carried out in the different machines. The small parts are frequently oiled during mechanical production and then subjected to de-oiling and washing processes as well as to surface treatment processes. It is also possible for chemical deburring to take place between the processes.
With these treatment stages, small parts with cavities that are open on only one side often suffer from air inclusion in the cavities. As a result of inadequate cleaning and/or inadequate coating, this leads to defective regions on the parts. Eventually, this turns the small parts into rejects, for either purely visual reasons or because of a reduced functional ability. If these cavities are particularly small, even agitating the small parts in the drum driven in an inclined position cannot reliably eliminate the air inclusions.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved process and a machine to carry out the process which improves the quality of the treated small parts.
The inventive sequence of process stages includes: Filling the drum with small parts and evacuating the closed container; filling the container with a treatment medium, while the internal pressure is set to a value in excess of the steam pressure of the most volatile component of the treatment medium; inclining the axis position of the drum and rotatingly driving the drum at a low speed; and ventilating the container and setting the drum to the vertical position.
Depending on the process to be carried out, the treatment medium is a coating medium for surface coating or it is an etching fluid for chemical deburring.
By evacuating the container down to a very low internal pressure, for example, in the range of 20 millibar, even the cavities in the small parts are evacuated. Thus, any defect-causing air pockets cannot occur in the cavities when, subsequently, the treatment fluid is introduced into the container. The internal pressure is reduced to the lowest possible level feasible at technically acceptable efforts.
On the other hand, by setting the internal pressure to a higher vacuum level, for example, in the range of 40 millibar, the treatment fluid is prevented from boiling. This is due to the fact that 40 millibar is just in excess of the steam pressure of the most volatile component of the treatment fluid boiling at the lowest temperature. Thus, this prevents the occurrence of a new source of defects and ensures an effective treatment with a treatment fluid which is free from vapor bubbles. A higher vacuum level in the container, for treatment purposes, is partially set automatically by introducing the liquid volume. Renewed evacuation may possibly have to take place for pressure setting purposes.
The drum is rotatingly driven in the inclined axis position for a longer period of time. Next, the container is ventilated and the drum is moved into the vertical position. Accordingly, the defect-free coated parts can be lifted together with the drum from the machine. However, according to a preferred embodiment, first the treatment fluid is pumped off. The drum, in the vertical axis position, is then rotated at an increased speed in order to centrifuge the treatment fluid off the parts as far as possible. This prevents the treatment fluid from being carried over before the subsequent process stages are carried out in the same machine or in a different machine. The treatment process is preferably repeated several times before the drum with the small parts is finally removed from the machine. During the subsequent centrifuging operation, hot air can be blown into the container or the container can again be evacuated. This time it is evacuated down to an internal pressure which is lower than the steam pressure of the treatment fluid. This enables the small parts to dry as quickly as possible.
To complement the above process, it can be preceded by process stages of washing and rinsing the small parts in the same machine. The individual stages can fully correspond to the inventive process stages. A suitable washing or rinsing liquid is used in each case. In particular, in this case, too, it is proposed to evacuate the container prior to introducing the fluid to eliminate air inclusions. Also, the vacuum is set to a level which is in excess of the steam pressure in order to avoid the formation of vapor bubbles. In the same way that the treatment process is improved by the above measures, likewise the preceding washing and rinsing processes are also improved. Here, complete and defect-free moistening of the surfaces of the small parts including their cavities is ensured.
An inventive machine to carry out the above process has a container with a drum arranged in the container. The drum is adjustably rotatingly drivable between a vertical axis position and an inclined axis position. The drum is drivable at at least one lower speed in the inclined axis position and at at least one higher speed in the vertical axis position. An airtight closure of the container is also possible. A mechanism to evacuate the container is included. Further, the machine includes a mechanism to introduce a liquid treatment medium when the container is in a closed and evacuated condition. A mechanism to pump off the liquid treatment medium from the container and a mechanism to control the internal pressure in the container are part of the machine.
The container is connected by pipelines to one or several tanks of the proposed treatment fluids. The tanks contain pumps and shut-offs. Furthermore, the container is connected, via suitable pipelines, to at least one vacuum pump. The exit of the vacuum pump, if necessary, is connected to a mechanism to condense and return pumped off vapors to the tank/tanks.
According to further embodiments, the container includes a hot air ventilator connected to the container interior. Also, it may include at least one ultrasound generator arranged in the container interior.
According to another embodiment, the drum, in an axial sectional view, can be xcfx89-shaped (similar to a ring-shaped cake tin opening towards the top) and include a perforated surface.
To reduce the amount of treatment fluid to be introduced, the container can directly and co-axially enclose the drum. Together with the drum, the container can be adjusted from an inclined axis position into a vertical axis position. An advantage of this design is that the required adjusting device can be arranged in uncomplicated surroundings outside the container and is thus easily accessible.
From the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings and subjoined claims, other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.

Process of and device for treating small parts with a liquid treatment medium


The monomer transfer device of this invention includes a syringe adapted to receive an ampule and adapted for connection to a vacuum source such that with the ampule open within the syringe body, the monomer is vacuumed out of the ampule and into the mixing container. Alternative embodiments accept an unbroken ampule and include an offset designed to break the ampule at its predetermined break point to permit the contents of the ampule to be vacuumed from the ampule and transferred to the mixing container. A small mesh filter or screen may be included to any of the ampule before it reaches the mixing container. Once the ampule is inserted into the syringe, an end cap is connected to close the syringe and maintain any fumes within the syringe. In the alternative embodiments, the end cap acts to force the ampule against the offset so as to cause the ampule to break.

Bone cement, as used in orthopaedic surgery, generally consists of a liquid monomer component mixed with a dry polymer component. The nature of bone cement requires that this mixing take place minutes before its use. Therefore, the bone cement components are usually prepackaged in exact quantities and mixed in the operating room environment.
A problem with bone cement in general is that the fumes given off during the chemical reaction in mixing are highly offensive to operating room personnel. A number of systems have been developed wherein the mixing container is connected to a vacuum port to draw the fumes out of the operating room. It is not uncommon for the liquid monomer, typically packaged in breakable ampules, to be poured into the mixing container before the container is closed and connected to the vacuum port.


A high-frequency clock generator with low power consumption is made up of a single phase-locked loop and a serially-connected sampling circuit coupled thereto. The phase-locked loop includes a voltage-controlled oscillator which is configured to provide multiple low-frequency oscillating clock signals each of which has the same frequency but with different phases. The sampling circuit includes at least one stage of sampler, and each stage of sampler includes at least one sampling unit. The sampling circuit samples the low-frequency oscillating clock signals with different phase, in order to generate a clock signal with a frequency being 2n times as the frequency of the low-frequency oscillating clock signals generated by the phase-locked loop, and where n is the number of stages of the sampler in the sampling circuit.

For a variety of integrated circuit devices, a clock generator is indispensable for providing clock signals to actuate the operation of an integrated circuit devices. For some integrated circuits (or ICs) involved in specific technical applications, for example, the Gigabit Ethernet Serdes IC, a high-frequency clock generator is essential to the IC for providing high-frequency clock signals to drive the IC to work at a high frequency.
Referring to FIG. 1, a feasible high-frequency clock generator of the prior art is made up of a single phase-locked loop (PLL)1. The axioms for the phase-locked loop 1 to generate high-frequency clock signals is on the basis of enabling the voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) thereof to oscillate directly at a desired high frequency to output high-frequency clock signals. As is well known in the related art, the phase-locked loop 1 utilizes a negative feedback loop to generate an output oscillating clock signal in synchronization with the phase/frequency of the input clock signal, and an output voltage Vo proportional to the variation of the input clock frequency. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the phase-locked loop 1 includes a phase/frequency detector 11, a charge pump 12, a low-pass filter 13, a voltage-controlled oscillator 14 and a frequency divider 15. The phase-locked loop 1 is configured to generate an output clock signal of a frequency fVCO being N times as the input clock frequency fi, and the phase θVCO of the output clock signal fVCO is kept in synchronization with the phase θi of the input clock signal fi. However, if the PLL 1 is configured to directly oscillate at a high frequency to output high-frequency clock signals, the voltage-controlled oscillator 14 will consume considerable power. And what is worse, because the power consumption of the VCO 14 is approximately proportional to the square of its operating frequency, as the operating frequency of the VCO 14 rises, the power consumption of the whole PLL 1 will grow up approximately in an exponential fashion. Therefore, the prior art of using a single PLL as a high-frequency clock generator is a quite power-consuming practice.
FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of another high-frequency clock generator according to the prior art. In FIG. 2, the clock generator 2 includes a PLL 21, a delayed lock loop (DLL) 22 and a logic circuit 23. The way of generating high-frequency clock signals by the clock generator of FIG. 2 depends on the PLL 21 to generate low-frequency clock signals fL and the DLL 22 to impose phase delays on the low-frequency clock signals fL to generate multiple low-frequency clock signals with a constant phase difference (f1, f2, . . . ). The logic circuit 23 receives the multiple low-frequency clock signals (f1, f2, . . . ) and outputs high-frequency clock signals fH in the control of the control signal fCTRL. Comparing the high-frequency clock generator of FIG. 2 with that of FIG. 1, the circuit topology of the high-frequency clock generator of FIG. 2 though does not require the PLL 21 to work at a high frequency, a DLL 22 is additionally required and a control signal fCTRL is needed for switching the logic states of the logic circuit 23. Further, the relationships among the parameters of the control signal fCTRL and of the multiple low-frequency clock signals (f1, f2, . . . ), for example, skew, duty cycle, setup time, hold time, etc., are difficult to control, and the relationships among the clock signals in the DLL 22 are somewhat difficult to handle.
It is inclined to look for a high-frequency clock generator with low power consumption, which can receive a low-frequency input clock signal and outputs a high-frequency clock signal of a frequency being N×2n times as the input clock frequency.

High-frequency clock generator with low power consumption


The invention is a material unloader having an automatic hydraulic mechanism and frame for removably securing underneath a body of a dump truck. The mechanism has a support platform having two channels and two coupling means. The frame has a platform, a pair of longitudinal flanges coupled together by a stabilizing bracket, a plurality of cross-braces extending therebetween, and an outside surface having a plurality of rollers which are accepted into the channels of the mechanism for automatic actuation. The platform of the frame supports a chain driven conveyor assembly including an endless drive mechanism having a pair of parallel drive chains.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention generally relates to conveyers, and more specifically, to an automated material unloader positionable horizontally underneath a bed of a dump truck for transporting material within the bed to a dump site using a chain driven conveyor assembly powered by a hydraulic fluid system.
Truck transportation holds an important place in commerce. Private businesses and individuals contract with trucking and warehousing companies to pick up, transport, store, and deliver a variety of goods. Public works trucks undertake the tasks of loading and unloading various types of materials like snow from plowed roads, asphalt for repairing and paving roads, soil for city gardening, and garbage for transport to dumpsters. As a result, cities and towns rely heavily on the efficient unloading of materials from trucks because most projects are taxpayer funded, and therefore bottom line costs are in the public eye.
Specifically, unloading a dump truck is no easy task. A dump truck unloads its contents, usually loose material, by tilting its bed backward. The gate at the rear of the truck's bed must be manually opened and allow gravity to pull the material downward onto the ground directly behind the truck. However, often times a large portion of material gets stuck in the bed of the truck, requiring a person to jump into the bed and physically shovel-out the remaining material. The exhausting task of unloading large quantities of material is not something workers are fond of, especially when the material is heavy or when temperatures reach extreme highs and lows. More importantly, shoveling material from a truck's bed puts physical strain on workers' bodies, placing them at risk of serious physical injuries such as lower back sprains and broken bones. Furthermore, the exhaustion caused by unloading trucks leads to reduced production by workers who cannot work as efficiently when fatigued.
Currently, when material is unloaded from a dump truck, the placement of the load is limited to directly behind the bed of the truck where it must be shoveled or moved to the desired location. This area is hard for a truck driver to see even with the assistance of rearview mirrors. The present invention feeds material directly to the desired locations, thereby solving this problem.
Therefore, there is a need for an unloading mechanism which facilitates the unloading of loose material from trucks, which does not require a worker to shovel loose material from the truck's bed, which eliminates injuries associated with shoveling, which increases time efficiency of unloading material from a truck, which reduces the manpower needed to unload material from a truck, which may be used over and over yet requires no maintenance, and can dump material from the side of a truck.
2. Description of the Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 3,583,645 to Murray et. al, discloses a material spreader for a dump truck is pivotally attached to the rear of the truck body in a normally fixed position and has a transverse bar flight conveyor and a spinner assembly which is self-leveling. The truck tailgate forms an end wall when truck is used for spreading material and has side shields to contain such material. A cover for the conveyor in the closed position provides a smooth surface to permit the truck to be used for conventional hauling, dumping, etc. and in an open position is attachable to the end gate to uncover the conveyor. A pressure plate on the cover operates an indicator in the cab to signal when the spreader needs more material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,819,950 to McCloskey discloses a portable trammel has a chassis, including support wheels at one end thereof for movement of the trammel. A trammel is rotatably mounted on the chassis and has, an input and an output end. A hopper and an input conveyor, for supplying material to be screened to the input end of the trammel, are mounted on the chassis adjacent the input end of the trammel. An output or fines conveyor, for collecting material passing through the trammel screen is mounted on the chassis, below the trammel. A stockpiling conveyor is mounted on the chassis and has a lower end adapted receive screened material from the fines conveyor and an upper end for discharging screened material to form a stockpile. The stockpiling conveyor can be in two parts, which can be folded into a retracted position for storage and transportation, and further can be mounted for rotation about a vertical axis to enable an arcuate storage pile to be formed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,897 to Doyle discloses a conveyor for transferring loose bulk material, such as fertilizer and the like, in a manner which minimizes the creation of airborne dust includes structure for movably supporting the material to be transferred, structure for automatically cleaning the movable support during movement of material thereon and for causing the structure for movably supporting the material to be transferred to move.
U.S. Patent App. No 20010001637 to Zanzig, discloses a refuse collection vehicle including a collection towing vehicle having a refuse loading mechanism for loading a semi-trailer coupled to a fifth wheel, the semi-trailer having a refuse collection body for receiving refuse from the refuse loading mechanism and a hoist mechanism for tilting the refuse collection body. The refuse collection system also includes a refuse transport vehicle which includes a transport towing vehicle having a fifth wheel for receiving a semi-trailer, and a dolly which may be coupled to the semi-trailer for towing additional semi-trailers. A control assembly is coupled to the refuse collection vehicle and the transport towing vehicle including the dolly, having control couplings for interconnection of control assemblies and control umbilicals for providing control to the various devices.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,579 to Naruns, discloses a bulk material unloader in which a clamshell bucket is suspended from a boom which is luffed from a position over the material to be unloaded through the vertical to a position over a bulk material receiving hopper. The hoists and/or the anchors for the bucket hold and close ropes are mounted on the unloader base on the opposite side of the hopper from the boom pivot such that the suspended length of the hold and close ropes is increased as the boom is luffed through the vertical and the bucket is thereby lowered into the hopper with the hoists remaining inactive until the bucket is in position to be opened and discharged with minimum dusting effect.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,563 to Esh, et al. discloses an unloader for an unmodified dump truck which uses a temporarily installed conveyor along the flat bottom to dispense materials. Two struts of angle iron extend out from the conveyor to the bin sides and are pressed against the sides by threaded fittings. The struts hold the end of the conveyor in place, but permit simple and quick installation and removal.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,769 to Morey, et al. discloses a system for handling wood chips wherein an unloader vehicle unloads the chips from a truck trailer or the like to a transfer vehicle, adapted to be positioned, adjacent the trailer, and having a roadway on which the unloader vehicle travels as it moves in a to-and-fro path of travel to and from the trailer. The roadway is provided with a grid which supports the unloader vehicle and includes openings therein of such size as to pass free-falling chips deposited by the unloader vehicle. A chip receiving conveyor mechanism is disposed below the grid for receiving the chips and conveying them to the opposite end of the vehicle where they are transferred to a blower which provides a high velocity airstream to carry the chips to, and pile them at, a remote location.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,394,735 to Hollinrake, et al. discloses a vehicle including a combination body for selectively dumping and spreading materials. The vehicle includes, at least, a chassis and a body pivotably secured to the chassis at a hinge. The body is comprised of front and rear ends having upper and lower edges and first and second side walls having lower edges. A hoist is provided which extends between the body and the chassis for pivoting the body about the hinge. A conveyor assembly is also included, the assembly comprising an endless conveyor disposed adjacent to at least a portion of the lower edges of the side walls and extending beyond the rear end of the body; a tailgate pivotably connected to the rear end of the body and having an opening therein to permit material to be transported therethrough by the endless conveyor, the tailgate being selectively pivotable with respect to the body about a lower axis disposed adjacent the lower edge of the tailgate or about an upper axis disposed adjacent the top edge of the tailgate; a cover assembly extending rearwardly from the tailgate which is pivotably attached to the tailgate at a pivot axis, wherein the cover assembly rotates about the pivot axis upon contact with the conveyor assembly when the tailgate pivots about the lower axis; and a spreader cooperating with the conveyor assembly for spreading the material.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,033,179 to Abbott, discloses a clean-out apparatus for use in a trailer of the type having a reciprocating floor conveyor system for conveying and unloading large quantities of granular material. The clean-out apparatus is designed to minimize the residual granular material that remains on the reciprocating floor of the truck after the floor is reciprocated to unload the granular material. The clean-out apparatus comprises a reel adapted for rotatable support from the trailer, adjacent the forward end wall thereof, and a flexible clean-out cover movable from a first retracted, position where it is coiled around the reel to a second uncoiled extended position adjacent the rear door opening. Importantly, when the clean-out cover is in the first retracted position, it is disposed such that a portion thereof extends over the reciprocating floor, under a portion of the granular material adjacent the forward end wall of the trailer. With this arrangement, the clean-out cover moves from the first retracted position to the second extended position responsive to frictional engagement with the reciprocating floor as the same is reciprocated to convey the granular material rearward through the rear door opening. Conversely, the clean-out cover is movable from the second extended position to the first retracted position responsive to rotation of the reel following the unloading of the granular material.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,673 to Thene, discloses an aggregate distributor on the rear of a truck dump box including an elongate housing extending transversely across the end of the truck and having a multiplicity of discharge ports through which the aggregate is dropped onto spinners swingably suspended from the distributor housing, a square tubular rotary shaft in the housing carrying conveying, mixing and agitating vanes which are rotationally adjustable on the shaft to cause aggregate to be propelled along the shaft in various directions, in accordance with the discharge ports that are open.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,390 to Burke, discloses a device which unloads materials from a vehicle cargo area such as the bed of a pickup truck. A pair of mounting brackets are bolted to opposite sides of the vehicle bed. Pivoted to the brackets are the front ends of rigid frame arms which carry a rotatable drum between their back ends. A flexible conveyor sheet is wound on the drum and can be unwound onto the vehicle bed to receive materials loaded therein. A motor driven or manually operated drive system rotates the drum to unload the cargo as the conveyor sheet is wound up on the drum. The pivotal mounting of the frame arms permits them to be raised with the tailgate of the vehicle to a storage position during transport of the load.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,893 to Gilmore, et al., discloses an extendable trailer for loading and unloading items from a truck trailer, or other type of transportation unit, includes a user interface section. The user interface section is cantilever supported and both longitudinally and horizontally movable. The user interface section is attached to a mechanically extendable section that includes a conveying surface separate from the conveying surface of the user interface section. The user interface section may be vertically pivotable and may include a locking system which allows longitudinal movement of the user interface section only when the mechanically extendable section is in a fully retracted position. A cable retracting unit is positioned on the mechanically extendable section adjacent the user interface section and takes up slack in the power cable supplying power to the user interface section.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,874 to Dahlin, et al., discloses a conveyor coupled to a skid motor vehicle operates to unload bulk granular material from a railroad hopper car. The conveyor has an obtuse configured frame supporting an endless belt extended about an idler roller and a driven roller. A hydraulic motor mounted on the frame supplied with hydraulic fluid under pressure from the hydraulic system of the motor vehicle rotates the drive roller thereby moving the belt relative to the frame and mount thereon. A pair of transverse tubular box members are secured to the bottom of the frame to accommodate forks attached to the skid motor vehicle whereby the skid motor vehicle can lift the conveyor and transport it to another location.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,373,845 to Henke, discloses a material transport and self-unloading vehicle having an open top hopper for accommodating bulk material, as animal feeds. A first material conveying auger is located along the bottom of the hopper for moving material toward a side discharge opening in the hopper. A second paddle auger is located above the first auger for moving material rearwardly in the hopper. A side unloading conveyor mounted on the side of the hopper adjacent the side discharge opening operates to receive material moved through the discharge opening by the first auger and move the material laterally of the hopper to a discharge or feeding location. A drive assembly drivably connects a power take-off drive shaft to the first and second augers and unloading conveyor for concurrent operation of the augers and unloading conveyor. The bottom wall of the hopper has a curved section extended contiguously around the leading section of the flights of the first auger and a linear bend or break line located adjacent the leading side of the first auger in a horizontal plane that generally intersects the axis of rotation of the first auger.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,813,839 to Compton, discloses a portable self-powered load conveyer is structured on a wheeled frame with a drive-over ramp feature allowing ground level loading of bulk materials. Pivotally attached to the wheeled frame, is an elevator with height adjustment mechanics for depositing the bulk materials as required at a higher level. The wheeled frame is equipped with retractable street wheels and a tow hitch for moving the conveyer from job site to job site by towing. Dual sets of positionable wheels, also on the frame, allows backward, forward, turning, and sideways self-powered movement of the conveyer assemblage around the job site. The self-powering is accomplished by an installed internal combustion engine and controlled hydraulic pressurized mechanics. The control arrangement allows for the entire conveyer assemblage to be managed by a single operator.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,066 to Kirsch, discloses a new grain unloading system using an integrated ramp, horizontal transfer conveyor and elevating system. The unit is towed, positioned and powered by an agricultural tractor.


CVD is performed without damaging a micro-fabricated semiconductor element. An organic material gas containing amine is used as deposition material gas. The material gas is introduced into a vacuum chamber and ultraviolet light radiated from each of lamps is applied onto an object to be processed that is placed in the chamber, thereby causing chemical vapor deposition to be carried out, whereby a film is grown at a temperature such that no damage is given to a semiconductor element or the like of the object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of forming a film such as an insulating film, a protective film or the like employed in a semiconductor element or the like, and particularly to a method capable of forming a film without giving damage to a semiconductor element or the like in a forming process.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the manufacture of a semiconductor integrated circuit, for example, an insulating film is made up of SiO2 or the like, and a protective film is made up of a nitride film such as Si3N4. These films are generally formed by a Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) method but has heretofore been formed by a plasma CVD method (see Patent Documents 1 and 2) or thermal CVD methods such as an LP (Low Pressure) CVD method or the like.
For example, the nitride film made up of Si3N4 is grown by an LPCVD method done at a high reaction temperature ranging from 800° C. to 900° C. using dichlorosilane and ammonia gases as material gases.
There was also known an ECR-CVD method (Electron Cycrotron Resonance-Chemical Vapor Deposition method) (see Patent Document 3).
However, a drawback arose in that when the protective film or the insulating film was deposited by the thermal CVD method, plasma CVD method or ECR-CVD method referred to above, damage was given to the semiconductor integrated circuit.
Described specifically, the spread of a diffused layer has occurred due to a high reaction temperature in the case of the thermal CVD method. Further, a semiconductor element has suffered damage due to charged particles in plasma in the case of the plasma CVD method. Furthermore, about 400° C. is considered to be needed as the temperature of an electrochemical reaction even in the case of the ECR-CVD method although it is less than expected by the thermal CVD method. Thus, the spread of a diffused layer occurred.
On the other hand, when the semiconductor integrated circuit is micro-fabricated, each of MOSFETs (Metal Oxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistors) formed in such a semiconductor integrated circuit, for example, becomes constructionally short in gate length, and the depth of a diffused layer such as a channel becomes shallow and its width becomes also narrow. Thus, a defective condition such as the spread of the diffused layer due to the above-described heat is now becoming a problem to be solved, which is important to the micro-fabricated semiconductor integrated circuit.
Patent Documents 1, 2 and 3
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 6(1994)-283520: refer particularly to paragraph 0077.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. Hei 11(1999)-214670
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-15698


A battery management system used to monitor a number of batteries. This battery management system includes a number of isolation circuits electrically connected to the batteries. The battery management system includes a measuring unit electrically connected to the isolation circuits to turn on or off the isolation circuits and measure voltages simultaneously of the batteries when the isolation circuits are turned on by the measuring unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a battery system.
2. Description of Related Art
As problems, such as environmental contamination and resource exhaustion, increase, interest in systems for storing energy and efficiently using the stored energy also increase. There is also increased interest in renewable energy that does not cause pollution during power generation. Thus, research into energy storage systems, which may be used with renewable energy, a power storage battery system, and existing grid power, has been actively conducted as changes occur in the environment.
The above information disclosed in this Related Art section is only for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Battery system, method of controlling the same, and energy storage system including the battery system


Switching regulator Burst Mode control circuitry is provided for limiting voltage overshoot at the output of a switching regulator operating in power saving Burst Mode. The Burst Mode control circuitry may include regulator load current sensing circuitry which may be operative to put and maintain the regulator in the SLEEP state when the load current amplitude is below a threshold. The control circuitry may also include gated over-voltage comparator circuitry operative to reduce regulator output overshoot and to eliminate erroneous deactivation of the regulator switch circuitry when the regulator is not operating in Burst Mode. The gated over-voltage circuitry may include a one-shot timer circuit.

This invention relates to output over-voltage reduction in switching regulators. Methods and circuits are provided for reducing voltage overshoot at the output of switching voltage regulators operating in burst mode.
Switching regulators are used to provide stable voltage and current supplies. Switching regulators may be used to produce DC voltages of various amplitudes from DC input voltages of smaller or greater amplitude than the output voltage. Switching regulators may also be used to produce DC voltages of various amplitudes from AC input voltages.
Switching regulator circuits consume power even when the regulator is supplying little or no power to a load. In order to reduce the power consumption of switching regulators when they are providing little or no power to their load, switching regulators may be configured to operate in a power saving mode, or Burst Mode™. When operating in the Burst Mode, a switching regulator may monitor the power being consumed at its output and may alternate between two states of operation, a SLEEP state and a WAKE state, depending on the output load power requirements. If the load requires little or no power, the regulator may go into the SLEEP state in which the regulator switching circuits are substantially turned OFF in order to conserve power. If the load requires more power, the regulator may go into the WAKE state in which the switching circuits are turned ON and supply power to the output load.
While switching regulators may include Burst Mode control circuitry operative to put the regulator in either the WAKE or SLEEP state depending on the load power requirements, the circuitry may detrimentally affect the performance of the regulator. For example, the circuitry may limit the regulator's ability to maintain a stable regulator output voltage or current by allowing the output signal to vary excessively. The circuitry may also cause the regulator to remain in the WAKE state even though the load no longer requires large amounts of power.

Methods and circuits for output over-voltage reduction in switching regulators