This invention relates to a new and distinctive male asparagus hybrid called ‘M256’. ‘M256’ has the ability to confer desirable traits on its progeny, such as early spear emergence, and produces offspring that have a higher proportion of marketable spears.

Asparagus is a dioecious species with individual plants being either male or female. Asparagus cultivars that have been most commonly used for fresh market green asparagus in the major growing regions of California include, Atlas, Grande, Ida Lea, and UC157. These cultivars are all produced from crossing a genetically unique male clone with a genetically unique female clone to produce F1 seed.

The Regents of the University of California


The chimney cleaning apparatus includes a soot-scraping scrubber attached to an adjustable handle. A receptacle is also attached to the handle for receiving the dislodged soot particles therein. In one embodiment, a vacuum system is attached to the receptacle for withdrawing the soot particles therefrom to facilitate cleanup. The apparatus can be adjusted to clean the chimney from hearth level or from roof level by switching the position of the soot-scraping scrubber and the receptacle.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to chimneys, and particularly to a chimney cleaning apparatus and method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Burning fossil fuels (wood, coal, etc.) in furnaces, stoves and fireplaces produces soot particles that coat the inside surfaces of flues and chimneys. The soot particles contain combustible materials that will readily ignite and burn under the proper conditions, often resulting in dangerous and damaging fires. Regular cleaning would prevent the buildup of soot on the interior walls of the chimneys and flues, thus lessening the chances of a dangerous fire.
There are many tools disclosed in the related art that are utilized for dislodging soot from the walls of chimneys and flues. Unfortunately, these tools have proven to be less than satisfactory, since they often involve dangerous ascents to the roof of a home or building and since they lack the ability to collect the dislodged soot, thereby assuring a messy cleanup. The art would certainly welcome a soot-cleaning apparatus that could be utilized from either the hearth or from roof level, and that would allow thorough chimney or flue cleaning while efficiently collecting dislodged soot. Thus, a chimney cleaning method and apparatus solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS


A differential gear system with a three-step control mechanism uses the axial motion of a single member to achieve three functions of ON, OFF and LOCK. The differential gear system has a locking mechanism installed in the planetary gear carrier between two planetary gears thereof. Extra space for the locking mechanism is not necessary. It can be applied to differential gear systems with spiral bevel gears and with regular gears. The locking mechanism can be mounted between two planetary gears of the planetary gear carrier or on the shaft of the planetary gear corresponding to the other planetary gear connected with the clutch sleeve. Accordingly, the differential gear system with a three-step control mechanism comprises a left shaft, a right shaft and a planetary gear carrier between the left shaft and the right shaft. The left shaft and the right shaft are respectively one-piece axles provided with end connecting sections.

Automobile differential gear system of the prior art have three functions: ON, OFF and LOCK. The ON and OFF functions are traditionally assigned in a common control unit, whereas the LOCK function is attributed to another mechanism. However, this design does not provide adroit control. The invention disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,428 is an example, in which the input shaft for the differential gear is switchable between ON and OFF. But the shaft is designed to be a double-section type, having merely the functions of ON and OFF.
On the other hand, the inventions disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,634,978 and 6,450,915 have the functions ON, OFF and LOCK are all disposed behind a side gear on one side of a planetary gear carrier, wherein a slide sleeve will be shifted stepwise to engage and drive the side gear or the planetary gear carrier. However, the engagement between the sleeve and the planetary gear carrier is realized behind the side gear on the inner rim of the outer shell of the sleeve. Therefore, not only the size of the control mechanism is enlarged but also the weight and the production cost are increased.

Differential gear system with a three-step control mechanism


The invention relates to an electromagnetic valve device having an armature (18) which is moveable in an axial direction in a valve housing (10) in response to energizing of a stationary coil (12), and which is designed to interact with a first valve seat (22) associated with a fluid inlet connection (26) of the valve housing, a first fluid flow path (36) being formed in the valve housing such that fluid flowing through the opened first valve seat can flow in order to actuate a plunger (32) moveable relative to the armature (18) and to which a preloading force is applied, the actuation causing a second valve seat (43) interacting with the plunger (32) to be opened to produce a fluid connection to a fluid working connection (42) of the valve housing, and the valve housing having a fastening structure (44, 46) in the form of at least one hole extending at an angle to the axial direction, the fluid inlet connection (26) and the working connection (42) being formed on the same axial side of the valve housing in relation to the structure means.

The present invention relates to an electromagnetic valve device according to the preamble of the main claim. The present invention also relates to a system having a plurality of such electromagnetic valve devices, and the present invention relates to the use of such an electromagnetic valve device.
Electromagnetic valve devices according to the preamble of the main claim are generally known from the prior art and are used, for instance, for a wide variety of switching and control purposes, in particular in the form of pneumatic valves in the context of motor vehicles, in particular utility vehicles. In a conventional configuration, for instance in the form of a 3/2-way pneumatic valve having three fluid (pneumatic) connections and two switching positions, the armature means effect the switching movably in response to the energizing of stationary coil means in the valve housing, in an otherwise known manner; in the present, more specific context of what are known as booster-assisted valves, an additional mechanical boosting function of the fluid circuit is implemented. Specifically, again in the manner in question, the controlled movement of the armature means effects the opening and closing of a first valve seat associated with the fluid inlet connection (pressure connection) of the valve housing. The open first valve seat allows the inflowing pneumatic fluid to enter a first fluid flow path, from where the fluid acts to actuate plunger means (as an essential assembly of the booster technology). In the process, the fluid pressure of the fluid flowing into the inlet connection overcomes a counter force (generated by a preloading spring or similar energy storage means, for instance) of the plunger means and moves them until a second valve seat (which has been closed by the plunger means until now) is opened. This then allows the fluid to flow to the fluid outlet connection.
In particular against the background of a larger realizable (fluid) cross-section, such booster technology for providing mechanical force assistance for electromagnetically operated valves has become established and proven effective.
However, the plunger means which are used therefor and are designed to interact with the second valve seat require additional axial installation space in the valve housing ("axial" in the context of the present application meaning a movement direction of the armature means, in this respect and preferably corresponding to an extension or longitudinal axis of the valve housing), in particular in case the plunger means, as an essential booster assembly, axially continue the armature means in the valve housing. Owing to restricted installation conditions, for instance in the context of motor vehicles, there is a need for optimization and shortening, not least when a generic valve housing also has, in addition to the fluid inlet connection and fluid working connection (which usually project in a flange-like manner from the housing shell), fastening means which has at least one hole, but typically a pair of bores extending transversely to the axial direction for screw-fastenings or the like to be used for mounting purposes. As well as the installation space needed to accommodate the coil means (including the connector section which sits on the outside of the housing), there is thus an axial extent in need of optimization.
In generic valve devices assumed to be generally known from the prior art, it is known, not least to optimize the axial dimension of a known valve housing, to provide the plunger means geometrically in the axial region of the fastening means; it is in particular known, if the fastening means are in the form of a pair of mutually parallel fastening bores, to accommodate the plunger means between said bores in the housing.
While this measure is favorable from a standpoint of an optimized axial extent of the valve housing, technical disadvantages are also produced: Firstly, the geometry of the fastening means (which is usually based on standardized holes or on standardized distances between the bores) limits an effective transverse extent of the plunger means, in this respect also a force application area for the fluid usable for the booster effect. Secondly, such a solution means that again the fluid inlet connection and the fluid working connection must be arranged on mutually opposite sides of the fastening means (that is, usually of the pair of fastening bores) in the axial extension direction of the valve housing, which in turn entails a negative effect on a total axial extent of the device.
Furthermore, U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,818 A and US 2003/193149 A1 are known from the prior art.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,757,818 A describes two normally closed three-way main valves which are connected in series in order to supply fluid to an outlet port. In the closed positions, the valves establish parallel connections from the outlet port to the ventilation. If one of the two valves is stuck in an open or partially open position, the movement of the remaining valve into its closed position offers a good ventilation capability. Additionally, there is no substantial pressure at the outlet port until both valves are displaced into the respective open position. The movement of one of the two valves into its outlet position stops the air supply to the outlet port entirely and allows for a direct outlet connection.
US 2003/193149 A1 discloses a kneeling valve assembly for transport vehicles to enable a quick and convenient kneeling operation to permit safe ingress and egress from the vehicle.
The kneeling valve assembly employs a suspension member positioned between the vehicle body and the axle of the transport vehicle to raise and lower the transport vehicle relative to a ground level. The kneeling valve assembly includes a first valve that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet passage and the suspension member to raise the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A second valve is provided that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the suspension member and the exhaust passage to lower the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. A leveling trigger is fluidly coupled to the inlet passage and is operable to determine a height of the transport vehicle relative to the ground level. Finally, a third valve is provided that is operable to selectively permit fluid flow between the inlet passage and the suspension member to maintain a predetermined height above the ground level.

Electromagnetic valve device and use thereof


A composite fabric for use as a roof lining material made of a multilayer base sheet of a meltblown web of bicomponent fibers sandwiched between two spunbond sheet layers of bicomponent sheath-core fibers and a spunbond top sheet of bicomponent sheath-core fibers wherein the base sheet and top sheet are joined in a manner such that the moisture vapor permeability of the composite fabric is not substantially reduced from the moisture vapor permeability of the base sheet alone.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to composite nonwoven fabrics suited for use as breathable roof lining.
2. Description of the Related Art
Moisture vapor permeable roof lining or roofing underlayment materials are intended to protect the interior of a building from the ingress or penetration of water or rain, while allowing moisture vapor to escape from within the building. As such, materials in this application need a high degree of liquid barrier and moisture vapor permeability.
EP Patent Number 880628 B discloses a moisture vapor permeable roofing underlayment comprising a meltblown layer sandwiched between two spunbond layers, optionally treated with hydrophobic additives. The meltblown layer is heat treated in order to make it more film-like. The patent discloses the use of polypropylene and polyurethane in the meltblown layer.
EP Patent Number 742305 B discloses a moisture vapor permeable composite fabric suitable for building construction uses, including roofing underlayment, in which a meltblown layer is sandwiched between two spunbond layers. The meltblown layer is compressed in order to reduce the pore size. Hydrophobic additives may be included in the layers.
It would be desirable to have a roof lining material with a high degree of liquid barrier and with good moisture vapor permeability that does not require special treatment of the meltblown layer to achieve a low pore size.

Composite fabric with high water repellency


A lift device for a rotor blade and a method for increasing the lift of a rotor blade for a wind turbine are disclosed. The rotor blade has exterior surfaces defining a pressure side and a suction side extending between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The lift device includes a first aerodynamic surface configured for mounting to the pressure side of the rotor blade, and a second opposing aerodynamic surface configured to interact with wind flowing past the lift device. The lift device has a generally increasing cross-sectional area in a flow direction of the wind. The lift device is configured to increase the lift of the rotor blade.

Wind power is considered one of the cleanest, most environmentally friendly energy sources presently available, and wind turbines have gained increased attention in this regard. A modern wind turbine typically includes a tower, generator, gearbox, nacelle, and one or more rotor blades. The rotor blades capture kinetic energy of wind using known airfoil principles. The rotor blades transmit the kinetic energy in the form of rotational energy so as to turn a shaft coupling the rotor blades to a gearbox, or if a gearbox is not used, directly to the generator. The generator then converts the mechanical energy to electrical energy that may be deployed to a utility grid.
As rotor blades and wind turbines in general become capable of capturing increased kinetic energy, the acoustic noise associated with operation of the wind turbine may similarly increase. Thus, in many cases, known wind turbines and rotor blades may require that the amount of kinetic energy captured be compromised in order to prevent excessive associated noise. Further, known wind turbines and rotor blades are designed for a maximum lift and associated noise at only one operating point. Thus, these wind turbines and rotor blades cannot be accurately adjusted to multiple operating points and/or extended ranges with increased lift while the associated noise is maintained or reduced.
Thus, an improved rotor blade assembly and a lift device for a rotor blade assembly would be advantageous. For example, a rotor blade assembly and a lift device that do not require lift parameters to be compromised to prevent excessive noise would be desired. Further, a rotor blade assembly and a lift device that allow for increased lift and reduced associated noise would be desired.

Lift device for rotor blade in wind turbine


Stateless storage accelerator modules comprise network interfaces and filter functions that enable the accelerated processing of stateless protocols associated with network storage. Filter functions examine packets received over the network interface according to contexts associated with the destination of the packets. Contexts are found quickly through a fast look-up to ensure high performance of the over all system. The contexts comprise information associated with storage areas including addresses associated with the storage areas.

Network storage standards including iSCSI impose significant communication overhead to realize the promise of high performance network storage. The response to the communication overhead is a class of products that focus on the acceleration of processing communication stateful protocols. For example, companies including Alacritech® develop TCP Offload Engines (TOE) that accelerate the processing of packets associated with network storage by assigning TCP datagram processing responsibilities to an additional TOE module. The TOE modules track stateful connections between applications, users, operating, or other host functions and a network storage device.
Although TOEs are well know, the trend in the network storage industry is to further increase network performance by producing faster accelerator modules as is evidenced by the success of companies including Alacritech. Customers that desire high performance network storage are required to pay additional charges for equipment to process stateful protocols faster. The overhead or the cost of offloading stateful protocol processing will be exacerbated as industry migrates to faster networking infrastructure including Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbit), 10 Gigabit Ethernet (10 Gbit), or other forms of high speed communications relying on stateful connections.
The trend in network storage continues to focus on using TCP, a stateful protocol, to transport network storage information. TCP is used largely because of its reliability for transferring data across established connections. In addition, standardized stateful storage protocols including iSCSI require TCP. Unfortunately, the cost of ensuring reliability becomes quite high at higher line rates as mentioned previously which creates more demand for stateful offload engines.
Companies including Zetera™ are moving to stateless protocols to enhance performance without requiring stateful management of connections. Storage network protocols riding on UDP are ideally suited to the block oriented, stateless nature of storage devices. Using stateless protocols improves the connectivity of devices and increases performance due to the lower overhead of protocol stack processing. In general, only the payload and destination information is required when processing stateless network storage packets. For example, a storage device that receives a block-read request does not require information about previous commands, subsequent commands, or other information to conduct the actual read. This allows multiple clients to make many requests simultaneously of the storage device without interfering with each other. The storage device simply performs the read and responds back to the client.
Although stateless protocols out perform stateful protocols for network storage, protocol stacks still incur overhead when processing the stateless protocols. Therefore, it is contemplated that as networking infrastructure continues to improve the number of stateless protocol packets that require processing will increase dramatically thus incurring the overhead cost of packet processing similar to what has occurred with TCP at lower line rates. Therefore, it is expected that stateless accelerator modules (SAM) could aid in processing storage protocols that utilize a stateless protocol.
The following patents attempt to address the need for accelerating packet processing:                U.S. Pat. No. 5,937,169 titled "Offload of TCP segmentation to a smart adapter" assigned to 3Com Corporation.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,955 titled "Packet processing system including a policy engine having a classification unit" assigned to Intel Corporation.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,246,683 titled "Receive processing with network protocol bypass" assigned to 3Com Corporation.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,101 titled "Transparent access to network attached devices" assigned to 3Com Corporation.        U.S. Pat. No. 6,947,430 titled "Network adapter with embedded deep packet processing"
These patents collectively teach offloading protocol processing for stateful processing and in some cases handling transport layer processing for storage devices. The stateful processing includes handling for flow control, for application specific information, or specifically for TCP state information. Because the trend in the market is to address stateful protocols including TCP or iSCSI, none of the related art addresses offloading stateless protocols used for network storage utilizing destination contexts.
Therefore, there remains a considerable need for apparatus and methods to accelerate stateless protocol processing for network storage as stateless protocols subtend larger market share or as high bandwidth networks are deployed. To fully realize the benefits of a SAM, a solution would require the following elements:                A network interface that receives or transmits stateless protocol packets over a network        A host interface the exchanges packets with the host        Accelerates packet processing by passing packets through a filter function that determines the disposition of packets based on stored contexts relating to the destination of the packets
SAMs address the need for stateless protocol offloading differently than modules that handle stateful protocol processing. Stateful protocol processing modules are forced to handle session information as well as state information which limit the extent of the offloading. For example, a TOE can handle routine processing including flow control, sequence numbers, or acknowledgement numbers, but can not handle complex situations where a full TCP/IP stack is required including session construction. Therefore, modules similar to TOEs incur additional overhead to determine which packets are fast-path packets and which packets are slow-path packets when interacting with a network storage device. However, SAMs require no session construction, no state information, no retransmit logic, or no window probes. Rather SAMs use the context of the destination to aid in the elimination of the communication stack overhead; consequently, substantially all network storage device packets are fast-path packets.


Systems and methods for delayed delivery of a drug are disclosed. A drug delivery system may include a delivery member for insertion into a patient and a reservoir configured to receive a volume of a drug. An energy source may be activatable by the patient to actuate the reservoir to deliver the drug to the patient as a single bolus. A lockout system may be configured to have a locked state, wherein the lockout system prevents movement of the delivery member and/or activation of the energy source, and an unlocked state, wherein the lockout system permits movement of the delivery member and/or activation of the energy source. The lockout system may be configured to automatically change from the locked state to the unlocked state after a preselected time period has elapsed. An output element may generate a detectable output after the preselected time period has elapsed for notifying the patient.

Parenteral delivery of various drugs, i.e., delivery by means other than through the digestive track, has become a desired method of drug delivery for various reasons. Bypassing the digestive system of the patient can avoid degradation of the active ingredients caused by the catalytic enzymes in the digestive tract and liver and ensure that a necessary amount of a drug, at a desired concentration, reaches the targeted site. Furthermore, growth in treatments involving biologics, which are typically injected in liquid form, has increased the prevalence of parenteral delivery.
Injectable drugs traditionally have been administered via a syringe. Use of a syringe requires insertion of a needle into a patient, and subsequently, driving a plunger through a reservoir to expel a volume of the drug through the needle into the patient. These tasks conventionally have been performed manually. In some situations, it may be necessary or convenient for the patient to self-administer the injectable drug. In the case of a syringe, self-administration requires the patient to manually insert the needle into his or her tissue and then manually advance the plunger. This can be challenging for individuals having limited experience in operating syringes, dexterity problems, a low pain tolerance, among other reasons.
To assist with the self-administration of an injectable drug, various automated drug delivery devices have been developed. One such device is an ambulatory infusion pump used to administer insulin to a diabetic individual. These pumps typically have a processor that follows an internal program to administer a series of doses of insulin to the patient over the course of a day, or several days. Usually the processor is intended for reuse and thus is detachable from other portions of the device, including those which are inserted into the patient. Other automated drug delivery devices, such as certain autoinjectors, are designed to be discarded in their entirety after providing an injection. However, besides providing automatic needle insertion or plunger movement, such disposable devices generally are limited in their ability to assist the patient or user with complying with a prescribed treatment regimen.
The present disclosure sets forth drug delivery systems and related methods of operation embodying advantageous alternatives to existing drug delivery systems and methods of operation, and that may address one or more of the challenges or needs mentioned herein, as well as provide other benefits and advantages.

Systems and methods for delayed drug delivery


A correlator includes a circuit for serially receiving in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal data along parallel I and Q signal channels and converting the data to blocks of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data. At least one programmable read only memory (PROM) stores I and Q reference data. The memory receives and stores within each respective parallel I and Q signal channel a current block of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data and the immediately previous received blocks of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data. A data bus receives the n bit parallel I and Q reference data and the n bit parallel I and Q signal data. The n bit parallel I and Q reference data are correlated with a one bit shifted version of the respective n bit parallel I and Q signal data from an adjacent previous path to produce a correlated I component signal output and a correlated Q component signal output.

This invention relates to a correlator and method for correlating, and more particularly, to a correlator and method of correlating in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal data.
Correlators are often used in many different types of processing systems, such as a tracking and location system, where time and angle of arrival have to be determined. Other information can be correlated, such as video and radar signals, as well as tracking and location information. In one proposed tracking and location system, a chirp waveform can be processed with an oscillator and associated circuits to increase the bandwidth. A correlator can be used as a matched filter for processing the chirp waveform, including the step of demodulating the chirp waveform.
One type of complex correlator has a basic function. It compares a reference to an incoming signal and gives a complex correlation. In emerging technologies, it is desirable to handle high data rates, such as four megabits a second. Correlators, however, become much more complicated when a quadrature input is required, e.g., an I and Q input, not just a real input. For example, a video correlator may have a channel data in and quantisizes a number of bits and correlates 1,000 samples of single points. It is necessary, however, when quadrature inputs are used to perform a cross correlation, which increases complexity. It is necessary to compare complex reference points to incoming data and determine a value, and then correlate more data again, such as 250 nanoseconds later.
Typically, larger correlators run slower. When correlators at a very low data rate, it is possible to take the data in and calculate thousands of point correlations. The time involved is extensive. These prior art types of correlators had difficulty reaching high rates, such as 4 Mbs. There was no optimal solution found between parallel and serial data flow, nor the loading of references.
Additionally, prior art correlators typically cannot be cascaded. Cascading correlator chips is relevant for complex correlators that have I and Q quadrature channels. Having these two channels will usually double the size of the gates and increase the complexity of multiplexers. As to the cascading of multiple correlator chips in the past, if a correlator had 1,000 samples and it was necessary to have 2,000 samples, a designer would take two 1,000 sample correlators, input the data, and then run through a delay with a shift register or RAM based delay and feed it to two chips. Additionally, reference data were not efficiently loaded, and storage of data and references using traditional shift register flip flops was not efficient.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a correlator having an increased flexibility that replaces a traditional shift register flip-flop and allows enhanced loading of I and Q reference data.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the correlator includes a circuit for serially receiving in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal data along parallel I and Q signal channels and converting the data to blocks of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data. At least one programmable 5 read only memory (PROM) stores the I and Q reference data. A circuit is connected to the at least one programmable read only memory for receiving the I and Q reference data from the programmable read only memory along I and Q reference channels and converting the I and Q reference data to n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q reference data upon power up of the correlator. A memory circuit receives and stores within each respective parallel I and Q signal channel a current block of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data and the immediately previously received blocks of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a data bus receives the n bit parallel I and Q reference data and the n bit parallel I and Q signal data. The data bus has n parallel paths extending therefrom. A circuit is positioned along each parallel path extending from the data bus for receiving the n bit parallel I and Q signal data and n bit parallel I and Q reference data and correlating the respective I and Q reference data with a one bit shifted version of the respective n bit parallel I and Q signal data from an adjacent previous path to produce a correlated I component signal output and a correlated Q component signal output.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the correlator comprises at least one serial-to-parallel conversion register positioned within each I and Q reference channel that serially receives the respective I and Q reference data and converts reference data to respective n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q reference data within respective I and Q reference channels. Also, at least one serial-to-parallel conversion register is positioned within each I and Q signal channel and receives the respective I and Q signal data and converts the respective I and Q signal data to respective n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data within respective I and Q signal channels.
In still another aspect of the present invention, at least one random access memory is positioned within each of the I and Q signal channels and receives sequences of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q reference data within respective I and Q signal channels based on predetermined clock cycles. An address controller can generate a signal for selecting an n bit word to be written to when loading n bit parallel I and Q signal data to respective I and Q signal channels.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the circuit positioned along each parallel path of correlating further comprises a multiplexer having I and Q channel outputs and an n bit Wallace Tree Adder connected within each of the I and Q channel outputs. The Wallace Tree Adder includes means for computing a count based on the number of bits that are set out of n bits.
In still another aspect of the present invention, the RAM that is part of the signal path forms a part of a circular buffer circuit positioned within each parallel I and Q signal channel. Each circular buffer circuit receives respective n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data within the respective I and Q signal channel. The circular buffer circuit can include a random access memory that receives the respective current block of n bit parallel I and Q signal data and overwrites the previous respective block of n bit parallel I and Q signal data. A multiplexer and first and second registers store the respective current and previous blocks of n bit parallel I and Q signal data.
In a method aspect of the present invention, the method correlates a signal having in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal components and comprises the steps of serially receiving in phase (I) and quadrature (Q) signal data along parallel I and Q signal channels. The method also comprises the step of converting the data to blocks of n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data. I and Q reference data are stored within a programmable read only memory (PROM).
The method also comprises the step of converting the I and Q reference data stored within the programmable read only memory to n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q reference data upon power up of the correlator and storing the n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q reference data within a random access memory. The method also comprises the step of storing within a memory each current n bit parallel I and n bit parallel Q signal data and an immediately previous n bit parallel I and Q signal data. A data bus receives the n bit parallel I and Q reference data and the n bit parallel I and Q signal data.
The method further comprises the step of correlating along each parallel path extending from the data bus the n bit parallel I and Q reference data with a one bit shifted version of n bit parallel I and Q signal data from the adjacent previous path to produce a correlated I signal component output and a correlated Q signal component output.

Correlator having enhanced memory for reference and input data


A converter (200) for converting a received radio frequency signal into a DC signal for powering a load (300). The converter (200) comprises a first rectifying arm (207) for generating a DC signal based on a first RF voltage input obtained from the received RF signal. A second rectifying arm (209) generates a DC signal based on a second RF voltage input obtained from the received RF signal. The received RF signal provides the voltage difference between the first RF voltage input and the second RF voltage input.

Wireless power transfer systems are used to transmit power between electrical devices using time varying electromagnetic fields. It is possible to transfer electrical power using alternating electrical field (E-field) and/or alternating magnetic field (H-field). Some wireless power transfer systems operate using so-called near-field coupling. Others may use far-field coupling. Typically, H-field power transfer, also known as inductive power transfer may be more effective in the near-field, whereas in the far-field E-field effects may be more useful.
Wireless battery chargers and near-field RF communications devices both use inductive coupling to transfer power via an alternating H-field. Wireless battery chargers are in widespread use. Such chargers may include coils which can couple inductively with a similar coil carried by a device which is to be charged. In these kinds of systems, the transmitting and receiving coils can be placed in very close proximity to each other.
Near-field RF communications devices such as RFID and NFC devices are perhaps the most common type of wireless power transfer devices. The operating frequency of near field RF communications is around 13.56 MHz. Telecommunications devices such as cellular telephone handsets, Wi-Fi® access points and routers, and telecommunications network nodes such as base stations may provide relatively high energy emissions. These emissions can be used to mediate data signals over relatively long distances, and typically rely on far-field, as opposed to near-field, effects.
Wireless energy harvesting systems are generally designed to profit from RF transmissions by employing highly efficient RF-to-DC conversion to supply low-power devices. The efficiency, η, of an RF-to-DC converter is defined as:η=Pout/Pinwhere Pin is the input RF power and Pout is the output DC power.
Owing to the very low level of ambient RF transmissions (where Pin is typically zero dBm or less), it is highly desirable for RF-to-DC converters to operate as efficiently as possible, preferably for different RF power sources and/or DC loads.


A method is performed in an electronic device for orienting an audio beam generated by the device. The method includes: detecting that the device is coupled to a docking station; and determining a geographic location of the device. The method further includes determining, based on the geographic location of the device, an orientation for an audio beam relative from the docking station; and generating the audio beam by the device.

Mobile electronic devices, such as smartphones and tablet computers, continue to evolve through increasing levels of performance and functionality as manufacturers design products that offer consumers greater convenience and productivity. One area where performance gains have been realized is in voice recognition. Voice recognition frees a user from the restriction of a device's manual interface while also allowing multiple users to access the device more efficiently. Currently, however, new innovation is required to support a next-generation of voice-recognition devices that are better able to overcome difficulties associated with noisy or otherwise complex environments, which sometimes contain multiple people.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of disclosed embodiments. In addition, the description and drawings do not necessarily require the order illustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required.
The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Method and device for adjusting an audio beam orientation based on device location


An apparatus for positioning of fasteners normal to a surface through which the fasteners are to be inserted is described. The apparatus includes a sheet of material comprising a plurality of holes therethrough, where the holes are positioned to correspond with bores through the surface through which the fasteners are to be inserted, and a plurality of grommets. The grommets are operable for mounting in the holes in said sheet. Each grommet includes a hole centered therein and sized such that the grommet will support a fastener placed therein, and a plurality of radial keyways extending from the centered hole, the keyways having a specific radial depth to provide finger tabs at the centered hole to maintain support of the corresponding fastener normal to the sheet.

The field of the invention relates generally to fastener installation, and more specifically, to a template that aids in the installation of fasteners.
It is almost always desirable to increase efficiency of a workplace. As such, engineering and other personnel are often charged to find solutions that increase efficiency of such workplaces.
As far as existing solutions for fastener installation, an original solution was to utilize no shop aids, and to install the individual fasteners by hand. In an aircraft, there are literally tens of thousands of such fasteners and hand installation is inefficient. To increase efficiency of fastener installation over the hand installation method, a fastener template was developed. This first-generation template, which is currently utilized in several manufacturing programs, consists of a triplex template of two outer polyurethane layers and one rubber layer between the outer layers. Fasteners are retained in holes through the polyurethane and are seated through the rubber layer and held generally in place in a relief hole passing through the rubber layer.
Disadvantages and limitations are known with the existing solutions. For example, when installing the fasteners by hand, human errors do occur. As such, one manufacturing process step is to ensure that the fastener installation matches the configuration defined by engineering. It is therefore easy to understand that hand loaded fasteners may be a source of error. Hand loading can result in dropped fasteners which may cause further human errors.
The fastener templates that utilize the rubber layer, while an improvement over the hand installation method, are not capable of holding fasteners in proper alignment, for example, a normal-to-surface alignment. This problem is exacerbated if more than one row of fasteners is incorporated into the template. Further, when the rubber sheet of this template has to be replaced due to wear, the replacement cannot be done on the shop floor. The template is sent to a repair facility to ensure that once repaired, it meets the configuration requirements of such a template.

Methods and apparatus for installation of fasteners


A device measures a measurement object surface shape, and includes a base to which the measurement object is secured; a slide movable in at least three different directions and secured to the base; a probe holding unit mounted to the slide; and a contact probe resiliently supported by the holding unit so as to be movable with respect to the holding unit. Additional features include a unit measuring the position and posture of the probe with respect to the holding unit; a unit calculating a contact-force vector, which the probe receives from the measurement object, from a measurement result of the measuring unit; and a controlling unit moving the probe along the surface of the measurement object. The controlling unit also controls a position of the holding unit so that a magnitude of the contact-force vector comes closer to a control target value thereof in accordance with the magnitude of the contact-force vector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shape measuring method and a shape measuring device, including a contact probe that measures with high precision (that is, on the order of nanometers), the shape of a surface of an optical element (such as a lens or a mirror), and the shape of a surface of a die for producing the optical element. The present invention is applicable to, in particular, a shape measuring device that can measure a shape having a steep inclination angle, such as a wall having an angle of 90 degrees.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a contact-type shape measuring method and a contact-type shape measuring device, used to measure the shape of, for example, a lens or a mirror, have the following features.
FIG. 8 shows a first related example disclosed in Japanese Patent Registration No. 03272952. In FIG. 8, a contact probe 28 is supported by, for example, a leaf spring 27 so as to be movable in an axial direction with respect to a probe holding unit 26, and is controlled so that its displacement is constant. The position and posture of the probe holding unit 28 at this time are measured with a laser length measuring device 10, 11, 14 (also called an interferometer), and data of the position and data of the posture are calculated, to determine the displacement of the contact probe 28.
FIG. 9 shows a second related example disclosed in Japanese Patent Registration No. 03063290. In FIG. 9, a displacement sensor 10 that measures a displacement in an axial direction of a contact probe 2, supported so as to be movable in the axial direction, and that measures a displacement in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction is provided, to measure and correct the inclination of the contact probe 2.
FIGS. 10A and 10B show a third related example disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-037197. In FIGS. 10A and 10B, a displacement sensor 5 that measures a displacement in a direction perpendicular to an axial direction of a contact probe 2 is provided. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-037197 discusses a unit that estimates a horizontal contact force generated at a surface of a measurement object due to contact with the contact probe 2, a unit that detects a vertical contact force generated at the surface of the object due to contact with the contact probe 2, and a unit that detects inclination angle information at each measurement position of the surface of the measurement object. Further, the document discusses controlling contact force in the axial direction so that a vertical dragging force generated at the surface of the measurement object when a following operation is performed is constant.
Such shape measuring devices may be called a contour measuring device in other documents. The contact probes may be called a sensing pin, a sensing pin member, or a feeler in other documents, but will be called a probe in the specification. A laser length measuring device is a device that measures a length on the order of nanometers, and is also called an interferometer from its measurement principle. In the specification, the laser length measuring device is primarily called an interferometer. The term "contact force" may be used to mean a vertical dragging force.
The above-described related arts have the following problems.
(1) Difficulty in Stabilizing a Scanning Speed of the Contact Probe at a Steeply Inclined Surface
The above-described related examples 1, 2, and 3 discuss methods of scanning a measurement surface while controlling the contact probe in the vertical direction. That is, a feed-back controlling operation using a contact force that the contact probe receives is carried out only in the vertical direction. However, since a scanning direction of the contact probe at an inclined surface always includes a vertical component, a scanning speed is always influenced by a control deviation of a following control operation of the contact probe. This influence becomes larger as the inclination angle becomes steeper, thereby making it difficult to stabilize the scanning speed of the contact probe. For a vertical surface having an inclination angle θ of 90 degrees, the control deviation of a controlling system that tries to make a contact force constant causes the scanning speed to change. As a result, the problems that a measurement precision is reduced and that the scanning speed of the probe cannot be increased occur. That is, it is difficult for the probe to scan a steeply inclined surface.
(2) Difficulty in Controlling Contact Force of Contact Probe at Steeply Inclined Surface
The difficulty will be described with reference to FIG. 10B used in the aforementioned Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-037197. FIG. 10B shows the contact probe 2 in contact with a measurement object having an inclination angle of θ. Here, the vertical contact force is Nz, the horizontal contact force is Nx, and a contact force in a direction of a normal line to a surface of the measurement object is Nn. In the related example 1, the contact probe 28 is controlled in the vertical direction so that the vertical contact force Nz in FIG. 10B is constant. In the related example 3, the contact probe 2 is controlled in the vertical direction so that the contact force Nn in the direction of the normal line to the surface of the measurement object is constant.
However, as the inclination angle θ becomes steeper, the amounts of change of Nz and Nn with respect to an amount of vertical movement of the contact probe are reduced. Therefore, it becomes difficult to control the probe so that the contact probe 2 follows a steeply inclined surface of the measurement surface, thereby resulting in the problem that a measurement precision is reduced and in the problem that the scanning speed cannot be increased. In particular, for a vertical surface having an inclination angle θ of 90 degrees, even if the contact probe 2 is moved vertically, the vertical contact force Nz and the contact force Nn in the direction of the normal line to the measurement surface 8 do not change. Therefore, the contact probe 2 is incapable of being controlled so that the contact probe 2 follows the measurement surface.
In the above-described related example 1, the controlling of the probe 28 is carried out with a Z slide 4. Since a movable area that covers an entire measurement area is required for the Z slide 4, the device becomes structurally large. Therefore, a high rigidity cannot be provided, and natural frequency is reduced. These effects appear within a control loop that makes the contact forces constant. Consequently, control gain cannot be made high. As a result, the frequency that allows the probe to follow the measurement surface is limited to a low value, thereby preventing the scanning speed from being increased.


A control panel is detachably connected by a retaining bracket to a housing which is mounted in an aperture formed in a support structure such as a wall. The positioning of the panel adjacent an outer surface of the support structure is independent of the depth of insertion of the housing in the aperture. The bracket is U-shaped with a generally vertical base portion and first and second legs extending horizontally from opposite ends of the base portion. Each leg has a hook formed at a free end thereof for detachably engaging a spring clip mounted on a rear surface of the panel. A pair of spring plates are attached to the base portion by fasteners and each plate has two pairs of spring tabs formed thereon for engaging a roughened surface on opposite side walls of the housing. After the insertion of the bracket into the housing, the fasteners can be loosened to permit positioning of the panel relative to the housing. Also, the bracket can be partially inserted into the housing while the panel is operational to permit work to be done on the support surface behind the panel. A groove in the rear surface of the panel and a recess formed in one of the hooks permits the associated spring clip to be disengaged from the hook and the panel to be detached from the bracket. The fasteners can be loosened to permit the bracket to be detached from the housing.

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for recessed mounting of control element housings and, in particular, to an apparatus for.
A panel consisting of a housing, a cover plate and a mounting place with electronic and/or electromechanical elements is known from the utility model DE-GM-U1 G 91 02 425.0. The housing displays a base and a rim with a collar, on which a flange of the cover plate rests. Arresting strips and snap couplings enable a detachable connection between the housing and the cover plate. In the case of recessed mounting, the housing in a first variant is fastened at a wall plate, for example at a metal plate. With the aid of bracket-shaped arresting devices which are screwed firmly to the base of the housing and which bear on the rear surface of the metal plate, the housing is retained rigidly in the place between the rims of an opening which is provided in the metal plate and corresponds with the size of the housing. In a further variant for recessed mounting, a box-shaped central profile member is embedded flush into the surface material of a masonry wall. The housing is then inserted freely into the center profile member and can be made loose out of the wall.
A disadvantage of the known equipment lies in that additional equipments such as brackets, metal plates, screws and center profile members are necessary for the recessed mounting of the housing, which appreciably increases the effort for mounting operations, particularly in the case of large numbers, and makes a clean mounting of the cover plate more difficult.

Panel for recessed mounting of a housing


The states of a distributed finite state machine composed of a plurality of devices are coordinated by a sequence of operations to effect a self-timed cycle. Each device is arranged to apply a voltage over one or more leads and measure the current on the corresponding leads. With the methodology, while engendering self-timed cycles, the number of leads interconnecting the devices is also minimized.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to finite state machines and, more particularly, to a methodology and concomitant circuitry for coordinating the states of a finite state machine composed of two or more devices using a minimal number of interconnection wires among the devices.
2. Description of the Background
Flow control or event signaling in digital systems has traditionally been implemented using a master-slave arrangement. Conventionally, the master applies a voltage on one wire interconnecting the master and slave (the so-called "request" lead) to initiate flow control or event signaling, and the slave detects the applied voltage at its end of the wire. In turn, so as to inform the master that the slave has received the flow control or event signaling information, the slave applies a voltage on a second wire interconnecting the master and slave (the so-called "acknowledge" lead), and the master detects the applied voltage at its end of the second wire.
Typically, the request-acknowledge leads are used in conjunction with a data bus that also interconnects the master and slave in what is referred to in the art as the "two phase bundled data convention protocol". In this protocol, the master places data to be sent on a data bus and causes a request event by making a transition on the request lead. The slave takes the data from the data bus and signals the receipt of data as well as the ability to accept new data by making a transition on the acknowledge lead to thereby initiate an acknowledge event. There is a major difficulty with this protocol in that, while the control portion (i.e., the request-acknowledge communication) of the protocol is self-timed, the relationship between the control portion and the data bus is not delay insensitive. For instance, if the propagation delay of the data bus is substantially longer than the propagation delay of the request and acknowledge leads (e.g. due to path routing on a printed circuit board), the desired data may not be present on the data bus at the time the slave reads the bus.
Certain corrective arrangements or procedures have been implemented in an attempt to overcome the shortcomings of the foregoing protocol. The barrier to wide spread acceptance of these arrangements or procedures has been that they either doubled the number of wires, or relied upon multi-valued logic, or have not truly been delay insensitive.
In addition, the master-slave convention is asymmetric in that the master always transmits data and the slave always detects data--a symmetric system does not differentiate between the two devices terminating the ends of the interconnecting wires, and either device could initiate the transmission of information.

Coordinating the states of a distributed finite state machine


A self-powered switching system using electromechanical generators generates power for activation of a latching relay. The electromechanical generators comprise electroactive elements or magnetic based microgenerators that may be mechanically actuated to generate electrical power. The associated signal generation circuitry may be coupled to a transmitter or transceiver for sending and/or receiving RF signals to/from a receiver which actuates the latching relay. Power may be stored within the circuit using rechargeable batteries for powering or supplementing power to the transmitter or transceiver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to switching devices for energizing lights, appliances and the like. More particularly, the present invention relates to a self-powered switch initiator device to generate an activation signal for a latching relay. The power is generated through an electroactive element and is sent through signal generation circuitry coupled to a transmitter for sending one or more unique and/or coded RF signals to one or more receivers that actuate the latching relay. The receivers have the ability to store a plurality of codes in order to respond to multiple transmitters and multiple transmitter functions. The invention also includes the use of one or more transceivers that are powered by the electroactive generators or by the generators in conjunction with rechargeable batteries for providing supplemental power to the RF transmitter circuit and/or transceivers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Switches and latching relays for energizing lights, appliances and the like are well known in the prior art. Typical light switches comprise, for example, single-pole switches and three-way switches. A single-pole switch has two terminals that are hot leads for an incoming line (power source) and an outgoing line to the light. Three-way switches can control one light from two different places. Each three-way switch has three terminals: the common terminal and two traveler terminals. A typical pair of three-way switches uses two boxes each having two cables with the first box having an incoming line from a power source and an outbound line to the second box, and the second box having the incoming line from the first box and an outbound line to the light.
In each of these switching schemes it is often necessary to drill holes and mount switches and junction boxes for the outlets as well as to run cable. Drilling holes and mounting switches and junction boxes can be difficult and time consuming. Also, running electrical cable requires starting at a fixture, pulling cable through holes in the framing to each fixture in the circuit, and continuing all the way back to the service panel. Though simple in theory, getting cable to cooperate can be difficult and time consuming. Cable often kinks, tangles or binds while pulling, and needs to be straightened out somewhere along the run.
Remotely actuated switches/relays are also known in the art. Known remote actuation controllers include tabletop controllers, wireless remotes, timers, motion detectors, voice activated controllers, and computers and related software. For example, remote actuation means may include receiver modules that are plugged into a wall outlet and into which a power cord for a device may be plugged. The device can then be turned on and off by a remote controller/transmitter. Other remote actuation means include screw-in lamp receiver modules wherein the receiver module is screwed into a light socket, and then a bulb screwed into the receiver module. The light can be turned on and off and can be dimmed or brightened by a remote controller/transmitter.
Another example of one type of remote controller for the above described modules is a radio frequency (RF) base transceiver. With these controllers, a transceiver base is plugged into an outlet and can control groups of receiver modules in conjunction with a hand held wireless RF remote. RF repeaters may be used to boost the range of compatible wireless remote transmitters, switches and security system sensors by up to 150 ft. per repeater. The transceiver base is required for these wireless RF remote control systems and allows control of several lamps or appliances. Batteries are also required in the hand held wireless remote control systems.
Rather than using a hand held RF remote transmitter, remote wall transmitters may be used. These wall transmitters, which are up to ¾″ thick, are affixed to a desired location with an adhesive or fastener. In conjunction with a transceiver base unit (plugged into a 110V receptacle) the remote wall transmitter may control compatible receiver/transceiver modules and their associated switches. The wireless transmitters send an RF signal to the transceiver base unit and the transceiver base unit then transmits a signal along the existing 110V wiring in the home to compatible switches or receiver modules. Each switch can be programmed with an addressable signal. Wireless transmitters also require batteries.
These remotes control devices may also control, for example, audio/video devices such as the TV, VCR, and stereo system, as well as lights and other devices using an RF to infrared (IR) base. The RF remote can control audio/video devices by sending proprietary RF commands to a converter that translates the commands to IR. IR commands are then sent to the audio/video equipment. The infrared (IR) base responds to infrared signals from the infrared remotes and then transmits equivalent commands to compatible receivers.
A problem with conventional wall switches is that extensive wiring must be run both from the switch boxes to the lights and from the switch boxes to the power source in the service panels.
Another problem with conventional wall switches is that additional wiring must be run for lights controlled by more than one switch.
Another problem with conventional wall switches is that the voltage lines are present as an input to and an output from the switch.
Another problem with conventional wall switches is the cost associated with initial installation of wire to, from and between switches.
Another problem with conventional wall switches is the cost and inconvenience associated with remodeling, relocating or rewiring existing switches.
A problem with conventional RF transmitters is that they require an external power source such as high voltage AC power or batteries.
Another problem with conventional battery-powered RF transmitters is the cost and inconvenience associated with replacement of batteries.
Another problem with conventional AC-powered RF transmitters is the difficulty when remodeling in rewiring or relocating a wall transmitter.
Another problem with conventional RF switching systems is that a pair comprising a transmitter and receiver must generally be purchased together.
Another problem with conventional RF switching systems is that transmitters may inadvertently activate incorrect receivers.
Another problem with conventional RF switching systems is that receivers may accept an activation signal from only one transmitter.
Another problem with conventional RF switching systems is that transmitters may activate only one receiver.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a network of switch initiators and/or latching relay devices that overcomes the aforementioned problems of the prior art.


In a manufacturing process of a semiconductor device, when harmonic of CW laser is irradiated to a semiconductor film with relatively scanning the harmonic, several long crystal grains extending in a scanning direction are formed. In the scanning direction, thus formed semiconductor film is substantially close to a single crystal in characteristic. However, the output of the harmonic of the CW laser is small to cause a low annealing efficiency. In the present invention, aid for the output is performed by irradiating second harmonic of CW laser and a fundamental wave of CW laser at the same time to the same portion. In general, the fundamental wave has a wavelength band around 1 μm, and is not well absorbed in a semiconductor film. When the harmonic with a wavelength of visible light or a shorter wavelength than visible light is irradiated at the same time as the fundamental wave to a semiconductor film, the annealing efficiency is remarkably increased since the fundamental wave is well absorbed in the semiconductor film melted by the harmonic.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of irradiating laser light, a laser irradiation system (including laser and an optical system for leading laser light output from the laser to an irradiated object (an object to be subjected to irradiation) for irradiating laser light, and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device therewith.
2. Description of the Related Art
These days, wide research has been done on the technique of crystallizing an amorphous semiconductor film formed on an insulating substrate such as glass to form a semiconductor film with a crystalline structure (hereinafter, a crystalline semiconductor film). For crystallization, annealing such as thermal annealing with furnace annealing, rapid thermal annealing (RTA), or laser annealing has been examined. In crystallization, it is possible to employ one of these or to combine plural kinds thereof.
The crystalline semiconductor film has quite a high mobility, compared to the amorphous semiconductor film. Accordingly, the crystalline semiconductor film is used to form a thin film transistor (TFT), which is utilized, for example, for an active matrix liquid crystal display device that has a pixel portion including TFTs formed on a glass substrate or a pixel portion and a driving circuit both including TFTs formed on a glass substrate.
Usually, heat treatment at 600° C. or more for 10 hours or more is necessary in order to crystallize the amorphous semiconductor film with furnace annealing. Although it is quartz that is applicable to this crystallization as a material of the substrate, the quartz substrate is expensive, and especially, is really difficult to be processed into a large-sized substrate. It is given as a means for increasing a productive efficiency to make the substrate have a large size, and this is why research is done on the technique of forming the semiconductor film on the glass substrate that is inexpensive and easy to be process into a large-sized substrate. In recent years, it has been considered to use a glass substrate with a side over 1 m.
As an example of the research, thermal crystallization with a metal element has been developed, which makes it possible to lower a crystallizing temperature that used to be regarded as a problem. In the thermal crystallization, thermal treatment at 550° C. for 4 hours after adding a minute amount of element such as nickel, palladium, or zinc to the amorphous semiconductor film makes it possible to form the crystalline semiconductor film. Since the temperature of 550° C. is not higher than a deforming temperature of the glass substrate, there is no worry about deformation and the like (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open 7-183540)
In laser annealing, on the other hand, it is possible to give high energy to only the semiconductor film without increasing a temperature of the substrate too much. Accordingly, attention is paid to the laser annealing in terms of uses for not only the glass substrate with a low deforming temperature but also a plastic substrate and the like.
In an example of the laser annealing, pulse laser light represented by excimer laser is shaped in an optical system to become a square spot with several centimeters on a side or a linear shape with a length of 100 mm or more at an irradiated surface and the laser light is moved relatively with respect to an irradiated object to perform annealing. It is noted that the linear shape here does not mean a line strictly but means a rectangle (or an oblong) with a large aspect ratio. For example, the linear shape indicates a rectangle with an aspect ratio of two or more (preferably, 10 to 10000), which is included in laser light (rectangular shaped beam) that is rectangular in shape at the irradiated surface. The linear shape is necessary in order to secure an energy density for sufficient annealing to the irradiated object, and the laser light may have the rectangular shape or a planar shape providing that sufficient annealing can be performed to the irradiated object.
Thus manufactured crystalline semiconductor film has a plurality of crystal grains assembled, and the crystal grains have random positions and sizes. In order to manufacture a TFT in isolation on the glass substrate, the crystalline semiconductor film is divided into an island shaped pattern. In that case, it is too difficult to specify the position and the size of the crystal grain included in the island shaped pattern when the TFT is formed. Compared to an inside of the crystal grain, a boundary between the crystal grains (crystal grain boundary) has an amorphous structure and an infinite number of recombination centers and trapping centers existing due to crystal defects. It is known that when a carrier is trapped in the trapping center, potential of the crystal grain boundary increases to become a barrier against the carrier, and therefore, lowers a current transporting characteristic of the carrier. While the crystallinity of the semiconductor film of a channel forming region has an influence on characteristics of the TFT, it is almost impossible to form the channel forming region of a single-crystal semiconductor film by getting rid of the influence of the crystal grain boundary.
Recently, attention has been paid to the technique of irradiating continuous wave (CW) laser light to a semiconductor film while scanning with the CW laser in one direction to form a single-crystal grain extending long in the direction. It is considered that it is possible, with the technique, to form a TFT that has almost no crystal grain boundary at least in a cannel direction thereof.
In the technique, however, the CW laser with a wavelength band absorbed into the semiconductor film sufficiently is used. In the case of using YAG laser, for example, conversion into higher harmonic is necessary. Accordingly, only laser that has a quite small output on the order of 10 W is applicable and the productivity is inferior compared to the case of using excimer laser. It is noted that appropriate CW laser for the technique has a high output, a wavelength of visible light or a shorter wavelength than visible light, and particularly high stability of the output, and laser such as second harmonic of YVO4 laser, second harmonic of YAG laser, second harmonic of YLF laser, second harmonic of YAlO3 laser, and Ar laser is applicable. Although the other harmonic can be used for annealing without problems, there is a disadvantage of a small output. When the recited laser above is used for annealing, however, irregularity in irradiation is likely to occur. In addition, the output is quite mall, which has trouble in term of throughput.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of irradiating laser, laser irradiation system, and manufacturing method of semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A controller of a steering apparatus includes a calculating unit that calculates a correction assistance quantity based on a steering angular velocity coefficient and a torque coefficient, a steering angular velocity coefficient setting unit that sets the steering angular velocity coefficient depending on a steering angular velocity and that sets the steering angular velocity coefficient to become larger as a feedback quantity of a negative feedback unit becomes larger, and a torque coefficient setting unit that sets the torque coefficient depending on a steering torque and that sets the torque coefficient to become larger as the feedback quantity of the negative feedback unit becomes larger. The feedback quantity of the torque coefficient setting unit when the steering torque is in a predetermined high-frequency range is larger than the feedback quantity of the steering angular velocity coefficient setting unit when the steering angular velocity is in a predetermined high-frequency range.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a steering apparatus and a steering controller.
2. Description of Related Art
As a steering apparatus and a steering controller mounted in a vehicle, for example, a lane-following running controller is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-063437 (JP 2003-063437 A). The lane-following running controller estimates a state quantity including at least a disturbance torque applied to a steering apparatus on the basis of a running lane and a running state of the vehicle, feeds the estimated state quantity back to calculate a command torque, and generates a steering torque corresponding to the command torque. At this time, the lane-following running controller separately estimates the disturbance torque as a high-frequency component and a low-frequency component and sets the feedback quantity of the high-frequency component of the estimated disturbance torque to be smaller than the feedback quantity of the low-frequency component.
In the lane-following running controller described in JP 2003-063437 A, a driver's steering input can be easily reflected, for example, by setting the feedback quantity of the high-frequency component to be relatively small. However, inversely, a variation in torque due to disturbance of the high-frequency component increases and tends to be unstable and thus there is room for improvement in terms of improvement of a steering sensation.

Steering apparatus and steering controller


A method includes receiving a first command for accessing a tape storage system, the first command containing an indicator that the first command was issued as a result of a failover from a first path to the storage system to a second path to the tape storage system. The method further includes determining whether the first command is a repeat of a second command already received by the tape storage system. The first command is processed based on determining whether the first command is a repeat of the second command.

Storage area networks are used to store data from multiple host computer systems, such as servers. A storage area network includes a network of storage systems that are capable of storing a relatively large amount of data. Examples of storage systems include tape libraries, disk array systems, and other types systems.
A tape library is basically a storage system that includes multiple tape cartridges or cassettes that are selectively accessed (for reading and writing) in response to access requests from computer systems. If a data path in the storage area network between a host computer system and the tape library fails during a data transfer operation, typically the entire data transfer operation fails. As a result, the failed data transfer operation must be restarted from the beginning, which is a time consuming procedure. To restart the data transfer operation, an operator has to manually configure a second data path through the storage area network from the host computer system to the tape library. The operator then manually restarts the failed data transfer operation using the second path. Also, the operator has to reposition the storage medium (tape cartridge or cassette) to the original starting position.
The manual restarting of a data transfer operation is thus both time consuming and labor intensive. Furthermore, a data transfer operation, such as a tape backup operation, is usually performed during a relatively limited time window each day (such as after work hours). Therefore, if a backup operation fails, then an operator has to wait until the next available period (usually a day later) before the backup operation can be restarted. This delay in performing the backup increases the risk that data may be lost due to equipment failure.

Method and system for a failover procedure with a storage system

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


For mixed signal and RF integrated circuits, the problem of substrate coupled noise can be resolved by using a moat (12) formed in the common substrate to substantially surround sensitive circuits (16). Signal bridges (18, 19) may be formed to provide a path for signals to and from the sensitive circuits (16).

In integrated circuits (ICs), noise generated in one part of the chip by one circuit may couple into circuits in other parts of the chip by propagating through the common substrate. In mixed signal integrated circuits where sensitive analog circuits operating in micro-volt range reside on the same substrate as high speed digital circuits switching between zero and V.sub.DD, the substrate coupled noise can adversely disrupt the performance of the analog circuits.
Mixed signal ICs that are plagued by this problem include data converters, hard disk drive products, and integrated DSP and baseband chips. Because the noise is capacitively coupled, this problem becomes even more severe at high frequencies, such as in radio frequency (RF) circuits used in cellular phones, wireless local area networks (LANs), personal communication service (PCS) products, and remote control RF products.
The problem of substrate coupled noise currently has no good solution. The integrated circuit engineers and manufacturers are forced to put analog circuits and digital circuits in separate integrated circuits or use extreme care to separate analog and digital circuit blocks and use multiple guard rings around the sensitive circuits. A guard ring is typically a p+ (or n+) diffusion or an n-well (or p-well) structure which circle the sensitive circuit. The p+ diffusion guard ring is not very effective in insulating the sensitive circuits from substrate coupled noise due to the inductance of the bond wire connecting the guard ring to ground. The bond wire has some resistance at high frequencies, which inhibits a total collection and evacuation of the noise carriers. The n-well guard ring is also not very effective because it does not collect the noise carriers but merely diverts them a little deeper into the substrate, where they may still adversely affect the sensitive circuits. Without a viable solution, substrate coupled noise currently limits the performance of high speed, high accuracy mixed signal ICs. Further, highly integrated RF chip implementation is not possible without substantially reducing the substrate noise coupling.

Apparatus and method for reduced substrate noise coupling


The present invention is an improved injection molding nozzle. The improved nozzle includes a nozzle body having a central melt channel and a terminal end. A distributor block is formed on the terminal end of the nozzle body, the distributor block having a nozzle melt channel and a series of distributor melt channels radiating from the nozzle melt channel. The nozzle melt channel is coupled to the central melt channel and each distributor melt channel terminates in a melt well. The improved nozzle further includes a nozzle ring which is formed on the end of the terminal end of the nozzle. The nozzle ring surrounds the distributor block and has a plurality of gate feeders, each of said gate feeders being in communication with a melt well. The distributor melt channels radiate symmetrically from the nozzle melt channel to feed the melt wells. The distributor block is made of a highly thermally conductive alloy such as BeCu and a heating mantle is provided on the nozzle body for keeping the nozzle at a suitable melt temperature.

The injection molding of small items such as lipstick cases or small bottle caps may be done using an injection nozzle having a single gate. Due to the practical sizes of injection nozzles, multi-cavity molds using single gated nozzles tend to be complicated and expensive due to the number of nozzles required. Furthermore, such molds generally provide only a relatively small number of cavities, again due to the physical dimensions of the nozzle. Multiple gate nozzles have been used; however, multiple gate nozzles tend to be larger and bulkier than there single gate equivalents. Therefore, there remains a need for an improved nozzle design which permits the easy construction of multi-cavity molds.


A rail joint made from a metallic profiled bar that is rolled or forged and is used for connecting adjacent railroad rails to each other. The rail joint is configured to provide increased wheel flange clearance while maintaining the integrity of joining two rails together.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to rail joints and, more particularly, to a rail joint having a rolled profiled bar.
2. Description of Related Art
Railroad rails used in the railroad industry are typically formed of a plurality of railroad rail sections joined together by rail joints. As shown in FIG. 1, a prior art rail joint 10 positioned between a first railroad rail 12 and a second railroad rail 14 is used to hold two ends 13, 15 of the railroad rails 12 and 14, respectively, in place. A plurality of holes 16 are defined in the rail joint 10, wherein the holes 16 are adapted to receive fasteners, such as a bolt and nut arrangement, for securing the rail joint 10 to the railroad rails 12, 14. The rail joint 10 prevents lateral and/or vertical movement of the rail ends 13, 15 of the railroad rails 12, 14 and permits the longitudinal movement of the railroad rails 12, 14 for expanding or contracting. Prior art rail joints have various strength requirements, as well as weight requirements set by the railroad industry. It is desirable to have a rail joint that is inexpensive to manufacture while having a maximum amount of strength for a minimum amount of weight per joint.
Further, due to technological advances in rail grinding and lubrication, present rail structures are lasting longer, thereby allowing more usable wear out of the rail heads than in the earlier constructed rail structures. This results in a decrease in distance between the rail head and a top portion of the rail joint, thus resulting in the possibility of the vehicle wheels contacting the rail joint, thereby causing premature failure of the rail joint. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the above problems and to provide a strong rail joint that is inexpensive to manufacture.


An infrared thermal emitter includes a substrate, a light-emitting unit and an infrared-emitting unit. The light-emitting unit is disposed on the substrate in a laminating direction and has a light-exiting surface away from the substrate. The infrared-emitting unit is disposed on the substrate in the laminating direction to cover the light-emitting unit and includes a layered structure having a light-absorbing layer that is aligned with the light-emitting unit in the laminating direction. The light-absorbing layer absorbs light emitted from the light-emitting unit so as to be heated up and to generate infrared radiation.

An electro-thermal chip-type infrared-emitting device that uses electrical energy for heating internal portion thereof to generate infrared radiation is widely applied in non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensors, as disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 7,989,821 B2, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0267532 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,578 B1.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,989,821 B2 discloses an infrared source that includes an epitaxial membrane having an electrical conductive layer that is made of doped polysilicon, and an emitter part that is connected to the epitaxial membrane and that is made of polysilicon doped with boron or phosphorus. The electrical conductive layer provides electrical energy for heating the emitter part so as to generate infrared radiation.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0267532 A1 discloses an infrared sensor made by a compatible complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The infrared sensor includes a silicon substrate and a tungsten resistive heater that is integrally formed and buried in an oxide layer, a dielectric layer, and a passivation layer of a membrane on the silicon substrate. The tungsten resistive heater provides electrical energy for heating the membrane so as to generate infrared radiation.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,575,578 B1 discloses a chip-scale infrared emitter package that includes a membrane disposed on a base, and an electric resistor that is made from a metal and that is disposed on the membrane. The electric resistor provides electrical energy for heating the membrane so as to generate infrared radiation.
However, for the aforementioned electro-thermal chip-type infrared-emitting devices, the heating provided by the electrical energy consumes a great amount of time and is costly. In addition, the electro-thermal chip-type infrared-emitting device of U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0267532 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 8,755,778 B1 includes electrical conductor made from metal for transmitting electrical energy to infrared emitter made of non-metallic material. Since the electro-thermal chip-type infrared-emitting device is usually operated at a relatively high temperature, the electrical conductor and the infrared emitter in contact with one another might generate excessive thermal stress due to difference in thermal expansion coefficients thereof. Therefore, the electro-thermal chip-type infrared-emitting devices are liable to structural damage following long-term operation at high temperature, which may reduce its overall operational efficiency and service life.


An electrically conductive circuit conductor 2 is disposed on an insulating resin substrate 1, an electrically conductive surface 3 of the circuit conductor is exposed from the resin substrate continuously in a longitudinal direction, and both side portions 4 of the conductive surface are covered and fixed by collar walls 5 of the resin substrate. A bus bar or an electrically conductive resin material is used as the circuit conductor 2. The bus bar 2 is insert-molded onto the resin substrate. The electrically conductive resin material is poured and solidified in a groove portion in the resin substrate. A contact terminal on a mating circuit side or electrical component side is brought into contact with the conductive surface of the circuit conductor 2. A second circuit board is laminated on the resin substrate, and an insertion hole for allowing the conductive surface of the circuit conductor 2 to be exposed is provided in the second circuit board, and the contact terminal is inserted in the insertion hole. Other contact terminals on the mating circuit side or electrical component side are brought into contact with circuits of the second circuit board.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a conductive circuit structure in which circuit conductors such as bus bars which are used in the connection of a power supply circuit and the like of, for example, an automobile and are disposed in a resin substrate are exposed in the longitudinal direction.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, various conductive circuit structures have been proposed in which bus bars, i.e., narrow strip-shaped flat rectangular conductors, are insert-molded in an insulating synthetic resin. The bus bars are able to allow large currents to flow as compared with electric wires, and are mainly effective for power supply.
By way of an example of a conventional conductive circuit structure, FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a structure in which ends of bus bars are made to project from a resin material so as to be formed as portions of terminals (refer to the prior art in JP-A-11-77736).
Namely, two bus bars are arranged in parallel inside a rectangular flat resin substrate 41, and one terminal portion of each bus bar 42 projects from one end portion of the resin substrate 41 to the outside and is formed as a tag terminal 42a. The other end portion side of the resin substrate 41 continues integrally to a flange portion 43 for fixing and a housing 44 on the flange portion, and the other terminal portion (not shown) of each bus bar 42 is led into the interior of the housing 44.
The resin substrate 41 is cut away in a longitudinally intermediate portion of the resin substrate 41, and this portion 42a of each bus bar 42 is in a slightly exposed state. This is because, at the time of insert-molding the bus bars 42, the bus bars 42 are fixed by clamping the bus bars 42 by a molding metal mold (not shown). To prevent this exposure, a method is disclosed in JP-A-11-77736 in which the bus bars 42 are fixed by a holder (not shown), and resin pouring is effected in a state in which the holder is clamped by a mold.
In addition, JP-A-10-249882 discloses a conductive circuit structure in which bus bars are insert-molded in a resin material, and end portions of the bus bars are bent orthogonal and are exposed to the outside from an end portion of the resin material so as to be formed as terminal portions.
In addition, an arrangement in which the bus bars, instead of being insert-molded, are fitted in grooves in a resin substrate and are routed in a required configuration is applied to a bus bar wiring board (not shown) of an electrical connection box.
However, with the above-described conventional conductive circuit structure in which the bus bars are insert-molded, the bus bars 42 can be connected to circuits and electrical components on the mating side only at the end side of the resin substrate 41, so that there has been a problem in that the degree of freedom of circuit design is limited. In addition, there has been another problem in that the number of electrical components and auxiliary equipment that are connected is limited.
Particularly in circuits including those of an instrument panel of an automobile, a need for connection of optional parts and circuit changes as well as a need for add-on circuits (additional circuits) attributable to them are likely to occur. Therefore, in correspondence with these needs, there has been a strong demand for a conductive circuit structure which is capable of easily and reliably effecting connection with bus bar circuits for power supply and the like with a certain degree of freedom in the connecting position.
In addition, with the conductive circuit structure in which the bus bars are routed on the resin substrate without being insert-molded, there has been a problem in that the strength of fixation of the bus bars is weak and the bus bars cannot be fixed unless the resin substrates are laminated, and there has been an additional problem in that the insulation between the exposed bus bars is liable to deteriorate.
In view of the above-described aspects, an object of the invention is to provide a conductive circuit structure which is capable of allowing circuit conductors such as bus bars to be easily connected to the circuits and the like on the mating side even at portions other than the end portion of the resin substrate so as to improve the degree of freedom in circuit design and the like, which makes it possible to increase the number of electrical components and the like to be connected, which makes it possible to increase the strength of fixation of the circuit conductors and to improve the insulation between the circuit conductors.
To attain the above object, the invention basically provides a conductive circuit structure in which an electrically conductive circuit conductor is disposed on an insulating resin substrate, characterized in that an electrically conductive surface of the circuit conductor is exposed from the resin substrate continuously in a longitudinal direction, and both side portions of the conductive surface are covered and fixed by collar walls of the resin substrate.
It is also effective if a plurality of the circuit conductors are arranged in parallel, and the conductive surface of each of the circuit conductors is exposed from the resin substrate continuously in the longitudinal direction.
In addition, it is also effective if the circuit conductor is a bus bar.
In addition, it is also effective if the circuit conductor is insert-molded in the resin substrate.
In the present invention, it is also effective if the circuit conductor is an electrically conductive resin material.
It is also effective if the conductive resin material is poured and solidified in a groove portion having collar walls in the resin substrate.
In addition, it is also effective if a contact terminal on a mating circuit side or electrical component side is brought into contact with the conductive surface of the circuit conductor.
In addition, it is also effective if a second circuit board is laminated on the resin substrate, an insertion hole for allowing the conductive surface of the circuit conductor to be exposed is provided in the second circuit board, and the contact terminal is inserted in the insertion hole so as to be brought into contact with the conductive surface of the circuit conductor.
In addition, it is also effective if other contact terminals on the mating circuit side or electrical component side are brought into contact with circuits of the second circuit board.

Conductive circuit structure having an electrically conductive surface fixed by collar walls


The present invention has an object of providing a rational connection configuration for an inner rotor type stator comprising coil windings provided for each pole blade. Accordingly, the connection configuration of the invention comprises three types of electric conductors corresponding to U-, V- and W-phases, respectively, and shaped like a ring. Each electric conductor has a projection extended in four directions corresponding to four groups of coil windings each of a same phase, and a lead representing each phase and extending outward of an outer diameter of the stator. The electric conductors and a common electric conductor are arranged on an end plate concentrically. Connections between the coil windings and the projections respectively of the same phase are radially arranged at places outward of the grooves of the end plate as to effect connection therebetween.

Recent stators have separate coil windings for each pole blade for increasing the winding density. it is a general practice in the art to adopt a Y-configured connection for this type of stator in order to reduce circulating current occurred due to unbalance among individual coil windings.
As the Y-configured connection, it is known to use a connection in which some of the coil windings have one ends thereof bundled together with regard to a same phase and the other ends thereof bundled together with those of the other coil windings regardless of difference in phase, and then are subjected to a connecting process by means of soldering, brazing or the like; a connection utilizing a printed board provided with printed wiring; a connection utilizing a multi-layered copper-bar board; and the like. The connection utilizing the multi-layered copper-bar board comprises a conductive board connected to the ends of coil windings of the same phase and a conductive board connected to the other ends of the coil windings in common regardless of difference in phases with an insulating material interposed therebetween (see, for examples JP A 6-233483).
Unfortunatelye however, the aforementioned connection through soldering or brazing the bundles of coil winding ends is performed by manual work which requires a great amount of time and effort. In view of a current capacity of a copper foil, the connection utilizing the printed board is not suitable in general for a large size stator which requires high current flowing therethrough.
The connection utilizing the multi-layered copper-bar board is constructed such that conductive boards are laminated by way of interposing an insulating material therebetween, so that the overall dimensions tend to increase with respect to a direction in which the boards are laminated. In addition, the conductive board is formed by pressing a copper sheet, requiring a press machine and a die for each frame. Consequently, the equipment for preparing this type of connection is complicated and large on scale.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.