A plurality of regions for a plurality of optical waveguides are defined on a substrate. Then, optical waveguide under-cladding layers are formed on the respective regions, and dummy under-cladding layers are formed between adjacent ones of the optical waveguide under-cladding layers in a spaced relationship to the optical waveguide under-cladding layers. After cores are formed on the optical waveguide under-cladding layers and the dummy under-cladding layers, an over-cladding layer formation photosensitive resin is applied on the resulting substrate. Subsequently, portions of the resulting photosensitive resin layer for the respective optical waveguides are selectively exposed, and the exposed portions are defined as over-cladding layers. Thus, the optical waveguides are produced as each including the optical waveguide under-cladding layer, the core and the over-cladding layer, and separated from the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a production method of an optical waveguide to be widely used for optical communications, optical information processing, and other general optics.
2. Description of the Related Art
Optical waveguides are typically incorporated in optical devices such as optical waveguide devices, optical integrated circuits and optical wiring boards to be widely used for optical communications, optical information processing and other general optics. Such an optical waveguide typically includes an under-cladding layer, cores of a predetermined projection pattern provided as light paths on an upper surface of an under-cladding layer, and an over-cladding layer covering the cores.
The following production method is proposed as an optical waveguide production method to be employed, for example, for simultaneously producing a plurality of optical waveguides (see, for example, JP-A-2008-203694). First, as shown in FIG. 6A, a single under-cladding layer 11 having an area sufficient to accommodate a plurality of optical waveguides W0 (see FIG. 6D) is formed on a substrate A. Then, as shown in FIG. 65, a plurality of regions for the plurality of optical waveguides W0 are defined on an upper surface of the under-cladding layer 11, and cores 12 are formed in a predetermined projection pattern on each of the regions. In turn, as shown in FIG. 6C, a liquid curable resin (a photosensitive resin or a thermosetting resin) is applied as a material for an over-cladding layer 13 on the entire upper surface of the under-cladding layer as covering the cores 12, and then the resulting coating layer 13a is cured, whereby the over-cladding layer 13 is formed. Thus, the optical waveguides W0 each including the under-cladding layer 11, the cores and the over-cladding layer 13 are formed in a combined state on the substrate A. Further, as shown in FIG. 6D, the resulting substrate A is cut along boundaries between the optical waveguides W0 by a rotary blade or the like. Thereafter, the optical waveguides W0 are each separated from the substrate A. Thus, the optical waveguides W0 are produced.
In the optical waveguide production method, however, the coating layer 13a formed by applying the liquid curable resin for the formation of the over-cladding layer (see FIG. 6C) has a greater thickness on core formation areas in which the cores 12 are formed, and has a smaller thickness on areas in which the cores 12 are not formed between adjacent ones of the optical waveguides W0 and, in this state, the coating layer 13a is cured. Therefore, the over-cladding layer 13 has an undulated upper surface. If an optical waveguide W0 including an over-cladding layer 13 having a non-planar upper surface is connected to a connector, it is difficult to fix a smaller thickness portion of the optical waveguide W0 to the connector, so that the optical waveguide W0 and the connector are liable to be misaligned. This exacerbates a connection loss occurring when the optical waveguide W0 is connected to the connector. In FIG. 6C, the undulated upper surface of the over-cladding layer 13 is illustrated with exaggeration for easy understanding.
Proposed approaches to planarization of the upper surface of the over-cladding layer 13 are to polish the upper surface and to form another layer on the upper surface (see, for example, JP-A-2001-74953, JP-A-2001-74963 and JP-A-2001-91775).
However, the planarization of the upper surface of the over-cladding layer 13 requires additional steps, i.e., the step of polishing the upper surface and the step of forming another layer on the upper surface, thereby reducing the productivity. Further, the optical waveguides W0 often each have a complicated overall shape depending on their applications. This makes it difficult to separate the optical waveguides W0 from each other by cutting with the rotary blade or the like, thereby reducing the productivity.


On an optical disk, a string of a plurality of pits having two different depths is formed. Quantity of light reflected from the pit string is detected by a photoreceptor element, and based on the detected quantity of reflected light, a pit depth detecting unit detects depth of each pit. Based on the detected quantity of reflected light, a servo signal generating unit generates a tracking servo signal. An output control unit supplies the generated tracking servo signal when a pit of such depth that is to be reproduced is tracked, and holds and supplies an immediately preceding tracking servo signal when a pit of different depth is being tracked, based on the result of detection by the pit depth detecting unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical disk having pits, recording marks, grooves, lands and the like for recording information formed partially or entirely on a recording surface, an optical disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing such an optical disk, and to a method of tracking such an optical disk.
2. Description of the Related Art
For an optical disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing information from an optical disk on which information is recorded in advance by pits having recessed and protruded shapes on a disk surface, various proposals have been made as to the tracking servo technique for positioning an optical beam for reproduction on a pit string (track) as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 58-1501145.
FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the tracking servo system in accordance with Differential Phase Detection (DPD) method, disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 58-150145.
According to the DPD method, the reflected light beam from the optical disk is received by a photodetector divided into a cross-shape, that is, a photodetector having four areas formed by dividing into two along the radial direction and into two along the tangential direction of the optical disk. A sum signal of outputs of those of the four areas which are positioned at opposing corners is calculated, and a DPD signal indicative of phase difference (time difference) of the sum signals of the opposing areas is detected and used as a servo signal for tracking.
In FIG. 16, the light beam reflected from the optical disk, not shown, is condensed and directed to a photodetector 2. The four areas a, b, c and d respectively output electric signals corresponding to the reflected light quantity. Addition amplifiers 3-1 and 3-2 calculate a sum signal of outputs from areas a and c and a sum signal of outputs from areas b and d, that are positioned at opposing corners of the four areas of photodetector 2, and applies the calculated sum signals to corresponding comparators 5-1 and 5-2, respectively. Comparators 5-1 and 5-2 compare the output signals of addition amplifiers 3-1 and 3-2 with reference signals +Ref1 and +Ref2, respectively, and provide, as outputs, binary signals as a result of comparison.
As the reflected light beam has been diffracted by the pits formed on the optical disk, intensity distribution of the reflected light on the photodetector varies with time, dependent on the positional relation between the optical beam and each pit.
When the optical beam 1 follows just above a pit string, for example, output sum signals (a+c) and (b+d) from the pairs of areas (a, c) and (b, d) at opposing corners of the photodetector positioned above the pits vary in the same manner with time. Therefore, output signals from comparators 5-1 and 5-2 also change in the similar manner at the same timing.
When the optical beam 1 follows positions deviated from just above the pit string, there would be a phase difference (time difference), corresponding to the amount of deviation, between the output sum signals (a+c) and (b+d) of the above described pairs of areas (a, c) and (b, d). Therefore, either one of the sum signals changes first, dependent on the direction of deviation between the optical beam and the pit string.
Therefore, the phase difference (time difference) between the binary signals as the outputs of comparators 5-1 and 5-2 is detected by a phase comparing circuit 7, and a pulse corresponding to the phase difference (time difference) is generated. More specifically, phase comparing circuit 7 compares an R input (output of comparator 5-1) with a V input (output of comparator 5-2), and outputs a pulse of which width corresponds to the phase difference between the two, dependent on which of the inputs is advanced in phase. For example, the pulse of which width corresponds to the amount of delay is output from a U output when the V input lags behind the R input, and output from a D output when the V input is advanced.
The pulse generated in this manner is passed through lowpass filters (LPF) 8-1 and 8-2 to extract only the low frequency components thereof, which are applied to a differential circuit 9. Differential circuit 9 calculates the difference between the low frequency component outputs from lowpass filters 8-1 and 8-2, and supplies the result as a tracking servo signal indicative of the amount and direction of deviation between the optical beam and the pit string (track).
The technique for generating a tracking servo signal other than DPD method described above includes the push-pull method, for example. In the push-pull method, the reflected light beam is divided along the tangential direction of the track, a push-pull signal representing the difference in the quantity of reflected light (difference in intensity distribution) between the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the disk is calculated, and the signal is used as the tracking servo signal. FIG. 17 is a block diagram of the tracking servo system using the push-pull method.
As already described, when the light beam is directed to a pit string, the reflected light is diffracted by the pit string, dependent on the positional relation between the beam and the pit string. In the push-pull method, the reflected light is divided into two and detected at the inner peripheral side and the outer peripheral side of the optical disk, and a tracking servo signal is generated based on an average light intensity.
Referring to FIG. 17, the reflected light beam 1 is condensed onto a four-split photodetector 2, as in the DPD method shown in FIG. 16. In the push-pull method, however, addition circuits 3-1 and 3-2 add output signals of a pair of areas (a, b) positioned on the inner peripheral side and output signals of a pair of areas (c, d) positioned on the outer peripheral side and outputs the output sum signals (a+b) and (c+d) as the results of addition to a differential circuit 17, not the pair of areas positioned at opposing corners of photodetector 2 as in the DPD method.
Differential circuit 17 calculates the difference between the two sum signals from additional circuit 3-1 and 3-2, and applies the difference as a push-pull signal to a LPF 18. LPF 18 removes high frequency component of each pit from the difference, and extracts the low frequency component, that is, signal component which corresponds to substantial average deviation between the light beam and the pit string, which is supplied as a tracking servo signal. This is the principle of the push-pull method. In the conventional tracking servo control in accordance with the DPD method, push-pull method or the like, polarity of the DPD signal or the push-pull signal may be inverted dependent on the depth of the pit formed on the optical disk, hindering accurate tracking servo control.

Optical disk having pits of different depths formed therein, optical disk reproducing apparatus for reproducing the optical disk, and method of tracking the optical disk


A mounting structure between the spectral filter and optical sensor includes one or more beads of epoxy that are bonded to the face of the sensor at locations adjacent and bonded to the edge of the spectral filter around its perimeter. Placement of the epoxy so that it bonds to the edge of the spectral filter improves the robustness of the package to sheer stresses. Placement of the epoxy at the edge, suitably in discrete spot bonds, also avoids putting epoxy in the optical path, contaminating the optically active area or using epoxy to control the gap height. Alignment of the spectral filter in the plane (x,y) may be achieved using fiducial marks on the sensor and filter. Alignment of the spectral filter out of the plane (z) may be achieved using incompressible spacer balls that set the gap height precisely to the diameter of the ball. Alternately, the spectral filter may be placed in direct contact with the optically active area of the sensor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to mounting planar spectral filters to planar optical sensors and more specifically to a mounting structure and method using beads of epoxy bonded around the edge of the filter to the face of the sensor, and in certain configurations spacer balls that form standoff structures between the sensor and filter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A planar optical sensor includes a detector layer configured to detect incident light in an optically active area by converting photons to electrical charge, a readout integrated circuit (ROIC) that lies below the detector layer, and an array of cold-welded metal interconnects that connect the ROIC to the detector layer. The ROIC is configured to read out electrical charge through each interconnect corresponding to different regions on the detector layer to form a pixilated analog or digital signal.
The array of cold-welded metal interconnects is formed by first placing small bumps of soft metal, typically indium, at precise locations on each of the ROIC and the detector layer, precisely aligning the detector layer to the ROIC so that the bumps align and pressing the detector layer onto the ROIC to "cold fuse" the bumps to form a metal interconnect. This "hybridization" process is well established in the optical sensor industry for mounting the detector layer to the ROIC but does require expensive equipment and processes. The hybridization process is subject to variation due to compression force, number and size of indium bumps, and the volume of the indium bumps but is sufficient to provide reliable metal interconnects.
An optical sensor assembly also includes a spectral filter that passes one or more wavelength bands of interest. The spectral filter may pass a single wide band or multiple narrow bands. Individual bands or "zones" may be spatially registered to different x,y pixels or groups of pixel on the detector layer/ROIC. Placement of the filter in close proximity (e.g. 1 um to 350 um microns are typical depending on wavelength) to the sensor is critical to the sensor's optical performance. The spacing or "gap" in the z direction must be precisely and uniformly controlled across the optically active area.
A mounting structure should provide the required alignment fidelity in both the x,y directions in plane and z direction out of plane. The mounting structure must be sufficiently strong to withstand sheer stresses on the assembly, and should not transfer those stressed between the filter and sensor. The mounting structure should not introduce any structure into the optical path between the filter and the detector active area or contaminate the active area. The process for mounting the filter onto the assembly should not be prohibitively expensive.
The industry standard is to mount the filter to a bezel using epoxy and then mount the bezel onto the optical sensor assembly using mechanical fasteners. The bezel mounting configurations have increased volumetric size due to the added structure of the bezel. In addition, the bezel structure and its fasteners increase the system mass. This increase in mass requires adding additional features to the detector baseplate to achieve a robust and stiff design needed to overcome vibration.
Another approach is to place a thin layer of a curable, transparent adhesive such as an epoxy between the filter and the detector layer. The components are pressed together with the aid of appropriate tooling to a desired spacing prior to curing of the adhesive. After curing, the components are permanently bonded together with the layer of adhesive.
As described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,106 and 5,734,156, while operable, this fabrication technique has drawbacks. The adhesive bonding approach has relatively loose assembly tolerances in both the direction lying in the plane of the components and in the spacing between the components. The assembly time is relatively long, on the order of 12 hours, due to the need to at least partially cure the adhesive in the tooling. In operation of the device, the light reaching the sensor must pass through the adhesive layer, which attenuates and possibly distorts the light. The contact of the cured adhesive to the faces of the optical components can adversely affect their service lives.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,689,106 and 5,734,156 disclose using the hybridization process used to connect the detector layer to the ROIC, or a variant thereof, to join the filter to the optical sensor. The standoff structures comprise bonding elements (e.g. deformable metal bumps such as indium) on each of the filter and the optical sensor (outside the active area) that are cold-welded to form the structure. A standoff such as formed from silicon may be placed between the bonding elements. Alignment of the x/y position is achieved by precision placement and alignment of the bonding elements. Alignment of the z position is achieved by the metal standoff structure.
The hybridization approach provides an advance in the art of fabrication and assembly of optical devices in which two components in an optical train must be bonded together. The assembly cost is reduced due to a reduction in the bonding time. Tolerances are improved due to the stability of a metal bonding element as compared with a cured adhesive, which can distort as it cures. Optical performance is improved because no adhesive lies in the optical path, and the components are separated only by a gap. Long-term stability of the device is improved because no adhesive touches the faces of either of the components.

Optical sensor and filter assembly with epoxy mounting structure and method of assembly


A wavelength converter includes first silicon waveguides and second silicon waveguides intersecting the first silicon waveguides to form an arrayed waveguide. The arrayed waveguide receives optical data signals at the same wavelength at a first input and optical pump signals at different wavelengths at a second input. Microring resonators evanescently couple different ones of the first silicon waveguides to different ones of the second silicon waveguides. Each microring resonator is tuned to the wavelength of the optical data signals or one of the wavelengths of the optical pump signals, so that different combinations of the optical data signals and the optical pump signals are provided at an output of the arrayed waveguide. A non-linear optical media converts the wavelength of each combined optical signal at the output of the arrayed waveguide to yield wavelength converted signals each having a new dedicated wavelength.

In large scale information and communication technology (ICT) systems, such as datacenter networks, optical interconnects, especially silicon photonics, are enabling technologies that offer various advantages such as high bandwidth, high density, compactness, low cost, low power consumption, compatibility with mature CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) processes, monolithic integration, etc. Grey light (i.e. single wavelength) parallel silicon photonics is highly cost effective for very short reach applications such as chip-to-chip, module-to-module and linecard-to-linecard interconnects. Grey light parallel silicon photonics can extend the reach to kilometers. WDM (wavelength division multiplexing) silicon photonics modules, using multiple wavelength laser arrays at the transmitter side, allow aggregating high speed optical signals into a single optical waveguide and fiber for longer reach interconnects at lower cost.
Despite disparities in requirement and technical implementation, grey light and WDM solutions can coexist to achieve different interconnect scenarios. For example, at the higher hierarchy levels such as the top-of-rack (ToR) and aggregated switches, or the inter-datacenter interconnects, the WDM solution can leverage higher-cost laser chips by using much less fiber (cable) counts and offering all optical passive routing. On the other hand, at the lower level more static point-to-point interconnects, grey light parallel optics is more cost effective and requires lower power budget. The disparity between the parallel and WDM solutions conventionally requires a conversion from single wavelength grey light to multiple wavelengths. Although this operation can be realized with different optical transceiver modules via O-E-O (optical-electrical-optical) two-stage conversion, this process is very costly and the power consumption on the electronics alone is very high, especially for high bit rates in which CDR (clock data recovery) and signal processing and regeneration are necessary.

Parallel and WDM silicon photonics integration in information and communications technology systems


A light fixture support member is attached to a cam plate portion of a mounting member having an elongated slot of uniform width by a cam head fastener mechanism that includes a screw having a head portion, a shank portion and a lock portion between the head portion and the shank portion. The shank portion is threaded and passes through the hole in the base portion of the support member. The lock portion is normally received in the slot of the cam plate portion and is of a size and shape such that the screw cannot rotate substantially when the lock portion is received in the slot. The head portion includes opposite shoulders that are engageable with surface portions of the mounting member on opposite sides of the slot in one rotational position of the screw and disengageable from said portions in another rotational position of the screw so that the head can pass through the slot. A knob is threaded onto the shank portion of the screw, a spring is engaged in compression between the base portion and the knob, and a stop is provided on the screw shank on the opposite side of the knob from the spring and limits the movement of the knob along the shank portion in a direction away from the head portion so that the knob cannot be removed from the screw shank.

In building spaces in which objects and pictures are put on display, such as in exhibit areas of museums, building lobbies, office reception areas and showrooms, it is desirable to use light fixtures that can easily be removed and replaced by different type fixtures and in which the positions of the lights can be adjusted so that the lighting of the articles on display can be optimized when the exhibit is changed. It is also desirable to install the support systems and wiring for light fixtures in both new construction and renovation without installing the fixtures themselves, lest the fixtures be harmed during the stages of the construction or renovation after the support system and wiring are installed. Indeed, it is often advantageous to both install the fixtures and adjust them at the same time. Various lighting systems, such as high hat fixtures and track lighting, are suited to installation of the fixtures separately from the fixture mounting assembly and wiring but they are not always well-suited to some types of displays and to the architectural concepts of the space.
There is a need, for example, for lighting systems that are recessed into a ceiling and in which the fixtures can be easily and quickly removed and replaced and also adjusted to various lighting needs. For example, the same light mounting structure in a ceiling may be called upon to provide object lighting for one display and wall-wash lighting for another. It is known per se to adapt light fixtures to provide different forms of light by changing lamps, lenses, reflectors and shields, but it is sometimes more convenient and occasionally necessary to make the required changes when the fixtures are removed from their mounts. Also, it may be desirable at times to locate multiple mounts on regular spacings on a ceiling or in a slot recessed into a ceiling, and then be able to attach lighting fixtures to the mounts most advantageously located for the lighting requirements of the particular exhibit.


A device that frequency up-shifts an impinging electromagnetic wave, facilitating signal pulse compression, consisting of a semiconductor block or waveguide with an optically-induced relativistic plasma wave which interacts with an applied or self generated electromagnetic signal.

The present invention relates to the modification of an electromagnetic signal through interaction with an energy beam-induced moving plasma in a semiconductor. The modified signal is frequency up-shifted, producing a fast electromagnetic or electrical signal. The invented device can also generate fast electrical signals.
A prior art method of producing fast electromagnetic signals utilizes a photoconductive switch. A semiconductor is placed between two contacts which are connected to a voltage source in the external circuit. The semiconductor behaves like an insulator until it is made to conduct with laser illumination of the proper wavelength. A fast pulse of laser energy will thus produce a fast electrical signal in the external circuit. One basic version of this switch gives an electrical signal amplitude that is approximately proportional to the optical energy deposited in the semiconductor. The other basic version uses semiconductors such as GaAs which can turn on completely when the illumination energy is above some threshold. The basic mechanism for this later version is referred to as optically initiated avalanche. Discussions of these types of switches can be found in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: Davis 4,438,331; Ragle 4,864,119; and Kim 5,028,971. The general advantage of photoconductive switches is their ability to produce fast, high amplitude pulses, for example, a 5 kV electrical pulse with a rise time of 100 picoseconds (ps).
More generally, a laser illumination of the proper wavelength and energy between two separated conductors on a semiconductor substrate will electrically connect or "short" the two conductors. Thus, by turning on such illumination, it is possible to make an electrical connection for as long as the optical energy is applied. For a review of this technology see Lee, "Picosecond optics and microwave technology," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., vol. MTT-38, pp. 596-607, 1990.
A related technology uses adjustable location, stationary laser illumination on portions of a semiconductor waveguide in order to control the propagation velocity of the microwave signal. In this way, the application of laser light to the waveguide can be made to slow down the propagation of a microwave signal by changing certain characteristics of the waveguide, thus producing an optically controlled waveguide phase shifter. For a detailed treatment of this area see Cheung et al., "Optically controlled coplanar waveguide phase shifters," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., vol. MTT-38, pp. 586-589, 1990, and Vaucher et al., "Theory of optically controlled millimeter-wave phase shifters," IEEE Trans. Microwave Theory Tech., vol. MTT-31, pp. 209-216, 1983.
Another prior art way to produce fast microwave signals was recently reported by Savage et al. in "Frequency Upconversion of Electromagnetic Radiation upon Transmission into an Ionization Front," Physical Review Letters, vol. 68, Feb. 1992. This paper describes an experiment where an optically induced moving ionization front in a gaseous medium interacts with an impinging microwave signal, producing an up-shifted signal. Source radiation at 35 GHz was up-converted to 116 GHz when an ionizing laser pulse was propagated through a resonant microwave cavity. However, the tens of mJ of optical pulse energy used was inadequate to produce a true reflective plasma at microwave frequencies, giving up-shifts different than those predicted by a simple Doppler effect. The up-conversion under these conditions was rather inefficient, being less than 1% at 116 GHz.
An ideal situation for efficient frequency up-conversion would be to produce an optically induced moving ionization front which is sufficiently dense to give complete reflection for an impinging electromagnetic signal. Such a case is analogous to the reflection of electromagnetic radiation from a moving mirror, which will give a Doppler shift dependent on the mirror's velocity. The up-conversion factor due to the relativistic Doppler effect in the rest frame of the observer for an ideal reflecting "front" moving toward the impinging electromagnetic radiation is given by equation 1 which is written and plotted in FIG. 1. The velocity of the electromagnetic radiation in the medium is c and the velocity of the moving reflecting front is v. As the velocity of the reflecting boundary becomes a significant fraction of the velocity of the electromagnetic radiation, very large up-shifts will occur.
Because of the technological difficulty of producing fast laser pulses of sufficiently high energy to create a truly reflective ionization front in a gas, frequency up-conversion by the pure Doppler effect has not previously been achieved. The low efficiency up-conversion demonstrated by Savage et al. was due to a plasma-microwave interaction which is a superset of the Doppler effect.

Relativistic semiconductor plasma wave frequency up-converter


A first device may receive a first session token from a second device; determine that the first session token is expired or invalid; provide a security input to the second device to cause the second device to generate a first hash value of the security input using a key corresponding to a key identifier (ID); receive the key ID and the first hash value from the second device; generate a second hash value using the key corresponding to the key ID; determine that the first hash value matches the second hash value; and establish a session with the second device based on determining that the first hash value matches the second hash value.

User devices can be used to access services (e.g., video/audio streaming services, or the like) based on providing a service provider with authentication information (e.g., login information, password information, etc.). Providing the authentication information can be an inconvenient process, thereby limiting the user's experience. Providing access without authentication information, or with authentication information that can be stolen (e.g., account numbers, or the like) can pose security risks and allow unauthorized users to access the services.

Authenticating a user device to access services based on a device ID


The present invention relates to a method for establishing a call from a calling party to an extension of a PBX. By providing the calling party with a graphical display of information of extension of the PBX the user may easy and fast select a desired extension.

Today it is getting increasingly more usual to be offered connection alternatives when you call companies or authorities, to implement automatic connection of extensions. The user then chooses one of the offered alternatives by pressing a button on a phone, so called DTMF signaling, or by speaking into a phone, so called voice control. After a first such choice you are commonly offered further alternatives until you finally is connected to an intended extension of the private branch exchange (PBX) of the company or the authority.
A problem with such automatic connections is that it could be frustrating to listen to a lot of alternatives, even more if in several steps, as well as if you pick a wrong alternative you will probably need to start all over by calling the company or the authority again. In other words, a problem with such automatic connections is that a lot of selections need to be transferred between the PBX of the company, or the authority, and the calling party.


A pressure release device and methods of using the same are disclosed. The pressure release device and/or related methods may be useful for alleviating and/or relieving pressure on skin tissue prone to developing pressure sores and/or tissue that has already developed pressure sores. The pressure release device generally includes one or more relays, logic configured to actuate the one or more relays, one or more motors, and a barrel rotatably connected to at least one of the motor(s) and having one or more straps retractably affixed thereto. Optionally, the pressure release device may be detachably or permanently connected to a surface or frame of a wheelchair.

Pressure sores, also known as decubitus ulcers, pressure ulcers, and/or bedsores, are damage to areas of tissue commonly caused by continuous pressure on and/or decreased blood flow to the affected area. The shearing of tissue layers can also lead to the formation of pressure sores. Pressure sores commonly form in tissues that are in close proximity to bones. For example, the skin around heels, hips, sacrum, back, back of head, elbows, and/or ankles can be particularly susceptible to such injury. Once a pressure sore develops, a person is at risk for developing further complications and health injuries, such as sepsis and/or amyloidosis.
People who are restricted in their movement, such as the elderly, and those who are bedridden, in wheelchairs, or otherwise limited in their range of movement are at increased risk for developing pressure sores. Keeping a person's skin clean and dry has been known to decrease the chances of developing pressure sores. In addition, to decrease the risk and/or to prevent pressure sores, people with limited mobility are encouraged to continually change body positions at regular time intervals. For example, the nursing staff in a hospital may repeatedly turn or rotate a bedridden patient at a set time interval (e.g., every couple hours) to relieve pressure on injury-prone tissue areas of the patient. Other methods for preventing pressure sores include the use of mattresses that redistribute the pressure on skin areas prone to developing pressure sores. Similarly, pillows and/or cushions are used to redistribute the weight for people who are generally immobile, who sit and/or lie for long durations, and/or are wheelchair or bed bound.
In situations where a person is dependent upon a nurse or caretaker to change their body position, the caretaker may not always be able to move/adjust the person at a consistent time interval. For instance, the caretaker may be called upon to perform tasks elsewhere and unable to adjust the person at regular time intervals. Further, pressure-relieving cushions, pillows and mattresses may wear out, compress and/or otherwise lose their pressure-relieving efficacy over time. Moreover, the cost of specialized mattresses and regular nursing care may be cost-prohibitive.
This "Discussion of the Background" section is provided for background information only. The statements in this "Discussion of the Background" are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this "Discussion of the Background" section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this "Discussion of the Background" section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this "Discussion of the Background" section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Apparatus and methods for pressure release


A decoloring device according to an embodiment includes a decoloring unit configured to decolor an image on a sheet. A scanner optically reads the sheet and generates image data corresponding to the read sheet. A storage unit stores a first jam detection time and a second jam detection time, the second jam detection time being longer than the first jam detection time. A first sensor detects a sheet being transported in a first transport area. A second sensor detects a sheet being transported in a second transport area. A jam determination unit determines occurrence of a jam in the first transport area based on a detection by the first sensor compared to the first jam detection time, and determines occurrence of a jam in the second transport area based on a duration of a detection by the second sensor compared to the second jam detection time.

A decoloring device performs decolorization processing by sequentially taking in a sheet on which an image is formed using a coloring agent which is decolored by heating at a predetermined temperature, and pressurizing and heating the sheet at a temperature of, for example, 180° C. to 200° C.
In the decoloring device, a scanner is provided to read a manuscript before the decolorization processing or to confirm a decolorized state after the decolorization processing. It is desirable to decrease a size of a decoloring device to use the decoloring device as part of an automatic document feeding (ADF) device of an image forming apparatus such as an MFP and the like.
In addition, when decreasing a size of the decoloring device, an interval between a decoloring unit and a scanner becomes narrow. For this reason, when a length of a sheet in a longitudinal direction is longer than the interval between the decoloring unit and the scanner (when the sheet spans across the scanner and the decoloring unit), a tip portion of the sheet reaches an inlet of the decoloring unit during read processing by the scanner. That is, it is possible to start the decolorization processing earlier than before.
However, when a sheet taken into the decoloring unit during the read processing by the scanner is jammed, the sheet stays at the decoloring unit in a high temperature state, and the sheet is decolorized before reading is completed. Therefore, it is not possible to save image data of a sheet before decolorization by re-feeding the sheet from a sheet feeding unit and performing the read processing again.

Decoloring device and jam detection time controlling method in decoloring device


A method for correlating data taken during two test drives through the coverage area of a personal communication system, the data from each test set including a sequence of locations along a drive, a location from the first set being correlated with a location from the second set when the location from the second set is within a correlation distance from the location from the first set, the method including determining the correlation distance; setting the search point as a location in first set; determining a possible first correlated location from the first set and a corresponding first correlated location from the second set using the search point, the correlation distance, and a search radius if no correlated data has yet been found; otherwise determining a possible next correlated location from the first set and a corresponding next correlated location from the second set using the search point, the correlation distance, the correlated location from the second set that was most recently found, and a search number. The effects of data taken during slow or halted movement are reduced by averaging or discounting locations. The effects of changing environmental variables may be reduced by determining at least one data variable that should have remained constant between data for correlated locations and, for each geographically correlated pair, determining any difference between data values for one of these variables, and compensating data from the correlated pair using the determined difference.

A wireless personal communication system (PCS) provides a variety of services including telephony, paging and networking. Typically, a PCS consists of a plurality of geographically-spaced base stations operated by a service provider and a plurality of telecommunication devices operated by customers. The customers may roam throughout the area covered by the PCS and remain capable of sending and receiving information.
Testing PCS base station equipment often requires moving test equipment through the geographic area covered by the base station. The test equipment may be capable of receiving data from the base station, transmitting information to the base station, and recording results as well as additional information such as location coordinates and time.
During testing of PCS equipment, it may be necessary to perform multiple tests at different times. For example, consider tests to compare low noise amplifiers from different manufacturers that may be used in order to increase performance in the base station receive path. A first amplifier may be installed. A test drive is then conducted while data is collected. The first amplifier may then be replaced by a second amplifier. A second test drive is then conducted while data is collected. In order to compare the operation of the two amplifiers, only data from locations with close geographic correlation should be considered. Also, factors including excessive data acquired during slow or halted movement and changes in environmental conditions must be taken into account.
What is needed is a method of correlating the data taken in one test sequence with data taken during another test sequence covering similar geographic area. Such a method should be able to reduce the effects of data taken at slow or halted movement. Such a method should also be able to compensate for differing environmental conditions when possible. The method should complete data correlation without requiring excessive computational resources.

Personal communication system geographical test data correlation


An apparatus, program product and method utilize sets of attributes respectively associated with managed resources and policies to match managed resources with individual policies. Multiple managed resources are permitted to be matched with a specific policy, such that the policy applies to all matching managed resources. Furthermore, by providing multiple attributes upon which to match, policies are capable of being defined with varying degrees of specificity, enabling administrators to utilize more generic policies for certain types of managed resources, with more specific policies used to override certain managed resources whenever needed.

Distributed computing systems have found application in a number of different computing environments, particularly those requiring high performance and/or high availability and fault tolerance. In a distributed computing system, multiple computers connected by a network are permitted to communicate and/or share workload. Distributed computing systems support practically all types of computing models, including peer-to-peer and client-server computing.
One particular type of distributed computing system is referred to as a clustered computing system. "Clustering" generally refers to a computer system organization where multiple computers, or nodes, are networked together to cooperatively perform computer tasks. An important aspect of a computer cluster is that all of the nodes in the cluster present a single system image—that is, from the perspective of a client or user, the nodes in a cluster appear collectively as a single computer, or entity. In a client-server computing model, for example, the nodes of a cluster collectively appear as a single server to any clients that attempt to access the cluster.
Clustering is often used in relatively large multi-user computing systems where high performance and reliability are of concern. For example, clustering may be used to provide redundancy, or fault tolerance, so that, should any node in a cluster fail, the operations previously performed by that node will be handled by other nodes in the cluster. Clustering is also used to increase overall performance, since multiple nodes can often handle a larger number of tasks in parallel than a single computer otherwise could. Often, load balancing can also be used to ensure that tasks are distributed fairly among nodes to prevent individual nodes from becoming overloaded and therefore maximize overall system performance. One specific application of clustering, for example, is in providing multi-user access to a shared resource such as a database or a storage device, since multiple nodes can handle a comparatively large number of user access requests, and since the shared resource is typically still available to users even upon the failure of any given node in the cluster.
In many clustered computer systems, the services offered by such systems are implemented as managed resources. Some services, for example, may be singleton services, which are handled at any given time by one particular node, with automatic failover used to move a service to another node whenever the node currently hosting the service encounters a problem. Other services, often referred to as distributed services, enable multiple nodes to provide a service, e.g., to handle requests for a particular type of service from multiple clients.
Resources such as cluster-provided services are typically managed through the use of various types of policies that are necessary for some aspect of a resource's existence. A policy, in general, is any set of rules that may be used to manage the existence and operation of one or more resources, and includes, for example, activation or high availability policies, security policies, rights policies, and other types of management policies. An activation policy may be used, for example, to select a particular node or nodes to use to host a service, and/or to manage how failover occurs in response to a node failure. A security policy may be used, for example, to determine what resources particular users are permitted to access and/or what types of operations those users are permitted to perform. A rights policy may be used, for example, to control access to digital content.
Many conventional policy-based resource management systems require each managed resource to be associated with one policy of a particular type. For example, in a high availability environment, it is often a requirement that each managed resource be controlled by a single activation policy. Otherwise, the applicability of multiple policies to a given managed resource could introduce conflicts between different policies.
Furthermore, many conventional-policy based resource management systems also require the converse relationship—that each policy of a particular type apply to a single managed resource. Put another way, there is a one/one mapping between each managed resource and each policy. As such, every time a new managed resource is created or otherwise added to the system, a new policy must be created for that resource.
By requiring a one/one mapping between resources and policies, however, policy management can become complex and unwieldy as more and more managed resources are added. In many high availability environments, for example, thousands of managed resources may exist, thus requiring a comparable number of policies. While policies may be automatically generated in some circumstances when managed resources are added, nonetheless, the large number of policies that are generated can become an administrative nightmare whenever it is desirable to modify or remove policies. The large number of policies can also constrain system scalability.
Therefore, a significant need continues to exist in the art for a manner of associating policies with managed resources with reduced management overhead and complexity, and improved flexibility and scalability.

Application of attribute-set policies to managed resources in a distributed computing system

International Business Machines Corporation


A method of two-source passive ranging comprising the steps of determining the coordinates of a first position and a second position wherein a first soldier or ground vehicle is located at the first position and a second soldier or ground vehicle is located at the second position; determining individual angles between said first and second positions and a radio frequency source; and using individual single-angle accuracy values to estimate the range from the first and second positions to the radio frequency source.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to electronic warfare (EW) and more particularly to methods and apparatus for providing ranging between soldiers or ground vehicles.
2. Brief Description of Prior Developments
The prior art discloses various methods and apparatus for ranging between soldiers on the ground or other uses of ranging in a military environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,409,899, for example, discloses an acoustic target sensor and ranging system automatically detects military targets and provides a munition firing signal at the appropriate target position and time. An amplitude-doppler circuit is utilized to predict the time of closest approach to a munition by a target by measuring the time interval between zero crossings of the second and third derivatives of the received acoustic wave amplitude function. The circuit produces a firing signal by logically ANDing the closest point of approach signal it develops with a signal that indicates when target range is within specified limits. The circuit is realized by means of conventional electronic zero crossing detectors, an up-down counter, dividers, sample and hold devices and voltage comparators. The acoustic target signal is obtained from an omni-directional microphone the output of which is amplified and rectified.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,751,830 discloses a coherent camera system performs ranging, spectroscopy, and thermal imaging. Local oscillator radiation is combined with target scene radiation to enable heterodyne detection by the coherent camera's two-dimensional photodetector array. Versatility enables deployment of the system in either a passive mode (where no laser energy is actively transmitted toward the target scene) or an active mode (where a transmitting laser is used to actively illuminate the target scene). The two-dimensional photodetector array eliminates the need to mechanically scan the detector. Each element of the photodetector array produces an intermediate frequency signal that is amplified, filtered, and rectified by the coherent camera's integrated circuitry. By spectroscopic examination of the frequency components of each pixel of the detector array, a high-resolution, three-dimensional or holographic image of the target scene is produced for applications such as air pollution studies, atmospheric disturbance monitoring, and military weapons targeting.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,801,866 discloses a portable laser communication transceiver for transmitting and receiving information imposed on laser beams. A communication signal is imposed on a laser beam having a divergence of between 1 degree and 4 degrees. The beam is directed by an operator, sighting through a telescopic viewing device, at a distant transceiver which collects light in the laser beam with a. In preferred embodiments, the transceivers are handheld and each comprises a microphone and earphones allowing operators to talk with each other. Digital information can also be transmitted from personal computers and other electronic information equipment at the location of each operator. In a preferred embodiment useful for military and surveying applications, a GPS, a compass and a laser ranging system is provided. This enables the operator to sight through a binocular to a target and determine its position in longitude, latitude and elevation. Target position information can then be transmitted to a distant transceiver which in this case could be a base transceiver.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,989,783 discloses a continuous wave ranging system, comprising a modulator for modulating an r.f. carrier wave in accordance with a pseudo-random code, a transmitting antenna for radiating the modulated signal towards a target, a receiving antenna and receiver for detecting the signal reflected back from the target, a correlator for correlating the reflected signal with a transmitted code with a selected phase shift corresponding to the current range gate to be tested, and means for processing the range/amplitude data from the correlator to discriminate between reflections due to the target and those due to other objects adjacent to the target.
A need, however, still exists for methods and apparatus for providing passive range to local RF emitters on the battlefield available to foot soldiers or unmanned ground vehicles.

Soldier/ground vehicle passive ranging system utilizing compact spatiotemporal processor

BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc.


A motion compensation apparatus for a camera module with a half-shutter function is provided. The apparatus includes an initialization unit for selecting a subject, a motion of which is to be detected, from images secured in a half-shutter state, and calculates motion information of the subject; a tracking unit for tracking the selected subject and the motion information provided from the initialization unit, and calculates prediction information of the subject; and a controller for generating a control signal for controlling a speed of a shutter and a sensibility of an image sensor based on the prediction information provided from the tracking unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for minimizing blurring of a captured image, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for minimizing image blurring caused by motion of a subject.
2. Description of the Related Art
Devices for taking pictures of a subject may be classified into camcorders for capturing moving images and cameras for capturing still images. Recently, digital cameras that can capture both still and moving images have also been produced.
In imaging devices for picture taking, such as camcorders and digital cameras, light incident from a subject is converted and recorded by a photosensitive means such as an image sensor or film. The camera requires an exposure time during which a subject can be photo-sensed or exposed. Movement of a subject during the exposure time may result in a motion-blurred image.
As a solution for suppressing the motion blurring caused by motion of a subject, Panasonic Corporation (hereinafter, "Panasonic") launched a LUMIX® digital camera with an intelligent ISO (International Standard Organization) function. The intelligent ISO function by Panasonic divides an image into four equal areas, compares each of the four areas with a corresponding same area in a previous image to calculate a motion, and applies the calculated motion to adjusting a shutter speed and ISO value (or light sensibility) of an image sensor.
In addition, Korean Patent Application No. 10-1995-0069717 filed by Samsung Electronics discloses a method for measuring a brightness of an initially taken image and then adjusting an iris size and a shutter speed based on the brightness to take a clearer image. Another conventional method includes detecting an entire motion of a background from a continuous image sequence received in a preview mode for previewing a captured image, and then executing a specific function of a camera according to motion of the camera.
The methods described above may be classified into two major types of methods. One such type of method includes combining a subject portion of a focused image with a small motion of the subject among multiple captured images, with a background of another image. The other such type of method includes measuring an illuminance of a subject or a background and adjusting an exposure condition like a shutter speed, and ISO value of an image sensor based on the illuminance measurement.
However, the method and apparatus proposed by Panasonic, which suppresses motion of a subject, requires a separate image stabilization device for suppressing blurring of a captured image due to hand vibration. Panasonic's method for preventing image blurring is not easily applied to a portable digital device that does not, or may not, include the image stabilization device.
However, the method of suppressing blurring caused by motion of a subject by measuring a brightness of the subject or a background and adjusting exposure conditions according to the brightness, does not suppress the image blurring caused by the motion of the subject when the opening time of a shutter is too long in view of a moving speed of the subject.
Images received in a Live View mode are dark and include many noises because resolution of Live View mode images is low and a flash cannot be used. Therefore, suppression of subject's motion is restricted, and quality of compensated images decreases. In addition, the Panasonic's method requiring a separate image stabilization device may not be easily applied in small portable communication terminals preferred by users.

Method and apparatus for motion compensation

University-Industry Cooperation Group of Kyung Hee University


A position control apparatus 100 is provided with: an optical pickup 1 for reading information from a track formed on a optical disk DK by irradiating a light beam B to the track, detecting a quantity of a shift between a position of the light spot and a position of the track on the basis of the read information, and generating a tracking error signal; a sampling device 26 for sampling a low frequency component from the tracking error signal; an average calculating device 25 for calculating an average of an amplitude of the sampled low frequency component during a period of one rotation of the optical disk DK; a comparator 27 for comparing the calculated average with a predetermined value and generating a drive timing signal; a carriage driver 28 for generating a drive control signal on the basis of the drive timing signal; and a carriage servo motor 8 for moving the optical pickup 1 in a radial direction of the optical disk DK on the basis of the drive control signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a position control apparatus for controlling a position of a device such as an optical pickup to be used for recording or reproducing a recording disk, for example, a CD (Compact Disk), an LD (Laser Disk) or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical recording system for recording information onto an optical recording disk such as a CD-R (Compact Disk-Recordable) or the like and an optical reproducing system for reproducing information recorded on an optical recording disk such as a CD, LD or the like are required to have various servo control mechanisms in order to accurately record the information onto the optical disk or to accurately read the information from the optical disk.
Here, as one example of the various servo control mechanisms, a servo control mechanism for controlling a position of an optical pickup in a CD reproducing system, which is the apparatus to reproduce a CD, will be explained.
The CD reproducing system has a spindle motor for controlling a rotation of the CD, a pickup for irradiating a light beam to a surface of the CD and detecting a reflective light from the surface of the CD in order to read information recorded on the CD, a signal processor for decoding the information read by the pickup in order to reproduce this information, a tracking servo motor for controlling a position of an objective lens disposed in the pickup, a carriage servo motor for controlling a position of the pickup, a detecting device for detecting a quantity of a shift (displacement) between a track position and a light spot position (irradiating position of the pickup) and generating a tracking error signal, whose amplitude changes in proportion to the aforementioned quantity of the shift, and a servo control driver for generating driving signals on the basis of the tracking error signal and applying these driving signals to the tracking servo motor and the carriage servo motor in order to drive and control these motors.
In operation, the spindle motor rotates the CD. Then, the pickup irradiates the light beam to a surface of the CD and detects the reflective light from the surface of the CD. In this manner, the pickup reads the information recorded on the CD and outputs an information signal corresponding to the read information to the signal processor and the detecting device respectively. Then, the signal processor decodes this information signal, so that the information signal is reproduced.
At this time, the detecting device detects the quantity of the shift between the track position and the light spot position on the basis of the information signal outputted from the pickup, and the detecting device generates a tracking error signal on the basis of the detected quantity of the shift. Here, a three beam method or a heterodyne method is used in the detection of the quantity of the shift. Then, the detecting device outputs this tracking error signal to the servo control driver.
The servo control driver is connected with each of the tracking servo motor and the carriage servo motor. The servo control driver generates driving signals on the basis of the tracking error signal outputted from the detecting device in order to drive and control each of these motors, and the servo control driver respectively outputs these driving signals to these motors. Thus, these motors is independently driven and controlled by these driving signals.
The tracking servo motor controls the position of the objective lens disposed in the pickup on the basis of the driving signal outputted from the servo control driver. Therefore, the objective lens is moved in the radial direction of the CD by the tracking servo motor. More specifically, the light beam irradiated toward the CD from the pickup is condensed by the objective lens, and thus, a light spot is formed on the surface of the CD. Therefore, the light spot position is adjusted by the movement of the objective lens. Thus, the tracking servo motor controls the position of the objective lens such that the quantity of the shift between the track position and the light spot position is reduced in order to accurately irradiate the light beam onto each track formed on the surface of the CD through the objective lens and normally read the information recorded on the CD.
The carriage servo motor controls the position of the pickup on the basis of the driving signal outputted from the servo control driver. Therefore, the pickup is moved in the radial direction of the CD by the carriage servo motor. More specifically, the light spot position is adjusted by not only the position of the objective lens but also the position of the pickup itself. Namely, the light spot position is roughly adjusted by the movement of the pickup, and it is finely adjusted by the movement of the objective lens. Thus, the carriage servo motor controls the position of the pickup such that the light spot position is moved along the tracks arranged in spiral or coaxial on the surface of the CD in order to accurately irradiate the light beam onto each track and normally read the information recorded on each track.
In this manner, the tracking servo motor and the carriage servo motor are driven on the basis of the driving signal generated on the basis of the tracking error signal, and the tracking servo motor and the carriage servo motor control the position of the objective lens and the pickup. Therefore, the quantity of the shift between the track position and the light spot position can be reduced, and the light spot position can be moved along the track arranged in spiral or coaxial shape on the surface of the CD.
However, an eccentricity of the CD may happen in cause of an eccentricity of the tracks formed on the CD in advance or an eccentricity of the shaft of the spindle motor. Further, the eccentricity of the CD may happen when it is bad to mount the CD into a turn-table of the CD reproducing system. The eccentricity of the CD generates an eccentric noise in the tracking error signal outputted from the detection device, as shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 9 shows the tracking error signal TE outputted from the detecting device, a converted signal CS, which is converted from the tracking error signal TE in the servo control driver, and a pulse signal PS generated from the converted signal CS in the servo control driver. The pulse signal PS is outputted to the carriage servo motor as the driving signal to drive the carriage servo motor. In FIG. 9, a high frequency sine curve is mixed in the tracking error signal TE. This high frequency sine curve is an eccentric noise generated in cause of the eccentricity of the CD. More specifically, if the eccentricity of the CD is happened, the actual track position is shifted out of the normal track position. In this case, the pickup and objective lens are respectively moved along the actual track position regardless the actual track position is shifted out of the normal track position. Therefore, when the detecting device generates the tracking error signal on the basis of the information signal outputted from the pickup, the high frequency sine curve is mixed into the tracking error signal as eccentric noise, as shown in FIG. 9.
Further, this eccentric noise is also mixed in the converted signal CS and the pulse signal PS. As a result, the carriage servo motor is controlled by the pulse signal PS mixed with the eccentric noise, and thus, the rotation of the carriage servo motor becomes unstable. Namely, the electric power in order to drive the carriage motor is obtained by the integration value of the pulse signal PS. Therefore, if the eccentric noise is mixed in the pulse signal PS, the integration value of the pulse signal PS is irregularly changed, so that the stable driving current cannot be applied to the carriage servo motor.
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, the pulse signal PS is irregularly divided into the first pulse portion PP1 and the second pulse portion PP2. Therefore, if such irregularly divided pulse signals are applied to the carriage servo motor, the rotation of the carriage servo motor is unstable.
On the other hand, in order to solve the unstable of the carriage servo motor, the method that the aforementioned eccentric noise is cut off by using an equalizer may be proposed. However, it is difficult to efficiently solve the unstable of the carriage servo motor by this method as follows.
Namely, the aforementioned eccentric noise is generated by the eccentricity of the CD. Therefore, the frequency of the sine curve of the eccentric noise corresponds to the rotation number of the CD. The rotation of the CD is determined to about 200 rpm! to 500 rpm!, so that the frequency of the eccentric noise is about 3 Hz! to 8 Hz!.
Thus, in order to lower the level of the eccentric noise whose frequency is in the range of about 3 Hz! to 8 Hz!, an equalizer having the frequency characteristic as shown in FIG. 10 is needed. Namely, in order to remove the eccentric noise from the pulse signal PS, the equalizer must have the frequency characteristic based on the qualifications mentioned below.
(1) Obtaining the driving voltage to drive the carriage servo motor in a condition that the lens offset is about 60 .mu.m! in the direct current range, i.e., in the frequency range of not more than a frequency f1.
(2) Lowering a gain G1 in the range of the frequency f1 (about 60 Hz!) to a frequency f2 (about 1 Hz!) in order to remove the eccentric noise.
(3) Keeping the gain G1 more than predetermined level, in order to prevent an oscillation of the electric circuit of the carriage servo motor.
As mentioned above, the qualifications (2) and (3) are conflicted with each other. Because of the conflict between the qualifications (2) and (3), it is difficult to make the equalizer such that both of qualifications (2) and (3) can be sufficient. Further, in order to satisfy the qualification (3), the gain G1 cannot be drastically lowered. Therefore, the eccentric noise cannot be completely removed.

Servo control apparatus for controlling position of device


A disposable and multiconfigurational animal habitat for obtaining physiological measurements of a small mammal is provided. The habitat includes a disposable and vertically oriented tower having a top, middle, and a bottom section. The tower includes a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber is sized, shaped, and configured to house the small mammal and is disposed in the top section of the tower. A first instrumentation platform is disposed in the first chamber and configured to support the small mammal. The second chamber is also sized, shaped, and configured to house the small mammal and disposed underneath the first instrumentation platform. A second instrumentation platform disposed in the second chamber and configured to support the small mammal. The habitat can be assembled from a kit comprising sheet of foldable disposable material having cut-outs and fold lines that can be folded to form the tower of the habitat.

Small animals, or more specifically, small mammals such as mice and hamsters, are routinely used in the research setting for studying a wide range of human disorders. Moreover, there are about 1 million people in the US that keep mice and hamsters as pets. There is a need to monitor the health and well-being of such small mammals for research purposes or to ensure their good health. For humans, the health of the heart is routinely checked, either by recording a blood pressure, checking the pulse, or recording an electrocardiogram. In small mammals, however, this is not routine, as small animals such as mice can move very fast, try to escape measurement, and attempt to bite whomever is handling the animal. Therefore, small mammals are often anesthetized or sedated in order to gauge heart health. However, it is well known that the anesthetic or sedation can profoundly affect the true metrics of heart health. Monitoring of the heart rate and electrocardiogram in some animals is often performed by inserting pin electrodes into the sedated subject's appendages, affixing the animal's forelimbs and hind limbs to conductive electrodes, or surgically inserting implants. The imposition of the pin electrodes can cause pain and tissue damage, the affixing of limbs to conductive electrodes is often cumbersome, and the surgical implants can require weeks of recovery. Therefore, a need exists for improved methodologies to record the ECG from awake small mammals.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,445,941 previously described an invention whereby the small animal stands on an array of conductive electrodes. U.S. Pat. No. 8,649,086 described an invention having two points of electrical contact crossing the subject's heart. The data capture is greatly improved when the subject's range of motion is limited. Therefore, typically, a small animal such as a mouse is placed on an elevated platform a height sufficient to discourage the subject from alighting from the platform. The height has heretofore been accomplished via maintaining a structure dedicated to supporting the instrumented platform. To the elevated platform is added an ECG sensor, so that the animal is standing upon the sensor at height sufficient to discourage the animal from alighting from said instrumented elevated platform. Small laboratory animals will urinate and defecate indiscriminately, soiling their cages, temporary or permanent. If not managed, a small animal itself will soil itself, and as such the possibility of establishing or detecting a clear stable electrical signal between a signal detector and appendage [e.g., foot or tail] of the animal can become unreliable.
There is a demand for physiological readouts in lab animals to provide indices of disease, health, medicine toxicity, and therapeutic efficacy. There is a need of physiological readouts to indicate whether an animal is healthy, or unhealthy, feeling content, or distressed, in pain, or not in pain. Often pain is associated with nervous system changes that are often reflected by increases in heart rate, decreases in heart rate variability, or both. Often, pain is associated with changes in the olfactory system. Other diseases and disorders associated with changes in the nervous system and olfactory system include Parkinson's disease, pain, Down syndrome, Alzheimer's disease, and aging. Stress itself is associated with changes in heart rate and heart rate variability. It is also known that aromatherapy can help mitigate stress.

Disposable and muticonfigurable habitat for obtaining physiological measurements of small mammals


A method for performing phase shift control in an electronic device and an associated apparatus are provided, where the method includes: obtaining a set of clock signals corresponding to a set of phases, wherein any two phases of the set of phases are different from each other; and controlling a phase shift of an output signal of an oscillator by selectively mixing the set of clock signals into the oscillator according to a set of digital weighting control signals, wherein the phase shift corresponds to the set of digital weighting control signals, and the set of digital weighting control signals carries a set of digital weightings for selectively mixing the set of clock signals. More particularly, the method may include: selectively mixing the set of clock signals into a specific stage of a plurality of stages of the oscillator according to the set of digital weighting control signals.

The present invention relates to maintaining linearity of the hardware circuitry for a wide frequency range, and more particularly, to a method for performing phase shift control in an electronic device, and an associated apparatus.
According to the related art, a conventional phase interpolator can be utilized for performing phase interpolation to generate an interpolation signal having a resultant phase between two given phases. However, some problems may occur. For example, the operations of the conventional phase interpolator are typically limited due to the RC slew rate, and therefore, the conventional phase interpolator cannot be utilized to operate in a wide frequency range, and the conventional phase interpolator may suffer from linearity degradation, such as Differential Nonlinearity (DNL) and Integral Nonlinearity (INL). Examples of the wide frequency range mentioned above may include, but not limited to, the frequency range from 270 MHz to 6 GHz for some High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) applications, the frequency range from 2.5 GHz to 16 GHz for some Peripheral Component Interconnect Express (PCI Express, PCIE or PCIe) applications, the frequency range from 1.5 GHz to 6 GHz for some Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA, SATA) applications, and the frequency range from 1.25 G to 25 GHz for some Ethernet applications. Thus, a novel method is required for guaranteeing the capability of phase control in a wide frequency range such as that mentioned above, without introducing any side effects.

Method for performing phase shift control in an electronic device, and associated apparatus


A broadband optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer is provided. Two waveguides are arranged such that, in a case where a connection position where one of the two waveguides is connected to a first slab waveguide is set closer to the other waveguide by a channel frequency interval Δf, a central position between the two waveguides aligns with a central position on a connection end surface of the first slab waveguide, and two waveguide groups of an output waveguide are arranged such that a central position between the two waveguide groups aligns with a central position of a second slab waveguide, and an interval between a connection position where the other waveguide is connected to the first slab waveguide and the central position on the connection end surface of the first slab waveguide is set equal to an interval between a connection position where the waveguide groups are connected to the second slab waveguide.

With a recent increase in communication demand and in demand for distribution of high-definition moving images, future optical communication networks are expected to have an increased speed of 100 Tbps or higher and an increased capacity. A technique supporting high-speed high-capacity communication is wavelength multiplexing (WDM: Wavelength Division Multiplexing), and an important device is an optical wavelength multiplexer/demultiplexer. Among optical wavelength multiplexers/demultiplexers, an arrayed waveguide grating (AWG) including waveguides formed on a planar substrate is advantageous in suppressed variation in properties because arrayed waveguide gratings are excellent in small-scale integratability and mass productivity and can be produced with the same process and the same number of steps.
Furthermore, communication based on a modulation scheme at a high speed of, for example, 100 Gbps per channel requires a very wide bandwidth. The AWG generally has a band property in a flat top shape and enables to cover wavelength shift of a light source. However, providing the band property needed for the high-speed modulation scheme needs to further extend the band property. To satisfy this, the current channel frequency interval needs to be increased. However, an increase in channel frequency interval reduces the total number of channels within the operating wavelength range, leading to a reduced total capacity. Thus, the band property is desirably extended with keeping the channel frequency interval.
FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B illustrate an example of a configuration of a conventional AWG 100. FIG. 4A illustrates an overall configuration of the AWG 100. The AWG 100 is a one-to-many bidirectional optical element and includes one I/O waveguide 101, two slab waveguides 102 and 104, a parabolic waveguide 106 provided between the one I/O waveguide 101 and the one slab waveguide 102, an arrayed waveguide 103 provided between the two slab waveguides 102 and 104, and an I/O waveguide group 105 including a plurality of waveguides. FIG. 4B illustrates a connection portion between the I/O waveguide group 105 and the slab waveguide 104. As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the I/O waveguide group 105 includes tapered waveguides.


This invention provides compounds of formula I,

The present invention relates to derivatives of 2,3,4,4a-tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2,-a]quinoxalin-5(6H)ones which are serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine 2C (5HT2C) receptor agonists useful for the treatment of disorders such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, sleep disorders, eating disorders, obesity, type II diabetes, and epilepsy.
Obesity is a medical disorder characterized by an excess of body fat or adipose tissue. Comorbidities associated with obesity are Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, stroke, osteoarthritis, sleep apnea, gall bladder disease, gout, some cancers, some infertility, and early mortality. As the percentage of obese individuals continues to rise both in the U.S. and abroad, obesity is expected to be a major health risk in the 21st Century. The serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor is a G-protein coupled receptor which is expressed in neurons in many regions of the human central nervous system. [Wilkinson, L. O. and Dourish, C. T. in Serotonin Receptor Subtypes: Basic and Clinical Aspects (ed. Peroutka, S. J.) 147–210 (Wiley-Liss, New York, 1991).] The 5HT2c, receptor (formerly called the 5HT1C receptor) is a prominent subtype of the serotonin receptor found in the central nervous system of both rats and humans. It is expressed widely in both cortical and subcortical regions. [Julius, D. MacDermott, A. B., Axel, R. Jessell, T. M. Science 241:558–564 (1988).] Studies in several animal species and in humans have shown that the non-selective 5HT2C receptor agonist, meta-chlorophenylpiperazine (MCPP) decreases food intake. [Cowen, P. J., Clifford, E. M., Williams, C., Walsh, A. E. S., Fairburn, C. G. Nature 376: 557 (1995).] Tecott, et al have demonstrated that transgenic mice lacking the 5HT2Creceptor eat more and are heavier than Wild Type mice. [Tecott, L. H., Sun, L. M., Akana, S. F., Strack, A. M., Lowenstein, D. H., Dallman, M. F., Jullus, D. Nature 374: 542–546 (1995).] Compounds of this invention are 5HT2Creceptor subtype selective agonists which are selective over other monoamine receptors, causes a reduction in food intake and result in a reduction in weight gain. Other therapeutic indications for 5HT2C agonists are obsessive compulsive disorder, depression, panic disorder, schizophrenia, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and epilepsy.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,032,639; 4,089,958; and 4,203,987 describe 2,3,4,4a-Tetrahydro-1H-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalin-5(6)-ones and derivatives thereof as antihypertensive agents. In contrast, compounds of this invention bind to and activate the 5HT2C receptors in the CNS and are useful for the treatment of CNS disorders.
Indian J. Chem. 17B, 244–245 (1979) discloses 3-Substituted 2,3,4,4a,5,6-Hexahydro-1(H)-pyrazino[1,2-a]quinoxalines which exhibit no anorexigenic or stimulant activity at 60 mg/kg i.p. dose. Weak CNS depressant activity and significant hypotensive activity in anaesthetized animals. Tachyphylaxis was observed.

Abstract: wherein                R is hydrogen or alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms;        R′ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, acyl of 2–7 carbon atoms, or aroyl;        R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each, independently, hydrogen, alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms, halogen, trifluoroalkyl, or trifluoroalkoxy of 1–6 carbon atoms;        X is CR5R6 or a carbonyl group;        R5 and R6 are each, independently, hydrogen or alkyl of 1–6 carbon atoms;or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2, R3, or R4 are not hydrogen;which are 5HT2C receptor agonists useful for the treatment of disorders involving the central nervous system such as obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, migraine, sleep disorders, eating disorders, obesity, type II diabetes, and epilepsy.


The prevent invention is to provide a solid-state imaging device having a electrode configuration applicable to a progressive scan, and able to reduce a obstruction of incident light at the periphery of a light receiving portion, a method of producing the same, a camera including the same. A first transfer electrode, a second transfer electrode, and a third transfer electrode which have a single layer transfer electrode configuration are repeatedly arranged in a vertical direction. The first transfer electrodes are connected in a horizontal direction by an inter-pixel interconnection formed in the same layer. Shunt interconnections are formed in the horizontal direction and in the vertical direction above the transfer layers. The shunt interconnection connected to the second transfer interconnection is formed on the inter-pixel interconnection. The shunt interconnection connected to the third transfer electrode is formed above the transfer electrodes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to, particularly, a charge coupled device (CCD) type solid-state imaging device, a method of producing the same, and a camera including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known, as a digital still camera imaging device, a CCD solid-state imaging device has been used well, mostly, it is an interline transfer type (so-called as an "IT type") CCD. Among them, there are a field integration, a frame integration and a progressive scan.
In the field integration or the frame integration, by dividing the whole pixel information into two times or more and reading out it, there is a merit, for example, that a restriction of a vertical transfer unit (vertical CCD) due to a dynamic range can be avoided. However, due to a read out operation divided into a plurality of times, there is a demerit, for example, of an outflow of a signal charge caused by heat and a difference of a dark current between fields.
In the progressive scan, since the whole pixels can be read out simultaneously, there is a merit, for example, that an accurate optical shatter (mostly, a mechanical shatter) is unnecessary. However, a transfer electrode is configured by a three- or more layers-stacked poly silicon electrode, so that a processing thereof is complicated and a step thereof is increased. Further, an unevenness in the vertical transfer unit becomes obviously, so an eclipse of incident light (namely, light to be incidence to a light receiving portion is blocked off by a shield film) easily occurs due to such unevenness. Therefore, a sensitivity shading and a sensitivity deterioration at a lens opening side may be easily caused.
As the solid-state imaging device for the progressive scan, Japanese Patent No. 2,878,546 discloses a solid-state imaging device in which a transfer electrode with a single layer electrode structure is used and a driving pulse is supplied from a metal interconnection which is an upper layer of the transfer electrode to a separated transfer electrode in the transfer electrode.

Solid-state imaging device, method of producing the same, and camera


An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device includes: a first substrate comprising red, green, and blue pixel areas; a first electrode on the first substrate; red, green, and blue organic light emitting layers on the first electrode at the red, green, and blue pixel areas, respectively; a second electrode on the red, green, and blue organic light emitting layers; a capping layer on the second electrode, and having a greater thickness at the red and green pixel areas than a thickness at the blue pixel area; a thin film encapsulation layer on the capping layer; and a red color filter on the thin film encapsulation layer at the red pixel area.

1. Field
Aspects of embodiments of the present invention relate to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device.
2. Description of the Related Art
An organic light emitting diode (OLED) display device is a self-emission-type display device displaying an image using an OLED element which emits light. Such an OLED display device may not require an additional light source, in a manner dissimilar to that of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device, and thus may have a relatively reduced thickness and weight. Further, an OLED display device has characteristics such as relatively low power consumption, relatively high luminance, and relatively high speed of response, thus gaining attention as a next generation display device.
In general, an OLED element includes a hole injection electrode, an organic light emitting layer, and an electron injection electrode. A hole injected from the hole injection electrode and an electron injected from the electron injection electrode are combined with one another within the organic light emitting layer to form an exciton. The OLED element emits light by energy generated when the exciton falls from an excited state to a ground state.
It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the technology and as such disclosed herein, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that do not constitute prior art.

Organic light emitting diode display device


An angular rate sensor includes: a circuit board; a package including an angular rate sensor chip and a connection terminal; and a conductive member. The angular rate sensor chip is accommodated in the package. The package is disposed on the circuit board through the conductive member. The package further includes a first electrode disposed on a bottom of the package, the first electrode connecting to the connection terminal. The circuit board includes a second electrode disposed on a top of the circuit board. The angular rate sensor chip in the package is electrically connected to the circuit board through the connection terminal, the first and the second electrodes and the conductive member. The circuit board and the package are electrically and elastically connected by the conductive member.

An angular rate sensor detects a displacement caused by a Coriolis force, and then, the sensor converts the displacement to an electronic signal. Therefore, the sensor may output error caused by disturbance vibration. Therefore, vibration proof construction is necessitated for the sensor to reduce the disturbance vibration. In Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-55667, the sensor has a construction, in which a substrate with a vibrator is fixed on a fixation member through a vibration proof rubber.
However, the construction for the vibration proof is complicated, so that an electric connection construction is also complicated.

Angular rate sensor having circuit board and package