A lacrosse head having a frame and an articulated member moveably coupled to the frame. In one embodiment, a lacrosse head includes a stop member; a first sidewall connected to the stop member; a second sidewall connected to the stop member opposite the first sidewall; and a scoop connected to the first sidewall and the second sidewall opposite the stop member, wherein the first sidewall includes a first member integrally connected to the stop member and the scoop, and a second member moveably coupled to the first member. The second member can include pocket thread openings for attaching a pocket to the head. The lacrosse head can also include a stiffening member attached to the scoop and a sidewall of the frame, and a collared male plug for joining the frame to a hollow shaft.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to lacrosse sticks, and more particularly, to a lacrosse head having an articulated member from which to suspend a pocket. The lacrosse head can further include a stiffening member attached to the scoop and a sidewall, and a connector for joining the head to a hollow lacrosse stick shaft.
2. Background of the Invention
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional lacrosse stick 100 having a handle 102 shown in dotted lines and a double-wall synthetic head 104. Head 104 comprises a generally V-shaped frame having a juncture 106, sidewalls 108 and 110, a transverse wall (or "scoop") 112 joining the sidewalls at their ends opposite juncture 106, and a stop member 114 joining sidewalls 108 and 110 at their ends nearest juncture 106. As shown, handle 102 fits into and through juncture 106, and abuts stop member 114. A screw or other fastener placed through opening 107 secures handle 102 to head 104.
For traditionally-strung pockets (which have thongs and string instead of mesh), thongs (not shown) made of leather or synthetic material extend from upper thong holes 116 in transverse wall 112 to lower thong holes 118 in stop member 114. In some designs, such as the design shown in FIG. 1, upper thong holes 116 are located on tabs 117 of the scoop 112. On other designs, upper thong holes 116 are located directly on the scoop 112. FIG. 1 shows four pairs (116, 118) of thong holes that accept four thongs. To complete the pocket web, the thongs have nylon strings threaded around the thongs and string laced through string holes 120 in sidewalls 108 and 110, forming any number of diamonds (crosslacing). Finally, one or more throwing or shooting strings extend transversely between the upper portions of sidewalls 108 and 110, attaching to throwing string holes 124 and a string laced through string holes 122. The typical features of a lacrosse stick are shown generally in Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,507,495, Crawford et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,984, and Tucker et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,947, which are all incorporated by reference herein.
Of particular relevance to the present invention are rules relating to the height of the sidewalls of the head. In a lacrosse game, these dimensional requirements prevent a player from using a stick that unfairly protects the lacrosse ball within a deeper pocket, such that it is more difficult for opponents to check the ball free. For this reason, men's rules permit a pocket depth of up to 2½ inches, below a sidewall that is up to 2 inches high. According to the traditional test, when looking horizontally at the sidewall of the men's lacrosse stick with a regulation ball inside the pocket, the sidewall must obstruct the view of at least a portion of the ball. The total height of the sidewall and pocket must not exceed 4½ inches. Similarly, women's rules limit the height of the sidewall to 1.8 inches (1⅘ inches or 4.5 cm) at the point of its greatest height, such that the top of a regulation ball placed inside the pocket can be always be seen over the sidewall when looking horizontally at the sidewall.
Several drawbacks are associated with conventional lacrosse head designs, relating to stiff pockets that hinder ball control, areas in the head that are susceptible to deformation, wide distances between sidewalls that make it difficult to keep a ball in the pocket, and means of attaching the head to a shaft that prevent a player from positioning his hand on the shaft close to the head. These drawbacks are discussed below.
In an effort to deepen a pocket as much as possible, some conventional men's lacrosse heads maximize the height of the sidewalls to the upper limit of 2 inches that is mandated by applicable rules. Coupled with the maximum allowed 2½-inch pocket, this sidewall height provides the lacrosse head with the maximum allowed total depth of 4½ inches. Unfortunately, maximizing the height of the traditional monolithic rigid sidewall offers no flexibility to the pocket. The rigid frame of the lacrosse head can make the overall pocket stiff and unforgiving. Indeed, the only flexible component of the conventional men's lacrosse head is the 2½ inches of pocket. A sharp jolt to the stick, as often happens when a player is checked, can cause the stiff pocket to propel the ball out of the lacrosse head. In addition, the rigid frame limits the degree to which the pocket swings during cradling, and therefore the degree to which a ball in the pocket can move under the frame into a position from which it is more difficult to dislodge. Players would therefore prefer a more flexible pocket that better dampens ball movement and widens the arc of the pocket swing to keep a ball in the lacrosse head.
Considering another drawback, on traditional lacrosse heads, at the transition area between the sidewalls and the scoop, the frame decreases in thickness to eliminate unnecessary weight and to provide the contour necessary to form the pocket. In addition to decreasing in thickness, at this transition area, the sidewalls turn and open up to provide the flat surface area of the scoop. This transition area therefore becomes a weak portion of the frame, and is vulnerable to bending, twisting, and breaking. The top of the frame can bend easily at this transition area, in both side-to-side and front-to-back directions. The deformation of the lacrosse head frame is especially noticeable during the rigorous contact encountered while facing off, checking, and scooping up ground balls. To improve ball control, players would therefore prefer a stiffer lacrosse head frame that better resists these frontal and lateral impacts.
As another factor in ball control, players tend to prefer narrower pockets that better restrain a ball within the pocket. Lacrosse stick designers cannot, however, simply shorten the distance between the sidewalls because of commonly accepted rules mandating the overall width of the head. For example, Section 18 of Rule 1-17 of the 2001 NCAA Men's Lacrosse Rules states that "[t]he head of the crosse at its widest point shall measure between 6½ and 10 inches, inside measurement." Thus, the sidewalls must be at least 6/2 inches apart at their widest point.
To circumvent this rule, some lacrosse head designers have added interior structures to the sidewalls of the lacrosse head frame. One known example is the "Rock" lacrosse head manufactured by Shamrock of Summit, N.J. The "Rock" includes wings that are integral to the sidewalls of the lacrosse head, and are intended to channel a ball to release from the center of the pocket. Another example is the ball retaining ridges described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,066,056 to Morrow. The structures in these examples do not, however, improve the rigidity of the lacrosse head in the transition area between the scoop and sidewalls.
Turning to another drawback of conventional lacrosse heads, as shown in FIG. 1, the traditional means for attaching head 104 to handle or shaft 102 involves sliding shaft 102 into juncture 106 of head 104 and securing head 104 to shaft 102 with a screw or similar fastener placed in opening 107. In effect, juncture 106 serves as a female connection that receives shaft 102. Unfortunately, this configuration requires the distance between stop member 114 and juncture 106 to be relatively long to provide adequate stability between head 104 and shaft 102. Because commonly accepted rules prohibit a player from placing a hand on head 104 while carrying a ball, the long distance between stop member 114 and juncture 106 necessitates a player's holding shaft 102 a significant distance away from the pocket, and therefore from the ball inside the pocket, and from the center of gravity created by the combined mass of the ball and lacrosse head. Players therefore have a diminished feel for the ball in the pocket.
To shorten the distance between stop member 114 and juncture 106, a male plug that fits within the bore of shaft 102 could be used, as suggested in U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,026 to Dill et al. This male plug connection, however, provides a relatively weak attachment because the shaft is held onto the male plug by only the friction fit between the components. A stronger connection that still permits the shorter distance between stop member 114 and juncture 106 would be desirable.

Lacrosse head having an articulated member


The invention relates to a method and logical units for providing services in a mobile communication system. In the mobile communication system a number of calls are handled for one user. The calls may have different bearer capabilities. In case a further call with its bearer capability requests a set-up, either another parallel call can be set-up or a call can be put on hold or can be disconnected or can be put in a waiting stage. Further to this the bearer capabilities of the number n+1 of calls are checked in order to determine whether any of the n calls have the same bearer capabilities. Further to this it is checked whether any of the calls fulfills bearer requirements and can be taken on hold. If any of the calls meets the requirement, the call is put on hold and the further call is set up.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and logical units for providing services in a mobile communication system wherein a number of calls with different bearer capabilities are handled.
2. Description of Related Art
When communicating via a mobile communication system, in some cases a subscriber is called by a third party or wants to communicate with a plurality of parties. The GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) communication system supports this by offering so called supplementary services, e.g. call waiting, call hold, call forwarding on busy subscriber and multi party call. All these services are provided by the network and are activated by the mobile user.
A core network consists at least of entities that provide support for the network features and telecommunication services. The support provided may include for example a functionality of the management of user location information, the control of network features and services, the transfer mechanisms for signalling and for user generated information.
In the following these definitions are used, user B is a user who is engaged in a call with a user A. User A is the mobile user who is provided by the network with the respective supplementary service or supplementary services. User C is a user, who originates a call to user A, or is called by user A.
Call waiting enables user A to receive a call from user C. The call from user C is put on call waiting and an indication is sent to user B. User B can put the call with user A on hold and accept the call from user C. He can also reject the call from user C so that this call can be forwarded by the call forwarding on busy subscriber service. If user B accepts the call from C, he can set up a multi party call including user A in the active call with user C (ETSI Standards GSM02.83 and GSM02.84, version 5.0.0, November 1996).
FIG. 11b shows an example of a multi party call between three users A, B, C. In this example the multi party call is active and handled by an conference call device CCD in a mobile services switching center MSC. A conference call device is a device that can connect more than two parties with each other at the same time.
The GSM communication system also offers packet switched data services as the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service). However there are still shortcomings in the setup of several calls in parallel, as it is still not possible for example to do an active speech call, Internet browsing and the reception of a fax at the same time.
To overcome these shortcomings, a so-called UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) is under development. One of the principles of this communication system is the provision of multiple calls, which means that one user is able to handle multiple calls at the same time (ETSI Standard UMTS 22.00 version 2.0.0, January 1999).
The UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) communication system is capable of handling several calls to one mobile user equipment, the so-called multiple call capability. Opposite to a GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), the UMTS communication system neither releases a first call nor puts a first call on hold. The UMTS communication system sets up several calls in parallel to one mobile user equipment. This enables a mobile user to use several applications at the same time. For example a mobile user can have a speech call while receiving a fax and doing a data call. Even several calls of the same kind, as for example multiple data calls are possible. FIG. 11a shows an example of a possible implementation of a multiple call from a device B and a device C to a mobile user equipment A. In this example the multiple calls are handled in parallel by a mobile services switching center MSC.
It is a shortcoming of the known UMTS that there is no description how a mobile user can for example set up a speech call to two subscribers at the same time providing also a connection between these two subscribers.
It is a further shortcoming of the known prior art that there is no handling for the case that network resources for setting up multiple calls are exhausted.
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a mobile user in a mobile communication system that supports a number of calls with the same or different bearer capabilities for one mobile user with additional services.
This problem is solved advantageously by the method of claim 1 and the logical units of claim 16 and 17.
It is advantageous that the air interface between a mobile user equipment and the core network is used for only one call and by that uses the radio resources more efficiently, this enables an operator to offer more calls at the same time.
Further advantageous is that the communication system and the mobile user equipment provide more flexibility of call handling to the mobile user, in that the mobile user can decide on a per call basis how the user wishes to accept a new call.
It is further advantageous, that the mobile user equipment has to use fewer calls, this saves battery power and increases the stand-by time and active call time of a mobile user equipment.
Another advantage is that the system uses services known to a mobile user familiar with GSM, this reduces the time a user needs to accept and get used to the new system.
It is further advantageous that the system uses services known to a mobile user familiar with GSM. This reduces the time a user needs to get used to the new services and it reduces the time until a new user makes use of the new services.
It is advantageous that the connection hardware is placed in the core network instead of having it into the mobile user equipment, this reduces the costs and the size of the mobile user equipment.
Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are found in the claims 2 to 15 and claims 18 to 23.
It is advantageous according to the depending claims that the user defined settings for taking a decision, whether a call should be set up as a new parallel call, a call should be put on hold or a call should be rejected can be defined once for all further calls, this makes the use of the service more comfortable for a mobile user.
Another advantage according to the depending claims is that the user defined settings for taking a decision, whether a call should be set up as a new parallel call, a call should be put on hold or a call should be rejected can be defined before each originating call, this makes the use of the service more flexible for a mobile user.
Further advantageous is according to the depending claim that the user defined settings for making a decision, whether a call should be set up as a new parallel call, a call should be put on hold or a call should be rejected can be defined before each first attachment to a mobile communication system that supports multiple calls, this offers a good compromise between the flexibility and convenience of the service.
Further advantageous is according to the depending claim that the decision logic is fully implemented in the mobile user equipment, this reduces the necessary processing in the core network and improves the performance of the core network so that the core network can handle more call attempts in the same time.
Another advantageous according to the depending claims is that the decision logic is fully implemented in the mobile user equipment, this reduces the necessary transfer of information between the mobile user equipment and the core network and allows more chargeable traffic on the air interface.
Further advantageous is according to the depending claims that the decision logic is partly implemented in the core network, this reduces the necessary signalling in the case that a terminating call is attempted to the mobile user equipment.

Method and apparatus for setting up simultaneous calls

Abstract: In addition to this services like a conference call and call forwarding are provided.


A 3D Printing Rapid Prototyping process using Al/Mg particles coated with a metal (i.e. copper, nickel, zinc, or tin) that (1) prevents oxidation of the Al/Mg particles, and (2) either alone, or when alloyed with the aluminum or magnesium core metal, melts below the liquidus temperature of the core.

Rapid prototyping processes are well known, and employ known layered manufacturing techniques wherein an article (e.g. metal casting mold, prototype part, etc.) is progressively made in a series of layers sequentially built-up one upon the next. One variant of such process is the so-called SLA 1 System wherein a computer-controlled, focused UV laser is scanned over the top surface of a bath of a photopolymerizable liquid polymer to selectively polymerize the polymer where the laser beam strikes it, and thereby form a first solid polymeric layer at the top surface of the bath. This solid layer is then lowered into the bath such that a fresh layer of liquid polymer covers the solid layer. The laser polymerization process is then repeated to generate a second solid polymeric layer, and so on, until a plurality of superimposed solid polymeric layers complete the desired article. Another variant of the rapid prototyping process is known as the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process, wherein a computer-controlled laser beam sinters selected areas of multiple layers of loosely compacted powder (e.g. plastic, metal, ceramic, wax etc.), layer-by-layer, until the article is completely built-up. The SLS variant is described in more detail in U.S. patent Bourell et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,869 issued Dec. 31, 1991. Still another variant is known as the "3D-Printing" rapid prototyping process wherein a computer-controlled ink jet printing device (e.g. continuous stream, or drop-on-demand type) propels a stream of binder from one or more jets onto select areas of a first layer of loose particles (i.e. about 60 μm to about 140 mμ in diameter) according to a pattern dictated by the computer. A microcomputer, such as is used in computer assisted design (CAD) work, controls the jets according to a three dimensional (3D) computer model of the article, and two dimensional (2D) slices taken therethrough, as is well known to those skilled in the art. Thereafter, a second layer of loose particles is laid atop the first layer, and as with the first layer, the ink jet selectively directs a stream of binder onto the second layer of particles. The particle layers may be formed by depositing either dry particles, or particles suspended in a volatile liquid, onto a working surface before the binder is applied. When used, the volatile liquid is allowed to evaporate, at least partially, from a first layer before depositing a second layer thereon. This process is repeated, over and over, layer after layer, until the article is completed. The binder in one layer is at least partially hardened (e.g. dried or cured) before the next layer of particles is laid down. The finished article may thereafter be heated for further drying/curing of the binder to provide the article with sufficient green strength for handling, and to permit separating of the loose, unbonded particles from the bonded particles without distorting or damaging the article. Thereafter, the article may further be heated to sinter or weld the particles together to form a finished, albeit porous, article. Depending on the intended use of the article, it may or may not thereafter be infiltrated with a suitable infiltrant (e.g. a polymer, or a metal having a liquidus temperature lower than that of the sintered metal particles) to seal the article and eliminate the porosity. The 3D-Printing rapid prototyping process is described in more detail in U.S. patents Sachs et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,055 (issued Apr. 20, 1993), Cima et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,380 (issued Feb. 7, 1995), and Sachs U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,777 (issued Mar. 14, 2000) which are herein incorporated by reference.
It would be desirable to manufacture light-weight articles from particles made from aluminum or magnesium or their alloys (hereafter Al/Mg particles) using the 3D-Printing rapid prototyping technique. However, it has not heretofore been possible to do so owing to the reactivity of Al/Mg particles and their propensity to readily oxidize in air to form an oxide skin on the particle's surface that impedes sintering/welding of the particles to each other.

Aluminum/magnesium 3D-Printing rapid prototyping


A system for acquiring and displaying which represents a two-dimensional array of data in an intuitive graphical display, where the graphical display is controlled through a plurality of display interfaces. Specifically, the system acquires data representing a phenomenon such as a plasma, processes that data and displays the data, in real-time, in one of a number of user selectable graphical formats. The data, once acquired, can be further processed by editing, filtering and smoothing. Such processed data can then be "replayed" such that a user can compare various sets of data acquired under various test scenarios. Additionally, the system is used to control and optimize a plasma within plasma generating equipment.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to data acquisition and analysis systems and, more particularly, to a system for real-time acquisition and analysis of a two-dimensional array of data regarding a phenomenon such as a plasma within a plasma generator including plasmas generated in semiconductor processing equipment, liquid crystal display fabrication equipment or other such equipment.
2. Description of the Background Art
In many types of substrate processing techniques, including etching, physical vapor deposition, liquid crystal display fabrication, chemical vapor deposition, and the like, the processing equipment utilizes a plasma during substrate processing. To optimize the process, the plasma must be maintained uniformly across the entire surface of the substrate being processed. To characterize a plasma and to determine particular parameters for establishing and maintaining the plasma, the plasma must be monitored in some manner while processing an actual substrate or a substrate facsimile. When the plasma is used in semiconductor wafer processing, the plasma is typically monitored while processing an actual wafer or a placebo wafer (also known as a dummy wafer).
One simple technique for monitoring the plasma uniformity within a semiconductor processing system requires placing an actual wafer in a reaction chamber of an etching system such as a model PE5000 manufactured by Applied Materials, Inc. of Santa Clara, Calif. The plasma initialization and maintenance parameters, e.g., gas pressure, source power, bias power, cathode temperature, and the like, are established and then the equipment strikes the plasma. The equipment is used in a manner that duplicates utilization of the plasma to process the wafer. After the processing is complete, the wafer is removed and physically inspected to determine the uniformity of the processing. For example, if an etch process was accomplished, the uniformity of the etch is measured using a laser interferometer. The resulting physical properties of the wafer are used to approximate the uniformity of the plasma. By repeating this technique for a number of wafers using various plasma parameters, the optimal parameter set can be determined which produces the optimal plasma uniformity. However, this plasma monitoring and evaluation technique is time consuming and costly.
Another technique used to monitor plasma uniformity is to attach one or more ion current probes to a placebo or dummy wafer, position the dummy wafer in the reaction chamber, and strike a plasma. A current meter measure the current generated by each of the ion current probes as a plasma is generated proximate the placebo wafer. The current measured represents the plasma density near the probes. As such, comparing the data from a number of probe locations generally represents the uniformity of the plasma. To compute uniformity, this technique requires substantial post acquisition processing of the data collected from the probes.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a system for monitoring and evaluating a three-dimensional phenomenon such as a plasma such that a graphical representation of the phenomena is generated and displayed. Also, such display generation should be accomplished in real-time such that instantaneous analysis and optimization of the phenomenon control parameters can be accomplished.

System for acquiring and analyzing a two-dimensional array of data


Example embodiments of automatic vehicle imaging systems may include cameras configured to capture images and/or video. Cameras may be coupled to booms and/or unmanned vehicles, such as unmanned aerial vehicles and unmanned ground vehicles. Example methods may include determining a camera path for a vehicle, wherein the camera path is a path to be followed by a camera while the camera captures images or video of the vehicle, positioning the camera at the starting position, and capturing a first image or video segment of the vehicle using the camera. The example method may include associating the first image or video segment with a first description, moving the camera to a second position along the camera path, capturing a second image or video segment of the vehicle, and associating the second image or video segment with a second description.

When selling goods, such as vehicles, advertisements may be used. The advertisements may include images and/or video. In some instances, potential purchasers may rely on the images and/or video in the advertisements to determine interest in the vehicle. A number of images and/or videos may assist potential purchasers in determining interest in the vehicle as well. With used vehicles in particular, images may be desirable so that potential buyers can see damage or flaws in the vehicle's physical condition. However, capturing images and/or video may be time consuming or difficult for different vehicles.

Systems and methods for automatic vehicle imaging


Embodiments of the present invention disclose a peripheral component interconnect express interface control unit. The unit includes a P2P module, configured to receive a first TLP from a RC or an EP and forward the first TLP to a reliable TLP transmission RTT module for processing; the reliable TLP transmission module, configured to determine, according to the received first TLP, sending links connected to active and standby PCIE switching units, and send the first TLP to the active and standby PCIE switching units through the sending links at the same time, so that a destination PCIE interface controller of the first TLP selectively receives the first TLP forwarded by the active and standby PCIE switching units and sends the first TLP to a destination EP or a destination RC, thereby implementing reliable transmission of a TLP in a case of a PCIE switching dual-plane networking connection.

With the further development of computers and communication technologies, a large amount of new-generation input/output (Input/Output, abbreviated as I/O) interfaces emerge, for example, I/O interfaces using gigabit Ethernet (Gigabit Ethernet, abbreviated as GE) and 10 gigabit Ethernet (10 Gigabit Ethernet, abbreviated as LOGE) technologies, and 4G/8G fibre channel (Fibre Channel, abbreviated as FC) technologies. Rates of I/O interfaces are significantly improved. A bandwidth of a conventional peripheral component interconnect (Peripheral Component Interconnect, abbreviated as PCI) bus is no longer capable of coping with a requirement for massive high-bandwidth concurrent reading and writing in a computer system, and the PCI bus becomes a bottleneck in improving system performance. Therefore, a PCIE bus is developed. The PCIE bus is capable of providing an extremely high bandwidth through multiple channels (X1/X2/X4/X8/X16/X32) to satisfy a system requirement.
The PCIE uses a point-to-point communication mode. A tree network structure is formed from a root complex (Root Complex, abbreviated as RC) to endpoint devices (Endpoint, abbreviated as EP). Data exchange in a transmission layer is performed based on a transaction layer packet (Transaction Layer Packet, abbreviated as TLP). When the PCIE is used as a bus in a board, the simple tree structure is capable of ensuring reliability of the system. When the PCIE bus fails, an impact is limited inside the board. With the change of the computer, network and storage architecture, an advantage of using the PCIE as a switching network among these components becomes prominent. As shown in FIG. 1, a graphics process unit (Graphics Process Unit, abbreviated as GPU), a converge network adaptor (Converge Network Adaptor, abbreviated as CNA), a solid-state disk (Solid-State Disk, abbreviated as SSD), a video acceleration component, and so on provide a virtualization technology, and resource sharing of the GPU, CNA, SSD, and so on may be implemented between central process units (Central Process Unit, abbreviated as CPU) or between virtual machines (Virtual Machine, abbreviated as VM) through PCIE switching, thereby improving a utilization ratio of system resources. When the GPU/CNA/SSD/video acceleration component/PCIE switching component or PCIE link fails, abnormities may be caused for all CPUs due to the tree switching structure defined in PCIE specifications, thereby dramatically reducing the reliability of the system.
According to the foregoing description, due to the current tree-structure networking manner of the PCIE, the reliability of the system fails to meet an application requirement.

Method, device, system and storage medium for implementing packet transmission in PCIE switching network


High throughput methods are used that combine the features of using a matrix-type microfluidic device, labeled nucleic acid probes, and homogenous assays to detect and/or quantify nucleic acid analytes. The high throughput methods are capable of detecting nucleic acid analyes with high PCR and probe specificity, producing a low fluorescence background and therefore, a high signal to noise ratio. Additionally, the high throughput methods are capable of detecting low copy number nucleic acid analyte per cell.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally related to high throughput methods and strategies to detect and/or quantify nucleic acid analytes employing matrix-type microfluidic devices. In particular, the invention uses high throughput homogeneous methods to detect and/or quantify nucleic acid analytes having the desired features of high specificity and a high signal to noise ratio.
2. Related Art
The ability to detect specific nucleic acid sequences in a sample has resulted in new approaches in diagnostic and predictive medicine, environmental, food and agricultural monitoring, molecular biology research, and many other fields. High-throughput detection of specified epitopes, nucleic acids, proteins, and protein complexes promises to have a similar impact.
Various methods for such analysis have been developed, including multiplexing methods that allow simultaneous detection of large numbers of targets. Additional methods, especially methods that allow detection of many targets across a broad range of concentrations in a sample would be of great benefit.

Combinatorial amplification and detection of nucleic acids


A method of manufacturing an electrical rod insulator for supporting an electrical conductor and comprising an insulating core obtained by molding and having a top end and a bottom end with a bore for receiving said rod in an axial direction, and covered in a molded covering having a groove for supporting said electrical conductor, wherein the core is molded in such a manner that its outside surface defines radial ribs extending along the axial direction from the top end of the core, said ribs being spaced apart from one another by a distance that is constant and substantially equal to the thickness of the core. The method makes it possible to avoid problems associated with molding large thicknesses when making a composite insulator having better mechanical and electrical properties at low cost.

The invention relates to a method of manufacturing a rigid electrical pin insulator for supporting an electrical conductor, the insulator comprising an electrically insulating rigid core obtained by molding and having a top end, a bottom end with a bore for receiving said pin and extending in an axial direction between said top and bottom ends, and an outer surface covered in a dielectric covering obtained by molding and having a shaped outside surface defining at least one groove for supporting said electrical conductor and having fins that are annular about the axis of the bore.
Such an insulator is generally designed to be installed on a high voltage or medium voltage electricity pylon, e.g. to support an electrical conductor such as an optionally insulated cable of an electricity transport line, while keeping the cable electrically insulated from the pylon.
Thus, such an insulator is generally subjected to high mechanical stresses due in particular to the weight of the cable it supports, while also providing a high degree of electrical insulation. Conventionally, such an insulator has been made of glass or porcelain, and recent developments in materials have led to this type of insulator being made, for example, out of composite material, thereby saving a considerable amount of weight compared with glass and also reducing manufacturing costs, but presenting difficulties associated with molding such composite materials.
One such composite material insulator is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,636. In that known insulator, the core, which is covered in a thin skin for protecting the core from environmental attack, is itself solid and of varying thicknesses, thus making it difficult to mold without any internal defects.
In general, when a solid piece is obtained by molding, there is a danger of shrink cavities arising or indeed of residual stresses remaining due in particular to the material shrinking as it cools. Thus, when a solid part is to be molded, one of the difficulties lies in implementing a molding technique that is adapted to avoiding such irregularities.
For example, in order to mold a solid piece, it is possible to add vents and feeders for facilitating the flow of material in the mold and for ensuring that pressure is uniform in the cast piece so as to avoid giving rise to mechanical irregularities such as holes or shrink cavities. The drawback of such solutions is that they complicate the shape of the mold, they increase manufacturing cycle time, and they need to be developed empirically, which constitutes an overhead cost in manufacture.
The object of the invention is to remedy those drawbacks.
To this end, the invention provides a method of manufacturing a rigid electrical pin insulator for supporting an electrical conductor, the insulator comprising an electrically insulating rigid core obtained by molding and having a top end, a bottom end with a bore for receiving said pin and extending in an axial direction between said top and bottom ends, and an outer surface covered in a dielectric covering obtained by molding and having a shaped outside surface defining at least one groove for supporting said electrical conductor and having fins that are annular about the axis of the bore, wherein said core is molded in such a manner that its outside surface defines radial ribs which extend in the axial direction from the top end of the core, said ribs being spaced apart from one another by a distance that is constant and substantially equal to the thickness of the core.
Such a method simplifies the manufacture of a pin insulator by molding a composite material by avoiding problems associated with molding parts of excessive thickness while not harming the mechanical and electrical properties of the insulator and not increasing the cost of manufacturing the insulator.
In a particular implementation of the method of the invention in which the core and said dielectric covering are molded out of the same material, the covering being overmolded onto said core, good cohesion is obtained between the core and the covering.
In another particular implementation of the method of the invention, in which the core and said dielectric covering are molded out of different materials, the covering being engaged on said core, it is possible to select the materials so as to best optimize manufacturing cost of the insulator as a function of the desired mechanical and electrical performance.
In yet another particular implementation of the method of the invention, in which the core is made of epoxy, and/or silicone, and/or thermoplastic materials, and/or polyester, and/or composite material, a low cost insulator is obtained.
In yet another particular implementation of the method of the invention in which the core is built up from a plurality of molded parts, each of which is of substantially constant thickness, it is possible to obtain a solid insulator of large dimensions.


An apparatus for controlling slew rate is coupled to two adjustable voltage rails. The output of the apparatus is coupled to the gate of a switching element. By employing two adjustable voltage rails, the slew rate of the switching element is proportional to the voltage difference between the first adjustable rail and the second adjustable rail. The slew rate control apparatus can be applied to a variety of switching elements including N channel Field Effect Transistors (NFETs), P channel Field Effect Transistors (PFETs), current mode logic circuits and level shifter circuits.

Many electronic circuits include a switch, such as a power transistor in switching power converters. The gate of the power transistor is typically coupled to a control signal via a driver. In response to the control signal applied to the input of the driver, the power transistor changes between an "on" state and an "off" state. Although the input control signal of the driver may change instantaneously between a logic "low" and a logic "high", the output signal of the driver may not change instantaneously because the gate capacitance of a switching element such as a transistor is charged from a low voltage to a voltage beyond the threshold voltage. As known in the art, the voltage across a capacitor cannot change instantaneously. Therefore, the gate voltage may rise from a low voltage to a high voltage in a period. Such a period is determined by the amount of capacitance at the gate and the amplitude of the drive voltage. In order to better understand the gate voltage transition of a switch, gate voltage slew rate is used to estimate the transition speed of a transistor. As known in the art, the gate voltage change in voltage level over time is defined as gate voltage slew rate.
To improve efficiency in power converters, switches are designed to operate as quickly as possible so as to reduce cross conduction losses. However, such fast transitions may cause electromagnetic interference (EMI) noise, which may cause logic defects in digital circuits or noise in audio circuits. The fast transitions may also cause excessive voltage ripple and switching noise. As a result, high slew-rate induced noise may cause malfunction in some noise-sensitive circuits.
In order to reduce high slew-rate induced noise, slew-rate controlled drivers have been developed to reduce a switch's transition speed. In a prior art slew-rate controlled driver, control circuits are utilized to selectively enable or disable "legs/fingers" of the driver. This may cause complex control algorithms and compensation circuits. In another prior art slew-rate controlled driver, a delay compensation circuit is used to control the turning on and off of different "legs and fingers" of the driver. This may cause unnecessary area penalty. In yet another prior art slew-rate controlled driver, a current control circuit is used to control the driver's current. This may cause additional complexity.
Corresponding numerals and symbols in the different figures generally refer to corresponding parts unless otherwise indicated. The figures are drawn to clearly illustrate the relevant aspects of the various embodiments and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufactuing Company, Ltd.


A device, including an implantable microphone, including a transducer, and a chamber in which a gas is located such that vibrations originating external to the microphone based on sound are effectively transmitted therethrough, wherein the transducer is in effective vibration communication with the gas, wherein the transducer is configured to convert the vibrations traveling via the gas to an electrical signal, the chamber and the transducer correspond to a microphone system, wherein the chamber corresponds to a front volume of the microphone system, and the transducer includes a back volume corresponding to the back volume of the microphone system, and the implantable microphone is configured to enable pressure adjustment of the front and/or back volume in real time.

Hearing loss, which may be due to many different causes, is generally of two types: conductive and sensorineural. Sensorineural hearing loss is due to the absence or destruction of the hair cells in the cochlea that transduce sound signals into nerve impulses. Various hearing prostheses are commercially available to provide individuals suffering from sensorineural hearing loss with the ability to perceive sound. One example of a hearing prosthesis is a cochlear implant.
Conductive hearing loss occurs when the normal mechanical pathways that provide sound to hair cells in the cochlea are impeded, for example, by damage to the ossicular chain or the ear canal. Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss may retain some form of residual hearing because the hair cells in the cochlea may remain undamaged.
Individuals suffering from conductive hearing loss typically receive an acoustic hearing aid. Hearing aids rely on principles of air conduction to transmit acoustic signals to the cochlea. In particular, a hearing aid typically uses an arrangement positioned in the recipient's ear canal or on the outer ear to amplify a sound received by the outer ear of the recipient. This amplified sound reaches the cochlea causing motion of the perilymph and stimulation of the auditory nerve.
In contrast to hearing aids, which rely primarily on the principles of air conduction, certain types of hearing prostheses commonly referred to as cochlear implants convert a received sound into electrical stimulation. The electrical stimulation is applied to the cochlea, which results in the perception of the received sound.
Another type of hearing prosthesis uses an actuator to mechanically vibrate the ossicular chain, whereby an amplified signal can reach the cochlea. This type of hearing prosthesis can have utility for both conductive losses and sensorineural loss, depending on the level of hearing loss. Still another is a bone conduction device that imparts vibration to skull bones to evoke a bone conduction hearing percept.


A method of preparing a signal for measurement includes receiving the signal and selecting a first edge and a second edge within the signal. The method also includes delivering the first edge to a time interval measurement system after expiration of a first delay period and delivering the second edge to a time interval measurement system after expiration of a second delay period.

In the context of circuit design, it is commonplace to evaluate the data communication pathways interconnecting various circuits within a system. Oftentimes, in performing such tests, it is necessary to measure the span of time between two logic level transitions within a signal (or between two transitions in different signals) that has propagated through a communication pathway to be evaluated. For example, in performing such an evaluation, one may wish to measure the span of time between the second rising edge and fourth rising edge in a data signal that has propagated through a communication pathway under test.
FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary system for performing such a measurement. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the exemplary system includes a limiting amplifier 100 that receives a signal 102 that has propagated through a pathway (not depicted in FIG. 1) to be evaluated. The limiting amplifier 100 generates at its output 104 an amplified, isolated output signal that includes the same data transitions as those exhibited by the input signal 102. Of course, the limiting amplifier 100 exhibits a small delay period, c, meaning that a logic level transition occurring at time t0 at the input of the limiting amplifier 100 is witnessed at time t0+c at the output 104 thereof.
The output of the limiting amplifier 100 is delivered to a first edge selection system 106, a second edge selection system 108, and an arming circuit 110. The first edge selection system 106 includes an amplifier 112, which functions in the same manner as the aforementioned limiting amplifier 100. Thus, the output of the amplifier 112 is essentially an isolated and slightly delayed replica of the input signal 102. The output of the amplifier 112 is delivered to an edge selection circuit 114. The edge selection circuit 114 is composed of flip flops, counters, and other combinatorial logic arrangements. The edge selection circuit 114 is configured to select a particular logic level transition (also referred to herein as an "edge" or as a "transition") from the output data signal 102, and to deliver the selected edge to a time interval measurement system 116. Thus, for example, the edge selection circuit 114 may select the second rising edge from the signal 102. Per such a scenario, the arming circuit 110 instructs the edge selection circuit 114 when to begin counting rising edges within the data signal 102, and upon observation of the second rising edge, the edge selection circuitry 114 delivers that edge to the time interval measurement system 116. The second edge selection system 108 (comprised of amplifier 117 and edge selection circuitry 118) works in an identical manner, with the notable exception that it may select a different edge than is selected by the first edge selection system 106 (it may select the same edge, as well). The time interval measurement system 116 measures the interval of time between the two edges selected by the first and second edge selection systems 106 and 108.
FIGS. 2A-2C depict the behavior of the system of FIG. 1, assuming that the second and fourth rising edges have been selected for measurement. FIG. 2A depicts the incoming data signal 102 of FIG. 1. The second rising edge in the incoming data signal 102 is identified by reference numeral 200, and the fourth rising edge is identified by reference numeral 202. As can be seen, an ideal measurement of the interval of time between these two edges yields a quantity of I.
It should be noted that for the purpose of discussion of the subject matter herein, the logic level transitions are depicted and described as vertical "edges," such that a transition from a logic level low to a logic level high, or vice versa, is described as occurring instantly. Of course, a logic level transition occurring in an actual system occurs over a span of time. The edges depicted herein can be thought of as occurring at the instant in time at which the signal crosses a threshold (e.g., voltage threshold) that defines the distinction between a logical "0" from a logical "1."
FIG. 2B depicts the behavior exhibited at the output of the first edge selection circuit 114. The depiction is presented as a Cartesian plane, with time on the x-axis and voltage on the y-axis. Notably, time=K at the origin of the Cartesian plane. The term K is equal to the propagation delay of the signal 102 through the amplifiers 100 and 112. Thus, assuming that the first edge selection circuit 114 exhibited no propagation delay, the rising edge 200′ (depicted in FIG. 2B) at the output thereof would appear vertically aligned with the rising edge 200 of the data signal (depicted in FIG. 2A). However, as can be seen from FIG. 2B, the first edge selection circuit 114 signal exhibits a propagation delay D1. As can be seen from FIG. 2C, the second edge selection circuit 118 exhibits a propagation delay D2. Thus, the interval between the second leading edge 200 and fourth leading edge 202, as measured by the interval measurement system 116, is (I−D1+D2), instead of I.
As shown in FIG. 3, the propagation delay exhibited by an edge selection circuit 114 and/or 118 is a function of, amongst other variables, the frequency content of the signal propagating through the selection circuit. Thus, the propagation delays D1 and D2 constantly change, and simple addition/subtraction of a constant cannot achieve the end goal of correcting the measurement generated by the interval measurement system 116.
From the foregoing, it is evident that there exists a need by which distortions, such as frequency-dependent distortion (and other mechanisms, e.g., thermal), of interval measurements may be reduced.

System and method for removal of frequency-dependent timing distortion


Architectures and implementations of a transceiver system for wireless communications are presented, the system including one or more antennas supporting a single frequency band or multiple frequency bands, a transmit circuit, a receive circuit, and an isolation circuit that is coupled to the one or more antennas and the transmit and receive circuits and provides adequate isolation between the transmit circuit and the receive circuit.

This document relates to RF front-end module and antenna systems. Antenna structures having multiple resonating elements and multiple feeds may be configured so as to expand the operational bandwidths of a wireless device. In various examples, metamaterial-based components as well as non-metamaterial-based components may be utilized in the systems.
The propagation of electromagnetic waves in most materials obeys the right-hand rule for the (E,H,β) vector fields, considering the electrical field E, the magnetic field H, and the wave vector β (or propagation constant). The phase velocity direction is the same as the direction of the signal energy propagation (group velocity) and the refractive index is a positive number. Such materials are referred to as Right Handed (RH) materials. Most natural materials are RH materials.
A metamaterial has a structure that behaves as a metameterial, and is referred to as a metamaterial-based structure, and will be referred to herein as a metamaterial. When designed with a structural average unit cell size much smaller than the wavelength of the electromagnetic energy guided by the metamaterial, the metamaterial can behave like a homogeneous medium to the guided electromagnetic energy. Unlike RH materials, a metamaterial can exhibit a negative refractive index, and the phase velocity direction is opposite to the direction of the signal energy propagation, wherein the relative directions of the (E,H,β) vector fields follow the left-hand rule. Metamaterials which have a negative index of refraction with simultaneous negative permittivity ε and permeability μ are referred to as Left Handed (LH) metamaterials.
Many metamaterials are mixtures of LH metamaterials and RH materials and are referred to as Composite Right and Left Handed (CRLH) metamaterial, or CRLH structure, which may also be referred to as a CRLH-based structure. A CRLH structure may be designed to behave as an LH metamaterial at low frequencies and an RH material at high frequencies. Implementations and properties of various CRLH structures are described in, for example, Caloz and Itoh, "Electromagnetic Metamaterials: Transmission Line Theory and Microwave Applications," John Wiley & Sons (2006). CRLH structures and their applications in antennas are described by Tatsuo Itoh in "Invited paper: Prospects for Metamaterials," Electronics Letters, Vol. 40, No. 16 (August, 2004).
CRLH structures may be structured and engineered to exhibit electromagnetic properties tailored to specific applications and may be used in applications where it may be difficult, impractical or infeasible to use other materials. In addition, CRLH structures may be used to develop new applications and to construct new devices that may not be possible with RH structures alone.


A resin sealing mold for semiconductor devices, which is designed to thoroughly accommodate board thickness variations and prevent formation of burrs and which is easy to maintain. To this end, a plurality of pistons (42) supporting, at one of their respective ends, lower mold cavities (56) have the other ends thereof slidably inserted in hydraulic cylinder blocks installed on lower mold sets (40).

FIG. 29 shows a prior art example of a mold apparatus for resin encapsulation of an electronic component such as a semiconductor device. The apparatus comprises: an upper mold set 1 involving an upper chase 2; and a lower mold set 3 involving a lower chase 4. The lower mold set 3 is pushed up, whereby this lower mold set 3 is pressed and clamped against the upper mold set 1. A substrate board 7 is thereby sustained between cavity bars 5 installed in the lower surface of the upper chase 2 and cavity bars 6 installed in the upper surface of the lower chase 4. Then, a plunger 3a is ejected by a driving mechanism which is not shown in the figure, whereby a solid tablet 8 in a pot 3b undergoes a heating compression to fluidify, and whereby an electronic component (not shown) mounted on the surface of said substrate board 7 is encapsulated with resin. In said mold apparatus, the variation (maximum 0.02 mm) of thickness among metallic substrate boards 7, such as lead frames, has been compensated by the elastic deformation of elastic pins 2a in the axial direction. Further, numeral 9 designates a support block constituting said lower mold set 3.
However, the needs for resin encapsulation of plastic substrate boards, such as so-called substrates, have been growing in recent years. The variation (maximum 0.2 mm) of thickness among plastic substrate boards is generally much larger than that among metallic substrate boards. Such variation of board thickness is difficult to be compensated completely by said elastic pins 2a having a small capacity for elastic deformation. Therefore, a gap is unavoidable to occur, thereby causing a flash frequently. In addition to this incapability, the increase of the displacement causes said elastic pins 2a easily to fatigue failure, thereby requiring an early-stage change, thereby increasing the maintenance work. Further, in the above-mentioned example of the prior art, the elastic pins 2a need a change depending on the substrate board to encapsulate with resin because of the small capacity of the elastic pins 2a for elastic deformation. The change takes a lot of troubles during disassembling and reassembling the mold apparatus. Thus, a method has been proposed to use overlaying such as plural conical belleville springs (not shown) having a larger capacity for elastic deformation than said elastic pins 2a. However, said conical belleville springs have a problem of variation in spring force (recoiling force) and a further problem that the spring force (recoiling force) changes due to the heating compression strokes.
Considering said problems, a first object of the present invention is to provide a mold apparatus for resin encapsulation, which is capable of compensating completely a large variation of thickness mainly among plastic substrate boards, thereby avoiding the occurrence of a flash, and is easy of maintenance.
On the other hand, a mold-clamping force corresponding to the resin encapsulation of a plastic substrate board is insufficient as the mold-clamping force for the resin encapsulation of a metallic substrate board (lead frame and the like). Thus, the metallic substrate board cannot be encapsulated with resin.
For the information, a mold-clamping force of about 1-5 kg/mm2 is sufficient for a plastic substrate board, which can be generated by a small oil hydraulic cylinder capable of being built in the mold apparatus. In contrast, with regard to the mold-clamping force for metallic substrate boards, a copper lead frame needs a mold-clamping force of 20-30 kg/mm2, and a steal lead frame needs a mold-clamping force of 25-40 kg/mm2. Thus, a large mechanism for oil pressure generation is necessary if used, as well as a large cylinder and the like. Therefore, overall system becomes so large as not to be built in the mold apparatus. On the contrary, if a plastic substrate board is applied with a mold-clamping force of the same order as that for a metallic substrate board, the plastic substrate board deforms and eventually breaks in a worst case.
As such, a plastic substrate board and a metallic substrate board can not been capsulated by common mold sets, and each substrate board requires exclusive mold sets and chases. Thus, there have been a problem of increased cost and a problem of a lot of time necessary for the change thereof.
Considering said problems, a second object of the present invention is to provide a mold apparatus for resin encapsulation, capable of processing not only a plastic substrate board but also a metallic substrate board.
Further, when a plastic substrate board is clamped indiscriminately with a strong clamping force, the plastic substrate board is easily deformed, and hence, assembled components, such as semiconductor devices and especially wires, are easily damaged. On the contrary, when said substrate board is clamped indiscriminately with so weak a clamping force as not to cause a deformation, a gap occurs between the substrate board and the mold, causing a problem of the unavoidable occurrence of a flash.
A third object of the present invention is to provide a method of resin encapsulation and a mold apparatus for resin encapsulation, capable of simultaneously resolving the two problems of the damage to an mounted component and of the occurrence of a flash.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Resin sealing mold and resin sealing method


When setting reception channels, channel information and the direction information of a smart antenna are erased from a memory, and thereafter, the broadcast of a predetermined channel is automatically received while the direction of the directivity of the smart antenna is being switched in all directions. From among all the directions of the directionalities, the direction of the directivity as is capable of receiving and reproducing the broadcast of the predetermined channel best is determined, whereupon the channel information of the predetermined channel and the direction information of the determined direction of the directivity are automatically stored in the memory in association with each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a broadcasting receiver which receives the broadcasts of predetermined channels transmitted from broadcast stations, by a directivity switching antenna.
2. Description of the Related Art
In Japan, in general, the broadcast electric waves of television broadcasts or the likes are transmitted from a base station in one place. Therefore, substantially all of the broadcasts which a plurality of broadcast stations transmit can be received in such a way that an antenna for receiving the broadcasts is fixed to the roof, the veranda or the like of a house so as to look toward the base station, and that the antenna and a broadcasting receiver are connected by a cable. In contrast, in countries such as United States of America, broadcast electric waves are individually transmitted from a plurality of broadcast stations, respectively. Therefore, when an antenna is fixed looking toward one place, the broadcast of the broadcast station located in a direction in which the antenna looks can be received, but the broadcast of the broadcast station located in a direction in which the antenna does not look cannot be received.
In view of the above circumstances, therefore, broadcasting receivers each of which utilizes an antenna capable of switching the directivity thereof (hereinbelow, termed "directivity switching antenna") have been proposed (refer to JP-A-2001-168627, JP-A-11-298226, and JP-A-6-334931). The directivity switching antenna includes a plurality of antenna elements, and phase shifters, etc. corresponding to the individual antenna elements. It controls the phases of signals received by the respective antenna elements, by the corresponding phase shifters, and then combines the resulting signals, thereby to electrically vary the directivity. Regarding a smart antenna which is one example of the directivity switching antenna, it is stipulated by standards to switch the directivity in the 16 directions of the surroundings. The broadcasting receiver controls such a directivity switching antenna and switches the direction of the directivity of the antenna to a predetermined direction, thereby to receive the broadcast electric wave of a predetermined channel transmitted from a predetermined broadcast station. Thus, even when a user has fixed the directivity switching antenna to the roof or the like of a house, the user can receive almost all the broadcasts transmitted from the plurality of dotted broadcast stations.
In a case where a desired channel is to be set as a reception channel in the broadcasting receiver as mentioned above, the user selects one desired channel by manipulating manipulation means such as a remote controller or switches, whereupon the user switches on the directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna by manipulating the manipulating means. More specifically, the controller of the broadcasting receiver switches on the directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna on the basis of the user's manipulation instructions. On this occasion, the controller processes broadcast electric waves received by the directivity switching antenna and displays pictures on, for example, a television receiving set (hereinbelow, abbreviated to "TV set") in succession. Therefore, the user switches on the directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna in such a way that, while watching the pictures displayed on the TV set, the user manipulates the manipulation means so as to obtain the best picture. Besides, when the direction of the directivity of the directivity switching antenna affording the best picture has been specified, the user sets the channel under reception and the specified direction of the directivity of the directivity switching antenna, in the broadcasting receiver by performing a predetermined manipulation through the manipulation means. Thus, the controller stores in a memory, channel information which indicates the selected channel, and direction information which indicates the direction of the directivity of the directivity switching antenna at this time.
The user can set a plurality of channels in the broadcasting receiver as reception channels by similarly performing the procedures as stated above, for the other channels. Besides, with such settings of the reception channels, when the user has thereafter selected any set channel again by manipulating the manipulation means, the controller reads out of the memory the direction information of the directivity switching antenna corresponding to the particular channel, and it switches the directivity of the directivity switching antenna to the direction indicated by the direction information. Accordingly, the broadcast of the selected channel can be immediately received by the directivity switching antenna, and the best image of the corresponding broadcast can be displayed on the TV set so as to be immediately viewed by the user.
The manual channel settings explained above are disclosed in JP-A-2001-168627, JP-A-11-298226, and JP-A-6-334931. With the manual channel settings, however, the user must switch on the directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna by manipulating the manipulation means while watching the display pictures of the TV set, resulting in the problems that the manipulation becomes complicated, and that a long time is required. Especially, when the number of channels to be set is large, the manipulation becomes very complicated, and a very long time is required. Incidentally, it is stated in Patent Document 2 that, when a channel has been selected by way of example, the controller scans the directivity of the directivity switching antenna in all the directions so as to search for the direction of the level of the maximum reception power, and to hold the directivity of the directivity switching antenna in the direction searched for. However, this operation is performed for bringing the directivity of the directivity switching antenna into agreement with the direction in which the broadcast of the selected channel is receivable, and it is not performed for setting any desired channel. Besides, in a broadcasting receiver as disclosed in JP-A-8-242144 which utilizes an ordinary antenna not having its directivity switched, it is common practice that, when a power source has been turned ON or a predetermined manipulation has been done by way of example, a controller sequentially sweeps frequencies within a reception band so as to automatically store the reception frequencies of broadcast electric waves at and above a predetermined reception level or broadcast electric waves of high reception levels in the channel storing area of a memory.
Meanwhile, the directivity switching antenna fixed to the roof or the like of the house is sometimes moved on account of house-moving, cleaning or the like. When the directivity switching antenna has been moved, those directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna in which the broadcasts of the set channels are receivable change in some cases, so that the broadcasts might fail to be received. Therefore, after the movement of the directivity switching antenna, channels need to be reset. However, in a case where the channel information items of the channels to be reset and the corresponding direction information items of the directivity switching antenna are stored in the memory in resetting the channels, such an inconvenience on a control occurs that, when the user has specified the channel to-be-reset, the controller controls the directivity switching antenna under the influence of the previous set contents so as to switch the directivity to the direction indicated by the corresponding direction information. It is accordingly apprehended that a long time will be expended in setting the channels to-be-reset and the directions of the directionalities of the directivity switching antenna. Incidentally, it is disclosed in JP-A-6-334931 that, when the broadcasting receiver with its directivity switching antenna fixed has been moved, the contents of the memory should preferably be reset so as to set the channels again. Nothing is explained, however, as to what kind of processing the resetting is and when and how the resetting is performed.


A plate rolling mill includes a pair of work rolls that hold and press down a plate material therebetween, a plurality of backup rolls that prevent the work rolls from being deformed, and intermediate rolls each of which is disposed between the work roll and the backup roll so as to be shiftable. Each of the intermediate rolls has a contact roll portion that contacts with the backup roll, and an extension barrel portion that is connected to an end of the contact roll portion and does not contact the backup roll at any shifted position. The contact roll is formed to have a convex shape such that a convex center of the contact roll is positioned at a side of the extension barrel portion.

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-286008, filed Aug. 24, 2003, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plate rolling mill that presses down a plate material between work rolls.
2. Description of the Related Art
With a plate rolling mill that presses down a plate material between a pair of work rolls that hold the material, the lateral distribution of the thickness of the material rolled is required to be controlled to have a convex or concave section, thereby having a predetermined plate crown, even under varied conditions.
Patent literature 1 has already been disclosed and Patent literature 2 (not published yet) has been applied to control a plate crown such as that described above.
The "rolling mill" of Patent literature 1 is shown in FIG. 1; a pair of rolls 51 with roll crowns having diameters that vary over the entire lengths of the roll barrels are disposed, wherein
the aforementioned roll crowns are formed to make both roll barrel profiles convex, and their maximum-diameter portions 53 are shifted from the width-wise centerlines 52 of both rolls, in the axial directions of the rolls; that is, each shape of the rolls is located asymmetrically about the axis 52; in addition, the above-mentioned rolls are configured to be movable in the axial direction thereof.
In "Mill rolls and mill using them" of Patent literature 2 shown in FIG. 2, mill rolls (in this example, intermediate rolls 63) are formed with four shaped-portion ranges; i.e., an extension barrel portion A composed mainly of a small-diameter portion that does not contact reinforcement roll 64 at any shift location, a cylinder roll portion B that is in contact with the reinforcement roll, a decrement portion C, whose diameter gradually decreases from the end of the cylinder roll portion, and an increment portion D, whose diameter gradually increases from the end of the decrement portion. The shapes of these portions A, B,C and D are expressed by a sixtic-functional curve defined by 7 points, from one end to the other of a roll axis. In FIG. 2, 62 represents the work rolls.
[Patent Literature 1]
Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-13726, 1993
[Patent Literature 2]
Specification of Japanese Patent Application No. 259629, 2002 "Mill rolls and mill using them," not published yet
The mill of Patent literature 1 presents rolls that cannot be easily shifted during a rolling operation, because the rolls receive a rolling load.
A problem with the mill of Patent literature 2 is that the shapes of intermediate shift rolls are not effective for forming a plate crown into the concavity shown in FIG. 3B because the intermediate shift roll is concave, although the rolls can effectively form the convex plate crown shown in FIG. 3A.

Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries Co., Ltd.


A gas sensor is provided that has the diffusion of the measuring gas toward the working electrode adapted in such a way as to obtain a good signal-to-basic current ratio. Provisions are made for the measuring gas to be transported via a capillary arrangement (11), wherein the capillary arrangement (11) is designed as an arrangement extending in parallel to the working electrode (4).

In amperometric oxygen sensors, which operate in marginal operation, the oxygen supply to the working electrode must be limited by suitable measures because oxygen is inherently present at relatively high concentrations. The reduction may be performed by means of capillaries, channel structures or porous material. The reduction of the oxygen transport is of significance especially in case of portable devices, because oxygen is permanently present and leads to a continuous flow of current in the measuring device, which shortens the service life of the oxygen supply being carried.
An oxygen sensor of the said type has become known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,132,616. The prior-art oxygen sensor contains a working electrode and a counterelectrode, which are accommodated in an electrolyte-filled sensor housing. The gas reaches the working electrode via a capillary, which reduces the measuring gas supply to the working electrode. The capillary is closed with a porous PTFE membrane toward the measuring gas atmosphere. The capillary extends at right angles to the plane of the working electrode and is accommodated in an end cap, which is attached to the sensor housing in the area of the working electrode. The capillary has a length of a few mm.
In gas sensors with round sensor housing, the capillary can usually be integrated without greater problems. However, the length of the capillary is often limited, because certain installation dimensions must not be exceeded, and the possibilities of varying the diameter-to-length ratio are often limited.
However, flat gas sensors of a film-like structure, in which the working electrode is exposed directly to the measuring gas atmosphere via an opening in the film, are known as well.
Such a gas sensor is shown, for example, in DE 195 47 150 C2. Due to the design, diffusion can be limited here only with porous films, and there are only lmited possibilities for affecting the porosity and the transport of substances toward the working electrode. This has a disadvantageous effect on the value and the quality of the measured signal.


Provided are a transmitter, receiver and method of transmitting and receiving Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The transmitter includes: a sub carrier grouping part configured to perform grouping of a plurality of sub carriers into a plurality of groups, and to change phases and/or amplitudes of the plurality of sub carriers by group; and a transmitting part configured to generate at least one OFDM symbol from the plurality of sub carriers of which the phases and/or the amplitudes have been randomly changed by group, and to transmit the OFDM symbol and information about the grouping.

1. Field
Methods and apparatuses consistent with the exemplary embodiments relate to a transmitter, receiver and controlling method of transmitting and receiving Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols.
2. Description of the Prior Art
DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting the Second Generation Terrestrial) is a second generation European terrestrial digital broadcast standard the performance of which has been improved from DVB-T which is adopted in more than 35 countries in the world including Europe. For DVB-T2, the transmission capacity and bandwidth have been improved by applying the latest technologies such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) codes and 256-QAM modulation method. Accordingly, it has an advantage of providing various high quality services such as high-definition television (HDTV) service in a limited bandwidth.
Meanwhile, DVB-NGH (Next Generation Handheld) has its basis on the concept of DVB-T2, and it is an extension of DVB-T2. DVB-NGH defines the next generation transmission system for broadcast digital terrestrial and hybrid (combination of satellite transmission and terrestrial wave) in portable terminals.
The DVB-T2 or DVB-NGH method uses an OFDM system which utilizes the Cyclic Delay Diversity (CDD) method in order to obtain the diversity effect. Herein, in the CDD method, at the frequency axis, the phase increases at a regular rate in each sub carrier, and thus there exists an echo with strong and long delay time, causing deterioration of performance of receivers in environments of increased selectivity.

Transmitter, receiver and controlling method thereof


The present invention relates to a process for purifying an impure stream of caprolactam while recovering not only pure caprolactam but also medium-to-high pressure steam. Preferably, the stream of impure or crude caprolactam, which comprises at a minimum a substantial portion of water, is obtained from depolymerization of a polyamide-containing composition. The resulting purified caprolactam will have a purity greater than 90 weight percent and the recovered steam will have a temperature sufficiently high to provide a driving force for use with other equipment, for instance, heat exchange equipment.

This invention relates to an improved process for the recovery of caprolactam and medium-to-high pressure (usable) steam from a caprolactam forming process. In particular, this invention relates to an energy efficient caprolactam purification process whereby steam recovered in one part of the process may be re-used to operate equipment in other parts of the process.
There are a number of methods known in the art for producing and purifying caprolactam. U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,858 (Joris) discusses the well known Beckman rearrangement. U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,858 also mentions methods such as hydration of adipodinitrile and reduction combined with the rearrangement of nitrocyclohexane which can also be used to prepare reaction mixtures from which lactam is recoverable, e.g., by distillation. Another source of caprolactam, as discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,495,014 (Fuchs et al.), involves cleaving oligomers and polymers comprised essentially of the lactam repeating unit.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,681,952 (Sifniades et al.) discusses a process for recovery of caprolactam from polycaprolactam-containing waste material. The process involves depolymerizing multi-component waste materials comprising polycaprolactam and non-polycaprolactam components to form caprolactam using superheated steam in the absence of an added catalyst. Superheated steam is fed though a distributor at the bottom of the reactor countercurrent to the flow of the melt of multi-component waste material. A vapor stream comprising caprolactam is collected at the top and condensed to obtain a condensate containing caprolactam. The caprolactam containing condensate may undergo distillation, crystallization and other conventional techniques in attempts to purify the caprolactam.
All of the processes heretofore for purifying impure caprolactam streams, whether the stream results from a caprolactam forming process or a depolymerization process, suffer from the same infirmities. The purification process is inefficient and costly to operate resulting in high energy usage, thus, raising the cost of caprolactam (which is traded as a commodity chemical). Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an efficient system for producing purified caprolactam.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a process for recovering purified caprolactam resulting from a depolymerization process.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process for recovering purified caprolactam resulting from the depolymerization of polyamide-containing compositions.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for recovering purified caprolactam and medium-to-high pressure steam (usable steam).
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a caprolactam purification process whereby medium-to-high pressure steam recovered from crude caprolactam is utilized to assist the purification of the caprolactam-containing stream.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a caprolactam purification process for recovering purified caprolactam whereby the incoming caprolactam containing vapor stream is contacted with a quench fluid to minimize or prevent fouling of the distillation system with decomposition products.
The present invention relates to a process for achieving the above-noted objectives. The process involves purifying an impure stream of caprolactam while recovering not only pure caprolactam but also medium-to-high pressure steam. Preferably, the stream of impure or crude caprolactam, which comprises at a minimum a substantial portion of water, is obtained from depolymerization of a polyamide-containing composition. The resulting purified caprolactam will have a purity greater than 90 weight percent and the recovered steam will have a temperature sufficiently high to provide a driving force for use with other equipment, for instance, heat exchange equipment. One embodiment of the present invention provides a process for recovering caprolactam and usable steam comprising:
(a) providing a crude caprolactam feed stream comprising
(i) crude caprolactam including decomposition products, and
(ii) water and/or steam;
(b) if necessary, vaporizing the feed stream;
(c) optionally, introducing a quench fluid to remove at least a portion of the decomposition products from the vapor phase of the feed stream;
(d) distilling said vapor stream to recover medium-to-high pressure (usable) steam; and
(e) purifying said crude caprolactam to recover caprolactam.

Process for recovering caprolactam and steam


Equalizing amplifying circuitry for compensating frequency dependent losses occurring in a signal transmitted over a network such as a cable. The circuitry includes an equalizing network responsive to the signal transmitted over the cable, the equalizing circuitry having a predetermined frequency response characteristic. The output signal from the equalizing network is applied to an amplifier and an attenuator applies a portion of the amplifier output as a positive feedback signal to frequency response characteristic modifying circuitry to vary the amount of current passing through the equalizing circuitry as a function of the amplitude of the positive feedback signal to thereby effectively modify the frequency response characteristic of the equalizing circuitry. Summing circuitry responsive to the signal transmitted over the network and to the output signal from the amplifier provides a corrected signal in which the frequency dependent losses introduced by the network are compensated for with a single control.

Although the present invention is hereafter described with respect to video equalizing amplifiers for compensating losses associated with coaxial cable used by the professional television industry, it is to be understood that the invention can be applied to any situation involving the transmission of any type of signal over any type of frequency dependent network where it is desired to restore a corrected (typically flat) overall frequency response.
Analogue TV signals are distributed in a system via coaxial cables. Such cables have a signal loss characteristic which is frequency-dependent, with the loss at the higher video frequencies (e.g. 5 MHz) being much greater than the loss at low frequencies (e.g. below 100 KHz). When the length of such cables exceeds 30 feet, the effect of relatively greater attenuation of the higher frequencies may become objectionable because of the loss of picture detail and color saturation. The loss of color occurs because the NTSC color system employs the encoding of color information onto a 3.58 MHz subcarrier (4.43 MHz in the PAL system) and saturation is in proportion to modulation amplitude.
It is common practice to employ equalizing amplifiers to compensate for such cable losses. The adjustment of such prior-art amplifiers to match a particular cable length is a complex procedure. It normally involves several adjustments, each of which apply primarily to a different part of the frequency spectrum but which typically interact. To accomplish precise equalization requires the availability and use of frequency sweep generators and associated measuring equipment. This procedure is further complicated by the distance between the ends of the cable, which represent the generator and measuring equipment locations. In general, the procedure is quite difficult and only the largest and best installations have the necessary equipment to do this properly.
An amplifier which can equalize a given fixed length of cable is shown in FIG. 1. In this example, the equalizing network 2 provides high frequency slope adjustment and comprises a complex multi-section design with a separate adjustment of the higher frequencies and perhaps midfrequency adjustments as well. The amplifier 5 has a flat response and adjustable gain (the gain may be set to zero). The resultant correction signal, which is obtained by appropriately setting the gain of amplifier 3, is added to the incoming signal via summing circuit 4 to provide an output with corrected (flat) frequency response.
At first, it may seem that, once the equalizing network 2 is calibrated, various lengths of cable may be accommodated by appropriately setting the variable gain amplifier 3, but this is not so. Consider the case where amplifier 3 and network 2 have been calibrated for 500 feet of cable. If the cable length is increased to 1000 feet, it might seem that if the gain of amplifier 3 were doubled, the cable compensation would be correct. In fact, the high-frequency compensation would not be sufficient.
If, for example, for 500 feet of cable, the amount of 100 KHz signal passed is 95% and the amount of 10 MHz signal is 70%, then it follows that for the 1000 feet cable, the output would at 100 KHz be 90.25% (0.95.times.0.95) and at 10 MHz would be 49% (0.7.times.0.7). Thus, as the cable length is increased, the input to the filter network 3 becomes deficient in high frequencies; therefore, the filter shape must change in order to meet the larger demand for high frequency correction. Obviously, a constant filter response will not work for both cases. There is a cascading effect which requires a different equalizing network for the longer cable. This is the reason for the multiple adjustments in the prior-art amplifiers.


The portable cervical traction device includes a brace having at least a pair of shoulder hooks configured to be worn over the shoulders and on the back of a user. A traction control mechanism is attached to the brace and includes an L-shaped traction bar. A plurality of hooks is attached to the traction bar, and a head sling can be attached to selected hooks for comfortable and proper support of the user's head. The traction control mechanism selectively raises or lowers the traction bar to apply the desired traction on the user. Since the brace is portable, the portable cervical traction device provides greater mobility for the user while maintaining proper traction. The degree of traction can be easily adjusted to account for the degree of recovery of the user.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical braces, and particularly to a portable cervical traction device providing freedom of mobility for the user while maintaining necessary traction of the affected malformed or injured area of the body.
2. Description of the Related Art
Patients with neck pain due to muscle strain from various causes, including bad posture during sleep or sitting, as well as from degenerative processes and disc diseases, benefit from intermittent cervical traction. Currently, traction is usually applied in bed or in physiotherapy departments.
Several solutions exist for applying traction. One solution includes a home cervical traction set that requires the user to sit on a chair against a door while the traction force is applied by weights hanging over the door by a rope connected to a head halter or strap. This is a cumbersome contraption that requires much in terms of physical activity for preparing the device, which can be extremely difficult for the user requiring such treatment. Moreover, it would be a difficult task to prepare by oneself.
Other solutions include various forms of portable appliances. For example, patients with cervical injury must be transported carefully with a rigid collar. However, the collar does not provide enough traction. Another example involves patients with cervical dislocations, which usually confines them to bed. Various braces, such as the halo brace and the SOMI (sternal occipital mandibular immobilizer) brace, apply some degree of traction. However, they are very difficult to adjust or modify the degree of necessary traction.
In light of the above, it would be a benefit in the art of medical braces to provide a cervical brace that is portable and has easily adjustable traction for greater freedom of mobility for the user while maintaining the necessary traction. Thus, a portable cervical traction device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


An apparatus, system and method for a retractable LNG cargo transfer bow manifold for tandem marine cargo transfers are described herein. A retractable liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo transfer system comprises a marine vessel, an LNG cargo transfer bow manifold moveably attached to a main deck of the marl He vessel, wherein the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold is slideable between a forward position proximate a bow of the marine vessel, and an aft position aft of the bow, the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold elevationally coupled to the main deck by a retractable support member, wherein the retractable support member is moveable between an extended position such that the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold is raised above the main deck, and a retracted position such that the LNG cargo transfer bow manifold rests on one of the main deck, below the main deck or a combination thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention described herein pertain to the field of marine transfer of liquefied natural gas ("LNG") between vessels. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, one or more embodiments of the invention enable an apparatus, system and method for a retractable LNG cargo transfer bow manifold for tandem marine cargo transfers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Natural gas is often carried in liquefied form onboard special cryogenic tanker ships from the location of its origin to the location of consumption. In this way, natural gas may be transported to areas with a higher demand for natural gas. Since liquefied natural gas (LNG) occupies only about 1/600th of the volume that the same amount of natural gas does in its gaseous state, liquefying the natural gas for transport facilitates the transportation process and improves the economics of the system. LNG is produced in onshore or offshore liquefaction plants by cooling natural gas below its boiling point (−259° F. at ambient pressures). The LNG may be stored in cryogenic containers either at or slightly above atmospheric pressure. Typically the LNG will be regasified prior to distribution to end users.
In some instances, a mobile vessel is loaded with LNG cargoes at the natural gas supply source and travels across the ocean to another location for offloading and distribution. Increasingly, an LNG carrier (LNGC) or vessel with regasification facilities is loaded with LNG cargo at a location between the port of origin and the port of consumption using ship-to-ship (STS) transfer of LNG. In one example, a conventional LNGC collects the LNG from the liquefaction plant at the natural gas supply source or other LNG loading location and is used for the long haul or a portion of the transportation route. The conventional LNGC delivers the cargos from the supply source to the STS transfer location. In this example, a regasification vessel receives the cargo from the LNGC and may be used in shuttle service between the STS transfer location and the offloading port. In yet another example, a conventional LNGC berths alongside a floating platform for the regasification of LNG onboard the floating platform, and the floating platform is attached to a riser or jetty. In such scenarios, STS transfer is used to load LNG onto the floating platform.
In order to implement the STS transfer of LNG, it is often advantageous to use a tandem loading configuration, in which the stern of one of the vessels faces the bow of the other vessel, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The actual STS transfer of the LNG may be either from or toward the vessel astern of the other. In FIG. 1, loading device 100 is shown on conventional loading deck 110 on conventional receiving vessel 130. The raised position of loading device 100 is permanent and allows conventional LNG cargo transfer hose(s) 115 or articulated pipeline (arms) to remain in a stable catenary/apex configuration, and also provides for conventional disconnect coupler 120. Conventional disconnect coupler(s) 120 allows tor immediate separation of supply vessel 125 and receiving vessel 130 in the event of an emergency during an STS transfer operation. In such circumstances, the flow of LNG ceases, and the conventional transfer hoses 115 be disconnected from the supply 125 and/or receiving vessel 130 at the conventional disconnect coupling 120.
Vessels, including LNGCs and offshore floating platforms, must be capable of withstanding severe weather conditions, such as storms, high wind and hurricanes. During extreme weather conditions, it may not be possible or desirable to move a floating LNG production vessel to a protected location due to moorings, gas risers, and/or pipeline and well controls, and so the vessel may experience heavy loads from large waves beating down on the deck of the vessel. In the case of the transporting LNGC the effects of ocean, wind and wave systems during significant storm events during a passage, may physically damage a fixed bow loading or fixed bow unloading unit to the extent it is no longer safe to use at the next loading or disport facility. Strong or continuous wave forces on decks can cause damage to the vessel and equipment on board, and the deck may be flooded with green water (a compact mass of water flowing across the deck of the vessel).
To combat damage during extreme weather conditions, oil bow loading units are typically robust manifold systems capable of weathering stormy seas. However, unlike oil, LNG is cryogenic. For LNG transfer tandem configurations, the transfer systems are not as robust in size and mass and are therefore subject to damage not typically sustained by oil units. Unlike oil loading/offloading devices, these LNG handling systems may include particularly fragile process instrumentation, emergency shutdown systems and/or quick connect/disconnect couplers which are a required design component in order to meet safely standards (e.g., ISO DTR 17177, ISGOTT, SIGTTO STS Transfer Guide). Thus, fixing the LNG loading/offloading device on the bow of the LNGC during travel risks significant damage to the loading and unloading units.
Conventional LNG bow loading and conventional LNG bow unloading units currently used onboard LNG vessels are not well suited to withstand extreme weather conditions. Therefore, there is a need for a retractable LNG cargo transfer bow manifold for tandem marine cargo transfers.

Retractable LNG cargo transfer bow manifold for tandem marine cargo transfers