A 2-stage SS (spread-spectrum) system for transmitting a coded TV signal, said coded signal consisting of first components requiring near-perfect transmission and second components for which somewhat imperfect transmission is acceptable, wherein a first SS process is used to determine the relative SNR of the recovered said second components, wherein the output of said first SS process is added to said first components to form combined signals, wherein a second SS process operates on said combined signals and is used to nullify the effects of multipath in the transmission channel and/or establish a multistep threshold, wherein the output of said second stage is modulated on a carrier, and wherein a transmitter receives said modulated carrier and generates a transmission signal therefrom.

The invention relates to high definition television (HDTV) and to spread-spectrum (SS) communication systems.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,021 (the '021 patent), incorporated herein by reference, a SS TV transmission system is described having certain advantages over known systems. These include the ability to establish the relative SNR of recovered components of different spatial frequency, the ability to optimize the quality of the reconstructed picture at each level of receiver CNR, and the ability to transmit more frequency components than would otherwise be possible within the allotted bandwidth by exchanging the total bandwidth of the components for SNR. (Note that the term CNR as used in this specification refers to carrier-to-noise ratio of radio-frequency signals, and the term SNR refers to the signal-to-noise ratio of input and output video signals.) Although it is a true SS system, the total bandwidth required to transmit a true HDTV image is no more than 6 MHz. This is the result of first dividing the original wideband signal into a large number of narrow-band streams, then spreading each such narrow-band stream to 6 MHz by direct-sequence SS, and finally adding up the coded and spread streams.
In addition to the problems of terrestrial broadcasting discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,127,021, reflections from buildings, mountains, and other objects nearly always give rise to echoes, evidenced in the received image as "ghosts" due to multipath transmission. Such ghosts are one of the main aspects of image degradation as seen at typical reception sites. Spread-spectrum transmission is a well known method of dealing with ghosts, although it has so far not been applied to TV since, in general, it is not permissible to expand the bandwidth as is done in conventional SS systems. The theory of SS ghost suppression is given in a paper by Turin. (G. L. Turin, "Introduction to Spread-Spectrum Antimultipath Techniques," Proc. IEEE, 68, 3, March, 1980, pp 328-353.)

Television transmission system using two stages of spead-spectrum processing


An additive manufacturing system is configured to manufacture a component. The additive manufacturing system includes a build platform, a recoater, a monitoring camera, and a controller. The component is disposed on the build platform. The recoater includes a recoater blade configured to spread a powdered build material across the build platform and the component forming a powder bed. The monitoring camera is positioned to image the recoater blade. The monitoring camera is configured to acquire a plurality of images of the recoater blade. The controller is configured to receive the plurality of images from the monitoring camera. The controller is configured to detect defects in the powder bed based on the plurality of images received from the monitoring camera.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to additive manufacturing systems, and more particularly, to systems and methods for monitoring powder spreading in additive manufacturing systems.
At least some additive manufacturing systems involve the buildup of a powdered material to make a component. These techniques can produce complex components from powder materials at a reduced cost and with improved manufacturing efficiency. At least some known additive manufacturing systems, such as DMLM systems, fabricate components using a laser device, a build platform, a recoater, and a powder material, such as, without limitation, a powdered metal. The laser device generates a laser beam that melts the powder material on the build platform in and around the area where the laser beam is incident on the powder material, resulting in a melt pool. The melt pool cools into a consolidated, solid top layer of the component. The build platform is lowered by some amount, for example, 10 to 100 microns and the recoater spreads additional powered build material over the top layer. Alternatively, the powder dispensing and the laser device may be translated up, the recoater spreads the next layer of powder on the previously consolidated powder bed, and the laser device consolidates the new layer at a new height. The process is repeated until a completed component is manufactured by the system. However, defects, such as short feeds or sink holes, may form in the powder bed which would subsequently lead to a component defect or build failure if the powder bed defects are not detected and corrected. Specifically, with regards to the sink hole, as additional layers are formed on the previous layers, the sink hole may expand, forming an unintended void in the powder bed which can compromise integrity of the manufactured component. Monitoring and detection of potential defects in the powder bed can prevent a component defect from forming, improving the yield of the additive build and thus reducing costs of the manufacturing process.

Systems and methods for monitoring powder spreading in additive manufacturing systems


A synchronous rectification converter includes: a first switching element coupled between a inductor and an input terminal; a second switching element coupled between the inductor and the input terminal; a capacitive element coupled between the other end of the inductor and the other end of the input terminal; a control circuit detects voltages of the inductor and the capacitive element; a current inversion detection circuit detects inversion of a direction in which a current supplied from the second switching element to the inductor flows and outputs an inversion signal; a delay circuit delays the inversion signal and outputs a delay inversion signal; a synchronous rectification reset circuit that changes the control signal; a load detector detects reduction of an output current supplied from a connection node of the inductor and the capacitive element; and a delay control circuit generates a delay control signal.

DC-DC converters are used in various fields. For example, a mobile electronic device uses a battery, such as a battery cell, as a power source, and battery power is discharged with time in accordance with power consumption due to operation of the device, so that the output voltage of the battery reduces. In order to maintain the voltage value of the power source of the device at a certain level relative to such change of the battery voltage with time, the voltage of a power supply source is stabilized by a DC-DC converter.
In a DC-DC converter used in a mobile electronic device, it is desired that power loss is minimized in order to extend an operation time of the device before a battery is to be recharged or replaced, and specifically, highly efficient power conversion is desired. In general, such a DC-DC converter is realized by a synchronous rectification converter.
A synchronous rectification converter includes an inductor (a choke coil), a first (main) switching element, a second (synchronous rectification) switching element, a capacitive element (capacitor), two input terminals, two output terminals, and a control circuit. A direct-current voltage is supplied to the two input terminals from an input power source. The two output terminals are coupled to a load RL. A second one of the two output terminals is coupled to a second one of the two input terminals. The first switching element is coupled between one end of the inductor and a first one of the input terminals. The second switching element is coupled between the one end of the inductor and the second one of the input terminals. The capacitive element is coupled between the other end of the inductor and the second one of the input terminals. The first switching element is made conductive to supply a current to the inductor, and the first switching element is turned off to stop current supply to the inductor. The inductor operates so as to continuously cause a current to flow, and thus, when the second switching element is made conductive, a current is supplied from the second switching element. Due to this operation, the capacitive element is charged via the inductor.
As described above, the first switching element and the second switching element are alternately made conductive (turned on) on a predetermined cycle, and a charge voltage of the capacitive element changes in accordance with a time which it takes to make the first switching element and the second switching element conductive. Such control is referred to as a continuous mode, and control which causes a conduction time to change is referred to as pulse width modulation (PWM) control. When a load is large and an output current (a power supply amount) is large, the charge voltage of the capacitive element reduces and, when the load is small and the output current (the power supply amount) is small, the charge voltage of the capacitive element increases. Therefore, the charge voltage of the capacitive element is detected and the time which it takes to make the first switching element and the second switching element conductive is controlled in accordance with the charge voltage of the capacitive element.
Each of the first switching element and the second switching element is realized by a MOSFET, or the like, has a smaller conduction loss than that of a diode, or the like, which is used as a rectifying element in an asynchronous converter, and is capable of performing accurate control in accordance with the state of a power source, thus allowing reduction in power loss.
It is desired to increase the efficiency of a synchronous rectification converter used for the above-described device in a wide load region ranging from a heavy load with a large power supply amount to a light load with a small power supply amount. In this case, there is a problem in which, at light load, a current flows back in the first and second switching elements, and therefore, power conversion efficiency greatly reduces at light load, as compared to the power conversion efficiency at heavy load.
In order to solve this problem, a technique was proposed in which, when it is detected that a current flowing in the second switching element is zero, that is, when current inversion is detected, control is performed such that the second switching element is turned off, thereby not allowing reverse flow of a current. This control method is referred to as diode emulation (discontinuous mode control), and the efficiency at light load is improved by discontinuous mode control.
As another point, in a synchronous rectification converter, when a load abruptly changes and thus an output voltage (the voltage of a capacitive element) changes, it is desired that the output voltage returns to a predetermined output voltage in a short time. This is referred to load abrupt change responsiveness. In discontinuous mode control, a zero-cross frequency of a gain of a converter reduces and responsiveness is deteriorated, and thus, restoration of the output voltage after abrupt change of a load is delayed. That is, there is a problem in which, in discontinuous mode control, load abrupt change responsiveness is low.
In order to solve the above-described problems, a technique was proposed in which the second switching element is not turned off immediately after current inversion is detected, but the second switching element is turned off in a delayed state after current inversion is detected. Thus, inversion current is caused to flow in the inductor, thereby reducing an excessive flow of energy of the inductor to the load at light load. Using this control method, an operation between a continuous mode and a discontinuous mode is performed, so that energy accumulated in the inductor is allowed to be discharged relatively early, and therefore, responsiveness is improved. However, there is a problem in which efficiency reduces at light load.
The following is a reference document.
[Document 1] Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2006-014482.

Synchronous rectification converter and control method of synchronous rectification converter


A sign hanging tool assembly for the attachment of a sign holding extrusion to a ceiling rail in a ceiling. The assembly comprises an extrusion tool mounted on an end of an elongated pole. The extrusion tool comprises a T-frame and a bias arm shaft. The T frame has a rear flange for engagement with a slot on the sign holding extrusion. The bias arm shaft is spaced apart and parallel to the rear flange for locating and engaging the sign holding extrusion therebetween.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an apparatus for attaching and removing elongated sign-holding extrusions from magnetic attachment to overhead ceiling supports such as inverted "T" shaped ceiling rails which are utilized primarily in a commercial establishment.
2. Prior Art
Attaching and removing signs in a commercial establishment such as a retail store or the like is an ongoing process. It may often be done by unsophisticated personnel working in areas which are not necessarily easily accessible. It is intended that any such tool or apparatus permit the attachment and removal in the briefest of time and which will accommodate a variety of ceiling rail suspension arrangements.
The present invention is an improvement over our existing sign attaching and removal apparatus, shown in our earlier U.S. Pat. No. 5,267,764, which is incorporated herein by reference by its entirety.
It is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.
It is a further object of the present invention, to provide a sign support apparatus which is adaptable to a variety of "T" rail configurations.
It is yet a further object of the present invention, to provide a tool arrangement for attaching and removing a sign support apparatus which provides leverage, when such apparatus is utilized with particularly strong magnets.

Sign holding extrusion-attachment arrangement


Methods and apparatus to provide dynamically biased write drivers for hard disk drive applications are described. According to one example, a hard disk drive write system includes a drive signal generator to receive data to be written to a hard disk drive platter and to generate drive signals including a boost signal. A drive circuit is configured to receive the drive signals and to generate currents for output to the transmission line based thereon, wherein the currents include a boost current. A variable bias circuit is configured to detect the boost signal generated by the drive signal generator and to vary a bias signal provided to the impedance matching circuit based on the detection of the boost signal. In such an example arrangement, the impedance matching circuit matches impedances between the drive circuit and the transmission line in response to the bias signal provided by the variable bias circuit.

Hard disk drives store information on one or more disks or platters that rotate about a spindle with respect to one or more heads, such as read and/or write heads. Write heads are highly inductive devices that are controlled by write circuitry that controls current through the write head to create local electromagnetic fields that magnetize portions of a disk drive platter to impart information thereto. For example, the hard drive write circuitry may pass current through the write head in a first direction to write a first logical data bit (e.g., a logical one) to a platter. Conversely, the hard drive write circuitry may cause current to pass through the write head in a second direction opposite the first direction to write a second logical data bit (e.g., a logical zero) to the platter. Because the current through the write head must change direction to write different bits of information to the platter and because fast data write speeds are needed, it follows that, when writing information to a platter, there is a significant change in current through the write head in a small period of time, which results in a large change in current per unit of time (i.e., a large dI/dt).
Hard drive write circuitry, which may be implemented in an open loop H-bridge topology, is coupled to a write head through a transmission line. The highly inductive nature of a hard drive write head means that hard drive write circuitry may consume significant amounts of power given the fast data speeds at which information is written to platters in hard drives. That is, the hard drive write circuitry is required to change current though the write head rapidly to accommodate fast hard drive write circuitry.
Rapidly changing the current through an inductive hard drive write head requires impedance matching within the hard drive write circuitry because of the large current swings in the write head. At high data rates, the impedance matching is conventionally implemented as an open control loop. Such impedance matching circuits consume significant amounts of power to maintain the impedance match between the hard drive write circuitry and the write head while absorbing initial power reflection resulting from the current launched into the inductive head that is required to energize the write head. At high data rates, having large changes in current per unit of time (dI/dt) are required to drive the write head. In such cases, the open loop impedance matching circuitry saturates and, thus, the strength of the impedance match provided by the same weakens. The weakening of the impedance match between the write circuitry and the write head causes the write circuitry to lose control of the peak current launched into the write head. Impedance matching using known closed control loops is insufficiently fast to keep up with the operating speed of an open loop H-bridge write drive topology.

Methods and apparatus to provide dynamically-biased write drivers for hard disk drive (HDD) application


A molecular modeling kit provides a system for molecular modeling that represents exclusion between resonance structures in a molecule and permits their rotation, providing an informative tool for describing resonance in a classroom or other learning environment. The kit includes atom modeling components and bond connector components that are connected together to form models of molecules. The atom modeling components or the bond connector components include a mechanical exclusion feature that prevents simultaneous connection of two bond connector components to represent two pi-bonds formed with a single atom in a single plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to mechanical models for demonstrating molecular structure, and more particularly, to a molecular modeling system that prevents connection of or disconnects incorrect pi-bond representations, in a model of a resonating bond of an organic molecule.
2. Description of the Related Art
Molecular model kits provide valuable resources for instruction in chemistry and general sciences classrooms, as well as providing a low-cost educational item for individual use.
Molecular modeling kits typically include a variety of atom modeling components, which may be of different colors to represent different types of atoms. The kits also include interconnecting components used to represent bonds between the atoms which mechanically couple the atom modeling components to provide a structure that can be handled and sometimes stored without the structure easily coming apart.
However, typical molecular model kits are static, in that they do not provide a way to move elements that represent bonds. In particular, the typical modeling kits do not provide a way to represent the resonating behavior of some bonds, e.g., pi-bonds between Carbon atoms and other atoms, which may also be Carbon atoms. In particular they do not provide a way to dynamically model resonating pi-bonds in the multiple canonical forms of an organic molecule. Nor do typical modeling kits prevent insertion of improper bond representations, such as exceeding the valence number or orientation of p-orbitals of atoms by inserting two pi-bonds at one atom in the same plane. The typical modeling kit will permit static insertion of pi-bond representations at any location, rather than excluding pi-bond locations belonging to other resonance structures than the one being represented in a given configuration.
Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a molecular modeling system, molecular modeling components and a molecular modeling method that more accurately represent pi-bonds and bond resonance.

Molecular modeling system including multiple pi-bond exclusionary features


A zoom lens system comprising, in order from the object side, a first positive lens unit, a second lens unit which is moved monotonously during zooming mainly for sharing a vari-focal function and has a positive power, a third positive lens unit, and a fourth lens unit which is moved during zooming forward and backward mainly for correcting a location of an image surface and has a positive power; the third lens unit consisting of a first lens component which comprises at least one positive lens element and a second lens component which comprises at least one negative lens element, whereas the fourth lens unit consisting of a first lens component which comprises at least one negative lens element and a second lens component which comprises at least one positive lens element.

a) Field of the Invention:
The present invention relates to a zoom lens system which has high optical performance and is suited for use in video cameras, still video cameras and other optical appliances recently developed for picking up highly precise and minute images.
b) Description of the Prior Art:
Cameras which use solid-state image pickup devices generally adopt, as photographic lens systems, zoom lens systems having extremely high vari-focal ratios and images of relatively small sizes require optical systems which are bright and have high optical performance.
It is well known that such an optical system can be obtained by composing it of four lens units: in order from the object side, of a first lens unit having a positive power, a second lens unit which has a vari-focal function and a negative power, a third lens unit which serves for maintaining an image surface at a constant location during a change of a magnification and has a negative power, and fourth lens unit which has an imaging function and a positive power. However, such an optical system ordinarily has a large total length and can hardly meet the requirements recently imposed for configuring video cameras which are compact since an airspace must be reserved for moving the third lens unit, and the fourth lens unit is divided into a front subsystem which makes a diverging light bundle emerging from the third lens unit into a parallel light bundle and a rear sub-unit which images the light bundle.
In view of this fact, a zoom lens system is composed as a main trend these days, of four lens units, in order from the object side, a first lens unit having a positive power, a second lens unit which has a vari-focal function and a negative power, a third lens unit which has a positive power and is to be kept stationary during zooming, and a fourth lens unit which has a positive power and serves for correcting a deviation of an image surface caused by changing a magnification. Such a zoom lens system is configured to be focused by moving the fourth lens unit toward the object side.
Known as zoom lens systems of this type are conventional examples disclosed by Japanese Patents Kokai Publication Nos. Sho 62-178917, Sho 62-215225 and Sho 63123009.
Further, image pickup devices using picture elements having extremely small sizes are being developed for the purpose of offering compact image pickup devices usable for photographing the so-called highly precise and minute images such as those for displaying on high definition television. Since higher resolution is required for photographic lens systems as smaller picture elements are used for image pickup devices, the enhancement of optical performance of photographic lens systems is more strongly demanded.
Known as zoom lens systems satisfying such a demand are conventional examples disclosed by Japanese Patents Kokai Publication Nos. Sho 62-153913, Hei 1-126614 and Hei 6-56453.
It is general for obtaining high optical performance to properly cancel positive and negative aberrations produced by refracting surfaces with one another. In the case of a zoom lens system in which passage of rays and aberrations produced by refracting surfaces are largely different dependently on zoomed conditions, however, it is remarkably difficult to cancel aberrations produced by the refracting surfaces with one another at all focal lengths. When an attempt is made to shorten a total length of a zoom lens system which uses a zooming lens unit having a relatively simple composition, in particular, it is necessary to strengthen refractive powers of lens units, thereby allowing refracting surfaces to produce remarkable aberrations and making cancellation of aberrations much more difficult.
When the refractive power of the second lens unit is strengthened in an attempt to shorten the zoom lens system of the above-mentioned type (in which the four positive, negative, positive and positive lens units are disposed, and a negative refractive power is imparted only to the second lens unit having the vari-focal function, in particular) it is necessary to strengthen also the refractive power of the third lens unit or the fourth lens unit, thereby making it difficult to reserve a required back focal length or obtain high optical performance.
For obtaining a zoom lens system which has extremely high optical performance, high enough to accept highly precise and minute images, it is conceivable to reduce amounts of aberrations produced by refracting surfaces with an increased number of lens elements which refract rays at smaller angles and an increased number of times or cancel aberrations in a complicated way by selecting a complicated composition for a zooming lens unit. However, either of these conceptions has a defect resulting in the enlargement of the zoom lens system.
Each of the above-mentioned conventional examples disclosed by Japanese Patents Kokai Publication Nos. Sho 62-178917, Sho 62-215225 and Sho 63-123009 has a relatively simple composition and is remarkably compact, but exhibits optical performance insufficient as that of a photographic lens system for accepting the highly precise minute images such as those for high definition television. Further, each of the conventional examples disclosed by Japanese Patent Kokai Publication Nos. Sho 62-153913, Hei 1-126614 and Hei 6-56453 has extremely high optical performance, but cannot be said to be a sufficiently compact zoom lens system since it uses a large number of lens elements and is configured to cancel aberrations in a complicated way by using a zooming lens unit having a complicated composition.
For obtaining a compact zoom lens system which has high optical performance it is therefore desirable to select a zoom type advantageous for compact design of a lens system and contrive compositions of lens units without excessively strengthening refractive powers thereof. Speaking concretely, it is important to contrive, while selecting the composition of the above-mentioned zoom lens system composed of the four positive, negative, positive and positive lens units and contriving compositions of the third lens unit and the fourth lens unit without remarkably strengthening the refractive power of the second lens unit.


A method and system of switching heads in a hard disk drive written using an off-line STW method. In the method, first, deviations between a reference head and each of the heads are calculated. Next, a mapping table having the deviations between the reference head and each of the heads is generated and stored in a memory. Thereafter, when a head switching operation is requested, a current head is switched to a new head to access a track whose number is the same as the track assessed by the current head. A deviation of a track on which the head is positioned, recorded in the mapping table, is applied to the virtual track address of the track on which the head is positioned, thereby obtaining the physical track address of the track on which the head is positioned. The requested track is then accessed based on the obtained physical track address. As described above, in the head switching method, even when disks for a hard disk drive are written using an off-line STW method, the individual disks can be accessed based on an identical virtual track address. Thus, the performance of the hard disk drive is not degraded.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to hard disk drives, and more particularly, to a method of switching heads of a hard disk drive written using an off-line, servo track writing (STW) method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, hard disk drives include a plurality of disks and heads, wherein an individual disk is accessed by a corresponding head. Addresses used to access each disk are classified as head addresses, cylinder addresses, and sector addresses. As used herein, cylinders correspond to the tracks of a disk.
Servo tracks on conventional hard disk drives are written using an on-line STW method, where disks are first assembled on a drive and then servo data is recorded on the assembled disks. In other words, during a conventional hard disk drive manufacturing process, first, a disk assembly process is performed and then, servo tracks are written on the disks using a servo writing process. In the disk assembly process, a plurality of disks are assembled and fixed onto a drive. In the servo writing process, servo data, that is, track and sector addresses and servo address marks are recorded on the assembled disk by using a servo writer. U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,542 describes a method and apparatus for simultaneous servowriting on a plurality of disks. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,680 describes a method for self-servowriting.
In the on-line STW method, since all of the heads of a servo writer simultaneously perform servo writing, the track addresses of the individual disks on which corresponding heads are positioned are identical.
However, in recent hard disk drive manufacturing methods, the servo writing process is performed prior to the disk assembly process to achieve a simpler process. In other words, servo information is first individually recorded on each disk, and then the disks are assembled. This method is referred to as an off-line STW method.
In contrast with a hard disk drive having disks with information written using the on-line STW method, the disks of a hard disk drive having information written using the off-line STW method basically represent different track addresses when heads are positioned thereon. In other words, even when the disks are accurately assembled, there exists a deviation between disks due to an assembly tolerance. Thus, a deviation between heads is generated during assembly. Such a deviation may be in the order of magnitude of several hundreds of tracks.
The off-line STW method simplifies the process of writing information on a hard disk drive but degrades the performance of disks, that is, lengthens the time required to access the disks.
FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional disk accessing method. Referring to FIG. 1, upon recording, data is first recorded on an n-th track of an m-th disk and then on an n-th track of an (m+1)th disk. Next, data is recorded on the (n+1)th track of the (m+1)th disk and subsequently on the (n+1)th track of the m-th disk. In this example, since the m-th and (m+1)th disks are accessed by different heads, the heads are switched to record data on their corresponding disks.
According to a conventional disk accessing method, data can be recorded sequentially on two tracks of the m-th disk and (m+1)th disk by head switching and a track seeking. Head switching denotes a simple electrical head selection without accompanying the physical movement of a head assembly. While data is being recorded on two tracks, only a one-time track seeking is performed by the head assembly. Hence, while data is being recorded on p tracks, only p/2 times of track seeking are performed by the head assembly. Thus, the access time is reduced.
However, if disks, assembled and having information written using the off-line STW method, are accessed in the disk accessing method of FIG. 1, the time of track seeking increases, resulting in degradation in the performance of the hard disk drive. The accessing of the disks assembled, having information written by the off-line STW method using a conventional accessing method is illustrated in FIG. 2.
Disks assembled and written using the off-line STW method have a deviation in track addresses. The deviation can be reduced through improvements in the assembly accuracy. However, substantially eliminating the deviation is almost impossible, and furthermore, the deviation magnitude may amount to several hundreds of tracks.
Referring to FIG. 2, after data is recorded on an n-th track of an m-th disk, a head switching occurs to record data on an n-th track of an (m+1)th disk. However, because a deviation exists between the tracks of the m-th and (m+1)th disks on which heads are currently positioned, the n-th track of the (m+1)th disk cannot be completely accessed by accomplishing only a head switching operation. In other words, a track seeking operation is required to position a head accurately on the n-th track of the (m+1)th disk. If the n-th track of the (m+1)th disk is accurately found, data is recorded on the found n-th track and subsequently on an (n+1)th track of the (m+1)th disk.
Thereafter, as described above, a head switching operation is performed to record data on the (n+1)th track of the m-th disk. However, as also described above, the (n+1)th track of the m-th disk cannot be completely accessed by only a head switching operation. Hence, a track seeking operation must also be performed to position the head accurately on the (n+1)th track of the m-th disk.
In summary, hard disk drives having information written using the off-line STW method must perform both a head switching operation and a track seeking operation in order to properly access disks therein. The track seeking operation typically requires about 3–4 ms, which corresponds to about ⅓ of a 7,200 rpm rotation of a hard disk drive.
In contrast with hard disk drives written using the on-line STW method, hard disk drives written using the off-line STW method must additionally perform p/2 track seeking operations to compensate for the deviation between tracks while data is being recorded on p tracks. This results in degradation in the performance of the hard disk drive.

Head switching method and system using track number matching


An operation inputting apparatus is disclosed by which, even if a load detection output remains after an operation of a stick type operation member is stopped by an operator, a load detection output which coincides with stopping of the operation of the stick type operation member can be obtained. A pressure detection sensor detects a load force applied to the stick type operation member upon operation of the stick type operation member, and a comparison circuit compares a load detection value obtained from the pressure detection sensor with a preset load value. A timer circuit adjusts a count value in response to a result of the comparison and detects the count value equal to zero to produce a zero detection output. A judgment level production section sets two judgment levels for presence or absence of an output in response to the zero detection output. The judgment levels are set such that the judgment level for presence or absence of an output when the zero detection output is supplied is higher than the judgment level for presence or absence of an output when the zero detection output is not supplied.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an operation inputting apparatus which includes a stick type operation member, and more particularly to an operation inputting apparatus such as a computer keyboard apparatus which eliminates any possible disadvantage encountered when a stick type operation member is operated with an excessively high operating force as well as an operation inputting apparatus which minimizes a dispersion in detection output value of a detection sensor used for a stick type pressure sensor and a detection error arising from an influence of an environmental circumstance, a disturbance or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, various keyboard apparatus are known including a keyboard apparatus of the type which only includes several operation keys arranged in a predetermined order on an operation section and another keyboard apparatus of the type which includes such operation keys and a stick type operation member (stick pointer) located at a predetermined location among the operation keys.
A stick type operation member (stick pointer) for use with a keyboard apparatus includes a total of four strain gauges each on each of the opposite sides of a root portion thereof in a transverse direction (X-axis direction) and a depthwise direction (Y-axis direction). The paired strain gauges in each of the transverse and depthwise directions are connected in series across a dc power source, and detection outputs in the transverse direction and the depthwise direction are extracted from connection points of the paired strain gauges. Then, if an operator pushes, with a fingertip thereof, at an end of the stick type operation member to move in a desired direction, then a load force applied upon such movement acts upon the strain gauges in the two different directions so that the resistance values of the strain gauges are varied. Consequently, if the variations of the resistance values are detected as voltage variations in the individual directions and the detection outputs are read, then operation data representative of the load force to the end of the stick type operation member can be obtained. Then, the operation data representative of the load force are digitized and processed suitably in the keyboard apparatus and then transmitted to a main unit such as a personal computer to which the keyboard apparatus is connected.
In the meantime, in the main unit, when the operation data representative of the load force are supplied to a display section, they act to move a cursor in the display section. In this instance, the direction of movement of the cursor is determined in accordance with the direction of the load (pressing) force applied to the stick type operation member while the speed of movement of the cursor is determined in accordance with the magnitude of the load (pressing) force applied to the stick type operation member.
In the known keyboard apparatus of the type which includes a stick type operation member (stick pointer), if a key operator pushes (operates) the end of the stick type operation member to move in a desired direction, then the load (pressing) force applied upon such movement (operation) acts upon the strain gauges in the different directions so that the resistance values of the strain gauges are varied, and the variations of the resistance values are detected as voltage variations. If the key operator removes the load (pressing) force applied to the end of the stick type operation member, then the resistance values of the strain gauges must restore to their original values exhibited prior to their variations and also the detection outputs extracted from the connection points between the paired strain gauges must restore their original values exhibited prior to the variations.
With an actual stick type operation member(stick pointer), however, since inertia of the stick type operation member itself and/or a residual component of a displacement arising from adhesion of a bonding agent or the like are present, even if the load (pressing) force applied to move the stick type operation member by pushing operation of the same is removed, the stick type operation member will not immediately restore its original condition exhibited prior to such movement but will restore its original condition exhibited prior to the movement after lapse of a short time. Also the detection outputs extracted from the connection points between the paired strain gauges do not immediately restore their original conditions exhibited prior to the variations, but the variation residual component gradually attenuates until it decreases finally to zero. Particularly if a high load (pressing) force is applied when the stick type operation member is pushed (operated) to move, the displacement residual component is produced notably.
FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b) illustrate a relationship between the operation condition of the stick type operation member (stick pointer) and the load detection output obtained by the operation, and in particular, FIG. 7(a) illustrates the operation condition while FIG. 7(b) shows the actual load detection output.
In FIGS. 7(a) and 7(b), the axis of ordinate indicates the load level and the axis of abscissa indicates time.
When the stick type operation member is operated for a fixed period of time, if a load (pressing) force higher than a certain level is applied to operate the stick type operation member as seen in FIG. 7(a), then even if the thus applied load (pressing) force is removed after lapse of the fixed period of time, the load detection output does not immediately restore its original level exhibited prior to the variation, but returns to its original level after a process of displacement which decreases gradually.
Meanwhile, in the known keyboard apparatus of the type which includes a stick type operation member, when the cursor on the display section of the main unit is moved by a pushing operation of the stick type operation member, since the speed of movement of the cursor increases linearly in proportion to the load (pressing) force applied upon the operation of the stick type operation member, if a key operator wants to take a great amount of movement of the cursor, then if the key operator tries to achieve the movement of the cursor in a comparatively short time, then a high load (pressing) force must be applied continuously to the stick type operation member. Besides, when such movement of the cursor by a great amount is performed successively, the movement of the cursor becomes considerably slow, resulting in a problem that the operator may be irritated very much.
Further, there is a different problem in that, when the end of the stick type operation member is pushed to move, since the variation in resistance value caused by the pressing force applied to each pressure detection sensor (strain gauge) is very small, where the dispersion in initial resistance value among the paired pressure detection sensors (strain gauges) provided for each of the two perpendicular directions is great, fine variations of the resistance values obtained by the pressure detection sensors (strain gauges) cannot be read accurately.
Further, in the known keyboard apparatus having a stick type operation member, when fine detection outputs obtained from the paired pressure detection sensors (strain gauges) provided for the two different directions are amplified, a level variation is produced in the fine detection outputs by a variation of the power source voltage, a variation in ambient temperature, application of external noise or the like. Consequently, there is a further problem in that a fine variation in resistance value of each of the pressure detection sensors (strain gauges) cannot be read accurately.


The present invention relates to multi-bit exclusive-or (XOR) gates (60), including those where N parallel input bits (36, 38) are XORed with one data input bit (52). A modular approach is made using only one basic cell (30) for various implementations with different propagation delays. An N-bit XOR comprises basic cells (30) of adjacent first and second XOR gates (32, 34). Each first XOR gate (32) processes as input two of said N primary input bits (36, 38) and each second XOR gate (34) processes as input bits output bits of first or second XOR gates (32, 34) or the input data bit (52). This structure makes it possible to create an array of identical basic cells which is very suitable for VLSI implementation. There are few lines of connections between the different cells in the cell array which leads to substantial reduction in propagation delay without adding substantial wiring or layout complexity.

In the electronic arts it is often desired to perform a unary exclusive OR (XOR) process on N parallel input bits together with a data input bit. This processing of N+1 bits is done by combining N two-bit exclusive OR gates in a suitable manner. One can choose between a complicated and fast circuit or a simple circuit which needs up to N unit propagation delays and therefore is very slow.
FIG. 1 illustrates prior art multi-bit XOR 10 comprising N two-bit XORs 12 arranged in a tree structure. N parallel input bits 14 are XORed in pairs in N/2 two-bit XORs 12 which form a first group acting in parallel. The output bits of this first group are fed to a second group acting in parallel, and so on. The last (Nth) XOR 16 in the propagation flow direction performs an XOR operation with result 18 of all N parallel input bits and the data input bit. Its output is the desired multi-bit XOR result.
The advantage of this tree structure is a short propagation delay, since the number of stages in the propagation path is log.sub.2 N. The disadvantage is that the interconnections are complex making it less suitable for VLSI implementation.
FIG. 2 shows prior art multi-bit XOR 20 with N two-bit XORs 12' arranged in a line. Similar reference numbers (12, 12') are used to identify the like or analogous elements. N parallel input bits 14 are XORed serially with the data input. It is said that the data input bit ripples through N stages.
The advantage of this serial structure is that its modularity and simple connectivity makes it very suitable for VLSI implementation. The disadvantage is the very long propagation delay of N serial stages.


A gripper assembly for use in automated machines or robotics having a piston driven activator for effecting corresponding linear parallel displacement of opposed finger carriers and associated gripper fingers between a retracted and protracted position with improved center repeatability that is achieved by keying or maintaining the piston driven activator firmly centered relative to the gripper housing in a precise and positive manner that is least effected by wear. The gripper assembly may also be rendered fluid tight to operate in a fluid environment by providing seals between the opposed reciprocating finger carriers and the gripper housing as the finger carriers are displaced in a linear parallel manner between a protracted and retracted position.

Heretofore, numerous efforts have been made to develop a gripper assembly for use in various types of robotic or automated tool machines. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,892,344; 4,913,481; 4,593,948; 5,090,757; 5,125,708; 5,190,334 and 5,620,223 illustrate some of the known type grippers for use in robotic tool machines which seek to provide for parallel linear movement. Generally, such gripper assembly required the movable component parts to be machined to very close tolerance in order to achieve the desired degree of precision or accuracy. However, in time and use, the precision of the known gripper assemblies will progressively lessen due to wear between the movable parts. As a result, in many of the known gripper constructions, it has been noted that the center repeatability of the movable fingers progressively diminishes over time because of wear. When this occurs, the fingers may not equally open or close in a simultaneous manner as desired, thus resulting in inaccuracies in its positioning of a workpiece. There thus exists an ever present problem of constructing a gripper assembly capable of maintaining accurate and precise center repeatability over a considerable period of time.

Gripper assembly with improved center repeatability


To provide an organic EL element in which the hue of display light can be restrained from varying according to a change of the viewing angle. The organic EL element includes: a first electrode (anode) 4 having translucency; an organic layer 7 at least including a charge injection transport layer (hole injection transport layer) 7a formed on the first electrode 4, and a plurality of light-emitting layers 7b, 7c formed on the charge injection transport layer 7a and different in emission color; and a second electrode (cathode) 8 formed on the organic layer 7. The organic EL element is characterized in that a total film thickness T of the first electrode 4 and the charge injection transport layer 7a is in such a range that change of hue of display light according to a viewing angle θ cannot be recognized.

As an organic EL element, there was heretofore known an element which was formed in such a manner that a transparent electrode made of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) or the like as an anode, an organic layer including a hole injection layer, a hole transport layer, a light-emitting layer and an electron transport layer, and an opaque back electrode made of aluminum (Al) or the like as a cathode were laminated successively. For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, there was a known element in which at least two kinds of light-emitting layers exhibiting different emission colors were laminated as the light-emitting layer. In such an organic EL element, when the light-emitting layers exhibiting different emission colors are laminated, display light with a predetermined color can be obtained by color mixing. For example, when a blue light-emitting layer and a yellow light-emitting layer are laminated, white display light can be obtained by color mixing.

Organic EL element having a plurality of light emitting layers


Method and apparatus are utilized in a system for distributing digital contents from a central server to a plurality of endpoint servers for further distribution to end users for automatically managing the digital assets of the endpoint servers. Each endpoint server is connected to a plurality of users over a communications network and operable to deliver digital information content to users on demand. Using a master content stored at the central server, the digital content of each endpoint is periodically and automatically refreshed based on an aggregate profile that reflects the preferences of the end-user population served by the endpoint server. The aggregate profile is generated from information received from the end users, including information submitted by the users or automatically generated feedback information relating to the users""on-line activities.

The present invention relates to a system for distributing digital content from a central server to a plurality of endpoint servers for further distribution to end users. In particular, it relates to methods and apparatus for dynamically managing the digital assets of the endpoint servers based on aggregate profile information reflecting the preferences of the user population served by the endpoint server.
Broadband communication technologies have made it practical to deliver full motion video and other programming services to individual users on demand. The term xe2x80x9cbroadbandxe2x80x9d describes a service or system having a transmission speed of 1.5 Mbps (megabits per second) or greater. It also refers to the characteristics of any network technology that multiplexes multiple, independent network carriers onto a single cable, usually using frequency division multiplexing. The broadband platforms that are currently available, either on a commercial scale or on an experimental basis, include upgraded cable systems using cable modems, upgraded telephone delivery systems using the Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology, and satellite delivery systems that allow interactive communication.
A cable modem is a modem device that connects a personal computer (PC) to a coaxial or fiber optic cable that transmits television signals. Communication via a cable modem system is interactive. In an upgraded cable system, the bandwidth of the cable is typically divided into a relatively wide bandwidth for downstream data transmission (i.e. from the network to the PCs in the households) and a relatively narrow bandwidth for upstream signaling and telephony. A cable modem incorporates a tuner that separates data signals, broadcast streams and telephony signals. A cable modem may also include network management software by which the cable company can monitor the operation of the modem, as well as encryption devices.
Digital subscriber lines (DSL) technologies have been developed to provide broadband data communication over the existing copper wire twisted-pair telephone networks. Among the DSL technologies, asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL) technology takes advantage of the asymmetrical nature of interactive multimedia communication. ADSL transmits downstream data through a high-speed channel to a subscriber""s computer and upstream signals through a lower-speed channel to the network, while simultaneously providing xe2x80x9cPlain Old Telephone Servicexe2x80x9d (POTS). This makes it possible to transmit full motion video over a standard telephone line.
Direct broadcast satellite (DBS) systems that are currently used for broadcast video transmission may also be used to provide broadband interactive data transmission. In a DBS system, data is typically transmitted from a geosynchronous communications satellite directly to a dish antenna attached to a personal computer. To return data, the subscriber may dial up a local service such as an Internet service provider (ISP) over a standard analog modem. A network of low orbit geosynchronous communications satellites has also been proposed to create a digital network around the globe.
The developments in broadband telecommunications technologies not only make it possible, but also create a demand for providing interactive access to a broad range of entertainment and informational programming, including full-motion videos delivered to individual users on demand (video-on-demand). As used in this specification, xe2x80x9con-demandxe2x80x9d describes delivery of digital information in real time in response to individual users""requests. The technological developments also create a demand for integrated digital content delivery systems and services that integrate various categories of information and entertainment services in a single subscription service. The presently described digital content distribution system is such an integrated information and entertainment content provider service. The categories of contents that may be delivered through this distribution system may include movies, videos, television programs, music, music videos, concerts, books, style, software, games, travel and the like. Advertisements may also be delivered by this system.
The digital content distribution system according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a central digital information source and a plurality of endpoint digital information sources connected to the central source via high-speed backbone communication channels. Each endpoint source is connected to a plurality of end users via a communications network. The endpoint sources are typically regionally located. Depending on the broadband distribution technologies employed, an endpoint information source may be a headend of a cable company, a central office of the telephone company (telco), an uplink facility of a satellite transmission company or the like. The respective communication network may be a cable network, a telephone network, a satellite transmission network or the like. Each end user may be a personal computer (PC), a network computer, a set-top box for a television set or other types of computers or devices connected to a communications network.
The communication between each endpoint server and its end users is bi-directional and interactive. Each end-user computer executes a client software program, which generates and transmits user requests to the endpoint server for delivery of information contents. The end user may also transmit to the endpoint server other information, such as rating of the information and services received or other feedback information. In addition, the client software may automatically transmit information related to the user""s on-line activities to the endpoint server.
The central information source comprises a central server and a central database. Each endpoint source comprises an endpoint server and an endpoint database for storing information contents for delivery to end users. The central database stores all the digital information contents available on the content distribution system, which may be referred to as the master content. Each endpoint database typically stores only a subset of the master content. The central server automatically refreshes the content of each endpoint database, preferably on a regular basis, by selectively delivering new contents to the endpoint source and causing old contents stored therein to be selectively removed. (Depending on the context, the term xe2x80x9ccontentxe2x80x9d used in this specification may mean a piece of digital information, such as when referring to a content requested by a user; or the totality of digital contents stored in a database, such as when referring to the content of an endpoint database.)
For each endpoint source, the new contents to be delivered and the old contents to be removed are automatically determined by the central server base on information regarding the user population served by that endpoint server, referred to as an aggregate profile, as well as other information such as geographical location of the endpoint server. The aggregate profile, which may include information such as the frequency a particular content or type of content is requested by the users of the endpoint server, reflects the preferences of the user population served by the endpoint server. The aggregate profile is generated, either by the endpoint server or by the central server, based on information relating to the on-line activities of all users served by the endpoint server.


A display device installed on a steering wheel of a vehicle. The display device includes a display configured to display a GUI (Graphic User Interface) having an indicator indicating a rotation of the steering wheel; a sensing unit configured to sense whether or not the steering wheel is rotated; and a controller configured to rotate the displayed GUI in an opposite direction of a rotation direction of the steering wheel, when the steering wheel is rotated, and change a gauge of the indicator according to an amount of the rotation of the steering wheel.

A steering wheel is a device for changing a direction of a rotational shaft of front wheels in order to change a proceeding direction of a vehicle, which may also be called a handle.
An inner side of the steering wheel may be made of a light alloy and an outer side thereof may be made of a synthetic resin. Namely, in order to reduce injury to a driver, such as striking a driver a heavy blow on the chest, in the occurrence of a collision, a material that absorbs collision energy may be used to enhance a safety grade.
Also, installation of air bags as an impact buffer, as standard equipment, in the center of the steering wheel has been increased.
The driver may adjust a running direction of a vehicle by horizontally rotating the steering wheel, and a steering column forming a shaft of the steering wheel transfers an operating force of the driver to a lower steering gear, and the steering gear may steer the vehicle by moving the wheels of the vehicle.
Currently, in a majority of vehicles, a hardware type button is attached to a steering wheel in order to stably control a radio operation, a hands-free function, and the like while driving.
Also, recently, a display device installed in a steering wheel in consideration of driver's convenience in operation, and the like, has emerged.
Namely, a recent trend is that a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) is also attached to a steering wheel to provide various types of information to a user (or a driver).
In this case, however, an LCD monitor is simply attached to a steering wheel and image information displayed thereon is rotated as the steering wheel is turned, resulting in a degradation of user's visibility and operability while driving, causing user inconvenience.
In particular, such a type may have great shortcomings when the display device displays directional information (arrows, or the like).

Display device mounted on steering wheel of vehicle and control method thereof


The present invention relates to metal complexes and to electronic devices, in particular organic electroluminescent devices, comprising these metal complexes.

The structure of organic electroluminescent devices (OLEDs) in which organic semiconductors are employed as functional materials is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,507, 5,151,629, EP 0676461 and WO 98/27136. The emitting materials employed here are increasingly organometallic complexes which exhibit phosphorescence instead of fluorescence (M. A. Baldo et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 1999, 75, 4-6). For quantum-mechanical reasons, an up to four-fold increase in energy and power efficiency is possible using organometallic compounds as phosphorescence emitters. In general, however, there is still a need for improvement in OLEDs which exhibit triplet emission, in particular with respect to efficiency, operating voltage and lifetime. This applies, in particular, to OLEDs which emit in the relatively short-wave range, i.e. green and in particular blue. Thus, no blue-emitting triplet emitters which meet the technical requirements for industrial use are known to date.
In accordance with the prior art, the triplet emitters employed in phosphorescent OLEDs are, in particular, iridium complexes. An improvement in these OLEDs has been achieved by employing metal complexes containing polypodal ligands or cryptates, as a consequence of which the complexes have higher thermal stability, which results in a longer lifetime of the OLEDs (WO 04/081017, WO 05/113563, WO 06/008069). However, these complexes are not suitable for blue emission, in particular for saturated deep-blue emission.
The prior art furthermore discloses iridium complexes which contain imidazophenanthridine derivatives or diimidazoquinazoline derivatives as ligands (WO 07/095,118). These complexes can result in blue phosphorescence on use in organic electroluminescent devices, depending on the precise structure of the ligand. Here too, further improvements are desirable with respect to efficiency, operating voltage and lifetime. In particular, there is also a need for improvement here with respect to the colour coordinates in order to be able to achieved deep-blue emission.


A random number generating device includes: a microcomputer; a first oscillator circuit that has a predetermined temperature characteristic and generates a clock serving as a basis of a behavior of the microcomputer; and an electronic circuit that has a temperature characteristic being different from the predetermined temperature characteristic of the first oscillator circuit and operates in accordance with a command from the microcomputer. The microcomputer measures an operating time of the electronic circuit based upon the clock generated by the first oscillator circuit and generates a random number based upon a result of the measurement.

The present invention relates to a random number generating device that generates a random number by the behavior of a microcomputer.
When electrically-powered equipment (electric power tools, electrically operated machines, and so on), which operate in response to power supply from batteries, and battery chargers, which charge batteries, are mounted with batteries that are not regular or appropriate, sometimes, the equipment get broken, or the batteries abnormally generate heat.
Accordingly, this type of equipment has been known in which, when the battery is mounted on the equipment, a random number is employed to determine (certify) whether or not the mounted battery is appropriate (e.g., see Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,865).
Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,865 suggests employing, as the random number, noise bits (low-order hits) being an AD converted value obtained by an A/D converter.
Further, a random number generating circuit that generates a random number is known in which a voltage control oscillator generates oscillation outputs by receiving unstable power source voltage, the oscillation outputs are counted for a predetermined period of time, and the counted value of the oscillation outputs is outputted as a random number (e.g., see JP3492494).


A sole construction (110, 310, 410, 510) for supporting at least a portion of a foot and for providing energy storage and return is provided. The sole construction (110, 310, 410, 510) includes a generally horizontal layer (126, 156, 326, 356, 426, 456, 526, 556) of stretchable material, at least one chamber (130, 132, 134, 330, 332, 334, 354, 354′, 430, 432, 434, 454, 454′, 530, 532, 534, 554, 554′) positioned adjacent a first side of the layer (126, 156, 326, 356, 426, 456, 526, 556), and at least one actuator (122, 158, 320, 322, 324, 358, 420, 422, 424, 458, 520, 522, 524, 558) positioned adjacent a second side of the layer (126, 156, 326, 356, 426, 456, 526, 556) vertically aligned with a corresponding chamber (130, 132, 134, 330, 332, 334, 354, 354′, 430, 432, 434, 454, 454′, 530, 532, 534, 554, 554′). The sole (110, 310, 410, 510) when compressed causes the actuator (122, 158, 320, 322, 324, 358, 420, 422, 424, 458, 520, 522, 524, 558) to push against the layer (126, 156, 326, 356, 426, 456, 526, 556) and move the layer (126, 156, 326, 356, 426, 456, 526, 556) at least partially into the corresponding chamber (130, 132, 134, 330, 332, 334, 354, 354′, 430, 432, 434, 454, 454′, 530, 532, 534, 554, 554′).

Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to articles of footwear, and more particularly, to sole constructions that may be incorporated into athletic footwear or as an insert into existing footwear and the like in order to store kinetic energy generated by a person. The sole construction has a combination of structural features enabling enhanced storage, retrieval and guidance of wearer muscle energy that complement and augment performance of participants in recreational and sports activities.
Description of the Related Art
In typical walking and running gaits, one foot contacts a support surface (such as the ground) in a stance mode while the other foot moves through the air in a swing mode. During the stance mode, the foot in contact with the support surface travels through three successive basic phases: heel strike, mid stance and toe off. The heel strike is eliminated with faster paced running and proper running form.
Running shoe designers have sought to strike a compromise between providing enough cushioning to protect the runner's foot, but not so much that the runner's foot will wobble and get out of sync with the working of the knee and lower body alignment. Typical shoe designs fail to adequately address the needs of the runner's foot and ankle during each of the stages of the stance mode resulting in the loss of a significant proportion, by some estimates at least thirty percent, of the foot and ankle's functional abilities, including their abilities to absorb shock, load musculature and tendon systems, and to propel the runner's body forward.
Another perplexing problem has been how to store the energy generated while running, jumping, etc. Traditional shoe designs have merely dampened the shock thereby dissipating the kinetic energy. Rather than losing the kinetic energy, it is useful to store and retrieve that energy while allowing the feet greater sensory perception, as in barefoot running, to enhance athletic performance. Traditional shoe construction, however, has failed to address this need.
Therefore, there remains a need for a shoe sole that will provide sufficient cushioning, adequate stabilizing support, and enhanced storage, retrieval and guidance of a runner's energy in a way that will complement and augment the runner's performance.

Sole construction for energy storage and rebound


Provided is a reflective colorless optical transmitter receiving a carrier signal, which is a continuous wave, and outputting a modulated optical signal. The reflective colorless optical transmitter includes a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) amplifying an input optical signal allowing the input optical signal to have a gain, an optical modulator connected to the SOA and outputting a modulated optical signal, a high reflectivity facet reflecting the modulated optical signal from the optical modulator, and a Bragg reflection mirror connected to the high reflectivity facet, the optical modulator, and the SOA in series, wherein a Bragg resonator is formed by the Bragg reflecting mirror and the high reflectivity facet.

The present invention disclosed herein relates to a reflective colorless optical transmitter used for optical communication.
Recently as the ultra high speed internet and various multimedia services are emerged, a fiber to the home (FTTH) technology has been actively developed for connecting a telephone company to a home with an optical fiber to provide mass information transfer. In order to implement the FTTH, various types of optical subscriber networks are required. In implementing the FTTH, the most important conditions are lowering cost as well as mass transfer. The passive optical network (PON) is excellent in network management and maintenance due to characteristics of passive devices and is economy since several subscribers share to use optical fibers.
In particular, since different wavelengths are respectively allocated to different subscribers in a wavelength-division multiplexed (WDM)-PON scheme, security and extensibility are high. However, a light source, such as an expensive distributed feedback laser diode (DFB LD), is necessary which has a different wavelength for each subscriber, and, for wavelength management, a specific light source having a different wavelength for each subscriber is required to be in stock in preparation for failure. Accordingly, price competitiveness is lowered. Therefore, a colorless optical transmitter is necessary as a WDM-PON light source. Recently, as necessity for a colorless optical transmitter operable in an ultra high speed of 10 Gbps or higher is surfaced, a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) into which a reflective optical modulator is integrated has be massively researched.
Typically, in a PON, a reflective colorless optical transmitter is positioned in an optical network unit (ONU), and an input carrier light source for the reflective colorless optical transmitter is positioned in an optical line terminal (OLT). Accordingly, since optical power of the input carrier for the reflective colorless optical transmitter has different attenuations along various paths of an optical distribution network including an array waveguide grating, an optical splitter, and a feeding fiber, it is important that a reflective colorless optical transmitter generates a modulation signal without distortion even in a wide input optical power range.

Reflective colorless optical transmitter

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


A battery body, which is composed of a laminated body obtained by laminating a cathode and an anode via a separator or a wound body obtained by winding them in a laminated structure and a plurality of leads connected to the cathode and the anode, is contained in a flexible package, and after an electrolyte solution is injected thereinto, an opening of the package is sealed at pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure and is reduced to not less than vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution so that a thin battery is fabricated. A rise in pressure in the battery due to generation of gas in the battery and volume expansion of the gas can be restrained when the battery is maintained at high temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for fabricating a thin battery and a thin battery fabricated thereby.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, as portable equipments such as a notebook personal computer and a portable telephone have spread, applications of batteries with high-energy density which is represented by an Ni metal hydride secondary battery and lithium-ion secondary battery have been expanded rapidly. Conventionally, as for a lithium-ion battery, its winding body, which was obtained by winding a cathode and an anode in a laminated structure via a separator, was contained in a metallic can, and the cathode, the separator and the anode came closely into contact by means of a pressure of the can so that electric connection was obtained. However, since the metallic can was used, there arose a problem that the battery is difficulty lightened and thinned.
In order to solve this problem, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-177865 (1998) or the like suggests a structure of a thin battery and process for fabricating the same which do not require a metallic can because a cathode and an anode are bonded to a separator before they are contained in a battery package. FIG. 3 are step diagrams showing one example of a conventional process for fabricating a thin lithium-ion secondary battery. A battery body 21 is composed of a wound body 22 which is obtained by winding a cathode and an anode via a separator in a laminated structure and leads 23 which are connected to the cathode and the anode, respectively. The battery body 21 as shown in FIG. 1(A) is contained in a flexible package 25 composed of a laminated film made of metallic foil and resin film, and a battery 20 is fabricated by a step shown in FIG. 1(B) of injecting electrolyte solution 26 into the battery body 21 and a step shown in FIG. 1(C) of sealing a opening of the package 25 in a state that the leads 23 are taken out from the package 25. These steps are carried out in an atmosphere of inert gas and under normal pressure.
However, when the battery 20 is left to stand in a high-temperature environment for use or preservation after sealing, a volume of gas remaining in the package is expanded, and gas is generated due to self-discharge of the battery and vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution rises. As a result, internal pressure of the battery rises, the hazard that the battery is exploded increases. Moreover, in the above process, since air bubbles remaining in porous battery materials causes insufficient filling of the electrolyte solution into the porous battery materials, paths of the electrolyte solution are blocked. Accordingly, internal resistance of the battery rises.
Furthermore, in order to make charge and discharge cycle to progress smoothly, a preparatory charging is carried out as a pre-treatment after the sealing. The pre-treatment comprises generating gas that is to be generated due to reaction between the anode and the electrolyte solution in the initial stage of a charge, before the charge and discharge cycles hereinafter. As a result, in the case where the battery is put in the high-temperature environment, the volume of gas generated due to the preparatory charge is expanded, thereby possibly causing the problem similar to the above one.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process for fabricating a thin battery and a thin battery fabricated thereby which can solve the above problems and are capable of filling a battery body with an electrolyte solution without expanding the volume of the battery even if the battery is put into a high-temperature environment and without involving a rise in the internal resistance of the battery.
In order to solve the above problems, the inventors have concentrated themselves on researches and found that a package is sealed at a pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure and is reduced to not less than vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution so that expansion of the volume of a thin battery can be suppressed even when the battery is left in a high-temperature environment.
A process for fabricating a thin battery of the present invention, in which a battery body is contained in a flexible package, the battery body being composed of either a laminated body obtained by laminating a cathode and an anode via a separator or a wound body obtained by winding a cathode and an anode via a separator in a laminated structure and a plurality of leads, and being sealed in the package, is characterized by including:
containing the battery body into the package and injecting an electrolyte solution into the package; and sealing an opening of the package at a reduced pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure and is not less than vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution. According to the present invention, since the pressure in the battery is kept at the reduced pressure which is lower than atmospheric pressure, rise in pressure in the battery due to the volume expansion of the gas in the battery, and expansion of the volume of the battery can be restrained, even if the battery is left in a high-temperature environment. The pressure at the time of sealing is preferably a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure and is not less than vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution at the temperature of the sealing. In order to restrain evaporation of the electrolyte solution, the pressure at the time of sealing is preferably 1.5 times as high as the vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution, and more preferably three times as high as the vapor pressure of the same.
In addition, after injecting the electrolyte solution into the package at the reduced pressure, that is, the gas in pores of the battery body is evacuated and the electrolyte solution is injected, the package can be sealed at a pressure which is lower than the atmospheric pressure and is not less than the vapor pressure of the electrolyte solution. As a result, in addition to the above effect, since the battery body can be filled with a sufficient amount of the electrolyte solution while the evaporation of the electrolyte solution being restrained, rise in internal resistance of the battery can be prevented.
Further, it is preferable that a preparatory charging step can be included between the step of injecting the electrolyte solution and the step of sealing at the reduced pressure. Since the gas which is generated at the time of the preparatory charging can be evacuated at the time of the sealing at the reduced pressure, the volume expansion of the battery due to the rise in the pressure in the battery can be restrained even under a high-temperature environment
In addition, the package can be sealed at a reduced pressure by thermally fusing the opening.
In addition, it is desirable that the package is sealed at a reduced pressure at a temperature which is not more than room temperature, preferably not more than room temperature to not less than 5xc2x0 C., and more preferably not more than 30xc2x0 C. to not less than 5xc2x0 C.
In addition, it is preferable that a battery body, which is obtained by bonding the separator to at least one surface of the cathode and the anode, is used. Since strong metal can is not required in order to keep electric connection between the cathode, the separator and the anode, a thin and light battery without volume expansion can be provided.
In addition, a thin battery which comprises a battery body, which is composed of either a laminated body obtained by laminating a cathode and an anode via a separator or a wound body obtained by winding a cathode and an anode via a separator in a laminated structure and a plurality of leads which are connected to the cathode and the anode, respectively, and an electrolyte solution, and a flexible package for containing the battery body therein, is characterized in that the package is sealed at a reduced pressure, thereby maintaining a pressure in the package to be lower than atmospheric pressure.

Thin battery and method of manufacturing


A telescope (800) includes a lens (802) and an eyepiece (801) by which a person can view a remote object. The telescope includes a built-in printer to provide an instantaneous permanent record of an image viewed by the person. Upon activation of a trigger (817), a permanent graphic image is printed onto a sheet (816) that passes out of the telescope via slot (804).

Conventional telescopes include a lens or sequence of lenses and an eyepiece through which a person can view a remote object. It is known to attach a camera to a telescope in order to take a photograph of a remote object.
Moreover, it would be beneficial for amateur astronomers, bird watchers, mariners and any other person wishing to use a telescope if a permanent printed record of what has been viewed could be made, instantaneously and inexpensively.


A method of producing trichlorosilane having a reduced content of dichlorosilane, which comprises reacting a mixture of dichlorosilane and trichlorosilane with hydrogen chloride in the presence of activated carbon as a catalyst at a temperature of 0.degree. C. or higher and lower than 75.degree. C. to selectively convert dichlorosilane into trichlorosilane.

The present invention relates to a method of producing trichlorosilane having a reduced content of dichlorosilane from a mixture of dichlorosilane and trichlorosilane. More specifically, it relates to a method of producing trichlorosilane having a reduced content of dichlorosilane by removing by-produced dichlorosilane efficiently for the production of high-purity polycrystal silicon.
The most common method of producing high-purity polycrystal silicon uses trichlorosilane as a raw material. Trichlorosilane is first purified by distillation and separated into high-purity purified trichlorosilane, other chlorosilane and impurities to be discarded. The "chlorosilane" referred to herein is a generic term for compounds comprising silicon, chlorine and/or hydrogen, such as trichlorosilane and silicone tetrachloride. Then, the purified trichlorosilane obtained by distillation is caused to react with hydrogen and the reaction product is subjected to thermal decomposition and reduction to produce high-purity polycrystal silicon. Particularly, a method of producing a rod-shaped deposit is called "Siemens method" and widely and commonly employed.
In a method of depositing polycrystal silicon using trichlorosilane as a raw material, dichlorosilane is by-produced and dichlorosilane is generally separated from trichlorosilane.
The separated dichlorosilane is discarded or recycled.
To recycle dichlorosilane, JP-A Hei 2-97415 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application") proposes a method of supplying dichlorosilane into a reactor for carrying out a reaction between silicon and hydrogen chloride. JP-A Hei 1-283817 proposes a method of obtaining trichlorosilane by reacting dichlorosilane with silicon tetrachloride in the presence of an amino compound catalyst on a resin. However, these methods require a large-scale apparatus.
To solve these problems and simplify the apparatus, JP-A Hei 7-315829 proposes a method in which an exhaust (vent) gas from various reactors in the production process of polysilicon is reacted with hydrogen chloride on a metal catalyst such as palladium or platinum at 30.degree. to 400.degree. C. to convert a Si--H bond contained in the exhaust gas into a Si--Cl bond. This method is excellent and can be carried out with simple equipment. It involves, however, a problem that due to its high reaction activity to chlorination, even trichlorosilane to be used for deposition is converted into silicone tetrachloride simultaneously when dichlorosilane is converted into trichlorosilane. Therefore, development of a method of allowing only dichlorosilane or a silane having a boiling point lower than that of dichlorosilane to selectively react with hydrogen chloride has been desired to overcome the above defect.

Method of producing trichlorosilane having a reduced content of dichlorosilane


Method for storing a waste gas mixture comprised of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and inert gases, the gas mixture containing corrosive contaminants including inorganic acids and bases and organic solvents, and derived from space station operations. The gas mixture is stored under pressure in a vessel formed of a filament wound composite overwrap on a metal liner, the metal liner being pre-stressed in compression by the overwrap, thereby avoiding any tensile stress in the liner, and preventing stress corrosion cracking of the liner during gas mixture storage.

This invention relates to high pressure storage of waste gas produced in operation of a space vehicle such as a space station, and is particularly concerned with procedure for avoiding stress corrosion cracking of metal containers employed for storing pressurized waste gas containing corrosive contaminants.
In space station systems different laboratory modules on the space station are designed for carrying out a variety of experiments, and generate a mixed waste gas composed primarily of nitrogen, carbon dioxide, oxygen and inert gases. The mixed waste gas will also contain a wide variety of trace contaminant vapors and particles including organic and inorganic acids and bases and organic solvents, and halogens, generated from the experiments performed in the laboratory modules on the space station. Such waste gas can be removed, stored and propulsively vented through resistojets as part of a supplemental reboost propellant system for the space station. Thus, a substantial amount of primary reboost propellant is saved by using waste gases for supplemental reboost.
In the mixed waste gas system which is directly connected to the space station, the mixed waste gas is stored at high pressures of about 1000 to about 1100 psi. Such high pressure storage of mixed waste gases containing an uncertain mixture of chemical contaminants has caused grave concerns in regard to material reliability, corrosion and particularly stress corrosion cracking of metal storage containers and hardware, in the high pressure areas of the system.
Concentrations and mixtures of gases and contaminants will constantly change over the long period, e.g. 30 year, operation of the space station. Such a gas environment renders it very difficult to characterize material behavior with respect to corrosion and stress corrosion cracking resistance. To applicant's knowledge, no engineering metal that is compatible with all potential contaminants of the waste gas mixture is presently available, and there is potential danger of an unexpected, catastrophic failure of an all metal pressure vessel caused by stress corrosion cracking resulting from an unpredictable waste gas/contaminant environment. Because of such stress corrosion cracking concerns, an alternative to the all-metal pressure vessel for high pressure waste gas storage is required.
Composite pressure vessels with metal liners operating in compression are known. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,812 discloses a method of producing an overwrapped composite pressure vessel which induces a compressive prestress into a metal liner by pressurizing the vessel beyond the elastic limit of the liner after overwrapping the liner, elastically unloading the liner by reducing the pressure, and compressing the liner with the filament overwrap. U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,644 is also exemplary of a method of making pressure vessels formed by winding layers of resin coated filaments on a metal shell, curing the resin and subjecting the interior of the shell to fluid pressure to expand the shell so as to establish a pre-stress in the cylindrical wall section.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for storing waste gases in a pressure vessel having a metal liner so as to provide stress corrosion cracking resistance of the liner.
Another object is to provide procedure for storing pressurized waste gas containing contaminants from a space station in a pressure vessel having a metal liner, over extended periods of storage while preventing stress corrosion cracking of the metal liner and avoiding the danger of catastrophic failure of the pressure vessel.
A still further object of the invention is the provision of an effective method for storing gas mixtures containing corrosive contaminants in pressure vessels other than all-metal pressure vessels under conditions to prevent stress corrosion cracking and the danger of catastrophic failure of an all-metal pressure vessel.
Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.


A method of forming an insulating layer and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using insulating layer are disclosed. A preliminary insulating layer including a material having a relatively low dielectric constant is formed on an object. An upper portion of the preliminary insulating layer is provided with an ozone gas to transform the preliminary insulating layer into an insulating layer having an upper insulating film including an oxide and a lower insulating film including the material having the relatively low dielectric constant. The upper insulating film may further be located on the lower insulating film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of forming an insulating layer and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the insulating layer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of forming an insulating layer between conductors for insulating the conductors from each other and a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device by using the insulating layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, when a material having a relatively high dielectric constant is formed between conductive structures to electrically insulate the conductive structures from each other, a parasitic capacitance is generated. To help prevent a parasitic capacitance from being generated, an insulating layer including a material having a relatively low dielectric constant may be formed between the conductive structures and on the conductive structures to electrically insulate the conductive structures from each other. Particularly, the insulating layer includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion covers the upper faces of the conductive structures, and the lower portion is located below the upper portion.
The material having the relatively low dielectric constant may be hydrogen silsesquioxane (HSQ), methyl silsesquioxane (MSQ), or methyl hydrogen silsesquioxane (MHSQ).
However, hydrogen silsesquioxane is easily damaged by a stripping process using an amine solution, methyl silsesquioxane is easily damaged by an ashing process using an oxygen gas, and methyl hydrogen silsesquioxane is easily damaged by the stripping process using the amine solution as well as the ashing process using oxygen (O2).
Thus, when a contact plug is formed through the upper portion of an insulating layer to be electrically connected to the upper face of a conductive structure, a bowing may be generated.
In order to reduce the bowing, methods of forming a dual insulating layer having an upper insulating film including oxide and a lower insulating film including a material having the relatively low dielectric constant are suggested. The dual insulating film may be formed by providing an upper portion of the insulating layer with an oxygen (O2) gas or an oxygen plasma. Here, the upper portion and the lower portion of the insulating layer may correspond to the upper insulating film and the lower insulating film, respectively.
In this case, when the upper insulating film is exceedingly thick, the upper insulating film may have a relatively large dielectric constant as compared to the lower insulating film. Thus, an overall dielectric constant of the dual insulating layer may increase.
In addition, when the upper insulating film is exceedingly thick, the dual insulating layer may be excessively shrunk because oxide in the upper insulating film is formed by dehydration/condensation reactions. Furthermore, as the upper insulating film gets excessively thick, the amount of byproducts and moisture that are generated in the upper insulating film while the oxide is formed may increase. This occurs because the amount of byproducts and moisture is substantially proportional to a thickness of the upper insulating film.
Additionally, because the thickness of the upper insulating film is relatively large, the large amount of the byproducts and the moisture may not be easily removed through the upper insulating film even though a thermal treatment is performed on the upper insulating film. Thus, it is desirable to control the thickness of the upper insulating film to prevent the problems associated with an excessively thick upper insulating layer.
However, because the oxygen gas and the oxygen plasma can quickly form an excessively thick upper insulating layer, it can be hard to efficiently control the thickness of the upper insulation film.

Method of manufacturing an insulating layer and method of manufacturing a semiconductor device using the insulating layer


An embodiment of a system and method for providing video on demand provides pre-scheduled multicasts of videos as well as dynamically initiated transmissions of the front portion of videos. Users may first receive a dynamically initiated front portion of a video and then be merged into a pre-scheduled multicast. Preferably, the dynamically initiated transmission is also a multicast. Preferably, multiple admission controllers and a single server coordinate the dynamically initiated transmissions for any one video. Preferably, interactive controls are supported without requiring extra server-side resources. Preferably, latency is automatically equalized between users admitted via the pre-scheduled and the dynamically initiated transmissions. Preferably, a user receiving a video via a pre-scheduled multicast does not need to change channels to finish receiving the video transmitted. Preferably, a module can model and quickly estimate expected latency given system parameters such as number and allocation of channels and expected user arrival time(s).

The present invention relates to networking, especially the providing of content to multiple users, especially video content on demand to multiple users.
Video-on-demand (VoD) systems have been commercially available for many years. However, except in a few cities, large-scale deployment of VoD service is still uncommon. One of the reasons is the high cost of establishing large-scale interactive VoD service using conventional technologies. The traditional "true VoD" (TVoD) model calls for a dedicated channel, both at the server and at the network, for each active user during the entire duration of the user's video session (for example, about one, two, or more hours for each movie). In a city with potentially more than millions or tens of millions of subscribers, the infrastructure investment required for TVoD is prohibitive.
Alternatives have been proposed to TVoD. One such alternative is called "near VoD" (NVoD). An NVoD system repeatedly broadcasts for multiple users ("multicasts") each video (e.g., movie) over multiple channels at fixed time intervals so that an incoming user can simply join the next upcoming multicast cycle without incurring additional resource expenditures by a video server. The drawback of NVoD is that, unless prohibitively many channels are dedicated to each video, the wait time (latency) faced by an arriving user can be undesirably long.
Other alternatives have been proposed to TVoD that attempt to improve upon NVoD in various ways. However, these other alternatives frequently remedy one deficiency only to create other deficiencies. For example, an approach called "chaining" allows an arriving user to view a video, not by waiting for a next pre-scheduled multicast cycle, but by quickly obtaining from a fellow user the streamed video of a previous broadcast that was recently watched and cached by the fellow user. The chaining approach can reduce latency, as compared to NVoD. However, the chaining approach also adds a new need for sufficient network bandwidth for users to stream video to one another.
Various schemes for VoD are similar to chaining in that they create complexity and resource requirements that may be tolerable for small-scale systems but that become intolerable if a large-scale system is to be built. Such schemes are merely isolated solutions to isolated problems but do not include a complete solution for a large-scale VoD system. In short, many existing schemes for VoD do not "scale up" well and are not efficient, especially if attempted to be used in large-scale VoD systems.

System and method for highly scalable video on demand