A power generation system includes a compression unit which compresses a gas, a storage which stores the compressed gas output from the compression unit, a first expansion unit which generates first power and outputs a first exhaust gas, a heating unit which heats at least the stored gas output from the storage, a second expansion unit which generates second power and outputs a second exhaust gas, a first regenerator which performs a first heat exchange between the second exhaust gas and the stored gas output from the storage, to generate a first heat exchange gas used to generate the first power and a first regenerator gas, and a second regenerator which performs a second heat exchange between the first exhaust gas and the first regenerator gas to generate a second heat exchange gas used to generate the second power after heated at the heating unit.

1. Field
Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate to a power generation system, and more particularly, to a power generation system using compressed gas.
2. Description of the Related Art
A power generation system using compressed gas stores gas that is compressed using an apparatus such as a compressor in a predetermined storage space. When energy is needed, for example, to generate power by driving a turbine, the power generation system uses the compressed gas from the predetermined storage pace. The power generation system also may be used as a power system for generating electric power. In general, an electricity consumption rate is relatively low during at late night (i.e. after midnight) and the electricity consumption rate is high during daytime. Therefore, if the power system compresses and stores gas by using surplus electric power after midnight and then generates electric power using the stored compressed gas at daytime, waste of energy may be reduced. Also, since electric power may be generated when necessary, the power system has a merit of controlling the amount of generation of electric power according to a varying electric power consumption rate.

Power generation system and power generation method


This invention provides a coil and magnet assembly that is operatively interconnected with an oscillating free piston that moves along an axis. A coil mounting disk is operatively connected to a coil assembly. A magnet assembly is mounted on a magnet base. The magnet assembly is coaxial with respect to the coil assembly. The coil assembly and the magnet assembly are in oscillating motion with respect to each other in conjunction with oscillating motion of the free piston. A spring assembly comprising a plurality springs, symmetrically positioned about the axis, extend between the magnet base and the coil mounting disk, so as to move in conjunction with the oscillating motion along the axis. At least some of the springs are conductive and electrically connect the mounting disk to the magnet base. The piston can reside in a casing that is part of either a two-stroke engine or a fluid pump.

A wide variety of applications require the moving or pumping of fluids. One large category of applications is the moving of fluids, either gaseous or liquid, to transfer thermal energy from one location to another location, such as for cooling or heating. Another category of applications is the moving of fluids as part of a chemical reaction process, such as supplying oxygen or air to the cathode of a fuel cell. Still another category of applications is for supplying a fluid to a device at elevated pressure, such as an air pump for pressurizing vehicle tires.
Many implementations of pumping devices have been developed to address these various applications. The most common and prevalent of these devices use electrical energy as the power source to drive mechanical motion to accomplish the pumping action. One typical example is an impeller fan having multiple blades that are driven in a rotary fashion by an electric motor. Fans are typically capable of moving large fluid quantities at a low increase in the fluid kinetic energy and pressure. Centrifugal blowers are capable of moving large fluid quantities at low to intermediate pressures. Compressors are similar devices that typically have multiple stages of rotating blades and are capable of pumping smaller quantities of fluids at relatively high pressures. Rotary vane pumps use an eccentrically mounted rotor containing sliding vanes to continuously pump fluid at moderate pressures. Gear pumps use multiple rotating gears to continuously pump fluid from the low pressure inlet to an elevated pressure outlet. Reciprocating pumps driven by an electric motor typically convert the rotating action of a shaft to a reciprocating linear motion, particularly employing a crankshaft to drive a piston or diaphragm actuator. Reciprocating pumps typically use check valves or similar devices to prevent reverse flow of the pumped fluid back into the pump chamber once it has been biased in a predetermined, desired flow direction. Linear pumps typically use an electric solenoid drive or other linear electric actuator in a free piston design to create pumping action by moving a piston in a linear motion.
Impeller fans are well-suited for a wide variety of cooling and fluid-movement applications in which the pressure rise requirements are very small, typically 1″ H2O (250 Pa) or less. Fans typically exhibit pumping efficiencies of 50-70%. For applications that require higher pressure rise values, other pumping devices should be considered. To this end, centrifugal blowers can have higher pressure capacity, typically up to 10″ H2O (2500 Pa), though the flow rate at maximum pressure approaches zero and the efficiency is low. Compressors are well-suited for low-flow, high-pressure rise applications. Compressors typically provide pressure rise values from tens of psi to hundreds of psi (0.1-1 MPa and higher). Compressors are generally not employed for cooling, heating, or fluid movement applications.
Rotary vane, gear, and reciprocating pumps are well-suited for intermediate pressure applications that do not require large volumetric flow rates. Rotary vane and gear pumps use sliding surfaces in conjunction with rotating motion. Friction and wear are disadvantages associated with the sliding surfaces. Reciprocating pumps traditionally employ a crankshaft mechanism to convert the rotary motion of the electric drive motor to linear motion of the actuator. Reciprocating pumps typically require lubrication, though use of a diaphragm actuator separates the lubricant from the pumping fluid.
Linear pumps are suitable for both low and intermediate pressure applications. A common limitation on linear pumps with solenoid actuation is low frequency operation which dictates that the pumps be constructed to a large size for a given flow rate. Some reciprocating pump designs incorporate a mechanical return spring to allow operation at increased frequency. Typically, the electrical drive efficiency of linear pumps is low. Current pump technologies have numerous limitations for applications requiring compact size, light weight, low power, and intermediate pressures. Impeller fans exhibit inadequate pressure capabilities. Compressors are heavy and are inappropriate at intermediate pressures. Blowers can provide intermediate pressure at moderate flow rates, though their efficiency is low, and their size and weight are frequently greater than that which is desired for compact applications. Rotary vane pumps and gear pumps exhibit wear issues associated with the sliding parts and a size and weight that may be excessive for the desired application. Reciprocating pumps employ a crank mechanism that experiences wear and generally requires lubrication. In the case of piston pumps, the lubricant also has the potential for contaminating the fluid which is being pumped. Reciprocating pumps usually have a size and weight that exceeds the desired parameters for compact applications.
In addition to the electrically-powered pumping devices discussed above, pumping devices using energy from combustion, either directly as in combustion driven devices, or indirectly such as in steam engine or Stirling engine devices, have been developed. These include free piston pump devices. These devices are typically large and heavy, and not well-suited for low and intermediate pressure applications. These devices are also not suitable for many applications requiring a small size, since they require heat transfer surfaces and cooling flow for heat rejection. They are also generally not suitable for indoor use since they require exhaust ducting and a fuel supply
It is, thus, desirable to provide a pump arrangement that can produce a large airflow at intermediate to high pressures in a compact and lightweight assembly. This pump should allow for variable flow and pressure control and relatively quiet operation. The pump arrangement should handle both gasses and liquids, and should be adaptable to a variety of applications including those employing connected conduits and submerged applications. Moreover, the pump should exhibit relatively low wear with few wear parts, and should operate with minimal lubrication or potential for contamination of the driven fluid (gas or liquid). It is further desirable to provide various mechanical improvements to both pumps and other free-piston drive systems such as Miniature Internal Combustion Engines (described further below).

Free piston pump and miniature internal combustion engine


An aggregated link flow control system includes a first networking device having a plurality of peer ports and a second networking device that includes a first port having a first flow control configuration. The first port is coupled to the first networking device via a first peer port of the plurality of peer ports. The second networking device includes a second port having a second flow control configuration. The second port is coupled to the first networking device via a second peer port of the plurality of peer ports. The second networking device groups the first port and the second port as an aggregated link interface. The second networking device determines that the first flow control configuration of the first port is compatible with a third flow control configuration of the first peer port and, in response, provides a data flow for the aggregated link interface through the first port.

The present disclosure relates generally to information handling systems, and more particularly to controlling a flow through an aggregated link in information handling systems.
As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems such as, for example, switch devices, router devices, and/or other networking devices known in the art, sometimes utilize data buffers to temporarily store data for subsequent routing of that data through a network. For example, different data flows may have their data temporarily stored in a data buffer of a networking device as part of a buffer pool, with the memory of the networking device configured with a plurality of different buffer pools (e.g., a lossless buffer pool, a "lossy" buffer pool, etc.). However, in relatively high data traffic situations, the utilization of a buffer pool in a networking device may reach a level that impacts data flows network-wide and across multiple buffer pools/data queues provided for different networking device ports. Conventional solutions to such network congestion include flow control mechanisms such as Priority Flow Control (PFC), which prioritizes particular data flows over others.
Networking devices may also group multiple physical links between networking devices as an aggregated link interface (e.g., a Link Aggregation Group (LAG)) that is presented as a single, logical interface such that data flows between the networking devices may be provided on each of the physical links that are included in the aggregated link interface. Such aggregated link interfaces improve reliability of, and relieve congestion for, data flows between the networking devices. In addition, each physical link in the aggregated link interface may include a flow control configuration such as a PFC priority. However, flow control configurations for each of the physical links may be different, which results in inconsistent treatment of data flows egressing out of the aggregated link interface. Such inconsistent treatment may be undesirable for the data flows that are provided through the aggregated link interface. For example, lossless data flows (e.g., Fibre Channel over Ethernet (FCoE) traffic) may be provided over a physical link of the aggregated link interface that includes a flow control configuration is not configured for lossless data flows. As a result, lossless data flows may experience dropped packets.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide an improved aggregated link flow control system.


A receiving circuit is described for a CAN (Controlled Area Network) system with digital data transfer via a bus with parallel, redundant pulse signal transfer via two fines. The receiving circuit includes a comparator circuit assembly for differential evaluation of the two pulse signals received via the two lines, with an offset voltage being superimposed on the pulse signal received via one of the two lines prior to said differential evaluation. The comparator circuit assembly superimposes both a positive offset voltage and a negative offset voltage. A bistable multivibrator circuit is connected between the output side of the comparator circuit assembly and the output of the receiving circuit.

The invention relates generally to a Controlled Area Network and more particularly to a receiving circuit and method for such a network.
A Controlled Area Network (CAN) system is provided for motor vehicles and comprises a plurality of transmitters and receivers interconnected via a bus line system. This allows control systems, sensors, measurement transducers and receivers, control signal receivers, actuating means etc. to be linked to each other.
For reasons of safety, a preferred CAN system performs a digital data transfer via a double-line bus having two lines, with the pulse signals to be transmitted being transmitted simultaneously via both lines and being synchronous in terms of pulse times and pulse length thereof, but opposite in terms of logic value. This provides a transfer redundance ensuring an error-free data transfer also in case of numerous error conditions of the bus system. Such errors are line interruptions, line short circuits towards battery voltage or ground and mutual short circuits between the two lines of the double-line bus.
A known receiving circuit comprising such a double-line bus system is known, for example, in the form of integrated circuit PCA82C252 of Philips. FIG. 6 shows in a block diagram the essential components of this known receiving circuit of interest here. The known circuit comprises two terminals for connection to a first line CANH and for connection to a second line CANL of the double-line bus, respectively. CANH is connected to a non-inverting input of a comparator COMP1 via an offset voltage source Voffset, and CANL is connected directly to an inverting input of comparator COMP1. Voffset superimposes an offset voltage of +2.8V on the pulse signal received via CANH. The pulse signal received via CANH furthermore is fed to non-inverting inputs of comparators COMPS2 and COM4. The pulse signal received via CANL is fed to a non-inverting input of a comparator COMP3 and to an inverting input of a comparator COMP5. The inverting inputs of COMP2 and COMP3 are connected to a reference voltage source REF1 supplying to these inverting inputs a reference voltage of +5V. By means of a reference voltage source REF2, a reference voltage of +2.8V is fed to the inverting input of COMP4 and to the non-inverting input of COMP5.
The outputs of comparators COMP1, COMP4 and COMP5 are connected to three different inputs of a switching means SW connected on its output side to an output terminal RxD of the receiving circuit. Switching over of switching means SW is controlled by a multiplex control logic circuit MUX comprising a first input E1 connected to the output of COMP2, a second input E2 connected to the output of COMP3 and a third input E3. E3 is connected to the input of a timer T having its input connected to the output side of switching means SW.
The mode of operation of this known receiving circuit will now be elucidated with the aid of FIGS. 7 to 9. Eight possible modes of operation will be considered depending on the condition of the double-line bus, namely:
case 1: lines CANH and CANL operate properly
case 2: line CANH is interrupted
case 3: line CANL is interrupted
case 4: line CANH is short circuited to battery
case 5: line CANL is short circuited to ground
case 6: line CANH is short circuited to ground
case 7: line CANL is short circuited to battery
case 8: lines CANL and CANH are short circuited to each other.
The mode of operation of the receiving circuit will now be discussed briefly for these cases. FIGS. 7 to 9 each show the pulse signal on CANL, the pulse signal on CANH, and in broken lines the pulse signal of CANH increased by +Voffset, and the output signal of the receiving circuit arising at RxD. For the sake of brevity and simplicity, the individual signals are designated only with the names of the associated lines and terminals, respectively.
The mode of operation of the known receiving circuit according to FIG. 6 will now be elucidated briefly with respect to the eight cases indicated.
Case 1
The associated signal paths are shown in FIG. 7. As soon as the potential of CANL reaches the value of CANH+Voffset, the output signal of the receiving circuit changes from a high to a low logic value. When CANL thereafter drops again below CANH+Voffset, the output of the receiving circuit changes from a low to a high logic value. The data content contained in CANH thus is reflected on the output of the receiving circuit.
Case 2
When line CANH is interrupted, a low logic value appears at the corresponding input terminal of the receiving circuit. The reason therefor is that the inputs of the receiving circuit connected to CANH and CANL are preceded by shunt resistors connecting CANH to ground and CANL to the positive voltage +5V, which constitutes the potential value of the high logic value. When line CANH is interrupted, the corresponding input terminal of the receiving circuit thus is connected to ground via the associated shunt resistor.
The related signal diagram in FIG. 8 shows that in this case the potential of CANH remains constant on a low value and CANH+Voffset thus remain on a correspondingly increased constant value. As the pulse signal of CANL still exceeds and then falls below the threshold value established by CANH+Voffset, a usable and correct pulse signal is still created at the output terminal RxD.
Case 3
When line CANL is interrupted, the corresponding input terminal of the receiving circuit is raised to +5V via the associated shunt resistor, and this voltage value is fed to the inverting input of comparator COMP1 in constant manner. This is shown in the signal diagram in FIG. 9. Due to the fact that the constant potential value of CANL in this case crosses the potential path CANH+Voffset, a pulse signal is created at output terminal RxD which contains the information of the pulse signal received via CANH and is only inverted with respect to the pulse signal on the output side which is obtained for cases 1 and 2.
Case 4
A short circuit of CANH towards a voltage of more than 5V is determined with the aid of comparator COMP2. The signal occurring at the output thereof during such determination effects via multiplex logic control circuit MUX switching over of the switching means SW to the output of comparator COMP5. The receiving circuit now operates in a single-line mode using the pulse signal arriving via CANL and deciding whether this pulse signal is greater or smaller than the reference voltage of 2.8V.
Case 5
When CANL is short circuited to ground, this results in a permanent dominant voltage level at output RxD, i.e., a voltage level that is permanently lower than the switching threshold value CANH+Voffset and thus the sum of the pulse signal voltage entering via CANH and the offset voltage. As the CAN protocol prescribes a logic value change of the pulse signals transferred at the latest after a predetermined period of time after beginning of the particular pulse., the condition that a logic value change no longer occurs at output RxD, constitutes a violation of the CAN protocol. For monitoring such a violation, timer T is provided. When the latter detects no logic value change at output RxD after a predetermined delay time, timer T via multiplex logic control circuit MUX effects switching over of switching means SW such that RxD is connected to the output of COMP4, so that as of this moment only a single-line operation takes place, evaluating the pulse signals arriving via CANH. Until the timer has responded and effected switching over to such single-line operation, data transferred, however, have been missed. It is thus necessary to retransfer these data from the transmitting point. This means that a certain amount of the data transmitted always has to be stored on the transmitter side in order to permit retransmitting to the receiving circuit in case of this error.
Case 6
A short circuit of CANH to ground leads to the same conditions and the same circuit diagram as shown in FIG. 8. This means that a correct data transfer still takes place in this case too.
Case 7
When CANL is short circuited towards the battery voltage, this is detected with the aid of COMP3, which via MUX results in switching over of switching means SW such that RxD is connected to the output of CON94. Single-line operation then takes place using the pulse signal received via CANH, which again renders possible a correct data transfer.
Case 8
A short circuit between CANH and CANL results in a permanent dominant state. This means, a logic value change no longer takes place at output RxD of the receiving circuit. As in case 5, this is determined by means of timer T. Due to the fact that this permanent dominant state is ascertained by the transmitter as well, switching over to single-line operation using CANH is effected on the transmitter side, while CANL is left open on the transmitter side and thus in a floating state in terms of potential. Due to the fact that the determination of this error takes place with a delay, a new data transfer has to be performed in this case as well, entailing the necessity to store the transmitted data for a predetermined period of time each.
The invention makes available a receiving circuit in which in error case 5, i.e., short circuit of line CANL to ground, no loss of data takes place when no data are stored on the transmitter side.
A receiving circuit according to the invention, with respect to comparators COMP2 to COMP5, multiplex control logic circuit MUX and switching means SW, has the same structure as the known circuit shown in FIG. 6. The receiving circuit according to the invention, in comparison with the known receiving circuit, has substantially the following differences:
1. Comparator circuit COMP1 of the known receiving circuit is replaced by a comparator circuit assembly superimposing on the pulse signal received via both lines both a positive and a negative offset voltage and having two comparator outputs. A first one of these comparator outputs delivers a first logic potential value when the pulse signal without offset superimposition exceeds a higher, first threshold value corresponding to the potential value of the other pulse signal increased by the positive offset voltage, and otherwise delivers a second logic potential value. The second comparator output delivers the first logic potential value when the pulse signal without offset superimposition exceeds a lower, second threshold value corresponding to the potential value of the other pulse signal reduced by the negative offset voltage, and otherwise delivers the second logic potential value.
2. Between this comparator circuit assembly and the signal output, there is connected a bistable multivibrator circuit which can be switched to a setting state by a change of the first and/or second comparator output to the first logic potential value, and which can be switched to a resetting state by a change of the first and/or second comparator output to the second logic potential value.
The circuit according to the invention, in cases 1 to 4 and 6 to 8, operates in the same manner as the known receiving circuit. A different mode of operation arises in case 5, i.e., in case of a short circuit of CANL to ground. In case of this error, the circuit according to the invention remains without delay and in proper operation so that no data loss can take place and no transmitted data need to be stored on the transmitter side in this error case, either.
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the comparator circuit assembly provided in place of COMP1 of the known circuit, consists of two comparators having their inverting inputs connected directly to a fine of the double-fine bus and having their non-inverting inputs connected to the other line of the double-line bus via one offset voltage source each. Due to this design, both a positive and a negative offset voltage are superimposed on the pulse signal received via a line. Both comparators thus detect when the pulse signal without offset superimposition exceeds the higher, first threshold value and the lower, second threshold value, respectively.
A preferred embodiment of the invention uses as bistable multivibrator circuit a dynamic RS flip-flop having two setting inputs responsive to increasing edges and two resetting inputs responsive to decreasing edges. One of the two setting inputs and one of the two resetting inputs are each connected to the first comparator output, and the second setting input and the second resetting input are connected to the second comparator output.
Standard RS flip-flops with static inputs involve the disadvantage that the setting input and the resetting input must not be fed with setting-activating and, respectively, resetting-activating pulses which overlap in time. When the resetting input is fed with a pulse activating the same, before the pulse just activating the setting input has terminated, an undefined or not sensible mode of operation of such a flip-flop results.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a dynamic RS flip-flop is used. With such flip-flops it is admissible to feed to the resetting input a pulse activating the same, before the pulse activating the setting input is over, or vice versa. Non-permissible states as with the static RS flip-flop do not exist in case of the dynamic RS flip-flop. Such a dynamic RS flip flop can be provided and operated with a plurality of setting inputs and with a plurality of resetting inputs.
Due to the fact that the evaluation of the two pulse signals arriving via the two lines by means of the two comparators of the comparator circuit assembly gives rise to overlapping of the pulses occurring at the outputs of both comparators, a static standard RS flip-flop would not be suitable for the bistable multivibrator circuit of the receiving circuit according to the invention. A bistable multivibrator circuit in the form of a dynamic RS flip-flop is therefore preferred.

Receiving circuit and method for a controlled area network system


An improved endoscopic system for visualizing subgingival dental procedures. The device comprises a dilator projection incorporated into or onto the body of a dental instrument utilized to remove plaque and calculus from subgingival tooth surfaces. The projection preferably comprises a thin, flat shield portion having an arcuate shank portion extending therefrom. In use, the shield portion of the dilator projection is operative to dilate or spread the gingiva away from the adjacent tooth surfaces upon which the dental instrument is utilized to remove plaque and calculus. Formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection is at least one lumen for receiving an endoscopic viewing apparatus, that receives and transmits an optical image from the interior of the gingival sulcus or periodontal pocket to an image displaying device positioned outside the patient's body. Additional lumens may be formed within the shank portion of the dilator projection for the infusion of fluid or suction/aspiration.

Periodontal disease encompasses a group of different disorders which affect the gums or supporting structures of the teeth. The general epidemiology of plague associated periodontal disease typically begins with the formation of supragingival microbial plaque which, if left untreated, subsequently invades the normally closed space between the free gingiva and the tooth surface. If left unremoved, such subgingival plaque gives rise to the formation of harden calculi and areas of erosion on the subgingival surfaces of the tooth (i.e., the subgingival enamel and root surfaces). Resultant inflammation of the surrounding tissues and recession of the surrounding connective tissue and bone then occurs. Such inflammation and recession of the periodontia results in the formation of a gap or "periodontal pocket" between the gingival tissue and the adjacent tooth surface. The gradual loss of ligamentous attachment and surrounding alveolar bone mass in periodontal disease often results in loss of the affected tooth, unless effective treatment is administered to halt the progression of the disease.
Clinically, plaque associated periodontal disease may be treated by either a surgical or nonsurgical approach. The surgical approach to the treatment of plaque associated periodontal disease typically involves the performance of one or more surgical procedures whereby the gingival tissue is excised and the underlying tooth surfaces (e.g., subgingival enamel and a portion of the root) are visually examined and subjected to scaling and root planning under direct visualization. Although the surgical approach to the treatment of plaque associated periodontal disease is often highly effective, such surgical approach is also associated with significant expense and a significant degree of patient discomfort.
The nonsurgical approach to the treatment of plaque associated periodontal disease typically involves procedures known as subgingival scaling and root planing. Some chemical formulations for dissolving and/or removing subgingival plaque and/or calculus are also known. Subgingival scaling and root planing procedures are typically accomplished by inserting a hand instrument, an ultrasonic or sonic cleaning device and/or a rotating instrument into the periodontal pocket (PP), without cutting or excising the gingiva, for the purpose of scraping plaque or dental calculus from the subgingival tooth surfaces. Typically, such instruments are comprised of an elongate handle portion having a working part or treatment head or tip, the latter being operative to remove the target plaque and/or calculus. The ultimate effectiveness of such subgingival scaling and root planing procedures, or chemical plaque/calculus removal methods, is dependent upon the completeness with which removal of plaque or calculi has been effected by such procedures.
Because the surrounding gingiva remain intact, the operator is unable to directly view the subgingival tooth surfaces when carrying out such subgingival plaque and calculus removal procedures. The inability to visualize the subgingival tooth surfaces make it virtually impossible for the aperture to ascertain whether all of the subgingival plaque or calculus has been effectively removed. Failure to completely remove all subgingival deposits of plaque or dental calculus may result in progression of the periodontal disease. Such progression of the disease often necessitates abandonment of the nonsurgical treatment approach in favor or the more costly and painful surgical approach.
In an attempt to address the need for new devices and techniques whereby the subgingival tooth surface may be endoscopically viewed to permit visual assessment and/or guidance of subgingival plaque/calculus removal procedures without the need for surgical cutting or excision of the gums, there is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,230,621 and 5,328,365 entitled, respectively, Endoscopic Method And Device For Subgingival Dental Procedures And System; and Method For Endoscopic Subqingival Dental Procedures (both to Jacoby), endoscopic viewing devices which are insertable into the subgingival sulcus periodontal pocket to enable the operator to view the subgingival tissue and/or tooth surfaces, without the need for surgical incision or cutting of the gingiva, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Specifically, there is provided an optical head formed upon the dental hand instrument that is aimed or positioned toward the leading edge of the working part or blade of such hand instrument to permit the operator to endoscopically view the plaque and/or calculus removal being effected by the leading edge of the working part or blade of the instrument. Each of the aforementioned Patents further disclose dental instrumentation optionally incorporating as a part thereof a dilator projection that is sized and configured to spread and hold the gingiva away from the tooth surface over a region or area of approximately several square centimeters ahead of the working part or blade of a hand instrument used for scaling and root planing.
Notwithstanding the general effectiveness of those devices disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,230,621 and 5,328,365, such prior art devices suffer from significant drawbacks. In this regard, such systems produce a limited field of vision and depth of view based upon the proximity of the optical head relative the dilator projection and/or working part or blade of the instrument. Specifically, the visual image generated by the optical head provides the dentist or hygienist with a substantially limited view of the surface of the tooth sought to be visualized. In fact, due to the orientation of the optical head pursuant to the teachings of the aforementioned patents, the working part of the instrument becomes the dominant object viewed thereby, often consuming virtually all of the field of vision. As a result, the dentist or hygienist is therefore limited in his or her ability to directly visualize the subgingival tooth surface sought to be endoscopically viewed.
Accordingly, there is a substantial need in the art for improved devices and techniques whereby the subgingival tooth surfaces may be endoscopically viewed to a much greater extent than prior art devices to thus permit visual assessment and/or guidance of subgingival plaque/calculus removal via non-surgical procedures.

Endoscopic method and device for subgingival dental procedures


An optical imaging lens may include a first, a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth, a sixth, a seventh, and an eighth lens elements positioned in an order from an object side to an image side. Through designing concave and/or convex surfaces of the eight lens elements, the improved optical imaging lens may provide better imaging quality while the system length of the lens may be shortened, the F-number may be reduced, the field of view may be extended, and the image height may be increased.

Recently, optical imaging lenses continue to evolve, and the scope of the application is wider. In addition to requiring the lens to be thin and short, a small F-number (Fno) design is beneficial to increase the luminous flux and a large field of view has gradually become a market trend. Moreover, in order to improve the pixel and resolution, the image height of the optical imaging lens must be increased, and a larger image sensor is used to receive the imaging rays to meet the demand for high resolution. Therefore, how to design an optical imaging lens with small F-number, large field of view, and large image height in addition to pursuing a light, thin and short lens is also the focus of research and development.

Genius Electronic Optical (Xiamen) Co., Ltd.


A Common Annotation Framework includes, in an embodiment, an annotation having a context anchor that identifies a resource and a position in the resource that the annotation pertains to, and a content anchor that identifies data that is annotating the resource. The annotation can also be extended with client application-defined data and/or functionality, and the framework can be extended with one or more of application-defined objects, methods, and annotation stores.

A wide variety of content is currently available in digital form via computers, such as articles, papers, and other publications, images, video, audio, combinations thereof, etc. One problem with such content in digital form, however, is that it is difficult to add annotations or notes to the content. For example, a reader of a traditional paper-copy of an article is able to use a pen or pencil to jot down notes in the margins, underline or circle sections of the article, use a highlighter to highlight portions of the article, and so forth.
Some systems have been devised to allow digital content to be annotated. However, such systems are typically tied to, and are specialized for, one particular application. This results in users being required to learn different annotations systems for different applications, which reduces overall user-friendliness of the annotation systems. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a system which allows users to annotate different types of content and maintain a more consistent user experience.


An antenna assembly with a movable antenna, assembled on an electronic device, includes a fixed portion adapted for assembling to said electronic device, an active portion movably assembled to the fixed portion and receiving the antenna therein, a first guiding means is served by some guiding slots formed on one of the fixed portion and the active portion and some guiding tabs corresponding to the guiding slots and formed on one of the active portion and the fixed portion; wherein the movable antenna capable of moving between a close position and an open position, and said guiding tabs are capable of sliding along the guiding slots and being stopped by the guiding slots to achieve the open position and close position of the antenna.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an antenna assembly, and more particularly to an antenna assembly with a moveable antenna assembling on an electronic device, such as notebook.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Since the wireless communication technology of using electromagnetic wave to transmit signals has the effect of remote device transmission without cable connection, and further has the mobility advantage, therefore the technology is widely applied to various products, such as moveable phones, notebook computers, intellectual home appliance with wireless communication features. Because these devices use electromagnetic wave to transmit signals, the antenna used to receive electromagnetic wave also becomes a necessity in the application of the wireless communication technology. An antenna almost requires to receive and send signals in different directions. But the radiating performance of antennas inside the electronic devices is dissatisfactory due to the influence of components in the electronic devices. Outer antennas can eliminate the trouble, but the outer antennas can not achieve the handsome requirement of present designs of the electronic devices.
Hence, an improved antenna assembly with a moveable antenna is desired to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings of the existing antennas.

Antenna assembly with a moveable antenna


A mobile terminal device includes a key side housing having operation buttons and a display side housing having a liquid crystal display module. The key side housing and the display side housing are coupled by a hinge device to be folded free. The key side housing consists of an upper case, a lower case and a printed circuit board. The upper and lower cases are engaged to each other to be opened or closed, and fastened to each other with screws 10 passing through the printed circuit board. The external connection terminal fixing structure of the mobile terminal device consists of external connection terminals which are fixed to the printed circuit board and charge terminals overlapped with the external connection terminals. The charge terminals are thick enough to bridge the gap between the external connection terminals and the upper case.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an external connection terminal fixing structure and a mobile terminal device. More specifically, the present invention relates to an external connection terminal fixing structure which can prevent a printed circuit board fixing an external connection terminal from fault, and a mobile terminal device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional mobile terminal device is equipped with an external connection terminal which outputs and inputs data in the device housing. In general, the external connection terminal is fixed by soldering onto an electric conduction pattern which is prepared in a printed circuit board in the housing. When an external connector is connected to the external connection terminal, a force by insertion and extraction of the external connector joins a solder joint portion or an electric conduction pattern of the printed circuit board fixing the external connection terminal, and there is a problem that the crack of the solder joint portion and peeling of an electric conduction pattern arise.
As an example solving such problem, it is carried out that a gap between the external connection terminal mounted on the printed circuit board and a case for containing the printed circuit board is bridged by using a processed auxiliary component (for example, see Japanese Published Unexamined Utility-Model Application No. h6-68187 (pp. 6 to 8, FIGS. 2 and 3)).
In the prior art, as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the electronic device 30 consists of the upper case 31 and the lower case 32 coupled with each other to be opened or closed, the external connection terminal 33 is mounted by soldering on the printed circuit board 34 contained the lower case 32. The external connection terminal 33 consists of a jack part 33a, a body 33b, and a attachment part 35. The jack part 33a of the external connection terminal 33 is projected from the side of the electronic device 30 and is connected with an external connector (not shown).
The upper case 31 is provided with a box-like rib 36 in the position opposite the attachment part 35 of the external connection terminal 33. The box-like rib 36 consists of an outside rib 36a and an inside rib 36b inserting the attachment part 35 in between, and a coupling part 36c pushing the top surface of the attachment part 35.
In the electric device 30 above-mentioned, when the upper case 31 and the lower case 32 are fastened to each other with screws (not shown), the external connection terminal 33 is pushed onto the printed circuit board 34 by the box-like rib 36. When the external connector is connected to the jack parts 33a of the external connection terminal 33, even if a force of the upper-and-lower or right-and-left direction by insertion and extraction of the external connector is added, the force is absorbed as the whole electric device 30 by transmitting the force to the upper case 31 via the coupling part 36c pushing the external connection terminal 33. That is, the force does not join only the connection portion fixing the external connection terminal 33, faults such as a crack of the solder joint portion and peeling of an electric conduction pattern can be prevented.
However, since it is necessary to form the box-like rib 36 on the upper case 31 for pushing the external connection terminal 33 fixed onto the printed circuit board 34. Therefore, there is a problem that costs for forming the upper case 31, manufacturing of a coupling part matching with the formed portion, manufacturing of complicated components, and assembling parts such as the coupling part occurs.

External connection terminal fixing structure with bridging component


A method of reducing the effects of Compton scattered photons detected in a gamma ray detection arrangement includes the steps of receiving data responsive to energy states of the detected photons and storing the data in memory locations corresponding to predetermined image grid points, grouping the stored data, whereby a coarser grid having fewer image grid points is produced, calibrating the gamma ray detection arrangement by utilizing a spectral shape corresponding to a calibration function which is expected to correspond to a first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected photons, processing the stored data for at least selected ones of the predetermined grid points employing minimization of a function which includes a product of an energy regularization term times an energy regularization parameter, as well as a spatial regularization term times a spatial regularization parameter, for separating the stored data into the first data set corresponding to unscattered ones of the detected photons and a second data set corresponding to scattered ones of the detected photons, summing the first data set for each of the predetermined grid points on the coarser grid for determining a number of the unscattered ones of the detected photons, interpolating from the first data set for each of the predetermined grid points on the coarser grid for producing a data set corresponding to the unscattered ones of the detected photons for each of the predetermined number of grid points; and forming an image utilizing the number of the unscattered ones of the detected photons.

This invention relates generally to systems for achieving imaging employing radioisotopes, and more particularly, to a system which obtains and stores an energy distribution in a computer memory as data acquisition progresses, which distribution then is processed to separate same into scattered and direct components.
The purpose of cameras of the type used for radioisotope imaging is to provide an accurate assessment of the distribution of radioisotope within an object from measurements made outside the object. In the particular case of a scintillation camera, gamma rays are detected by a solid crystal and their energy converted into light. The function of the detection circuitry is to determine where in space the gamma ray was detected. A collimation system and a reconstruction algorithm then are employed to obtain a correspondence to be determined between the gamma ray detection location and a location in the object from which the gamma ray originated.
By detecting many gamma rays over time, the distribution of radioisotope emitting the gamma rays is determined. When gamma rays are emitted from deep within an object, however, there is a good possibility that they will undergo one or more Compton scatterings, i.e., changing their direction and losing some energy each time, before they emerge from the object. These gamma rays can therefore approach the scintillation camera from a direction which does not correspond to that of their true origin. If detected and processed as usual, they will be misassigned and the radioisotope distribution which ultimately is obtained will be incorrect.
To reduce effect of this source of error, present cameras determine the energy of the detected gamma rays. If a gamma ray has lost a large amount of energy in scattering, it is not accepted for further processing. Because of inaccuracies in the energy determination, however, a fairly wide window of allowable energies has to be used to accept almost all of the direct (that is unscattered) gamma rays. This wide window leads to the acceptance of a significant number of scattered gamma rays.
The present invention is directed to the rejection of all scattered gamma rays. Thus, only direct gamma rays will be processed and radioisotope distributions will be determined in a way which is qualitatively and quantitatively accurate.
One of the known methods for rejecting scattered gamma rays utilizes the concept of an energy window. This window can be set symmetrically about the peak in the energy distribution (number of gamma rays given as a function of energy of the gamma ray) or it can be set asymmetrically about that peak. In addition, one scheme has proposed obtaining energy distributions for different spatial locations on the planar face of the scintillation camera and using different energy windows for different spatial locations. This scheme is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,212,016 which issued Jul. 8, 1980 to Knoll, Strange, and Bennett and entitled "Radiation Signal Processing System."
A further known method for rejection of such scattered gamma rays utilizes two energy windows: one set symmetrically about the direct peak and one of equal width set adjacent to that window but at lower energies. A fraction of the image of the radioisotope distribution that is reconstructed from gamma rays accepted within this reduced-energy window is subtracted from the image reconstructed using the direct, Le., unscattered, gamma rays.
A related method for handling the problem of Compton-scattered gamma rays involves calculating their true origin. This reconstruction method is called "Inverse Monte Carlo" reconstruction. It solves the photon transport equation for single photon emission computed tomography acquisitions.
The method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,808, which issued Jun. 13, 1989 in the names of some of the inventors herein, involved acquiring a full energy spectrum at every spatial location on the camera. In a calibration step, the spectrum from a pure radioisotope source, which was small in extent so as to prevent scattering, was also utilized. A minimization was then carried out for the difference of two functions to obtain a function for the unscattered gamma rays. In the known grandparent invention, the second function in the difference depends linearly on its parameters and so the method of linear least squares was employed in the minimization.
In a continuation-in-part parent patent application filed Mar. 31, 1989, (U.S. Ser. No. 07/331,993 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,081,581 the second function in the-difference depends non-linearly on its parameters and therefore non-linear least squares was utilized.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,810 which issued Mar. 11, 1986 to Everett W. Stoub and entitled "Method and Circuit for Processing Pulses by Applying the Technique of Weighted Acquisition", proposed detecting the energy content of gamma rays from an internal radioactive decay after emergence from the body for the purpose of correcting for gamma-ray scattering. This known technique appears to be directed only to achieving improvement in image contrast, and permits bias in their estimates.
In a further known system for detecting the energy content of gamma rays for Compton scattering correction, the processing method is based on multivariate-analysis techniques. In yet another known system, processing is based on constrained factor analysis.
It is a problem with the known systems and methods that the use of a single energy window does not lead to the complete rejection of gamma rays which have undergone Compton scattering. More specifically, as the window is made more narrow or is set asymmetrically toward higher energies, the ratio of scattered gamma rays over direct gamma rays is made smaller but the total number of direct gamma rays which are accepted is made smaller also. Statistical fluctuations in the determined radioisotope distribution get worse as the number of direct gamma rays gets smaller. Therefore, to avoid unacceptable statistical fluctuations, a significant number of scattered gamma rays usually have to be accepted. The use of energy windows which vary with spatial location improves the situation, but does not solve the underlying problem.
In the known systems which use two adjacent energy windows, one investigator has noted that the fraction, k, used to multiply the image from the lower window before subtraction from the upper window image is dependent on the source distribution. In support of this contention, it is noted that employing on-axis and off-axis (8 cm from the axis of the cylinder) line sources placed within 22 cm diameter cylindrical phantom, yields values of k which have been experimentally measured to be equal to 0.66 and 0.47 for the on-axis and off-axis positions, respectively. This variation of the k fraction with the radioisotope distribution means that it is impossible to obtain the radioisotope distribution in a straight-forward or practical manner. In other words, one can find the correct k value only if one knows the distribution, and one can only find the distribution if one already knows the k value.
A characteristic of the Inverse Monte Carlo method appears to be that the cross section for absorption and the cross section for scattering must be known independently for all points within the object. In addition, the Inverse Monte Carlo method is quite slow in producing an image with present-day computing facilities. This slowness appears to be inherent in the method since the total object must be reconstructed for the method to work accurately.
The method disclosed in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,575,810 to Stoub requires measuring camera energy-spatial spread functions for point sources imbedded in a particular scattering medium. This scattering medium can only be an approximation to the true situation in patients and, accordingly, there must be bias errors in the estimates therein disclosed.
The aforementioned linear least squares method is sensitive to statistical noise in the measurement of the spectra. Grouping of the data has been applied to reduce this noise. In a practical image, such grouping can lead to a difficult interpolation problem to get back to the fine grid needed for reconstruction. Simulations have shown that the linear least squares estimates are also sensitive to the choice made for the range of the energy spectra used in fitting (called the "fitting window"). In practical situations, the optimum choice is not known, and a suboptimal choice may be made leading to error in the estimate.
Lastly, the linear least squares and the non-linear least squares systems both require post-processing solutions to the minimization. This post-processing requirement means that the solution can be available only some finite time after data acquisition. The patient dismissal from the imaging area is delayed by this amount of time, resulting in additional expense and diminution of resource utilization.
It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a radioisotope imaging system which rejects all scattered gamma rays.
It is another object of this invention to provide an imaging system that eliminates all scatter and thereby provides an unbiased estimate.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a system wherein rejection of scattered gamma rays can be accomplished for any distribution of radioisotope in the object or patient.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a system in which computation time is feasible.
It is an additional object of this invention to provide a system which is operable in real time.
It is another object of this invention to provide a system which allows for energy shifts between the spectrum of direct gamma rays corresponding to the scatter-free source calibration, and the local spectra of direct gamma rays acquired from the patient or object.
It is additionally an object of this invention to provide a system which is applicable to single-photon projection (planar) imaging.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a system which is applicable to single-photon emission computed tomography.
It is also another object of this invention to provide a system which is applicable to positron emission computed tomography.
It is yet an additional object of this invention to provide a system which is applicable to NaI (T1), BgO and other scintillation materials.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a system wherein quantitatively accurate image reconstruction is achieved.
It is a yet further object of this invention to provide a system in which all of the direct (unscattered) gamma rays which are detected in the crystal are used for formation of the image.
It is also a further object of this invention to provide a system which can be applied to any number of tomographically-reconstructed planes through the body.
It is additionally another object of this invention to provide a system which reduces computation time when only a relatively small number of planes are of interest.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a system which is insensitive to noise.
An additional object of this invention is to provide a system which remains stable when noise is present in the data.

Correction for compton scattering by analysis of spatially dependent energy spectra employing regularization


A pair of piezoelectric substrates, the length of which is shorter than the length of one side in the longitudinal direction of the operation panel or the supporting board, is respectively fixed to one side from the diagonal position along the longitudinal direction. At the time of detecting an inputting operation, a drive voltage is applied and the entire operation panel or the supporting board is vibrated. Even when the four corners of the operation panel or the supporting board are supported by the housing for accommodating the tablet apparatus or supported by the display device so that the vibration of the four corners is restricted, since either of the pair of piezoelectric substrates, which becomes a vibration source, a feeling of inputting operation can be transmitted to an operator by the vibration, the amplitude of which is not less than a predetermined value, irrespective of the inputting operation position.

The present invention relates to a tablet apparatus in which an operation panel or a supporting board for supporting the operation panel is vibrated when an inputting operation is conducted on the operation panel by an operator, so that the operator can have a feeling of inputting operation. More particularly, the present invention relates to a tablet apparatus in which an operation panel or a supporting board for supporting the operation panel is vibrated by a piezoelectric substrate.
The tablet apparatus is referred to as a digitizer, which is operated as follows. An indicating tool such as a stylus pen or a finger is made to come into contact with or come close to an operation panel supported by a supporting board. An input operating position on the operation panel, with which the indicating tool or the finer is made to come into contact or to which the indicating tool or the finger is made to come close to, is detected, and the input position data expressing the input operating position is outputted to a processing device such as a personal computer.
Especially when the operation panel, the supporting board, the insulating layer formed for detecting an input operating position and the electrode are made of transparent material, the tablet apparatus can be arranged on a display device such as a liquid crystal panel or CRT, and the inputting operation can be conducted on the inputting operation face of the tablet apparatus, that is, the inputting position data corresponding to a content on the display can be outputted into a processing device such as a personal computer while the operator is watching the content on the display.
Concerning the tablet apparatus, according to the system of detecting an input operating position on the operation panel, various tablet apparatus are proposed such as a magnetic coupling system disclosed in JP-A-5-289806, a capacity coupling system disclosed in JP-A-6-242875, a contact system disclosed in JP-UM-A-3-6731, a resistance system disclosed in JP-A-5-53715 and an optical coupling system disclosed in JP-UM-A-5-33235. However, in general, the operator can only know the result of operation by a processing device such as a personal computer, that is, it is impossible for the operator to know whether or not the inputting operation itself to the operation panel is detected by the tablet apparatus. Therefore, the operator feels uncertain about the inputting operation the operator has conducted.
The force feedback type tablet apparatus is known in which the operation panel of the supporting board is vibrated in response to the inputting operation so that the operator can feel that the inputting operation has been conducted into the tablet apparatus via a stylus pen or a finger, which comes into contact with the operation panel. Especially, the present applicant has developed a tablet apparatus in which the operation panel and the supporting board are effectively vibrated by a simple and compact structure in which a piezoelectric substrate is directly fixed to the operation panel or the supporting panel. Concerning this tablet apparatus, refer to Patent Document 1.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2003-122507 (Abstract, FIG. 1)
FIG. 7 is a view showing this forced feedback type tablet apparatus 100, in which the operation panel 101 includes a flexible sheet made of plastics and the supporting board made of glass are laminated on each other leaving a small gap. In this structure, the tablet apparatus 100 is a resistance pressure sensitive system tablet apparatus, in which the conductive layers 101a, 102a formed of uniform resistance films are provided on the opposed face on which the operation panel 101 and the supporting board 102 are opposed to each other and uniform electric potential gradients are alternately formed on the conductive layers 101a, 102a. When the inputting operation is conducted by pushing a surface of the operation panel 101, the conductive layers 101a, 102a are contacted with and connected to each other at the input operating position, and an electric potential of the input operating position (the contact position) is read out from the other conductive layers 101a, 102a on which the electric potential gradient is not formed. In this way, the inputting operation and the input operating position are detected.
The piezoelectric substrate 103 is formed into a long and slender shape. A pair of drive electrodes 103a, 103b are provided on opposite faces of the piezoelectric substrate 103, and an entire face of one of opposite faces is fixed to the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 with adhesive. When it is detected that the inputting operation has been conducted on the inputting operation face 101c of the operation panel 101, a drive voltage is applied upon a pair of drive electrodes 103a, 103b. Due to the foregoing, the piezoelectric substrate 103 is expanded and contracted, and the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102, to which the piezoelectric substrate 103 is fixed, is vibrated. By this vibration, the operator can confirm that the inputting operation has been accepted by the device.
According to this tablet apparatus 100, the long and slender piezoelectric substrate 103 is simply fixed to the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102. Therefore, the entire structure can be made simple, and the operation panel 101 and the supporting board 102 can be vibrated by the simple structure without enlarging the size. Further, it is unnecessary to provide a vibration source and a transmission means for transmitting vibration from the vibration source to the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102. Accordingly, it is possible to eliminate a loss of energy caused in the transmission of vibration. Further, it is possible to avoid the delay of transmission time of vibration.
Utilizing the electrostriction effect of the piezoelectric substrate 103 causes vibration of the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102. A drive voltage is applied upon a pair of drive electrodes 103a, 103b, and one face of the piezoelectric substrate to expand and contract is fixed to the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102, and the distortion is transmitted to the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102, so that the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 can be vibrated.
By forming the piezoelectric substrate 103 into a long and slender shape, it is possible to obtain larger amplitude by a smaller quantity of vibration material. In the case where the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102, to which the piezoelectric substrate 103 is fixed, is rectangular, when the long and slender piezoelectric substrate 103 is fixed along the longitudinal direction (direction X) as shown in FIG. 7, the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 can be vibrated by larger amplitude compared with the case where it is fixed along the lateral direction (direction Y).
On the other hand, concerning the fixing position of the piezoelectric substrate 103, an influence on the position detection of the inputting operating conducted on the inputting operation face 101c should be prevented and it should be avoided to arrange the piezoelectric substrate 103 below the inputting operation face 101c in the case of a tablet apparatus 100 made of transparent material because the operator is watching a display on the display device arranged on the back of the tablet apparatus to conduct the inputting operation. Therefore, the fixing position of the piezoelectric substrate 103 is arranged on one side of the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 in the longitudinal direction.
For the reasons described above, as shown in FIG. 7, the piezoelectric substrate 103 is fixed to one side of the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 in the longitudinal direction. However, in the case where the tablet apparatus 100 is attached to a housing not shown or a display device such as a liquid crystal panel supported by the housing, in order to vibrate the device as entirely as possible, four corners of the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 are attached to the housing or the display device. Therefore, depending upon a position at which the input operation is conducted, the operator cannot sufficiently have a feeling of inputting operation by the vibration in some areas.
FIG. 8 is a view showing the generation of vibration caused in the following circumstances. Under the condition of restricting the vibration of four corners, a drive voltage of 280V is applied upon the piezoelectric substrate 103 fixed to one side of the supporting board 102 in the longitudinal direction, and the supporting board 102 is vibrated. At this time, amplitude z at each position in direction Z perpendicular to the surface of the drawing is shown in FIG. 8. Amplitude z is increased in the order of z0, z1, z2 and z3. As can be seen in this drawing, amplitude z of the vibration generated on the supporting board 102 is largest at the center of the long and slender belt-shaped piezoelectric substrate 103. At a position distant from the center, amplitude z of the vibration generated on the supporting board 102 is reduced. Since the four corners are restricted, amplitude z in the vicinity of each corner is reduced. As a result, when the inputting operation is conducted on the left lower corner and the right lower corner, even if the supporting board 102 is vibrated, a sufficiently large vibration for the operator to have a feeling of inputting operation is not generated at the input operating position. Therefore, it is impossible for the operator to have a feeling of inputting operation.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 9, the following attempt was made. A pair of piezoelectric substrates 103 is fixed to opposite sides of the supporting board 102 in the longitudinal direction, and the aforementioned non-sensitive region of one piezoelectric substrate 103 is compensated by the other piezoelectric substrate 103. FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which a drive voltage is applied upon a pair of piezoelectric substrates 103 under the same condition as that of FIG. 8, and amplitude z at each position on the supporting board 102 is shown. In the drawing, amplitude z is increased in the order of z0, z1, z2 and z4. However, even when the pair of piezoelectric substrates 103 are used as described above, since no piezoelectric substrates 103 are provided at the four corners in the lateral direction (direction Y), the four corners still remain as non-sensitive regions.
Amplitude z of the vibration generated by the piezoelectric substrate 103 depends on the length of the long and slender belt-shaped piezoelectric substrate 103 in the longitudinal direction. Therefore, when the entire side of the operation panel 101 or the supporting board 102 in the longitudinal direction is fixed to the piezoelectric substrate 103, the above problems are solved. However, when a common piezoelectric substrate 103, the length of which is shorter than that in the longitudinal direction, is used in order to enhance the mass production effect or when a tablet apparatus having a large inputting operation face is used, it is not always possible to fix the piezoelectric substrate 103 to the entire length in the longitudinal direction.
An amplitude of the vibration generated by the piezoelectric substrate 103 is proportional to the voltage applied upon the piezoelectric substrate 103. However, when the voltage applied upon the piezoelectric substrate 103 is raised, an electric power consumption is increased, and the manufacturing cost is also increased by using a high voltage circuit. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain the voltage to be lower than a predetermined withstanding voltage.


A medicament container has a body having an open mouth defining an axis, a pierceable plug engaged over and sealing the mouth, a ring engaged around the mouth and over the plug and formed with a hole through which an outer surface of the plug is exposed, and a cap engageable around the mouth over the ring and plug. The cap holds an elastomeric element bearing elastically through the hole against the plug outer surface.

A standard prefilled medicament container--a standard syringe or a so-called carpule.RTM. (Cook Laboratories Inc.)--has a hollow body having an open mouth defining an axis, a pierceable plug or membrane engaged over and sealing the mouth, a ring engaged around the mouth and over the plug and formed with a hole through which an outer surface of the plug is exposed, and a removable cap engageable around the mouth over the ring and plug. For use the cap is removed, the outer plug surface is cleaned, and a needle or cannula is poked through the plug. Then a piston in the body or other means is actuated to express the body's contents through the needle.
Cleaning the outer surface of the plug or membrane is necessary because the cap breathes somewhat and contaminants can get under it onto the surface. Such cleaning is relatively difficult, as the plug outer surface is recessed at the bottom of the hole in the retaining ring.

Prefilled syringe with sterility-preserving cap

Arzneimittel GmbH Apotheker Vetter & Co.


A hybrid semiconductor substrate assembly is made by first forming a silicon oxide (SiOx) layer within a silicon carbide wafer, thus forming a silicon carbide membrane on top of the silicon oxide layer and on a surface of the silicon carbide wafer. Optionally, the silicon oxide layer is then thermally oxidized in the presence of steam or oxygen. A substrate-of-choice is then wafer bonded to the silicon carbide membrane, optionally in the presence of a wetting layer that is located intermediate the substrate-of-choice and the silicone carbide membrane, the wetting layer containing silicon. The silicon oxide layer is then removed by hydrofluoric acid etching, to thereby provide a hybrid semiconductor substrate assembly that includes the substrate-of-choice wafer bonded to the silicon carbide membrane. The hybrid semiconductor substrate assembly is then annealed. The method is repeated a plurality of times, to thereby provide a plurality of hybrid semiconductor substrate assemblies, each assembly including a substrate-of-choice wafer bonded to a silicon carbide membrane. Optionally, an annealing step may be provided after the silicon oxide layer is formed and prior to wafer bonding.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of semiconductor substrate manufacture; i.e., a substrate on which semiconductor materials or devices can be formed.
2. Description of the Related Art
The present invention makes use of a separation by implantation of oxygen (SIMOX) process.
In accordance with this invention, a SIMOX process provides that oxygen implanter apparatus is used to create a very thin silicon dioxide (SiO2, SiOx) layer that is buried within a relatively thick silicon carbide (SiC) wafer, thereby leaving a thin membrane layer of SiC on top of the SiC wafer. For example, such oxygen implantation equipment is manufactured by Ibis Technology Corporation.
The present invention uses a step of etching SiO2 (SiOx) in hydrofluoric acid.
The present invention uses a wafer-bonding step. Wafer bonding of a variety of materials is known.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,293, incorporated herein by reference, is cited for its teaching of the production of a semiconductor layer of SiC of the 3C polytype on top of a semiconductor substrate layer using a wafer-bonding technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,070, incorporated herein by reference, is cited for its teaching of transferring an upper portion of a first mono-crystalline substrate to a second substrate using hydrogen trap-induced implantation of the first substrate, forming micro-cracks in the hydrogen traps, direct wafer bonding the first substrate to the second substrate, and growing the micro-cracks such that the upper portion of the first substrate separates from the first substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,966,620, incorporated herein by reference, is cited for its teaching of the use of the implantation of helium ions or hydrogen ions into a single crystal silicon substrate in order to form micro-cavities in the implantation region. Separation is achieved due to the fragility of the implantation region, and by the application of an external force, by oxidation of the implantation layer, or by laser heating of the implantation layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,054,370, incorporated herein by reference, is cited for its teaching of the formation of first damaged regions in a substrate underneath areas wherein active devices are formed forming second damaged areas in the substrate at locations between the first damaged regions, causing a film to detach from the substrate at locations where the first and second damaged regions are formed, and transferring the film to a wafer.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,120,597, incorporated herein by reference, is cited for its teaching of the detaching of a single crystal film from an epilayer/substrate or bulk crystal structure wherein ions are implanted into the crystal structure to form a damaged layer within the crystal structure at an implantation depth below a top surface of the crystal structure, and wherein chemical etching effects detachment of the single crystal film from the crystal structure.

Method of making a hybrid substrate having a thin silicon carbide membrane layer


A multilayered film of the present invention includes a hard film provided on a substrate and including a compound of essential metal components, Al and Ti, with C, N, B, or O, and an intermediate layer formed between the substrate and the hard film, the intermediate layer including at least one selected from the group consisting of a metal, an alloy, and a compound of the metal or the alloy, and having an oxidation temperature lower than that of the hard film. The multilayered film further includes an oxide-containing layer formed by oxidizing the hard film, and an alumina film formed on the surface of the oxide-containing layer. The multilayered film of the present invention has excellent adhesion to the substrate, excellent heat resistance, and excellent oxidation resistance when being exposed to a substrate temperature of 700° C. or more and an oxidizing atmosphere.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multilayered film coated on a wear-resistant member such as a cutting tool, a sliding member, or a mold. Particularly, the present invention relates to a multilayered film having excellent adhesion to a substrate of the cutting tool or sliding member, and excellent wear resistance and heat resistance, and a method for producing the multilayered film. The multilayered film of the present invention can be used for the above-described various applications. However, application to a cutting tool will be mainly described below as a representative example.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, cutting tools and sliding members required to have excellent wear resistance and low friction comprise a substrate comprising high-speed steel or a cemented carbide, and a hard film comprising titanium nitride or titanium aluminum nitride and formed on the surface of the substrate by a physical vapor deposition method (referred to as a "PVD method" hereinafter) or a chemical vapor deposition (referred to as a "CVD method" hereinafter).
Particularly, the hard film used for the cutting tool is required to have wear resistance and heat resistance (oxidation resistance at high temperatures). In recent years, therefore, titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN) having both the properties has been frequently used as a coating material for a cemented carbide tool in which the cutting edge reaches a high temperature during cutting. The reason why TiAlN exhibits the excellent characteristics is that the heat resistance is improved by the action of aluminum contained in a film, and stable wear resistance and heat resistance can be maintained up to a high temperature of about 800° C.
In some cases, the cutting edge of a cutting tool reaches a high temperature of 1000° C. or more during cutting. Under such a condition, sufficient heat resistance cannot be secured only by the TiAlN film, and thus an alumina layer is further formed on the TiAlN film to secure heat resistance, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 5,879,823.
Alumina has various crystal structures depending upon temperatures, but all the crystal structures are thermally metastable. However, when the temperature of the cutting edge of the cutting tool significantly changes over a wide range from room temperature to 1000° C. or more during cutting, the crystal structure of alumina changes to disadvantageously cause cracking or delamination in the film. However, in alumina having a α-crystal structure formed by a CVD method in which the substrate temperature is increased to 1000° C. or more, the thermally stable structure is maintained after the formation regardless of temperature. Therefore, in order to impart heat resistance to the cutting tool, it is effective to coat the cutting tool with an alumina film having a α-crystal structure.
However, as described above, in order to form alumina having a α-crystal structure the substrate must be heated to 1000° C. or more, and thus only limited substrates can be used. This is because a certain type of substrate is possibly softened to lose suitability for a substrate for wear-resistant members when being exposed to a high temperature of 1000° C. or more. Also, a high-temperature substrate such as a cemented carbide disadvantageously causes deformation when being exposed to such a high temperature. The hard film such as the TiAlN film formed as a film exhibiting wear resistance on the substrate generally has a maximum practical temperature of about 800° C., and thus the film possibly changes in properties to degrade the wear resistance when being exposed to a high temperature of 1000° C. or more.
As a technique for solving the above problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-53946 discloses a method in which an underlying layer comprising a corundum structure (α-crystal structure) oxide film having a lattice constant of 4.779 Å to 5.000 Å and a thickness of at least 0.005 μm is formed, and an alumina film having a α-crystal structure is formed on the underlying layer. The component of the oxide film is preferably Cr2O3, (Fe, Cr)2O3, or (Al, Cr)2O3. When the component of the oxide film is (Fe, Cr)2O3, (Fex, Cr(1-x))2O3 (wherein x is 0≦x≦0.54) is preferably used. When the component of the oxide film is (Al, Cr)2O3, (Aly, Cr(1-y))2O3 (wherein y is 0≦y≦0.90) is preferably used.
It is also disclosed that crystalline α-alumina can be formed at a low substrate temperature by a method comprising forming a hard film comprising a compound nitride film composed of Al and at least one element selected from the group consisting of Ti, Cr, and V, forming an intermediate layer comprising a film of (Alz, Cr(1-z))N (wherein z is 0≦z≦0.90), oxidizing the intermediate layer to form a corundum structure (α-crystal structure) oxide film, and then forming a α-alumina film on the oxide film.
The above publication also discloses an example of this method in which a CrN film is formed on a substrate and then oxidized to form corundum structure Cr2O3, and then alumina mainly having a α-structure is formed on Cr2O3. However, as a result of research of these techniques, the inventors found that the techniques require heating the substrate to about 700° C. to 750° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere, and the CrN film easily delaminates from the substrate after this heating step. Therefore, further improvement is required for increasing adhesion between the substrate and the multilayered film.
The inventors already have proposed a film having excellent heat resistance and wear resistance, the film being formed by forming a TiAlN film as a hard film on the surface of a cutting tool, and further forming an alumina film mainly having a α-crystal structure on the TiAlN film (Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-231954). Specifically, the inventors have proposed that the hard film (TiAlN film) is formed on a substrate, the surface of the hard film is oxidized to form an oxide-containing layer on the surface of the hard film, and then an alumina film mainly having a α-crystal structure on the oxide-containing layer.
This method can improve productivity in comparison with the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-53946 in which the TiAlN film is formed, the CrN film is formed and then oxidized to form corundum structure Cr2O3, and then the alumina film mainly having a α-crystal structure is formed. It is also possible to avoid cutting performance from being decreased due to Cr-containing films such as a Cr2O3 layer and a (CrN+Cr2O3) compound layer formed as the intermediate film.
However, when the alumina mainly having a α-structure is formed on the oxide-containing layer, formed by oxidizing the surface of the hard film (TiAlN film), the temperature of the substrate must be increased to about 700° C. to 750° C. in an oxidizing atmosphere. Like in the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-53946, the hard film (TiAlN film) possibly delaminates from the substrate. Therefore, further improvement is required for increasing adhesion between the substrate and the multilayered film.

Multilayered film having excellent wear resistance, heat resistance and adhesion to substrate and method for producing the same


An IC incorporating a multiphase voltage converter with synchronized phase shift including a phase shift pin, a frequency select pin, a master clock pin, and a voltage regulator. The phase shift pin is coupled to a first voltage for a master mode or a first resistor for a slave mode. The frequency select pin is coupled to one of a second voltage and a second resistor. The master clock pin provides a master clock signal or receives an external clock signal. The IC provides the master clock signal at a frequency determined by the second resistor or otherwise at a default frequency. The voltage regulator operates in the slave mode at a phase shift relative to the external clock signal based on the first resistor and the second resistor or based on the first resistor and a default resistance if the second voltage is coupled.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to power electronics and power management, and more particularly to a voltage regulator with synchronized and linear clock phase shift for use in multiphase and multi-channel applications.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many current-based multiphase or multi-channel regulators are implemented on an integrated circuit (IC) or chip and employ an internal phase locked loop (PLL) or delay locked loop (DLL) to lock up with a master clock. A DLL is a first-order system which is preferred when the master clock has little or no frequency variation since it is somewhat easier to design and stabilize. A PLL is a second-order system which requires significant design effort. The PLL and DLL configurations must each be stabilized and compensated since they are both feedback loop systems. The PLL/DLL configuration only operates within a limited clock frequency range. Multiple pins are typically required to set the decoding logic to tap the correct phase shift angle position of the PLL/DLL line for each channel. A PLL/DLL configuration has relatively slow response time during start-up or frequency transition in order to synchronize with the master clock. The PLL/DLL configuration requires a significant amount of die and bias current. The number of channels is limited to the number of available taps of the PLL/DLL line.
It is desired to provide a voltage regulator which may operate within a relatively wide frequency range and which may be used in multiphase and multi-channel applications. It is desired that the multiphase or multi-channel voltage converter be relatively inexpensive to design and to implement using the voltage regulator for any suitable number of channels. It is desired to reduce the number of pins used for setting the phase shift angle for each slave device and to provide a linear phase shift angle adjustment. It is desired to reduce or otherwise eliminate stability and design issues and to achieve relatively fast response during start-up or frequency transition.

Voltage regulator with synchronized phase shift


There are provided a three-dimensional data input means (10) for input the three-dimensional data of an object, a reference image storing unit (30) for storing a reference image of at least one object, a pose candidate deciding means (20) for generating a pose candidate that is a candidate for the pose of the object, a comparison image generating means (40) for generating a comparison image close to the reference image while projecting the three-dimensional data onto a two-dimensional image in accordance with the pose candidate, and an image comparing means (55) for performing comparison based on either a distance value or similarity degree between the reference image and the comparison image. This allows comparison or search to be performed with high accuracy even when the reference image of the object is captured under different conditions such as pose and illumination, even when no three-dimensional object model of the object can be obtained in advance, or even when only one or few reference images exist.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram showing a conventional image comparison system. This conventional image comparison system comprises an image input means 115, image converting means 117, image comparing means 157, reference image storing unit 130, and standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135.
Reference images obtained by sensing the images of objects are prestored in the reference image storing unit 130. Standard three-dimensional object models are prestored in the standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135. The image converting means 117 generates a partial image by converting one or both of an input image from the image input means 115 and each reference image obtained from the reference image storing unit 130 such that the pose conditions are the same, in relation to a partial image common to the input image and reference image, by using a three-dimensional object model obtained from the standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135.
A partial region is a characteristic portion such as an eye, nose, or mouth. Partial regions can be related to each other by designating feature points in images and three-dimensional object models beforehand. The image comparing means 157 compares the partial images of the input image and each reference image converted by the image converting means 117, calculates average similarity degrees, and selects a reference image having the largest similarity degree for each object (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-322577 (patent reference 1)).
FIG. 26 is a block diagram showing another conventional image comparison system. This conventional image comparison system comprises an image input means 115, illumination change correcting means 122, image converting means 118, image comparing means 158, reference image storing unit 130, and standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135.
Reference images obtained by sending the images of objects are prestored in the reference image storing unit 130. Standard three-dimensional object models are prestored in the standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135. The illumination change correcting means 122 estimates the illumination condition (surface reflectance) of an input image from the image input means 115, by using a three-dimensional object model obtained from the standard three-dimensional object model storing unit 135. The image converting means 118 generates an image by converting the input image by using a three-dimensional object model so as to meet the illumination condition of a reference image. The image comparing means 158 compares the input image converted by the image converting means 118 with individual reference images, calculates similarity degrees, and selects a reference image having the largest similarity degree for each object (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-024830 (patent reference 2)).
FIG. 27 is a block diagram showing still another conventional image comparison system. This conventional image comparison system comprises an image input means 115, reference three-dimensional object model storing unit 137, and pose estimating/comparing means 150. The pose estimating/comparing means 150 includes a pose candidate deciding means 120, comparison image generating means 140, and image comparing means 155.
Reference three-dimensional object models generated by measuring objects are prestored in the reference three-dimensional object model storing unit 137. The pose estimating/comparing means 150 calculates a minimum distance value (or a maximum similarity degree) between an input image obtained from the image input means 115 and each reference three-dimensional object model obtained from the reference three-dimensional object model storing unit 137, and selects a model having the smallest minimum distance value.
More specifically, the pose candidate deciding means 120 generates at least one pose candidate. Then, the comparison image generating means 140 generates a comparison image close to an input image while projecting a reference three-dimensional object model onto a two-dimensional image in accordance with the pose candidate. The image comparing means 155 calculates a distance value between the comparison image and the input image, and selects a comparison image having the smallest distance value for each model, thereby estimating an optimum pose and obtaining a minimum distance value between the input image and the reference three-dimensional object model. In addition, the image comparing means 155 selects a model having the smallest minimum distance value (e.g., Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-058896 (patent reference 3)).

Image collation system and image collation method


A chain wheel for a chain drive with a chain wheel comprising a damping rim of elastically deformable material at at least one axial side of said chain wheel, said damping rim including circumferentially alternating elevations, each with a peak portion and indentations, of which said elevations are intended for a radial overlap contact with straps or side bars of a chain engaging into teeth and tooth spaces of a toothing comprising in each tooth space inlet and exit profiles and an intermediate roll bed, the peak portion of each elevation being arranged within a circumferentially limited portion of said chain wheel that is defined by a reference plane containing the chain wheel axis and the center of curvature of said roll bed and by the extension of said entry profile in the tooth space.

In the case of chain wheels which are known from practical applications, each damping rim has a cylindrical circumferential extension, with the radial position of the circumference of the damping rim being adapted to the engagement depth of the chain into the chain wheel in such a manner that the straps or side bars of the chains deform the damping rims upon engagement of said chain so as to dampen the energy transmitted upon impact of the chain wheel for silencing purposes and for wear reduction. The damping rims are subject to relatively rapid wear so that the silencing of running noise and the reduction of wear can only be achieved over a short service life. Furthermore, it has been suggested in practice that the surface contour of the damping rim should be uneaten with a symmetrical profile and the profile elevations should be exactly aligned either with the centers of the tooth spaces or with the tooth crests. These measures are also not helpful to a damping action and wear reduction over a long service life. One, of the reasons are presumably abrupt deformations that are harmful to the elastic material of the damping rims, as well as circumferential displacements between the impact points of the chain rolls in the chain wheel and the overlap contacts between the straps and the profile elevations.