A computer network system for implementing a web page providing method is composed of a personnel management system of a user, terminals operated by respective employees belonging to the user, and a server, which are connected to each other via a network. The server stores an employee management table defining the respective roles of the employees' a content management table listing URLs for contents to be provided to the employees, a roll management table defining providable contents and conditions for providing the contents for every role, and a displaying attribute management table defining a work schedule of each of the employees. These tables are updated whenever new data is received from the personnel management system. If a portal screen is requested from a terminal operated by any one of the employees, the web page providing program stored in the server causes a CPU to generate an HTML file for displaying, on the terminal, the portal screen incorporated with only the contents that can be provided in accordance with the conditions recorded in the individual tables and to transmit the HTML file to the terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a web page providing method for transmitting, to each of employees working for a user, a web page customized in accordance with actual work condition of the employee, a server machine for implementing such a web page providing method, a web page providing program for causing a computer to function as such a server machine, and a computer readable medium storing therein such a web page providing program.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Upon receipt of a URL, a user computer connected to the Internet and executing a WWW browser program accesses a web server indicated by the URL, receives an HTML file stored at a site indicated by the URL, and displays a web page with content according to a hypertext in the file. Such a web system allows a user operating the user computer to browse information published on the Internet by world-wide web servers.
A web server (web site) providing a web page (portal screen) appropriate to be initially accessed by a user computer just after it activating the WWW browser is normally termed a portal site. A portal screen transmitted from such a portal site to the user computer is typically designed so that it contains an item linked to another site or an item for operating a search engine for searching another web page. In some cases, a portal site displays information for users provided by its administrator on the portal screen.
In recent years, a service provider under a contract with a specified user (a government agency, a municipal organization, a company, or a personal employer) has offered them a service of providing, only to employees working for the user, a portal screen with contents intended for the employees via the Internet by the use of such a web system. Information provided on the portal screen for each of the employees under such a service includes data on the work of the employee and data on employee benefits, more specifically, data on a personnel notice about promotion or demotion, data for sales support such as clients' information, data on a company sport club, a company trip, workplace selling, and so on. This causes the necessity to partly or entirely limit the viewing of the contents depending on the assignment department and title of the employee who accesses a site showing the portal screen or on whether or not the access time falls within his/her working hours.
According to the conventional service of providing the portal screen to employees, however, each of the employees or a system administrator assigned by the user should periodically update control data including the title and working hours of each of the employees. If the employee in charge neglects to update the control data, the problem is encountered that data unnecessary for work operations are displayed on the portal screen intended for the employees on duty or that data for supervisory employees are displayed on the portal screen for subordinate employees.
Particularly, in case the user adopts, e.g., a flex-time or three-shift system as a working system for the employees instead of a fixed time working system, the working hours of the individual employees are frequently determined in properly.
The server providing such a portal screen can be accessed via a public switched line from the outside of the office. However, if an access to the contents on the portal screen is controlled based only on the control data including the title and working hours of each of the employees, it is impossible to determine whether the employee who has made the access is at a business trip destination on duty or at home on a leave.

Web page providing method, server machine, web page providing program, and computer readable medium


A method for manufacturing an MOS device, such as a PMOS transistor, on a silicon wafer. The method includes steps leading to the formation of a polysilicon gate electrode, and at least one ion-implantation step for forming source and drain junction regions in the silicon wafer. The method further comprises, before the ion-implantation step, the step of forming a first sidewall contactingly disposed adjacent the polysilicon gate electrode. The ion-implantation step is then performed such that the resulting source and drain junction regions are at least partially excluded from that portion of the silicon wafer that directly underlies the polysilicon gate electrode and the sidewall. In preferred embodiments of the invention, a first ion-implantation step is performed after the first sidewall is formed, then a second sidewall is formed adjacent and contiguous with the first sidewall, and then a second ion-implantation step is performed, resulting in the formation of further source and drain junction regions which are at least partially excluded from that portion of the silicon wafer that directly underlies the polysilicon gate electrode and the first and second sidewalls.

Until recently, improvements in the density of FET integrated circuits were achieved primarily by scaling down the device dimensions. However, as gate lengths are reduced to 0.5 .mu.m or less, new, short-channel effects emerge, which are detrimental to the performance of scaled-down devices. In one approach to the mitigation of short-channel effects, dual implantation steps are used to tailor the source and drain regions. In, e.g., an n-channel device, a low-energy arsenic or antimony implant forms a shallow junction near the intrinsic device region. A subsequent, higher-energy implant forms deep junctions in the extrinsic region, to facilitate the source and drain contacts. Such an approach is described in G. A. SaiHalasz, et al., "Design and Experimental Technology for 0.1-.mu.m Gate-Length Low-Temperature Operation FET's", IEEE Electr. Device Lett. Vol. EDL-8 (1987) 463-466. Reported therein is the use of a sidewall, typically an oxide sidewall, to delineate the shallow and deep junction regions in a self-aligned manner.
Although such an approach has shown promising results in connection with NMOS fabrication, it may not provide an adequate solution in the context of PMOS fabrication. That is, shallow boron-doped junctions (as required in the analogous PMOS context) are difficult to form, requiring, e.g., careful preamorphization of the implanted substrate material. An alternative approach, referred to as "vertical doping engineering", may relax the requirement of shallow junctions. Such an approach is described, e.g., in R. H. Yan, et al., "Scaling the Si metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor into the 0.1-.mu.m regime using vertical doping engineering", Appl. Phys. Lett. 59 (1991) 3315-3317. According to the technique of vertical doping engineering, the intrinsic device region has a pulse-shaped doping profile, resulting in a buried layer of relatively high doping density. However, lateral diffusion of boron during post-implant anneal may be deleterious in vertically engineered devices, as well as in other devices having a junction depth roughly the same as, or larger than, the channel length. That is, laterally diffusing boron atoms will tend to encroach into the channel region by a distance which is typically about 70 % of the junction depth. This can create an unacceptable amount of parasitic capacitance due to source-drain overlap.
Practitioners have attempted to reduce source-drain overlap capacitance in various ways. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,532,697, issued to P. K. Ko on Aug. 6, 1985, describes the in situ growth of an oxide layer up to 0.15 .mu.m thick on the sides of a polysilicon gate mesa by differential oxidation. After the oxide layer is grown, shallow source and drain junctions are formed by implantation of, e.g., arsenic. The oxide layer offsets the implanted regions from the gate mesa, resulting in reduced overlap capacitance.
However, the wafer during in situ oxidation is subjected to relatively high temperatures for relatively long time intervals, typically 850.degree. C. or more for 20 minutes or more for steam oxidation, and 950.degree. C. or more for 30 minutes or more for dry oxidation. (See, e.g., T. I. Kamins, "Oxidation of Phosphorus-Doped Low Pressure and Atmospheric Pressure CVD Polycrystalline-Silicon Films", J. Electrochem. Soc. 126 (1979) 838-844.) The channel region of the device being manufactured generally needs to be doped before this oxide layer is formed. As a consequence, this thermal cycle may cause an unacceptable amount of diffusion of dopant species out of the channel region to which they were initially confined. This tendency is particularly disadvantageous in the manufacture of devices having gate lengths of 0.5 .mu.m or less.
The differential oxidation method suffers a further disadvantage because it relies upon the differing oxidation rates exhibited by silicon regions that have substantially different doping levels. An extra doping step is required, to assure that the doping of the polysilicon gate mesa is distinct from the doping of the intended source and drain regions. The extra doping step is disadvantageous because it incurs extra manufacturing cost.
Thus, practitioners have hitherto failed to provide a generally applicable technique for mitigating the parasitic capacitance that arises when source and drain dopant species diffuse toward the device intrinsic region.


A method of determining fuse parameters in a reciprocating gas compressor ensures a safe failure upon exceeding an overload limit. Stresses and bolted joint behavior for critical components in compressor running gear are evaluated using a finite element analysis. Capabilities of the critical components during an overload event are evaluated using a propagation and variances tool. The capabilities of the critical components are compared against overload conditions. At least one of an optimal fuse location and a fuse geometry are determined according to the comparison to establish a safe failure point upon exceeding the overload limit. With a mechanical fuse defining a failure point, critical compressor components can be protected from damage, and personnel can be protected from risk of a gas leakage.

The invention relates to gas compressor maintenance and reliability and, more particularly, to a method that ensures a safe failure upon exceeding an overload limit.
An overload condition in a gas compressor can cause damage to compressor components that may affect operation and efficiency of the compressor. Repeated overload occurrences can compound damage to the compressor components, often beyond repair.
During an overload event, the compressor can fail at an undesirable location that can lead to catastrophic frame damage. Additionally, personnel safety can be compromised due to gas leakage. It would be desirable to implement a mechanical fuse at a desirable location that will allow the compressor to fail in a safe and controlled manner in the event of an overload condition.

Method of determining fuse parameters for a mechanical fuse in a gas compressor


Example vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs) include a mesa structure disposed on a substrate, the mesa structure including a first reflector, a second reflector defining at least one diameter, and an active cavity material structure disposed between the first and second reflectors; and a second contact layer disposed at least in part on top of the mesa structure and defining a physical emission aperture having a physical emission aperture diameter. The ratio of the physical emission aperture diameter to the at least one diameter is greater than or approximately 0.172 and/or the ratio of the physical emission aperture diameter to the at least one diameter is less than or approximately 0.36. An example VCSEL includes a substrate; a buffer layer disposed on a portion of the substrate; and an emission structure disposed on the buffer layer.

As data communication demands increase in both volume and speed, fiber optics have become an increasingly popular communication approach. One emerging element of this approach for generating the data stream communicated through fiber optics cables comprises a VCSEL optically coupled with a single mode fiber. However, traditional VCSEL designs tend to include too many parasitics (e.g., parasitic capacitance) for operating as a high speed, high bandwidth VCSEL. Additionally, preliminary attempts to manufacture high speed, high bandwidth VCSELs have failed to meet reliability constraints.

High speed high bandwidth vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser


A connector assembly for use with a compressible gasket includes a housing having a mating end and a cable end, the housing being configured to hold a contact. The connector assembly also includes a deflectable shroud extending from the housing rearward of the cable end to the compressible gasket. The shroud surrounds a hollow chamber that is configured to receive the compressible gasket. The shroud is deflectable between an expanded state and a collapsed state, wherein a volume of the hollow chamber is reduced when in the collapsed state as compared to the expanded state. The shroud compresses the gasket when in the collapsed state.

The subject matter herein relates generally to connector assemblies, and more particularly, to connector assemblies for compressible gaskets.
Cable mounted connector assemblies are known and in wide use in many different applications. The connector assemblies may be routed through structures and extend through a wall or panel of the structure to a desired location. One such example of an application that utilizes connector assemblies is in the appliance industry. The connector assemblies are routed through a wall of the appliance through an opening in one of the panels of the wall. For example, a power connector assembly may be routed within a wall of a refrigerator, through an opening in an interior panel of the refrigerator.
Typically, the connector assembly is mounted within the opening of the panel such that a mating end of the connector assembly is accessible for mating with a mating connector. A cable end of the connector assemble is positioned on the opposite side of the panel. However, such arrangements are not without disadvantages. For example, the interior of the refrigerator wall is typically filled with an expandable foam to insulate the wall. The expandable foam is flammable, and thus should be isolated from the metal wires or contacts of the connector assembly. With the cable end on the inside of the panel wall, the expandable foam is in direct contact with the cable end, and is susceptible to igniting from a spark, short or excessive heating of the wires or contacts.
One solution to such arrangements is to bring the connector assembly entirely through the wall such that the connector is not in direct contact with the expandable foam. A plastic grommet may be positioned within the opening to provide a port for the cables to extend through. The grommet protects the cable from being damaged or cut on the panel opening. However, because the cable is typically smaller than the connector itself, the opening in the grommet is usually larger than the diameter of the cable(s). As such, a gap or space is present between the grommet and the cable(s). The expandable foam may leak through the gap or space. Such leaking is undesirable as it is unsightly and may cause the foam to come into contact with exposed portions of the cable(s) or the contacts, which may be hazardous.
One known solution to the problems associated with using the plastic grommets is to use a compressible gasket, such as a sponge-like or foam-like gasket. However, difficulties arise in mounting the gasket to the panel. Problems also arise in mounting the connector assembly to the gasket. A need remains for a connector assembly that may be used with compressible gaskets.

Connector assembly for a compressible gasket


A non-contact type hydrostatic linear guide device includes a guide unit having a pair of rail parts on the top surface thereof, and a slide unit having oil pockets in a running surface thereof. A load of the slide unit concentrates on the frame of the guide unit. The slide unit has a stepped leg structure in which projections are disposed in the under surface of a table thereof in bilateral symmetry. The projections contact the top surface of inner projections disposed on the guide unit and the outer side surfaces thereof face the inner surfaces of the wear plates disposed on the guide unit, and wear plates are placed outward in the midway of the under surfaces of the projections as the side surfaces thereof face the both side surfaces of the first recessed part and the third recessed part of the guide unit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improvement of a hydrostatic pressure linear guide device which is adapted as a work-table or a tool-table of a grinding machine. More particularly, it relates to a hydrostatic pressure linear guide device which comprises a slide unit having a static pressure guide surface to which plural number of pressure pockets are formed which cooperates with a regulator controlling fluid flow from a pump to the hydrostatic pockets, and a guide unit having a pair of guide rails.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices are used as a work-table or a tool-table of work-machining apparatus such as a cylindrical grinding machine, a cam grinding machine, a crank shaft grinding machine, a dicer, NC lathe, and so on.
The hydrostatic pressure linear guide device includes a guide unit (guideway) having a pair of right and left rails formed on an upper surface of a bed, and a slide unit (slideway) having plural oil static pressure pockets formed respectively on a lower surface and a side wall of the slide unit. The device also includes one or more controllers controlling oil flow from an oil pump to the oil pockets in which a static pressure between the rails and slide unit is maintained at a predetermined level. The slide unit is driven by a linear motor, a servo-motor with a ball-screw or hydraulic cylinder.
Conventional hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices have guiding faces provided with absolute flatness wherein the sliding table is floating on a static oil membrane to obtain an ultra precision straightness. The guiding faces of the slide unit are not in contact with the pair of right and left rails of the guide unit during sliding.
Hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices are known in the art as described in JP-A-63-74536, JP-A-6-735, JP-A-7-299684, and JP-A-2000-74065.
The JP-A-63-74536 reference shows a static pressure linear guide device including a guide unit 1 having a base 201 and a pair of rails 2 on the upper surfaces of a pair of wear plates 20a, 20b having slant faces 60 supported by the base 201. The device also includes a slide unit 3 having a slide base 3a and a pair of wear plates 3b, 3c whose upper surfaces are positioned facing the guide surfaces of the wear plates 20a, 20b. The device further includes a pressure feeding means which is provided for mutually independently regulating pressures respectively fed to upper, lower, left, and right pockets arranged to the slide unit 3 to form static pressure bearing. A return flow of the pressure oil fed to a static pressure generating unit is controlled by a static pressure squeezing land section A2 and the static pressure is generated in the static pressure generating band width L, and this static pressure is applied to the guiding face 21 of the rails 2 and the guided face 31 of the moving slide unit 3 to keep them at a fixed distance. A land section B1 holds a fixed small gap E so as not to bring the guided face 31 and the guiding face 21 into contact by the action of the static pressure.
Accordingly, when the slide unit 3 is moved in a straight line direction against the rails 2, a fluid between many recesses 6 having slant faces 60 and opposing faces to them is compressed, and the dynamic pressure is generated.
The JP-A-7-299684 reference shows a static pressure linear guide device composed of a guide unit 1 having a pair of right and left guide parts 3, 4 and a slide unit 2, where the slide unit 2 has a pair of right and left slide recess parts 5, 6 provided with both sides of the slide unit brought into contact with the upper face parts 3a, 4a of the right and left guide parts 3, 4, oil pockets 7, 8 in the upper face 5a, 6a of the slide recess parts 5, 6 oil pockets 7, 8 in the under face 5c, 6c of the slide recess parts 5, 6. The slide unit 2 has oil pockets 9, 10 at the end face 5b, 6b of the slide recess parts 5, 6 and has the first and the second shut-off valves 25, 26 closed to stop the supply of pressure oil into oil pockets 7, 8, 11, 12 for lowering the slide 2, and the upper face parts 5a, 6a of right and left slide recess part 5, 6 are thereby brought into contact with the upper face parts 3a, 4a of right and left guide parts 3, 4 ,the third shut-off valve 27 closed to stop the supply of pressure oil into an oil pocket 9 for moving a slide 2 to the left, and the fourth shut-off valve 28 closed to stop the supply of the pressure oil into an oil pocket 10.
The JP-A-2000-74065 reference shows a static pressure linear guide device including a guide unit 10 having a pair of right and left guide parts 11, 12 formed on an upper surface of a bed 10 and a slide unit 20 sliding along to the pair rails. The rails 11, 12 are furnished with rectangular cross-sections and formed so as to be overhung from the upper surface and a side surface of the bed 10 along the both side surfaces of the bed 10. Step parts 17, 18 are formed on the both side surfaces of the bed 10 so as to face to lower surfaces of the rails 11, 12. Wear plate parts 23, 24 are installed on lower end surfaces of leg parts 25, 26 of the table 20 and are guided by the lower surfaces of the rails 11, 12 on their upper surfaces and by upper surfaces of the step parts 17, 18 on their lower surfaces respectively. Static pressure pockets 31–38 are respectively formed on a lower surface of the table 20, the upper surfaces of the wear plates 23, 24, the lower surfaces of wear plates 23, 24 and side walls of the groove parts 21, 22 in which the rails 11, 12 are stored.
A load of the slide unit during sliding concentrates on the joint bolts of the guiding surfaces of the wear plates of the guide unit in those hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices, so that the wear plates are bending when massive work or tool is loaded on the sliding table. Consequently, the straightness of the obtained machining-work is about 1.0–2.0 μm per 1000 mm.
The flow rate Q is proportional to the third power of the gap height or the height h of the pocket gap through which the fluid flows. The result in the case of laminar flow is the condition Q˜p/h3/η, where η denotes the dynamic viscosity of the fluid and p is a pressure. The smaller the gap and the higher the hydrostatic fluid pressure is, the greater the stiffness of the hydrostatic pressure guide device is, but the consumer demand of fluid for raising the hydrostatic fluid pressure is increasing.
A floating distance (gap) between the table and a grinding head of the conventional hydrostatic pressure linear guide device depends on the feeding speed of the slide unit. In the conventional hydrostatic pressure linear guide device, it is variable in a range of 0.01–0.50 μm when the feeding speed is 1–25 m/minute and the shock of the reverse of tool-table is diminished in about 2.4–2.8 seconds.
The JP-A-6-735 reference shows a static pressure linear guide device including a guide unit 1 having upper, lower, left, and right guide surfaces 2a–2d, and a slide unit 3 having slide surfaces 4a–4d positioned facing the guide surfaces 2a–2d that are guided and supported to upper, lower, left, and right guide surfaces 2a–2d. A micro uneven surfaces 10 is formed in either the guide surfaces 2a–2d of the guide unit 1 or the slide surfaces 4a–4d of the slide unit 3, and a pressure feeding means 9 which is provided for mutually independently regulating pressures respectively fed to upper, lower, left, and right pockets 5a–5d arranged to the slide unit 3 to form a static pressure bearing.
In the hydrostatic pressure linear guide device, load of the slide unit concentrates on a frame of the guide unit during sliding, so that the stiffness of the hydrostatic pressure linear guide device is greater than those of the hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices described in above-mentioned three patents, but it is necessary to use greater power moving the slide unit.
The stiffness of the hydrostatic pressure linear guide device, the motor power moving the slide unit and utility of fluid depend on cross-sectional shapes of the slide unit and the guide unit and the position of the hydrostatic pressure pockets on the slide surface. The hydrostatic pressure linear guide devices described in the aforesaid patents may not fit for a large slide table having a length of more than 3000 millimeter or to be loaded with a massive tool.
When the dimensions of work-pieces to be machined become greater, the land length and width of a slide unit also become greater to increase the weight of the slide unit. Furthermore, tools also grow in size to increase the weight of the tools on the slide unit as well. In comparison with oil static pressure linear guide devices described in JP-A-63-74536 and JP-A-7-299684, an oil static pressure linear guide device described in JP-A-2000-74065 includes a slide unit having more sliding surfaces and higher stiffness in the vertical direction in machining. Therefore, it is suitable as a hydrostatic pressure linear guide device for machining large-sized work-pieces which requires higher accuracy.
The stiffness and the fluid-utility also depend on the numbers of regulators and shut-off valves provided with fluid-supply pipes in the body of the slide unit. Small numbers of these valves and pipes in the body is better to increase stiffness.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,491 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,220,281 show a regulator for controlling oil flow fed from oil supply to the plural number of hydrostatic pockets of the slide unit. A gap between the static pressure guide surface and the slide unit surface to be supported of the hydrostatic bearing is maintained always constant in accordance with the control of the operation oil temperature and the operation oil pressure.
The regulator has a controller housing with a mating surface and has pressure chambers which are separated by a control element, movable against the force of a spring element, and of which a first pressure chamber, subjected to a first pressure level, is directly connected to the medium supply. A second pressure chamber, subjected to a lower, second pressure, is connected to the medium supply via a first flow resistance, and a third pressure chamber, which is subjected to a third pressure level which corresponds to that in the hydrostatic pocket, is connected to the hydrostatic pocket. The control element forming a variable second flow resistance which is arranged between the second and third pressure chambers and influences the medium flow fed to the pocket. The magnitude of the variable second flow resistance being raised by the action of the force of the first pressure chamber but is lowered by the action of the spring force and by the actions of the forces of the second and third pressure chambers. The mating surface is assigned to the slide unit, and the controller housing has a bearing surface, including a passage orifice for the medium flow, with the aid of which in the mounted state the controller housing bears against the mating surface assigned to the slide unit, thus creating a direct medium connection between the controller and pocket and, if appropriate, between the controller and the oil supply.
The regulator is available from Schonfeld GmbH in Germany as a "PM-Flow Controller" (trade name). The regulator can change a quantity of fluid flow variably by valves to control a hydrostatic pressure flexibly and keep a change of the fluid membrane-thickness against the change of the load on the slide unit to a minimum, so that the gaps of the guiding surfaces throughout the machining plane are kept constant. It reduces a fluid demand and increases a stiffness of the hydrostatic pressure linear guide device.


Systems and methods are disclosed for rapid detection of digital content within received radio frequency (RF) signals. The disclosed embodiments digitize received RF signals and apply a cyclic prefix correlation to generate correlation values that are accumulated over a plurality of symbol times. The accumulated correlation values are then stored in a dump register after these plurality of symbol times, and the accumulated correlation values are used to determine whether or not digital content is present within the broadcast channel being analyzed. The disclosed embodiments are useful, for example, in determining whether DAB (Digital Radio Broadcast) digital content is present within audio broadcast channels by detecting the cyclic prefix within the DAB transmissions.

Within the United States, digital radio broadcasts protocols are based upon the HD (High Definition) Radio standard developed by iBiquity Digital Corporation. For current HD Radio broadcasts, digital content is broadcast in upper and lower sidebands related to a center frequency for a primary analog AM or FM broadcast channel. These upper and lower sidebands include ten (10) frequency partitions which include digital channels that are modulated using OFDM (orthogonal frequency division multiplexing) and are further shaped using a pulse shaping function prior to transmission.
In other parts of the world including countries within Europe, one or more DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) standards are used for broadcasting of digital audio content. The DAB standards also use OFDM modulation, and DAB broadcast channels include digital data within a large number of OFDM subcarriers that are modulated using DQSPK (differential quadrature phase shift keying) modulation. For example, Transmission Mode I (TM-I) for the DAB standard includes 1536 OFDM subcarriers each having a bandwidth of 1 kHz (kilo-hertz) within an overall OFDM channel having a bandwidth of 1.537 MHz (mega-Hertz). Each OFDM symbol for the TM-I DAB transmission has an overall symbol time of 1.246 milliseconds (ms) including a guard interval of 0.246 ms within which a cyclic prefix is transmitted and including a data region of 1 ms within which useful data is transmitted.
FIG. 1A (Prior Art) provides an embodiment 100 for a DAB channel 102 centered on a channel center frequency (fcH) 104. The DAB channel 102 includes 1536 OFDM subcarriers that are each modulated to include a portion of the broadcast data. For one embodiment as indicated above, each of these subcarriers can be 1 kHz wide and the overall bandwidth of the OFDM channel can be 1.537 MHz.
FIG. 1B (Prior Art) is an embodiment 150 for an OFDM symbol 152 associated with the DAB channel 102 in FIG. 1A (Prior Art). The OFDM symbol 152 has a guard interval 154 including a cyclic prefix and a region 156 including useful data for the OFDM symbol 152. The useful data region 156 includes M samples, and the cyclic prefix within the guard interval 154 includes a copy of the last L samples of the useful data region 156. As such, the guard interval 154 can be considered to include samples M−L to M−1, and the useful data region 156 can be considered to include samples 0 to M−1. The symbol time 158 for the OFDM symbol 152 represents the duration in time for the transmission of the OFDM symbol.
For DAB broadcast channels, a transmission frame is commonly used that includes one (1) null symbol having a symbol time of 1.297 ms followed by seventy-six (76) OFDM symbols each having a symbol time of 1.246 ms. As such, this example DAB transmission frame has an overall duration of 96 ms. Further, for this example DAB transmission frame, no power is transmitted during the null symbol, and the first OFDM symbol after null symbol is configured as a TFPR (Time Frequency Phase Reference) symbol. This TFPR symbol can be, for example, a pre-determined fixed pattern that is known by the receiver and used by the DAB receiver for synchronization.
Prior DAB receivers are typically configured to detect the null symbol within the DAB transmission frame and then to synchronize to the DAB transmission by correlating the received TFPR symbol with the ideal, expected TFPR symbol. However, this prior detection/synchronization technique can be relatively slow and thereby lead to a degraded and/or unsatisfactory user experience.

Methods and systems for rapid detection of digital content within RF signals


A method and apparatus to equalize the voltage across each light bulb in a low-voltage lighting system, commonly found in the yards of private homes and businesses. The present invention consists of a power compensation element that is inserted in-line with each light bulb connected to the bus lines that distribute current from a power source, such as an electrical transformer, to the light bulbs. The function of the power compensation element is to compensate for the voltage drop along the bus lines due primarily to the electrical resistance of the bus lines. Therefore, a compensation rating of the power compensation element may depend upon its location along the bus lines and the electrical resistivity of the bus lines, as well as the internal electrical resistance of the light bulbs. The preferred embodiment is an electrical resistive power compensation element where the rating of the element is its resistance value. One alternate embodiment is an electrical transformer power compensation element where the rating is the transformer ratio of output-to-input voltage, while another alternate embodiment is a diode-based, voltage-limiting circuit power compensation element, typically with equal rating where the rating is the voltage-limiting reference level of the circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to low voltage lighting systems, and more specifically to systems which have long bus lines to deliver current to low voltage light bulbs located along the length of the bus lines.
2. Prior Art
At present, low-voltage lighting systems distribute current from a common power source to each light bulb in a parallel configuration. In other words, a wire (bus line) from the power source is connected to one end of several light bulbs along its length to distribute current in parallel to each light bulb. The product of the current and internal resistance of each light bulb is equal to the voltage drop across the light bulb; according to Ohm's law. Note that devices, concepts, and physical laws, such as Ohm's law, used in the theory of operation presented here are found in engineering texts such as William H. Hayt, Jr. and Jack E. Kemmerly, Engineering Circuit Analysis, Second Edition, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1971, and Jacob Millman, Ph.D. and Herbert Taub, Ph.D., Pulse, Digital, and Switching Waveforms, McGraw-Hill Book Company, New York, 1965. Another wire (return bus line) collects current from each light bulb and returns it back to the power source. If the resistance of the bus wire is zero, then no voltage drop occurs along the bus line and each light bulb has the same voltage applied across the bulb terminals, and thus the same electrical power or, alternatively, bulb brightness. However, in practice the bus wires have a finite (non-zero) internal resistance and thus experience a voltage drop along the length of the bus wires. This voltage drop means that the voltage applied across a light bulb will decrease with increasing distance from the power source. Thus light bulbs will be dimmer with increasing distance from the power source.
The voltage drop along the bus wires also limits the distance that light bulbs may be placed from the power source. However, the lighting effect is still one of light bulbs becoming dimmer with distance from the power source. The light bulbs are typically rated by maximum voltage applied across them and maximum electrical power. Dividing the square of the applied voltage by the power yields the internal electrical impedance of the light bulb. The impedance is a generalized electrical resistance that is well known to those skilled in the art, and includes the effects of electrical inductance and capacitance. In the case of a light bulb, a pure resistance may be assumed and will be used in the illustrative examples discussed here. In order to maintain voltage applied to each light bulb within its ratings, the power source is typically set to output a voltage near the limit (12 volts in a typical system). In this setting the light bulb closest to the power source may be driven with an applied voltage that is close to the source voltage in magnitude. However, the applied voltage may drop by several volts for a light bulb at the end of the bus line.
One possible method of compensation for an alternating current low-voltage system would be to introduce a transformer with an adjustable center tap in series with each light bulb and adjust the center tap to achieve the desired voltage across the light bulb. However, each time one transformer is adjusted it would influence the total current in the bus line and thus affect the voltage drop along the bus line. Therefore, this conventional approach would have to be iterative where each transformer is adjusted in turn and then the process repeated as needed until the voltages across each light bulb converges to the target voltage.
Another possible solution is a voltage regulator. However, voltage regulators in the form of integrated circuits apply to direct-current electrical systems, while low-voltage lighting systems typically are implemented using alternating current. Equivalents for more common alternating-current electrical circuits exist as servo-controlled transformers, but these are typically in large, relatively expensive chassis that are not practical for use at every bulb location in low-voltage lighting systems.
Sawase, et al. in "LED light source with an easily adjustable luminous energy," (U.S. Pat. No. 5,150,016) teach a system that utilizes a finite number of resistors connected to each other electrically in parallel, and a plurality of fuses connected electrically in series with the respective resistors, with the parallel combination of these resistors with fuses connected electrically in series with each LED light source. The idea here is that any current larger than the current rating of a fuse burns out that fuse and electrically disconnects the associated resistor. Therefore, at each LED location, any remaining resistors act to limit the current to the LED from a voltage source. This approach is not very efficient in the sense that many components (fuses and resistors) are employed that end up essentially being discarded from use in each device as the result of burning out fuses. The technique of Sawase, et al. allows only for a relatively coarse adjustment of the current through each individual means for illumination (LED) due to the finite number of resistors that may be practically connected to each LED. Furthermore, in Sawase, et al., the current-limiting method employed is applied on an individual basis for each individual means for illumination. However, the issues that result in a need for adjustment of illumination of each individual means for illumination generally result from system-wide effects.

Voltage equalization method and apparatus for low-voltage lighting systems


A vehicular tire pressure monitoring system, including a transponder unit (10) for each tire to be monitored, the transponder unit having an incorporated RF transmitter (12) and being physically associated with the tire to be monitored. A pressure sensor for each tire to be monitored is connected to circuitry in a corresponding transponder unit. An interrogator unit (7) is associated with each transponder unit and physically mounted on a vehicle in proximity to a wheel (9) whereon a tire to be monitored is mounted. A central RF receiver (4) for all transponder units is provided. Each transponder unit is inductively coupled with an associated interrogator unit and includes an electric charge accumulation element adapted to be charged by energy inductively supplied from the associated interrogator unit in a first mode of operation, and the charge accumulation element providing a power supply to the RF transmitter of the transponder unit in a second mode of operation.

Conventional tire pressure monitoring systems have battery-powered RF transmitters mounted on a vehicle wheel or tire. The temperature conditions near a vehicle wheel severely affect the battery lifetime of such transmitters. An alternative to the use of battery-powered RF transmitters would be a battery-less transponder mounted in or on the wheel rim or tire. Each transponder would need an associated reader for receiving and processing data received from the transponder. Data could be exchanged between the transponder and the reader using well known transponder techniques such as LF (125 kHz, 134.2 kHz) full or half duplex, HF (13.5 MHz) full duplex or UHF backscatter. However, it would be desirable to have a tire pressure monitoring system that uses fewer components than are presently required.


An asynchronous debug interface is disclosed that allows TAG agents, JTAG-based debuggers, firmware, and software to debug, access, and override any functional registers, interrupt registers, power/clock gating enables, etc., of core logic being tested. The asynchronous debug interface works at a wide range of clock frequencies and allows read and write transactions to take place on a side channel, as well as within the on chip processor fabric without switching into a debug or test mode. The asynchronous debug interface works with two-wire and four-wire JTAG controller configurations, and is compliant with IEEE standards, such as 1149.1, 1149.7, etc., and provides an efficient and seamless way to debug complex system-on-chip states and system-on-chip products.

Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) is the common name for what was later standardized as the IEEE 1149.1, "Standard Test Access Port and Boundary-Scan Architecture", where IEEE is short for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. An IEEE 1149.7 standard is a complementary standard to IEEE 1149.1, adding additional functionality. JTAG was initially devised for testing printed circuit boards using boundary scan and is still widely used for this application.
The "boundary scan architecture" of IEEE 1149 uses a 5-pin serial protocol for setting and reading the values on pins without directly accessing the core logic. A serial scan path known as a boundary scan register (BSR) intercepts signals between the core logic and the pins. When the system is not in test mode, the boundary scan register connects the signals of the core logic to the pins transparently. In test mode, the BSR may be used to set and/or read values. In external mode, the values set or read will be the values of the I/O pads, also known as 'pins'. In internal mode, the values set or read will be the values of the core logic.
The BSR is a shift register, which forms a path around the core logic. Signal pins of the core logic of a system being tested are connected to cells that make up the BSR, with these cells surrounding the core logic (boundary). The shift register is connected to the input and exit of test equipment, allowing test vectors to be sent to the BSR, thus testing the core logic.
Despite this standardized approach, because the system under test is in a "test mode", some real-time scenarios are not tested using the boundary scan architecture.
Thus, there is a continuing need for a mechanism for performing real-time testing of core logic that overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.

Asynchronous programmable JTAG-based interface to debug any system-on-chip states, power modes, resets, clocks, and complex digital logic


The two stage check valve for the automatic transmission system provides a first member that opens in response to a first pressure and a second member which opens in response to a second pressure where the second pressure is higher than the first pressure.

Automatic transmission systems have hydraulic circuits which includes a hydraulic pump, a torque converter, and clutch packs. An input shaft transfers power from the torque converter to the planetary gear set. To cool the clutch packs, the input shaft has a bore that allows automatic transmission fluid to flow between the torque converter and the clutch packs.
When the vehicle engine is off and the pump is not running, automatic transmission fluid generally flows out of the torque converter and thus, at initial engine startup, the torque converter has insufficient automatic transmission fluid to operate properly.
In order to solve this startup problem and prevent the flow of automatic transmission fluid from the torque converter when the engine is off, a single-stage check valve is placed in the bore of the input shaft between the torque converter and the clutch plates. The single-stage check valve closes the hydraulic circuit during periods when the pump is off to prevent the flow of automatic transmission fluid from the torque converter. Typically, these single-stage check valves open at a pressure of about 2-4 psi and allow for a flow of 6 liters per minute at idle and up to 18 to 20 liters per minute at maximum flow rate.
One of the problems with the single-stage check valve is that it opens too far too soon. This causes the transmission's open clutch pack to flood with automatic transmission fluid which in turn creates frictional drag. The frictional drag results in frictional losses and increase in fuel consumption.

Two stage check valve for automatic transmission system


A video conference system includes a video camera for imaging participants in a conference, a plotting image input unit for receiving plotting data from a participant, and a synthesization unit for synthesizing an image including plotting image data being input and video data of the participant who is entering the plotting image data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image pickup system and a communication system for use in, e.g., a video conference system for communicating at least image data and voice data between remote places.
2. Related Background Art
FIGS. 1A to 1C are schematic views showing a conventionally known video conference system. FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate the first, the second, and the third states, respectively. Referring to FIGS. 1A to 1C, a plurality of participants or attendants in a conference, for example, four persons A to D in a distant place are generally denoted by reference numeral 1. A television (TV) camera 2 for imaging the attendants 1 at the conference is placed on a panhead (not shown) for panning the TV camera 2. A camera control device 5 is so arranged as to freely change the panning position of the TV camera 2. A moving image codec 3 codes a video signal obtained by the TV camera 2. A communication control unit 4 supplies the coded video signal from the moving image codec 3 and other control information to a local line 6. A communication control unit 7 receives the coded video signal and the other control information from the local line 6. A moving image codec 10 decodes the coded video signal received by the communication control unit 7 and supplies the decoded video signal to a TV monitor 12. Each participant in the conference is displayed as a FIG. 13 on the TV monitor 12.
A camera operation unit 8 supplies a control signal to the camera control device 5 via the communication control unit 7, the local line 6, and the communication control unit 4, thereby panning the TV camera 2.
Of the above components, the TV camera 2, the moving image codec 3, the communication control unit 4, and the camera control device 5 are arranged in a remote place, and the communication control unit 7, the moving image codec 10, the TV monitor 12, and the camera operation unit 8 are arranged in a self-station which communicates with the distant place through the local line 6. In FIGS. 1A to 1C, for the sake of simplicity in explanation, only parts for imaging the attendants 1 are illustrated on the remote place side, and only parts for displaying the image are illustrated on the self-station side. The system, however, of course includes a voice system, a data system, and various operation systems in addition to the above components.
The operation of the above arrangement will be described below.
Assume, as shown in FIG. 1A, that the person B of the attendants 1 at the conference is imaged at the center of the screen by the TV camera 2. In this case, the image of the person B obtained by the TV camera 2 is coded by the moving image codec 3 and transmitted from the communication control unit 4 to the self-station through the local line 6. Upon receiving the image from the local line 6 via the communication control unit 7, the self-station decodes the received image into the video signal by using the moving image codec 10 and displays the video signal as the FIG. 13 on the TV monitor 12.
When the speaker among the attendants 1 is switched to the person D, the camera operation unit 8 in the self-station is manipulated to transmit a control signal to the camera control device 5, thereby panning the TV camera 2 via a panning means (not shown). Consequently, as shown in FIG. 1B, the person D of the attendants 1 at the conference is imaged at the center of the screen by the TV camera 2. In this case, the image of the person D obtained by the TV camera 2 is transmitted to the self-station via the moving image codec 3, the communication control unit 4, and the local line 6. In the self-station, the video signal is obtained from the local line 6 via the communication control unit 7 and the moving image codec 10 and displayed as the FIG. 13 on the TV monitor 12.
When the speaker among the attendants 1 at the conference is switched to the person A, the camera operation unit 8 in the self-station is manipulated to transmit a control signal to the camera control device 5, thereby panning the TV camera 2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 1C, the person A of the attendants 1 is imaged at the center of the screen by the TV camera 2. In this case, the image of the person A obtained by the TV camera 2 is transmitted to the self-station via the moving image codec 3, the communication control unit 4, and the local line 6. In the self-station, the video signal is obtained from the local line 6 via the communication control unit 7 and the moving image codec 10 and displayed as the FIG. 13 on the TV monitor 12.
As described above, the camera operation unit 8 of the self-station is manipulated to pan the TV camera 2 via the camera control device 5, and so an image in which a speaking one of the attendants 1 at the conference is imaged at the center of the screen can be displayed on the TV monitor 12. Therefore, a speaking one of the attendants 1 in the distant place can be selectively monitored as the FIG. 13 displayed on the TV monitor 12 in the self-station.
The conventional video conference system with the arrangement as described above has the following problems.
That is, various control operations, such as control performed by the operation means in the remote place and control performed by the operation means in the self-station are used to determine the panning position of the TV camera 2, i.e., pan the TV camera 2 toward a particular one of the attendants 1 at the conference in the distant place. If, however, the TV camera 2 is panned to perform switching between persons to be imaged among the attendants 1, this merely results in a change in the FIG. 13 displayed on the TV monitor 12 in the self-station. Therefore, it is difficult for participants in the conference in the self-station to accurately recognize the positional relationship between the attendants 1 in the remote place.
That is, although the attendants 1 at the conference in the distant place are actually seated side by side at different positions, they are displayed at the fixed position of the TV monitor 12 in the self-station. This impairs the ambience of the conference and also causes an inconvenience that the TV camera 2 may be operated in an opposite direction in searching for a specific person by changing the panning position of the TV camera 2 from the self-station.
To eliminate the above inconveniences, there is provided a method of displaying all of the attendants 1 at the conference constantly by using a plurality of TV cameras 2 and a plurality of TV monitors 12 in the self-station. Since, however, this largely increases the quantity of information to be transmitted, the method is impractical when the number of local lines 6 and the installation cost are taken into account.
Although not shown in FIGS. 1A to 1C, the above video conference system further includes a camera for imaging originals, a still image monitor for displaying the images obtained by that camera, and a plotting image input device (e.g., a digitizer) for inputting plotting images.
Each of these devices is used to perform, e.g., writing on a common material image to point out a particular portion.
More specifically, the same material image is displayed on the still image display monitors of terminals of individual participants in a conference, and each participant can perform writing in a given portion of the material image by using the plotting image input device of his or her terminal. This writing is superimposed on the material image displayed on the still image display monitors of all the participants in the conference.
In the conventional video conference system with this arrangement, a participant currently writing data is clearly known if a video conference is held between two stations. If, however, three or more stations are attending at a conference, it is impossible to determine a person currently writing data.

Image pickup system and communication system for use in video conference or the like


A method and system to provide easy access to factories in a naming service. The system receives an indication that a factory is needed by a client. A plurality of resolvers are checked in turn to find the factory indicated. If a resolver that can provide the factory is found, the factory is returned to the client. In one embodiment, resolvers register with a resolver manager that performs the checking in response to a naming operation. Because the resolver manager can access all registered resolvers, access to the factories is independent of a class path of the user.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relate to naming. More specifically, embodiments relate to accessing factories in the naming system.
2. Background
Naming service broadly refers to the mechanism by which an object is associated with a name and by which objects may be found given their names. Each name is generated by a set of syntactic rules called, "naming convention." An atomic name is an indivisible component of a name as defined by the naming convention. The association of the atomic name with an object is called, "binding." Some objects cannot be stored directly so they are put in the system as references. A "reference" is an object, which contains one or some addresses of objects which themselves are not directly bound to the naming system. Every name is interpreted relative to some context, and every naming operation is performed in a context object. A "context" is a set of bindings in which names are relative to a certain naming convention. A client may obtain an initial context object that provides a starting point for resolution of names in the naming system. Every naming system consists of contexts of a certain type (one and the same naming convention) that provide the same identical set of operations. Every operation is relative to a certain namespace. A "namespace" is the set of names in the naming system. The naming service organization of the namespace is a treelike structure of naming context objects that can be traversed to locate a particular name.
A directory service is a naming service that allows each bound object to be associated with attributes and provides a way to retrieve an object by looking up some of its attributes rather than its name (search). The "attributes" are object characteristics. Both the attributes and the object itself form a directory object. A "directory" is a linked set of directory objects.
In a Java context, basic support for the naming and directory service is provided by a Java Naming and Directory Interface (JNDI) such as specified in JNDI: Java Naming and Directory Interface, Version 1.2, published by Sun Microsystems of Mountain View, Calif. and subsequent revisions thereof (the JNDI Specification). The JNDI Specification meets the system requirements of Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE). These requirements are defined in the Java 2 Enterprise Edition Specification 1.3, published Jul. 27, 2001 or subsequent versions thereof (the J2EE Standard). JNDI is defined to be independent of any specific directory service implementation. This permits a variety of directories to be accessed in a common way.
Using standard JNDI it is difficult to customize implementations of initial context factories, object factories, uniform resource locator (URL) factories, and state factories. In some cases, it is desirable to permit a client to register and use its own implementations of such factories. Unfortunately, in existing systems, if such implementations are not available in the class path of a client, this is not possible. This issue arises in the context of classloading. A "class loader" can create a new instance of a class from the class name. Each component in a typical system may have its own class loader that can load one or more classes. Unfortunately, if the class name of a given factory is not among those in a particular class loader, the loader cannot load a new instance of this factory class. Typically, the naming service provider provides several implementations of different factories so that the client's developer can read in the documentation the benefit of each factory and to choose which one to use. Then the client merely specifies the class name of the chosen factory in the environment properties and the role of the classloader is to load a new instance of this class by given class name. By default only a single InitialContextFactoryBuilder and ObjectFactoryBuilder implementation can be registered in javax.naming.spi.NamingManager object of a certain virtual machine (VM).

Method and system to provide access to factories in a naming system


A method for separating acid and sugars obtained from liquids resulting from the acid hydrolysis of a material containing at least one of cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed, comprising adding the liquids to a separation unit comprising a bed of anionic exchange or exclusion chromatographic material whereby the acid is adsorbed onto the chromatographic material, thereby producing a series of first fractions comprising sugar solutions and a later series of fractions comprising acid solutions. A process for an economical, energy efficient production of ethanol from municipal solid waste and other cellulosic feedstocks is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processes for the separation of acid from sugars obtained from the acid hydrolysis of cellulosic and/or hemicellulosic material. The present invention further relates to a method for removing the heavy metals associated with the acid/sugar solutions that are obtained from municipal solid waste (MSW) or sewage sludge which may contain cellulosic and/or hemicellulosic materials.
2. Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,389 discloses methods for separating acids and sugars resulting from strong acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose. The cellulose and hemicellulose is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization and hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields. A method for separating the sugars from the acid in the hydrolysate is also disclosed. The resultant sugar stream containing both hexoses and pentoses can then be fermented. In particular, the method of separating the sugars from the hydrolysate involves the use of a resin separation unit wherein the sugars are adsorbed on a strong acid resin. Liquids are then added to the resin and an acid stream containing less than 2% sugar is obtained.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,407,580 and 5,538,637 disclose a process for separating an ionic component such as acid from a nonionic component such as sugar in polar solutions using ion exclusion technology. In particular, the methods involve control of dispersion, caused by shrinkage of resin by acid within ion exchange columns. The continuous method employs an acid resin which is contacted with an acid-sugar solution whereby a first fraction comprises an enriched fraction of acid and later fractions comprise an enriched fraction of sugar.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,407,817 and 5,571,703 disclose methods of processing municipal solid waste to recover materials that may be recycled and to produce ethanol from the cellulosic component. One particular problem of municipal solid waste is the heavy metal component which may inhibit the fermentation of sugars by yeast or other fermentative microorganism. According to these patents, the heavy metals can be removed in any one of two different methods. In the "front end" process, the heavy metals are removed by treating the shredded cellulosic component with dilute sulfuric acid at about 40 to 100.degree. C. to solubilize substantially the heavy metals. The insoluble component of the reaction mixture comprising the cellulose may then be recovered and processed to give ethanol. In the "back end" process, the shredded cellulosic component is directly hydrolyzed with concentrated sulfuric acid. After dilution with water and cooking at elevated temperatures, the insoluble lignin is removed. It was discovered that heavy metals were associated with the insoluble lignin which allows for the removal of the heavy metals from the sugar containing solution.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,895 discloses methods of removing heavy metals from certain waste waters by adding an iron salt, and then a base to increase the pH to a level of about 8 to 10. As the base is added, a precipitate containing the heavy metals is formed which is then removed by standard filtration techniques. The process can be carried out continuously or batch wise.

Method for the separation of acid from sugars

Controlled Enviromental Systems Corporation


Systems and methods of electroslag refining of metal include the introduction of unrefined metal into an electroslag refining process in which the unrefined metal is first melted at the upper surface of the refining slag. The molten metal is refined as it passes through the molten slag. The refined metal is collected in a cold hearth apparatus having a skull of refined metal formed on the surface of the cold hearth for protecting the cold hearth from the leaching action of the refined molten metal. A cold finger bottom pour spout is formed at the bottom of the cold hearth to permit dispensing of molten refined metal from the cold hearth. The cold finger bottom pour spout comprises a plurality of copper segments having gaps. The gap between the segments is established and maintained by insulation structure and sealing structure positioned in each gap.

The present invention relates generally to an ESR-CIG system. The ESR portion is an electroslag refining apparatus and the CIG portion is a cold wall induction guide tube apparatus, also referred to herein as a cold wall induction guide mechanism and a cold finger nozzle mechanism. More particularly, the invention relates to the design of the copper funnel portion of the CIG. Most particularly, the invention relates to the maintenance of an insulation gap between the individual copper segments that make up the CIG.
Maintenance of the insulation gaps between copper segments is important to the effectiveness of the induction heating system in accomplishing the numerous applications that can be made of the refining apparatus including atomization processing and relate generally to direct processing of metal passing through an electroslag refining operation. One example of molten metal refining is referred to as electroslag refining, and is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,160,532--Benz et al, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
In an electroslag process, a large ingot of a preferred metal may be effectively refined in a molten state to remove important impurities such as oxides and sulfides that may have been present in the ingot. Simply described, electroslag refining comprises positioning a metal ingot over a pool of molten material in a suitable vessel or furnace where the molten material pool may include a surface layer of solid slag, an adjacent underlayer of molten slag and a lowermost body of refined molten ingot metal. The ingot is connected as an electrode in an electrical circuit including the molten metal pool, a source of electrical power and the ingot. The ingot is brought into contact with the molten slag layer and an electrical current is caused to flow across the ingot/molten slag interface.
This arrangement and process provide electrical resistance heating of the slag and melting of the ingot at the noted interface with the molten ingot metal passing through the molten slag layer as a refining medium to become a part of the body of refined ingot metal. It is the combination of controlled resistance melting and passage of the molten ingot metal through the molten slag layer that refines the ingot metal to remove impurities such as oxides, sulfides, and other undesirable inclusions.
However, one component of the ESR/CIG melting system is the copper funnel that forms the walls of the cold-walled-induction guide which comprises several copper segments that result from slotting an otherwise axisymmetric funnel, the slots being added to avoid melting the copper funnel itself as a result of the surrounding induction coils which provide for the penetration of the electric field throughout the funnel and into the liquid metal in the cold-walled-induction guide. The copper funnel has been found to experience a high level of thermal and mechanical strain related to the onrush of liquid metal that occurs when the ESR-CIG system is started. This thermal and mechanical strain has resulted in liquid metal flowing between the several copper segments the cold-induction guide when it has solidified as "fins." These "fins," in addition to causing a short-circuit of the insulation gap, apply extensive force to the vertical walls of the segments resulting in decreased useful life thereof.
Thus, it is important to develop methods and systems for maintaining the insulation gaps between copper segments in order to prevent liquid metal from flowing between the segments and solidifying as fins. Such methods and systems should at least reduce if not eliminate the solidifying of liquid in the gaps, at least reduce if not eliminate the short circuits in the copper funnel and at least reduce if not eliminate the external mechanical forces on the segment walls thereby increasing the segments useful life. Such methods and systems for maintaining the insulation gaps between the copper segments of the orifice could include, among other means, providing a layer of insulating material for establishing a fixed minimum space between each segment; for insulating each segment from the next segment and applying a means over the top of the layer of the insulation material for filling uneven areas in the layer and for sealing the gaps between each segment.

Systems and methods for maintaining effective insulation between copper segments during electroslag refining process


A fixture assembly having a self-aligning chain and a fixture suspended by the chain are disclosed. The chain has a top link connected to a point of attachment and a bottom link connected to the fixture. The chain has at least one juncture between the top and bottom links. The juncture has first and second link-ends. The first link-end is configured in the shape of a vee with diverging legs and spaced-apart edges extending longitudinally along the legs. The second link-end has a portion nestled into the vee of the first link-end contacting the vee of the first link-end at four contact points, each edge of the first link-end having a contact point. All links of the chain are connected by said juncture thereby restraining the fixture from turning with respect to its at-rest vertical axis or attitude. The present invention also resides in a ceiling fan assembly having a ceiling fan and a chain suspending the fan. When the fan is turned on, the rotating blades create a torque that tends to rotate the fan housing in a direction opposite to that of the fan blades. The chain when pulled downwardly by the weight of the fan is configured to resist this rotation.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fixture assembly comprising a self-aligning chain and a fixture that is suspended by the chain. The chain when pulled downwardly by the weight of the fixture resists rotation of the fixture and displacement of the fixture from its vertical axis or attitude. The chain quickly returns the fixture to its original orientation and attitude if displaced from that orientation and attitude.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the fixture is a ceiling fan. The fan can be portable or direct wired. When the fan is turned on, the rotating fan blades create a torque that tends to rotate the fan housing in a direction opposite to that of the fan blade rotation. The chain, when pulled downwardly by the weight of the ceiling fan, is configured to resist the housing rotation and displacement of the fan from its vertical axis and attitude.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 1,686,362 to Arras discloses an electric fixture comprising components stamped from sheet material. The components include a globe 15 (FIG. 1) and a chain suspending the globe from a ceiling. The chain comprises a plurality of sections 1 made of sheet material cut into blanks as shown in FIG. 4 of the patent. The blanks are then bent to form the hollow chain sections 1 shown in FIG. 6 of the patent. The sections 1 have hook ends 6 and 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, two hollow chain sections 1 are connected by a split link. The split link is also formed of sheet material. The purpose of the hollow sections 1 is to provide a channel through which an electric cord is threaded. The patent makes reference to upper and lower units 11 and 12 (FIG. 1) connected to canopy 13 and globe 15, respectively, but gives no details concerning the construction of the units 11 and 12.
Ceiling fans are supported conventionally by affixing them directly to a ceiling outlet box and suspending them downwardly on a rigid metal tube often referred to as a stem or downrod. In this respect, the fan is non-portable. This support arrangement can also be used with steeply angled ceilings, but it requires extra hardware and is very difficult to install. One object of the present invention is to provide a ceiling fan suspension that allows the fan to be positioned at a desired location irrespective of the location of the electrical outlet box or a source of power. Another object of the present invention is to provide a simple means for suspending a ceiling fan from a steeply angled ceiling.

Assembly including a fixture and self-aligning chain


A portable electronic apparatus including a main body having a display unit on a surface and a protruding holding unit. The holding unit includes a pointing device and switches that are operated by a same hand holding the holding unit. The pointing device includes one of a stick type pointing device and a trackball type pointing device that performs pointing operations including moving a cursor displayed on the display unit. The switches are for setting or canceling instructions given by the pointing device with click operations. The holding unit is also configured to be folded toward a side of the main body. When it is folded, an electric power supply is automatically turned off or put in a standby state and when the holding unit is unfolded to its original position, the electric power supply is a turned on or put in an operating state.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable electronic apparatus with an improved operability, and more particularly to a hand-held portable electronic apparatus including a protruding holding unit that can be operated by a same hand holding the portable electronic apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known electronic apparatuses (such as a portable computer, a portable word processor, various types of portable electronic terminal apparatuses, etc.) are configured so various operations can be performed by operating a pointing device and switches of the apparatus with fingers of one hand holding the apparatuses. These apparatuses are conveniently configured to be operated by only one hand holding the apparatus when a user is in, for example, a crowded train or when the user holds a bag with the other hand, and so on.
For example, a portable information processing apparatus having a rectangular plate shape and a thickness suitable for holding it with one hand (e.g., with the left hand) is described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 10-20964. This known apparatus includes an LCD display and a pointing device, which is operable only with a thumb of the left hand. Accordingly, the pointing device is located at an appropriate place on a left side edge of the LCD display. Also included on the back side of the apparatus is an instruction switch for setting a position designated on the LCD display by the pointing device or to cancel the designation. The instruction switch can be operated with the fingers of the left hand other than the thumb.
The known portable information processing apparatus is held at the edge of the rectangular plate-shaped body with the thumb and other fingers of one hand. The pointing device is operated with fingers of the same hand holding the apparatus. When the pointing device or the instruction switch is operated with respective fingers of the hand holding the apparatus, the apparatus shakes or sways, making it difficult to operate. This results in misoperations. When the pointing device is operated with the thumb, the apparatus especially tends to sway due to changes in the positions where respective forces of the other fingers are exerted.
Because the apparatus is held at its surface and backside by the thumb and other fingers, respectively, the operation of the pointing device (e.g., moving a cursor on the display) must be performed by exerting an extra force on the pointing device with the thumb (i.e., to offset the intensity of forces of the other fingers holding the apparatus). However, the thumb tends to slip over the pointing device when the force exerted on the pointing device by the thumb is increased. When the thumb slips over the pointing device and drops from the surface of the apparatus or accidentally moves to an edge of the apparatus (where it is hard to exert pressure with the thumb), the apparatus may slip out of the user's hand, fall to the ground and be damaged.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An adjustment system for a video monitor including a microprocessor, a D/A converter, an on-screen display controller circuit and an operator input unit. The microprocessor is configured to output adjustment signals to input circuits of the video monitor via the D/A converter and overlay a message concerning image adjustment on a display screen via the on-screen display controller circuit. The adjustment system corrects the problem of conventional adjustment systems wherein adjustment operation cannot be carried out unless an operator is fully aware of and skilled in the adjustment procedure.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains generally to a video monitor used in various computer systems and, more particularly, relates to a video monitor adjustment system for adjusting a displayed picture under the control of a microprocessor.
2. Discussion of Background
A conventionally known adjustment system for a video monitor comprising a cathode ray tube (CRT) employs a microprocessor built in the video monitor (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 3-35287).
For optimum adjustment of the picture quality of a video monitor, it is necessary to set operating parameters for a video amplifier circuit, a vertical deflection circuit, a horizontal deflection circuit, etc. to optimum values. If a microprocessor is utilized, it is possible to complete the process of video monitor adjustment by transmitting those operating parameters to specific elements, which need to be adjusted, through a digital-to-analog (D/A) converter. The microprocessor designed to perform such adjustment functions is provided with a nonvolatile memory for retaining these operating parameters. In addition, there is provided an operator input unit incorporating operating switches and a group of indicator lamps which makes it possible to select adjustment items and to increase or decrease specific operating parameters through the microprocessor.
Although it is possible to automatically adjust such operating parameters in accordance with operation of different computer systems in the prior art technology, an operator is required to be completely aware of and skilled in every process of adjustment since the aforementioned adjustment system is not provided with any message display functions except for the indicator lamps incorporated in the accompanying operator input unit. Furthermore, the adjustment system inevitably requires a rather complicated adjustment procedure.
With technological advances in personal computers, video monitors used as display terminals of computer systems are required to provide interchangeability. Specifically, if video signals which are input to a specific video monitor do not conform to standardized specifications, video signal timing may not match the video monitor and displayed data would not necessarily appear at the center of its screen. To prevent this kind of problems, a technique has thus far been proposed that makes it possible to present video signals at the center of the CRT screen regardless of video signal specifications (e.g., Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 5-27698).
According to this technique, there is provided a control circuit comprising a central processing unit (CPU) for measuring input video signal timing. Specifically, the control circuit measures a period of time from a leading edge of a horizontal synchronizing signal to a leading edge of a video signal and that from a leading edge of a vertical synchronizing signal to a leading edge of the video signal. (These periods of time are hereinafter referred to as horizontal display start time and vertical display start time, respectively.) The control circuit can adjust phases of a horizontal timing signal in a horizontal deflection circuit and of a vertical timing signal in a vertical deflection circuit in accordance with the measurement results so that the horizontal and vertical positions of a displayed picture correctly align with the center of the CRT screen. With this control circuit, it becomes possible to automatically position the displayed data at the center of the screen. In other words, the control circuit can automate horizontal position adjustment and vertical position adjustment.
However, the aforementioned control circuit has a problem in that its time measuring accuracy and its picture positioning accuracy are insufficient. This is because the control circuit does not have any function to adjust the size of the displayed picture and it simply measures the horizontal and vertical display start times as the input video signal timing by using a timer built in the CPU. Another problem of this control circuit is that it is applicable to limited types of input video signals since its operation is based on the assumption that the horizontal and vertical deflection frequencies of an input video signal are held constant.

Video monitor system with video monitor adjustment messages overlaid on the video monitor


An interface for an electronic device being coupled to an external device is provided. The interface includes a configurable hardware interface and a storage component for storing a bitstream that configures the configurable hardware interface to implement the driver of the external device. Specifically, the storage component can store one or more bitstreams that correspond to known drivers that can operate with the electronic device. The configurable hardware interface can include a programmable logic device (PLD), a memory, a control interface for controlling the PLD and the memory, and a synchronous communication interface for receiving information from the external device and enabling the control interface. The memory can list the device drivers (i.e. bitstreams) stored in the storage component and their respective addresses. The interface provides the advantage of storing any number of drivers in the device, thereby significantly reducing the time for the two devices to establish communication.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to controlling electronic devices, and particularly to a configurable hardware interface for interconnecting electronic devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic devices can encompass many types of devices having various functionalities. These electronic devices could include, for example, laptop computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cell phones. Each of these types of electronic devices includes a predetermined type of device driver.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 100 including a plurality of personal computers (PCs) 103 coupled to a server 104 and a printer 106 via an Ethernet connection 105. PCs 103 are further coupled to a modem 101 via a phone cable 102. As known by those skilled in the art, a computer user must obtain and maintain the proper device drivers for printers, faxes, and other peripherals that attach to the computer. This process is time-consuming and tedious for the user. Therefore, a need arises for an interface that allows an unknown device 107 to be coupled to PCs 103, irrespective of the device drivers then installed in PCs 103. Moreover, a need further arises for an interface that allows unknown device 107 to be coupled to any system and to function within that system.

Structure and method for controlling electronic devices


An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes filter processing circuitry and generation circuitry. The filter processing circuitry performs a filter process of removing a still or minute-moving signal on reflected wave signals of an ultrasonic wave transmitted a plurality of times in the same scanning line. The generation circuitry generates reflected wave data through a phasing addition process using reflected wave signal of each channel after the filter process performed by the filter processing circuitry.

In recent years, by performing plane wave transmission or transmission covering a wide range similar to the plane wave transmission, all received rasters within an ultrasonic wave frame can be acquired in real time at one-time transmission. Herein, this will be referred to as all-raster parallel simultaneous reception. By applying the all-raster parallel simultaneous reception to a blood flow imaging method using data between frames, a blood flow display system capable of detecting a low speed to a high speed in high frame rate display can be built. Since a transmission interval for a blood flow and a frame period match each other, high frame rate display and a high instant speed are secured, and an observation time of infinity can be acquired. Accordingly, a steep moving target indicator (MTI) filter having a low cutoff frequency can be configured, and detection can be performed up to a low-speed blood flow while suppressing low-speed clutter.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and signal processing apparatus


A system and method for transferring micro-amounts of liquids at accurately controlled rates and volume through the use of independent precision rotary and linear motion mechanisms. The system generally includes a pump module, an indexing module for incrementally translating at least one nozzle mounted thereto and a programmable controller for controlling the pump module and the indexing module. The pump module generally includes a chambered block, a piston drive assembly having a piston, a first motor mechanically coupled to the piston drive assembly for rotating the piston and a second motor mechanically coupled to the piston drive assembly for axially translating the piston. The chambered block has a liquid chamber, an inlet port in fluid communication with the liquid chamber and a discharge port in fluid communication with the liquid chamber. The inlet port of the chambered block is radially spaced from the discharge port. The piston is rotatably and translationally supported in the liquid chamber of the chambered block and includes a relieved portion. The first motor rotates the piston between a first position wherein the relieved portion of the piston is aligned with the inlet port of the chambered block and a second position wherein the relieved portion of the piston is aligned with the discharge port of the chambered block. The second motor axially translates the piston within the liquid chamber of the chambered block independent of the first motor to alternately draw in and discharge liquid to and from the liquid chamber.

Precision liquid dispensing systems have been successfully employed in many applications where safe and accurate handling of fluids is required. Precision liquid delivery is an important function in the production and research of many products, especially for the medical and pharmaceutical industries. Ease of use and reliability, combined with accuracy, are extremely important in the successful performance of each application.
There are several main technologies which are commonly used in dispensing fluids in the micro-liter range. These include piston pumps, peristaltic pumps, time pressure systems, diaphragm pumps and gear pumps. Each of these technologies must incorporate some sort of valving technology along with a method for displacing fluid. It is generally understood that, in order to achieve accurate and reliable dispenses, positive displacement mechanisms have exhibited the best performance. Most positive displacement mechanisms incorporate out of phase check valves and a piston or other positive displacement mechanism to create suction and discharge.
Rotary reciprocating pumps are also commonly used in the industry in order to accomplish small volume dispensing. Rotary reciprocating pumps utilize synchronous rotation and reciprocation of a piston in a precisely mated cylinder bore. One pressure and one suction stroke are completed per cycle. A duct on the piston connects a pair of cylinder ports alternatively with the pumping chamber, i.e., one port on the pressure portion of the pumping cycle and the other on the suction cycle. A pump head module containing the piston and cylinder is mounted in a manner that permits it to be swiveled angularly with respect to the rotation drive member. The degree of angle controls stroke length and in turn flow rate. The direction of the angle controls flow direction. This type of pump has been found to perform accurate transfers of both gaseous and liquid fluids. A typical rotary reciprocating pump is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,008,003 to Pinkerton.
A variation of the conventional rotary reciprocating pump is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,233 to Tanny et al. Tanny et al. disclose a rotary/reciprocating liquid dispensing pump having a piston selectively positioned in alignment with one of a plurality of circumferentially spaced small diameter radial passages of a pump housing. Rotation of the piston is achieved conventionally by a stepping motor. However, the rotary motion of the piston is achieved by an electromagnetic clutch/braking mechanism concentrically surrounding a lead screw. The stepping motor is incrementally pulsed and the electromagnetic clutch/braking mechanism energized for selective incremental rotation of the lead screw.
The metering pumps of the prior art suffer from several disadvantages. One disadvantage of the prior art metering pumps is that the rotational and the linear motion of the piston are tied together. In other words, it is not possible with the prior art pumps to independently control the speed of rotational and linear motion of the piston. This has the effect of limiting the accuracy of dispensed liquid volume that can be achieved. In some applications, where it is necessary to provide extremely precise flow rates from inflow and/or outflow ports, it is possible to carefully adjust the angular orientation of a rotary reciprocating pump head module to achieve the desired accuracy. However, this is a difficult hit-or-miss, trial by error procedure that is very time consuming.
Another problem with some prior art dispensing systems is that, once the desired volume of liquid has been dispensed, there is typically some remnant liquid left on the nozzle tip that can sometimes inadvertently drip. In order to prevent excess liquid from dripping from the nozzle, some prior art systems utilize a secondary valve, such as a solenoid valve or a diaphragm valve, to draw back any remnant fluid back into the nozzle. However, a problem with these secondary valves is the added cost and complexity to the system. Additionally, a secondary valve can further add to maintenance, leakage and air bubble problems. Air bubbles in the system obviously decreases accuracy in the dispensed liquid volume.
Additionally, in some applications where, for example, a suspension is to be pumped, it is often desirable to continuously agitate the suspension. This is conventionally accomplished through shaking or stirring means. Again, providing a system with a means to shake or stir liquid during idle dispensing periods not only adds cost and complexity to the system, but can also have detrimental effects such as the introduction of air bubbles to the system. Furthermore, such conventional systems only provide mixing in the external reservoirs and do not provide for mixing within the fluid path.
Finally, conventional system designs are typically large because they do not include multiple pistons in a single housing. As a result, longer and more complex tubing runs are typically provided. When delivering small volumes of liquid, it is desirable to minimize the total fluid path and priming volumes.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a system that addresses these drawbacks of the prior art metering pumps. In particular, it would be desirable to separate control of the rotational and linear motions of the pump piston so that any sequencing of piston rotation and linear movement can be achieved. By separating control of rotary and linear piston motions, increased dosage volume accuracies can be accomplished and any variety of operating methods appropriate for different fluid properties can be implemented.


A firearm release apparatus comprises a carriage with a rail that supports an end block fixed to a proximal end of the rail and adapted to releasably nest with the hammer end of a handgun. At least one spring member joins the proximal end block to a distal block that is adapted to cup the barrel end of a handgun. The gap width between the proximal end block and the distal end block is adjustable because the distal block is movable away from or toward the proximal end block depending on the tension applied to the at least one spring member. A handgun is mountable between the end blocks. A spring exerts force against an end of the rail such that when triggered, the carriage is ejected from an enclosure and the handgun is presented to a user in a ready state where the handgun grip is circumferentially free of obstructions.

Laws regarding the transport of hand guns vary by state. In the state of Texas for example, a non-felon private citizen may transport a hand gun in his own vehicle or a vehicle under his control if the hand gun is stored out of plain sight. With this in mind, hand guns are frequently stored in a glove compartment, under the seat or a console between seats. This presents a problem if the gun owner requires ready access to the hand gun for personal protection because the hand gun cannot be accessed quickly, and in any event, is not stored in a glove compartment or console in a ready state.
Whether firearms are stored in the home or transported in a vehicle, a frequently encountered problem is the lack of ready access to the weapon(s) wherein a key must be turned or biometric identification provided before the door will open and the weapon is available. Biometric identification does not work in all cases and with all people. Keys can become lost or dropped.
It would be desirable to provide an apparatus for the on-demand presentation of a handgun in a ready to use state.
It would be desirable if such an apparatus were configured for placement into a variety of gun compartments.
It would be further desirable if such an enclosure were alternately securable by key, combination lock or other means.
It would be desirable to provide a firearm release apparatus that is readily mountable inside an enclosure whereby ready access to the firearm is obtained by tapping a release.
It would be especially desirable to provide a firearm release apparatus that can be actuated without the use of hands or requiring a user to visually inspect the case as a precursor to activating the release mechanism.