There is provided an article of headwear to be worn over the head and ears of the individual encircling around the circumference of the individual's neck, and extending down a portion of the individual's chest. The article is formed by connecting two, generally double layered strips of fabric. The upper portion gradually increases in diameter to below the ears, with the diameter being thickest at the spaced points of attachment to the lower portion creating a central opening at the back of the individual's head. The lower portion gradually decreases on both ends and is used to secure the device through a passage way or a wrap method. The article provides protection and warmth to the covered areas and fulfills the function of a headband, ear warmer and scarf with one device.

The described embodiments relate to a covering device, specifically to a garment that may function as a scarf and a head band combination, along with a method of using the covering device.
There are a numerous warming devices for use as head, ear, neck and chest protectors. These devices are represented in part by: U.S. Pat. No. 1,040,461 to Thorpe, which discloses a cap and hood which also covers the neck; U.S. Pat. No. 2,735,283 to Schuessler, which discloses a knitted cap structure with multiple means of attachment; U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,580 to Rubenstein et al., which discloses a multipurpose dress accessory that may be worn numerous ways; U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,597 to Frechmann et al., which discloses a wearing apparel hood which covers the head, front of the neck and a portion of the chest; U.S. Pat. No. 5,038,412 to Cionni, which discloses a headband with earmuffs; U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,517 to Ferguson, et al., which discloses a scarf garment which covers the head, ears and neck; U.S. Pat. No. 6,640,342 to Dixon, which discloses a hat and scarf combination which covers the head, ears, neck and chest area. However, more comfortable covering devices that provide less disruption of the hair are desired.
Although there are various types of ear and neck warmers the present invention has been constructed to protect the ears in a comfortable manner without applying pressure on the head and the ears. The headband like shape results in less disruption of the hair and focuses on the ears, neck and a portion of the chest area, allowing men, women and children an alternative method for warmth. The button hole and the alternate attachment device such as Velcro or any other attachment devices are strategically placed in positions that enable the present invention to be reversible and remain secure during most activities. A conventional hat may be worn over the present invention and the compact and flexible nature allows it to fit in a pocket.


A biaxially oriented polyamide resin film superior in slip characteristics and transparency, which comprises a polyamide resin containing surface-forming fine particles in a proportion of 0.03-0.80% by weight of the film, the film surface having protrusions formed by the fine particles contained in a proportion of 200-1,000 protrusions/mm.sup.2, and the area proportion of voids formed on the film surface being not more than 0.1%. The present invention provides a biaxially oriented polyamide resin film strong and superior in resistance to pinhole, laminating property and appearance, which is free of curling or peeling of laminated films (delamination) when subjected to boiling water treatment and which has superior properties as a packing material, particularly, a packing bag for retort-packed food.

A biaxially oriented polyamide resin film comprising nylon as a main component is strong and superior in gas barrier property, resistance to pinhole, transparency and printability, and widely used as packing materials for various kinds of foods such as liquid food, water-containing food, frozen food, retort-packed food, paste food, livestock meat food and marine food. In recent years, such film has been widely used as a packing material for retort-packed food.
The polyamide resin film used for such packing uses is generally printed and laminated with, for example, a film made from polyolefin resin such as polyethylene and polypropylene, and the obtained laminate is folded in two in parallel with a travel direction, heat-sealed at three sides and cut out to produce a three-sided bag with one open end, wherein the polyamide resin film forms a surface layer. The bag is charged with the above-mentioned food etc., sealed, heat-sterilized in boiling water and put on the market.
The conventional polyamide resin film clearly poses the following problems in terms of processability and quality. That is, the film softens by absorption of humidity under high humidity environments to show degraded slip property, because of which the film is subject to difficulties caused by insufficient slip property during handling and processing, particularly in the rainy season. With respect to the bag applied with a boiling water treatment, moreover, the bag is associated with the problem in that the four sides thereof are curled into S-shapes after heat-sterilization, thus markedly impairing the appearance of a packed product. There has heretofore existed no polyamide resin film which fully satisfies the above-mentioned requirements in properties.
For an improved slip characteristics of the polyamide resin film, there have been proposed the following methods.
(1) A method comprising adding fine particles such as silica and kaolin to a resin, allowing these fine particles to protrude out on the film surface upon drawing to form fine protrusions, thereby reducing the contact area between the films. PA0 (2) A method comprising reducing the interaction of the contact parts of the films by adding, to a polyamide resin, an organic lubricant such as a bisamide compound of a higher fatty acid. PA0 (3) A method comprising preparing the film into a multiple layer structure by coating, laminating, coextrusion and the like and forming, on the outermost layer, a layer improved in slip characteristics which is obtained by the above method (1) or (2).
It should be noted that the above method (1) requires a large amount of fine particles to form many protrusions on the surface of the film so as to secure satisfactory workability under high humidity conditions. Along therewith, the transparency of the film becomes low to become a fatal defect for packing uses which require beautiful appearance. The method (2) can improve slip characteristics with less decrease in transparency as compared with the method (1), whereas an increase in the amount of organic lubricant for achieving sufficient slip characteristics can lead to poor adhesion to other materials and wettability when laminating the film with other materials, thus possibly exerting adverse influence on processing such as printing, evaporation and lamination.
For resolving the problem of curling after heat-sterilization, for example, methods comprising reducing the curling phenomenon by specifying the properties of the polyamide resin film have been proposed as disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication Nos. 4-103335 and 4-128027. However, such methods are associated with the following difficulties and hardly considered satisfactory to fulfill the need of the consumer. That is, the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 4-103335 intends to reduce the above-mentioned curling phenomenon by specifying the evaluation standard which is the product of boiling water shrinkage distortion proportion of the biaxially oriented polyamide resin film and rate of change in molecular orientation angle in the film width direction which is determined using microwave. While this method is successful to some degree in improving the curling phenomenon, it is insufficient with respect to the toughness and resistance to pinhole, thus leaving a room for an improvement including these aspects as well. Japanese Patent Unexamined Publication No. 4-128027 proposes suppressing the curling phenomenon by enhancing the heat resistance of the biaxially oriented polyamide resin film, specifically by decreasing the boiling water shrinkage proportion in all directions of the film to not more than about 3%. In order to increase the dimensional stability during boiling water treatment by this method, it is necessary to promote crystallization of the film materials by extremely elevating the temperature of heat-setting, or relax the tension of the molecular chains of the film-constituting polymer by excessively applying relaxation heat treatment after drawing. As a result, another problem in that the obtained film loses toughness and resistance to pinhole arises.
To sum, the conventional methods for improving curling phenomenon, which are applicable to biaxially oriented polyamide resin film impair, along with suppression of the curling phenomenon, other important, required properties, such as toughness and resistance to pinhole of the film.

Biaxially oriented polyamide resin film and production thereof


A trash can assembly has a shell, a lid fitted over the top end of the shell, a pedal positioned adjacent the bottom end of the shell, a link assembly coupling the pedal and the lid, and a motion damper coupled to the link assembly for slowing the closing motion of the lid. The assembly also includes an inner liner that is retained inside the shell, with a support frame secured to the top end of the shell and having a ridge on which a peripheral lip of the inner liner rests. Two or more inner liners can be provided inside the shell. In addition, the lid can be pivotably connected to the upper edge of the outer shell by a connector which has a sleeve that is coupled to the upper edge of the outer shell, a non-metal tube that is positioned inside the sleeve, and a shaft received inside the bore of the tube.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to household items, and in particular, to a trash can assembly that incorporates a number of improvements and enhancements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A major concern for both the home and the workplace is containing and holding wastes, refuse, and trash until permanent disposal. Trash cans act as containers for holding trash and other wastes that are produced in any typical home or office. Trash and garbage cans often employ lids and covers to contain the trash and its associated odor, to hide the trash from view, and to prevent the trash from contaminating areas beyond the lid.
Conventional trash cans have been improved over the years to make them more user-friendly, sanitary, and hygienic. For example, many trash cans are now provided with a foot pedal positioned adjacent the base of the trash can so that a user can step on the foot pedal to open the lid of the trash can, thereby freeing up the user's hands to deposit trash, or to change the plastic liner or bag that is used to line the trash can. Other trash cans have even provided an interior metal or plastic liner that fits inside the trash can, and which can be removed to be washed. However, these conventional trash cans still suffer from a number of drawbacks.
For example, the foot pedals on some of the conventional trash cans are noisy to use. In particular, stepping on a foot pedal of a conventional trash can often results in a loud banging noise as the lid is opened, and releasing the step on the foot pedal will also result in another loud banging noise as the lid slams shut under the force of gravity. These banging actions also result in wear and tear to the contacting parts.
Other problems are associated with the internal liner. In conventional trash cans that use an internal liner, the user typically needs to remove the internal liner from the trash can to dispose of the contents therein. To do so, the user typically lifts the internal liner from the trash can, and this may result in the user gripping portions of the surfaces of the internal liner (or a trash bag that lines the internal liner), so that the user's fingers may come into contact with dirt, germs or trash items. In many of the conventional trash cans, there are no good ways to grip and hold the internal liner without the user's fingers actually contacting the surface of the trash bag that lines the internal liner, or the surface of the internal liner itself.
Thus, there remains a need for a trash can that overcomes the drawbacks identified above.


A casing assembly includes a casing having a receiving space and an entrance, and a lid mounted detachably in the entrance to deny access into the space. A fastening device is disposed in the casing, and includes a blocking plate and a resilient clip urging the blocking plate to rotate in a predetermined direction to engage the same with the lid, thereby preventing removal of the lid from the casing. The lid may include a downwardly extending tongue which passes through a hole in the casing and is to be engaged by a hook-like portion on the end of the blocking plate.

A conventional casing assembly generally includes a casing that defining a receiving space and that is formed with an entrance for access into the receiving space, and a lid fastened detachably on the casing via a fastening device to cover the entrance so as to deny access into the receiving space.
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a conventional casing assembly 1 (such as a notebook computer) includes a casing 2 (an outer casing of the notebook computer), a lid 3 and a fastening device 10. The casing 2 defines a receiving space 2″ (a battery-receiving chamber), is formed with an entrance 4″ for access into the receiving space 2″. The lid 3 has two engaging tongues 5, and is disposed on the casing 2 to cover the entrance 4″ in such a manner that the engaging tongues 5 extends into the receiving space 2″ via two through hole 4 in the casing 2. The fastening device 10 is mounted within the casing 2, and includes two locking bars 6 (only one is shown in FIG. 2), two stationary seats 9 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) fixed on the casing 2 adjacent to two opposite sides of the entrance 4, and two urging members 8 (only one is shown in FIG. 2) disposed between an adjacent pair of the locking bar 6 and the stationary seat 9 for urging the respective locking bar 6 to abut against the respective engaging tongue 5 of the lid 3, thereby fastening the lid 3 detachably on the casing 2.
Each of the locking bars 6 and the tongues 5 is provided with an inclined surface 6″ to facilitate insertion of the respective tongue 5 into the receiving space 2″ via the respective through hole 4 during insertion of the lid 3 into the entrance 4″ or removal of the lid 3 from the entrance 4″. It is relatively difficult for the user to remove the lid 3 from the casing 2 when he wishes to replace the battery (not shown), since the lid 3 is generally flush with the outer surface of the casing 2. The user must use his fingernails to poke out the lid 3 from the entrance 4″ in the casing 2, thereby inconveniencing the user.

Fastening device for use in a casing assembly


The invention involves a device and a procedure for refractive laser surgery on a target object. With the aid of a laser beam source, an fs-impulse laser beam is generated. A second laser beam source generates a UV laser beam. A shared scanner device utilizes the fs-impulse laser beam and the UV laser beam for the scanning of the target object.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention involves a device and a procedure for refractive laser surgery on a target object.
Refractive laser surgery is used to correct eyesight defects of the human eye. Defective eyesight is one of humanity's main afflictions. In the developed industrial nations, ophthalmology has developed defective eyesight into a major field of medicine. Alongside the classic forms of eyesight correction, such as spectacles, contact lenses or the implantation of a new lens in the eye, recent years have seen the increasing use of eyesight correction by means of controlled tissue removal (ablation) from the surface of the cornea using laser. The laser most commonly used in is the excimer laser. Related techniques include PRK ("Photo Refractive Keratectomy"), LASIK (Laser-In-situ-Keratomileusis) and LASEK (Laser Epithelial Keratomileusis). These involve altering the surface shape and thus the focal distance of the cornea. The procedure used include both so-called "broad beam tissue removal" procedure and "scanning tissue removal" procedures: The scanning procedure involves the use of a scanner device to move the laser beam used in the treatment across the region of the eye that the treatment is to be performed on.
The LASIK procedure is currently the most commonly applied laser procedure in eyesight correction operations. LASIK is a combination of an operative "cutting technique" (Keramileusis) with PRK. In the LASIK procedure, the first step involves cutting a slice of the cornea (a "flap"), which is then tilted open rather in the manner of the cover of a book. It is then possible to remove the tissue from the cornea using an ultraviolet laser beam (UV laser beam) in order to correct the eyesight defect. At the end of the operation, the cornea slice is closed again. The cutting technique, together with the precision of the laser, permits a high level of accuracy in predicting the results of the treatment, even in cases involving large-scale corrections, as well as a swift recovery.
2. Description of Related Art
The application of laser beams with impulses of very short impulse duration in the range of femtoseconds (fs) was proposed for use in incisions into the cornea in the publication U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,916. Procedures have also been developed for so-called intrastromal refractive surgery using ultra-short impulses (Der Ophthalmologe: 98, 2001 623).
The use of fs-impulses to cut the cornea on the one hand, and the use of UV laser beams to remove tissue from the cornea on the other hand, render the application of this treatment method complicated for the user, since two very different laser systems have to be coordinated during the treatment process. The two laser systems have to be set up in such a way that the laser beam scanning the eye does not cause any unwanted damage to the eye. This entails a great deal of effort with respect to the technical apparatus.
The aim of the invention is the creation of an improved device and an improved procedure for refractive laser surgery, ones which are easier for the user in applying the treatment method for correcting eyesight defects and which raise the standard of safety while the operation is being performed.
The aim of the invention is fulfilled by the procedure as claimed herein.

Device and procedure for refractive laser surgery


A communication system configured to transceive a signal along multiple communication media of the communication system thereby increasing the rate at which the signal is transceived. The communication system comprising a source configured to transceive a signal. A communication apparatus configured for decomposing the signal into a plurality of manipulated signals. The number of the plurality of manipulated signals being determined by the number of the multiple communication media in communication with the source and the maximum transceival rate of each communication media. In communication with the communication apparatus is a reconstructing apparatus that is configured for reconstructing the plurality of manipulated signals into the signal, the signal being capable of being transceived by a host.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to communication devices used within a communication system or network, and, more particularly, to a device for transceiving signals over multiple telephone lines or similar transceiving lines.
2. Present State of the Art
Throughout the ages man has initiated and developed numerous methods to communicate information. Communication in one form or another is used continuously, whether it be face to face conversation involving both body and verbal communication or through pictures, music, or art. With the advances in technology, however, individuals wish to spend more time communicating to discuss business, entertainment, and other daily events, but wish communication, in all its forms, to be more easily accomplished.
The modern society in almost every respect is crucially dependent on its ability to communicate signals or data, whether in digital or analog form, from one point to another. With the advances in technology the Internet has become ubiquitous for business and electronic commerce, education, entertainment, etc. As such, individuals, companies and other entities demand faster and faster communication speeds to manufacture, distribute and sell their products and services. In many situations, the speed of signal transmission or receiving (xe2x80x9ctransceivingxe2x80x9d) directly impacts the quality of the services provided via the Internet, for example real-time video conferencing requires a minimum transceiving speed to be feasible.
The communication channels over which data is transceived is almost always the widespread public switched telephone network (PSTN). The core of the PSTN in the United States and other industrialized countries is completely digital, while the connection to the digital backbone is traditionally analog. A digital connection to the PSTN is possible through a service such as the Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN). The ISDN provides 2 digital channels that are each capable of transceiving signals or data at a rate of 64,000 bits per second (xe2x80x9cb/sxe2x80x9d) and a control channel that can transceive signals or data at 16,000 b/s.
To use the ISDN, a user""s central office (xe2x80x9cCOxe2x80x9d), such as a local telephone company""s switching office, must be upgraded to provide lines and other equipment capable of transceiving signals. Therefore, the user must replace the analog on-premises equipment with digital equivalents, while the individual lines at the CO must be modified to carry digital data such as fiber optic cable. The installation costs and monthly charges for connectivity through an ISDN are significant, such that most users do not have a digital connection to the PSTN. Furthermore, ISDN digital connections are infrequently offered in rural and sparsely populated areas since it is difficult for telephone companies to recoup their investment in equipment and installation. In light of this, most users continue to have an analog connection to their CO.
The analog portion of the PSTN was designed to carry voice as inexpensively as possible. In particular, most analog connections to a CO are bandlimited and carry signals with a bandwidth ranging from about 200 Hz to about 3200 Hz in the United States and from about 300 Hz to about 3400 Hz in some other countries. The band ranges were chosen decades ago, as the narrowest possible band which could contain specific important characteristics of the human voice. Any signals outside these ranges are typically sharply attenuated.
To transceive data over an analog connection to the CO requires a modem. A modem performs two tasks: modulation, which converts the digital signal into an analog signal in the upstream direction, and demodulation, which converts the analog signal into a digital signal in the downstream direction. Most modems today convert a digital data stream into an analog signal within the bandwidths referenced in regard to the PSTN.
In recent years substantial progress has been achieved in modem design. While earlier modems could operate only at rates of 2400 b/s, modem speeds have increased up to 33,600 b/s. See International Telecommunications Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T) Recommendation V.34, Geneva, Switzerland (1994) which is hereby incorporated as a reference.
Unfortunately rates of up to 33,600 b/s are insufficient for many of the newer applications envisioned with the advent of the Internet, such as video conferencing. While text transmission is fast, facsimile and especially still image transmission is slow. Furthermore, even with current sophisticated audio compression algorithms only low-quality video and audio is possible.
There are fundamental limitations that reduce the quality of data transmission in addition to lowering the maximum achievable data rate over the PSTN. The capacity of a communication channel on the PSTN, as discussed in C. Shannon, xe2x80x9cA Mathematical Theory of Communication,xe2x80x9d Bell System Technical Journal volume 27, pp. 379-423 and pp. 623-656, 1948, which is incorporated herein by reference, is given by                     C        =                  W                                xe2x80x83                                          (                          1              +                              log                                                  xe2x80x83                                                                  S                  N                                                      )                                              (        1        )
where C is the maximum achievable data rate in b/s, W is the bandwidth of the channel in Hertz, and S/N is the signal to noise ratio. For most of the PSTN of the United States S/N at present is below 2000 (approximately 30 dB). If we substitute these numbers into the above equation we can easily find out that C≈3000xc3x9712=36,000 b/s. Regardless of the sophistication of current signal processing algorithms or the speed of current processors, the maximum achievable data rate remains the same for a single PSTN line. It is clear that current modem standards have achieved a rate which is very close to the maximum possible. Thus the speed of modems is limited not by available technology, but by the limited bandwidth of the telephone system.
The bandwidth limitation becomes more acute when combined with the changing usage of the PSTN. In the past most of the traffic over the PSTN was voice, with very little percentage of the total traffic being data. At the beginning of the next century, however, the ratio of voice to data traffic is expected to become reversed; with more data traffic than voice traffic.
A significant portion of the increase data traffic is caused by the availability of the Internet access. Most users today connect to the Internet through their Internet Service Provider (xe2x80x9cISPxe2x80x9d). ISPs usually have a high-bandwidth direct digital connection to the PSTN. Normally high-rate of communication is necessary in one direction only, from the ISP to the user (the downstream direction). This arrangement allows speeds of up to 56,000 b/s in the downstream direction. Currently modems capable of receiving data at speeds up to 56,000 b/s are available from several modem vendors, such as the 3Com Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif.
Many 56,000 b/s modems are capable of transceiving signals at various rates. Furthermore, the ITU-T V.90 standard for modems that can operate at rates up to 56,000 b/s actually envisions several possible modem data rates that vary based on the telephone line conditions, such as the effects of signal-to-noise ratio. Thus, unlike previous modem standards ITU-TV.90 does not specify a single data rate in the downstream direction. The allowed rates in the downstream direction range from about 28,000 to 56,000 in 1,333 b/s increments.
In normal communication sessions, two modems that are in communication will evaluate the telephone line conditions according to a line probing technique. Such line probing techniques are discussed for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,515,398 entitled xe2x80x9cModem line probing signal techniques,xe2x80x9d issued to Walsh et al. which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The superior the line conditions, the higher the data rate at which the two modems will choose to operate.
Line characteristics of the PSTN lines can change with time, however, and may be varied through influence of electric and magnetic fields that are in close proximity to the PSTN lines. For example, power lines can induce a 60 Hz hum onto an analog telephone line. Furthermore, unwanted signals from adjacent telephone lines can induce unwanted voltages, called crosswalk. The influence of hum and crosswalk decrease the signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) and reduce the maximum data rate that can be achieved over the telephone line. Each time the line characteristics deteriorate the modems in communication negotiate to select a lower rate at which to communicate reliably. If the line characteristics improve the modems will select a higher rate. Therefore, over a single telephone line it is possible to connect sometimes at 49,333 b/s, while at another time is only possible to achieve 45,333 b/s.
Unlike end-to-end digital connections used by an ISP, the analog telephone lines making up the PSTN are widely available and relatively much more expensive. An increasing number of businesses and people have two and more telephone lines to allow them to perform multiple tasks concurrently. Indeed many user add a second telephone line just for occasional use, for example, for facsimile services. The precious bandwidth that is offered by the second telephone line is wasted most of time. The productivity of many users would be increased if they could use the second telephone line to achieve higher-speed access to an ISP, other modems, or the like.
Unfortunately, there are numerous problems with forming a modem that is capable of communicating signals over two or more telephone lines. A significant problem is the variability of telephone line conditions and characteristics.
When two modems operate over two or more telephone lines, if the line conditions on all lines are identical, then clearly the aggregate data rate is the sum of the data rates that are achieved over the individual phone lines.
However, the line conditions, will not always be identical. As a matter of fact, they are very likely to be different. For example, it is clear that the amount of noise induced onto two telephone lines will be different. This noise typically comes from neighboring telephone lines, power lines, etc, as stated above. According to the Shannon""s limit the maximum data rates that can be achieved over the two lines will be different, as the maximum achievable data rate over each line will directly depend on the signal-to-noise ratio (SIN) over that line. If the rates are different, however, it is not obvious how can we achieve an aggregate data stream equal to the sum of the data rates achieved over the individual lines. One obvious possibility is to select the lowest data rate that the telephone lines can work at and use this rate on all telephone lines. For example, if it is found that one of the lines supports 49,333 b/s and the other supports 45,333 b/s, assuming that we have two telephone lines, we might select to operate at 45,333 b/s over the two telephone lines, achieving an aggregate data stream of 90,666 b/s. Clearly this is not the optimum solution. It is very desirable to achieve a data rate of 94,666 b/s, which is the sum of the two data rates in this example.
Thus, the present state of the art dictates that if the two or more data rates achievable over the different telephone lines are not the same negotiation is performed, followed by a fallback on all lines onto a data rate equal to the rate achieved by the slowest line. It is clear that the aggregate data rate would be only the data rate achieved on the slowest line times the number of channels, but not the sum of the maximum data rates on every line. Furthermore the process of negotiating different rates on the lines is slow. It is also very inefficient to require the modems to negotiate new communication rates each time the minimum data rate changes.
These disadvantages can have a significant and negative effect on a modem""s performance and might make it less commercially viable for sale.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that is capable of transceiving signals along two or more communication lines.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a communication device that is capable of transceiving data at a rate corresponding to the maximum aggregate communication rate of two or more communication lines.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that achieves an aggregate data rate that is the sum of the maximum data rates achievable on the individual telephone lines.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a communication device that is cheap and inexpensive.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that is capable of secure communication over an unsecured communication network.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that is capable of multiplexing signals along multiple telephone lines at a communication rate substantially similar to the aggregate communication rate of the multiple telephone lines.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of manipulating signals to be communicated along multiple telephone lines into a form that allow maximization of the communication rate of the telephone lines.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method and system that achieves signal communication rates that are substantially equal to the aggregate of the telephone lines used.
Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modem device that is capable of secure communication over an unsecured communication channel.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a communication system configured to transceive a signal along multiple communication media of the communication system to thereby increase the rate at which the signal is transceived is disclosed. The communication system comprising a source configured to transceive a signal. A communication apparatus configured for decomposing the signal into a plurality of manipulated signals. The number of the plurality of manipulated signals being determined by the number of the multiple communication media in communication with the source and the maximum transceival rate of each communication media. In communication with the communication apparatus is a reconstructing apparatus that is configured for reconstructing the plurality of manipulated signals into the signal, the signal being capable of being transceived by a host.
In general, the present invention allows a users to reap maximum benefits of a xe2x80x9cbandwidth-on-demandxe2x80x9d policy where users can access any type of digital signal (high-quality audio, video, etc.) at speeds which are maximum for their available telephone lines. By allowing increase signal transceival rates, the present invention makes several new applications possible, such as for example videophone, teleconferencing, high-quality video and audio, etc.

High-speed MODEM operating over two or more telephone lines


An exemplary method for forming stacked via-holes in a multilayer printed circuit board includes the steps of: providing a base circuit board; attaching a first copper-coated-substrate having a first substrate and a first copper layer thereon and a second copper-coated-substrate having a second substrate and a second copper layer thereon onto the base circuit board in a manner such that; forming at least one first window in the second copper layer, making at least one first hole in the second substrate through the at least one first window, forming at least one second window in the first copper layer through the at least one first hole, and making at least one second hole in the first substrate through the at least one second window, thus forming at least one part-finished stacked via-hole; and plating the at least one part-finished stacked via-hole thereby forming at least one stacked via-hole.

With the development of science and technology, microphones, portable computers and other electronic products have achieved ever greater levels of miniaturization. In order to accommodate these products, inter-layer structure of multilayer printed circuit boards has become more and more complicated, thereby leading to the development of high-density interconnection (HDI) technology using via-holes.
Via-holes refer to plated holes that connect conductive traces from one layer to other layers of a multilayer printed circuit board. Via-holes facilitate HDI of multilayer printed circuit boards. Via-holes generally include blind vias, buried vias or through-hole vias. Blind vias are usually used for connecting the conductive traces from an outer layer to an inner layer of a multilayer printed circuit board. Buried vias are usually used for connecting the conductive traces between inner layers of a multilayer printed circuit board. Through-hole vias are usually used for connecting the conductive traces on each layer of a multilayer printed circuit board. In HDI technology, referring to FIG. 3, a typical blind via with stepped structure is shown. Because the blind via is formed by two vias with different diameters stacked together, blind vias like this are generally called stacked via-holes.
Referring to FIGS. 4A-4G, as an example, a method for forming stacked via-holes in multilayer printed circuit boards generally includes the steps of: firstly, referring to FIG. 4A, applying a substrate 100, which includes a base film 101 and two conductive layers 102 onto two opposite surfaces of the base film 101 thus forming conductive traces; secondly, referring to FIG. 4B, attaching a first film 110 onto each of the two conductive layers 102, each first film 110 including a first resin layer 114 and a first conductive layer 112 thereon, the first resin layer contacting with the conductive layer 102; thirdly, referring to FIG. 4C, forming a number of first windows 130 at predetermined positions of the first conductive layer 112 using a photolithographic process; fourthly, referring to FIG. 4D, attaching a second film 120 on each of the two first films 110, each second film 120 including a second resin layer 124 and a second conductive layer 122 thereon, the second resin layer 124 contacting with the first conductive layer 112; fifthly, referring to FIG. 4E, forming a number of second windows 140 with larger diameters in different positions of the second conductive layer 122 corresponding to the first windows 130 using a photolithographic process; sixthly, referring to FIG. 4F, removing the second resin layer 124 corresponding to the second windows 140 and the first resin layer 114 corresponding to the first windows 130 using a carbon dioxide laser to form a number of stacked via-holes 150; finally, referring to FIG. 4G, plating the stacked via-holes 150 to connect the conductive traces.
However, the typical method for forming stacked via-holes 150 in the multilayer printed circuit board described above has the following disadvantages. First of all, because formation of the second windows 140 is based on formation of the first windows 130, the first windows 130 in the first film 110 and the second windows 140 in the second film 120 can undergo positional excursion, thereby affecting precision of the stacked via-holes 150. Secondly, during formation of the first windows 130 and the second windows 140, the photolithographic process used many times can suffer from increasing system error. Thirdly, the laser treatment is used only once, simultaneously removing both the first resin layer 124 corresponding to the first window 130 and the second resin layer 124 corresponding to the second windows 140, so the strength of the laser cannot be adjusted according to windows with different diameters and resins with different characteristics. Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, different views of a typical poorly-made stacked via-hole formed due to above-described reasons are shown. The poorly-made stacked via-hole can cause potential short circuits, thereby affecting quality of final products.
What is needed, therefore, is a method for forming stacked via-holes in multilayer printed circuit boards to improve quality of the stacked via-holes.

Method for forming stacked via-holes in a multilayer printed circuit board


An improved speakerphone that may be viewed as a modification of a conventional half-duplex speakerphone that includes transmit and receive attenuators for alternatively isolating either a speaker or a microphone from a phone line. The attenuators are controlled by a controller that compares a signal generated by the microphone with a signal received on the phone line to determine which of the transmit or receive attenuators should be turned on. In the present invention, a first variable gain amplifier is connected so as to amplify the signal generated by the microphone prior to the signal being connected to the controller, and a second variable gain amplifier is connected so as to amplify the signal received on the phone line prior to the signal being connected to the controller. The first and second variable gain amplifiers have adjustable gain controls that are connected such that the gain of the first variable amplifier is decreased when the gain of the second variable amplifier is increased and vice versa. The adjustable gain control of one of the adjustable gain amplifiers is accessible to the user of the speakerphone and allows the user to adjust the threshold at which his voice will take over the conversation.

Speakerphones allow several users at one end of a telephone connection to participate in the telephone conversation. Even in the case of a telephone conversation between two users, a speakerphone provides the advantage of allowing the user to participate in the conversation without having to hold a handset or wear a headset. Such hands-free operation gives the user the freedom to move about the room or type at a computer terminal while participating in the conversation.
Speakerphones have, however, one severe drawback. By necessity, the microphone of the speakerphone is nearer to the speaker in the speakerphone than to the user. Hence, feedback can become a problem if the speakerphone is run in full-duplex mode. While full-duplex speakerphones are known in the art, such speakerphones are relatively expensive. Hence, to solve the feedback problem in inexpensive speakerphones, the speakerphone is run in a half-duplex mode in which an internal monitoring circuit switches the speakerphone between "send" and "receive" modes thereby preventing the acoustical output of the speaker from being picked up by the microphone and causing feedback.
The internal monitoring circuit operates by detecting the voltages from the audio downlink from the telephone line and the voltage at the microphone of the speakerphone. A pair of attenuators are used to alternatively isolate the speaker or the microphone from the phone line. The attenuators are controlled by comparing the voice level on the microphone with the voice level being received on the telephone line. When the voice level at the microphone exceeds that on the incoming line by a predetermined amount, the microphone is given control of the telephone line and the speaker input is attenuated. When the level at the microphone drops below a level determined by a threshold value and the signal level on the telephone line, the output of the microphone is attenuated and the attenuation of the speaker input is removed.
The effective threshold at which a person using the speakerphone can take over a conversation depends on the signal level on the telephone line. If the person on the other end of the conversation speaks loudly, the speakerphone user must raise his or her voice to actuate the microphone of the speakerphone to gain control of the conversation. This problem with speakerphones often forces the user to speak at a level that is unnatural for that person. In some cases, the speakerphone user may be perceived as speaking in a rude manner when the user is merely trying to overcome a loud-voiced speaker at the other end of the conversation.
Broadly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved speakerphone.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a speakerphone in which the user can adjust the level at which the user's voice causes the microphone on the user's speakerphone to take control of the speakerphone.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Apparatus and method for providing a telephone user with control of the threshold volume at which the user's voice will take control of a half-duplex speakerphone conversation

Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.


A lens driving device is based on a Voice Coil Actuator (VCA) structure and provides the auto-focusing and optical image stabilization (OIS) functions. These two functions can be realized by a common magnet scheme, or a separate magnet scheme. Also, the present invention provides an improved structure for the lens driving device to enhance the function of OIS thereof. By arranging a magnetic enhancement device below the OIS coils in the lens driving device, the magnetic driving force of the OIS coils and magnetic induction of the Hall sensors, if present, can be enhanced, and the magnetic sensitivity thereof may be also improved.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a VCA-based lens driving device, and more particularly, to a VCA-based lens driving device that enables the auto-focusing (AF) and the optical image stabilization (OIS).
Description of the Prior Art
The optical image stabilization (OIS) with a common magnet scheme has been developed as a solution of anti-shaking for a conventional lens driving device. Driving two sets of coils, e.g. the auto-focusing (AF) coil and the OIS coils, with a common magnet set to adjust the lens assembly makes the lens driving device compact, and is thus getting widely applicable for enhancing the image quality. Nevertheless, it is found that such a conventional scheme may have some disadvantages.
For example, in the known lens driving device, the OIS cons formed with the coil plate are typically different in length and/or are asymmetric. Such difference or asymmetry leads to a yawing effect, which makes the lens assembly and the magnet rotate unintentionally. The rotating of the lens assembly and the magnet will make the displacement sensor fail to detect the displacement correctly, such that the lens driving device cannot enable the auto-focusing and image stabilization. Besides, in order to realize the AF and OIS functions in a greater precision, the magnetic sensitivity of the OIS coil structure needs to be further improved.

Optical image stabilizer with improved magnetic sensitivity


Method and apparatus for punching out a plurality of parts from a tape-like member including the parts to be punched out and positioning holes. The method and apparatus execute the steps of: a capturing step for capturing one after another an image of at least one positioning hole and a corresponding part; a position detecting step for detecting a positional relation between the positioning hole and the part based on the captured image; an adjusting step for adjusting, based on the positional relation, a position of the die set relative to the positioning pin when the part is set on the die set, so that a cutting-plane line is arranged along a contour of the part; and a punching out step for punching out the part by the die set after placing the part on the die set with the positioning pin being inserted into the positioning hole.

An apparatus and a method consistent with the present invention relate to punching out a plurality of parts from a tape-like member to produce products (cutouts).
Various methods have been known to punch out parts to be punched out (hereinafter also referred to as parts) from a tape-like member on which are arranged a plurality of parts to be used as electronic parts along the longitudinal direction. Parts are punched out by a press machine.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 11-77589 (see paragraphs [0027] to [0028] and FIG. 1) discloses a method for punching out parts from a tape-like member, which includes the steps of positioning a part on a die set of a press machine, capturing with a sensor (CCD camera) provided at the die set a mark printed on the tape-like member in the vicinity of the part, adjusting the position of the die set based on the positional relation between the mark and the sensor so that the cutting-plane line is arranged along the contour of the part, and punching out the part to obtain a cutout. According to this method, the die set is moved in the direction in which the tape-like member is transferred, the direction along the width of the tape-like member, and the turning direction around the vertical axis, on the basis of the marks printed on the tape-like member, so that the cutting-plane line is arranged along the contour of the part. Namely, positioning of the die set is carried out with respect to the mark.
Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No. 2004-56008 (see paragraph [0061] and FIG. 4) discloses a method for punching out parts from a tape-like member, which includes the steps of capturing with a camera provided in the a press machine a mark printed on a part in a step prior to setting the part on the die set, and adjusting the position of the tape-like member in the direction for transferring the tape-like member and the direction along the width of the tape-like member based on the positional relation between the mark and the camera, so that the cutting-plane line is arranged along the contour of the part that is set on the die set. According to this method, the positional relation between the parts and the die set can be adjusted on the basis of the mark of the tape-like member. Namely, positioning of the mark on the tape-like member is carried out with respect to the die set.
In these punching-out methods, the position of the die set or the tape-like member is adjusted with respect to the parts to be punched out on the basis of the marks printed on the tape-like member in a certain position relative to the parts. However, if the position of a mark is deviated from/in the corresponding part on the tape-like member, the positional relation between the reference position and the part becomes different from the previously set positional relation. Therefore, even if the position of the tape-like member or the die set is adjusted based on the positional relation of the sensor or the camera relative to the mark, the cutting-plane line will not be arranged along the contour of the part.
Illustrative, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention overcome the above disadvantage and other disadvantages not described above.

Method and apparatus for punching out a plurality of parts from tape-like member


In a bulb fixing structure, a bulb mounting hole portion has an inner wall and an outer wall that stand concentrically with the bulb mounting hole. A fixture has a dish-like shape having a peripheral wall portion in which interlocking grooves are formed. Each interlocking groove is partially defined by at least one claw portion. The fixture can be readily fixed to the bulb mounting hole portion with a high fixing strength by inserting the peripheral wall portion into the space between the inner and outer walls so that the claw portions of the interlocking grooves bite into rib walls that stand between the inner and outer walls. When the fixture is thus fixed, the inner and outer walls cover the peripheral wall, protecting it from an external force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a structure for fixing a bulb to a lamp and, more particularly, to a lamp bulb fixing structure having a fixture for fixing a socket portion of the bulb to a lamp body, a reflector or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Vehicular lamps for motor vehicles and the like adopt a fixing structure for detachably fixing a bulb using a bulb mounting hole formed in a back side portion of the reflector or the lamp body, in order to meet requirements for bulb replacement. FIG. 12 shows an example of such bulb fixing structure. A circular ring-shaped mount part 103 is integrally connected to or formed together with a bulb mounting hole portion 102 of a reflector 101 disposed in a lamp body. A fixture 104 is fixed to the mount part 103 with screws 105. The fixture 104 has the shape of a circular shallow dish with an insert hole 107 formed on its bottom portion 106 for inserting a bulb to be fixed. An inner periphery defining the insert hole 107 has a plurality of engagement cut outs 108 that are formed in different positions along the periphery.
A bulb (not shown) to be fixed to the bulb mounting hole portion 102 is integrated with a bulb socket that has a boss portion. The boss portion has projected engaging pieces that are formed in a plurality of positions distributed in the circumferential direction. The bulb socket of the bulb can be fixed to the fixture 104 of the above-described fixing structure by fitting the boss into the insert hole 107 of the fixture 104 so that the projected engaging pieces of the boss substantially engage or align with the engagement cutouts 108 of the fixture 104, and then turning the bulb a small angle about its axis so that the engaging pieces are clamped between the fixture 104 and the end face of the bulb mounting hole portion 102. The bulb can be detached simply by conducting the procedure in the reverse order.
However, since the fixture is screwed to the reflector in the conventional bulb fixing structure, the screws required for the fixture add to the number of component parts of the fixing structure. Such an increase in the number of component parts is not desirable for cost reductions. Furthermore, the operation of tightening the screws adds to the manhours for assembly of the lamp.


A fluid filter comprises a housing, a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a filter element separating a raw side and a clean side from one another, and a valve unit. The valve unit comprises a valve plate arranged concentrically in the housing and having the shape of a circular ring disc, having valve openings and a flexible circular-ring-disc-shaped valve membrane arranged on the valve plate. The filter element comprises an axially protruding pressure-exerting ring shaped as a circumferential annular collar on the end face thereof facing the valve unit when installed. When installed in the housing, the filter element, with an end face of the pressure-exerting ring, presses the valve membrane axially onto the valve plate. The valve membrane, with the membrane region thereof pressed by the pressure-exerting ring onto the valve plate, forms a seal separating the raw side from the clean side of the fluid filter.

The present invention relates to a fluid filter having a housing, having a fluid inlet that opens into a raw side of the fluid filter, and having a fluid outlet that goes out from a clean side of the fluid filter, having an exchangeable hollow cylindrical filter insert that separates the raw side and the clean side from one another, and having a valve unit, the valve unit having a valve plate that is made in the shape of an annular circular disc and is situated concentrically in the housing, the plate having valve openings and having a flexible valve membrane, in the shape of an annular circular disc, situated on the valve plate. Moreover, the present invention relates to a filter insert for use in the fluid filter.
A fluid filter of the type indicated above is known from DE 20 2014 104 029 U1. The known fluid filter has a valve unit having a valve plate and having a valve membrane situated thereon. At its radially inner edge region, the valve membrane is clamped between two components of the filter that are fixedly connected to one another when the filter is manufactured.
Thus, for the mounting of the valve membrane, in the known fluid filter a special component is required that has to be installed in the fluid filter and fixedly connected to the rest of the fluid filter, and which then presses the valve membrane against another component of the fluid filter, thus fixing it.

Fluid filter with a valve unit and filter element for use in the fluid filter


A system and apparatus for controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration (FRC) magnetic topology and conversion of fusion product energies directly to electric power. Preferably, plasma ions are magnetically confined in the FRC while plasma electrons are electrostatically confined in a deep energy well, created by tuning an externally applied magnetic field. In this configuration, ions and electrons may have adequate density and temperature so that upon collisions they are fused together by the nuclear force, thus forming fusion products that emerge in the form of an annular beam. Energy is removed from the fusion product ions as they spiral past electrodes of an inverse cyclotron converter. Advantageously, the fusion fuel plasmas that can be used with the present confinement and energy conversion system include advanced (aneutronic) fuels.

Fusion is the process by which two light nuclei combine to form a heavier one. The fusion process releases a tremendous amount of energy in the form of fast moving particles. Because atomic nuclei are positively charged—due to the protons contained therein—there is a repulsive electrostatic, or Coulomb, force between them. For two nuclei to fuse, this repulsive barrier must be overcome, which occurs when two nuclei are brought close enough together where the short-range nuclear forces become strong enough to overcome the Coulomb force and fuse the nuclei. The energy necessary for the nuclei to overcome the Coulomb barrier is provided by their thermal energies, which must be very high. For example, the fusion rate can be appreciable if the temperature is at least of the order of 104 eV—corresponding roughly to 100 million degrees Kelvin. The rate of a fusion reaction is a function of the temperature, and it is characterized by a quantity called reactivity. The reactivity of a D-T reaction, for example, has a broad peak between 30 keV and 100 keV.
Typical fusion reactions include:D+DHe3(0.8 MeV)+n(2.5 MeV),D+Tα(3.6 MeV)+n(14.1 MeV),D+He3α(3.7 MeV)+p(14.7 MeV), andp+B113α(8.7 MeV),where D indicates deuterium, T indicates tritium, α indicates a helium nucleus, n indicates a neutron, p indicates a proton, He indicates helium, and B11 indicates Boron-11. The numbers in parentheses in each equation indicate the kinetic energy of the fusion products.
The first two reactions listed above—the D-D and D-T reactions—are neutronic, which means that most of the energy of their fusion products is carried by fast neutrons. The disadvantages of neutronic reactions are that (1) the flux of fast neutrons creates many problems, including structural damage of the reactor walls and high levels of radioactivity for most construction materials; and (2) the energy of fast neutrons is collected by converting their thermal energy to electric energy, which is very inefficient (less than 30%). The advantages of neutronic reactions are that (1) their reactivity peaks at a relatively low temperature; and (2) their losses due to radiation are relatively low because the atomic numbers of deuterium and tritium are 1.
The reactants in the other two equations—D-He3 and p-B11—are called advanced fuels. Instead of producing fast neutrons, as in the neutronic reactions, their fusion products are charged particles. One advantage of the advanced fuels is that they create much fewer neutrons and therefore suffer less from the disadvantages associated with them. In the case of D-He3, some fast neutrons are produced by secondary reactions, but these neutrons account for only about 10 percent of the energy of the fusion products. The p-B11 reaction is free of fast neutrons, although it does produce some slow neutrons that result from secondary reactions but create much fewer problems. Another advantage of the advanced fuels is that their fusion products comprise charged particles whose kinetic energy may be directly convertible to electricity. With an appropriate direct energy conversion process, the energy of advanced fuel fusion products may be collected with a high efficiency, possibly in excess of 90 percent.
The advanced fuels have disadvantages, too. For example, the atomic numbers of the advanced fuels are higher (2 for He3 and 5 for B11). Therefore, their radiation losses are greater than in the neutronic reactions. Also, it is much more difficult to cause the advanced fuels to fuse. Their peak reactivities occur at much higher temperatures and do not reach as high as the reactivity for D-T. Causing a fusion reaction with the advanced fuels thus requires that they be brought to a higher energy state where their reactivity is significant. Accordingly, the advanced fuels must be contained for a longer time period wherein they can be brought to appropriate fusion conditions.
The containment time for a plasma is Δt=r2/D, where r is a minimum plasma dimension and D is a diffusion coefficient. The classical value of the diffusion coefficient is Dc=αi2/τie, where αi is the ion gyroradius and τie is the ion-electron collision time. Diffusion according to the classical diffusion coefficient is called classical transport. The Bohm diffusion coefficient, attributed to short-wavelength instabilities, is DB=( 1/16)αi2Ωi, where Ωi is the ion gyrofrequency. Diffusion according to this relationship is called anomalous transport. For fusion conditions, DB/Dc=( 1/16)Ωiτie≅108, anomalous transport results in a much shorter containment time than does classical transport. This relation determines how large a plasma must be in a fusion reactor, by the requirement that the containment time for a given amount of plasma must be longer than the time for the plasma to have a nuclear fusion reaction. Therefore, classical transport condition is more desirable in a fusion reactor, allowing for smaller initial plasmas.
In early experiments with toroidal confinement of plasma, a containment time of Δt≅r2/DB was observed. Progress in the last 40 years has increased the containment time to Δt≅1000 r2/DB. One existing fusion reactor concept is the Tokamak. For the past 30 years, fusion efforts have been focussed on the Tokamak reactor using a D-T fuel. These efforts have culminated in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER). Recent experiments with Tokamaks suggest that classical transport, Δt≅r2/Dc, is possible, in which case the minimum plasma dimension can be reduced from meters to centimeters. These experiments involved the injection of energetic beams (50 to 100 keV), to heat the plasma to temperatures of 10 to 30 keV. See W. Heidbrink & G. J. Sadler, 34 Nuclear Fusion 535 (1994). The energetic beam ions in these experiments were observed to slow down and diffuse classically while the thermal plasma continued to diffuse anomalously fast. The reason for this is that the energetic beam ions have a large gyroradius and, as such, are insensitive to fluctuations with wavelengths shorter than the ion gyroradius (λ<αi). The short-wavelength fluctuations tend to average over a cycle and thus cancel. Electrons, however, have a much smaller gyroradius, so they respond to the fluctuations and transport anomalously.
Because of anomalous transport, the minimum dimension of the plasma must be at least 2.8 meters. Due to this dimension, the ITER was created 30 meters high and 30 meters in diameter. This is the smallest D-T Tokamak-type reactor that is feasible. For advanced fuels, such as D-He3 and p-B11, the Tokamak-type reactor would have to be much larger because the time for a fuel ion to have a nuclear reaction is much longer. A Tokamak reactor using D-T fuel has the additional problem that most of the energy of the fusion products energy is carried by 14 MeV neutrons, which cause radiation damage and induce reactivity in almost all construction materials due to the neutron flux. In addition, the conversion of their energy into electricity must be by a thermal process, which is not more than 30% efficient.
Another proposed reactor configuration is a colliding beam reactor. In a colliding beam reactor, a background plasma is bombarded by beams of ions. The beams comprise ions with an energy that is much larger than the thermal plasma. Producing useful fusion reactions in this type of reactor has been infeasible because the background plasma slows down the ion beams. Various proposals have been made to reduce this problem and maximize the number of nuclear reactions.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,065,351 to Jassby et al. discloses a method of producing counterstreaming colliding beams of deuterons and tritons in a toroidal confinement system. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,057,462 to Jassby et al., electromagnetic energy is injected to counteract the effects of bulk equilibrium plasma drag on one of the ion species. The toroidal confinement system is identified as a Tokamak. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,199 to Rostoker, beams of deuterium and tritium are injected and trapped with the same average velocity in a Tokamak, mirror, or field reversed configuration. There is a low density cool background plasma for the sole purpose of trapping the beams. The beams react because they have a high temperature, and slowing down is mainly caused by electrons that accompany the injected ions. The electrons are heated by the ions in which case the slowing down is minimal.
In none of these devices, however, does an equilibrium electric field play any part. Further, there is no attempt to reduce, or even consider, anomalous transport.
Other patents consider electrostatic confinement of ions and, in some cases, magnetic confinement of electrons. These include U.S. Pat. No. 3,258,402 to Farnsworth and U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,883 to Farnsworth, which disclose electrostatic confinement of ions and inertial confinement of electrons; U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,036 to Hirsch et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 3,530,497 to Hirsch et al. are similar to Farnsworth; U.S. Pat. No. 4,233,537 to Limpaecher, which discloses electrostatic confinement of ions and magnetic confinement of electrons with multi-pole cusp reflecting walls; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,646 to Bussard, which is similar to Limpaecher and involves point cusps. None of these patents consider electrostatic confinement of electrons and magnetic confinement of ions. Although there have been many research projects on electrostatic confinement of ions, none of them have succeeded in establishing the required electrostatic fields when the ions have the required density for a fusion reactor. Lastly, none of the patents cited above discuss a field reversed configuration magnetic topology.
The field reversed configuration (FRC) was discovered accidentally around 1960 at the Naval Research Laboratory during theta pinch experiments. A typical FRC topology, wherein the internal magnetic field reverses direction, is illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 4, and particle orbits in a FRC are shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8. Regarding the FRC, many research programs have been supported in the United States and Japan. There is a comprehensive review paper on the theory and experiments of FRC research from 1960-1988. See M. Tuszewski, 28 Nuclear Fusion 2033, (1988). A white paper on FRC development describes the research in 1996 and recommendations for future research. See L. C. Steinhauer et al., 30 Fusion Technology 116 (1996). To this date, in FRC experiments the FRC has been formed with the theta pinch method. A consequence of this formation method is that the ions and electrons each carry half the current, which results in a negligible electrostatic field in the plasma and no electrostatic confinement. The ions and electrons in these FRCs were contained magnetically. In almost all FRC experiments, anomalous transport has been assumed. See, e.g., Tuszewski, beginning of section 1.5.2, at page 2072.
Thus, it is desirable to provide a fusion system having a containment system that tends to substantially reduce or eliminate anomalous transport of ions and electrons and an energy conversion system that converts the energy of fusion products to electricity with high efficiency.

Controlled fusion in a field reversed configuration and direct energy conversion

The Regents of the University of California

University of Florida Research Foundation


The present technique relates to a method and apparatus for operating a differential buffer. In the differential buffer, a first stage may include a differential pair configured to receive input signals and generate output signals. The first stage may also include adjustment circuitry coupled to the differential pair and configured to adjust an amount of current dissipated by the differential buffer. Further, a second stage may include current pulse circuitry coupled to the differential pair and the adjustment circuitry, wherein the current pulse circuitry is configured to generate a current pulse that is coincident with the switching of the differential pair. Finally, the second stage may also include grounding circuitry coupled to the current pulse circuitry and the differential pair, wherein the grounding circuitry is configured to receive the current pulse to prevent the output signals from switching during a transition of the output signals. As such, the differential buffer provides low or no static current dissipation with improved signal integrity for high-speed operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to a differential buffering technique for use in a device, such as a memory device or application specific integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art, which may be related to various aspects of the present invention which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Microprocessor-controlled integrated circuits are used in a wide variety of applications. Such applications include personal computers, telephones, control systems, networks, and a host of consumer products. Microprocessors are essentially generic devices that perform specific functions under the control of a software program. This program is stored in a memory device, such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), static random access memory (SRAM) or other suitable type of memory that may be coupled to the microprocessor. Not only does the microprocessor access the memory devices to retrieve program instructions, but it also stores and retrieves data created during the execution of the program in one or more memory devices.
To enhance communication between components, such as the microprocessor and memory devices, various structures and circuitry may be utilized. For instance, these structures may enable the exchange of data signals between semiconductor chips and other devices. One structure that may be utilized is a buffer, which may store, delay and regenerate data signals. These buffers may be implemented in a variety of devices, such as DRAMs, SRAMs, memory buses, processors, network processors, application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), and intra-chip buses. As such, the buffers may be utilized to enhance the operation of the device.
Typical buffers may operate at speeds that are too slow for high-speed communication. As a result, differential buffers, along with a current mirror generated source, may be utilized as buffers. The differential buffers utilize a data signal and its compliment to provide faster sensing of changes in the data signal. This approach provides for faster data sensing because the data signals are complimentary signals. However, the differential buffers, which may be loaded with resistors or FETs, dissipate current at a static level, which consumes power unnecessarily. That is, the static level of current dissipation is not adjustable to allow the device to conserve power. Thus, differential buffers that provide a static level of current dissipation may be problematic.


A case containing an optical interface section including a connector-fitting unit in its front portion, a printed board in its central portion, and an electrical interface section in its rear portion is accommodated in a housing. When a data link module is inserted in a cage, a housing tongue and a through hole both formed in a bottom plate of the housing are overlapped with a cage tongue and a lock pin both provided in and on a bottom plate of the cage, into and from which the data link module is inserted and removed, such that the lock pin is engaged in and locked by the lock hole. When removing the data link module from the cage, by angularly turning a bail pivotally supported by the connector-fitting unit, the cage tongue is pushed down following to the housing tongue with the camming operation of a plate cam, thus causing the lock hole to be disengaged from the lock pin.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data link module of a communication device for inputting and outputting an electrical signal or an optical signal. More particularly, the present invention relates to a data link module with a structure for locking the module.
2. Description of the Related Art
A communication device for inputting and outputting an electrical signal or an optical signal is designed in module, and a module structure capable of inserting and removing a module to and from a module-receiving cage is known. Examples of known communication devices designed in module include a module for converting an electrical data signal into an optical signal for transmission of the optical signal via an optical fiber, and a module for converting an optical signal received via an optical fiber into an electrical data signal.
In the field of optical communication devices always aiming at a further size reduction, standardization of component specifications is under progress and standards are specified regarding dimensions of modules and cages, compatibility of optical/electrical interface units, mechanical compatibility in inserting and removing modules to and from cages, etc.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one structure of a mechanism for inserting and removing a modular optical communication device according to the related art.
Referring to FIG. 1, a removable optical module 1 is inserted in a cage 4. The optical module 1 comprises a printed board 13 including various devices mounted on it, an optical interface section 12 disposed at one end of the optical module in the lengthwise direction thereof, an electrical interface section 14 disposed at the other end of the optical module in the lengthwise direction thereof, and a housing 2 encasing the printed board 13, etc.
The printed board 13 mounts thereon various devices constituting an opto-electric converting circuit, and a power supply circuit. The optical interface section 12 disposed at one end of the optical module 1 in the lengthwise direction thereof is exposed to the exterior even in the state, shown in FIG. 1, where the optical module 1 is inserted in the cage 4. An optical fiber cable (not shown) is coupled to the optical interface section 12.
The electrical interface section 14 disposed at the other end of the optical module 1 in the lengthwise direction thereof has a printed contact 141 formed at an end of the printed board 13. In the state, shown in FIG. 1, where the optical module 1 is inserted in the cage 4, the printed contact 141 is fitted to a card edge connector provided in, e.g., a mother board (not shown) to which the cage 4 is attached.
The housing 2 serves to provide an electromagnetic shield and/or mechanical protection for the printed board 13, an optical connector, etc. which are mounted on the optical module 1. The housing 2 is fitted in the lengthwise direction so as to cover the optical module 1 from three directions except for a bottom surface or to entirely cover the optical module 1.
The optical module 1 capable of being inserted into and removed from the cage 4, shown in FIG. 1, includes a mechanism for inserting and removing the optical module 1 into and from the cage 4, and a mechanism for locking the module 1 to the cage 4 when the module is inserted in the cage.
In the state where the optical module 1 is inserted in the cage 4 as shown in FIG. 1, the optical module 1 and the cage 4 are locked to each other upon engagement of a lock pin 122 projecting on one wall surface of the optical module 1 into a lock hole 43 bored in a corresponding wall surface of the cage 4.
The optical module 1 can be removed from the cage 4 by disengaging the lock pin 122 from the lock hole 43, and then withdrawing the optical module 1 while grasping a bail 3. To withdraw the optical module 1 in the direction of arrow 53, the bail 3 is erected (turned angularly) in the direction of arrow 51 from a retracted state.
Here, when the optical module 1 is pushed and inserted in the cage 4, the lock pin 122 is spontaneously engaged in the lock hole 43 for locking between them, and when the bail 3 is erected in the direction of arrow 51, the lock pin 122 is disengaged from the lock hole 43 for unlocking. Accordingly, the optical module 1 can be easily removed from the cage 4 by withdrawing the bail 3 in the direction of arrow 53. In other words, the inserting/removing operation and the locking/unlocking operation for the optical module 1 and the cage 4 can be performed in an interlocked manner.
In one known mechanism for realizing those interlocked operations, the bail is disposed at front face of the optical module. When the bail is erected for withdrawing the bail forward, the lock pin is retracted following to the erecting movement of the bail such that the lock pin is disengaged from the lock hole.
That known mechanism is practically constituted as follows. The lock pin is projected at one end of a pivot block on one side of a shaft thereof, and the other end of the pivot block is engaged with a cam mechanism of the bail. When the bail is erected to withdraw the optical module from the cage, the other end of the pivot block is pushed up by the cam mechanism of the bail. As a reaction, one end of the pivot block is pushed down, whereupon the lock pin is retracted and disengaged from the lock hole.
In another example of known mechanisms for engaging and disengaging the lock pin with rotation of the bail, when the bail is erected, a push tab is moved and a boss is pushed down through an actuator that is caused to swing following to the movement of the push tab. Correspondingly, the lock pin is retracted and disengaged from the lock hole.
In still another example of known mechanisms for engaging and disengaging the lock pin with rotation of the bail, when the bail is erected, a slider is forced to slide to push up a tongue provided in the cage. Correspondingly, the lock pin fixedly provided on the module is disengaged from the tongue provided in the cage.
Thus, as mechanisms for unlocking the optical module from the cage when the optical module is inserted into and removed from the cage, there are known structures of withdrawing the lock pin by utilizing the torque caused when erecting the bail, the cam mechanism, and so on. In those mechanisms, however, because the lock pin is retracted with the operation of the bail, movements of the lock pin other than the vertical movement must be restricted and a plurality of movable members must be interposed between the bail and the lock pin.
Stated another way, the structure of retracting the lock pin with the operation of the bail necessarily increases the number of parts, thus resulting in the increased cost of those required parts, more complicated assembly, and hence the increased number of manufacturing steps.
Further, the dimensions of the optical module and the cage are limited, and a further reduction in size of the locking and unlocking mechanisms is demanded. From this point of view, it is disadvantageous to dispose a plurality of movable members between the bail and the lock pin.
In the case employing, as the mechanism for unlocking the optical module from the cage, the mechanism of pushing up the tongue provided in the cage, this pushing-up mechanism must be designed so as to take a position where biasing against the tongue provided in the cage is released in the stationary state.
To release that biasing, however, an operator must push the bail by a finger to bring the biasing mechanism into the release position, thus resulting in troublesome operation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a data link module capable of autonomously realizing, with a simple mechanism, the position where biasing against a tongue provided in a cage is released.


This carrier for a plurality of transistors or other semiconductor devices comprises a unitized body of plastics material having inclined guide surfaces between adjacent guide walls of laterally spaced positioning blocks extending upwardly from a base of the carrier. These guide surfaces and walls guide the leads of the transistors into laterally spaced openings formed through the carrier base which align with openings in a printed circuit board after the carrier is attached to the board by snap-in fasteners. The transistors are seated and held in an upright and aligned position on the carrier by integral leaf-type springs which bias them against the front walls of the blocks for subsequent handling and wave soldering to the board. In a preferred embodiment, the transistors are seated on the top of the springs so that their installed positions are predetermined by the springs to ensure that there is no contact of the transistor leads with a bottom wall of a metallic housing in which the circuit board is installed. This effectively reduces or eliminates damage to the leads or the electrical shorting thereof.

In assembling semiconductor devices, such as transistors, to a printed circuit or p.c. board, various mount constructions have been employed to hold transistors in an upright position on the board with the wire leads thereof inserted into corresponding openings in the board. After this mechanical attachment has been accomplished, the leads are soldered by wave soldering or other suitable processes so that the transistors are electrically and functionally connected to the p.c. board circuitry. While prior transistor support constructions have been generally satisfactory, new and improved carrier constructions and methods of assembly are needed to insure precise alignment and positioning of the transistors and the insertion of their leads into lead holes in the board manually or by automation without lead damage to effect mechanical connection so that they can be subsequently soldered to the board with optimized results. Furthermore, new and improved carrier constructions and methods are needed for precisely mounting transistors to circuit boards so that transistor leads will not contact the metallic housing in which the boards are installed and to position the transistors for effective heat sinking to the housing.

Carrier for guiding and supporting semiconductor devices


Dynamic frequency selection for an IEEE 802.11 basic service set network is enabled by a dynamic frequency selection (DFS) element within beacon and probe response frames defining a DFS owner, a DFS interval specifying the time until channel switch in beacon intervals, a DFS count specifying a time in beacon intervals until the DFS owner initiates selection of the next channel frequency from the supported channel set, and a DFS recovery interval specifying a time after the end of the DFS interval when recovery procedures are initiated if no channel switch information was received during that DFS interval. Channel switch information is presented in beacons following the end of the channel selection process, and within beacons during the DFS recovery interval.

Wireless local area networks (WLANs) are currently most commonly implemented according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) 802.11-1999 standard, often referred to as "wireless fidelity" or "WiFi". Contemporary implementations generally conform to the IEEE 802.11b standard, which defines wireless local area networks for the 2.4 Gigahertz (GHz) band. However, the 5 Gigahertz band(s) (5.15–5.25 GHz, 5.25–5.35 GHz, and 5.725–5.825 GHz in the United States; 5.15–5.35 GHz and 5.470–5.725 GHz in Europe; and 5.15–5.25 GHz in Japan) offers better prospects for higher data rates and fewer interfering communications.
Two competing standards have emerged for wireless local area networks in the 5 gigahertz band(s): implementations of the IEEE 802.11a standard are currently being developed for use within the United States, while the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) has promulgated the High Performance European Radio Local Area Network version 2 (HiperLAN2) standard. Both standards are based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) for the physical (PHY) layer, and both allow data rates of up to 54 megabits per second (Mbps).
While IEEE 802.11a employs a form of carrier sense multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA/CA) similar to the Ethernet, HiperLAN2 defines an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) type architecture better suited for voice and multimedia applications and implements a more sophisticated media access control (MAC) layer. Moreover, in addition to provisions for isochronous communications providing an inherent quality of service (QoS), HiperLAN2 implements dynamic frequency selection (DFS) to reduce interference and allow for better spectrum utilization, as well as transmit power control (TPC) to adjust the power output level. These features are intended to enable seamless communications between third generation (3G) cellular networks and private networks.
Dual mode integrated circuit devices capable of supporting both IEEE 802.11a and HiperLAN2 are currently being developed, with efforts being made to incorporate advantageous HiperLAN2 features into IEEE 802.11a implementations. In particular, the working group IEEE 802.11 Task Group H (TGh) has been formed to develop a standard (IEEE 802.11h) for optional incorporation of dynamic frequency selection and transmit power control into IEEE 802.11a implementations. Furthermore, interference with other primary licensed operators within a band must be detected and avoided in some regulatory domains.
There is, therefore, a need in the art for incorporating dynamic frequency selection into basic service set (BSS) and independent basic service set (IBSS) architectures for wireless local area networks.

Dynamic frequency selection with recovery for a basic service set network


A footwear device with an improved means of closing thereof utilizing a lacing means extending through eyelets or hooks and being fixedly secured in a tightened position extending therethrough by being positioned through a cam cleat. Preferably the configuration of the cam cleat includes two individual cam cleating devices one on each opposite side of the ankle of the wearer which each may include a guide ring for facilitating guiding and retaining of the shoelace extending therethrough. It is preferred that the shoelace include a plurality of slits defined therein which are adapted to be positioned extending over and retained by studs mounted in spaced relation with respect to one another adjacent to each of the camming cleats to neatly and in an orderly manner prevent the laces from becoming dislodged from the cam cleat as well as to prevent them from being undesirably loosened. With this configuration the laces will be neatly retained extending along the upper surface of the upper member of the shoe configuration and will not be hanging loosely as with other conventional lace tieing configurations such as tieing the laces into a bow.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention deals with the field of shoewear generally and preferably sport shoewear and shoewear for children, juveniles and toddlers and young people generally. It is preferable that the tightening mechanism for such shoes be secure and adjustable and easy to both secure and release. Especially with younger children and disabled persons, the tieing of conventional bows is a learned skill which is a common problem experienced by parents and teachers. The present invention makes use of a cam cleat configuration and optional stud and mating slotted engagement member and grip enhancing member for providing a novel improved design for tightening shoes around the foot of a wearer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Numerous prior art devices have been patented for the purpose of providing different means for configuring shoes and sport shoes and for tightening and lacing thereof such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,262,167 patented Jul. 26, 1966 to H. Martin on a "Closure For Footwear Having Interconnected Rotatable Members"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,279,015 patented Oct. 18, 1966 to L. M. Henning and assigned to Byron V. Curry, William J. Gribble and N. S. Henning on a "Shoelace Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,425,408 patented Feb. 4, 1969 to M. Vinet and assigned to Vapor Corporation on a "Track Switch Heater"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,490,156 patented Jan. 20, 1970 to P. Lollmann et al and assigned to Rieker & Co. on "Sports Footwear"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,775 patented Nov. 28, 1972 to J. Gatti on "Football Boots"; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,808,644 patented May 7, 1974 to R. Schoch and assigned to Weinmann Aktiengesellschaft on a "Closure Device For Shoes, Particularly For Ski Shoes"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,320 patented Apr. 27, 1982 to T. Riedel and assigned to Sesamat Anstalt on a "Lever-Operable Fastener For A Shoe"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,640,025 patented Feb. 3, 1987 to J. DeRenzo on a "Figure Eight Shoe Tie System"; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,352 patented Mar. 13, 1990 to J. Ginsberg on a "Shoe Lace Replacing And Shoe Fastening Device"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,882 patented Jan. 12, 1993 to C. Berger and assigned to PUMA AG Rudolf Dassler Sport on a "Shoe With A Central Fastener"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,331 patented Jan. 26, 1993 to C. Berger and assigned to Puma Rudolf Dassler Sport on a "Shoe With Flexible Upper Material Provided With A Closing Device"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,055 patented Apr. 27, 1993 to A. Harrell on a "Pneumatic Shoe Lacing Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,398 patented Aug. 2, 1994 to Y. Seo on a "Lace Fastening Cleat And Shoe"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,764 patented Sep. 27, 1994 to S. Posner and assigned to Dan Lynn Industries, Inc. on a "Shoe Securement Apparatus"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,537,763 patented Jul. 23, 1996 to T. Donnadieu et al and assigned to Salomon S. A. on a "Boot With Tightening System With Memorization Of Tension"; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,785 patented Jun. 24, 1997 to S. Egelja and assigned to Items International, Inc. on "Resilient Loops And Mating Hooks For Securing Footwear To A Foot".

Footwear construction with improved closure means


The present invention relates to a system for providing a modified URL from a proxy server to a virtualized computing environment attempting to access a remote resource. The modified URL may contain information which allows a proxy server which receives a request for the URL to generate a request for the remote resource where the request includes any state information necessary to access the resource. After transmitting the request, the proxy server may receive the requested resource; and transmit the resource to the application.

In some environments, a request for a network resource must be accompanied by state information indicating the requester has access to the resource. For example, a server may require an authorization cookie to be present in a request for a given document. This state information is typically managed by a web browser.
However, there may be many cases where a user is navigating resources using a web page, and then selects a resource which requires an application other than the web browser to be viewed. In some cases, the web browser and the other application may be part of a virtualized computing environment. For example, a user may be navigating a web site and click on a link to a spreadsheet, causing the browser to launch a remotely hosted spreadsheet application for viewing the viewing. When the application hosted by a server is invoked for the purposes of loading the external HTTP-based resource, the application may be required to include state information for the request to be allowed. Some systems may lack a mechanism for injecting the necessary session state data into an upstream request. For example, in some systems, the link between the application and the external HTTP-based resource is provided directly by a file including connection information but lacking necessary session state data.
One result of lacking the necessary session state data may be presentation of a session failure message or error dialog box to a user of the system. Another result in cases where the application hosted on the application server supports rending of HTML (applications such as WORD, EXCEL, or POWERPOINT), may be the rendering of an error page within the application, such that the error page is presented as if it were the requested resource. This may cause confusion to the user.
Thus there exists a need for systems and methods which allow access of remote resources in launched applications while preserving state information necessary for the request.

Systems and methods for providing authentication credentials across application environments