A submersible/semi-submersible dry lift carrier for transporting a jack-up drilling rig in a body of water includes a hull, a deck, at least one stability column, and a plurality of ballast compartments capable of being flooded and emptied for lowering and raising the carrier. The carrier further includes at least three leg wells, each well sized and spaced for receiving a leg from a jack-up drilling rig, and each of said wells comprising a vertical passageway having a first end opening through the deck and a second end opening through the bottom of the hull. The carrier further includes at least three pinning receptacles, each receptacle sized and spaced for receiving a spud can and leg from a jack-up drilling rig. In operation, the dry lift carrier is partially submerged by flooding the ballast compartments and then positioned beneath the floating jack-up rig. The carrier is de-ballasted thereby lifting the jack-up rig from a floating "wet" mode to a "dry" mode on the deck of the carrier. Alternatively, the dry lift carrier is submerged and rests on the floor of the body of water. The floating jack-up rig is positioned over the dry lift carrier. The carrier is de-ballasted thereby lifting the jack-up rig on the deck of the carrier.

The present invention is a marine vessel for transporting mobile offshore drilling units (MODU's) from one drill site in the water to another. There are two basic types of MODUs used to drill most offshore wells: (1) bottom supported units including submersibles and jack-ups; and (2) floating units including inland barge rigs, drill ships, ship-shaped barges and semi-submersibles.
When a bottom supported MODU is on site and drilling a well, a part of its structure is in contact with the sea floor. The remainder of the rig is supported above the water. A jack-up, or self-elevating, rig is a popular design of the MODUs. Jack-ups are popular because they can drill in relatively deep water (generally up to 350 feet), provide a very stable drilling platform since part of their structure is in firm contact with the sea floor and are movable from one location to another.
Generally, two basic types of jack-ups are available. The first, a mat supported jack-up, has steel legs which are permanently attached to the "mat" at their distal ends. The mat comprises a steel frame having a plurality of ballast compartments that may be used to make the mat buoyant, neutrally buoyant, or negatively buoyant. When a mat supported jack-up is conducting drilling operations, the mat is negatively buoyant and is positioned in contact with the sea floor. In general, mat supported jack-ups are used where the sea bottom is soft and muddy. The mat distributes the weight of the rig evenly over the bottom and tends to keep it from sinking too far into a soft bottom. The mat functions similar to a stepping stone in a muddy patch of ground.
The second type of jack-up rig is the independent leg jack-up which typically has large open truss legs. The truss legs are terminated at the distal end with spud cans. Spud cans are steel cylinders with or without pointed ends. A spud can functions similar to a foundation pile that is jammed into the ground. If the sea floor is not too soft and muddy, the spud can penetrates the sea floor a short distance and supports the rig both vertically and laterally. This is referred to in the trade as "pinning." Then the rig is sufficiently loaded with ballast water to ensure the spud cans will support all anticipated work-related and environmental-related loads. In both mat supported and independent leg type jack-up rigs, the legs of the jack-up pass through openings in the barge hull (commonly referred to in the industry as a "platform") on which the MODU floats. The deck of the platform serves to support the drilling derrick, other drilling equipment, quarters, heliport and other machinery. In the trade the barge hull is frequently referred to as the "platform."
After the jack-up rig is transported to a pre-selected drilling site and is floating on the platform, the legs are jacked down in contact with the sea floor and the platform is jacked up on the legs until the platform is clear of the water's surface and well above the high waves. Large motors and a gripping system are used to raise or lower the legs as they pass through the platform. In some cases, each leg has a rack and pinion gear associated therewith. The pinion gears are powered by electric or hydraulic motors and the rack is attached to the leg.
When a jack-up is finished drilling and it is to move from one location to another, the platform is jacked down to the water line where the platform is capable of floating. The legs are then jacked upward and free from the ocean floor, wherein the jack-up rig floats on the platform.
The present invention is primarily applicable to independent leg jack-ups; therefore, subsequent discussions will concentrate on independent leg jack-ups as opposed to mat supported jack-ups. When the legs of an independent jack-up are fully elevated, the platform draws approximately 15 feet of water. If the jack-up is towed to a new location, it is capable of a maximum towing speed of approximately 5 knots. However, in rough seas the legs must be lowered to increase the stability of the jack-up. The increased drag of the legs combined with strong winds and/or currents may reduce the progress to towing speeds of less than 1 knot. Obviously, if a rig is to be moved a long distance such speeds are economically unacceptable.
In the prior art, dry lift carriers have been successfully used to move jack-ups at economical speeds. The prior art dry lift carriers are typically cargo or oil tanker ships which have had a portion of the upper decks and hull removed and replaced with a flat deck for receiving the jack-up rig. Stability columns are added on the fore and aft ends of the carrier. The dry lift carrier vessel is so named because the jack-up rig goes from a floating "wet mode" to a "dry mode" when loaded on the deck of the carrier.
Loading an independent leg jack-up on a dry lift carrier is accomplished in the following manner. The legs of the jack-up are fully elevated and the rig floats on the barge hull. The carrier is partially submerged by selective flooding of compartments in the hull and the carrier is floated into position under the platform of the jack-up. The carrier is de-ballasted by evacuating the flooded compartments and as the carrier becomes more buoyant and rises it takes on the weight of the jack-up rig on the carrier deck and the jack-up is raised from a wet mode to a "dry" mode in a manner similar to a shipyard dry dock. Alternatively in shallow water environments, the carrier may be submerged and rests on the sea floor. The jack-up rig is floated into position above the carrier. The carrier is deballasted as heretofore described. When deballasted, the carrier may transport the jack-up rig at speeds of approximately 15 knots.
Presently, there are approximately 500 jack-up rigs worldwide. Currently there are only about 12 to 15 dry lift carriers suitable for transporting jack-up rigs and of these only 6 to 8 are economically viable. As a consequence, transportation fees are quite high.
In prior art dry lift carriers, the platform of the jack-up must be supported on the deck of the carrier by timber cribbing. The cribbing is necessary to distribute the load of the platform over the deck of the carrier and for preventing damage to the underside of the platform by direct contact with the deck of the carrier. Additionally, because different jack-up rigs have somewhat different platform sizes, shapes and spacing for the legs (known in the trade as "footprints") and sizes and shapes of the platform, a customized cribbing design and load calculation must be established for each jack-up rig prior to its loading onto a carrier vessel. Additionally, customized design and calculations must be performed for sea-ties which resist lateral and transverse movement of the jack-up rig on the deck of the carrier vessel. Furthermore, many jack-up rigs do not have the capability to retract the spud cans fully into the bottom of the platform and thereby form a flat bottom. As a result it may be necessary to make one or more customized adaptations (referred to in the trade as "dimples") in the deck of the carrier. In some instances, portions of the deck must actually be cut away and bulkheads and new decking installed to accommodate the spud cans on the deck of the carrier. Therefore, a need exists for a standardized dry lift carrier that provides more efficient and economical transportation of jack-up rigs of varying footprints.

Submersible and semi-submersible dry lift carrier and method of operation for carrying a drilling rig and platform


The present invention allows incoming calls to be processed based on calendar information obtained from an electronic calendar of a called party. When an incoming call intended for the called party is received, a service node may retrieve the calendar information for the called party and process the call based on the calendar information. The call processing may result in forwarding the call or invoking an interactive voice response system (IVR) by forwarding the call to the IVR, and providing instructions based on the calendar information to the IVR. The IVR may then provide messages based on the calendar information to the caller as well as provide options to the caller, retrieve responses from the caller, and instruct the service node to process the call based on the responses. The IVR may also allow the caller to schedule an appointment on the electronic calendar of the called party.

Given the busy schedules for people in modern society, it is often difficult getting in touch with one another. "Phone tag" is commonplace, wherein parties who are trying to call each other end up leaving a series of voicemails until they are lucky enough to connect. In other scenarios, people are interrupted by calls when they are busy working, in a meeting, or on another call.
Many business-based software applications, such as Microsoft® Office Outlook®, allow people on a common network to maintain and share scheduling information via their personal computers. However, such sharing of calendar information is relatively limited and of little assistance when parties are on the go and communicating primarily through their telephones. Given the benefit of having access to another person's calendar information to determine whether the person is available for a telephone call, there is a need to use the calendar information of a called party to assist callers who are attempting to communicate with the called party. There is a further need to allow called parties to provide informative scheduling information to callers in an efficient and effective manner.

Call processing based on electronic calendar information


In accordance with the purpose(s) of the present disclosure, as embodied and broadly described herein, the disclosure, in one aspect, relates to a vibrating sharp edge spray ionization (VSSI) method suitable for coupling with a mass spectrometer, a VSSI method modified with a capillary suitable for use with continuous-flow separation methods such as liquid chromatography, and a VSSI method suitable for coupling with a capillary electrophoresis (CE) device in order to introduce the CE sample flow into a mass spectrometer. Also disclosed herein are devices for carrying out these methods and methods of making the same. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure.

Mass spectrometry is one of the most information-rich analytical techniques for characterizing a broad range of samples. The past decade witnessed explosive growth in development of direct analysis and field portable mass spectrometers with the goal of bringing the analytical capability of mass spectrometry to various field applications including environmental monitoring, pharmaceutical analysis, point of care diagnosis, detection of chemical and/or biological warfare agents, forensic investigation, and discovery and research. A key component for portable mass spectrometers is an ionization source that can directly ionize the sample with minimum sample preparation and/or pretreatment. To date, numerous ambient ionization methods that allow direct sample ionization under atmospheric conditions have been reported. However, most of the existing ambient ionization methods, including desorption electrospray ionization (DESI), easy ambient sonic spray ionization (EASI), plasma-assisted desorption ionization (PADI), and direct analysis in real time (DART) require dedicated and specialized instrumentation or auxiliary gas and solvents, making them less favorable options for many field-portable mass spectrometry applications. Furthermore, complex sample preparation and pretreatment is often required. Currently, the most compelling ionization sources for portable mass spectrometers is paper spray ionization (PSI) or solid substrate based electrospray ionization (ESI) due to their simplicity, minimal sample preparation requirements, and wide range of suitable target molecules. These techniques have been utilized in many applications including biofluid analysis, food sample analysis, and chemical reaction monitoring.
A major limitation of several state-of-the-art ionization methods is the requirement of a high voltage (2-5 kV) to induce electrospray, which increases the external equipment demand for portable applications and incurs safety concerns regarding both operators and living organisms as analytical samples. Although low-voltage and zero-voltage PSI methods have been reported by binding carbon nanotubes to a paper substrate and using pneumatic forces to induce spray, respectively, these methods are achieved at the expense of higher cost, more stringent equipment requirements, and a more limited operational environment.
A further barrier to mass spectrometry analysis is that complex mixtures must be simplified by coupling a separation technique such as gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, or capillary electrophoresis (CE) to the mass spectrometer.
ESI is the most common coupling method for mass spectrometry and liquid chromatography but is difficult to integrate with capillary electrophoresis because both ESI and capillary electrophoresis are voltage-driven techniques. In addition, the low flow rate of capillary electrophoresis is difficult to interface with electrospray ionization. Currently, when capillary electrophoresis and mass spectrometry are coupled, the current limitations of each system interfere with the separation and ionization of complex mixtures. The main strategies to decouple capillary electrophoresis from electrospray are through electrical decoupling with a path to ground, for example, by creating a porous region in the silica capillary and by using a sheath flow.
The use of porous silica to decouple the ESI and capillary electrophoresis voltage is created to allow ions to pass through pores to complete an electrical circuit but to prevent larger molecules from passing through the pores. The porous silica decoupler requires means such as chemical etching with hydrofluoric acid with is difficult to make. Moreover, the porous silica can be considered fragile and can become blocked by the molecules introduced or used in the capillary electrophoresis separation. When voltage is grounded through the porous silica it can crack in the presence of the separation current, even currents exceeding a few μA or following mechanical stress. When the porous silica cracks, molecules and fluid flow pass through the crack and are thus diverted away from the mass spectrometer. This is particularly problematic because high voltage is sometimes required for efficient separations. Electrokinetic injection is a preferred injection method for capillary electrophoresis because it produces smaller analyte bands; however, in this method, analyte is driven with voltage rather than pressure, making the technique incompatible with use of the porous silica. One strategy to improve protein separation is to modify the capillary surface, but modified capillaries tend to have limited lifetimes, which in turn shortens the lifetime of the porous silica.
Meanwhile, the sheath flow approach surrounds the separation capillary with a flow of liquid. The voltage is grounded in the sheath flow to decouple the separation voltage and current from the electrospray voltage and current. However, the additional liquid from the sheath flow dilutes the sample, in turn reducing the detector sensitivity and requiring a higher concentration of analyte for detection.
For many analytes, a voltage-free ionization method would be advantageous. These include certain biomolecules as well as chemicals sensitive to electrochemical reactions. To date, several voltage-free ionization methods have been coupled to liquid chromatography (LC) systems including thermospray, sonic spray ionization (SSI), and solvent assisted inlet ionization (SAII). In some instances, ultrasonic agitation has also been used as an effective voltage-free ionization strategy. However, existing mechanical ultrasonic ionization methods are difficult to integrate with LC systems as these methods require a liquid sample to be placed on a substrate surface which is not directly compatible with an LC fluidic system. Although surface acoustic wave nebulization (SAWN) has been coupled to LC by placing the outlet of the LC capillary tubing on top of the SAW substrate for peptide analysis, this coupling strategy is prone to dead volume, carryover, and injection variation effects. As a result, the optimal flow rate range for this configuration is limited to 1-5 μL/min.
Despite advances in portable, field-deployable, and low-voltage ionization methods for mass spectrometry, at a minimum, these techniques still require specialized technical knowledge to use; may require external gases, fluids, or sources of electricity, and are associated with safety issues for operators and living organisms being used as analytical samples. Furthermore, separation techniques such as liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis may be required for complex mixtures of analytes; however, current and voltage requirements for ionization and electrophoretic separation may be difficult to integrate or, in some cases, incompatible, and existing methods for decoupling these and/or reducing interference rely on expensive, fragile equipment and/or require high concentrations of sample. What is needed are a zero-voltage, field-deployable ionization method for mass spectrometry that can be coupled to a separation mechanism without the expense, fragility, and high sample concentration requirements that limit implementation of existing technologies. It would further be desirable if the method could overcome the limitations of known discrete connection methods. These needs and other needs are satisfied by the present disclosure.

Devices and processes for mass spectrometry utilizing vibrating sharp-edge spray ionization


An internal combustion engine (1) is provided with an in-cylinder pressure sensor (15) for detecting an in-cylinder pressure in a combustion chamber (3) and an ECU (20). The ECU 20 calculates a heat release quantity parameter showing a combustion state based upon a detected in-cylinder pressure, calculates a combustion delay based upon the detected in-cylinder pressure, and determines fuel property based upon a comparison between a calculated heat release quantity parameter and the calculated combustion delay; and a heat release quantity parameter and a combustion delay corresponding to reference fuel.

Conventionally, as a technology for directly detecting property of fuel, there is proposed a detecting apparatus which detects viscosity and specific gravity of inspection object fuel from a refractive index thereof (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H10-19775 (1998)). However, this detecting apparatus has the structure which is complicated and expensive, and therefore, is far from being practical.
On the other hand, there are provided an apparatus which calculates a heat release quantity parameter correlating with a combustion rate based upon a pressure and a volume of a combustion chamber to measure a cetane number of fuel based upon a change of the heat release quantity parameter in a given operating condition (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-344550), an apparatus which measures a cetane number of fuel based upon a period until the fuel is ignited (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-344557, and an apparatus which measures a lower heating quantity of fuel to determine property of the fuel (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. S64-88153 (1989)).
However, the measurement accuracy of each of these conventional technologies is not necessarily satisfactory. In addition, in recent years, fuel for an internal combustion engine has been diversified as, for example, bio fuel or GTL (gas liquid fuel), and therefore, it is desired to accurately determine fuel components even in such various kinds of the fuel.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide means for accurately determining fuel property.

Control apparatus of internal combustion engine


A particle has a permanent dipole moment, a film includes the particle, and a method of forming the film includes aligning the particle on a surface. The particle has a permanent dipole moment and includes heterogeneous materials, wherein a positive pole is located in a first material and a negative pole is located in a second material different from the first material. The method includes aligning a particle such that the particle has one dipole moment direction. The film includes the aligned particles.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to particles having a permanent dipole moment, films including the particles, and methods of preparing the films, and more particularly, to particles having a permanent dipole moment and including heterogeneous materials including one material having a positive pole and another material having a negative pole, films having the particles, and methods of preparing the films.
2. Description of the Related Art
In materials for certain applications requiring compounds having a net dipole, controlling the dipole moment may have an important effect on the electrical and/or optical characteristics of the material. However, no effective methods for permanently controlling dipole moment in a nanoparticle or a semiconductor quantum dot has yet been developed.

Particles having permanent dipole moment, films including the particles, and methods of preparing the films


Text of a predetermined class is recognized in a body of text. After recognition, operations relevant to the recognized text may be performed. For example, text such as telephone numbers, telefax numbers, and dates can be recognized in a body of text. Options are provided for selecting and running operations and programs relevant to the recognized text, such as, telephone dialers, telefaxing programs, writable databases etc. Libraries of subroutines are provided for each class of text to be recognized. Each library typically includes a plurality of operations which may be run on the particular class of text. The libraries are recognized at run time of an application, so that additional libraries and operations may be added without a need for recompiling. A single class of text is recognizable in a number of formats without limits as to the origin of the body of text.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of text data processing.
2. Description of the Related Art
Word recognition involves an ability to recognize selected words in a document or the like. One example of word recognition is the searching of large volumes of text, such as encyclopedias or legal case books, using key words or search terms. A user typically locates relevant segments of information from within large volumes by specifying a word or words which must appear in the segment in order for it to be retrieved. Generally, other limiters are used, such as commands which require that the searched for words appear in a same sentence or paragraph, or within a predetermined number of words from one another. Boolean connectors also figure prominently in this type of searching. Generally, therefore, this type of word recognition involves searching a large body of text for the presence of one or more words, which possibly are arranged in a predefined order. No operations are performed other than retrieval of a portion of text which includes the selected words and the words are not recognized as part of a general class.
Other word recognition and operation features are known. Generally, programs which provide for word recognition and for operations using or on the recognized words require the words to have been created by the program. For example, conventional applications that allow users to perform word recognition and operations on the words typically require that the words be created using the application. Words created using any other application are not recognizable and may not be operated on. Consequently, words created using a particular word processing or database program can be recognized and operated on only by the word processing or database program responsible for their creation. Examples of the conventional operations which can be performed on words by conventional word processing or database programs include spell checking, finding and replacing, etc.
The present invention will benefit any application which displays text to a user, regardless of the origin of the text. The invention expands the operations which may be performed using recognized text by allowing a user to intuitively exploit the presence of certain classes or types of text in any document by transforming the text into an interface to other functions or operations.

Recognition of and operation on text data


A putter head having a forward-facing striking surface, a heel, a toe, a top surface and a rearward-facing, elongated tail section. The elongated tail section has vertical side walls, into each of which is machined an elliptical track or groove along the inside surface. The elliptical tracks are spaced from each other at a width slightly less than the diameter of a golf ball, and are machined into the sidewalls at a predetermined angle of incidence such that, when viewed from directly overhead, the tracks will be perceived by the user as two parallel lines. If the user's eyes are not directly in line with the plane extending vertically from the centerline, then one of the tracks will increasingly disappear behind its respective sidewall, while the opposite track will appear to become increasingly curved, as the degree of misalignment increases. The putter thus provides a means of alignment that improves putting accuracy.

A putter is a golf club used on the short-surface of a golf course, called the green. The putter is used to strike the ball along the surface of the green into the hole; a golf shot known as the "putt".
There are two critical phases in executing a proper putt. In order to putt accurately, the player needs to (a) achieve a proper stance and setup and to (b) properly execute the stroke.
The proper stance for putting includes:                1) The player positioning his/her feet and body parallel to the aiming/putting line. This imaginary straight line goes from the center of the hole, to the center of the ball, on a flat, horizontal surface. On undulating greens, this straight line is aimed to the side of the hole.        2) Before the stroke is performed, the putter should be positioned towards the back of the ball, so that the face is square to/perpendicular to the aiming/putting line. Then the center line of the putter is in line with the aiming/putter line. The center line of the putter is an imaginary line, dividing the putter in two equal halves, from front/face to back.        3) The putter should be placed behind the ball so that the ball is positioned on the center of the putter/face.        4) The players eyes should be positioned parallel to, and perpendicularly above (at an optimal height depending upon how tall the player is, or his particular putting style), the center line of the putter when the player is in position to perform the stroke (set up position).
Once the proper stance is achieved, the stroke must be executed. The correct/optimal stroke when using a pendulum-type putter is a "straight back-straight through" movement of the club head. During the stroke the player's head should not move.
Because of the exacting nature of putting, several efforts have been made to design a putter with an alignment system to help improve putting accuracy. Examples of such putters include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,720,668; 6,200,227; 6,261,190; and 6,663,496. These patents are representative of alignment systems that assist the player in achieving a proper stance, and include visual means that aid the player in confirming that his/her head is directly above the putter during set up. While these putters and other known putters may be somewhat effective in aiding the player to position himself directly above the ball, none of these putters provide adequate visual feedback during the stroke itself. Nor do they take into consideration the effect of one's dominant eye on the visual feedback. There exists therefore a need for a putter that aids the player in both of these critical phases.


A multiply execution unit that is operable to generate the integer product and the XOR product of a multiplicand and a multiplier. The multiply execution unit includes a summing circuit for summing a plurality of partial products. The partial products may be Booth encoded. The summing circuit can generate an integer sum of the plurality of partial products and can generate an XOR sum of the plurality of partial products. The summing circuit includes a first plurality of full adders. The first plurality of full adders each has three inputs, a carry output, and a sum output. The sum outputs of the first plurality of full adders are independent of the value of any carry output in the summing circuit. The summing circuit also includes a second plurality of full adders. The second plurality of full adders each has three inputs, a carry output, and a sum output. The XOR sum is dependent upon at least one of the sum outputs of the first plurality of full adders but is independent of the sum outputs of the second plurality of full adders. The integer sum is dependent upon the sum outputs of at least one of the first plurality of full adders and is also dependent on at least one of the sum outputs of the second plurality of full adders.

Many techniques for multiplying operands in computer systems have been utilized. One technique of multiplying two operands (one a multiplicand 105 and the other a multiplier 110) is shown in FIG. 1A. Each bit in the multiplicand 105 and the multiplier 110 is represented by an "X." As shown in FIG. 1A, the product of two 17-bit binary operands can be obtained by summing all the rows in the partial products 115. Each bit in the partial products 115 is represented by a "P." Each row of the partial products 115 is obtained by separately multiplying ("ANDing") each bit of the multiplier 110 by all the bits in the multiplicand 105. This step is repeated with each bit of the multiplier 110. As each partial product is obtained, the partial product is offset one bit to the left from the preceding partial product. After the partial products 115 are obtained, as shown in FIG. 1A, they are summed to generate the final product 120. An "S" represents each bit in the final product 120. This multiplication technique is known as longhand multiplication. A numeric example of the longhand multiplication of an 8-bit multiplier and a 12-bit multiplicand is shown in FIG. 1B. As shown in FIG. 1B, each row of the partial products is either a copy of the multiplicand or is zero.
The generation of the partial products can be rapidly performed by an execution unit within a computer system because the partial products can be generated in parallel. However, summing the partial products may be relatively slow.
As a result, some multiply execution units utilize a carry save adder to rapidly sum partial products. FIG. 2 presents a carry save adder column that can sum the seventeen partial product bits of column 125 (FIG. 1A). Various terms, such as Wallace tree and Dadda tree, are utilized by those of skill in the art for a carry save adder column. The carry save adder column of FIG. 2 includes fifteen full adders 201–215 that are configured into six levels. As shown in FIG. 3, full adder 300 has three inputs: Carry In, Input A, and Input B. In addition, the full adder 300 has two outputs: Carry Out and Sum. While there are many methods of constructing full adders, the full adder 300 includes a first XOR gate 305, a second XOR gate 310, and a multiplexer 315. Full adders are known by those of skill in the art.
The carry save adder column shown in FIG. 2, utilizes full adders 201–215 to rapidly sum the 17 partial product bits of column 125. This carry save adder column receives the 17 partial product bits at the input "branches" of the carry save adder column via full adders 201–205 and 209. The 17 partial product bits are reduced to just two bits 260 and 261, which are input into a carry look-ahead adder (not shown) at the output of the carry save adder column. The carry save adder column receives carry bits from other carry save adder columns via nodes, such as nodes 225, 226, 227, and 228. Similarly, the carry save adder column outputs carry bits to other carry save adder columns via nodes, such as nodes 230, 231, 232, and 233. Carry save adders and carry look-ahead adders are known by those of skill in the art.
As is known in the art, fast integer multipliers can be constructed that utilize carry save adders, full adders, 4 to 2 compressors, and 5 to 3 compressors. These multipliers can rapidly multiply operands.
As discussed above, a significant amount of the time required to multiply two values is utilized to add the partial products. Thus, if there are fewer partial products, then multiplication can be performed more rapidly. One method of reducing the number of partial products is known as Booth encoding. Booth encoding can reduce the number of partial products almost in half. As shown in the following table, Booth encoding generates a partial product for each pair of multiplier bits instead of a partial product for each bit in the multiplier. For example, as shown in the table below, if the first pair of multiplier bits are "00," then the first partial product would be zero. Similarly, if the third and fourth bits of the multiplier were "01," then the second partial product would be equal to the multiplicand.
2 BitsPartial Product Value000011 * multiplicand102 * multiplicand (multiplicand, left-shifted 1 bit)113 * multiplicand(sum of multiplicand and multiplicand, left-shifted 1 bit)The generation of the values 0*multiplicand, 1*multiplicand, and 2*multiplicand can be rapidly performed by a multiplexer. However, rapid generation of the value 3* multiplicand is more difficult because an addition, which takes a significant amount of time, needs to be performed. As a result, some fast multiply execution units represent the value of 3*multiplicand as 4*multiplicand −1*multiplicand, with the −1*multiplicand value being used with the current two bits and the 4*multiplicand being used with the next two bits as an extra value of 1*multiplicand. However, if the next two bits have a value of 2*multiplicand, then an extra 1*multiplicand will result in a value of 3*multiplicand, with the same difficulty. Thus, such fast multiply execution units may represent the value of 2*multiplicand as 4*multiplicand −2*multiplicand, with the −2*multiplicand value being used with the current two bits and the 4*multiplicand being used with the next two bits as an extra value of 1*multiplicand. As shown in the following table, such fast multiply execution units, in addition to considering the two bits of the multiplier, also consider the most significant bit of the previous two bits.
MSB of2 BitsPrevious Two BitsPartial Product Value000  0001+1 * multiplicand010+1 * multiplicand011+2 * multiplicand100−2 * multiplicand(complement the multiplicand, left-shifted1 bit)101−1 * multiplicand (complement themultiplicand)110−1 * multiplicand111  0
FIG. 4 presents a numeric example of multiplying an 8-bit multiplier by a 12-bit multiplicand using Booth encoding. As shown in FIG. 4, the number of partial products is reduced from 8 to 5. Thus, utilizing Booth encoding can reduce the amount of circuit needed to implement the multiplier execution unit and increase the speed of multiplication. As is known in the art, the above partial product values can be quickly generated by a multiplexer and inversion. There are several methods, known to those skilled in the art, of dealing with the sign bits of the partial products in multipliers that utilize Booth encoding. Each of these methods can be accommodated in fast multipliers.
An integer multiplication treats each row of a partial product as a binary representation of the integer multiplicand 105. Therefore, integer multiplication adds the bits of partial sums. However, another type of multiplication, XOR (exclusive or) multiplication, combines the bits by XORing (instead of adding) the bits. In other words, XOR multiplication treats each row of a partial product as a bit string, and the bits along a vertical column of the partial products are XORed together to obtain the result. FIG. 5 presents a numeric example of an XOR multiplication of an 8-bit multiplier and a 12-bit multiplicand.
XOR multiplication is utilized in the implementation of the arithmetic operations for the binary polynomial field Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). Elliptic curves have been found to provide versions of public-key cryptographic methods that, in some cases, are faster and use smaller keys than other cryptographic methods, while providing an equivalent level of security.
Thus, a need exists for a multiply execution unit, which can efficiently perform traditional multiplication as well as XOR multiplication. By enabling one execution unit to perform both types of multiplications, much less circuit is needed to implement one such combined unit compared to two separate units, one for integer and another for XOR. This helps reduce the power consumption of the multiplier execution unit.

Multiply execution unit for performing integer and XOR multiplication


A filter structure includes a blower having a gas suction opening, the blower compressing gas taken from the gas suction opening and supplying the compressed gas to respiratory organs of a patient; a housing that contains the blower and has air passage openings connected to the gas suction opening; a bag at least part of which is made of a nonwoven paper as a filter material, for covering the housing; and a chamber forming member disposed between the housing and the bag, for forming a chamber CAM between each air passage opening and the nonwoven paper. Thus, effort for maintenance of a filter is reduced.

Sleep apnea is caused by a root of a tongue and a soft palate moving down due to flaccid muscles during sleep and clogging a trachea. Patients with this respiration disorder use respiratory assistance devices, which prevent the clogging by the application of a positive pressure to the trachea (refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-071004).
The respiration assistance devices are provided with a blower having a gas suction opening. The blower compresses gas such as air taken from the gas suction opening, and supplies the compressed gas to the trachea of the patient. In the blower, a filter is attached to the gas suction opening in order to prevent the contamination of bacteria, viruses, and dust into inspiratory gas.


A method transmitting a message over at least one of a plurality of radio frequency (RF) channels of an RF communications network is provided. The method comprises the steps of detecting a presence of jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of RF channels. The characteristics of the jamming pulses in the at least one of the plurality of RF channels is determined wherein the determined characteristics define at least interstices between the jamming pulses. The message is transmitted over the at least one of the plurality of RF channels wherein the message is transmitted within the interstices of the jamming pulse determined from the step of determining characteristics of the jamming pulses.

The present invention relates to radio frequency (RF) communication over a short distance, and more particularly, to the transmission of short range RF communication signals in the presence of constant and intermittent interferers having strong power relative to the communication signal power.
As modern commercial aircraft engines have become increasingly complex, it has become practice to develop and deploy automatic control of various functions in order to prevent stressing of the aircraft crew. One of the signal developments in this discipline has been the Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC). Previously, commercial FADEC technology became operational on large passenger jet aircraft. The FADEC is an aircraft control that performs comprehensive monitoring of vital engine parameters and concomitant adjustment of engine control variables. The control loop realized with the FADEC results in significantly reduced fuel consumption and thereby increased engine efficiency and lower aircraft operating costs. It also promotes greater overall engine reliability.
As aircraft engines have become larger and more complex, it has become desirable to decentralize the FADEC functions. One approach to decentralizing the FADEC functions is to realize the FADEC as a distributed control system composed of two component classes. The first component class constitutes the Remote Digital Electronic Controllers (RDEC). The RDEC are under supervision by the second component class that constitutes the Central Digital Electronic Controller (CDEC). Typically, the controllers, RDEC and/or CDEC, include various sensors.
In a distributed realization of the FADEC, reliable communication between the CDEC and the RDEC is needed. Typically, communication between the CDEC and RDEC uses hardwired cables. This approach is costly and adds significant maintenance overhead if applied to a decentralized FADEC configuration. One approach that has been suggested is to use an extant short range RF communication system. Many RF communication techniques can be used, such as, for example, Bluetooth. Typically, Bluetooth comprises a system approach that was developed with the aim of eliminating cabling between certain electronic modules. Further, Bluetooth is an evolving standard and specification that is supported by a consortium of electronics manufacturers that seek to promote short range wireless communication between mobile electronic devices. Another communication technique is the IEEE standard 802.11. Typically, the IEEE standard 802.11 is used for wireless local area networking and specifies a communications protocol known as carrier sense multiple access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA). Both the Bluetooth and the IEEE standard 802.11 techniques are designed to operate in fixed and controlled frequency bands that can have the frequencies of operation vary according to geographic region.
However, extant short range RF communications techniques, such as, Bluetooth, IEEE standard 802.11, and other standard or proto-standard techniques are not entirely suitable for use in a decentralized FADEC because of significant electromagnetic interference (EMI) that exists in the operating environment of the CDEC and RDEC. The EMI that exists in the operating environment is caused by various sources, such as, for example, radar and strong communication signals. The strong communication signals interference can be considered as approximately continuous in time and of long persistence. However, the radar interference is different in its interference characteristics. Typically, radar interference characteristics have two types. The first type is so-called square wave pulsed radar that typically exhibits a pulse repetition frequency (PRF) of about 300 to about 1000 pulses per second (PPS) with pulse widths of from about 1 to about 3 microseconds. The second type is so-called pulsed radar that typically exhibits a PRF of about 1000 to about 3000 PPS with pulse widths of about 0.25 to about 1.5 microseconds. In addition, the EMI interference can exist on many different frequencies.
The EMI in the communications environment can cause problems with the communication system because of the persistence and duration of the EMI. In addition, the received interference signal power and interference signal spectral content also can cause problems with the communication system. Further, the uncertainty of the EMI interference is also a factor that can cause problems with the communication system. Specifically, strong communication signals may exhibit extended persistence but have a spectral composition of limited width when compared to a radar interfering signal composed of periodic pulses of relatively low duty cycle. However, the limited duration of the radar interference pulses imparts a wide spectral content to the interfering radar signal, and the shorter the pulse duration of the pulse then the wider the interfering spectrum.
Yet another consideration to be considered when adopting a short range RF communications system is the impact the communication system, itself, has on other users. In a first consideration, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has promulgated regulations respecting the transmission of radio signals and these regulations must be observed. In a second consideration, the short range RF communications can constitute EMI to control and other electronics within the host aircraft. As a consequence of these considerations, it would be necessary to carefully design RF signaling used for short range communications supporting the FADEC functions.
Finally, another consideration relates to the timeliness of data transport. A common approach to reliable communication over an intermittently highly disturbed RF link is to use a data transport protocol that relies on acknowledgment/non-acknowledgment. Such a technique is typically not used because some of the data to be communicated within the decentralized FADEC does not tolerate the increased latency that may occur using this conventional technique.
Therefore a desire exists to provide operationally reliable RF communications link between a CDEC and RDEC of a decentralized FADEC that is compliant with regulations and compatible with ancillary electronics.

Short range RF communication for jet engine control


Thermoplastic polymer compositions in a closure can comprise a polymer, a modified vinyl polymer and a slip agent or polymer lubricant said modified polymer having a moiety comprising a cyclodextrin compound. The cyclodextrin compound, locked into the polymer structure, can absorb impurities, permeants, or other undesirable volatile materials. The cooperation between the lubricant, the cyclodextrin grafted onto the thermoplastic polymer and the polymer structure can provide barrier properties to a film, web or other polymer structure and a surface with substantial lubricity.

The development of high-performance polymer-based packaging materials and structures has allowed the evolution of light-weight, flexible films and rigid containers, bottles and trays that protect the contents against the ingress or egress organic vapors, aromas, moisture, oxygen and other gasses. The goal is to make the underlying technologies transparent while minimizing the financial and environmental costs of these products to the final consumer. There is still a considerable need for polymer materials and packaging systems that provide longer shelf-life stability under a wide range of storage conditions and food products. The present invention relates to barrier structures for food packages that are useful in providing extended product shelf life.
The outright size of the packaging industry makes it an attractive market with incredible numbers of technical challenges, e.g., flavor losses by scalping, tainting by off-odors and flavors, oxygen ingress, odor control, photodegradation (loss of value due to light sensitivity), loss of moisture, source reduction/waste recycling and environmental/social considerations. As fundamental polymer science innovations increase, the applications for new packaging expand considerably as well as the complexity of the solutions, thereby providing an ever-growing market for innovations. Current estimates suggest that the dollar value of the polymers used to manufacture packaging alone will account for more than $19 billion in 2002. The exploitation of olefin polymers as a packaging material has provided substantial advantages to producers, retailers and consumers over traditional glass, aluminum and metal materials since their introduction in the 1950's. The driving force for innovation has been to develop convenient and transportable packaging consumer's demand, while continuing to improve the functional properties for protecting freshness, quality and safety at an affordable price by using more innovative technologies, complex materials and structures.
Globalization of the food industry and their packaging suppliers is presenting challenges from a regulatory standpoint as materials to be exported must meet the requirements of whatever country to which the product is to be shipped. For the packaging innovator introducing novel packaging technologies, this represents a massive, protracted and costly undertaking. The regulatory agencies require that the materials, which are being manufactured, meet stringent safety standards for both human exposure and the environment.
Packaging materials have been the target of environmental and consumer activist groups as being a major contributor to the solid waste stream; these materials make up over one-third of the total waste generated in the United States. In many cases, manufacturers want to achieve source reduction and cost reduction by combining polyolefin layers of different barrier materials (e.g., nylon, polyvinylidene chloride—PVDC, ethylene vinyl alcohol—EVOH, etc.) to achieve the desired barrier properties and gauge; metallization of packaging films is yet another technique. In some cases, these approaches create incompatibility problems for pre-consumer in-plant scrape recycle and for post-consumer plastic recycle streams. Environmental considerations clearly influence current packaging technologies and will certainly continue to do so in the future.
In today's competitive markets, all technology innovations are driven by intense competition and therefore must meet the costs constraints and targets of the industry. The principal cost drivers in today's packaging are the raw materials. The value new, innovative technology brings to the package must be weighed against the added cost.
The invention provides a polyolefin having a grafted cyclodextrin to diminish regulatory concerns because the cyclodextrin is covalently bonded to the polymer eliminating food safety concerns related to cyclodextrin migration. The present invention provides an innovative functional material with significant property improvements that is compatible with source reduction, in-plant scrape recycle and post-consumer recycling.
The invention forms compatible cyclodextrin (CD)/functionalized polyolefin composition by grafting a parent, unmodified cyclodextrin onto a polyolefin using extrusion processing to reduce both material, manufacturing and regulatory costs and to lessen the impact on the environment which otherwise takes the synthetic route to synthesize a compatible cyclodextrin derivative.
The invention also provides a commercial polyolefin material having greater crystallinity and lower surface energy to effectively change the partitioning of compounds in direct contact with the polymer especially non-polar compounds (e.g., alkanes, aromatic, terpenes and sesquiterpenes).
Containers for liquid and pourable solid contents require a closure system in order to maintain the product integrity within the container. The closure maintains the character of any product within the container from outside contamination. Further, the closure maintains the volatile character components such as the carbonation of sparkling water and carbonated beverages and can also ensure that the product does not interact with the atmosphere in any way to degrade product quality. Such closures are either closure liners, press on caps or screw on (threaded) caps or closures. In the manufacture of a threaded or screw-on container closures, the typically thermoplastic container and closure are formed thermoplastically. The container can be filled with product and closed with the closure. Closures can include threaded caps and press-fit closures or liners for the closure that can comprise a valved post and others. In threaded closures, the cap is typically placed onto the container with automated equipment that imposes a specific degree of torque onto the cap to ensure complete and permanent sealing. The caps are designed to be removable by a user through the application of a twisting force with a designated degree of torque such that the large majority of users including the elderly, children and others, can remove the cap. Lubricants have, for some time, been incorporated into all closure structures to ensure removal with a torque that is acceptable for most users. Lubricants can also aid in the installation or removal of other types of closures. Such lubricants are typically formulated into the thermoplastic closure material. Sufficient lubricant is used in the formulation to ensure that at least some of the lubricant does appear at the interface between the cap thermoplastic and the thermoplastic bottle surface. As long as sufficient amount of that lubricant appears at that interface point, the lubricant can promote installation and cap removal at a torque sufficient for most users.

Enhanced lubrication in polyolefin closure with polyolefin grafted cyclodextrin


A linear actuator comprising a guide section formed along a longitudinal direction to protrude on a bottom surface of a slide table, a pair of guide blocks formed mutually opposingly and seperated from each other by a predetermined spacing distance on an upper surface of the main cylinder body, attachment holes for attaching the main cylinder body to another member in any direction of attachment from a side of the slide table or from a side of the main cylinder body, and an adjuster bolt for adjusting an amount of displacement of the slide table.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a linear actuator for reciprocating a slide table along an axial direction of a main cylinder body by introducing a pressurized fluid through a fluid inlet/outlet port.
2. Description of the Related Art
Linear actuators, for example, fluid pressure-operated cylinders have been hitherto used as means for transporting workpieces or the like. The linear actuator comprises a slide table which is linearly reciprocated along a main cylinder body so that a workpiece placed on the slide table is transported.
A linear actuator concerning a conventional technique is based on a technical concept disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 5-42716. As shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 comprises a main cylinder body 2 and a guide rail 3 formed to protrude on an upper surface of the main cylinder body 2 along a longitudinal direction.
The fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 includes a slide table 4 which is slidably displaceable along the guide rail 3 in accordance with a displacement action of a piston accommodated in a cylinder chamber. Ball-circulating holes (not shown) for rolling a plurality of unillustrated bearing balls are defined in the slide table 4 along the longitudinal direction of the slide table 4. Screw holes 5a to 5d for attaching a workpiece are defined through an upper surface of the slide table 4. A pair of attachment holes 6a, 6b for attaching and securing the main cylinder body 2 to another member (not shown) are defined at corners located diagonally on the main cylinder body 2.
In the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 shown in FIGS. 39A and 39B, the width L of the main cylinder body 2 in its transverse direction is represented by L.apprxeq.L.sub.1 +(L.sub.2 .times.2) (L.sub.1 : width of the guide rail 3, L.sub.2 : diameter of the attachment holes 6a, 6b). Namely, the width L of the main cylinder body 2 approximately has a value obtained by adding the width L.sub.1 of the guide rail 3 to the diameters L.sub.2 of the two attachment holes 6a, 6b. In this arrangement, it is impossible to reduce the width L.sub.1 of the guide rail 3 because the rigidity of the slide table 4 is decreased. Consequently, the width L of the main cylinder body 2 has a value obtained by adding the width L.sub.1 of the guide rail 3 to the diameters L.sub.2 of the attachment holes 6a, 6b.
As described above, in the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 concerning this conventional technique, the width L of the main cylinder body 2 cannot be reduced because of the influence of the width L.sub.1 of the guide rail 3. As a result, the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 has an inconvenience in that the entire cylinder apparatus fails in achievement of a compact size and a light weight.
A linear actuator concerning another conventional technique is based on a technical concept disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 6-43302. As shown in FIG. 40, the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 7 comprises a cylinder body 8 and a table 10. The cylinder body 8 includes a cylinder chamber formed therein. The table 10 is movable along an axial direction of the cylinder body 8 in accordance with a guiding action of a linear guide 9 secured to an upper surface of the cylinder body 8. A first protrusion 11 is formed to protrude upwardly at one end located in a transverse direction of the cylinder body 8. Second and third protrusions 12, 13 are formed to protrude laterally on one side surface located in the transverse direction of the table 10 so that the first protrusion 11 is interposed between the second and third protrusions 12, 13.
In this arrangement, bolts 14, 15, which are screwed into the second and third protrusions 12, 13 respectively, abut against the first protrusion 11. Thus terminal positions of movement of the table 10 are regulated. The amount of movement of the table 10 is adjusted by adjusting the screwing amounts of the bolts 14, 15.
However, in the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 7 concerning the another conventional technique shown in FIG. 40, the first to third protrusions 11, 12, 13, which function to adjust the amount of movement of the table 10, are formed to protrude outwardly along the transverse direction of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 7. Accordingly, the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 7 has an inconvenience in that it is impossible to reduce with width L in the transverse direction of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 7 including the table 10, and the entire cylinder apparatus fails in achievement of a compact size and a light weight, in the same manner as the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 1 concerning the foregoing conventional technique.
Further, in the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinders 1, 7 concerning the conventional techniques shown in FIGS. 39A, 39B, and 40, the width L.sub.1 of the guide rail 3 and the width L.sub.2 of the linear guide 7 are formed to be relatively small as compared with widths L of the main cylinder bodies (cylinder bodies) 2, 8. For this reason, an inconvenience arises in that linear accuracy of the slide tables 4, 10 is deteriorated by loads applied horizontally to the slide table (table) 4, 10.
A linear actuator concerning still another conventional technique is based on a technical concept disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Publication No. 6-47708. As shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 16 comprises a main cylinder body 17 including a linear rolling bearing 16a formed to protrude at its central portion, and a table 18 which is linearly reciprocatable in accordance with a guiding action of the linear rolling bearing 16a.
A permanent magnet 18a is secured to one side surface of the table 18. A guide rail 18c is fastened to one side surface of the main cylinder body 17 by the aid of a pair of screws 18b, 18b. An elongated groove 18d is formed in the guide rail 18c along its axial direction. The position of the table 18 is detected by sensing a magnetic action of the permanent magnet 18a by using a magnetic proximity switch 19 installed at a predetermined position in the elongated groove 18d.
A pair of fluid pressure supply ports 19a, 19a (one of them is not illustrated), which are used to screw unillustrated tube fittings thereinto and connect piping tubes (not shown), are formed at positions close to the guide rail 18c on one side surface of the main cylinder body 17.
However, in the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 16, the guide rail 18c, to which the magnetic proximity switch 19 is installed, is fastened to the one side surface of the main cylinder body 17 by means of the screws 18d, 18d. Accordingly, it is necessary to form screw holes for screwing the screws 18d, 18d thereinto, on the side surface of the main cylinder body 17. Therefore, it is necessary that the thickness M between an inner wall surface of the cylinder chamber and an outer wall surface of the main cylinder body 17 (see FIG. 42) is formed to be thick, in order to bore the screw holes. As a result, it is impossible to reduce the width W in the transverse direction of the main cylinder body 17. Thus a difficulty arises in that it is impossible to allow the entire apparatus to have a compact size and a light weight.
In the case of the fluid pressure-operated cylinder 16 concerning the conventional technique, an inconvenience arises in that the guide rail 18c, which protrudes outwardly as compared with the fluid pressure supply ports 19a, 19a, is obstructive, and thus the piping operation becomes complicated when the tube fittings are screwed in order to connect the piping tubes to the fluid pressure supply ports 19a, 19a of the main cylinder body 17.


The image transfer apparatus includes a transmission type image display device, a light source and a parallel rays generating element, and light that is irradiated from the light source, made into substantially parallel rays by the parallel rays generating element, and transmitted through the image display device to expose a photosensitive recording medium and a display image displayed on the image display screen is transferred to the photosensitive recording medium. This apparatus further includes a moving device for moving the parallel rays generating element and the image display device relatively during the transfer.

The present invention relates to an image transfer apparatus that displays an image on a transmission type image display means (device) for displaying the image based on supplied image data, for example, an image which is digitally recorded by a digital still camera (DSC), a video camera, a PC (personal computer) or the like on a transmission type liquid crystal display (LCD) constituted by a liquid crystal display device and with using the display image and transfers the image to (forms an image on) a photosensitive recording medium such as an instant photographic film on which a latent image is formed by exposure and color is developed by development.
Various examples of conventionally known method for transferring, or recording a digitally-recorded image to or on a recording medium include an ink jet system using a dot-type printing head, a laser recording system, and a thermal recording system.
A printing system like the ink jet system has various problems. For example, printing takes time, ink is likely to cause clogging, and precision printing results in the printed sheet being moistened by ink. The laser recording system involves an expensive optical component such as a lens, resulting in high apparatus cost. Further, the laser recording system and the thermal recording system require considerable power consumption and are not suited to be carried about.
Thus, generally speaking, the transfer apparatuses using these systems, in particular, the ones using the ink jet system have a problem that the more precise the apparatus is, the more complicated the driving mechanism and the control mechanism become, as well as the larger and the more expensive the apparatus become, and printing takes a lot of time.
In this regard, JP 10-309829 A, JP 11-242298 A, JP 2000-502555 A, and the like disclose transfer apparatuses of the type in which a display image is formed on a photosensitive recording medium like an instant film by using a liquid crystal device, thereby achieving simplification in structure and cost reduction.
The electronic printer disclosed in JP 10-309829 A is capable of copying the display screen of a liquid crystal display on a photosensitive medium to produce a hard copy of a quality equal to that of a photograph. However, in order to copy the display screen of the liquid crystal display on the photosensitive medium in this electronic printer, an optical component such as a rod lens array is used to be arranged between the display screen of the liquid crystal display and the photosensitive medium, and there is a problem that the optical component is rather expensive. Further, a predetermined distance (total conjugate length) is required between the liquid crystal display and the photosensitive medium. In the example shown, there is a problem that the requisite distance takes 15.1 mm.
In the case of the transfer apparatus disclosed in JP 11-242298 A, there is no need to use an expensive optical component such as a lens or to secure an appropriate focal length. Thus, as compared with the conventional transfer apparatuses, a further reduction can be achieved in terms of size, weight, power consumption, and cost.
In this transfer apparatus, as shown in FIG. 42, a photosensitive film 400 is closely attached to the display surface of a transmission type liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as LCD) 300, and a light source (back light 100) provided on the opposite side of the LCD 300 with respect to the photosensitive film 400 is turned on. That is, a fluorescent lamp 101 is switched on to turn on the back light, whereby the image displayed on the LCD 300 is transferred to the photosensitive film 400.
Here, as shown in FIG. 42, the LCD 300 is constituted by a polarizing plate 301 on the display surface side, a glass substrate 302, a liquid crystal layer 303, a glass substrate 304, and a polarizing plate 305 on the back light 100 side.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 43, the publication discloses, as another embodiment, a transfer apparatus in which a lattice 200 for suppressing diffusion of light from the back light 100 to approximate the light to parallel rays is provided between the back light 100 and the LCD 300, and a spacer 201 constituted of a rectangular hollow pipe is provided between the lattice 200 and the LCD 300.
With such a structure, an image of a frame of the lattice 200 (a shadow due to the frame) is prevented from being taken by the photosensitive film 400, thus improving clarity of an image formed on the photosensitive film 400 to a satisfactory degree from the practical point of view without providing an optical component or securing an appropriate focal length.
Incidentally, in the transfer apparatus shown in FIG. 42, thickness of the LCD 300 (total thickness of the LCD 300), that is, total thickness of the polarizing plate 301 on the display surface side, the glass substrate 302, the liquid crystal layer 303, the glass substrate 304, and the polarizing plate 305 on the back light 100 side is 2.8 mm, and a screen of the LCD 300 displayed with a dot size of 0.5 mm is transferred to the photosensitive film 400. In this case, it is proposed that the distance between the LCD 300 and the back light 100 be enlarged to a degree in which blurring of an image to be transferred is not visually recognized.
Further, in the transfer apparatus shown in FIG. 43, there is provided a 5 mm lattice 200 with a thickness of 10 mm to prevent diffusion of the light from the LCD 300, and a 20 mm spacer 201 is arranged between the lattice 200 and the LCD 300. Further, the LCD 300 and the photosensitive film 400 are closely attached together to effect image transfer without involving blurring (unclarity) of the image.
In this case, an image displayed with a dot size of 0.5 mm originally set is transferred to a surface of the photosensitive film 400 with an enlarged dot size of up to 0.67 mm, which means an enlargement by approximately 0.09 mm on one side, and yet the image obtained is satisfactory from the practical point of view.
In addition, JP 2000-502555 A discloses an electronic still camera having a printing capability. This electronic still camera is capable of displaying (photographing) an image on an LCD panel, adjusting an image characteristic of the displayed (photographed) image, if necessary, and then projecting the image on an instant film via a projection optical system, thereby printing the image.
Incidentally, in the transfer apparatus disclosed in each of the above-mentioned publications, an image displayed on an LCD panel can be transferred to a photosensitive film. In order to make such a transfer apparatus practical, it is necessary not only to eliminate blurring of an image to be transferred and further increase clarity but also to make a structure of the apparatus compact, simple and low-cost.
For example, a transfer apparatus disclosed in JP 11-242298 A (see FIG. 43) can improve clarity of an image formed on the photosensitive film 400 to a satisfactory degree from the practical point of view. However, there still remains a shadow due to the framework of the lattice 200 on a transferred image.
In addition, in recent years, screens of LCDs have progressed in terms of definition and LCDs with an increased number of pixels, that is, a smaller dot size, are being commercialized. For example, as LCDs using low-temperature polysilicon type TFTs, UXGA (10.4 inches; 1200×1600 pixels), XGA (6.3 and 4 inches; 1024×768 pixels) are on the market.
Thus, if the LCD with such a high-definition screen is applied to the above-mentioned transfer apparatus, the shadow due to the framework of the lattice 200 is more conspicuous. It is possible to enlarge a distance between the LCD and a photosensitive film to a degree of making this shadow unclear. However, in this case, an image to be transferred may become unclear as well.
In addition, a spacer 201 is used so as to make the shadow due to the framework of the lattice 200 less conspicuous as much as possible. However, since the thickness of the spacer 201 is approximately 20 mm according to the publication, there is a limitation in realizing a thin, small and light image transfer apparatus.
In addition, an attempt to apply the LCD with such a high-definition screen to the transfer apparatus disclosed in JP 11-242298 A would lead to the following problem. In the case of UXGA, the dot size of each of the RGB pixels is approximately 0.04 mm on the shorter side. As described above, in a state in which enlargement in dot size occurs as in the transfer apparatus disclosed in the publication, it tends to be impossible to transfer an LCD image of such a minute dot size to a photosensitive film with satisfactory clarity in a condition in which the dots of the RGB pixels are clearly distinguishable from each others.
In addition, in the transfer apparatus disclosed in the publication, the back light 100 and the LCD 300 are required to be spaced apart from each other in order to maintain clarity without causing blurring of an image to be transferred to the photosensitive film 400. Thus, the above-mentioned LCD with a high-definition screen must have an increased distance from the back light 100. For example, in the transfer apparatus as shown in FIG. 43, thicknesses of the lattice 200 and the spacer 201 provided between the back light 100 and the LCD 300 are required to be increased. Therefore, it is impossible to realize a compact structure with the thickness of the transfer apparatus reduced.
Further, in the transfer apparatus disclosed in JP 11-242298 A, image transfer is effected, with the liquid crystal display (LCD) 300 and the photosensitive film 400 being closely attached together, to prevent blurring (unclarity) of the image and to obtain an image satisfactory from the practical point of view. It is to be noted, however, that exposure of a display image on the LCD 300 to the photosensitive film 400 being closely attached together involves the following problems.
First, as shown in FIG. 42, on the outermost surface of the LCD 300, there is arranged a film-like polarizing plate 301, which is closely attached to the photosensitive film 400 during exposure. When the photosensitive film 400 is moved to perform a post-processing, the photosensitive film 400 and the polarizing plate 301 are rubbed against each other to thereby flaw the film-like polarizing plate 301, and the flaw on the polarizing plate 301 is transferred to the photosensitive film 400. Further, this flaw causes scattering of light, resulting in deterioration in the image quality.
To cope with this, it might be possible for the polarizing plate 301 and the photosensitive film 400 to be closely attached together during exposure and slightly spaced apart from each other when the photosensitive film 400 is moved. For this purpose, however, it would be necessary to newly provide, apart from the photosensitive film 400 moving mechanism, a mechanism for effecting close attachment and detachment of the photosensitive film 400, which is contradictory to the requirement for reduction in cost and size and the like.
Further, generally speaking, a photosensitive film, for example, an instant film, which is most conveniently used, is kept in a lightproof case until it is loaded in a transfer apparatus. Since this lightproof case is equipped with an opening frame somewhat larger than the film, the following procedures must be followed before the photosensitive film can be brought into close contact with the polarizing plate.
That is, first, prior to exposure, one sheet of photosensitive film is taken out singly from the lightproof case, and brought into close contact with the surface of the polarizing plate on the surface of the LCD. In this condition, exposure is performed, and, after the completion of the exposure, the photosensitive film is separated from the polarizing plate surface, and moved for a processing (in the case of an instant film, a processing liquid tube provided in the photosensitive film is pushed open).
These procedures must be repeated for each sheet of photosensitive film. In particular, separating the photosensitive film from the polarizing plate surface does not square with automation (or mechanization).
Moreover, there is also a problem of scattering of light on the surface of the LCD. That is, usually, the transmission type LCD has a structure for holding a liquid crystal layer with a glass substrate and a polarizing material from both sides thereof. Then, processing such as matting (roughening) is applied to the surface of the LCD, that is, the surface of the polarizing material in order to prevent reflection of external light so as to facilitate observation by an observer.
Here, methods that are usually used as the above-mentioned matting processing include a method of forming unevenness on the surface of the polarizing material (polarizing film) using a mechanical or chemical method, or a method of forming unevenness on the surface of the polarizing material by adding transparent particulates of polyester resin, polyurethane resin and the like to the outermost layer thereof. However, since the transparent particulates and the polarizing material have different optical characteristics, that is, different refractive indexes from each other, and the surface of the polarizing material becomes uneven, light emitted from the polarizing material has a high degree of scattering.
Such an LCD is preferable when it is directly observed. However, as described above, if an image displayed on the LCD is transferred to a photosensitive recording material, there is a problem that clarity of the transfer image is low.
The same problem is found in the electronic still camera having the printing capability disclosed in JP 2000-502555 A. That is, this camera is constituted so as to project an image displayed on an LCD panel onto an instant film and expose the instant film to light via a projection optical system. However, since the display image to be projected is an image displayed on the LCD panel having an ordinary polarizing film subjected to the above-mentioned matting processing, the exposure is performed by light with strong scattering. Thus, it cannot be denied that clarity of the image decreases.


Control panel architectures, and, specifically, architectures having bulb assemblies as features, particular those in control panels used in motor vehicle applications, are disclosed.

Devices for use in motorized vehicles, often have a means, such as control panels, to regulate various inputs and outputs from and to desired areas of the vehicle. In heating and air conditioning applications this involves the desired ability to ensure that the adequate temperature and amount of conditioned and non-conditioned air reaches the various areas of the vehicle by means of a adjustable control panel. For example, in automotive vehicles conditioned and non-conditioned air can be channeled through an HVAC unit and distributed to various areas, such as the foot or panel, defrost, demist, and other areas of the cockpit within the vehicle. To enable these applications there needs to be a controlling device, such as a control panel, within the cockpit to ensure that air is distributed properly, as desired, by the opening and closing of doors within the HVAC unit, allowing conditioned and/or non conditioned air to reach the appropriate areas requiring heating, air conditioning or fresh (non-conditioned or recirculated) air.
One of the problems that have existed in the art as it pertains to control panels is that there is a vibration or shock that that can occur and be transmitted to, or through, the control panel. In those cases, the bulbs and other parts of the panel can become off-balanced and, if not correctly designed, must be manually re-centered to be functional. There is therefore, a need to self-center or realign, various elements that become off centered, due to vibration or shock forces.
Examples of self-centering arrangements for parts can be found in various patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,740, Vibration Dampening Arrangement for IC Engines, issued Jun. 8, 2004, to Decuir, U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,720, Disk Brake Lathe Vibration Attenuator, issued Jul. 15, 2003, to Greenwald et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,412,180, Anti-Vibration Element Having Separation Securement, issued Jul. 2, 2002, to Wolf et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,188 Shock Absorber with Elastomeric Strip, issued Jun. 30, 1998, to Lund. Though these patents employ various methods of vibration dampening, they are not like those provided in aspects of the present invention.
Bulb assemblies in general and, in particular candlestick bulb assemblies, used in motor vehicle applications, especially control panel applications, must have a life that can stretch over an extended period of time while enduring not only vibration during testing, but vibration during operation and shock loads placed on the unit as it cycles between extreme temperatures. This results in a great deal of stress being placed on the bulb filaments in the globe and elsewhere, and a need to isolate vibration transmission to these areas is evident. Insufficient isolation results in an abnormally short life span of the bulb filament and globe.

Control panel assembly with bulb vibration dampener

Abstract: By providing restricting means such as for leg features as part of the control panel assay, bulb assemblies are more resistant to damage to the bulb globe or filaments, or other elements, due to the effect of undesired movement or vibration that occurs in motorized vehicles.


When dynamically grouping a plurality of graphic objects, such as displayed on a graphic input display apparatus, a cluster tree is formed for the plurality of graphic objects. The cluster tree is based on a plurality of different types of distance measures. These include a time distance and a spatial distance. These distances are combined to form a distance metric indicting a distance between a pair of the graphic objects. Each level of the cluster tree defines a new cluster of the graphic objects. At least one of the graphic objects is selected. The different cluster levels of the cluster tree containing the selected graphic object are displayable. The displayed cluster of the graphic objects can be modified to increase or decrease the cluster level of the cluster containing the selected graphic object.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to graphical editing systems. In particular, this invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for dynamically grouping a plurality of graphic objects for graphical editing.
2. Description of Related Art
Grouping of graphic objects is an important interface issue in graphical editing systems, such as systems operating with digital ink, as it allows selecting one or more graphic objects as a single unit. Users select graphic objects for editing operations, such as deleting or moving graphic objects, or for adding properties or data types to the graphic objects. For handwritten notes, the desired selection of graphic objects is typically groups of ink strokes forming a word, a line or a paragraph. In keyboard entry systems, selection is facilitated by the fact that the words, lines and paragraphs are well-defined units, which can be distinguished by space characters between words, paragraph characters between paragraphs and the like. In keyboard entry systems, the user may click on a mouse once to select a word, twice to select a line, or three times to select a paragraph. In contrast, graphic objects, including digital ink strokes, cannot be mapped into meaningful units in this way.
Thus, in typical graphical editing systems, groups of graphic objects are selected by dragging a rectangle over the desired objects. However, if the desired graphic objects are not basically rectangular, for example, in cases where ink strokes as graphic objects are skewed or drawn diagonally, this technique may be disadvantageous.
Another method for grouping graphic objects in graphical editing includes drawing a loop around the graphic objects to indicate the desired grouping. This method is used in Tivoli. Tivoli is described in "Tivoli: An Electronic Whiteboard for Informal Workgroup Meetings", E. Pedersen et al., INTERCHI '93, pages 391-398 (Apr. 24-29, 1993). Tivoli is an electronic whiteboard for informal work group meetings. While drawing a loop around the graphic objects can avoid skew problems, selecting just the strokes of one group is difficult to achieve when strokes from different groups overlap.
Another method for selecting groups of graphic objects or strokes is wiping, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,705 to Moran et al. (Moran 1). Moran 1 describes a technique for wiping of dynamically selected graphic objects, wherein a special wiping mode is selected and the pen is moved over desired graphic objects or strokes. However, strokes or graphic objects not touched by the wipe may be included according to how close they are to selected graphic objects or strokes, either in actual distance on a page or how closely in time they were created.
In the Sharp Zaurus Model ZR-5700/ZR-5800 operation manual, Sharp Corporation, Mahwah, N.J. 07430, ink strokes as graphic objects are automatically grouped by time, so that strokes made within a certain time threshold are grouped together. However, in this technique, the threshold for grouping strokes is dependent on the writing speed. This technique also does not take into account spatial closeness. Therefore, graphic objects or strokes that are adjacent on a page, but that are made at different times, may not be grouped and it is difficult to separate time-grouped graphic objects or strokes.
In the InkWriter (Aha|) system, "aha| software products", 1995, graphic objects or strokes are written between pre-drawn lines on the screen and words are recognized based on inter-stroke spacing. This system allows a user to edit handwritten notes using insertion, deletion, cut-and-paste, with the ink or graphic objects being reformatted to fit the screen, as in text word processors.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,439 to Moran et al. (Moran 2) describes techniques for dynamically selecting graphic objects by considering their spatial and temporal nearness to the selection, with selection being made by rectangular regions, drawing a loop, or by wiping.

Method and apparatus for dynamically grouping a plurality of graphic objects


A circuit module including: a wiring substrate having a shape elongated in one direction; a semiconductor chip mounted on the wiring substrate; and a molding material that molds the semiconductor chip, wherein end faces of the molding material that extend along a lengthwise direction of the wiring substrate and intersect with a lateral direction of the wiring substrate are formed by dicing performed along end faces of a partial region of the wiring substrate.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a circuit module including at least one semiconductor chip that is mounted on a wiring substrate and molded with a molding material, and a method for manufacturing such a circuit module.
2. Related Art
With a miniaturized circuit module, a semiconductor chip (bare chip) that is not encapsulated in a package is mounted on a wiring substrate by wire bonding or flip chip bonding, and then the semiconductor chip on the wiring substrate is molded with a molding material in order to protect the semiconductor chip and the like.
For example, a plurality of semiconductor chips are mounted on a mother board in which a plurality of wiring substrates are continuously arranged, the semiconductor chips are molded with a molding material, and thereafter the mother board is cut by punching with a die (die cutting). The plurality of wiring substrates are thereby separated. At this time, if the wiring substrates have a small width, the molding material spreads over the widthwise sides of the wiring substrates, and thus the molding material is undesirably cut by the die during punching.
However, the molding material is brittle, and thus if cracking occurs in the cut surfaces of the molding material, a molding defect occurs, resulting in a low manufacturing yield of the circuit modules. There is another problem in that if, for example, a residue of the molding material adheres to the end faces of the wiring substrates, an additional step of removing the residue of the molding material is necessary.
In particular, according to a transfer molding method, a plurality of semiconductor chips mounted on a plurality of wiring substrates are collectively and continuously molded with a molding material, and thus when the molding material and the mother board are cut by punching using a die, cracking is likely to occur in the molding material. Also, even when the molding material and the mother board are cut by using a scribing method, cracking is likely to occur in the molding material. For these reasons, it has been difficult to remove the molding material along the end faces of the wiring substrates.
As a related technique, JP-A-2013-105992 (paragraphs 0006, 0048 and 0065, and FIG. 12) discloses a method for manufacturing a substrate module with a built-in semiconductor device, with which it is possible to achieve high integration and miniaturization of semiconductor devices having a specific function, as well as achieving simplification and improved efficiency of the manufacturing steps relating to mounting components. According to this manufacturing method, a plurality of substrate modules with a built-in semiconductor device are obtained by cutting a core substrate, in which a plurality of core substrate regions (substrate module forming regions) applied to a substrate device portion are continuously provided, along dicing streets into substrate module forming regions so as to singulate the substrate modules.
According to JP-A-2013-105992, a plurality of substrate modules can be obtained by cutting the core substrate, in which a plurality of substrate module forming regions are provided, along the dicing streets. However, JP-A-2013-105992 contains no disclosure of cutting a core substrate on which a plurality of semiconductor devices molded with a molding material are mounted. Also, if the core substrate is cut from one end to the other by dicing, a large amount of residue of the core substrate or insulating layer is generated, and the problem of contamination occurs.

Circuit module having a substrate, semiconductor chip, and molding material formed by dicing


Provided is an information processing apparatus including: a first information acquisition unit configured to acquire first information indicating behavior of at least one user; a second information acquisition unit configured to acquire second information on the at least one user, the second information being different from the first information; and a display control unit configured to display, in a display unit, a user object which is configured based on the first information and represents the corresponding at least one user and a virtual space which is configured based on the second information and in which the user object are arranged.

In accordance with diffusion of social media, it has become common for users to share their behavior via a network. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technology for reflecting, in postures of objects representing other users, actual behavior of the users, such as walking, running, sitting, standing, and making a phone call in a virtual space displayed on a screen and expressing intimacy of a user with the users and actual positions, characteristics of behavior, and taste of the users by using display positions of the objects.

Information processing apparatus, method, and non-transitory computer readable medium that controls a representation of a user object in a virtual space


The thickness of a portion of a metal plate for constituting a lead frame, which corresponds to a tip portion of respective lead terminals of the lead frame, is partially made thin by way of an etching treatment. Subsequently, the respective lead terminals of the lead frame are formed by a punching process or an etching process.

The present invention relates a method of manufacturing a lead frame used in an electronic component such as an IC (integrated circuit), or an LSI (large scale integration).
In general, electronic components such as an IC and an LSI have been widely known. Also, in a conventional lead frame, as shown in FIG. 10, an island portion "C" used for mounting a semiconductor chip "B" is integrally formed in one body on a lead frame "A" made of a thin metal plate, a large number of lead terminals "D" whose widths are made narrow are integrally formed in one body in such a manner that an inner lead "D.sub.1 " positioned at a tip portion of the respective lead terminals "D" is extended in a radial direction toward the island portion "C". These inner leads "D.sub.1 " positioned at the tip portions of the respective lead terminals "D" are mutually connected with the above-described semiconductor chip "B" by using very fine gold wires "E" by way of a wire bonding process, and thereafter the entire components are packaged by a mold unit made of a synthetic resin.
Recently, there is extremely increased the number of lead terminals owned by electronic components, for instance, ICs and LSIs, which are manufactured in high integration. To increase the total number of lead terminals without making these electronic components bulky, the width size "W.sub.1 " of the inner lead D.sub.1 at the tip portion of the respective lead terminals "D" must be narrowed and also the pitch interval "P" between the adjoining inner leads "D.sub.1 " must be shortened. In case that these lead terminals are formed from a thin metal plate by a conventional punching process or the conventional etching process, both of the width size "W.sub.1 " of the each inner lead at the tip portion of the respective lead terminals and the interval dimension "W.sub.2 " between the adjoining inner leads cannot be reduced less than 80% of the thickness of this metal lead frame.
Conventionally, the width size W of the inner lead D.sub.1 of the respective lead terminals is narrowed and also the pitch interval "P" between the adjoining inner leads "D.sub.1 " is narrowed by making the thickness of a raw metal plate "A" thinner, which is used for the lead frame. However, when the thickness of the metal plate used for the lead frame "A" is made thinner, the thickness of the entire lead terminal "D" becomes thinner, so that strength of outer lead portion of the lead terminal "D", which projects from the mold portion, is lowered. As a result, since the thin outer lead portion is extremely apt to be deformed, there is a limitation in increasing the degree of integration of an electronic component by making the thickness of the lead frame "A" thin. In other words, there is a problem that provision of a large number of lead terminals may cause a bulky electronic component.

Method of manufacturing lead frame used in electronic component


The mobile element includes a central rigid zone (2) provided with arms (6) extending radially from the central zone (2) towards a peripheral zone including teeth (8). The arms (6) are flexible to allow a small tangential and/or radial movement of the teeth (8) in order to absorb shocks. The invention is characterized in that the arms (6) are curved and bend gradually towards an orientation tangential to the rotation of the mobile element, in that the thickness of the arms gradually decreases, and finally, in that the ends of the arms form the teeth.

In a known manner, the escapement of a mechanical timepiece movement, whether it be a Swiss or coaxial lever escapement, comprises a more or less complex assortment of parts, including an escape wheel whose regularly spaced teeth absorb the shock of the pallet stones, generally made of ruby. The shape of this wheel, shown in FIG. 2, has practically never changed. It comprises a central rigid zone 2, provided with an aperture 4 for driving onto an arbour; a rigid felloe 12 provided with teeth 8, and generally four arms 6, which are also rigid, which form a rigid part. Improvements have related to the number or shape of the teeth in particular for facilitating lubrication and reducing wear. Swiss Patent No. CH 230 743 and German Patent No. DE 1 192 984 disclose for example embodiments wherein the teeth comprise notches for forming oil reservoirs.
In order to have sufficient mechanical resistance, the material used for manufacturing such escape wheels is practically always a metal or alloy. This does not however totally exclude the risk of the teeth being damaged in the event of too violent shocks. This risk is further increased if a more shock sensitive material replaces the metal.

Mobile micromechanical element with shock controlled rotation