The object of the present invention is to provide a novel developer capable or realizing a thermal recording material superior in preservation stability (i.e., heat resistance, moisture resistance) of color images and non-image areas, while satisfying the recent request for high sensitivity, and a thermal recording material using the developer.

In general, a thermal recording material (medium for thermal recording) is obtained by applying a coating liquid onto a support such as paper, plastic film and the like to form a heat coloring layer, wherein the coating liquid is obtained by grinding and dispersing a basic dye, which is colorless or in a pale color at ambient temperature, and an organic developer, to give respective fine particles, mixing them and adding a binder, a filler, a sensitizer, a lubricant, other additive and the like to the mixture. By heating with a thermal head, a thermal pen, a laser light and the like, it affords a developed color record. The basic principle of such recording method is considered to be the change of the dye to have a color upon chemical contact of an electron donative dye with an organic developer. Such recording method (thermal recording method) is characterized in that it is free of the need of complicated treatments such as development, fixing and the like, it can record in a short time using a comparatively economical and simple apparatus, is maintenance free, is free of noise during recording, and the obtained color is very clear, as compared to other recording methods conventionally put to practical use, and has been widely used as a recording material for computer output, printer of electronic calculator and the like, recorder for medical measurement, facsimile, automatic ticket vending machine, label fields, copying machine and the like. As multi-purpose and high performance types of these apparatuses have been progressively provided in recent years, a higher-grade thermal recording material (medium for thermal recording) has been demanded. For high speed recording and miniaturization of apparatuses, for example, the thermal energy of the thermal head of recording apparatuses tends to become very small, and a thermal recording material (medium for thermal recording) to be used therefor is required to show sufficient color density to afford a high density and clear color image even with a very little energy.
To meet such request, various compounds having phenolic hydroxyl group have been proposed as a developer to be contained in a heat coloring layer, and disclosed in, for example, JP-B-40-9309, JP-B-43-4160, JP-B-45-14039, JP-B-51-29830, JP-A-56-144193 and the like. Generally, bisphenol compounds, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid ester and the like have been put to practical use alone or in combination of several kinds thereof. However, the conventional materials such as these are associated with problems of, for example, low thermal response, insufficient color density achieved by high speed recording, inconsistent color densities, time-course changes in the density of color image after recording, discoloration during preservation, degraded heat resistance of background, precipitation of white powder on a surface, which is what is called blooming, degraded re-printability and the like.
There has also been disclosed recently a method using a trisphenol compound as a developer or an antifading agent in JP-A-9-278695, JP-A-2001-96926 and the like, but the use of such compound does not lead to a sufficient color density. While JP-A-58-181686 discloses a method using 2,2′-methylenediphenol compound as a developer, the method described in this publication is insufficient in sensitivity and image stability, such as heat resistance, moisture resistance, weather resistance and the like.
It is also known to add a novolac resin to a color layer of a thermal recording material, but this is associated with a problem that sufficient sensitivity cannot be obtained.
As mentioned above, a thermal recording material having preservation stability as mentioned above, such as heat resistance and moisture resistance, which satisfies recent requirements for high sensitivity, has not been obtained yet.
In view of the above-mentioned situation, the present invention aims at providing a novel developer capable of realizing a thermal recording material superior in preservation stability (i.e., heat resistance, moisture resistance) of color image and non-image area, which satisfies recent requirements for high sensitivity, and a thermal recording material using the same.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Developers for thermal recording materials and thermal recording materials

Abstract: The developer for a thermal recording material of the present invention is characterized in that it consists of a composition containing, of condensates represented by the formula (I):

Abstract: wherein R is a halogen atom, a hydroxyl group, an alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, an alkoxyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a cyano group, a nitro group, an aryl group or an aralkyl group, R in the number of m may be the same or different and m is an integer of 0–3, and n is an integer of 0–3, a condensate having two cores wherein n=0 as a main component, and at least one kind of condensate of the formula wherein n=1–3, and that a thermal recording material obtained using this developer shows high sensitivity, high dynamic color density, and superior preservation stability.


A precision radar registration (PR2) system and method that employs highly accurate geo-referenced positional data as a basis for correcting registration bias present in radar data. In one embodiment, the PR2 method includes sample collection and bias computation function processes. The sample collection process includes ADS-B sample collection, radar sample collection, and time alignment sub-processes. The bias computation function process includes bias computation, quality monitoring and non-linear effects monitoring sub-processes. The bias computation sub-process results in a bias correction solution including range bias bρ, azimuth bias bθ, and time bias bT parameters. The quality monitoring sub-process results in an estimate of solution quality. The non-linear effects monitoring sub-process results in detection of the presence of non-linear bias, if any, in the bias correction solution.

The raw data provided by radar (a measurement of range and azimuth in the radar coordinate system) is subject to random noise and systematic errors (aka registration errors). Before radar targets can be used by the tracking and display functions of Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, registration errors must be removed with as much accuracy as possible. In multi-sensor environments failure to align the reference frames could result in unphysical track discontinuities and degraded surveillance accuracy to levels even lower than any single sensor. Legacy systems utilize methodologies to address registration errors between radars such that corrected reports from multiple radars each report an aircraft to be at the same position. The introduction of ADS-B (Automatic Dependent Surveillance—Broadcast) gives rise to a need to register ADS-B target positions with radar positions in order to support safe separation of ADS-B equipped aircraft from non ADS-B equipped aircraft. In addition, ADS-B opens the possibility for significant accuracy improvements in the determination of registration parameters.
Air traffic controllers maintain aircraft safely separated with the help of targets rendered on a situation display as well as other tools. In a multi-sensor environment (e.g., combining various radars and ADS-B) the positional data displayed to the controller will show path discontinuities when there are residual registration correction errors. Inaccuracies in registration correction will also have a detrimental impact in the accuracy of the tracker and subsequently in the functions that depend on tracker outputs (such as the tactical conflict alert function).
The legacy solution to the registration bias problem was developed based on a radar-pair system. Targets from aircraft flying in a region where the coverage of two radars overlaps (at least partially) are time-aligned and the distance between them computed. After collecting a large sample of such targets the random component in the computed distance is reduced (tends to cancel out or reach negligible levels for sufficiently large samples); the remaining value is an indication of uncorrected bias (azimuth and range separately). All of these algorithms are related to the Maximum Likelihood (ML) problem (i.e. obtain the best 'model' parameters possible given the observed data, where the 'model' here is a simple additive bias to the azimuth and the range). Depending on the level of sophistication, these algorithms are formulated in terms of a Least Squares (LS) problem (only variances are used), or a Generalized Least Squares (GLS) problem (full covariance matrix is used).
However, registration correction algorithms that work with radar-pairs are not readily usable with ADS-B surveillance sources. Leaving data format incompatibilities aside, possible extensions of the two-radar algorithms to use ADS-B sources by treating the ADS-B as data of better quality fail in two respects: a) most of the algorithms do not support sensors with large differences in accuracy and, most importantly, b) even if they incorporated weights to the measurements based on sensor accuracy, in a multi-sensor environment the registration solutions can potentially be unstable exhibiting oscillations ('ringing') when a 3rd sensor is introduced. To exemplify: when the sensor pair A-B is used the registration solution for B is 'high', but when the algorithm is run for the pair B-C the solution for B becomes 'low'. An unstable, oscillating solution is observed when alternating between A and C to find registration corrections for B.
A commonly used algorithm in major ATC systems (HCS, ERAM, etc) is the 2-radar 4-equation method (R2E4 legacy registration), which is a Least Squares minimization of the distance between pairs of reports coming from two radars and using a large collection of time aligned common targets. These algorithms rely on collecting two separate samples of targets from two regions located to each side of the line joining the radar centers. The need to have two independent samples collected in these two separate regions is dictated by the choice of LS problem that couples the equations containing the 4 registration parameters (range and azimuth for two radars). In addition to the two problems described above, the R2E4 introduces the additional burden of the need to have separate collections in two regions, which could limit (or exclude altogether) its usability in areas of low traffic. Another drawback of the legacy registration algorithm is the need for a single-sensor tracker implemented within the registration function that provides accurate time extrapolated positions to allow for time-coincident comparisons of target positions. To improve accuracy of the time alignment of targets, in some implementations a maneuver detector filters out maneuvering targets (adding algorithm complexity).


A power booster is operable at relatively low apply rates and at relatively high apply rates and includes an input assembly that has a movable input rod and a primary reaction piston having a first reaction area. An output support body is responsive to movement of the input rod, with a resilient reaction disc engaging the output support body. A secondary reaction body has a second reaction area and is engageable with the reaction disc and transfers loads between the reaction disc and the input assembly at relatively low apply rates. The amount of the load transferred is a function of both the first reaction area and the second reaction area at the relatively low apply rates resulting in a first reaction ratio. The primary reaction piston is engageable with the reaction disc and transfers loads between the output support body and the input assembly during relatively high apply rates. The amount of the load transferred is solely a function of the first reaction area at the relatively high apply rates resulting in a second reaction ratio that is smaller in magnitude than the first reaction ratio.

Brake power boosters are known to utilize hydraulic fluid power, pneumatic power or a vacuum and atmospheric pressure differential to provide power assist in applying the brake system's master cylinder. Upon brake application, force on the brake pedal is transferred through the push rod to the power booster, which intensifies the force and transfers it to a type of piston that moves to actuate the master cylinder and apply the brakes. Brake power boosters are known to include a mechanism for transferring the feel of brake operation back from the master cylinder through the power booster to the brake pedal. A typical mechanism includes a reaction body and a reaction disc that are carried in the power piston transmitting forces between the power piston and the piston rod. When the brakes are applied, an apply force is developed to generate fluid pressure at the master cylinder, and that force is offset by being transmitted back through the piston, reaction disc and reaction body. The reaction disc is resilient so that it can be compressed and operates to transfer a portion of the total output force back through a reaction piston, and the pushrod to the brake pedal. This portion of the force, compared to the total force, is the reaction ratio.
With a conventional power booster, the amount of reaction force transferred to the push rod is a straight line function of input force until the unit reaches run-out. This means that regardless of the existing force level, in response to each additional incremental increase of 1 unit of output force from the power booster, an amount equal to x % of that 1 unit of output force is supported by the vehicle's driver at the brake pedal manually. For example, if the reaction ratio of the power booster is 2:1, then 2 units of output force results in 1 units of force being supported by the driver. Likewise, 20 units of output force results in 10 units of force being supported by the driver. To ensure that the input force requirements of a typical system are at an acceptable level over the entire operating range of the unit, the reaction ratio is selected for each individual application. If a harder pedal feel is preferred, then a lower reaction ratio may be selected. If a softer pedal feel is preferred, then a larger reaction ratio may be selected. A drawback is that once the reaction ratio is selected, it is applicable regardless of the actuation conditions that exist during operation of the vehicle's brake apply system.


Described herein are methods for improved partitioning between high and low affinity nucleic acid ligands identified through the SELEX method, termed Flow Cell SELEX. The Flow Cell SELEX method achieves partitioning between high and low affinity nucleic acid ligands using surface plasmon resonance technology. The method of the present invention presents a new and powerful approach to select nucleic acid ligands by providing a partitioning method which 1) enables a significant increase in the efficiency of partitioning from traditional partitioning methods used in SELEX, 2) allows for real time monitoring of the partitioning of the high affinity ligands from the low affinity ligands 3) allows for the ability to select for a nucleic acid ligand having specific kinetic properties, 4) does not rely on radiolabeling or other means of tagging for detection, and 5) allows for use of smaller amounts of target than in traditional methods of SELEX.

The SELEX method (hereinafter termed SELEX), described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/536,428, filed Jun. 11, 1990, entitled Systematic Evolution of Ligands By Exponential Enrichment, now abandoned, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/714,131, filed Jun. 10, 1991, entitled Nucleic Acid Ligands, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,096, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/931,473, filed Aug. 17, 1992, entitled Method for Indentifying Nucleic Acid Ligands, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,163, all of which are herein specifically incorporated by reference, provides a class of products which are nucleic acid molecules, each having a unique sequence, each of which has the property of binding specifically to a desired target compound or molecule. Each nucleic acid molecule is a specific ligand of a given target compound or molecule. SELEX is based on the unique insight that nucleic acids have sufficient capacity for forming a variety of two- and three-dimensional structures and sufficient chemical versatility available within their monomers to act as ligands (form specific binding pairs) with virtually any chemical compound, whether monomeric or polymeric. Molecules of any size can serve as targets.
The SELEX method involves selection from a mixture of candidates and step-wise iterations of structural improvement, using the same general selection theme, to achieve virtually any desired criterion of binding affinity and selectivity. Starting from a mixture of nucleic acids, preferably comprising a segment of randomized sequence, the method, termed SELEX herein, includes steps of contacting the mixture with the target under conditions favorable for binding, partitioning unbound nucleic acids from those nucleic acids which have bound to target molecules, dissociating the nucleic acid-target pairs, amplifying the nucleic acids dissociated from the nucleic acid-target pairs to yield a ligand-enriched mixture of nucleic acids, then reiterating the steps of binding, partitioning, dissociating and amplifying through as many cycles as desired.
While not bound by a theory of preparation, SELEX is based on the inventors' insight that within a nucleic acid mixture containing a large number of possible sequences and structures there is a wide range of binding affinities for a given target. A nucleic acid mixture comprising, for example a 20 nucleotide randomized segment can have 4.sup.20 candidate possibilities. Those which have the higher affinity constants for the target are most likely to bind. After partitioning, dissociation and amplification, a second nucleic acid mixture is generated, enriched for the higher binding affinity candidates. Additional rounds of selection progressively favor the best ligands until the resulting nucleic acid mixture is predominantly composed of only one or a few sequences. These can then be cloned, sequenced and individually tested for binding affinity as pure ligands.
Cycles of selection and amplification are repeated until a desired goal is achieved. In the most general case, selection/amplification is continued until no significant improvement in binding strength is achieved on repetition of the cycle. The method may be used to sample as many as about 10.sup.18 different nucleic acid species. The nucleic acids of the test mixture preferably include a randomized sequence portion as well as conserved sequences necessary for efficient amplification. Nucleic acid sequence variants can be produced in a number of ways including synthesis of randomized nucleic acid sequences and size selection from randomly cleaved cellular nucleic acids. The variable sequence portion may contain fully or partially random sequence; it may also contain subportions of conserved sequence incorporated with randomized sequence. Sequence variation in test nucleic acids can be introduced or increased by mutagenesis before or during the selection/amplification iterations.
Current partitioning methods typically used in SELEX rely on a partitioning matrix. High affinity oligonucleotides may be separated in a chromatographic-type process, by binding to nitrocellulose filters, liquid-liquid partition, filtration gel retardation, and density gradient centrifugation.
The basic SELEX method has been modified to achieve a number of specific objectives. For example, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/960,093, filed Oct. 14, 1992, entitled "Method for Selecting Nucleic Acids on the Basis of Structure," abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/198,670, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,796 describes the use of SELEX in conjunction with gel electrophoresis to select nucleic acid molecules with specific structural characteristics, such as bent DNA. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/123,935, filed Sep. 17, 1993, entitled "Photoselection of Nucleic Acid Ligands," describes a SELEX based method for selecting nucleic acid ligands containing photoreactive groups capable of binding and/or photocrosslinking and/or photoinactivating a target molecule. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/134,028, filed Oct. 7, 1993, entitled "High-Affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands That Discriminate Between Theophylline and Caffeine," now abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/443,957, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,737 describes a method for identifying highly specific nucleic acid ligands able to discriminate between closely related molecules, which can be non-peptidic, termed Counter-SELEX. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/143,564, filed Oct. 25, 1993, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment: Solution SELEX," abandoned in favor of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/461,069, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,567,588, describes a SELEX-based method which achieves highly efficient partitioning between oligonucleotides having high and low affinity for a target molecule.
The SELEX method encompasses the identification of high-affinity nucleic acid ligands containing modified nucleotides conferring improved characteristics on the ligand, such as improved in vivo stability or improved delivery characteristics. Examples of such modifications include chemical substitutions at the ribose and/or phosphate and/or base positions. SELEX-identified nucleic acid ligands containing modified nucleotides are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/117,991, filed Sep. 8, 1993, entitled "High Affinity Nucleic Acid Ligands containing Modified Nucleotides", abandoned in favor of U.S. application Ser. No. 08/430,709, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,660,985 that describes oligonucleotides containing nucleotide derivatives chemically modified at the 5- and 2'-positions of pyrimidines. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/134,028, supra, describes highly specific nucleic acid ligands containing one or more nucleotides modified with 2'-amino (2'-NH.sub.2), 2'-fluoro (2'-F), and/or 2'-O-methyl (2'-OMe). U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/264,029, filed Jun. 22, 1994, entitled "Novel Method of Preparation of Known and Novel 2'-Modified Nucleosides by Intramolecular Nucleophilic Displacement", describes oligonucleotides containing various 2'-modified pyrimidines.
The SELEX method encompasses combining selected oligonucleotides with other selected oligonucleotides and non-oligonucleotide functional units as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/284,063, filed Aug. 2, 1994, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment: Chimeric SELEX", now U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,459, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/234,997, filed Apr. 28, 1994, entitled "Systematic Evolution of Ligands by Exponential Enrichment: Blended SELEX," now U.S. Pat. No. 5,683,687, respectively. These applications allow the combination of the broad array of shapes and other properties, and the efficient amplification and replication properties, of oligonucleotides with the desirable properties of other molecules.
The SELEX method encompasses complexes of oligonucleotides. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/434,465, filed May 4, 1995 entitled "Nucleic Acid Ligand Complexes", describes a method for preparing a therapeutic or diagnostic complex comprised of a nucleic acid ligand and a lipophilic compound or a non-immunogenic, high molecular weight compound. The full text of the above described patent applications, including but not limited to, all definitions and descriptions of the SELEX process, are specifically incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.
Without question, the SELEX process is very powerful. The nucleic acid ligands obtained by the SELEX process have the ability to act in many capacities. One of the capacities that nucleic acids ligands possess is the ability to bind specifically to a target.
The study of biomolecular interactions is of basic importance in understanding processes of molecular recognition and biological function. An area of recent development in understanding biological processes at the molecular level is the use of biosensors to monitor interactions in real time (Jonsson, U. et al., (1992) Advances in Biosensors 2, 291-336). A biosensor may be defined as an instrument that combines a biological recognition mechanism with a sensing device or transducer (Higgins, I. J., Presentation at Biosensors 1989, St. John's College, Cambridge, UK). A range of potentially useful biosensor technologies for real-time interaction studies has been described in the literature (Badley, R. A. et al., (1987) Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B. 316, 143; Guilbault, G. G. (1988) Analytical Chemistry 19, 1; Heineman, W. R. et al., (1987), Meth. Biochem. Anal. 32, 345; Kretschmann, E. Z., (1971), Physik 241, 313; Kronick, M. N. et al., (1974), Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 71, 4553; Liedberg, B. et al. (1983) Sensors and Actuators 4, 299; Mosbach, K. and Danielsson, B. (1974) Biochim. Biophys. Acta Report 364, 140; Nellen, P. M. et al., (1990) Sensors and Actuators 1, 592; Roederer, J. E. et al., (1983) Anal. Chem. 55, 2333; Rothern A. (1945) Rev. Sci. Instum. 16, 26; Trunit, Arch. Biochem. Biophys. (1953) 47, 251; Vroman, L. et al., (1969) Surface Sci. 16, 438).
Real-time molecular interaction analysis (Jonsson, U. (1992) Biosensors: Fundamentals, Technologies and Applications. ed. Scheller F. and Schmid R. D., pp 467-476 (GBF Monographs Volume 17)) uses the optical phenomenon of surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technology (Kretschmann, E. and Raether H. (1968) Z. Naturforschung, Teil. A 23, 2135). SPR is a method for monitoring interactions, in real time and without the use of labels, between two or more molecules such as proteins, peptides, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and low molecular weight molecules such as signaling substances and pharmaceuticals.
Surface plasmon resonance is an optical phenomenon which arises in thin metal films under conditions of total internal reflection. This phenomenon produces a sharp dip in the intensity of reflected light at a specific angle, termed the resonance angle. The position of this resonance angle depends on several factors including the refractive index of the medium close to the non-illuminated side of the metal film. Refractive index is directly correlated to the concentration of dissolved material in the medium. SPR is used in bimolecular interaction analysis to measure changes in the concentration of molecules in a surface layer of solution in contact with the sensor surface.
Real-time molecular interaction analysis uses SPR technology to monitor interactions in real time. The BIAcore 2000 (BIAcore, Inc.) is one type of system available which performs such an analysis. To perform a real-time biomolecular interaction analysis, a target is immobilized on a sensor chip, which forms one wall of a micro-flow cell. A solution containing an analyte that interacts with the immobilized target is then injected over the sensor chip in a controlled flow, during which a monochromatic light is focused on the sensor chip. As analytes from the solution bind to the immobilized target, the surface concentration changes and thus the resonance angle changes and a SPR response is registered. This response is detected as a signal, expressed in resonance units (RU), and is directly proportional to the mass of analytes bound to the target on the sensor chip. The continuous display of RU as a function of time, referred to as a sensorgram, thus provides a complete record of the progress of association and dissociation. When analysis of one interaction cycle is complete, the surface of the sensor chip can be regenerated by treatment with conditions that remove all bound analyte preferably without affecting the activity of the immobilized ligand. Curve fitting analysis of the data in the sensorgrams allows kinetic constants of the interactions to be determined.
The essential components of a SPR biosensor system are: 1) a sensor chip covered with a surface matrix to which targets may be immobilized where the interaction takes place; 2) an optical system responsible for generation and detection of the SPR signal; and 3) a liquid handling system with precision pumps and an integrated micro-fluidic cartridge for controlled transport of samples to the sensor surface.
The sensor chip is a glass slide coated on one side with a thin gold film, to which a surface matrix is covalently attached. This matrix is the means by which biomolecules can be immobilized on the sensor chip surface. One type of sensor chip comprises a matrix which consists of carboxymethylated dextran. A number of chemical techniques can be used to immobilize a target to this matrix, depending on the nature of the interactant and the purpose of the immobilization. Another type of sensor chip has a hydrophobic layer for immobilizing lipophilic substances, such as liposomes, which contain a target in the lipid bilayer of the liposome. The sensor chip may be regenerated for repeated use by exposing the sensor chip to conditions which dissociate and elute the target from the sensor chip, depending on the stability of the immobilized ligand and the severity of the conditions required to elute the analytes.
The use of SPR technology in partitioning high affinity nucleic acid ligands from low affinity nucleic acid ligands in the SELEX process has not been demonstrated so far. The present invention demonstrates that SPR technology can replace the conventional partitioning methods in the SELEX process to obtain high affinity nucleic acid ligands in significantly fewer rounds of SELEX as compared to conventional partitioning methods. The method of the present invention also eliminates the need to radiolabel or tag the nucleic acids as a means of detection, provides a means to perform the SELEX process with much smaller amounts of target than in conventional SELEX methods, and allows for the selection of nucleic acids ligands to a target based on specific kinetic properties in real time.


A device and a process for analysis of acoustic reflectance directs acoustic energy for a range of frequencies including resonance frequencies of the object being analyzed. The device detects waves reflected by the object to produce what is called an acoustic reflectance curve. The electronic signal applied to an acoustic transducer at each frequency is gradually increased in amplitude to a desired amplitude. After applying the signal for a period of time at the desired amplitude, the amplitude is gradually decreased. This technique reduces noise that would otherwise occur if a signal of the desired amplitude was applied directly. The signal applied to the acoustic transducer also may be scaled according to a measured response of the device to open air, i.e., without any expected reflectance. Normalizing the signal applied to the acoustic transducer rather than the signal received from a microphone increases the dynamic range of the device. The device also may require operation for several sweeps through a range of incident frequencies in order to ensure proper user technique is used. When the data for the several sweeps is analyzed, the best result of the several sweeps may be stored as the output.

Many of the problems with common diagnostic techniques for ear pathologies were overcome by a device which measures acoustic reflectance, which is a quantity related to the complex acoustic impedance of the middle ear. Acoustic reflectance also is used to analyze the nasal cavity or to measure volume of the lungs. This technology also may be used for veterinary purposes.
Acoustic reflectometry for the ear involves transmitting sound waves (called incident waves) through the ear canal to the tympanic membrane. The incident waves are selected from a range of frequencies including the resonance frequency of the tympanic membrane; ideally the amplitudes of the incident waves also are the same for all frequencies, but this result often is not achievable. Some of the incident waves are reflected off the tympanic membrane and other components of the ear. The reflected waves may be detected by a microphone. In order to detect resonance, the microphone detects the vector sum of the incident and reflected waves over the range of frequencies. The envelope of this vector sum, herein called an acoustic reflectance curve, has a dip, also called a null. In the literature, this diagnostic technique is generally referred to as acoustic reflectometry or acoustic otoscopy and the device is generally referred to as an acoustic reflectometer or acoustic otoscope.
A suitable device and methodology for measuring acoustic reflectance of an ear are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,601,295 and 4,459,966 to John H. Teele (the Teele patents). Such devices were made commercially available by ENT Medical Devices, Inc., of Wareham, Mass., and Endeco, Inc., of Marion, Mass. With these devices, the amplitude of a peak of the null of the acoustic reflectance curve, called the null value, was the primary basis for diagnosis of ear pathologies. It was discovered that the accuracy of the measurement of the null value obtained with an acoustic reflectometer depended on the line of sight from the instrument tip to the tympanic membrane. This problem was overcome by analyzing the shape of the acoustic reflectance curve, as shown in PCT Publication WO96/23293 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,809 (Combs et al.).
Another kind of acoustic reflectance measurement is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,594,174 and 5,651,351, to Douglas Keefe. These patents disclose a circuit that detects reflected waves separately from the incident waves. This separation permits the transfer function of the ear canal to be determined.
The accuracy of measurements of acoustic reflectance may be diminished due to noise. Noise may be caused, for example, by the response of an acoustic chamber to a change in frequency of the acoustic wave exciting the chamber or by noise in the received signal. In addition, normalization of the device by adjusting the received signals to compensate for the frequency response of the device limits the dynamic range which may be measured by the device. Finally, results may be unreliable due to user technique, particularly if the operator does not operate the device for a sufficient period of time to collect a sufficient amount of data for analysis. The present invention overcomes these difficulties to improve the sensitivity and reliable of the device.

Device and process for measuring acoustic reflectance


According to one embodiment, a solid-state image pickup device includes a pixel array that includes a two-dimensionally arranged matrix of photoelectric conversion elements corresponding to pixels of a picked-up image. Each of the photoelectric conversion elements includes a first conductive semiconductor region and a second conductive semiconductor region between which an uneven junction plane is formed.

In the related art, an electronic device such as a digital camera or a mobile terminal with camera function is provided with a camera module including a solid-state image pickup device. The solid-state image pickup device includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements arranged two-dimensionally corresponding to each pixel of a picked-up image. Each of the photoelectric conversion elements photoelectrically converts incident light into a quantity of electric charges (for example, electrons) corresponding to a light-received quantity to accumulate as information indicating luminance of each pixel.
In such solid-state image pickup device, miniaturization of the photoelectric conversion element has proceeded with downsizing of the device. As the miniaturization of the photoelectric conversion element proceeds, since the number of electrons to be accumulated by each of the photoelectric conversion elements, so-called the number of saturated electrons becomes less, reproduction characteristic of the picked-up image is reduced. In solid-state image pickup device, therefore, the photoelectric conversion element capable of increasing the number of saturated electrons in a limited region is desired.

Solid-state image pickup device, and camera module


A dual-purpose bullet is provided consisting of a thermoplastic body, a base cap, and a pressed powder core. The bullet in the preferred embodiment can either penetrate destroying and disrupting large volumes of human tissue or not penetrate the human tissue delivering a strong shock event and creating a thermal nuisance. The lethal mode is achieved by a high-velocity launch of the bullet without ignition of the igniter mixture and pressed powder core. The less-than-lethal mode is achieved by a low-velocity launch with ignition of first the pressed powder core and softening of the plastic projectile body.

Bullet technology falls into two general categories: (1) lethal bullets and projectiles launched at high velocity, typically greater than 300 meters-per-second, usually consisting of metallic materials, and (2) less-than-lethal bullets and projectiles launched at low velocity, typically less than 150 meters-per-second, usually consisting of non-metallic materials. Bullet design maximizes the desired effects within a specific category, thus precluding applicability to the other. The distinction between lethal and less-than-lethal bullets creates severe deficiencies in two respects. First, less-than-lethal bullets are typically incompatible with weapons designed to fire lethal ammunition. Second, single-purpose lethal and less-than-lethal bullets impose a fixed level of response on the user irrespective of the threat or situation.
Lethal bullets achieve the desired effect by penetration of the opponent thus creating a primary cavity of destroyed human tissue and a secondary volume of disrupted human tissue. The extent of destroyed and disrupted human tissue is optimized through a combination of bullet velocity, material, and design. Non-metallic bullets have been occasionally invented and used to achieve lethal effects. Typically, plastic bullets are inherently limited in terms of penetration capability thus yielding a small volume of destroyed human tissue, a small volume of disrupted human tissue, or both.
McArthur U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,237, 1993 teaches a plastic bullet composed of the plastic polytetrafluoroethylene (sold under the tradename "Teflon" by DuPont) which produces large volumes of destroyed and disrupted human tissue by projecting a small mass of plastic at high velocity. The combination of low bullet mass and design provides for limited aerostability. This concept is designed to optimize lethality by trading off a portion of the bullet's limited penetration capability for increased tissue damage. The exclusive use of plastic precludes the disorientation effectiveness (i.e., shock effect) of this low mass bullet.
LeBlanc U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,325, 1995 teaches a projectile consisting of a metal jacket with a core of thermoplastic and lead shot. The projectile expands on impact with a soft material, yet is capable of penetrating hard material. This application of a lead core surrounded by a copper jacket limits its utility to lethal effects. The dual-purpose bullet avoids the lethality associated with the application of a metal core by surrounding the pressed powder with a thermoplastic jacket.
Bilsbury U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,311, 1975 teaches a combination of a plastic bullet with an incendiary material so as to create an armor piercing bullet which utilizes a plastic jacket which ruptures on impact enabling a metal penetrator to pierce the target. This invention is distinguished from the dual-purpose bullet in that the plastic jacket in the former invention is not required for penetration. The dual-purpose bullet employs the plastic body and pressed powder core to act in conjunction to provide the lethal effects of tissue destruction and disruption.
Less-than-lethal ammunition achieves the desired effect by disorienting the opponent. This effect is achieved by inducing a non-penetrating, shock event that propagates into the area surrounding the impact. Human tissue destruction is avoided. Human tissue disruption is minimized. Generally, less-than-lethal ammunition reduces mortality by decreasing projectile density, decreasing material strength, decreasing velocity, and increasing projectile diameter.
One such shock effects projectile is contained in Greenlees U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,662, 1976. The projectile is fired from a conventional shotgun comprising a pliant body of flexible arms after exiting the gun muzzle. The increased impact area prevents penetration of the projectile into the target. The projectile is limited in that the flexible arms are incompatible with the high-velocity launch, the flight dynamics, and the penetration required of lethal rounds.
A second shock-effects projectile is described in Carbone U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,439, 1994. The projectile consists of successive cylindrical slugs which are launched and provide multiple impacts on the target. This concept is limited in that its dispersed nature eliminates the focused mass required for lethal penetration and human tissue destruction.
As is apparent from the inventions above, none provide a single round which possesses the penetration capacity for lethality, the non-penetration capability for less-than-lethal impacts coupled with an effective disorientation feature, and the flight stability required of lethal bullets for engaging targets at extended ranges.
It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a bullet that:
A. Provides a single bullet design with lethal capability when fired at high velocity and less-than-lethal capability when fired at low velocity. PA1 B. Provides a lethal capability through the combined response of a plastic body and a pressed powder core. PA1 C. Provides a less-than-lethal capability producing disorientation and a nuisance effect through the combined response of a pressed powder core and a softened plastic body. PA1 D. Provides flight stability through the combination of projectile shape, weight, and flutes which is compatible with both lethal and less-than-lethal modes of operation.


The present invention is a method and apparatus for reducing the effects of transmission line impedance on the clock signal in a semiconductor device. In a departure from the prior art, the present invention includes multiple clock inputs, located near the device's synchronous input/output ports, reducing the maximum distance that any single internal clock signal must travel and thereby reducing the amount of delay caused by the effects of transmission line impedance on the internal clock signals. The present invention also includes a read only memory ("ROM") to improve the speed of the device and to provide additional space in the highly congested areas between the column decoder and address ports of the device. The ROM is programmed to decipher row address for information that would be beneficial in a redundant column access.

The present invention relates generally to semiconductor design technology, and more particularly to a method and apparatus for synchronization of the multiple input/output of a semiconductor device.
Speed and timing constraints have always been important considerations in designing electronic systems. Most system designs must match the timing requirements of all the components used, yet still be optimized for high speed. As a result, many integrated circuits, or "chips," utilize a synchronous design. A synchronous chip is one in which components of the chip are connected to a common system clock. Synchronous chips also have latches or registers connected to inputs and outputs, all on a single monolithic chip. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,426,333 to Maeda describes a synchronous dynamic random access memory chip. Synchronous chips provide many benefits to system designers, such as fewer external logic chips and high speed operation. However, synchronous chips also present several design difficulties for chip designers.
One such design difficulty is the routing of the clock signal throughout the chip. Due to the effects of transmission line impedance, the clock signal as seen on one side of the chip is typically delayed from the same clock signal, as seen on the opposite side of the chip. This problem is exacerbated by increased chip size and an increased number of input/output ("I/O") ports. For example, a 256 mega-bit ("Mbit") dynamic random access memory ("DRAM") is very large in size, and can have as many as 16 I/O ports on a single chip.

Semiconductor integrated circuit device having synchronous function with a plurality of external clocks


A network relay apparatus relays data accompanied by additional information among plural networks through input ports and output ports. In the apparatus, a deciding unit decides, from the output ports, an objective output port to which the data inputted via any one of the input ports is to be inputted, on the basis of the additional information of the data inputted. An output unit outputs the inputted data through the decided objective output port. A producing unit produces diagnostic data to which the additional information including information indicating the decided objective output port is added, and a providing unit provides the deciding unit with the produced diagnostic data. Further, a fault diagnostic unit is provided to determine whether a fault has occurred in the network relay apparatus on the basis of information concerning the diagnostic data and the decided objective output port.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a network relay apparatus which relays data between a plurality of communication networks.
2. Related Art
A network relay apparatus has a plurality of input/output ports each of which is connected to each of a plurality of communication networks (hereinafter referred to just as "networks") so as to enable communication therebetween. In this apparatus, when a data is relayed from one network to another network, the data is inputted from an input port connected to the former network, and an output port connected to the latter network is decided based on additional information on the input data, so that the data is outputted from the decided output port. The "additional information" herein refers, for example, to such information that indicates the type of data and an addressee of the data, i.e. information on anything other than the data body.
In order to improve reliability in relaying data in the network relay apparatuses which are arranged as mentioned above, various techniques have been suggested lately. For example, Japanese Published Unexamined Application No. 2000-244548 suggests a technique in which a buffer is provided for each of the types of data to be relayed to prevent vanishment of data when the data is relayed.
However, in the above network relay apparatuses, depending on a fault that has occurred in the apparatus, input data tends not to be outputted from a correct output port from which the data should have been originally outputted. The reliability of the above apparatuses therefore cannot be sufficiently high.
For example, in a network relay apparatus, a data table is generally referenced in deciding an output port from which the data inputted from an input port should be outputted, the data table cataloging correspondences between pieces of additional information on the data and output ports. Under such circumstances, if a fault occurs by which the catalog contents of the data table are vanished or rewritten for some reason, the correspondences between the additional information and the output ports may turn out to be wrong, or rather no suitable correspondences may turn out to exist in the data table.
In this case, if an output port data corresponding to the additional information on the data inputted from an input port has been deleted from the data table, the data will no longer be outputted. Also, if the output port data corresponding to the additional information has been rewritten, the data will not be outputted from a correct output port from which the data should have been originally outputted.
In view of the above, it is desirable to provide an arrangement for a network relay apparatus, which is capable of detecting occurrences of such faults. An example of an arrangement for detecting occurrences of such faults may be one that provides a process which is dedicated to detect such faults by, for example, continuously or periodically checking contents of an incorporated memory or operational conditions of hardware. However, such an arrangement may not be realistic from a viewpoint of processing load or processing time required for checking.

Fault diagnosis in relaying data among a plurality of networks


A device for processing a printing substrate (22), having at least one processing tool (10), in particular a die plate or a perforating knife, which is accommodated on a rotatable carrier body (14); the carrier body (14) being at least partially provided with a magnetizable coating (16) which, when magnetized, holds the processing tool (10) on the carrier body (14) by the action of magnetic force. The device can be used to advantage in a print finishing machine, a printing press, or in a folding apparatus of a web-fed printing press.

The present invention relates to a device for processing a printing substrate, having at least one processing tool which is accommodated on a rotatable carrier body.
To process a printing substrate, for example, by punching, cutting, perforating, creasing, or the like, in print finishing machines, printing presses, and folding apparatuses for printing-material processing presses, these machines use processing devices which have one or more processing tools, often in the form of metal sheets having raised portions, and which are accommodated on a rotatable carrier body.
For example, German Patent Application DE 101 47 486 A1, hereby incorporated by reference, describes a die-cutting or cutting device including a rotatable magnetic cylinder (carrier body). The magnetic force effect is due to permanent magnets embedded in grooves. A die plate or cutting plate (processing tool) can be accommodated as a cylinder packing or cylinder covering on the carrier body.
Such carrier bodies for holding in place processing tools can only be produced in a manufacturing process involving a high degree of complexity. First, grooves have to be milled into the carrier body in which the permanent magnets are bonded in place with a resinous material. Subsequently, the surface must be mechanically reworked, i.e. ground, to provide an even surface and shape, which is required for printing technology. To prevent corrosion, the carrier bodies are made of stainless steel. As a consequence, the manufacture involves considerable costs, in particular material costs and processing costs.
As shown, for example, in Japanese Patent Document JP2001-1253051, hereby incorporated by reference herein, it is also known that cylinder packings, such as printing plates, can be provided with a permanent magnetic layer on the side facing a metallic carrier body so that the cylinder packing is held on the carrier body by the action of magnetic force. However, a disadvantage of this is, inter alia, that each individual cylinder packing used must be provided with such a layer, and the magnetic cylinder packings have to be handled with special care in order that the action of magnetic force does not result in unexpected or unwanted effects, such as damage resulting from accelerations of the cylinder packing.

Device for processing a printing substrate


A Schottky barrier diode and a method of manufacturing the Schottky barrier diode are provided. The diode includes an n− type epitaxial layer disposed on a first surface of an n+ type silicon carbide substrate and having an upper surface, a lower surface, and an inclined surface that connects the upper surface and the lower surface. A p region is disposed on the inclined surface of the n− type epitaxial layer and a Schottky electrode is disposed on the upper surface of the n− type epitaxial layer and the p region. In addition, an ohmic electrode is disposed on a second surface of the n+ type silicon carbide substrate.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a Schottky barrier diode that includes silicon carbide (SiC) and a method for manufacturing the Schottky barrier diode.
(b) Description of the Related Art
Recently, as size and capacity of applications increase, a need for power semiconductor devices having a high breakdown voltage, a high current, and a rapid switching characteristic has increased. Among the power semiconductor devices, a Schottky barrier diode (SBD) using a Schottky junction, in which a metal and a semiconductor form a junction, without using a P-N junction unlike a general PN diode represents the rapid switching characteristic and has a turn-on voltage characteristic lower than the P-N diode.
The Schottky barrier diode requires a substantially low turn-on resistance or a substantially low saturation voltage to reduce a power loss in a conduction state while providing a flow of substantially large current. Further, the Schottky barrier diode requires a characteristic that withstands a reverse high voltage of the P-N junction which is applied across the Schottky barrier diode in a turn-off state or at the moment that a switch is turned-off, that is, a high breakdown voltage characteristic.
It is known that the breakdown voltage is affected by a curvature of a depletion region and in a planar junction, an edge portion having a curvature less than that of a flat portion of a junction portion is crowded with an electric field due to an electric field crowding effect which crowds an electric field around a portion having a curvature less than that of the flat junction portion. Therefore, a breakdown phenomenon readily occurs at the edge portion and the breakdown voltage determined by the entire depletion region is reduced.
The Schottky barrier diode is formed to have a mesa structure to increase the breakdown voltage by relieving the phenomenon that the electric field is crowded around the edge portion of the junction portion and reducing a surface electric field. The Schottky barrier diode having the mesa structure does not require a termination structure for ion implantation, and the like but requires an etching process to form the mesa structure. In particular, the characteristics of the Schottky barrier diode may deteriorate due to an interface defect during the etching process.
The above information disclosed in this section is merely for enhancement of understanding of the background of the invention and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

Schottky barrier diode and method for manufacturing schottky barrier diode


An assembled capacitor polarity automatic inspecting method and system is proposed, which is designed for use to perform an automatic inspecting procedure to check whether an array of polarized capacitor are mounted correctly in polarity on a circuit board; and which is characterized by the use of computerized technology to automatically check whether each assembled capacitor on the circuit board is mounted correctly in polarity and automatically generate an inspection report in electronic form to show the result of inspection. This feature allows the QA/QC procedure on the circuit board not only to save labor and time but also to be much more accurate and efficient than the prior art.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electronic QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) technology, and more particularly, to an assembled capacitor polarity automatic inspecting method and system which is designed for use to perform an automatic inspecting procedure on a circuit board (such as a computer motherboard) that is assembled with one or more polarized capacitors, such as DIP (Dual Inline Package) capacitors, for the purpose of checking whether the polarized capacitors are mounted correctly in polarity on the circuit board.
2. Description of Related Art
In the manufacture of computer motherboards, it is a standard procedure to mount an array of DIP (Dual Inline Package) capacitors on the motherboards. Since DIP capacitors are polarized capacitors having a positive connecting end and a negative connecting end, it is important to assure that each DIP capacitor is mounted correctly in polarity on the motherboards. If a DIP capacitor is mounted incorrectly in polarity, it will not be able to provide the intended electrical operation and thus make the circuitry on the motherboard unable to operate normally. For this sake, after a motherboard is assembled, it is a necessary step in the QA/QC (Quality Assurance/Quality Control) procedure to check whether each assembled DIP capacitor on the motherboard is correctly mounted in polarity.
A conventional method for checking DIP capacitor polarity on the motherboard is to visually inspect each mounted DIP capacitor by the QA/QC engineers to see if each DIP capacitor is mounted correctly in polarity. If any DIP polarity is found to be incorrectly mounted in polarity, the QA/QC engineer will mark it on a checklist and then submit the checklist to the assembly works for correction. One drawback to this practice, however, is that the visual checking method by human labor is not only quite tedious and time-consuming, but cannot assure that all of the incorrectly-mounted DIP capacitors can be picked out. This conventional practice is therefore quite inefficient and inaccurate.

Assembled capacitor polarity automatic inspecting method and system


An antenna device includes a first and a second internal antenna element and a common ground plane. The first element has an upper and a lower end portion. The first antenna element is adapted for use with a cellular mobile phone system and the second antenna element is adapted for use with a GPS system. To that end, the second element is elongated and adapted to receive circularly polarized radio signals by operation with linear polarization. This provides for a compact antenna device adapted for use with more than one communication system.

The present invention is related to, and claims priority from, Swedish Patent Application No. 9904154-3, filed Nov. 17, 1999, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
The present invention relates generally to an antenna device and more particularly to a combined antenna device including an internal global positioning system (GPS) antenna and at least one internal antenna for cellular radio communication.
The use of a Global Positioning System(GPS)for determining the position of a terminal (such as a mobile phone) is increasing. GPS typically uses electromagnetic waves with circular polarization and a center frequency of 1.575 GHz. Today, the terminal is often a dedicated GPS terminal with an antenna arrangement adapted for GPS communication. The antenna is often a patch or quadrifilar helical antenna.
However, these types of antennas occupy a large space, especially the helical antenna. Also, a patch antenna has a considerable extension in two dimensions, making it difficult to place on a small substrate. It also requires a ground plane separated from the patch and being larger than the patch element.
The use of mobile phones and multi-purpose communication devices is increasing. Among the cellular mobile phone systems in use today can be mentioned the GSM system, using linearly polarized electromagnetic waves belonging to frequency bands of 900, 1800 or 1900 MHz, and the CDMA, JPC and AMPS systems.
There is a desire to integrate the functions of the GPS and the mobile phone systems into one terminal, i.e., a hand-portable radio communication device with a GPS function as well. However, the competing desire to make mobile phones compact poses special problems when designing the antenna arrangement adapted for use with both systems.
It is known antenna arrangements including a vehicle antenna for satellite navigation and for mobile radio communication. In one conventional device an arrangement including both a GPS antenna and an antenna working in the GSM bands. However, this arrangement is a flat-topped antenna apparatus intended for arrangement on a conducting surface. The radiating and receiving elements of the different antennas are arranged essentially parallel to each other and in different planes.
In another conventional device a radio communication device including a conventional cellular antenna and a GPS antenna in the form of a helical antenna are placed in an elongated antenna holder resembling a conventional rod antenna. The helical antenna is spaced apart from the terminal body by a communicating section in the antenna holder. Alternatively, this device uses a patch-like antenna element in the upper part of the terminal body mounted on a flat substrate. On the underside of the substrate is a ground plane for the patch-like antenna element. This configuration is not suited for use with a portable radio communication device, such as a mobile phone, due to its space-demanding configuration.
What is needed, therefore, is an antenna device for use in a terminal that overcomes the shortcomings of conventional devices described above.
The present invention is therefore directed to an antenna device, a communication device including the antenna device and a method of operating and the communication device that substantially overcomes one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages noted above.
An object of the present invention is to provide a compact antenna device including both an antenna for circularly polarized electromagnetic waves, such as for the GPS system, and at least one antenna for linearly polarized electromagnetic waves, such as for cellular mobile telephone systems.
Another object is to provide a radio communication device incorporating an antenna arrangement operating both with linearly and circularly polarized radio signals.
Still another object is to provide a method of operating a portable radio communication device having a first and a second antenna element.
The invention is based on the realization that an elongated element can be used as an antenna for receiving circularly polarized electromagnetic waves, such as those used in the GPS system, and that a common ground plane can be used for antennas operating with different kinds of polarization.
To achieve the above and other objects, an antenna device disposed in a terminal is disclosed, having a first antenna element adapted to transmit and receive electromagnetic waves and second antenna element adapted to receive circularly polarized radio signals.
These and other objects of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating the preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Antenna device, a communication device including such an antenna device and a method of operating the communication device


An improved multi-channel demodulator is provided. The improved demodulator includes an automatic gain control, a data buffer and a demodulation engine. Data from various RF channels are processed by the automatic gain control in order to keep the data at their respective constant levels. Output from the automatic gain control is passed to the data buffer for storage. Corresponding data from a selected channel is then processed by the demodulation engine. The improved demodulator is able to operate in any one of three operating modes, namely, a data processing mode, a channel switching mode and a waiting mode. In the data processing mode, the demodulation engine processes the channel data that is currently loaded into the demodulation engine. In the channel switching mode, the demodulation engine stores the current channel data into the data buffer and retrieves and loads channel data from another channel for processing. In addition, status and history information relating to the current channel data is stored into a channel status memory and status and history information relating to the next channel to be processed is retrieved from the channel status memory. In one exemplary aspect, in order to reduce the channel switching time, status and history information relating to the next channel to be processed is preloaded during the previous data processing mode. In the waiting mode, the demodulation engine awaits further processing instructions to decide whether to enter into either the data processing mode or the channel switching mode.

The present invention generally relates to demodulators and, more specifically, to an improved design for a fully parallel multi-channel demodulator.
Traditional digital cable, satellite and terrestrial broadcast systems utilize a large number of frequency-division multiplexed RF channels. Under conventional systems, each RF channel is typically handled by corresponding dedicated circuitry. FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating typical circuitry used to handle RF channels. As shown in FIG. 1, a typical demodulator chip includes a channel processing block 10 for each RF channel. Each channel processing block 10 further includes an analog-digital converter (ADC) 12, a demodulator block 14 providing functionality such as automatic gain control (AGC), timing recovery, equalization and carrier recovery, and a forward error correction (FEC) block 16. For example, a digital cable receiver chip designed to accommodate two channels includes two channel processing blocks.
The architecture of the typical demodulator chip as shown in FIG. 1 has a number of problems or disadvantages. For example, the foregoing architecture is not cost effective as the number of RF channels increases. Since each channel has its own dedicated circuitry for signal processing, the corresponding circuitry remains idle when the associated channel is not active; even when the channel is active, the associated circuitry is only active during certain periods of time. As a result, silicon resources within the chip are not shared or utilized efficiently. In addition, the architecture does not scale well with silicon technology improvements. For example, as silicon technology improves to provide higher processing speed, the number of channels that can be processed remains the same.
Furthermore, FIR filters are commonly used in demodulators. FIG. 2 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a typical FIR filter. As shown in FIG. 2, a typical FIR filter processes an input data stream in a serial manner. In other words, the input data stream is processed sequentially by a number of multipliers. Each of these multipliers must be designed to accommodate the largest possible coefficient. Consequently, the size of each multiplier must be at least as large as the largest possible coefficient even though the largest possible coefficient may never be used. This design results in inefficient use of silicon resource.
Hence, it would be desirable to provide an improved design for a multi-channel demodulator in which the processing circuitry for RF channels is more efficiently utilized.

Fully parallel multi-channel demodulator


The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an optical waveguide. The inventive method includes steps of providing a transfer member comprising a transfer sheet and a first metal film. The transfer sheet and the first metal film are detachable from each other. A laminated body made of a core layer disposed between two clad layers is formed on the transfer member. The invention also relates to optical waveguides produced by the inventive process and devices incorporating the optical waveguides of the invention.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical waveguide member for transmitting an optical signal, an optical circuit board, an optical circuit module, a display apparatus, a method for manufacturing the optical waveguide member, and a method for manufacturing the optical circuit board.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, optical signals have been used instead of electrical signals as media for transmitting information. Optical waveguide members having optical waveguides formed therein are used as means for transmitting the optical signals.
An exemplary known optical waveguide member includes a core layer that allows light to propagate therethrough, a first clad layer that covers the core layer, and a second clad layer that also covers the core layer. A light-emitting element is provided on a surface of the optical waveguide member.
The known optical waveguide member is manufactured by successively forming the first clad layer, the core layer, and the second clad layer on a support board, such as a printed circuit board, in that order. The core layer is strip-shaped and has an inclined surface at a longitudinal one end thereof. The inclined surface is formed such that the distance between the inclined surface and the first clad layer is increased toward the longitudinal one end. The inclined surface is formed by the process that first a core material layer made of the material of the core layer is formed on the first clad layer, then, anisotropic etching is applied to a longitudinal one end of the core material layer before the second clad layer is formed.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-148129 (page 11 and FIG. 2) is an example of related art.
In the method for manufacturing the known optical waveguide member, anisotropic etching is performed to form the inclined surface of the core layer, and it is difficult to control the shape of the inclined surface. Therefore, manufacturing process of the optical waveguide member is complicated.
An object of the present invention is to provide an optical waveguide member, an optical circuit board including the optical waveguide member, an optical circuit module including the optical circuit board and an optical semiconductor element, a display apparatus including the optical waveguide member, a method for manufacturing the optical waveguide member, and a method for manufacturing the optical circuit board, which address the above-described problem.

Optical waveguide member, optical wiring board, optical wiring module and method for manufacturing optical waveguide member and optical wiring board


A rotary electric apparatus comprises a rotor including a first and second rotor members, a stator including a first stator and second stator members with armature coils to which armature current is supplied for synchronous rotation. The first and second rotor members are formed into a skewed type. Control means for controlling amounts Φ1 and Φ2 of field magnetic flux generated by the first and second rotor members, respectively, such that the amounts Φ1 and Φ2 differ from each other to reduce a difference between a maximum amplitude of a predetermined-order harmonic component F1 of an electromagnetic force caused by a pair of the first rotor member and the first stator member and a maximum amplitude of the predetermined-order harmonic component F2 of an electromagnetic force caused by a further pair of the second rotor member and the second stator member is reduced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rotary electric apparatus, such as DC brushless motor and three-phase AC motor generator, which is generally called "synchronous machine," and, in particular to the rotary electric apparatus which has an improved ability to reduce the ripples of torque that are generated and also reduce the noise (called "magnetic noise") caused by pulsated drive current.
2. Description of the Related Art
A various types of rotary electric apparatuses have now been used, one type of which is proposed by (i) Japanese Patent publication No. 2672178, (ii) Japanese Patent publication No. 3028669, (iii) Japanese Patent Laid-open publication No. 9-182387, and (iv) Japanese Patent Laid-open publication No. 2003-284276.
Of these, the publications (i) to (iii) provide a skew structure arranged in a motor, in which even rotor members, each consisting of a magnetic rotor, are secured on a rotary shaft in a mutually adjacent manner such that the rotor members are shifted from each other along the rotary shaft by an angle corresponding to a half wavelength of a torque harmonic component of a predetermined order. Further, the forgoing publication (iv) also provides a motor provided with a rotor of skew arrangement type mentioned above, wherein a nonmagnetic member is inserted between mutually adjacent rotor members.
In the foregoing skewed rotary electric apparatus, a practical example can be provided such that the rotor members are skewed by an angle that corresponds to a half wavelength of a torque harmonic component of, for example, the sixth order (in the case of the three-phase type). This skew arrangement allows the torque harmonic component of this order to be opposite in phase between a first rotor part and a second rotor part. This skew arrangement aims at canceling the torque harmonic components from the two rotor parts.
However, it has been pointed out that such conventional skew arrangement structures are insufficient for canceling the torque harmonic components.

Rotary electric apparatus with skew arrangement


A test system includes a master electronic control module (ECM) configured to receive user input for performing a test action. The master ECM determines one or more subsystem ECMs associated with the requested test action and a sequence of operations to be controlled by the subsystem ECMs to perform the requested test action. The master ECM provides instructions to the subsystem ECMs to perform the operations, along with parameters for those operations. The master ECM may determine whether a test action is appropriate to perform, based on sensor data, before instructing subsystem ECMs to perform the operations of the test action.

Machines, such as cold planers, haul trucks, asphalt pavers, compaction machines, excavators, wheel loaders, and other machines are frequently employed for paving, construction, mining, and other activities. For example, compaction machines are used for compacting soil, gravel, fresh laid asphalt, and other compactable materials associated with worksite surfaces.
In the context of the compaction machine, a task may be to compact the surface at a worksite, whereby the weight of the compaction machine and the vibration of compaction machine drums compress the surface materials to a solidified mass. In some examples, loose asphalt is deposited and spread over the worksite surface, and one or more compaction machines may travel over the loose asphalt to produce a densified, rigid asphalt mat. The rigid, compacted asphalt may have the strength to accommodate significant vehicular traffic and, in addition, may provide a smooth, contoured surface capable of directing rain and other precipitation from the compacted surface. These and other tasks may be performed autonomously or semi-autonomously without continuous control by a human operator.
Autonomous operation presents advantages over traditional approaches to paving, construction, or mining activities, in that autonomous processes do not rely on operator judgement and/or perception when performing such tasks. Thus, these tasks can be performed by autonomous machines with reduced levels of operator training and/or experience. As a result, human error can be reduced in performing construction and mining tasks. Additionally, the autonomous machines may provide a more consistent performance and can work effectively for relatively long periods of time. As a result, autonomous machines, such as autonomous compactors, dozers, excavators, or the like, provide advantages in work quality, efficiency, and cost.
Autonomous machines, however, present a challenge in troubleshooting and/or testing when not operating as expected. Since the autonomous operation of these autonomous machines can involve operating multiple subsystems (e.g., propulsion, steering, etc.) in a seamless manner during operation, when a fault occurs, it can be challenging for a maintenance worker to pinpoint the source of the problem. Additionally, subsystems might need to be tested individually for ongoing operational maintenance needs.
One method of improving the testing of construction equipment is described in Korean Pat. No. 101922222 (hereinafter referred to as "the '222 reference"). The '222 reference describes a remote diagnosis system used with construction equipment. Service personnel can diagnose a construction equipment remotely without having the visit the construction site is described in the '222 reference. The construction equipment has a diagnostic module that can perform a diagnostic on the construction equipment and provide results remotely by network technology. However, the system described by the '222 reference does not pertain to autonomous machines, and further, does not allow a local or remote operator to test functionality of individual subsystems or groups of subsystems of the construction equipment. For example, the system described in the '222 reference does not enable a particular subsystem to be tested by controlling the subsystem to perform a test action useful in troubleshooting the construction equipment.
The present disclosure is directed toward overcoming the deficiencies of such systems.

Test system and method for autonomous machines


A computer-implemented "Product Control Center" (PCC) assists a user through the process of developing a product or documentation. The PCC typically operates on a computer having a monitor and a memory for storing electronic records related to the organization of products. Each product is associated with a process which is defined in terms of a life-cycle, which is divided into one or more phases, each phase is divided into one or more deliverables, and each deliverable can be a milestone. The records for the product, process, phases, deliverables, and milestones. Linkages are provided to word processing and code editing and compiling. The PCC includes a graphical user interface that controls the interactions between the computer-implemented PCC and the user, so that users can configure products by adding, modifying, and deleting the product, phase, deliverables, and milestones records. The PCC permits for the single control of a product development from specifying the process conception, design, implementation, release and support.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a computer-implemented product development system.
2. Description of Related Art
Efficient development of products is an increasing problem as products need to be developed quickly in a highly competitive environment. Development of a product normally goes through different phases, including conception, feasibility studies, prototyping, mass production and product support aspects. As each phase proceeds, it is normal to verify and confirm the viability of proceeding with a product development. Also, documentation has to be developed to support the different phases. Normally, deliverables are created and activities performed in each phase.
In the Applicant's experience, there does not exist, a system for creating process definitions and corresponding product descriptions, and then monitoring, regulating and centralizing product development in a manner to enhance the efficiency and flexibility of product development and different decisions that need to be made during the product development.
There is a need to provide a process for controlling product development in the different phases of the design, development and delivery of a product and its supporting documentation.

Computer-implemented electronic product development


In a mobile telecommunications system, when it is determined that a mobile terminal should be handed over from a first cell (primary cell) to a second cell (target cell), the target cell is chosen based on measurements of link quality in the primary network at the time when it is determined that handover is necessary, as well as on stored data indicative of the respective probabilities that different potential target cells will be the best handover target from a particular primary cell. This enables an appropriate choice of target cell to be made even in a case where it is not possible to make measurements on the target cells at the time when it is determined that handover is necessary (for example because handover is to a target cell that operates at a different frequency from that of the primary cell).

In mobile telecommunications systems, there are circumstances where it is desirable for a mobile terminal (such as a telephone, portable computer with communications capabilities, etc.) which is operating at a first frequency in a first network belonging to a first system to transfer to a second network operating at a second frequency (which may belong to a second system, that is, a system using a different type of technology and defined according to a different standard: from this point of view a GSM network belongs to a different system from an UMTS FDD network, for instance). The handover may occur, for example, because the quality of the connection available in the primary network is unacceptably low.
Below, the network in which a mobile terminal is operating before a given handover will be designated the "primary network" and its cells will be referred to as "primary cells", the network to which the terminal may be handed over will be designated the "target network" and its cells the "target cells". It should be understood that, in the present document, the word "primary" in the expressions "primary cell" and "primary network" does not denote any particular position of the cell or network in a hierarchy of cells or networks. Moreover, "a cell" may be an omnicell, a sector cell, etc.
Different types of handover may be envisaged, as indicated in Table 1 below:
TABLE 1Primary NetworkTarget NetworkHandover TypeSystem A Frequency ISystem AFrequency JIntra-system, inter-frequency handoverSystem BFrequency JInter-systemhandover
If the primary network is a time division duplex (TDD) network then, even while the mobile terminal is transmitting or receiving data/voice, there are time slots when it is inactive (that is, it is neither sending nor transmitting signals). These time slots can be used to perform measurements on channels operating at other frequencies, thus enabling the terminal to evaluate the performance of candidate target networks.
However, if the primary network is a frequency division duplex (FDD) network, such as a Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS) FDD network then, when the terminal is active and currently transmitting or receiving data, there are no inactive periods available for performing measurements at other frequencies. So, in this case, the terminal cannot readily evaluate the performance of candidate target networks.
Various techniques have been proposed to enable intra-system inter-frequency handovers, or inter-system handovers, to be performed by terminals operating in primary networks using FDD (such as UMTS FDD networks). These include techniques which use special means to enable measurements to be performed on the candidate target network(s), and so-called "blind handover" techniques.
Techniques Using Measurements on the Target Network:
A first approach which enables measurements to be made on the target network is the "dual receiver" approach in which the radio terminal (e.g. mobile telephone/computer, etc.) is adapted to enable it simultaneously to demodulate two different frequencies.
This approach has a number of disadvantages. Firstly, power consumption of the terminal is increased. Secondly, if the terminal is adapted to operate both in UMTS FDD networks and in GSM 1800 networks then a problem can arise (due to the closeness of the frequencies of the UMTS FDD uplink band and the GSM 1800 downlink band) when the contemplated handover is from an UMTS FDD network to a GSM 1800 network. More specifically, if the frequencies corresponding to the UMTS FDD uplink band and the GSM 1800 downlink band are not perfectly isolated then the dual receiver terminal may not be able to demodulate them both. In such a case another technique would be required in order to enable the terminal to perform measurements on the target network. Finally, the mobile terminal comprises two receivers and, accordingly, requires extra circuitry compared to a standard terminal: which increases its size, cost and complexity.
A second approach which enables the terminal to make measurements on the target network consists in operating the terminal in "compressed mode". This involves the terminal ceasing reception on its UMTS FDD primary frequency during pattern gaps that are specified in the 3GPP standard (see part TS 25.215, entitled "Physical-layer measurements (FDD)", of the definition of the 3G standard by the 3GPP). However, compressed mode operation deteriorates link level performance, uplink coverage and the overall capacity of the system.
Furthermore, known handover techniques which involve the making of measurements on the target network delay the triggering of the handover itself. This can lead to the terminal becoming disconnected if the handover was required as a matter of urgency, for example because the terminal had entered a so-called "dead zone" in the primary network.
Blind Handover Techniques
A "beacon pilot" blind handover technique has been proposed in which the target network, which normally operates at a frequency ft, broadcasts a "beacon pilot" at the same frequency fp as the frequency of the primary network. This beacon pilot consists of a pilot channel and a synchronisation channel and enables the mobile terminal to evaluate the propagation loss between itself and the target network.
One disadvantage of the "beacon pilot" approach is that it requires deployment of pilot antennas, increasing the cost of the system infrastructure. Another disadvantage arises in the case of an intra-system, inter-frequency handover between primary and target networks which are UMTS FDD networks operating at adjacent frequencies. In this case the pilot transmission can generate interference on the target network, making its capacity decrease.
Another known blind handover consists in a "direct" blind handover in which a look-up table is held, for example, in the Radio Network Controller (RNC) of the primary network (assuming an UMTS FDD primary network). This look-up table (or "planning table") indicates, for each primary cell, which target cell should be used in a handover. If the handover is between systems having co-located cells then this blind handover method works reasonably well. However, in the case where the transfer is an inter-system transfer there is no guarantee that the boundaries of the cells of the two systems will be defined in the same locations. If the primary and target cells are not co-located then the quality of the connection available in the target cell will vary depending upon the geographic location of the mobile terminal within the primary cell. Thus, for mobile terminals at certain locations within the primary cell, the target cell specified in the planning table will not be the best one to use.


An electrochemical element which contains a stack including two or more individual cells with positive and negative electrodes as well as separators in a housing formed from a metal sheet which is coated on the inside with insulating material. The output conductor lugs of each polarity are welded to a collector. The collector forms an external electrical connection of the electrochemical element. Those areas of the output conductor lugs and the collector which are welded to them, point towards the housing internal wall and are adjacent to the housing wall and are covered with a plastic film. The plastic film is adhesively bonded to the output conductor and to the collector with a silicone adhesive layer and is composed, for example, of polyimide.

Rechargeable electrochemical elements, in particular lithium cells, in many cases contain a cell stack which is formed from two or more individual cells or individual elements. The individual cells from which such a cell stack is formed are a laminate, which is produced from output conductors, an active electrode film and a separator. Laminates such as these composed of firmly connected individual parts are produced, in particular, as so-called "bicells" with possible sequences comprising a negative electrode/separator/positive electrode/separator/negative electrode or a positive electrode/separator/negative electrode/separator/positive electrode.
A method for producing rechargeable lithium/ion batteries is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,904. In this method, active materials and additives such as, if required, conductivity improvers are mixed in the electrodes or stabilizers in the separator, a specific copolymer, polyvinylidenefluoride hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP), as well as components of a softener, in many cases dibutylphthalate (DBP), after the addition of acetone to dissolve the copolymer, and are drawn out to form a sheet. The electrode sheets and separator sheets are processed in a number of lamination processes to form the above-mentioned bicells. Two or more bicells are formed in layers into a stack which, after insertion into a container composed, for example, of a thermoformed or deep-drawn composite aluminium sheet, filled with electrolyte, sealed with a cover, formation and end closure, are processed to form a complete battery. The electrodes of each polarity are provided with output conductor lugs welded to a collector which is passed through the housing to the exterior. The output conductors are folded closely together to save space and obtain a high energy density in the electrochemical element. It has been found that, in cells such as these, short circuits frequently occur as a result of contact between the output conductor lugs and the metal of the outer composite aluminium sheet.
It would, therefore, be advantageous to improve the resistance of such electro-chemical elements to short circuits.


A bonded lottery stamp ticket book having a plurality of stiff tickets secured to each other, each ticket having a first layer, the first layer having an upper surface and a binding region, the upper surface having indicia, the indicia being numbers, letters, symbols, figures or combinations thereof. Each ticket also has a second layer wherein the second layer has a border, a tab and a lower surface. The lower surface of the second layer is attached to the upper surface of the first layer at the border. The tab is frangibly attached to the border covering the indicia so that opening the tab reveals the indicia. The tickets are stacked upon and bonded to each other at the binding region to form the ticket book. The tickets are sufficiently flexible so that each ticket may be bent away from adjacent tickets.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to bonded lottery stamp tickets having the appearance of a book and a method for preparing such a bonded lottery stamp ticket book where the bonded lottery stamp ticket book has at least two or more tickets stacked upon and bonded to each other, and each ticket has a peel-away tab. Peeling away the tab will expose symbols, numbers or other indicia. Each ticket in the book of bonded lottery stamp tickets has sufficient flexibility so that it may be bent away from adjacent tickets in the ticket book and the tab of each underlying ticket may be bent back to reveal the symbols, numbers or other indicia without separating the tickets.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A number of patents have issued disclosing a variety of articles of multi-ply construction having an interior exposable indicia. However, the previous embodiments do not disclose a plurality of multi-layered tickets stacked one upon another and bonded in the form of a ticket book with the features herein described.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,398,708 to Goldman et al., 4,270,774 to Barnes and 3,956,049 and 3,940,124 to Johnsen disclose singular multi-ply lottery tickets joined to each other end-to-end to form a sheet of lottery tickets. The lottery tickets may be then either separated or stored in an accordion-like manner. None of these patents discloses dispensing the lottery tickets in a book form wherein each ticket is flexible and is stacked upon the next ticket front-to-back.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,930,673 to Sanden, 4,099,721 to Logander, 5,125,689 to Heninger and 5,253,899 to Greenwood disclose single lottery tickets having multiple sections folded upon each other. The folding and printing of the indicia in each case allow a person opening the ticket to reveal indicia in a unique manner.
The prior art, as disclosed by these patents, discloses multi-layered tickets, folded tickets and groupings of these tickets formed on a single sheet and folded in an accordion-like manner. None of these prior art patents describes books of multi-layered tickets, each ticket being flexible so that it may be bent away from adjacent tickets and the tab of each identifying ticket may be bent back to reveal underlying symbols, numbers or other indicia without separating the tickets.


A fuse tap for a blade fuse is disclosed which includes a tap flange to which a blade of the blade fuse is received. The blade is retained within the opening by a plurality of teeth which exert a clamping force on opposite sides of the blade. A locking element is formed on the tap to lock the tap onto the blade fuse. A crimp connector is formed on one end of the tap which is adapted to be secured to a wire by crimping. The fuse tap is formed as a unitary one-piece body formed by bending a single blank of metal to provide the crimp connector on one end and the tap flange formed at the other end which includes an opening for receiving the blade of the blade fuse.

Blade fuses have been broadly accepted for use in vehicle electrical systems. Blade fuses generally include a pair of parallel blades which are partially retained within a plastic fuse body so that a portion of each blade extends from the fuse body. The portions of the blade extending from the fuse body are designed to be received in a fuse block. The fuse block is typically located in the glove box, under the hood or in another readily accessible location.
Automotive aftermarket electronic devices such as alarm systems, CD changers, navigation systems, keyless entry systems, cell phones and audio devices are frequently designed to be powered by the vehicle electrical system. Professional installers and consumers are understandably hesitant to cut the wires of a vehicle to tap into the vehicle's electrical system. In many instances, it is difficult to run wires to tap the battery directly.
Various devices have been developed to tap into the vehicle electrical system using the blade fuses. One example of a blade fuse power tap is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,767 which discloses a connector for tapping power from a flat blade miniature plug-in fuse including a clamp that is adapted to engage the top portion of a fuse. The device includes a screw used to provide an electrical connection to the fuse and also connect the clamp to the top portion of the fuse. One problem which this device is that it extends considerably above the top of the fuse and may interfere with closing a fuse block cover. In addition, the device requires dexterity in assembling the clamp and screw to the blade fuse.
Another example of an electrical terminal for a bladed fuse is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,943,248 which discloses an electrical connector for connecting an automotive fuse to another circuit member. This device does not provide a secure locking arrangement and may also suffer from a disadvantage in that if there is any oxidization between the contact blade and the U-shaped contact structures, the electrical connection may be adversely affected.
Another example of a blade terminal tap fuse is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,050 which discloses a miniature fuse which includes an extended blade element provided on one blade of the fuse which extends through the upper portion of the body of the fuse. Following this approach, the fuse provided by the vehicle manufacturer must be discarded and replaced by the blade terminal tap fuse. An installer must maintain an inventory of tap fuses which correspond to the proper ampere rating fuses to be replaced.
This invention is directed to solving the above problems and others as will become apparent to one of skill in the art in view of the following summary and description of the invention.