A Radio Frequency (RF) receiver includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) and a mixer coupled to the output of the LNA. The gain of the LNA is adjusted to maximize signal-to-noise ratio of the mixer and to force the mixer to operate well within its linear region when an intermodulation interference component is present. The RF receiver includes a first received signal strength indicator (RSSI_A) coupled to the output of the mixer that measures the strength of the wideband signal at that point. A second received signal strength indicator (RSSI_B) couples after the BPF and measures the strength of the narrowband signal. The LNA gain is set based upon these signal strengths. LNA gain is determined during a guard period preceding an intended time slot of a current frame and during a guard period following an intended time slot of a prior frame. The lesser of these two LNA gains is used for the intended time slot of the current frame.

The structure and operation of wireless communication systems is generally known. Examples of such wireless communication systems include cellular systems and wireless local area networks, among others. Equipment that is deployed in these communication systems is typically built to support standardized operations, i.e. operating standards. These operating standards prescribe particular carrier frequencies, modulation types, baud rates, physical layer frame structures, MAC layer operations, link layer operations, etc. By complying with to these operating standards, equipment interoperability is achieved.
In a cellular system, a governmental body licenses a frequency spectrum for a corresponding geographic area (service area) that is used by a licensed system operator to provide wireless service within the service area. Based upon the licensed spectrum and the operating standards employed for the service area, the system operator deploys a plurality of carrier frequencies within the frequency spectrum that support the subscribers' subscriber units within the service area. These carrier frequencies are typically equally spaced across the licensed spectrum. The separation between adjacent carriers is defined by the operating standards and is selected to maximize the capacity supported within the licensed spectrum without excessive interference.
In cellular systems, a plurality of base stations is distributed across the service area. Each base station services wireless communications within a respective cell. Each cell may be further subdivided into a plurality of sectors. In many cellular systems, e.g., GSM cellular systems, each base station supports forward link communications (from the base station to subscriber units) on a first set of carrier frequencies and reverse link communications (from subscriber units to the base station) on a second set of carrier frequencies. The first set and the second set of carrier frequencies supported by the base station are a subset of all of the carriers within the licensed frequency spectrum. In most, if not all cellular systems, carrier frequencies are reused so that interference between base stations using the same carrier frequencies is minimized but so that system capacity is increased. Typically, base stations using the same carrier frequencies are geographically separated so that minimal interference results.
Both base stations and subscriber units include Radio Frequency (RF) transmitters and RF receivers. These devices service the wireless links between the base stations and subscriber units. Each RF receiver typically includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) that receives an RF signal from a coupled antenna, a mixer that receives the output of the LNA, a band-pass filter coupled to the output of the mixer, and a variable gain amplifier coupled to the output of the mixer. These RF receiver components produce an Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal that carries modulated data.
In order to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of an RF signal presented to the mixer by the LNA, the gain of the LNA is adjusted. In adjusting the gain of the LNA, great care must be taken. While maximizing the gain of the LNA serves to increase the Signal to Noise Ratio (SNR) of the RF signal, if the LNA gain is too large, the mixer will be driven into non-linear operation and the IF signal produced by the mixer will be distorted. Such is the case because a non-linear operating region of the mixer resides at an upper boundary of its operating range. The input power level at which output power is compressed by 1 dB for the mixer is often referred to as the 1 dB compression level. Thus, it is desirable to have the LNA provide as great an amplification of the received RF signal as possible prior to presenting the amplified RF signals to the mixer without driving the mixer into non-linear operation. During most operating conditions, the gain of the LNA may be set by viewing the input power present at the LNA and by setting the LNA gain to produce an output that causes the mixer to operate in a linear region.
However, when intermodulation interference exists, this technique for setting the LNA gain does not work. Intermodulation interference in the mixer occurs when the mixer receives two or more strong RF interference signals at certain neighboring channels (in addition to the desired signal) that cause the mixer to produce intermodulation components at the IF, the same frequency as the desired signal. This problem is well known and is a non-linear phenomenon associated with the operation of the LNA or mixer. The intermodulation component at the frequency of the desired signal is a third-order intermodulation component, IM3. In order to minimize intermodulation interference, the gain of the LNA should be reduced. However, reducing the gain of the LNA also reduces the SNR of the signal produced by the mixer. Thus, competing operational goals exist by the competing goals of increasing SNR by increasing the gain of the LNA and by reducing the effects of intermodulation interference by reducing the gain of the LNA.
While this problem is well known, its solution is not. Some prior techniques have simply avoided high LNA gain when wideband received signal strength (across some portion of the operating range of the RF receiver) was approximately equal to the narrowband received signal strength (at the IF). Further, when the wideband received signal strength was significantly greater than the narrowband received signal strength, the gain of the LNA was set to a low level. These operations addressed the issue of the existence of interferers. However, it did not consider whether intermodulation interference existed. Thus, the LNA gain was often times not optimally or acceptably set.
Additional difficulties arise when the receiver operates in a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system in which transmissions from differing locations are non-time-aligned. Prior techniques for setting the gain of the LNA typically consider whether potentially interfering signals, i.e., signals that produce an intermodulation product, exists during a guard period immediately preceding a received data frame. However, in TDMA systems, data frames of differing base stations are typically not time aligned. Thus, in some operations, interfering signals that produce an intermodulation product in the receiver are not present during a guard period that precedes a time slot intended for the receiver but become active during the time slot intended for the receiver. When the interfering signals become active during the time slot, an IM3 component is produced in the mixer, causing the receiver to fail to correctly receive the data contained in the time slot.
Thus, there is a need in the art to improve the operational characteristics of the LNA in order to maximize signal-to-noise ratio and to minimize the effects of intermodulation interference.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Timing based LNA gain adjustment in an RF receiver to compensate for intermodulation interference


A latch socket is provided for reinforcing the lock achieved between the door and a door frame utilizing a deadbolt lock or a key lock. The latch socket includes a relatively rigid elongated metallic one-piece homogeneous cast metal member having an exterior cylindrical surface with a coarse thread cast therein which is adapted to be threaded into a relatively large diameter drill hole of an associated door frame. The member includes opposite tubular end portions with a wall therebetween having a socket for receiving a drive tool for imparting axial and rotational drive force to the member for threading the same into or unthreading the same from an associated door frame drill hole.

A conventional door frame generally includes a pair of 2".times.4" studs nailed together to form a door passageway which is faced-off with a 3/4" face board of pine or similar material. A door is hinged to one side of the door frame, and an opposite edge of the door carries a conventional door key lock and a deadbolt lock, and the latch of each of these moves into and out of a 1" hole drilled into the face board and a portion of the adjacent 2".times.4" stud of the door frame. Typically, a flat latch plate having a latch opening is connected by a pair of short metal screws in overlying relationship with each of the door frame drill holes. However, deadbolt locks/latches and key locks/latches project only minimal distances through the holes of their respective latch plates and into the drill holes of the face plate or face board and the door frame stud(s). One can virtually shatter the 3/4" face board by kicking the door in the area of the latch(es) and, not uncommonly, most break-ins through doors occur in this simplistic manner.
Secondary latching devices, such as chains and sliding bolts, have also been utilized in conjunction with door key locks and door deadbolt locks, but these also are fastened by short screws to the 3/4" door frame face board, and the penetration of the screws into the 2".times.4" stud/frame is minimal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,570,917 issued on Nov. 5, 1996 to Cutrer is an effort at reinforcing a door lock/latch and/or deadbolt lock/latch through first recognizing that a door casing and/or the face board are the weakest points thereof. Rod members are provided that extend into the wall interior structure enabling the wall interior structure to be reinforced and strengthened thereby. However, the so-called reinforced door latch striker plate and deadbolt striker plate are expensive, relatively speaking, to manufacture and install.
Other prior art patents which attempt to avoid/eliminate door break-ins through the utilization of specially formed reinforced sockets, longer screws, auxiliary reinforcement members, etc. include structures of the type disclosed in the following patents representative of the prior art in this area:
U.S. Pat. No. RE 31,276 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 1,091,453 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 1,853,456 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 2,370,781 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,890 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,939 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,370 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 4,872,717 PA1 U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,475

Latch socket for reinforcing the lock between a door and a door frame


A liquid crystal display is disclosed in which a TFT is formed by forming on a substrate (10), a gate electrode (11), a gate insulation film (13), an a-Si layer (14), an etching stopper (15), an (N+a-Si) layer (16), a source electrode (17), and a drain electrode (18) in this sequence. Covering this TFT, an inter-layer insulation film (20) is formed, on which a pixel electrode (22) is then formed. In a common electrode (31), there is formed an orientation control window (32) where no electrodes are situated. With this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the orientation of liquid crystal molecules from being disturbed due to the influence of electric fields generated by the gate electrode (11), the drain electrode (18), or their respective associated lines. As a result, the orientation of liquid crystal molecules is effectively controlled through electric fields generated in the sloped direction around the edges of the pixel electrode (22) and orientation control window (32), thereby obtaining preferable pixel dividing and a wider range of visibility.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) utilizing the electro-optical anisotropy of liquid crystal, and in particular, to an LCD for achieving a high aperture ratio and a wide viewing angle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The LCD is advantageous in that it is small and light-weight, and has low power consumption. It is thus put into practical use in such fields as in OA and AV equipment. In particular, the active matrix type which uses a thin film transistor (TFT) for the switching element can, in principle, perform static drive of 100% duty ratio in a multiplexed manner, and is used for large screen, animation displays.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show the structure of a unit pixel for a conventional LCD; FIG. 1 is a plane view, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view along the line F—F in FIG. 1. A substrate 200 made of glass, etc., is provided, and a gate electrode 201 made of Cr, etc., and a gate line 202 made of Cr, etc., are formed thereon. Gate line 202 integrally connects a row of gate electrodes 201 aligned in the same row direction. Covering them, a gate insulation film 203, made of Si3N4, etc., is formed. On gate insulation film 203, there is formed an island-like amorphous silicon (a-Si) layer 204 in a region corresponding to gate electrode 201. The a-Si layer 204 will act as an operating layer for the TFT. Amorphous silicon regions doped with impurities, are formed at both ends of a-Si layer 204 creating (N+a-Si) layers 206 to act as contact layers. Between a-Si layer 204 and (N+a-Si) layers 206, an etching stopper 205 made of Si3N4 is formed as required for structural reasons. Further, on (N+a-Si) layers 206, there are respectively disposed a source electrode 207 and a drain electrode 208 both made of material having a high-melting point, such as Al/Si, etc. In regions other than a TFT region on gate insulation film 203, a pixel electrode 210 is formed, made of Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) which is transparent and conductive. Further, a drain line 209 is also provided for integrally connecting a column of drain electrodes 208 aligned in the same column direction. Covering all of the components mentioned above, an alignment layer 211 made of a polymer film, such as polyamide, is formed. Alignment layer 211 is subjected to predetermined rubbing processing for controlling the initial orientation of liquid crystal molecules. On alignment layer 211, a liquid crystal layer 230 is formed, on which another glass substrate 220 is disposed opposing substrate 200. A common electrode 211 made of ITO is formed on the entire surface of glass substrate 220, opposing substrate 200. Common electrode 221 is covered by an alignment layer 222 made of polyamide, etc., which is subjected to rubbing processing.
Liquid crystal is a nematic phase having, for instance, positive anisotropy of dielectric constant. When it is used for an LCD, a twist nematic (TN) mode is employed in which orientation vectors of liquid crystal molecules are twisted by 90 degrees between the top and bottom substrates 200, 220. A polarizing plate (not shown) is generally provided outside each substrates 200/220 such that, in the TN mode, a polarizing axis thereof matches a rubbing direction of alignment layer 211/222 on corresponding substrate 200/220. Thus, when no voltage is applied, linearly polarized light incoming through one of the polarizing plates proceeds within liquid crystal layer 230 while revolving along the twisted orientation of the liquid crystal molecules, until it comes out from the other polarizing plate. The LCD then displays white. On the other hand, a predetermined voltage is applied between pixel electrode 210 and common electrode 221, and an electric field is formed in liquid crystal layer 230, so that liquid crystal molecules change their orientation due to their dielectric constant anisotropy such that their long axes become parallel to the electric field. As a result, the twisted orientation of the liquid crystal molecules is destroyed, and incoming linearly polarized light is thus forced to stop revolving in liquid crystal layer 230. Then, only a reduced amount of light comes out from the other polarizing plate, resulting in a gradual change of a displayed color to black. The above mode in which an LCD displays white with no voltage applied and black with voltage applied is referred to as a normally-white mode, which is mainly employed for TN cells.
Another example is a DAP (deformation of vertically aligned phases)-type LCD which uses a nematic phase having a negative anisotropy of dielectric constant for an LCD, and a vertical alignment layer for DAP orientation films 211, 222. A DAP-type LCD, which is one example of those employing electrically controlled birefringence (ECB), utilizes a difference in a refractive index between a long axis and a short axis of liquid crystal molecules, i.e., birefringence, for controlling transmission and displayed colors. For this type, a polarizing plate is formed in a crossed Nicols arrangement outside each of substrates 200, 220. When voltage is applied, linearly polarized light introduced via one of the polarizing plates is converted into elliptically polarized light via birefringence in liquid crystal layer 230. The retardation of this elliptically polarized light, i.e., the difference in phase speed between ordinary and extraordinary ray, is controlled according to the strength of electric fields generated in liquid crystal layer 230, wherein the strength of the electric fields are determined depending on a voltage applied to liquid crystal layer 23. Then, colored light as desired will come out from the other polarizing plate on the LCD at a desired transmission according to the controlled retardation amount. As described above, an LCD obtains a desired transmission or displays desired hues by controlling light revolution or birefringence in liquid crystal. This controlling is effected by applying a desired voltage to liquid crystal which is sandwiched by a pair of substrates having predetermined electrodes formed thereon. In other words, in a TN mode, the strength of transmitted light can be controlled by controlling a retardation amount by changing the orientation of liquid crystal molecules. In an ECB mode, hue separation is also achieved by controlling the strength of transmitted light, which depends on wavelength. A retardation amount depends on an angle formed by a long axis of a liquid crystal molecule and the direction of an electric field generated in the liquid crystal. However, even if this angle is primarily controlled by adjusting electric field strength, a relative retardation amount will vary depending on an angle at which an observer views the LCD, i.e., a viewing angle. As viewing angle varies, the strength or the hues of transmitted light also changes. This is a problem of view angle dependency of an LCD.


A multi-color X-ray generator includes an electron beam generator 10 which accelerates an electron beam to generate a pulse electron beam 1 and which transmits the beam along a predetermined rectilinear orbit 2, a composite laser generator 20 which successively generates a plurality of pulse laser lights 3a, 3b having different wavelengths, and a laser light introduction device 30 which introduces the pulse laser lights along the rectilinear orbit 2 to be opposed to the pulse electron beam 1, so that the plurality of pulse laser lights 3a, 3b successively head-on collide with the pulse electron beam 1 along the rectilinear orbit 2 so as to generate two or more types of monochromatic hard X-rays 4 (4a, 4b).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a multi-color X-ray generator which successively switches and generates two or more types of monochromatic hard X-rays at short time intervals
2. Description of the Related Art
X-rays are electromagnetic waves having a wavelength of about 0.1 to 100 A (10−11 to 10−8 m), among the rays, an X-ray having a short wavelength (10 to 100 keV, λ=1 to 0.1 A) is referred to as a hard X-ray, and an X-ray having a long wavelength (0.1 to 10 keV, λ=100 to 1 A) is referred to as a soft X-ray. Moreover, an X-ray emitted at a time when an electron beam or the like is struck on a substance and having a wavelength inherent in a constituting element of the substance is referred to as a particular X-ray.
As apparatuses in which the X-rays are used, an X-ray transmission apparatus, an X-ray CT apparatus, an X-ray diffraction apparatus, an X-ray spectral apparatus and the like are utilized in broad fields such as a medical treatment, bioscience and material science. For example, to cure cardiac infarction, coronary angiography (IVCAG) in which an X-ray of about 50 keV is used is generally performed. Moreover, the X-ray CT apparatus is an apparatus in which an object to be measured is irradiated with X-rays from different directions to measure absorption of the rays, and an image is reconstructed by a computer to obtain a two-dimensional sectional image of the object.
As generation sources of the X-rays, an X-ray tube and synchrotron radiation light are known.
The X-ray tube is a device in which a thermion obtained by heating a filament in vacuum is accelerated at a high voltage, and is allowed to collide with a metal anode (a target), thereby generating the X-ray. Examples of the X-ray to be generated from the X-ray tube include a continuous X-ray obtained by braking radiation of an electron, and a particular X-ray which is a bright line spectrum. The continuous X-ray is used as a ray source for an application in which any X-ray having a specific wavelength is not required, for example, a transmission process for a medical treatment or industry. The particular X-ray is used for an application in which the X-ray having the specific wavelength is required, for example, X-ray diffraction, fluorescent X-ray spectroscopy or the like.
On the other hand, the synchrotron radiation light (SR light) is an X-ray generated during an orbit change in a case where an orbit of the electron beam accelerated at a speed close to a light speed is changed by a strong magnet in an annular accelerator (a synchrotron). The SR light is an X-ray source (e.g., an X-ray intensity (a photon number): about 1014 photons/s, a pulse width: about 100 ps) which is incommensurably (103 times or more) intense as compared with the X-ray tube, and the ray is used for a field in which a high X-ray intensity is required.
However, a synchrotron radiation light facility in which a synchrotron is used is a large-sized facility in which the synchrotron has a large diameter of about 50 m or more and an orbit length reaches 100 m or more, and there is therefore a problem that the facility even for a research or the medical treatment cannot easily be introduced. To solve the problem, a small-sized X-ray generation device is proposed in which a small-sized linear accelerator is used (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1).
On the other hand, in a conventional X-ray CT apparatus, a monochromatic meter including two crystal plates is used as means for obtaining a monochromatic hard X-ray from the radiation light. Since the monochromatic X-ray CT apparatus has a low measurement precision of an electron density, a mixed two-color X-ray CT apparatus is proposed in which two types of X-rays having different mixture ratios of a dominant wave and a higher harmonic wave are used (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2).
In addition, as means for generating two types of X-rays, Patent Documents 1, 2 have already been disclosed.
In "Small-Sized X-Ray Generation Device" of Non-Patent Document 1, as shown in FIG. 1, an electron beam 52 accelerated by a small-sized accelerator 51 (an X-band acceleration tube) is allowed to collide with laser 53 to generate an X-ray 54. The multi-bunch electron beam 52 generated by an RF electron gun 55 (a thermal RF gun) is accelerated by the X-band acceleration tube 51, and collides with the pulse laser light 53. The hard X-ray 54 having a time width of 10 ns is generated by Compton scattering.
This device is miniaturized by using, as an RF, an X-band (11.424 GHz) corresponding to a frequency four times as high as that of an S-band (2.856 GHz) for general use in a linear accelerator, and it is predicted that the hard X-ray having, for example, an X-ray intensity (the photon number) of about 1×109 photons/s and a pulse width of about 10 ps is generated.
As shown in FIG. 2, "Mixed Two-Color X-Ray CT Apparatus" of Non-Patent Document 2 includes a rotary filter 61, a monochromatic meter 62, a collimator 63, a transmission type ion chamber 64, a scattering member 65, a sliding rotary table 66, an NaI detector 67 and a plastic scintillation counter 68. A dominant wave X-ray of 40 keV and a double higher harmonic wave X-ray of 80 keV are extracted from synchrotron radiation light 69a by the monochromatic meter 62, a mixture ratio of the 40 keV X-ray and the 80 keV X-ray is regulated by the rotary filter 61, scattered X-ray spectrum from the scattering member 65 is observed by the NaI detector 67 to measure the mixture ratio, a size of a mixed two-color X-ray 69b is adjusted by the collimator 63, the ray is transmitted through the transmission type ion chamber 64 and a subject 60, and an intensity of the ray is measured by the plastic scintillation counter 68.
According to this apparatus, the measurement precision of the electron density is improved, and the apparatus is successful in preparation of an image indicating the electron density and an effective atomic number.
As shown in FIG. 3, "X-Ray Generation Device" of Patent Document 1 has a microtron 73 which defines a plurality of electron circulation orbits partially shared and which is provided with an accelerator 72 to increase and reduce energy of an electron beam 71 in the shared part of the orbits, an electron beam source 74 which strikes the electron beam 71 on the electron circulation orbit of the microtron, and a laser light source 76 which emits a laser light 75 so that the laser light collides with an electron that flies at the shared part of the orbit of the microtron.
As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C, "X-ray Generation Device" of Patent Document 2 has an electron beam source 82 which emits a pulse-like electron beam 81, and laser optical systems 85A, 85B which emit first and second laser lights 83A, 83B in a pulse-like manner in synchronization with the emission of the pulse-like electron beam so that the laser lights collide with the pulse-like electron beam emitted from the electron beam source.
[Non-Patent Document 1]
"Development of Small-Sized Hard X-Ray Source using X-band Liniac", 2002, authored by Katsuhiro DOHASHI, et al.
[Non-Patent Document 2]
"Development of Mixed Two-Color X-Ray CT System" authored by Makoto SASAKI, et al., Medical Physics Vol. 23 Supplement No. 2 Apr. 2003
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-280200 titled "X-Ray Generation Device and Generation Method"
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-264899 titled "Electron/Laser Collision Type X-Ray Generation Device and X-ray Generation Method"
In angiography by a difference process and two-color X-ray CT, a switch speed of X-ray energy is important. For example, in dynamic angiography, the energy needs to be switched to obtain an image in a short time to such an extent that it can be judged that a blood vessel does not move. In the two-color X-ray CT, if much time is required for the switching of the energy, there is a problem that a state of a subject changes and a quality of the reconstructed image drops.
To obtain the monochromatic hard X-rays from the radiation light by use of the monochromatic meter, since the monochromatic meter includes two crystal plates as described in Non-Patent Document 2, two types of monochromatic meters need to be used to obtain two types of monochromatic hard X-rays (the two-color X-ray). However, in the monochromatic meter, since a crystal angle needs to be precisely adjusted, it is very difficult to switch the monochromatic meter in the short time.
Moreover, even in another X-ray source in which the particular X-ray is used as a monochromatic X-ray, the target needs to be switched physically, and it is also difficult to switch the target at the high speed.
Furthermore, in a case where the mixed two-color X-ray obtained by mixing the dominant wave X-ray and the double higher harmonic wave X-ray are mixed is extracted from the synchrotron radiation light as in Non-Patent Document 2, the wavelength of the X-ray is limited to that of the higher harmonic wave, and there is also a problem that the dominant wave cannot be separated from the higher harmonic wave.
In addition, in "X-ray Generation Device" of Patent Document 1, the wavelength of the laser light cannot be switched in the short time.
Moreover, "X-ray Generation Device" of Patent Document 2 has problems that the device has a small collision probability between the pulse-like electron beam and the first and second laser lights and a low X-ray generation output.
To solve the above problems, the present invention has been developed. That is, an object of the present invention is provide a multi-color X-ray generator capable of successively switching and generating a plurality of (two, three or more types) monochromatic hard X-rays at short time intervals to such an extent that it can be judged that a blood vessel does not move and capable of generating an intense X-ray applicable to angiography or the like.

National Institute of Radiological Sciences


A flame retardant epoxy resin composition for semiconductor encapsulation includes as essential components, (A) an epoxy resin, (B) a curing agent, (C) an inorganic filler, and (D) a phosphazene compound of the average compositional formula (1) having a melting point of 110–130° C.,

The current mainstream of semiconductor devices resides in diodes, transistors, ICs, LSIs and VLSIs of the resin encapsulation type. Epoxy resins have superior moldability, adhesion, electrical properties, mechanical properties, and moisture resistance to other thermosetting resins. It is thus a common practice to encapsulate semiconductor devices with epoxy resin compositions. Semiconductor devices are now used in every area of the modern society, for example, in electric appliances and computers. As a guard against accidental fire, the semiconductor devices are required to be flame retardant.
In semiconductor encapsulating epoxy resin compositions, halogenated epoxy resins combined with antimony trioxide (Sb2O3) are often included in order to enhance flame retardance. This combination of a halogenated epoxy resin with antimony trioxide has great radical-trapping and air-shielding effects in the vapor phase, thus conferring a high fire-retarding effect.
However, the halogenated epoxy resins generate noxious gases during combustion, and antimony trioxide has powder toxicity. Given their negative impact on human health and the environment, it is desirable to entirely exclude these fire retardants from resin compositions.
In view of the above demand, studies have been conducted on the use of hydroxides such as Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2 or phosphorus based fire retardants such as red phosphorus and phosphates in place of halogenated epoxy resins and antimony trioxide. Unfortunately, various problems arise from the use of these alternative compounds. The hydroxides such as Al(OH)3 and Mg(OH)2 have less flame retardant effects and must be added in larger amounts in order that epoxy resin compositions be flame retardant. Then the viscosity of these compositions increases to a deleterious level to molding, causing molding defects such as voids and wire flow. On the other hand, the phosphorus-containing fire retardants such as red phosphorus and phosphates added to epoxy resin compositions can be hydrolyzed to generate phosphoric acid when the semiconductor devices are exposed to hot humid conditions. The phosphoric acid generated causes aluminum conductors to be corroded, detracting from reliability.
To solve these problems, Japanese Patent No. 2,843,244 proposes an epoxy resin composition using a flame retardant having red phosphorus coated with a surface layer of SixOy although it still lacks moisture-proof reliability. JP-A 10-259292 discloses an epoxy resin composition in which a cyclic phosphazene compound is used in an amount to give 0.2–3.0% by weight of phosphorus atoms based on the total weight of other constituents excluding the filler. To provide flame retardance, a substantial amount of the cyclic phosphazene compound must be added to the epoxy resin composition, which can cause ineffective cure and a lowering of electrical resistance in a high-temperature environment.

Semiconductor encapsulating flame retardant epoxy resin composition and semiconductor device

Abstract: wherein a, b and n are numbers satisfying 0<a≦0.05n, 1.90n≦b<2n, 2a+b=2n, and 3≦n≦6, the composition being substantially free of bromides and antimony compounds.


A method for improving mechanical strength of a glass article includes coating an active energy ray-curable composition of a silane coupling agent, a curable compound and water on the glass article, and then curing with irradiated active energy ray.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an active energy ray-curable composition and a method for using the same to enhance the mechanical strength of glass.
2. Prior Art
Two methods to enhance the mechanical strength of glass containers are disclosed by Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 1-201047; (1) A glass surface is treated with a silane coupling agent, coated with a curable composition containing one or more types of curable compounds that have, in their molecular structure, two or more acryloyl groups selected from a fluoroacryloyl, methacyloyol or acryloyl group, and cured with active energy ray, and (2) A glass surface is coated with the aforementioned curable composition containing a silane coupling agent and is then cured with active energy ray. In the following description, acryloyl, methacryloyl and fluoroacryloyl are referred to as (meth)acryloyl, and acrylate, methacrylate and fluoroacrylate are referred to as (meth)acrylate.
Method (1), which has one more processing step, offers less productivity than Method (2). On the other hand, the active energy ray-curable composition of Method (2), consisting of an active energy ray-curable compound, a silane coupling agent and an organic solvent, is unstable; as a result, in that the maximum original strength rendered by the fresh composition can hardly be expected from a composition stored for a long time, or the composition can be expected to only slightly improve the mechanical strength of the glass container over which it is spread when it is used after being after being stored for a long time.
The applicants of the present invention have investigated how to develop a curable composition which enhances the mechanical strength of a glass container, even after being stored for a long time, to the maximum extent that a fresh composition does, and have found that the curable composition of Method (2) can have unexpectedly high storage stability when mixed with water. In such a way the mechanical strength of the glass container can be guaranteed to the same extent as when using a fresh composition, even if the composition has been stored for a long time.

Method for improving mechanical strength of glass articles


A nozzle spray assembly for insecticide that can be readily connected to an outlet pipe of an air blower to conveniently spray an area free of insects. The assembly is fully portable and made of two halves that define nozzle openings that may or may not be adjustable. The high pressure air flowing past the nozzle openings draws insecticide from a container through the spray assembly and nozzle openings. The fluid sucked out of the nozzle openings is sheared across the upper surfaces of the nozzle openings and turned into micro-droplets and dispersed into the air from the blower, creating a mist flow that can be directed to the area of treatment. The assembly is provided with adjustable means for connecting it to various sizes of pipe. The assembly is portable or compact, highly effective and can be used with readily available equipment.

Eradicating flying insects from areas surrounding one's property for extended periods of time on the order of 2–4 weeks is an ongoing concern of the property owner. Various insecticides in the form of canned sprays have been utilized with moderate success for mosquito control and the like. There have also been used very elaborate spraying systems such as thermal foggers, traps, traps with attractants, commercial spraying systems that are truck mounted, commercial spray systems that are backpack type sprayers, permanently installed mist systems, etc. that are often expensive and very cumbersome to use. None of the above make use of a handheld blower universal attachment kit.
There has long been the need for a compact, portable, highly effective nozzle system that can be used with readily available equipment to conveniently spray up to at least 30,000 square feet without difficulty.


A projection engine is disclosed, in which white light from a uniform telecentric source is collimated, polarized, and split into red and cyan beams. The collimated red light passes through a red focuser, which has an off-axis, front-surface mirror that has an aspheric and/or conic profile, and a spherical lens. The collimated cyan light passes through a similar cyan focuser, after which it is split into blue and green beams. The mirror reflective surface has an aspherical shape to minimize aberrations at the edge of the field of view in the illumination optical path. The collimator is at the front focal plane of each focuser, making the emergent converging beam telecentric, and a pixelated panel is at the rear focal plane of each focuser. The reflected light beams from the red, green and blue pixelated panels are superimposed on a pixel-by-pixel basis and are directed to a projection lens.

Projection systems are becoming increasingly more common, and there is an ongoing effort to make them smaller and less expensive.
In typical three-color projection systems, a red image, a green image and a blue image are formed separately and are then superimposed. In some typical systems, light from an extended, uniform, white-light source is first collimated, and is then spectrally divided into red, green and blue portions. The first collimation step minimizes the angular range over which the spectral filters need to operate.
In many of these typical projection systems, the uniform source is roughly imaged onto a pixelated panel that attenuates the beam on a pixel-by-pixel basis. There are generally three such pixelated panels, with one each for red, green and blue light. In a common pixelated panel, for each pixel, liquid crystal is used to rotate the plane of polarization of pre-polarized light in response to an electrical signal, and attenuation is achieved by passing the exiting beam through a polarizer. The beams leaving the three pixelated panels are then combined and imaged by a projection lens onto a screen, which is typically external to the projection engine. In these common systems, the illumination system typically refers to the optical path extending between the uniform source and each of the three pixelated panels.

Reflective corrector for optical projection engine


A laser indicator includes a top shell covered on a bottom shell, which is fastened to the visor of a golf player's cap, through doweled and hooked joints to hold a laser module, a control circuit board and a battery power supply. The laser module has a laser firing lens mount pivotably fastened to the top and bottom shell at the front and is controlled to project a laser beam on the golf ball to be hit by the golf player, in helping the golf player take the correct hitting position.

The present invention relates to indicators and relates more particularly to a laser indicator which is to be used in golf training.
In playing the game of golf, a golf player shall have to take a proper position so that the ball can be hit into each of a series of nine or eighteen holes in turn, using the fewest possible strokes. However, it is not easy to a beginner to keep the head and the body in position while hitting the ball. Therefore, a coach may have to frequently correct the posture of a beginner as the beginner is trying to hit the ball into a hole.

Laser indicator to be used in golf training


Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage media are provided for brokering access to peripheral devices and/or device models associated with a computing system. An access broker evaluates requests for access to peripheral devices/models on behalf of a plurality of applications. The access broker evaluates requests for access to peripheral devices including scanners, point-of-sale devices, and devices using ubiquitous device protocols (e.g., USB, HID, Bluetooth, and Bluetooth LE) utilizing application declarations and user consents based upon device model identifiers and/or device-specific identifiers associated with the various devices. Applications may be notified of consent changes at runtime and/or application firmware updates for peripheral devices may be conducted upon receipt of user consent, for instance, to ensure adequate battery power before performing a peripheral device firmware update.

Computing systems typically allow various applications to access hardware devices installed on or otherwise associated with the computing system. Such devices include, by way of example only, storage devices, cameras, microphones, printers, location service devices, video capture devices, and the like. While having such hardware devices available allows applications to provide functionality that is desired by users, controlling access to such devices by different applications can be problematic. For instance, it is possible for an application to access potentially risky capabilities without the user's consent or knowledge. For example, there are existing exploits that target location services, messaging services, and the like that can compromise a user's privacy or cause the user to be charged by their network provider without the user's knowledge or consent. While users may be prompted for their approval in order for an application to access a particular device or device capability, such prompting can be difficult to explain to users. For example, when prompting a user for approval, it can be difficult to explain to the user exactly what access to a particular device or device capability is requested by an application and what the implications of allowing the access are. This can result in a confusing user experience.
Further, where supported, users may add new hardware devices to their existing computer configuration, for instance, peripheral hardware devices. The addition of these new devices complicates traditional approaches for allowing applications to access hardware devices and/or device capabilities because it is oftentimes assumed that the list of known possible hardware devices and their capabilities is always available. Further, existing approaches to adding peripheral hardware devices using ubiquitous protocols (e.g., USB, HID, Bluetooth, Bluetooth LE, etc.) generally require custom drivers making them prohibitively costly to support.

Brokering application access for peripheral devices


An optical apparatus includes a variable optical-property element to change its optical properties by applying an electric or magnetic field or temperature to a liquid crystal. In this way, the optical apparatus is reduced in thickness, and can be used in a camera, a microscope, etc.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical apparatus including an imaging device using an extended surface optical element and a variable optical-property reflecting mirror, or including a variable optical-property element, a variable optical-property mirror, or a combination of the variable optical-property element with the variable optical-property mirror.
2. Description of Related Art
For a conventional, variable optical-property element such as a variable focal-length lens or a variable focal-length lens, a description will be given of the variable focal-length lens as an example. In an optical system, an extended surface optical element may be used. The extended surface of the extended surface optical element refers to any surface which has a shape such as a spherical, planar, or rotational symmetrical aspherical surface; a spherical, planar, or rotational symmetrical aspherical surface which is decentered with respect to the optical axis; an aspherical surface with symmetrical surfaces; an aspherical surface with only one symmetrical surface; an aspherical surface with no symmetrical surface; a free-formed surface; a surface with a nondifferentiable point or line; etc. In optical systems having used optical elements with the extended surfaces, an optical system utilizing the reflection of the extended surface has the merit that chromatic aberration is not produced. This optical system, however, has the disadvantage that in the case where the shape of the extended surface is abnormal, when the optical element is moved for zooming and focusing operations, a mechanical structure such as a moving mechanism becomes complicated.
A conventional digital camera, as shown in FIG. 1, has been manufactured by assembling components such as plastic lenses PL, a stop D, a solenoid FS for focusing, a shutter S, a charge-coupled solid-state image sensor CCD, a signal processing circuit PC, and a memory M. Consequently, the number of parts is increased and an assembly becomes troublesome. Thus, there are limits to a compact design, accuracy improvement, and cost reduction of the camera.
Furthermore, in general, the plastic lens has a tendency that its refractive index and shape change with temperature and humidity, and thus imaging performance is degraded by temperature change. In this way, glass lenses are, chiefly used, and a lightweight design, accuracy improvement, and cost reduction of the camera are highly limited.


System, method, and non-transitory medium for identifying a certain transaction likely to be impacted by a certain configuration change. An activity analyzer receives activity data of users belonging to different organizations and identifies, based on the activity data, a first set of code elements associated with transactions. A program analyzer receives the certain configuration change, and program data that describes at least one of the following: procedure invocations, user interface statements, and database access statements. The program analyzer identifies a second set of code elements that are influenced by the certain configuration change. An intersection module calculates an intersection between the first set of code elements and the second set of code elements. A transaction identifier identifies the certain transaction likely to be impacted by the certain configuration change based on a common code element belonging to the intersection.

Testing software systems such as Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems can be an expensive and labor-intensive process. Such software systems, which are often involved in the bulk of many organizations' activity, may include many modules, which each under certain circumstances may need to be tested in order to validate that the software system is operating as expected. Many of the software modules are customizable, and can be made to perform according to an organization's specific needs by implementing configuration changes (e.g., changing values in configuration tables or creating user generated code). Making a configuration change may affect many transactions that may be executed on the software system. Thus, configuration changes are often risky and require regression testing to validate. In many cases, the cost and time involved in a full regression test may be too high.
Therefore, given the large number of software modules, business processes, and transactions that are utilized in business software systems, it is necessary to determine which tests are important to run in order to validate a configuration change. However, this task is often difficult. In particular, it may be far from trivial to determine which of the many transactions that may be performed on a software system are likely to be impacted by a certain configuration change. Often, due to unknown dependencies, configuration changes may have unintended and/or unexpected side effects on transactions performed on a software system, which a tester may not be aware of. Since tests are usually designed and run by each organization separately, on the organization's systems, this means that each organization must build up the necessary knowledge of such dependencies and possible side effects, and discover independently which transactions are likely to be impacted by certain configuration changes, and as such should be tested when validating the certain configuration changes. Gaining this knowledge may require much effort and experience; in the meantime, testing the software systems may be a less effective and prolonged process.

Identifying transactions likely to be impacted by a configuration change


A control device and method for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing flap includes an operating switch which can be operated contactlessly in the form of a proximity sensor and a programmable functional module. The method includes the following steps: firstly, an operating requirement signal is generated upon recognition of a predetermined proximity pattern consisting of the raw sensor signal of the proximity sensor for output of a resulting control signal to an unlocking and locking mechanism for the actual automatic opening or closing the valve, secondly, it is determined whether a predetermined absolute limit value of the raw sensor signal is exceeded, and thirdly, when the predetermined limiting value is exceeded, the output of the control signal is also suppressed when the operating requirement signal is generated, wherein this provision is also designated in short below as “suppression mode”.

The invention relates to a control device and a control method for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing hatch, wherein an operating switch, which can be actuated in a contactless manner, in the form of a proximity sensor is provided. An automatically opening and/or automatically closing hatch is to be understood to mean, in particular, either an automatically self-opening hatch or an automatically opening and automatically closing hatch.
A control device of this kind is known, for example, from DE 10 2004 041 709 B3 or DE 10 2010 006 213 A1.
The control device according to DE 10 2010 006 213 A1 relates to a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing hatch, which has at least one programmable operating switch and a programmable electronic control module. The operating switch in the form of a proximity sensor underneath the bumper of the tail end of the vehicle can be actuated in a contactless manner deliberately (in particular, by a targeted movement of the foot) and, upon successful actuation, generates an operating request signal, which is the input signal of the control module. The control module is programmed in such a way that, in the presence of the operating request signal and, where appropriate, at least one further condition, it emits a pivot command to a closing mechanism for opening or closing the hatch (in particular the tailgate or trunk). The control module and/or the operating switch or proximity sensor are furthermore programmed in such a way that the operating request signals are counted, as long as at least one first stipulated condition has not yet been fulfilled, and that, upon reaching a defined maximum counter reading, the operating request signals are ignored until at least one second stipulated condition has been fulfilled.
The invention is based on the object of developing a hatch (flap) control system in such a way that, in particular, undesired closing of the hatch is prevented.
This and other objects are achieved by a control device according to the invention and a control method according to the invention for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing hatch, having an operating switch, which can be actuated in a contactless manner, in the form of a proximity sensor and having a programmable functional module that carries out the following method steps:    (1) firstly, upon identification of a prescribed proximity pattern from the raw sensor signal of the proximity sensor, an operating request signal is generated for emitting a control signal resulting therefrom to an unlocking and locking mechanism for the actual automatic opening or closing of the hatch,    (2) secondly, it is determined whether a prescribed absolute limit value of the raw sensor signal has been exceeded, and    (3) thirdly, upon exceeding of the prescribed limit value, the emission of the control signal is suppressed even in the case of a generated operating request signal, wherein this measure is also referred to in the following text as "suppression mode" for short.
The invention is based on the following insights.
In particular, an algorithm-based evaluation of a change in the field of a capacitive sensor system for contactless tailgate opening and closing is known. This function is, for example, a constituent part of the "Comfort Access" optional equipment in current BMW vehicles having a self-opening or automatically opening/closing tailgate. To this end, two capacitive sensor fields in the rear bumper are evaluated in terms of their characteristic change in capacitance (evaluation of the raw sensor signals). The characteristic for the change in capacitance is determined based on prescribable threshold values (parameters). A more detailed description of an arrangement that can be used for this purpose is illustrated and described in DE 10 2004 041 709 B3 or in DE 10 2010 006 213 A1, for example.
In this case, it is difficult to make a clear distinction between desired and undesired opening and closing commands. Until now, there has therefore always been a need for compromise between good target identification and prevention of undesired instances of triggering. The following vehicle user situations are particularly noteworthy: loading and unloading of the luggage compartment, sitting on the loading sill and touching (e.g. washing/polishing) of the rear bumper trim.
The invention therefore constitutes an expansion of the previous evaluation algorithm by a detection of the vehicle user position in the region of the rear bumper over an expanded evaluation of the raw sensor signals or the absolute capacitance values of the sensor system or the individual proximity sensors. The detection of the vehicle user position is thus realized by taking into account the basic capacitance and the change thereof when the vehicle user approaches. A valid operating request, which then leads to the actual opening or closing of the tailgate, may be emitted in accordance with the invention only when the basic capacitance has fallen again into a defined range (below a prescribed limit value) within a prescribable time criterion. The more detailed mode of functioning in this respect is explained in more detail with reference to the drawing of an exemplary embodiment.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Control device and control method for a vehicle having an automatically opening and/or automatically closing hatch

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A film depositing apparatus comprises: a process chamber; a target holder provided in the process chamber for holding a target; a substrate holder for supporting a deposition substrate such that the deposition substrate faces the target holder in the process chamber; a power supply for supplying electric power between the target holder and the substrate holder to generate plasma in the process chamber; and an anode provided between the target holder and the substrate holder for capturing ions and/or electrons in the plasma being generated within the process chamber, wherein the anode includes: a cylindrical member provided so as to surround an outer periphery of a side of the substrate holder that faces the target holder; and at least one annular plate member attached to an inside wall of the cylindrical member, the plate member having a central opening larger than a surface of the deposition substrate.

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for film deposition, a piezoelectric film and a liquid ejecting apparatus. The present invention particularly relates to an apparatus and a method for depositing films by plasma-assisted vapor-phase deposition techniques, as well as a piezoelectric film formed by the film depositing method and a liquid ejecting apparatus that uses such a piezoelectric film.
It is known to deposit a piezoelectric film and other thin films by vapor-phase deposition techniques such as sputtering. In sputtering, plasma ions, such as Ar ions, of high energy that are generated by plasma discharge in high vacuum are allowed to strike a target so that the constituent elements of the target are released and evaporated on a surface of a substrate.
To deposit films of good quality, various deposition conditions must be optimized. Take, for example, the case of depositing piezoelectric films of Pb-containing perovskite type oxides in the class of PZT (lead zirconate titanate); if deposition is performed under high-temperature conditions, a typical problem that occurs is high likelihood for Pb to be lost from the deposited piezoelectric film. Hence, in order to deposit piezoelectric films of Pb-containing perovskite type oxides, efforts have been made to look for deposition conditions under which a perovskite crystal with a smaller amount of the pyrochlore phase will grow satisfactorily and Pb loss less likely to occur. Another consideration is that the quality of piezoelectric films is also affected by the plasma conditions.
Under the circumstances, US 2008/0081128 A1 has disclosed a film depositing apparatus in which a shield is provided above a target holder in such a position that it surrounds the outer periphery of the side of the target holder that faces a deposition base, so that the shield serves to adjust and optimize the difference between the plasma potential and the floating potential within a deposition vessel (chamber).
As a matter of fact, the film depositing apparatus disclosed in US 2008/0081128 A1, which is provided with the shield above a target holder in such a position that it surrounds the outer periphery of the side of the target holder that faces a deposition base, enables the state of potential in the plasma space within the vacuum vessel to be effectively adjusted to optimize the state of plasma; as a further advantage, the shield serves to adjust and optimize the difference between the plasma potential and the floating potential within the chamber, whereby a film of good quality can be deposited.
However, the recent demand in the industry is for further improving the film quality while depositing a film at faster speed.

Film depositing apparatus, a film depositing method, a piezoelectric film, and a liquid ejecting apparatus


An improved locking feature for a watertight hatch incorporates a positive break-open feature to facilitate opening when the hatch is jammed with ice and/or debris. A plurality of radially extending/retracting locking bars cooperate with closing cams such that, when the bars are extended, the hatch is drawn into tight engagement with a sealing gasket. When the locking bars are fully retracted, in order to release the hatch for opening, at least selected ones of the locking bars cooperate with opening cam means whereby full retraction of the bars forcibly displaces the hatch in an opening direction with a high mechanical advantage, initially breaking the hatch free of any restricting ice formation or packed debris. Thereafter, the hatch may be readily opened by being manually lifted in a conventional manner. The arrangement makes it entirely feasible to configure the hatch cover to be flush with its surroundings, so as to be useable in sidewalks, for example, where there may be heavy pedestrian traffic.

For telephone communications and the like, it is a common practice to utilize controlled environment underground vaults for housing switching gear and other electronic apparatus, terminal junctions, etc. These vaults frequently may be located under sidewalks or the like and typically are provided with a watertight, openable hatch cover, so that workmen may gain access to the interior of the vault when necessary. Because hatch covers of this type are exposed to very severe operating conditions, they must be ruggedly built and must close with a highly effective, watertight seal. The invention is directed to improvements in the design and construction of watertight hatch covers for the purposes described.
An improved form of watertight hatch cover according to the invention incorporates a rugged surrounding metal frame, which can be embedded in a sidewalk or the like and is provided with a recessed sealing gasket. An openable hatch cover is received within the frame, so as to lie flush with the frame and the surrounding grade level, when the hatch is closed. To secure the hatch tightly in a closed position, radially extendable locking bars are provided on the underside of the hatch, and these can be projected radially relative to the frame, into cooperating relation to closing cams provided on the frame. The cooperation between the locking bars and the closing cams serves to draw the hatch cover tightly down against and in sealing contact with the sealing gasket. Typically, externally accessible means are provided for securing the locking bars in their extended positions, so that the vault is accessible only to authorized persons possessing an appropriate opening key.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, a hatch cover is hinged at one side to its frame and arranged to be opened and closed by pivoting motion. A rotatable actuating element is provided in the center of the hatch cover, accessible from above by authorized personnel. The actuator is connected to a plurality of radially extending locking bars, slidably mounted on the underneath side of the hatch cover. Rotation of the actuating element in one direction or the other causes radial retraction or extension of the locking bars. In a typical hatch cover arrangement according to the invention, the hatch is of rectangular configuration and the locking bars extend to the corner areas thereof. Cam follower elements, preferably wheels, are provided at the ends of the locking bars. As the bars are extended toward the corners of the hatch, the cam follower elements engage wedge-like closing cams, progressively displacing the hatch cover in a downward direction during the final extension movements of the locking bars. The hatch cover is thus forcibly displaced downward at its four corner areas to effect a tight, uniform, watertight seal between the hatch cover and a sealing gasket provided in the surrounding frame.
In a structure in which the hatch cover is recessed within a surrounding frame, as contemplated herein, water and debris can find its way into the narrow gap between the edges of the hatch cover and the surrounding frame. In winter time, any water present can turn to ice. Thus, the hatch cover commonly can become rather tightly jammed within its surrounding frame and correspondingly difficult to open. As a feature of the invention, at least those locking bars located on the side opposite the hinge are arranged for cooperation with opening cams, provided at the corners of the surrounding frame. When the locking bars are retracted for opening of the hatch cover, the cam followers, in the last stages of opening motion of the locking bars, engage wedge-like opening cams which forcibly displace the locking bars and the hatch cover upwardly. The upward displacement of the hatch cover extends over only a short distance, but is accomplished with a high mechanical advantage. This causes the hatch cover to be broken free of its restricting environment, be it ice or debris. Once the hatch cover has been initially broken free, it can easily be opened in the conventional manner.
For a more complete understanding of the above and other features and advantages of the invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention and to the accompanying drawings.

Locking/opening system for watertight hatch


Provided is frequency-modulated continuous wave generator. The frequency-modulated continuous wave generator includes a ramp signal generator configured to generate an analog ramp signal, a reference signal generator configured to generate a reference signal based on the analog ramp signal, a phase locked loop configured to output a control voltage based on the reference signal, and a voltage-controlled oscillator configured to generate a frequency-modulated continuous wave based on the control voltage. The ramp signal generator is further configured to generate the analog ramp signal based on a feedback signal based on the frequency-modulated continuous wave.

The present disclosure relates to a device for generating a frequency-modulated continuous wave, and more particularly, to a device for generating a frequency-modulated continuous wave using an analog ramp signal and a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar system including the same.
Recently, there have been many studies on a frequency-modulated continuous wave (FMCW) type transceiver in implementing radar to detect small targets. Particularly, with the development of semiconductor process technology, the integration degree/resolution of a CMOS device is increased, and a frequency synthesizer for generating an FMCW signal is actively developed and studied.
Generally, in an FMCW radar, the FMCW frequency modulation width is increased in order to accurately detect/track a target and increase a distance resolution. However, it is difficult to implement a broadband FMCW signal generator, which is a core component of an FMCW radar, and various existing devices for sweeping frequency modulation at a high speed have a complicated structure or a large power consumption. In addition, improving the frequency linearity of the FMCW is an important issue directly related to the performance of the FMCW radar.
Therefore, it is very important to overcome the shortcomings of existing frequency synthesizers and develop a high-speed FMCW signal generator with improved frequency linearity of an FMCW.

Frequency-modulated continuous wave generator and frequency-modulated continuous wave radar system including the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A data writer is described comprising: a memory to store at least one amount of source data that is to be written to a data storage medium; a processor to arrange the source data into subsets and generate ECC data in respect of each subset, wherein the source data and the associated ECC data are to be written to a data storage medium via a plurality of individual data channels, and wherein the ECC data comprises at least a first degree of ECC protection having a first level of redundancy in respect of a first subset and a second degree of ECC protection having a second level of redundancy in respect of a second subset; a plurality of data writing elements, each to write data from an associated data channel, concurrently with the writing by the other data writing elements of data from respective data channels, to a data storage medium; and a controller, to control the writing by the data writing elements of the source data and the associated ECC data to the data storage medium.

As used herein, the term error control coding (ECC) is intended to encompass broadly any kind of coding that is employed to assist in any one or more of: identifying the presence of a data error, identifying where in an amount of data an error is, and correcting an error. 'Error control coding' should not be confused with the more limited term 'error correction coding', which is treated herein as a sub-set of error control coding.
In the fields of data storage and data transmission in particular, it is well known to apply ECC to protect source data before the data is transmitted over a channel to be stored to a data storage medium or transmitted over a transmission medium. The term 'channel' is intended herein to encompass broadly the means (for example, electronics, optics and any other kinds of data processing elements) by which, for example, data is written to or read from a physical storage medium, or transmitted over or received from a physical or wireless communications medium.
ECC typically takes the form of additional data (which is sometimes referred to as 'redundant' data, or simply 'redundancy'), which is added to or combined with the source data upstream of the channel (that is, before the data is written or transmitted). The term 'source data' is intended herein to mean the data to which the ECC will be applied, and does not imply any particular point of origin, the term 'protected data' is intended to mean the source data after it has been protected by ECC, and the term 'recovered data' is intended to mean data that has been retrieved from a storage medium after storage or receipt by a
receiver after transmission. In many cases, but not always, source data and protected data are the same, except that the protected data is accompanied by ECC data when it is applied to a channel. In a perfect system in which no storage or transmission errors occur, it is expected that the recovered data should match the source data without the need to employ the ECC data. However, when in a practical system the recovered data does not match the source data (that is, data errors have occurred), different degrees of ECC can be used to detect the presence of errors, indicate where the errors are and correct the errors in the recovered data.
There are a large number of very well known ECC data protection techniques, including parity, checksums, hashing algorithms and Reed-Solomon codes, to name just a few. Commonly, in ECC parlance, a 'distance' is defined as a number of differences (for example, errors) between the source data and the recovered data. Further, the term 'minimum distance' may be used to indicate, for a given ECC technique, a degree of error detecting and/or correcting that can be achieved; also bearing in mind that some techniques such as Reed-Solomon coding permit, for a given minimum distance, a degree of the correctability to be exchanged with a degree of the detectability (and vice versa). The minimum distance can also be thought of as the power, level or degree of protection afforded by the ECC employed.
Typically, the greater the minimum distance is required to be, the higher the degree of redundancy will be. In other words, for a given number of symbols (for example, bits, bytes, characters or words), which need to be protected using ECC, an increased minimum distance implies more ECC and an attendant, higher redundancy. Accordingly, system designers are always mindful of the trade-off between how much redundancy can be tolerated (that is, how efficient a storage system is in terms of storage capacity and/or throughput or how efficient a transmission system is in terms of source data bandwidth) and how well protected the data is required to be (that is, how reliable the system is at recovering from storage or transmission errors).

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A device for the shoulder support of skis and poles has a box shaped body. A spool is rotatably mounted inside the box shaped body. A tape is at least partially wrapped around the spool. A preloaded spring acts on the spool and against the action of which the tape can be extracted and by the action of which the tape is recalled to be wound onto the spool. A first strap is externally connected to the box shaped body and is adapted to define a first ring to be tightened around at least one ski pole and to be fixed by way of a fixing system in a predefined position. A second strap is connected to the first strap and is adapted to define a ring of variable size to be tightened around at least one ski pole.

As known several devices are known for the shoulder support of skis. A first type of such devices comprises a member defined by two plates that surround the central part of the skis and that are provided with a handle for the support of the same.
It is evident that the aforementioned ski carrier member has a high encumbrance and therefore said member cannot be carried by the user when the latter is skiing. A second type of these devices provides a spool housed in a member of the ski boot binding with which each ski is provided. Said device, however, involves a modification of the ski boot binding and therefore cannot be used for ski provided with an unmodified ski boot binding.

Device for shouldering skis and ski poles


Provided is a preparation method of a coating material. The method includes: using an aluminum salt and a silicon source as precursors; and performing hydrothermal crystallization and calcination treatments successively under an action of a template agent to obtain the coating material, wherein the template agent is used to cause the coating material to form a porous spherical structure. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the preparation process of the coating material is simple and the cost is low, and the specific surface area of the prepared coating material is large.

For treating the exhaust gases of a motor vehicle, a three-way catalytic converter is usually installed at the outlet of the exhaust pipe to convert the harmful exhaust gases into harmless gases catalytically. The three-way catalytic converter includes a monolithic catalyst with cordierite honeycomb ceramics as a carrier. Due to the small specific surface area of the carrier (<1 m2/g), a coating material with a large specific surface area is required to be coated to disperse and stabilize the catalytic active components, thereby increasing the catalytic area of the catalytic active components and improving the treatment efficiency of the exhaust gases. Therefore, it is necessary to provide a coating material.

Preparation method of coating material, coating material, catalyst and three-way catalytic converter


A propulsion system for an unmanned underwater vehicle includes a turbine engine, a generator mechanically coupled to an output shaft of the turbine engine, an electrical motor mechanically decoupled from the turbine engine and electrically coupled to the generator via a power bus architecture, and a propulsor mechanically coupled to a rotational output of the electrical motor. The power bus architecture includes a pair of AC buses and a DC bus.

Unmanned underwater vehicles, such as torpedoes, can be deployed from submarines, aircraft, ships, or any similar deployment platform. Once deployed, the unmanned underwater vehicle is propelled towards a target. Historically, unmanned underwater vehicles have been propelled by many different power sources included liquid fuel (such as Otto Fuel) engines, electric motors and batteries, electric motors and fuel cells, chemically heated steam engines, compressed gas engines, and solid rocket motors.
Maximizing an effective range, while also maintaining a sprint speed (maximum high speed) capability, is one goal of unmanned underwater vehicle design, and is impacted by the type of power source utilized to achieve propulsion. The longer the unmanned underwater vehicle's range, the further the deployment platform can be from the target of the unmanned underwater vehicle, protecting the safety of the deployment platform. In addition to the range, a high sprint speed allows the unmanned underwater vehicle to overtake a moving target once the moving target has been alerted to the unmanned underwater vehicle's presence. As is appreciated in the art, most engine configurations trade off effective range for a higher sprint speed, or sprint speed for a higher effective range.

Series hybrid architecture for an unmanned underwater vehicle propulsion system


A finger sensing device may include an array of finger sensing electrodes, and a processor cooperating with the array of finger sensing electrodes for operation in a lower power consumption finger detecting mode, and for operation in a higher power consumption reading mode upon detection of a finger. The processor may selectively bus together finger sensing electrodes into at least one group from the array thereof when in the lower power consumption finger detecting mode to thereby detect a finger adjacent the array of finger sensing electrodes. Accordingly, a finger may be accurately detected and while in a low power mode, such as may be particularly beneficial to extend battery life for portable electronic devices.

Fingerprint sensing and matching is a reliable and widely used technique for personal identification or verification. In particular, a common approach to fingerprint identification involves scanning a sample fingerprint or an image thereof and storing the image and/or unique characteristics of the fingerprint image. The characteristics of a sample fingerprint may be compared to information for reference fingerprints already in a database to determine proper identification of a person, such as for verification purposes.
In recent years it has been practical and economical to build high-quality electronic fingerprint sensing devices using radio-frequency (RF) electric fields to develop an electronic representation of the fingerprint pattern. One such RF fingerprint sensing device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,940,526 to Setlak et al. and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The patent discloses an integrated circuit fingerprint sensor including an array of RF sensing electrodes to provide an accurate image of the fingerprint friction ridges and valleys. More particularly, the RF sensing permits imaging of live tissue just below the surface of the skin to reduce spoofing, for example. Multiple biometric characteristics sensed from the user's finger may also be used as disclosed in Published U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0089203 also to Setlak et al., and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. The entire contents of the Setlak et al. patent and published application are incorporated herein by reference.
One important feature of a fingerprint sensor is the ability to detect a finger from a low power state. Typically a user may require the sensor to be in a low power state while no finger is positioned on the sensor. This relaxes the burden on the power supply that may be especially important for portable handheld devices, such as cellular phones, PDA's, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,660 to Scott discloses a finger sensor comprising an array of piezoelectric pixels, and that wake-ups the circuitry upon detecting a finger pressing upon the array. AuthenTec Inc. of Melbourne, Fla., the assignee of the present invention, has used two finger detection approaches: a first using a hardware delay, and a second based upon image detection. The hardware delay approach includes a calibrated internal resistor-capacitor (RC) delay path as a comparison to a fixed internal resistance in conjunction with the finger capacitance. The sensor wakes up once the finger comes into contact with the electrode ring based upon the internal finger detect comparator changing state. This approach maybe sufficient for static placement sensors, but has some shortcomings for smaller swipe or slide finger sensors where perspiration can accumulate and remain on the sensor. This may cause image data to continue to run and which may eventually end the communication interface. This hardware approach may be unsatisfactory because perspiration accumulation may cause enough delay, or capacitance, to erroneously trip the finger detect comparator.
In the image-based finger detect approach, image data is collected and can be compared after an analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion. This approach addresses the undesired effects of perspiration accumulation, but at the expense of greater power consumption. Further aspects of exemplary finger sensors and wake-up or finger detect circuitry and operation are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,940,526 and 6,628,812, both assigned to the assignee of the present invention and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Finger sensing device with low power finger detection and associated methods


A steering system of a vehicle is provided that includes a steering gear assembly including a tubular housing coupled to the vehicle. A pre-load compliant mounting bracket is coupled to the tubular housing and mounted to the vehicle for laterally placing the steering gear assembly into a pre-loaded state. A compliant mounting bracket is coupled to the tubular housing and mounted to the vehicle for limiting the steering gear assembly from laterally displacing relative to the vehicle beyond a predetermined distance. The pre-load compliant mounting bracket is compliant to the lateral displacement of the steering gear assembly for producing an understeer condition when a steering force above a predetermined steering force threshold is applied to the vehicle and is non-compliant when a steering force below the predetermined steering force threshold is applied to the vehicle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to steering systems, and in particular, to a compliant steering gear assembly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Steering systems in motor vehicles typically comprise rack and pinion steering systems. The rack and pinion steering systems consist of a pinion shaft, pinion teeth, a rack including rack teeth, and a housing. The housing houses a hydraulic valve section, an extended rack section, and houses the meshing of the pinion teeth and the rack teeth. The housing is commonly supported by one or more mounting brackets. The mounting brackets are secured to the housing and are bolted to a vehicle frame or a unibody structure. Rubber grommets or bushings disposed between the mounting bracket and the vehicle frame are typically used to dampen noise and vibrations from the road.
The mounting brackets typically are either rigid to prevent movement of the steering gear assembly relative to the vehicle frame or resilient to accommodate movement of the steering gear assembly relative to the vehicle frame. Typically when a vehicle is cornering at low lateral acceleration forces, it is desirable to have the steering gear assembly rigid so that the steerable gears are immediately responsive to the driver's demands. At increased lateral acceleration forces, lateral movement of the steering gear assembly (i.e., a resilient mounting of the steering gear relative to the vehicle frame) is desirable in order to create an understeer condition. That is, when lateral movement of the steering gear assembly occurs, the steering wheel must be rotated an additional number of degrees before the driver's intended steering affect is produced. The steering system will respond with a smaller steering angle than if the steering gear assembly were rigidly mounted to the vehicle. The understeer condition is more desirable as the vehicle approaches adhesion limits than an oversteer condition at the adhesion limits.
Thus, it is desirable to have a steering system which maintains a rigidly mounted steering gear assembly when low lateral acceleration forces are exerted on the vehicle and changes to a compliant steering gear assembly when high lateral acceleration forces are exerted on the vehicle.


An apparatus and method for protecting a floating roof tank from the effects of a lightning strike are disclosed. In one aspect, the apparatus comprises an electrically conductive bonding strap in electrical communication with an inner tank wall and the floating roof located below liquid level, the bonding strap being of a length to minimize its self inductance, so as to provide a preferred electrically efficient path for conduction of lightning stroke current through an oxygen deficient environment.

Lightning strikes that hit equipment and storage or process vessels containing flammable materials can cause devastating incidents at refineries, bulk plants, processing sites and other facilities. In recent years, several incidents have occurred where lightning has struck facilities storing or handling flammable substances, which resulted in explosions and fires. Substantial monetary loss due to damage to the facility and loss of product and significant environmental damage may occur as a result of the effects of a lightning strike.
Floating roof tanks are widely used to store volatile petroleum-based liquids and limit the quantity of product evaporative emissions that may escape to the environment. Such tanks may be configured either as internal floating-roof tanks or as external floating-roof tanks. In each configuration, the floating-roof is designed to remain in contact with the product liquid surface and cover almost the entire surface of the product. A small annular area between the outermost rim of the floating roof and the inside surface of the tank shell is covered by a seal attached to the rim of the floating roof. There are many types of seals available for the annular space and are selected based on the owner's preference, the type of product, and emissions reduction requirements. In many cases today, tanks have two seals, one of which is used to reduce the emissions from the tank to very low levels.
Seals for floating roofs within storage tanks can assume a variety of different configurations. One such arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,968. That arrangement includes two different seals, the first being a primary seal and the second being a backup or secondary seal. This sealing arrangement utilizes vapor barriers in combination with flexible metal plates and wiper blades. The vapor barriers, which are common in many floating roof seals, comprise one or more layers of fabric which are generally impermeable to vapors from the liquid product stored in the tank.
One type of floating roof seal which has been found to be quite effective is the shoe seal. Shoe seals employ a shoe in the form of a series of joined-together plates which are disposed against the inner wall of the tank and which are supported by the outer rim of the floating roof. A vapor barrier extending between the outer rim and the shoe provides an effective barrier to vapors from the liquid product in the tank, inasmuch as the lower portion of the shoe extends into the product.
Examples of shoe seals are provided by U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,438; U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,206; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,217. In U.S. Pat. No. 2,981,438, the sealing mechanism is provided with a combination weatherhood and wax-trough. The shoe is forced against the inner tank wall by spring-loaded pistons mounted within the outer rim of the floating roof. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,167,206, the shoe is suspended from the outer rim of the floating roof by a pivoting hanger structure designed to force the shoe against the inner tank wall. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,130,217, various different members including springs are employed to maintain the shoe against the inner tank wall.
Sometimes, these sealing systems have, as an option, included a shunt located above the seals to provide an electrical path for static or lightning induced electricity from the floating roof to the tank wall so that any arcing resulting from the flow of electricity occurs near the shunt and away from the potentially ignitable vapors stored below the seals. Such a system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,529,200 and 5,667,091, which are incorporated by reference herein. Another system that is similarly configured is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,090.
The following are excerpts from the current Chapter 6 of NFPA 780-2000, Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems, on floating roof tanks. These excerpts demonstrate the need for the improved method and apparatus of the present invention.
"22.214.171.124 Floating Roof Tanks                (a) General. Fires have occurred when lightning has struck the rims of open-top floating roof tanks where the roofs were quite high and the contents volatile. Similar above-the-seal fires have occurred when direct lightning strokes to the rims of floating roof tanks have ignited flammable vapors within the open shells. These have occurred where roofs Were low. The resulting seal fires have been at small leakage points in the seal. An effective defense against ignition by a direct stroke is a tight seal.        Fires have also occurred in the seal space of open-top floating roof tanks as a result of discharges caused by lightning. These have occurred most frequently in tanks having floating roofs and seals with vapor spaces below the flexible membranes. Similar vapor spaces will be formed where tanks are fitted with secondary seals in compliance with environmental regulations. Ignition can be from a direct stroke or from the sudden discharge of an induced (bound) charge on the floating roof, released when the charge on a cloud discharges to ground or to another cloud.        (b) Protection. Where floating roofs utilize hangers located within a vapor space, the roof shall be electrically bonded to the shoes of the seal through the most direct electrical path at intervals not greater than 10 ft (3 m) on the circumference of the tank. These shunts shall consist of flexible Type 302, 28-gauge [ 1/64 in.×2 in. (0.4 mm×51 mm)] wide stainless steel straps or the equivalent in current-carrying capacity and corrosion resistance. The metallic shoe shall be maintained in contact with the shell and without openings (such as corrosion holes) through the shoe. Tanks without a vapor space at the seal shall not require shunts at the seal. Where metallic weather shields cover the seal, they shall maintain contact with the shell.        Where a floating roof is equipped with both primary and secondary seals, the space between the two seals could contain a vapor-air mixture within the flammable range; therefore, if the design of such a seal system incorporates electrically conductive materials and a spark gap exists within that space or could be created by roof movement, shunts shall be installed so that they directly contact the tank shell above the secondary seal. The shunts shall be spaced at intervals not greater than 10 ft (3 m) and shall be constructed so that metallic contact is maintained between the floating roof and the tank shell in all operational positions of the floating roof."
It has been found that the shunts and shoes used in present installations do not adequately protect the floating roof storage tanks from the effects of a lightning strike. It was assumed that they had sufficient contact to the outer tank wall for conducting such a discharge; however, it has been found in some cases that the measured resistance between the shoe and outer tank wall was in the order of millions of ohms. This high resistance connection point would cause an ignition source or arcing that could ignite the flammable vapors in the primary seal, or at the secondary seal along the rim of the floating roof. American Petroleum Institute's collection of 44 years of member company data reveals 65 large aboveground storage tank fires caused by lightning, 61% of the cases evaluated (API Publication 2021A, Interim Study-Prevention and Suppression of Fires in Large Aboveground Atmospheric Storage Tanks, July 1998).
NFPA 77-2000 (Recommended Practice on Static Electricity) states that bonding of equipment or parts with less than one megohm in resistance should be sufficient to dissipate the small charges that would occur from static sources. Conductive bonding for static discharge is typically less than 10 ohms resistance. However, a lightning stroke discharge current is orders of magnitude larger that a static electricity discharge and requires a much lower bonding resistance. API RP 2003–1998 (Protection Against Ignitions Arising Out of Static, Lightning, and Stray Currents) suggests that for lightning, the bonding resistance needs to be significantly lower, no more than a few ohms. NFPA 780-2000 (Standard for the Installation of Lightning Protection Systems) requires bonding conductors be sized to be a minimum of 26,240 circular-mil cross-section copper—much less than one ohm resistance for a typically short bonding distance.
Among other factors, the present invention is based on our discovery that removing the shunts above the seals would prevent the arcing from occurring and thus prevent a rim fire. Additionally, by adding a corrosion resistant bonding strap and welding or bolting this strap to the bottom of the shoe assembly below the product level and to the lower portion of the floating roof pontoon assembly also below the product level would provide the most direct electrical path to earth for the lightning stroke current to flow and would be in an environment that is the most oxygen deficient. The use of the submerged bonding strap or shunt of the present invention would eliminate the currently used "above the seal" bonding strap and protect the tank and its combustible contents. This type of submerged bond would have less than one ohm resistance, and if any arcing occurred, it would be in a total liquid phase with no oxygen to support combustion. Furthermore, the lightning secondary effects (e.g., the induced "bound" charge as described in NFPA 780-2000) would be minimized as an added benefit.

Apparatus and method for protecting floating roof tanks from the effects of lightning strikes


An aircraft hand controller is disclosed. The hand controller includes a set of finger controls on a single hand grip structure, the set of finger controls including a first finger control configured to control throttle of the aircraft and a second finger control, separate from the first, configured to control rotation about a first rotational axis of the aircraft.

An aircraft may require a pilot to navigate the aircraft in several degrees of freedom. An aircraft controller that is complex or non-intuitive may result in poor navigation by a pilot. An aircraft may require a pilot's legs, feet, or palms to be engaged in order to maintain secure seating on the aircraft.

Aircraft hand controller with decoupled throttle