An AWNING WINDOW is provided including a window sill and a window having a sash. Also provided is a window control assembly including a dowel situated within a recess formed in the window sill. The dowel has at least one generally L-shaped arm having a first portion coupled to the dowel. A large gear is concentrically coupled at a central extent of the dowel. A motor is coupled to the top face of the window sill with a small gear coupled to a rotor thereof for engaging the large gear thereby rotating the dowel upon the receipt of power. At least one sleeve is coupled along the one of the side borders of the sash of the window. At least one slider slidably is situated within the sleeve and pivotally coupled with an end of a second portion of the at least one L-shaped arm. By this structure, the window is raised upon the receipt of voltage of a first polarity and lowered upon the receipt of voltage of a second polarity.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to automatic windows and more particularly pertains to a new AWNING WINDOW for opening and closing a window that is out of reach.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of automatic windows is known in the prior art. More specifically, automatic windows heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art automatic windows include U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,737; U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,961; U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,678; U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,194; U.S. Pat. No. 5,4110,226; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,449,987.
In these respects, the AWNING WINDOW according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of opening and closing a window that is out of reach.


A magnetic head for a hard disk drive having a CPP read head sensor that includes a layered sensor stack including a free magnetic layer and hard bias elements that are disposed on the sides of the free magnetic layer to provide a biasing magnetization for the free magnetic layer. To increase the coercivity of the hard bias elements, and thereby improve the biasing of the magnetization of the free magnetic layer, the ratio (t/H) of the thickness t to the height H of the hard bias elements is fabricated to be within the range of from approximately 1 to approximately 1/15.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to read head portions of magnetic heads for hard disk drives and more particularly to current perpendicular to plane (CPP) tunnel junction read sensors for magnetic heads.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A computer disk drive stores and retrieves data by positioning a magnetic read/write head over a rotating magnetic data storage disk. The head reads from or writes data to concentric data tracks defined on surface of the disks. The heads are fabricated in structures called "sliders" and the slider flies above the surface of the disk on a thin cushion of air, where the surface of the slider which faces the disks is called an Air Bearing Surface (ABS).
Some recent read sensor structures use a tunnel junction sensor, also known as a "tunnel valve" for reading the magnetic field signals from the rotating magnetic data storage disk. The tunnel junction sensor typically includes a nonmagnetic tunnel barrier layer sandwiched between a pinned magnetic layer and a free magnetic layer. The pinned layer in turn is fabricated on an antiferromagnetic (AFM) pinning layer which fixes the magnetic moment of the pinned layer at an angle of 90 degrees to the air bearing surface (ABS). The magnetic moment of the free layer is free to rotate from a quiescent or zero bias point position in response to magnetic field signals from magnetic data bits written on the rotating magnetic disk. Hard bias elements are typically disposed on either side of the free magnetic layer to provide the necessary magnetization bias for the free magnetic layer. The tunnel junction sensor layers are typically disposed between first and second magnetic shield layers, where these first and second shield layers also serve as first and second electrical lead layers for conducting a sensor current through the device. The tunnel junction sensor is thus configured to conduct sensor current perpendicular to the planes (CPP) of the film layers of the sensor, as opposed to previously developed sensors where the sensor current is directed in the planes (CIP) or parallel to film layers of the sensor. The CPP configuration is attracting more attention recently, as it apparently can be made to be more sensitive than the CIP configuration, and thus is more useful in higher data density tracks and disks.
Improved hard disk drives are manufactured with an ever increasing areal data storage density, which requires narrower and more closely spaced data tracks on the hard disk. As a result, size of the read sensors must be reduced, and as the size of the sensors is reduced the stabilization of the free magnetic layer by the hard bias elements is becoming a problem. Additionally, the stabilization of the hard bias elements has also become a problem where the sensors are reduced in size.

Magnetic head having CPP sensor with improved biasing for free magnetic layer

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Imaging apparatus is provided which includes a generally cylindrical drum defining a substrate support surface, a head operative to record information onto a substrate on the substrate support surface, and substrate feed and position apparatus for precise rotational positioning and displacement of the substrate with respect to an internal surface of cylindrical drum. The apparatus includes a plurality of linear motors arranged along the internal surface of the cylindrical drum for feeding the substrate, and control apparatus for controlling the linear motors to achieve precise positioning of the substrate support surface.

Conventional scanners and imagesetters commonly employ external or internal drums for media positioning. External drum scanners such as the Scitex ELP external drum scanner, utilize rotary motors of various types for media positioning. The cost of such motors becomes extremely high when highly accurate positioning and repeatability is required.
Internal drum imagesetters, such as for example, the Scitex Dolev 200, utilize pairs of rollers for drawing film out of a film cassette and precise positioning thereof inside a drum.
Precise positioning becomes increasingly difficult as the size of the film to be positioned increases. Roller based positioning systems encounter difficulties in providing consistently precise positioning.


Generally, and in one form of the invention a semiconductor device is presented comprising: a transistor comprising an emitter finger and a base finger; and a ballast impedance connected to the base finger. Other devices and methods are also disclosed.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with heterojunction bipolar transistors (HBTs), as an example.
The design of power HBTs requires electrical and thermal considerations. The thermal design of a power HBT is very critical to reliable operation of the device. HBT's have similar characteristics to Si bipolar in that the base-emitter junction voltage, V.sub.BE, has a negative temperature coefficient.
The negative temperature coefficient of V.sub.BE gives rise to the possibility of "thermal runaway" condition (also known as "current hogging" or "hot-spot" formation) whereby due to emitter contact non-uniformity or non-uniform temperature profile, one emitter finger conducts progressively larger amounts of current. The formation of "hot-spots" is undesirable from a reliability standpoint.


CMOS imagers can possess higher levels of imager noise than their predecessors, CCDs. This noise can be of the form of temporal variation and fixed pattern. The fixed pattern component of this noise can be removed, which is known already in the art. The invention in this disclosure is that proper correction can be developed for all imager conditions (imager integration time and imager temperature) using a single FPN (fixed pattern noise) dark map, a single FPN PRNU (pixel response nonuniformity) map, imager integration time and imager temperature. Without this invention, a dark frame capture and a flat field capture (integrating sphere), are required before every image capture, a practical impossibility in typical picture taking. Further, the estimates of both FPN maps (dark and PRNU) in this invention are improved estimates relative to such captured directly preceding image capture since such have be formed with multiple frame averaging at calibration time, thus removing any temporal noise from these map estimates. These dark FPN and PRNU FPN maps are modified by a scaling and biasing functional with the measured values of integration time and of imager temperature. A second approach is to make the biasing and scaling functions dependant only on mean dark response taken from the imager's dark pixels, at time of capture.

Noise reduction is practiced in the art using dark fixed pattern subtraction as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,424,375, here an electronic circuit is used to remove dark fixed pattern noise by electronically adjusting pixel responses to align them to an aim response. U.S. Pat. No. 6,418,241 discloses a system in which column biases are corrected after measuring the average of each column and adjusting each column to some aim bias. The Canon D30 digital camera also apparently performs dark captures with the shutter closed in order to obtain an estimate of the sensor's dark frame response. The invention described here offers significant improvement over the apparently simple concurrent dark frame capture, as described in the prior art. 1) This invention describes dark fixed pattern correction that has been optimized to correct dark the fixed pattern associated with a range of the operational conditions of integration time and 2) It describes pixel response non-uniformity correction which has been optimized for a range of the operational conditions of imager integration time and imager temperature. 3) It also describes an alternate measure of the operational conditions to be used to adjust both the dark fixed pattern map and the pixel response non-uniformity. Here the dark pixels of the imager are averaged and used as means of adjusting the dark fixed pattern and pixel response non-uniformity.

Fixed pattern noise removal in CMOS imagers across various operational conditions


The present invention provides a cost-saving and space-saving optical modulator enabling application of modulation signals with high phase difference accuracy without using a separate component for generating a phase difference outside of the optical modulator, when identical modulation signals having a predetermined phase difference are applied into a plurality of modulation electrodes.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical modulator, and in particular to an optical modulator applying identical modulation signals having a predetermined phase difference into a plurality of modulation electrodes.
(2) Related Art Statement
An optical modulation method for applying identical modulation signals having a predetermined phase difference (=time delay) into a plurality of modulation electrodes, such as an SSB (Single-Side band) modulation method, a duobinary modulation method or the like, has been conventionally utilized in the field of optical communications or optical measurement.
An SSB-type optical modulator consists of two sub Mach-Zehnder structures. In order to obtain SSB modulation signals, two splitted RF-signals with 90° phase difference by using an electrical 90° hybrid are applied to two sub-MZs modulation electrode respectively.
A dual-electrode Mach-Zehnder type optical modulator is used for the duobinary modulation method, whereby modulation signals respectively applied into the modulation electrodes of two branching waveguides are configured to have a predetermined bit difference therebetween by using a bit delay circuit. A bit delay is generally selected from the range from 0 to 2T (T=1 bit).
Because it is necessary to apply separate modulation signals respectively into the plurality of modulation electrodes in the SSB modulation method, the duobinary modulation method or the like as sated above, inputting a plurality of RF signals is required as the modulation signals for input. In addition, for the modulation methods giving a predetermined phase difference between each RF signal, an additional separate component, such as a delay circuit or the like, has been required to generate the phase difference. Therefore, there have been such problems as an increasing cost of the entire optical modulator, an increase of the setting space of delay circuit or the like. Furthermore, because phase difference accuracy of precisely 90° cannot be obtained by a commercially available 90° hybrid, it is necessary to separately use a phase adjuster for fine adjustment, and this makes the configuration more complicated.
Besides, in order to guide the plurality of modulation signals separately into the optical modulator, it is necessary to provide cables of different lengths between a signal source and interaction parts where the modulation signals act on lights in the optical waveguides, for generating a predetermined phase difference. Thus, the number of components is increased and the configuration gets complicated.
An object of the present invention is to solve the above described problems and provide a cost-saving and space-saving optical modulator enabling application of modulation signals with high phase difference accuracy without using the separate component for generating a phase difference outside of the optical modulator, when the identical modulation signals having a predetermined phase difference are applied into the plurality of modulation electrodes.

Abstract: An optical modulator 20 including a substrate with an electro-optic effect, a plurality of optical waveguide sections 10 formed on the substrate, and a plurality of modulation electrodes 21 and 22 for modulating lights passing through the optical waveguide sections, and into which identical modulation signals having a predetermined phase difference are applied, wherein a branch element for branching a modulation signal into a plurality of modulation signals is formed, and a delay line for generating the phase difference is formed in the middle of lines for applying the modulation signals branched by the branch element into the plurality of modulation electrodes.


A surface mounted antenna according to the present invention includes a dielectric block 11, a radiating electrode 12 formed on one of a main surface 11a of the dielectric block 11, a ground electrode 13 formed on the other main surface 11b of the dielectric block 11, and a feed electrode 14 formed on a side surface 11c of the dielectric block 11 and electromagnetically coupled with the radiating electrode 12. In the present invention, since the feed electrode 14 is formed on the side surface 11c of the dielectric block 11, the size of the main surface 11a of the dielectric block 11 can be made smaller than that of the conventional dielectric block. Accordingly, since further miniaturization can be realized, when the dielectric block 11 is mounted on a printed circuit board or the like, the mounting area can be reduced as compared with the conventional dielectric block.

As an antenna used for a radio equipment, a patch antenna is most common, which includes a dielectric block, a radiating electrode formed on one main surface thereof, a ground electrode formed on the other main surface of a dielectric block, and a feed pin arranged so as to penetrate the dielectric block from the one main surface to the other main surface, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-289219.
In the antenna disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-289219, however, since it has such a configuration that power is fed to the radiating electrode by the feed pin penetrating the dielectric block, not only surface mounting to a printed circuit board or the like is difficult, but also the feed pin and a member such as a double-sided tape for fixation are necessary, thereby causing a problem in that the number of parts increases. Further, since a soldering step is required for fixing the feed pin, the production cost also increases.
As a method for solving these problems, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-74721 proposes a method in which a feed electrode is provided, with a predetermined gap between the radiating electrode and the feed electrode, on one of the main surfaces of the dielectric block (on a surface where the radiating electrode is formed) According to this configuration, since it is not necessary to use the feed pin penetrating the dielectric block, surface mounting becomes easy, thereby enabling miniaturization and reduction in height of the radio equipment.
In the surface mounted antenna disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-74721, however, since the feed electrode is provided on one main surface of the dielectric block (on a surface where the radiating electrode is formed), the area of the main surface of the dielectric block increases as much as this portion, thereby causing a problem in that the mounting area increases. Further, when circularly polarized waves are to be radiated, with the surface mounted antenna disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H11-74721, since a conductor pattern for discharging right-hand polarized waves and a conductor pattern for discharging left-hand polarized waves are different from each other on one of the main surfaces of the dielectric block, it is necessary to form these conductor patterns (the radiating electrode and the feed electrode) on one of the main surfaces of the dielectric block by using different screen masks.

Surface mounted antenna and radio equipment using the same


Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for capturing and thereafter analyzing the images of a golf ball in a manner that permits various parameters associated with a golf shot, including the backspin and sidespin of the golf ball, to be reliably determined. Further, the method, apparatus and computer program product may be configured to separately calibrate each image that is captured in a timely manner.

Tracking of a golf shot and/or the measurement of a number of parameters associated with a golf shot are performed for a variety of purposes. For example, a golfer may wish to track the golf shots taken at a driving range and/or determine various parameters associated with the golf shots in order to gauge his/her performance. In addition, the manufacturers of golf clubs and golf balls oftentimes desire to track golf shots and/or to measure a variety of parameters associated with the golf shots in order to determine the performance of a golf club or golf ball.
Launch monitors are available to monitor various parameters associated with a golf shot. These parameters include the launch angle, the backspin of the golf ball and, in some instances, the sidespin of the golf ball. With respect to a golf ball sitting upon a tee, backspin is measured about a horizontal axis extending through the center of the golf ball transverse to the downrange direction in which the golf ball is driven. Conversely, sidespin is the angular rotation of the ball about a vertical axis extending through the center of the golf ball. Based upon these parameters, the anticipated path of travel of the golf ball can be projected quite accurately, thereby permitting a golfer or the manufacturer of a golf club or golf ball to determine the relative merit of the golf shot.
In order to determine the backspin and the sidespin of a golf ball, at least two images of the golf ball must be captured and analyzed. These images must generally be captured in quick succession so that the golf ball will have had an opportunity to rotate only a fraction of a revolution, as a result of either the backspin or the sidespin. Although the sidespin is generally less than few hundred revolutions per minute or less, the backspin may be in the neighborhood of 5000 revolutions per minute. For shots with a wedge, however, the backspin may be 12000 revolutions per minute or greater. As such, the images must be captured with only an extremely small time lapse therebetween. Additionally, the images must be captured prior to the exit of the golf ball from the field of view of the camera and generally with at least some spacing or separation between the images of the golf ball. For example, conventional launch monitors may require that the images that are captured be separated by about 1 to 5 milliseconds. Moreover, the images generally require relatively high resolution in order to permit the backspin and sidespin to be determined with the desired precision. As a result of the relatively high resolution and the precise timing of the images, the cameras that are generally utilized for monitoring the launch of the golf ball are quite expensive and may cost $15,000 or more.
Even with expensive cameras, conventional launch monitors cannot detect the backspin and sidespin of a standard golf ball. Instead, the golf ball must be marked in a particular manner in order to facilitate the detection of the backspin and sidespin of the golf ball. For example, the golf balls may be marked with a circumferential stripe as well as an additional marking. This additional marking may include tick marks on the circumferential stripe on opposite sides of the golf ball or a second circumferential stripe positioned at an angle, such as 90°, relative to the other circumferential stripe. By analyzing the relative positions of the circumferential stripe(s) at the times at which the two images are captured, the backspin and sidespin of the golf ball may be determined. Alternatively, the golf balls may be marked with a predefined pattern of reflective or fluorescent spots which are visible in the resulting images. By analyzing the relative positions of these spots at the times at which the images are captured, the backspin and sidespin of the golf ball can also be determined. As will be apparent, the requirement that specially marked golf balls be utilized in measure the backspin and sidespin of a golf shot further complicate conventional tracking techniques.
Moreover, conventional launch monitors generally require substantial alignment and calibration routines in order to properly position the launch monitor with respect to a golf ball. As such, it generally takes a significant period of time and, at least in some instances, a skilled technician to align and calibrate the launch monitor prior to use. Accurate operation of these conventional launch monitors is their dependence upon the golf ball being positioned the same distance away from the camera during each golf shot; a requirement that is not always met.
As such, it would be desirable to develop an improved technique for monitoring the launch of a golf ball and for determining various parameters associated with the golf shot including the backspin and the sidespin in a manner that is less expensive than conventional techniques. In addition, it would be desirable to develop a launch monitor that could be readily positioned and calibrated with respect to a golf ball, preferably in an automated fashion, while still permitting some variation in the spacing between the golf ball and the camera without adversely affecting the accuracy with which the launch monitor determines various parameters associated with a golf shot.

Methods, apparatus and computer program products for processing images of a golf ball


A pushbutton switch is disclosed which may be used, for example, in a camera. The switch has multiple positions which can be easily sensed by the operator as a point of resistance which is felt at each position. The switch may have an axially moveable spring biased switching rod at a defined electrical potential with an insulated region. A plurality of spring biased electrical contacts bear radially against the switching rod. A plurality of spring biased stops extending radially toward the path of axial movement of the switching rod correspond to the respective electrical contacts. Axial movement of the switching rod brings the contacts into successive contact with the conducting portion of the switching rod. The spring biased stops bear against the end of the switching rod at approximately the points of axial movement at which their corresponding contacts make contact with the conducting portion of the swiching rod, thereby generating a counterpressure which may be sensed by an operator of the switch. The stops may be deflected from the path of axial movement of the switching rod through axial movement of the switching rod, allowing the successive switch positions to be attained.

The invention pertains to the field of multi-step pushbutton switches for electronic devices. The invention addresses the problem of providing a pushbutton switch which has multiple switch positions which can be reliably sensed by an operator of the switch.
A "pushbutton switch" is conventionally understood in the field to describe a switching mechanism which employs a button or similar structure which is depressed to select among successive switch positions. A pushbutton switch having more than one switch position is known as a multistep switch.
In multistep switches, it is conventional to provide structure in the switch which allows the individual operating the switch to distinguish among the successive switch positions by means of a counterpressure which increases with successive switch positions. For example, in a pushbutton switch having first, second and third switch positions, three successive counterpressures may correspond to the three switch positions. The first position may be sensed as a first counterpressure having a first magnitude generated by a "stop". The button may thereafter be further depressed to attain a second switch position. Upon attaining the second position, a second counterpressure of a second magnitude which is greater than that of the first counterpressure will be sensed. By applying still further pressure, the third position may be attained. A third counterpressure of a third magnitude which is greater than that of the second counterpressure will be sensed when the third switch position is attained. Typically, where the selected position corresponds to depression of the switch to its maximum depth, the counterpressure is generated by a "fixed stop" which obstructs further depression of the button.
Pushbutton switches of the type described above are found, for example, in cameras having electronic control systems. The various switch positions may typically correspond to modes of operation of the camera. For example, when the switch is depressed to the first position, the camera may respond by measuring the light level and focal distance of a subject to be photographed. Further depression of the switch to the second position may then cause the camera to photograph the subject in accordance with the measurements previously taken.
Two conventional multistep pushbutton switches are known. The first conventional switch uses a switching rod which may be depressed against the force of a restoring spring. Two bolts extend from the switching rod in the axial direction of the switching rod. The degree of extension of each bolt is adjustable. The switching rod and the bolts extend toward two spring biased electrical contacts which correspond to the bolts. As the switching rod is depressed, a first bolt will make contact with its corresponding spring biased electrical contact. This contact may, for example, connect the bolt to ground potential. When this contact is made the switch has attained the first position. The operator will sense the increased counterpressure generated by the spring biased electrical contact and will recognize that the switch is in the first position. At a certain point of further depression the second bolt will make contact with its corresponding spring biased electrical contact. When the second bolt makes contact, the switch attains the second position. The operator will sense the increased counterpressure generated by both spring biased electrical contacts and will recognize that the switch is in the second position.
In pushbutton switches of the type described above, the counterpressures corresponding to each switch position must be differentiable to the operator from the friction forces of the switching rod and the counterpressure generated by the restoring spring. In practice, it has been found that the counterpressure generated by the second electrical contact is often sensed only weakly by the operator. Therefore it is generally not possible to indicate more than two switch positions by means of cumulative counterpressures. If a further switch position is desired to be provided, this is conventionally done by providing a slide contact on the switching rod which makes contact with an associated electrical contact at approximately the point at which further movement of the switching rod is prevented through contact with a fixed end stop. Accordingly, the operator is not able to precisely sense the point at which the third switching state is attained.
Pushbutton switches of the above type present difficulties in installation and use. The design of the switching rod is complex, and the bolts and their associated contacts must be precisely positioned in order for the switch to operate properly. In addition, all of the individual parts of this type of switch must be installed separately and then aligned. This makes both installation and repair a time consuming and complex procedure.
The pushbutton switch disclosed in German Patent Application DE 43 04 304 A1 is representative of the second conventional type of pushbutton switch. This type of switch employs a switching rod that is depressed to make contact with a cantilevered dome-shaped diaphragm. The diaphragm is positioned with its face adjacent a circuit board to which is mounted an annular switching contact and a central contact located within the anular contact. When the switching rod is pressed down against the dome-shaped diaphragm, the edge of the dome-shaped diaphragm initially makes contact with the annular switching contact, thereby achieving a first position and producing an increased counterpressure which can be sensed by the operator. If further pressure is applied, the dome of the diaphragm flexes inward and contacts the central contact. Contact with the central contact achieves a second switch position and can be sensed by the operator as a fixed stop. Switches of this type are of limited use in that it is not possible to provide more than two switch positions.

Multi-step pushbutton switch for electronic devices


The present invention provides an optical rearranging device that is simple, compact, highly efficient, and is located in the proximity of an image plane. This device utilizes diffractive, refractive, and/or reflective elements and can produce a perfect shuffle or other interconnect pattern that is useful in computing, communication, and switching applications involving optically carried information. Further, this device can be made from redirecting elements that are themselves switchable, thus enabling a direct switching between the non-rearranged interconnect pattern and other rearranged interconnect patterns.

The "perfect" shuffle is a pervasive interconnect that is used throughout switching applications. Frequently, the "perfect" shuffle is used in high level descriptions of systems, whereas a different interconnect is used in implementations because of the difficulty of implementing a perfect shuffle well using electronics. While "perfect" shuffle devices are useful architecturally, they provide a space-variant interconnect pattern that is difficult to implement optically in an efficient, compact manner. Typical approaches for optically implementing perfect shuffles include splitting, magnifying, and interleaving the resultant images using interferometers or the use birefringent crystals. In a typical micro-optic approach, individual channels are reshuffled using holographic microlenses. In the latter approach, many redirecting elements are needed (e.g., one per channel), where in the current approach few (e.g. two) redirecting elements are required.
It is an object of this invention to provide a unique approach to providing an optical perfect shuffle device.
It is another object of this invention to provide refractive, diffractive or reflective optical elements within an optical perfect shuffle device.
It is another object of this invention to provide an optical perfect shuffle device that has high efficiency and low loss.
It is another object of this invention to provide an optical perfect shuffle device that is simple and compact, and only requires that the device be placed near an image plane.


A public cordless telephone system which comprises abase unit and a branch unit connected to the base unit through a radio link to be used by many unspecified persons. The public cordless telephone system comprises a base unit connected to a public line network, a charger provided integrally with the base unit or separately therefrom, and at least one branch unit connected with the base unit through the radio link and having a battery as a power source, and removably mounted to the charger for charging the battery when mounted on the charger. The system detects the charge in the battery of the branch unit when the branch unit is mounted to the charger, and inhibits use of the branch unit when the remaining charge is insufficient to make a call. The system further includes a theft detection function that continuously transmits a theft signal from the branch unit until the battery of the branch unit is exhausted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to public cordless telephone systems which comprise a base unit and a branch unit connected to the base unit through a radio link to be used by many unspecified persons and, more particularly, to a public cordless telephone system which has a user charging function, a function of managing the charged state of a battery provided in a branch unit and a function of preventing the branch unit from being stolen.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a so-called public telephone system to be used by many unspecified persons has been widely known. This public telephone system, as shown in FIG. 22, comprises a telephone main unit 3 and a handset 5 connected to the telephone main unit 3 through a coiled cord 4. The telephone main unit 3 is connected to a public line 1 which is connected to a public line network (not shown) and has an A.C. plug 2 provided to supply commercial power to the main unit 3 therethrough.
However, such a prior art telephone system is limited in its use by the extendible maximum length of the coiled cord 4, because of the physical interconnection between the telephone main unit 3 and the handset 5 to which the user's ear and mouth are positioned. For example, when the telephone main unit 3 is installed at a positional level to allow users to use the telephone while standing, e.g., at a predetermined height from the ground level, users can comfortably use the telephone while standing. However, when it is desired for a user to use the telephone while taking a different pose other than the above standing one, the limited maximum length of the coiled cord 4 imposes restrictions to the telephone's use, preventing the user from moving about freely.
Very recently, various uses of the public telephone system have been considered. In some applications, it is demanded that the public telephone be used at an arbitrary position in a given space.
For example, when the public telephone system is installed in a restaurant or a hotel lobby having a certain area, the conventional public telephone cannot be used at any place but only at one specific limited location, which is highly inconvenient for users. In this case, if the user could use the telephone while sitting in a chair away from the location where the telephone is installed or if the user could use it while sitting in a sofa or couch located close to the telephone installation location, it would be very convenient for the user. However, since the prior art public telephone system is limited in use by the specific length of the coiled cord 4 between the telephone main unit 3 and the handset 5, it is impossible to use the telephone in such a manner.

Public cordless telephone system with coin/card insertion inhibiting means


In a tracking controller for an optical pickup, a photodetector having four light reception parts receives return light from an optical disc and outputs light detection electric signals. Predetermined addition and subtraction operations are performed on the light detection electric signals from the light reception parts. A phase comparator compares phases and outputs a pseudo radial contrast signal. Bringing into tracking servo control is performed based on the pseudo radial contrast signal.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical pickup tracking controller and an optical pickup tracking control method for positioning emission light on an information record track of an optical disc in an optical pickup for reading information from the optical disc based on return light from the optical disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical pickup comprising a light source, a light transfer optical system, and a light detection system is used to read optical disc record information of music, data, etc., from return light provided by applying emission light from the light source to the information record side of the surface of an optical disc such as a CD (compact disc) or a CD-ROM (compact disc-read-only memory) and reflecting the applied light on the information record side of the optical disc.
To reliably read the information from the optical disc in the optical pickup, it is necessary to control so as to always apply emission light onto a record location on the information record side of the optical disc, such as an information record track, namely, it is necessary to perform tracking servo control.
A tracking servo control technique, for example, as shown in FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D) is known.
FIG. 9(D) is a sectional view of an optical disc wherein the surface of the optical disc is cut in the radial direction of the disc. A projection portion P is called a pit and a flat portion L is called a land. With the pit P, an information write state is shown and is read. If the optical pickup is moved in the radial direction of the disc (right and left in FIGS. 9(A) to 9(D)), emission light from the optical pickup moves so as to cross a pit string comprising pits P arranged in the tangential direction.
At this time, a reproduction (playback) RF signal from a photodetector receiving return light becomes as shown in FIG. 9(A). If the reproduction (playback) RF signal is made to pass through a low-pass filter (LPF) or the envelope of the signal is taken, a radial contrast signal RC as shown in FIG. 9(B) is provided. As shown here, the radial contrast signal RC has the center of the crest of the waveform matching the center position of the pit P and the center of the trough of the waveform matching the center position of the land L.
Light from the photodetector receiving return light is detected and is converted into an electric signal, whereby a signal TE as shown in FIG. 9(C) can be provided. The signal TE has a waveform passing through a zero level B (crossing zero) at the point corresponding to the center position of the land L as shown in the part of A.
Therefore, to perform tracking servo control, it is necessary to control the optical pickup so as to become the center of the trough of the radial contrast signal RC. This operation is called "bringing into tracking servo control". In fact, tracking servo control is performed by performing feedback position control based on the TE signal so that the signal TE crosses zero as TE crosses zero at the center of the trough of RC. Although TE also crosses zero at the center of the crest of RC, the polarity of the differential value of TE is opposite at the position and if an attempt is made to perform feedback control, oscillation occurs. Therefore, it is necessary to perform feedback control based on TE at the center of the trough of RC; it is important to detect RC.
However, as optical discs with information recorded at a high density, such as a DVD (digital versatile disc), have been used in recent years, the following problem arises in the tracking servo control of the optical pickup in the related art described above:
As information is recorded on a disc at a higher density, the spacing between pits, namely, track pitch (the distance between the center positions in FIG. 9(D)) becomes narrower. Thus, the asperities of the waveform of the radial contrast signal RC become very small, the S/N ratio of the signal lowers, and the position of each trough of the radial contrast signal RC may be detected erroneously. If the position of the trough of the radial contrast signal RC is detected erroneously, bringing into tracking servo control is performed at the erroneous position and tracking control becomes unstable.

Optical pickup tracking controller and optical pickup tracking control method


Stimulation energy can be provided to stimulate synchronous ventricular contractions. Interval information obtained from a cardiac electrical heart signal and a cardiac mechanical heart signal can be used to determine a right ventricular activation time. The interval information can provide a cardiac stimulation indication.

A medical device can be implanted in a body to perform one or more tasks including monitoring, detecting, or sensing physiological information in or otherwise associated with the body, diagnosing a physiological condition or disease, treating or providing a therapy for a physiological condition or disease, or restoring or otherwise altering the function of an organ or a tissue. Examples of an implantable medical device can include a cardiac rhythm management device, such as a pacemaker, a cardiac resynchronization therapy device, a cardioverter or defibrillator, a neurological stimulator, a neuromuscular stimulator, or a drug delivery system.
In various examples, cardiac rhythm or function management devices can sense intrinsic heart contractions, deliver pacing pulses to evoke responsive heart contractions, or deliver a shock to interrupt certain arrhythmias. In certain examples, one or more of these functions can help improve a patient's heart rhythm or can help coordinate a spatial nature of a heart contraction, either of which can improve cardiac output of blood.
Some cardiac rhythm or function management devices can be configured to deliver energy at or near the right ventricle of a patient's heart to achieve pacing via natural conduction pathways, such as when a patient has right bundle branch block. Various methods for treating patients with right bundle branch block have been proposed. For example, Corbucci. U.S. Pat. No. 8,041,424, entitled CARDIAC RESYNCHRONIZATION THERAPY FOR PATIENTS WITH RIGHT BUNDLE BRANCH BLOCK, refers to an implantable medical device and associated method to deliver cardiac resynchronization therapy in a patient having right bundle branch block by measuring an interval between a right atrial depolarization and a first heart sound and selecting a right atrial-ventricular (AV) pacing interval in response to the measure interval.
Zhang et al. U.S. Patent Application No. 20120296228 entitled HEART SOUNDS-BASED PACING OPTIMIZATION, refers to an implantable medical device configured to receive both heart sound and electrogram signals.

Estimating electromechanical delay to optimize pacing parameters in RBBB patients


A microfluidic device and a detection method for the microfluidic device are provided. The microfluidic device includes a driving substrate configured to drive a movement of a droplet; and a position detector configured to detect a position of the droplet on the driving substrate.

The microfluidic technology is now a research hotspot, and microfluidic chips adopting the microfluidic technology may control the movement, separation, polymerization, chemical reaction, biodetection and other behaviors of tiny droplets. Microfluidic devices dealing with the precise control and manipulation of fluids, or droplets, are geometrically constrained to a small, typically sub-millimeter, scale.

Microfluidic device and detection method therefor


An auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair has at least one electrically driven drive wheel and a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair. The coupling mechanism includes a movable locking element which is movably supported in the coupling mechanism. The movable locking element can be in a locking position in which it causes locking in a positive-locking manner so that the auxiliary drive device is coupled to the wheelchair and, by operation of a handle, the locking element can be moved in a release position in which uncoupling of the auxiliary drive device from the wheelchair is possible.

The technology relates to an auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair.
Wheelchairs basically can be grouped into two categories, namely on the one hand wheelchairs which primarily are designed for manual drive, that is a drive provided by either the person sitting in the wheelchair, this being done by hand, for instance via pushrims, which are mounted at the large rear wheels of the wheelchair, or by an assisting person pushing the wheelchair, and, on the other hand, such wheelchairs which already from their original concept are designed for electric drive.
Manually driven wheelchairs in general are characterized by a considerably lower weight as compared with those wheelchairs where an electric drive unit is permanently installed. Furthermore, manually driven wheelchairs often are designed as so-called folding wheelchairs which, not only due to their lower weight, but also due to the fact that they can be folded and therefore have smaller dimensions, can be easily transported, for instance in the trunk of a passenger car.
Manually driven wheelchairs have, if the propulsion is effected by the person sitting in the wheelchair, a therapeutic effect because providing the driving power constitutes a valuable physical exercise. On the other hand, when manually driving a wheelchair, wheelchair drivers doing so sometimes soon reach the limits of their physical capacities, especially when slopes are to be negotiated, when the wheelchair has to be maneuvered on difficult terrain or when long distances are to be covered. Furthermore, use of a manually driven wheelchair over a long time may lead to injuries because of repeated high strain and to premature signs of wear in muscles, tendons and joints. For this reason, auxiliary drive devices for wheelchairs have been developed which, when later being attached to a wheelchair, support the user in moving the wheelchair.
Such an auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair can for instance be provided by replacing the two original large rear wheels of the wheelchair by such rear wheels in which a hub motor is integrated. Such an auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair is for instance disclosed in DE 197 48 201 C1.
US 2014/0262575 A1 discloses a different kind of auxiliary drive device for a wheelchair, namely a device which comprises an additional drive wheel which can be driven electrically, that is a drive wheel which is not exchanged with an original wheel of the wheelchair but which is part of a separate device, which, in addition, comprises a coupling mechanism for coupling the auxiliary drive device to the wheelchair.
A coupling mechanism for coupling such an auxiliary drive device to a wheelchair must ensure safe and secure coupling. Furthermore, coupling and uncoupling should be easy to be accomplished and the coupling should be preferably such that in order to negotiate obstacles like a curb, so-called tipping or tilting of the wheelchair for clearing this obstacle, that is a lifting of the front wheels, should be possible.


An apparatus includes a first member including a plurality of first electrodes on a first substrate, a second member including a plurality of second electrodes on a second substrate, the second electrodes facing the first electrodes of the first member, and an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) between the first member and the second member, the ACF having a double-layered structure and electrically connecting the first member and the second member, the ACF including an epoxy resin with a polycyclic aromatic ring and exhibiting a minimum melt viscosity of about 3,000 Pa·s to about 10,000 Pa·s at about 30° C. to about 200° C.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to an anisotropic conductive film and an apparatus including the same. More particularly, example embodiments relate to a double layered anisotropic conductive film, which includes an epoxy resin containing a polycyclic aromatic ring to increase minimum melt viscosity and to improve connection reliability, and to an apparatus including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As displays become larger and thinner, a pitch between electrodes and circuits in the displays becomes more precise. An anisotropic conductive film (ACF) may be used as a wiring material to connect fine terminals of such electrodes and circuits. For example, the ACF may be used as a connection material for packaging a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, a printed circuit board (PCB), or a driver IC of a LCD module.
For example, in the LCD module, a plurality of driver integrated circuits (ICs) is mounted to drive thin film transistor (TFT) patterns. The driver ICs may be mounted on a LCD panel by a wire bonding method, i.e., where the driver ICs are connected to an electrode of the LCD panel through a conductive wire, by a tape automated bonding (TAB) method, i.e., where the driver ICs are mounted on an electrode of the LCD panel using a base film, and/or by a chip on glass (COG) method, i.e., where the driver ICs are mounted directly on the LCD panel using an adhesive. For example, the ACF may be used as a connection material for the COG method or to electrically connect a wiring pattern designed based on a polyimide substrate and an indium tin oxide (ITO) pattern designed on a glass substrate of a LCD panel or a lead of an electronic component.

Anisotropic conductive film and apparatus including the same


A line connection apparatus is disclosed. A hold/release recognition part records first person identification information by corresponding to second person identification information in a connection database stored in a storage part when a hold is recognized. The first person identification information identifies a first person who holds a line. The second person identification information identifies a second person for whom the line is held. The connection database maintains a state of holding a line and releasing a hold of the line. The connection control part refers to the connection control database and has a first person terminal of the first person in a hold state based on the first person identification information, which is corresponded to the second person identification information indicated by a re-connection request, in response to the re-connection request conducted by a same second person after the line is disconnected in the hold state.

Conventionally, in a case of a telephone call, the telephone call is received in response to a connection request from a caller. For a case in which a line is set to a hold state in order to respond to an inquiry, a request, and the like from a caller, there are various approaches to release the hold state by a held side.
A technology is presented in that a special number is dialed at a held side to send a hold release request signal or the like, and a speaker of a telephone at a holding side is turned on to communicate with a person with voice at the holding side. A technology is presented in that a message recorded by the held side is corresponded to a telephone number of the holding side. A technology is presented to recover a communication state by releasing the hold state when a re-connection is available within a predetermined time after a call is set to the hold state in response to the communication state or a remaining battery level of a wireless communication terminal. A technology is also presented to record a telephone number of the held side when a connection is disconnected at the held side during the hold state and to re-connect from the hold side.


Embodiments disclosed herein include a stitched filtering fabric including a barrier layer configured to inhibit air flow through the filtering fabric, a yarn stitched through and forming a plurality of stitch holes in the barrier layer, and a first yarn layer comprising interlocking loops of the yarn. The barrier layer is configured to direct air flow through the yarn within the stitched holes.

A filtration fabric is a fabric capable of removing unwanted substances (e.g., dust, pollen, mold, bacteria, viruses, etc.) from a gas or liquid by passing the gas or liquid through the filtration fabric. A filtration fabric may be used in, for example, industrial filters, window coverings, air-filtering devices, apparel, or personal protective equipment. A face mask is a device covering a wearer's mouth and nose to protect the wearer from inhaling hazardous substances, including germs, dusts, and droplets. Existing face masks are usually made of cloth or paper, and are often disposable after use.

Filtering fabric and process for forming same


A preform and a blow molded container formed therefrom and having plural cavities or compartments for providing enhanced properties including vacuum containers for hot and cold product, or barrier materials including gases or layered material, improved creep resistance, use of lower cost and/or recycled materials, increased wall strength and aerosol properties.

Invention relates to a new and improved container and more particularly to a blow molded bottle, or container, and including either narrow or wide mouths for receiving or dispensing product, the container having outer walls and an inner wall for providing at least two compartments separate from each other and each being capable of containing various liquids, solids and/or gases for purposes that will be hereinafter explained in further detail.
Bottles or containers having a plurality of compartments are known in the prior art. Probably the best known of these devices is the one referred to as a vacuum bottle which was introduced with the trademark name of xe2x80x9cThermos(copyright) (brand) bottlexe2x80x9d. Such bottles or containers were, and are, well known for keeping beverages or food products, such as thin liquids including but not limited to water, tea, coffee and the like, or thicker liquids such as soups, stews and the like, either hot or cold, by providing a vacuum within the outer one of the two compartments to thereby facilitate regulation of the temperature of product within the inner container by restricting heat transfer either to or from the inner compartment, so that cold products remain cold and hot products remain hot for reasonable periods of time.
The present invention provides a novel product comprised of a bottle, or similar type of container, having at least a double walled body portion which provides a container having inner and outer compartments adapted for the following objects and uses of the invention:
1. The outside compartment can contain a pressured fluid for forcing fluid product out from the inner compartment through a dispenser, such as a valve dispenser.
2. The novel container is useful for containing and dispensing products such as, for example, toothpaste, sauces, seasonings, food toppings, decorative material, beverages, gels, aerosols, and a wide range of similar products.
3. The inner and outer compartments may contain different types of segregated fluids, pastes, and the like, that need to be mixed just prior to use such as, for example, multi-component epoxy resins, glues, adhesives and hardeners. Provision can be made to allow combining separated materials to be combined and mixed within the container by rupturing the inner wall prior to the mixed product being dispensed from the container.
4. Keeping fluids cold by putting a fluid in the outer cavity and freezing, or cooling it to keep fluid in the central cavity cold, or cool.
5. Keeping liquids hot, in a similar fashion, such as by microwave heating of liquid in the outer cavity to heat fluid in the inner cavity.
6. Putting a moisture scavenger/desiccant in the outer compartment for reducing moisture entry into the inner compartment.
7. Putting an oxygen scavenger and an inert gas, such as nitrogen, in the outer compartment to reduce ingress of oxygen into the inner compartment.
8. Putting chemicals, etc., in the outer compartment so that diffusion of similar products from the inside to the outside is reduced if the concentration of the chemical in the outer compartment is equal to that of the concentration in the inner compartment; diffusion from the inner to the outer compartment will only occur when the chemicals in the outer compartment start to diffuse outwardly. Thus, this will result in a reduction of the chemical concentration loss of the inner compartment.
9. In the case of hot fills and heat setting, hot fluids, with or without pressure, can be introduced into one or both compartments.
10. The side walls of the inner compartment can be made very thin and allow for collapse during emptying of the inner container. The walls may also be a barrier material or a multilayer laminate.
11. The outside layer may be very thin and can be a barrier material, and may likewise be multilayered.
12. Either, or both, walls can be a barrier, or multilayered laminates.
13. The inside walls may be fashioned with ribs (similar to the Supa base inventions), thus providing rigidity and allowing the average thickness of the walls to be reduced in thickness.
14. The bottom of the outer wall can be formed to be self-supporting as taught by my issued U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,400,911; or 5,611,988; and made from a preform in accord with 5,792,563 to provide a stable supporting surface.

Surya Plaza, K-185, Sarai Julena - First Floor


An embodiment presents a rifle including an upper receiver, a barrel assembly connected to the upper receiver and a forend with an integrated barrel nut. The integrated barrel nut is connected to the barrel assembly such that the forend is directly connected to and aligned with the upper receiver. Another embodiment provides a method for assembling a firearm. The method includes inserting a barrel assembly into an upper receiver. The method also includes threading a forend with an integrated barrel nut over the outer surface of the barrel assembly. The method also includes checking an alignment between the upper receiver and the forend.

FIG. 1 depicts a conventional rifle 10, including an upper receiver 12, a barrel 14, a forend 16 and a front sight 17. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16 are aligned in a longitudinal direction, so that accessories mounted on the upper receiver 12, such as a rear sight, can be properly aligned with accessories on the forend, such as forend-mounted target acquisition devices, for example. In conventional rifles, the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16 are aligned during assembly of the rifle 10, using a number of steps, as discussed herein.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the barrel 14 may be first passed through an opening in the upper receiver 12 and an index pin (not shown) may be retracted into a notch in the upper receiver 12, when the barrel 14 and the upper receiver 12 are in a proper rotational alignment so ammunition can feed from the upper receiver 12 to the barrel 14. The barrel 14 may be then secured to the upper receiver 12 with a barrel nut 18, such as by engaging inner threads (not shown) of the barrel nut 18 with outer threads along the upper receiver 12. After the barrel 14 is secured to the upper receiver 12, the forend 16 may be subsequently secured to the barrel 14 in a manner so that the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16 are aligned. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the forend 16 may include a slot 19 sized to receive the barrel nut 18. A spring-loaded retaining ring 15 may then be provided to secure the forend 16 against the barrel nut 15. The user then checks the alignment between the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16. If they are not properly aligned, the positioning of the barrel nut 18 within the slot 19 is varied, until the upper receiver 12 and forend 16 are aligned. FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the interface between the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16 in the conventional rifle 10. A longitudinal gap 13 separates the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16, and the retaining ring 15 may be positioned within the longitudinal gap 13.
Indeed, conventional rifles involve numerous components and steps to assemble the rifle 10 and properly align the upper receiver 12 and the forend 16. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a more simplified rifle structure, which achieves alignment of the upper receiver and the forend with less effort, in a shorter time frame and with fewer parts.


An optimum engine configuration is determined, based on a predicted required power, for a seafaring vessel having a plurality of thrust engines. The predicted required power is determined by inputting vessel operational data, environmental data, and voyage data to a required power model. At least some of the vessel operational data and environmental data is received from a plurality of sensors positioned onboard the vessel. The optimum engine configuration is selected from a plurality of candidate engine configurations. Each candidate engine configuration includes a specified number of thrust engines running and a specified power output level of each thrust engine. The optimum engine configuration is selected based on a candidate total predicted fuel consumption of each candidate engine configuration. The candidate total predicted fuel consumption amount is determined as a sum of the engine-specific predicted fuel consumptions determined for each running thrust engine of that candidate engine configuration.

The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
U.S. Pat. No. 10,370,063 of Skidmore purports to disclose a system configured to monitor energy usage of a surface maritime vessel. The system comprises a device configured to receive characteristic data representing at least one operating characteristic of the vessel and a device configured to receive model data representing at least one energy usage model for the vessel. The system further includes a device configured to process the characteristic data and the model data to generate an output representing a comparison between the characteristic data and the model data.
US Patent Publication No. 2021/0027225 of Mikalsen et al. purports to disclose a marine vessel advisory system configured to calculate and provide operational information that show fuel consumption savings based on adjustment of vessel speed and/or heading. In an embodiment, the advisory system may operate real-time to collect operational and/or environmental conditions information to be used to calculate alternative operational performance of the marine vessel that will save fuel and reduce emissions. The calculations may include a simulation, machine learning, and/or artificial intelligence to determine a speed and/or heading of the marine vessel that will reduce fuel consumption. The advisory system may display the computed information for the operator, and the operator may elect to switch to the alternative operating parameters (e.g., slower speed). In an embodiment, the advisory system may interact directly with a marine vessel system and automatically cause the marine vessel system to adjust operating parameters based on computed operating parameters that saves fuel and reduces emissions

Systems and methods for optimizing vessel fuel consumption


A semiconductor processing method of providing electrical isolation between adjacent semiconductor diffusion regions of different field effect transistors includes, a) providing an electrically insulative device isolation mass between opposing active area regions, the insulative isolation mass having opposing laterally outermost edges; and b) providing a pair of electrically conductive transistor source/drain diffusion regions within the active area regions, one of the conductive source/drain diffusion regions being received within one of the active area regions and being associated with one field effect transistor, the other of the conductive source/drain diffusion regions being received within the other of the active area regions and being associated with another field effect transistor, the electrically conductive source/drain diffusion regions each having an outermost edge adjacent the insulative isolation mass, such source/drain diffusion regions edges being received within the respective active area regions spaced from the respective mass laterally outermost edges to space the transistor source/drain diffusion regions edges away from the isolation mass. Integrated circuitry having adjacent electrically isolated field effect transistors produced according to the method and other methods is also disclosed. The invention also contemplates spacing one electrically conductive (heavy implant) diffusion region of one of adjacent field effect transistors away from the device isolation mass. Regardless, preferred spacing of the implant from the device isolation is at least 0.01 micron.

Implementing electric circuits involves connecting isolated devices or electronic components through specific electrical paths. When fabricating integrated circuits from semiconductor materials, such as silicon, it must therefore be possible to isolate devices built into the substrate from one another. Such devices are subsequently electrically interconnected to create the specific circuit configurations desired.
A variety of techniques have been developed to isolate devices in integrated circuits. Different integrated circuit types can require somewhat different isolation requirements. For example, PMOS and NMOS integrated circuits require an isolation structure that prevents the establishment of parasitic channels between adjacent transistor devices. MOS transistors are inherently self-isolated.
As long as the source-substrate and drain-substrate pn junctions are held at reverse bias in MOS transistors, the drain current (I.sub.D) should only be due to current flow from source to drain through a channel under the gate. This further implies that no significant current between adjacent MOS devices should exist if no channels exist between them. However, the method by which the components of an integrated circuit are interconnected involves the fabrication of conductive lines that run across oxide in the regions between the transistors, typically referred to as field oxide or field regions. Unfortunately, these conductive lines have a tendency to form gates of parasitic MOS transistors, with the oxide beneath them forming a gate oxide and the diffused regions of separate transistors adjacent the field regions acting as parasitic sources and drains. The threshold voltage of such parasitic transistors is kept higher than any possible operating voltage so that spurious channels will not be inadvertently formed between transistor devices. Two techniques for increasing the threshold voltage are increasing the field-oxide thickness and raising the doping concentration of the bulk substrate area beneath the field oxide.
Typical prior art isolation technology is described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. Referring first to FIG. 1, a semiconductor wafer fragment 10 is comprised of a bulk monocrystalline silicon substrate 12 and an isolating field oxide region 14 positioned between a pair of field effect transistor devices 16 and 18. Such transistors each comprise respective gate constructions 20, composed of a conductive portion 21, an underlying gate dielectric layer 22, and opposing insulating sidewall spacers 23. Each transistor is provided with a pair of electrically conductive n+ source/drain diffusion regions 24 and 25. Example dopant concentration for regions 24 and 25 is 1.times.10.sup.20 ions/cm.sup.3 or greater. Bulk substrate or well area 12 is provided to a p-concentration, such as 1.times.10.sup.15 ions/cm.sup.3. Transistors 16 and 18 are also provided with n- lightly doped drain (LDD) regions 26. Example concentration for regions 26 is 1.times.10.sup.17 ions/cm.sup.3. Immediately beneath field oxide region 14, an implant has been conducted to provide a higher concentration of p-type material, indicated by the plurality of "+" symbols therebeneath. Such effectively raises the threshold voltage for preventing a parasitic transistor from forming beneath oxide 14 utilizing the adjacent regions 24 and 25 as parasitic sources and drains.
FIG. 2 illustrates an alternate prior art isolation process, referred to as buried-oxide (BOX) isolation technology. Like numerals are utilized from the first described embodiment where appropriate, with differences being indicated with different numerals or with the suffix "a". Buried-oxide isolation technology typically uses shallow trenches 28 formed within bulk substrate 12 which are refilled with a chemical vapor deposited SiO.sub.2 layer 30. This layer is then etched back to yield the illustrated planar upper surface 31.
This invention comprises improved techniques for providing electrical isolation between adjacent semiconductor diffusion regions of different field effect transistors.

Semiconductor processing method of providing electrical isolation between adjacent semiconductor diffusion regions of different field effect transistors and integrated circuitry having adjacent electrically isolated field effect transistors


A signaling system embodying the invention includes, at each SSP, a signaling unit containing a message configuration template containing an entry for each type of message. Each entry contains the complete format for the corresponding message type. For incoming messages, the signaling unit also includes, for each voice channel (CIC) multiple finite state machines which manage operations associated with each of the message types that are involved in CIC control. When a message is received, the message type field in the message is used to identify the message type and invoke the operation of the associated state machine. The state machine then parses the message and performs the operations required by the message.

This invention relates to a signaling unit for the control of digital communications transmitted over a switching network. More specifically, it relates to a signaling unit having a variable signaling-message repertoire used in setting up and releasing communications channels in a digital switched network such as ISDN, and also in performing various maintenance functions in the network and providing enhanced subscriber services.
The invention will be described in connection with a data network in which signaling messages are transmitted over a signaling channel and data, including digitized voice signals, are transmitted over a "CIC" channel. Access signaling is governed by a standard suite of protocols known as Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) which defines the various signaling messages, including their formats, used in call-setup and release and various other control functions. A description of SS7 is set forth in Madrases, et al., An Overview of Signaling System No. 7, Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 80, No. 4, April 1992. While SS7 provides a fairly extensive repertoire of signaling messages, it is often desirable to augment the message set with additional messages. For example, it may be desirable to provide subscriber services that are unavailable with the standard message set.
Moreover, the requirements for additional messages will vary from one network to another and it is therefore impractical to provide each Service Switching Point (SSP) with the ability to deal with all of the possible message types. Furthermore, the requirements for additional message types at any given SSP may vary from time to time. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a system in which the signaling-message repertoire of an SSP can be initially determined and also changed from time to time, in the field, ideally by the operator of the switching system.

Process for signaling messages in a data switching network


Provided are an apparatus using ambient light as backlight and a method for correcting colors in the apparatus. The apparatus includes a color correction matrix generator and a color corrector. The color correction matrix generator generates a first color correction matrix for correcting a second color conversion matrix when ambient light is used as backlight into a third color conversion matrix for the original backlight. The color corrector corrects colors using the first color correction matrix.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an apparatus using ambient light as backlight and a method for correcting colors in the apparatus, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for correcting color distortion generated when ambient light is varied and the ambient light is used as backlight.
2. Description of the Related Art
Portable devices such as personal data assistants (PDAs), portable media players (PMPs) and notebook computers are used in places where there is ambient light, for example, sunlight or artificial light. Users sometimes use these portable devices in places where ambient light is brighter than backlight. Bright ambient light deteriorates visibility of the display of the portable devices and generates color distortion to decrease picture quality. The performance of backlight for correcting these problems is restricted and the performance of a battery is also limited. Accordingly, sufficient picture quality cannot be secured and the portable devices cannot be used for a long time in environments such as the open air where ambient light exists.
To solve this problem, there have been proposed techniques that use ambient light as backlight to increase visibility of display when natural light such as sunlight and external light such as artificial light are sufficiently bright. These techniques do not use backlight or less use backlight to extend battery consumption time when the ambient light is used as the backlight. However, even these techniques cause color distortion because the quantity of light or color temperature of light is changed due to a variation in the weather, a lapse of time, a change of the place where a portable device is used, a variation in surrounding light and/or objects or people around the portable device.

Apparatus using ambient light as backlight and method for correcting colors therein


When an anti-human BMP antibody was added to cells of an immortalized human mesangial cell line cultured in the presence of human BMP, the anti-human BMP antibody significantly suppressed the production of type IV collagen in mesangial cells. A number of signaling pathways are involved in abnormal proliferation of type IV collagen. It was therefore completely unpredictable whether merely blocking the BMP signal would indeed suppress the abnormal proliferation of type IV collagen. However, for the first time, the present inventors demonstrated that anti-BMP antibodies are very effective in suppressing the abnormal proliferation of type IV collagen. Thus, anti-BMP antibodies can be used as novel therapeutic agents for kidney diseases associated with abnormal proliferation of the mesangial matrix.

Kidney diseases are defined as diseases associated with primary or secondary renal disorders and are treated by diet therapy, therapeutic exercises, or pharmaceutical agents. Dialysis treatment or kidney transplantation may be needed as symptoms advance. Thus, there is a demand for more effective therapeutic agents.
Pathological features of progressive glomerular disorders include the growth of mesangial cells and glomerulosclerosis. Thickening of the glomerular basement membrane and mild increase in glomerular size are observed at the early stage of diabetic nephropathy. Diffuse expansion of mesangial matrix is observed several years after onset. This phenomenon is assumed to be caused by an abnormal increase of extracellular matrix proteins such as type IV and I collagens, fibronectin, and laminin. Abnormal remodeling of the matrix is also found in glomerular mesangial cells in kidney diseases such as IgA nephropathy or Alport's syndrome, and is known to eventually lead to glomerulosclerosis. Thus, the abnormal increase of mesangial matrix is closely involved in diseases associated with glomerulosclerosis.
In diabetic nephropathy, the mechanism underlying the overproduction of type IV collagen, which is a mesangial matrix protein, has been reported to have a number of pathways. Various molecules are assumed to be involved in the overproduction. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) activates Smad2 and Smad3 via activin receptor-like kinase 5 (ALK5), a type I receptor, resulting in overproduction of extracellular matrix proteins such as α1 type IV collagen (Non-Patent Document 1). Smad1 has been demonstrated to be directly involved in the overproduction of type IV collagen (Patent Document 1). Smad1 is known to be a member of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling system. BMP activates Smad1 via the type I receptors ALK2, 3, and 6, thereby regulating the transcription of target genes (Non-Patent Document 2). In addition to Smad1, Smad5 and Smad8 are involved in BMP signaling. Smad1 transduces the TGF-β signal via ALK1 in endothelial cells, hematopoietic cells, and the like, thereby participating in the transcriptional regulation of target genes (Non-Patent Document 3).
Suppressing the overproduction of mesangial matrix proteins is expected to ameliorate kidney diseases including diabetic nephropathy. As described above, however, the mechanism underlying the overproduction of mesangial matrix proteins including type IV collagen is complicated, and to date, it is unknown what pathway made of which combination of members contributes to this overproduction.    Patent Document 1: WO2005/026344    Non-Patent Document 1: Li J. H. et al., Kidney International, (2003) 63, 2010-2019    Non-Patent Document 2: Zwijsen A. et al., FEBS Letters (2003) 546, 133-139    Non-Patent Document 3: Goumans M. J. et al., EMBO J., (Apr. 2, 2002) 21(7), 1743-53

BMP antibodies and methods of treating kidney disease using the same


The invention allows construction of the architecture of sedimentary layers deposited on a topographic surface as a result of the passage of sedimentary currents, using cellular automata. The topographic surface is discretized into a set of cellular automata. Then, for each current and each automaton, a stationary physical state resulting from an iterative process wherein intermediate physical states are constructed by material and energy exchanges between the automata is determined. These automata are thus constructed so as to be representative of the action of the sedimentary currents on the construction of the sedimentary architecture. A set of geologic variables allowing the architecture of the sedimentary layers to be reconstructed is thus deduced from these stationary physical states. Preferred fields of application of the method are oil exploration and production and reservoir characterization.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of reconstructing the architecture of sedimentary layers of a petroleum reservoir resulting from the passage of one or more sedimentary currents such as turbidity currents.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The petroleum industry, and more precisely exploration and development of petroleum reservoirs, requires the best possible knowledge of the underground geology to efficiently provide an evaluation of the reserves, modelling of the production or management of the development. In fact, determining the location of a production well or of an injection well, the parameters necessary for optimum hydrocarbon recovery, such as the injection pressure, the composition of the drilling mud, the completion characteristics, . . . , involves good knowledge of the reservoir. To know the reservoir means to know the subsoil characteristics at any point of space. This involves knowledge of the sedimentary architecture of this subsoil, that is definition of the geometry and of the nature of the geologic layers that make up this subsoil. FIG. 1 illustrates the sedimentary architecture of a reservoir example. It shows the diagrammatic geologic section of an outcrop of turbiditic deposits comprising eight lithologies (L1to L8), and it illustrates the complexity of the sedimentary architectures to be simulated. Various intersecting surfaces due to the succession of filling and erosion processes can in particular be observed. This architecture cannot be observed, it results from the modelling of the various sedimentary events (marine or air sedimentary currents, desiccation, . . . ) that have affected the region studied. The geologic architecture thus defines various geological objects to which petrophysical properties can be assigned to improve the reservoir characterization and therefore the various evaluations.
The petroleum industry has been combining for a long time technical measurements and modellings performed in the laboratory and/or by softwares.
Petroleum reservoir modelling therefore is a technical stage that is essential to any reservoir exploration or development process. The goal thereof is to provide a description of the reservoir via its sedimentary architecture and/or its petrophysical properties.

Use of the stationary state of energy-exchanging cellular automata for modelling sedimentary architectures


A SIMM (single in-line memory module) board is provided with a plurality of semiconductor memory devices which include, as a part of each memory device, a current spike leveling capacitor. The capacitor is on the die side of circuitry connecting the memory device to the board. By connecting the on-chip capacitors of the memory devices in parallel, sufficient capacitance is provided to stabilize current to all of the memory devices.

Integrated semiconductor devices are typically constructed en masse on a wafer of silicon or gallium arsenide. Each device generally takes the form of an integrated circuit (IC) die, which is attached to a lead frame with gold wires. As shown in FIG. 1, the die and lead frame are then encapsulated in a plastic or ceramic package, which is then recognizable as an IC "chip". IC chips come in a variety of forms such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) chips, static random access memory (SRAM) chips, read only memory (ROM) chips, gate arrays, and so forth. The chips are interconnected in myriad combinations on printed circuit boards by a number of techniques, such as socketing and soldering.
Interconnections among chips arrayed on printed circuit boards are typically made by conductive traces formed by photolithography and etching processes. Semiconductor circuit devices, including DRAMs, SRAMs and gate arrays are essentially switching devices. As the output drivers within those chips create intermittent current flow on associated conductive traces, the traces behave as inductors, creating voltage surges which have the potential for creating logic errors. Other logic-damaging transient voltages, caused by voltage fluctuations at the power line and the interaction of other circuit components in the system, may also be present.
In order to render innocuous the transient voltages which regularly appear in logic circuits, decoupling capacitors are commonly used as low-frequency bypass filters.
The gold connection wires, because of their length relative to their diameter, function as inductors. As current through the gold connection wires is alternately switched on and off, voltage spikes occur. In order to reduce the effects of voltage transients, external capacitors have been installed either within the semiconductor package or on a circuit board onto which the semiconductor packages are installed. In either case, the capacitor is on an opposite side of the lead frame connection wire from the semiconductor die. This establishes the circuit shown in FIG. 2. This equivalent circuit represents an inappropriate arrangement for filtering voltage transients which would affect the circuit die, represented in FIG. 2 as box 11.
One circuit-board-mounted semiconductor chip array that is of particular interest is the SIMM (single in-line memory module). SIMM boards are typically constructed with such capacitors, which are usually located beneath or adjacent memory array circuit chips on the SIMM.
SIMM (single in-line memory module) boards are circuit arrays which consist of byte multiples of memory chips arranged on a printed circuit board or comparable mounting arrangement. The SIMM board is connected to a circuit control board by an edge connector.
The SIMM is a highly space-efficient memory board having no onboard address circuitry and which is designed to plug directly into the address, data and power-supply busses of a computer so that the randomly-addressable memory cells of the SIMM can be addressed directly by the computer's CPU rather than by a bank-switching technique commonly used in larger memory expansion boards. Memory cells on the SIMM are perceived by the computer's CPU as being no different than memory cells found on the computer's mother board. Since SIMMs are typically populated with byte multiples of DRAMs, for any eight bit byte or sixteen bit byte or word of information stored within a SIMM, each of the component bits will be found on a separate chip and will be individually addressable by column and row. One edge of a SIMM module is a card-edge connector, which plugs into a socket on the computer which is directly connected to the computer busses required for powering and addressing the memory on the SIMM.
The control board may be any of a number of circuits which address memory arrays. Examples include computer mother boards, daughter boards which plug into a mother board, wherein the daughter board functions as a mother board for the SIMM module, peripheral devices with a capability of using add-on memory, and special purpose equipment which uses memory. It is also possible to use small modules of arrays of similar circuits for purposes other than memory applications.
The capacitor on the SIMM mounted external to the memory chips establishes the inappropriate arrangement for filtering voltage transients. Therefore, it is desirable to provide capacitance on the other side of the inductor, i.e., the side of the inductor that the device is connected to.
Present SIMM boards are provided with surface-mounted decoupling capacitors, which cannot be seen in plan view. In the usual case, one decoupling capacitor is mounted beneath each DRAM chip, with connections between buss voltage (V.sub.CC) input and the connection to ground. The V.sub.CC buss and the ground-plane buss on circuit die 11 are not visible in a plan view, since those particular buss traces are located between two of the board's six layers.
In most cases, each of the module's decoupling capacitors are connected in parallel between the V.sub.CC buss and the ground plane buss. As long as the dielectric of each of the eight capacitors is intact, the module is functional. However, a short in any one of the eight capacitors will result in the V.sub.CC buss becoming shorted to the ground-plane buss, whereupon the module will begin to draw an inordinate amount of current which will invariably result in its destruction.
Decoupling capacitors of the surface-mount type are particularly susceptible to shorting, since they have no leads to thermally isolate them as they are soldered to a circuit board with infrared energy, at temperatures of up to approximately 370.degree. C. (700.degree. F.). Even if a surface-mount capacitor survives the mechanical shock generated by the soldering process, the capacitor is still vulnerable to other types of mechanical stress. For example, by simply bending a SIMM having surface-mounted capacitors, the capacitors may be compromised. And, even if a SIMM passes testing (an indication that the decoupling capacitors are at least not shorted), it may have a relatively high failure rate when placed in use. SIMMs of the type shown in FIG. 9 have an average failure rate traceable to shorted decoupling capacitors during the first 90 days of use of roughly 3-10 per 100,000, which is a failure rate that is considered unacceptable.
Single inline packages (SIPs) are similar in design to SIMMs, except that instead of having a card edge-type connector, SIPs have which are either socketed or soldered for connection to on a buss. The problems associated with the decoupling capacitor system of SIMMs also apply to SIPs.
Most semiconductors, including all DRAMS, include capacitors. For example, a 4 Megabit DRAM includes over 4 million capacitors each. For the purpose of storing individual bits of information, these capacitors are accessed by connections through access transistors and sense amplifiers, connected through a peripheral circuit. The present invention concerns adding filter capacitance to such devices in order to provide protection from voltage transients which may not be afforded by what may be millions of other capacitors on the semiconductor device.
Semiconductor circuit devices are designed with an architecture which places their functional circuitry within a confined area, usually rectangularly shaped. At the perimeter (either outside or inside) of the rectangularly shaped area are a series of contact pads and a substantial amount of chip area which is occupied by conductor busses, but is unoccupied by active circuit devices. Unlike many of the circuit elements on a semiconductor circuit device, filter capacitors need not be built to precise specifications. It is therefore, possible to utilize perimeter areas and portions of semiconductor chip area which form major border areas between active portions of the semiconductor circuit device.
There is a significant advantage to any added circuit elements being on the same side of a chip wafer as other circuit elements, because of manufacturing techniques and tolerances. Conventionally, semiconductor circuit devices are arrayed on one side of a die wafer. It would therefore be advantageous to design a filtering element which would not significantly expand the die area (chip area) required for each die.
There is a certain portion of the die area which is not particularly suitable for active circuitry. This includes chip area occupied by bus lines, which are normally metallization which overlays most or all of the patterned layers which make up the active circuitry on the die.

Memory module having on-chip surge capacitors