A harness assembly (16) having an integral support line (20). The harness assembly (16) includes a harness body (18) having first and second ends (22, 24) and a hollow interior which receives the support line (20). The support line (20) has first and second ends (22, 24) that extend from the harness body (18). The harness (16) is secured within a garment (10). The garment (10) has a front opening (34) which is normally covered by a releasable flap (36). The first and second ends (22, 24) of the support line (20) extend through the front opening (34) and are accessible when the flap (36) is moved to an open position. The first end (22) of the support line (20) may be pulled away from the harness (16) to extend the support line therefrom. The second end (24) of the support line is secured to the harness (16).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed toward a safety harness having an integral support line.
2. Description of Related Art
Firefighters traditionally wear outer clothing that is known in the art as turnout gear. Turnout gear includes a large coat and pants that have an inner liner and an outer layer. The outer layer or shell is constructed from materials that are resistant to abrasion, flame, heat, and water. The inner liner is releasably secured to the outer layer to permit the liner to be removed for cleaning and repair purposes. The inner liner is preferably constructed from materials which provide a heat and moisture barrier.
It is known in the art to incorporate a harness into firefighter turnout gear. In this regard, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,036,548; 5,136,724; 4,625,335; 3,973,643; 4,273,216; 4,449,253; and, 4,854,418, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties.
Other patents disclose garments which include a harness and a drag line. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,858 discloses a hunting vest that incorporates a drag line that may be secured to a deer for dragging the deer. U.S. Pat. No. 3,074,074 discloses a similar device wherein the harness includes a pouch in which the drag line is stored. See also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,456. It is noted that, in these references, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated herein in their entireties, the drag line is secured and accessible at a rear of the garments.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,266 discloses a lifeline carrier which is carried in an elongated tubular container that is attached to a back-carried air tank.
In addition to the turnout gear coat and pants, firefighters also wear a helmet, thick gloves, and a large oxygen tank. As can be appreciated, the equipment is heavy and bulky, and there is understandably a great resistance by firefighters to add any further equipment to what is already in use.
Unfortunately, for firefighters entering a burning building, especially a high-rise building, the conventional equipment does not include means to facilitate escape from a window or roof of the building. Moreover, for a firefighter who is injured and incapable of escaping from the building, the conventional equipment does not include means to facilitate lifting, lowering, or dragging the injured firefighter from the building.
In the past, an unsatisfactory solution to this problem has been to carry lengths of rope in a coat pocket or a coil of rope over-the-shoulder. However, in a burning building, it takes too long to find the rope, remove it from the pocket, and secure the rope to something/someone to permit escape or rescue. A coil of rope tends to get snagged on things in the building, or is otherwise inconvenient for the firefighter to carry. Therefore, it is common for firefighters to enter tall buildings during a fire with no means of escape.
Accordingly, when a firefighter is trapped several floors above the ground, he must now go to a window and hope that his colleagues can get a ladder up to him before he is injured by the fire. When a firefighter is incapacitated, he must be physically lifted and carried, or dragged by his coat by a rescuer. Due to the failure of conventional equipment to provide means to assist in escape/rescue of firefighters, many firefighters are injured and killed each year by being unable to escape from upper floors of multi-floor buildings.
Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a means to facilitate escape from upper floors of a building. There also exists a need in the art for a means and method for rescuing incapacitated people from buildings. Finally, there exists a need in the art for firefighter turnout gear that incorporates such escape and rescue means.
The present invention is directed toward facilitating escape from upper floors of a building and rescue of injured people from a building. The present invention is also directed toward an escape and rescue line that is built into a harness assembly. The present invention is further directed toward a harness assembly which is incorporated into firefighter turnout gear.
In accordance with the present invention, firefighter turnout gear includes a harness assembly which is secured around the firefighters mid-section. The harness assembly is removably fastened to an interior of the firefighter turnout gear. The harness assembly includes a harness body and a support line. The support line is movable relative to the harness body, is accessible from an exterior of the turnout gear, and is easily deployed. In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the support line is incorporated into a module which is inserted into an accommodating chamber in the harness body. In accordance with a further alternative embodiment, the support line is incorporated into a module that also provides an accommodating chamber which receives the harness body.
In further accordance with the present invention, firefighter turnout gear includes an outer layer and an inner liner. The harness assembly is removably secured to one of the outer layer and inner liner. At least one end of the support line extends through an opening in the outer layer and is accessible to a user on an exterior of the outer layer.
In further accordance with the present invention, the support line has a first end with a first carabiner-type clip secured thereto and a second end with a second carabiner-type clip secured thereto. The first end is movable relative to the harness body by pulling the first end and carabiner away from the harness body. The second end is fixed relative to the harness body and is not readily movable relative thereto.
In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the harness body defines a chamber which receives a support line module. The support line module includes the support line. Once the support line is used, the module is removed from the chamber, and a new module is inserted into the chamber to permit the harness to be re-used while allowing the support line to be easily re-installed into the harness body.
In accordance with a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the harness body is received in a chamber provided by a support line module. The support line module is releasably secured to the turnout gear, and includes the support line. Once the support line is used, the module is removed from the turnout gear, the harness body is removed from the chamber, and the harness body is inserted into new or replacement module which is then inserted into the coat. This permits the harness to be re-used while allowing a new support line to be easily re-installed in the turnout gear and connected to the harness body.

Safety harness with integral support line


An optical measuring apparatus for use in this method has a projector for radiating a slit light on a workpiece and an image sensing device for picturing an optically cross-sectional image drawn by the slit light radiated on the workpiece. An optical axis of the slit light and an optical axis of the image sensing device cross each other at an oblique angle. Setting windows are set at predetermined positions of the optically cross-sectional image on a screen of the image sensing device. A position of center of gravity of each optically cross-sectional image in each of the windows is measured. An amount of displacement in an X-axis direction of the optically cross-sectional image on the screen is measured. A rate of magnification of the optically cross-sectional image in a Y-axis direction is calculated from the amount of displacement. Setting positions of the windows in the Y-axis direction and sizes thereof in the Y-axis direction are changed depending on the rate of magnification.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a picture processing method in an optical measuring apparatus which comprises a projector for radiating a slit light on a workpiece and an image sensing device for picturing an optical cross-sectional image (i.e., an image of light representing the cross section) which is formed by the slit light radiated on the workpiece, the projector and the image sensing device being so arranged that the optical axis of the slit light and the optical axis of the image sensing device cross each other at an oblique angle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is conventionally known to use the above described kind of optical measuring apparatus to measure the shape and the position of a workpiece from an optical cross-sectional image on a screen of an image sensing device. In such a method, if there is a reference portion for measurement such as a corner in the optical cross-sectional image, it will be possible to measure the shape and the position of the workpiece on the basis of that reference portion. If, on the other hand, there is no such reference portion, it is considered to calculate equations for image lines of two predetermined image portions of the optical cross-sectional image, to obtain the position of a crossing point of the two image lines so that this crossing point can be used as an alternative to the corner.
The optical cross-sectional image becomes a band-like image having a certain degree of width. Therefore, when the equations for the image lines must be calculated as described above, windows are set at a plurality of positions in the optical cross-sectional image, a point of center of gravity of the optical cross-sectional image in each of these windows is measured, and equations for the image lines are calculated from these points of centers of gravity by regarding them to be curves or straight lines passing through those points of centers of gravity.
When the image lines are calculated, as described above, from the points of centers of gravity by setting windows, the setting positions of the windows must be changed depending on the displacement of the optical cross-sectional image so that, even if the optical cross-sectional image is displaced on a screen, the windows may be set in predetermined positions of the image.
Here, let an X-axis direction be in that coordinate direction on the screen which corresponds to the optical axis direction of the slit light, and let a Y-axis direction be in the direction which is perpendicular to the X-axis direction. Since the optical axis of the image sensing device is slightly inclined relative to the optical axis of the slit light, if the workpiece is displaced towards or away from the projector in the optical axis direction of the slit light, the optical cross-sectional image displaces on the screen in one or the other X-axis direction and, at the same time, the image is magnified or contracted in the Y-axis direction at a rate of magnification depending on the amount of displacement thereof in the X-axis direction. Therefore, if only the setting positions of the windows are changed depending on the displacement of the optical cross-sectional image, the relative positional relationship between the optical cross-sectional image and the windows will be deviated or offset depending on the changes in the rate of magnification of the image, with the result that the equations for the image lines cannot be correctly calculated.

Picture processing method in optical measuring apparatus


In a second mode where a first enemy object attacks a player object in a virtual space, no matter which of a switching condition that a second time elapses and a switching condition that the player object gains a second required number of target objects smaller than a first required number before the second time elapses is satisfied, a game mode is switched to a first mode where the first enemy object does not attack the player object.

Conventionally, there is a game program that progresses such that a game stage is in a special state for a certain time in accordance with a representation that occurs at predetermined intervals.
In the above game program, however, there is a possibility that the behavior of a player object operated by a user is inactive until the certain time elapses and the game stage returns to a normal state.
Therefore, it is an object of an exemplary embodiment to provide a storage medium having stored therein a game program, a game apparatus, a game system, and a game processing method that are capable of bringing diversity to behaviors that a player object operated by a user can take on.
To achieve the above object, the exemplary embodiment can employ, for example, the following configurations.
In an exemplary configuration of a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored therein a game program according to the exemplary embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium has stored therein instructions that, when executed by a processor of an information processing apparatus, cause the information processing apparatus to perform operations including: in accordance with a lapse of a first time, switching a game mode from a first mode where a first enemy object does not attack a player object in a virtual space to a second mode where the first enemy object attacks the player object in the virtual space; based on a state where the player object gains a first required number of target objects in the first mode and/or the second mode, switching the game mode to a third mode where the player object can perform a first attack on the first enemy object; in the second mode, no matter which of a switching condition that a second time elapses and a switching condition that the player object gains a second required number of the target objects smaller than the first required number before the second time elapses is satisfied, switching the game mode to the first mode; and executing a game relating to the game mode.
Based on the above, a second mode where a player object is subjected to an attack of a first enemy object can be ended not only due to the lapse of time in the second mode but also by the player object gaining a target object during the second mode. Thus, it is possible to bring diversity to behaviors that the player object can take on during the second mode. Further, it is also possible to give a user a motivation to acquire a target object.
Further, if an accumulated amount of attack on the first enemy object exceeds a predetermined amount, the number of the target objects that can be gained by the player object in the virtual space may be increased.
Based on the above, by attacking a first enemy object, it is possible to further gain a target object.
Further, the number of the target objects that can be gained by the player object in the virtual space may be increased by expanding a range where the player object can move in the virtual space.
Based on the above, the range where the player object can move is expanded, whereby it is possible to perform a representation that a target object can be further gained.
Further, the instructions may further cause the information processing apparatus to perform operations including: if an accumulated amount of attack on the first enemy object exceeds a predetermined amount in the second mode and/or the third mode, switching the game mode to the first mode. In this case, if the game mode is switched to the first mode by the accumulated amount exceeding the predetermined amount, the game mode may be switched from the first mode to the second mode in accordance with a lapse of a third time longer than the first time.
Based on the above, by attacking the first enemy object, it is possible to lengthen the time until a game mode is switched to the second mode where the player object is subjected to an attack of the first enemy object.
Further, the game mode may be switched from the first mode to the second mode without changing a position of the player object in the virtual space.
Based on the above, it is possible to switch a game mode without the player object moving to another dedicated stage or the like.
Further, if the game mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode by satisfying the switching condition that the player object gains the second required number of the target objects, an accumulated amount of attack on the first enemy object may be increased by performing a second attack on the first enemy object. If the game mode is switched from the second mode to the first mode by satisfying the switching condition that the second time elapses, the accumulated amount of attack may not be increased.
Based on the above, the second mode switches to a first mode by gaining a target object, whereby it is possible to give the user a motivation to damage the first enemy object.
Further, the accumulated amount of attack accumulated for the first enemy object by the second attack may be smaller than the accumulated amount of attack accumulated for the first enemy object by the first attack.
Based on the above, it is possible to urge the user to cause the player object to perform an attack in a third mode.
Further, in the first mode, the player object may not be enabled to attack the first enemy object.
Based on the above, to attack the first enemy object, it is necessary to switch to a third mode. Thus, it is possible to increase the worth of gaining a target object required to switch to the third mode.
Further, without changing control of a behavior of a second enemy object in both the first mode and the second mode, an action of the second enemy object attacking the player object may be controlled.
Based on the above, in both a first mode and the second mode, control of the behavior of a second enemy object does not change. Thus, it is possible to prevent the level of difficulty of a game from extremely changing by switching modes.
Further, an accumulated amount of attack on the first enemy object may not be changed by switching the game mode.
Based on the above, an attack on the first enemy object is handed over also to another mode. Thus, it is possible to prevent the previous attack from being ineffective due to the switching of modes.
Further, in the second mode and/or the third mode, an attack object that damages the player object if the player object comes into contact with the attack object may be added to a field in the virtual space, thereby causing the first enemy object to attack the player object.
Based on the above, it is possible to enrich variations of an attack of the first enemy object.
Further, the first time may be longer than the second time.
Based on the above, it is possible to shorten the time in which the first enemy object attacks the player object.
Further, the exemplary embodiment may be carried out in the forms of a game apparatus, a game system, and a game processing method.
According to the exemplary embodiment, it is possible to bring diversity to behaviors that a player object can take on.
These and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the exemplary embodiments will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Storage medium having stored therein game program, game apparatus, game system, and game processing method


A surgical slipper for a cleft footed animal. The slipper has a lattice of intersecting ribs 6 projecting downwardly from the sole 3. The upper surface of the sole 3 slopes downwards from back to front. The front of the sole has a curved profile.

My earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,172,857, discloses a surgical slipper for cleft footed animals in either a left or right claw configuration, the slipper comprising a sole and upper which together define a cavity into which one claw of the cleft footed animal is, in use, fitted, with a lattice in the form of an array of intersecting ribs projecting from the underside of the sole; wherein the ribs are thick enough to hold the claw, in use, away from the ground and the sole is arranged to be thin enough in voids between the ribs so that a hole can be readily punched for drainage purposes. Such a slipper will be referred to as of the kind described.
Although such a slipper has been effective in reducing the pain and distress in lame cows, because of all the weight carried by the affected leg is transferred to one claw of the hoof, the application of such a slipper puts extra burden on the flexor tendons.


A system is disclosed to increase productivity and morale by delegating clearly defined tasks and rewarding timely completion of tasks positively with points/scores/advancements, which is constructive and transparent. In some embodiments, the system creates a rewarding, friendly competitive, and fun environment and culture to encourage timely completion of tasks with constructive, transparent feedback.

Embodiments of the invention described in this specification relate generally to productivity systems, and more particularly, to task delegation and reward systems for increasing productivity and morale.
People have a tendency to procrastinate, forget about their responsibilities, or often are not sure about the details of their responsibilities even with supervision.
Past systems did not reward timely completion of tasks positively with points/scores/advancements, which are constructive and transparent.
Therefore, what is needed is a way to encourage timely completion of tasks with constructive, transparent feedback in a rewarding, friendly competitive, and fun environment/culture.

Task delegation system that transparently and constructively rewards timely and accurate completion of tasks to increase productivity and morale of workers


A data repository system and method are provided. A method in accordance with an embodiment includes an operation that can be used to port data from one or more existing database partitions to new database partitions according to a minimally progressive hash. The method can be used to increase the overall size of databases while a system runs hot, with little or no downtime.

Increased reliance on computers and networks has likewise increased the need for high-availability and scalability of such computers and networks. One specific example is wireless telecommunications. In a wireless telecommunication network, the network must be available twenty-four hours a day, creating the need for maintenance and upgrades to be performed while the network is running "hot", and with minimal disruption in quality of service. As new services and/or subscribers are continuously added to the network, existing database hardware will eventually need to be replaced and upgraded. Data from existing hardware must then be migrated to the new hardware, again with minimal disruption in quality of service.

Method and apparatus for adding a database partition


Apparatus and methods for providing a desired volumetric conditioned airflow rate and for reducing noise level, airflow recirculation and airflow separation are disclosed. An example apparatus includes a nozzle housing having a pair of opposing sidewalls and a front and back wall that define an airflow passage. The airflow passage has a centerline extending between the inlet and the outlet and has a plurality of cross-sections taken perpendicular to the centerline that collectively define a smooth contour along a length of the airflow passage. The cross-sections each have a thickness between the front and back wall that is greater at side edges than at the centerline. The thickness of the cross-sections decreases along a length of at least a first portion of the nozzle housing. A width of each of the cross-sections between the sidewalls increases along the length of at least the first portion of the nozzle housing.

Passenger thermal comfort on an aircraft is dependent on the performance of a cabin air distribution system and the performance of a cabin air supply nozzle. The objective of the air distribution system is to provide the required volumetric conditioned airflow rate along the passenger cabin. And the objective of the cabin nozzles is to provide an adequate airflow pattern across the cabin. The airflow pattern inside the aircraft cabin is characterized by having adequate air velocity at the head level of the seated passengers while providing a uniform temperature distribution across the cabin in order to satisfy passenger thermal comfort. The outlet velocity of the nozzle impacts the cabin airflow pattern. Existing nozzle designs utilize airflow restrictors such as orifices, airflow straighteners and nozzle directional vanes to obtain the desired velocity at the nozzle outlet. These air restrictors and the abrupt changes in the airflow path upstream of nozzle outlet may be sources of noise generation that can be transmitted into the passenger cabin.

Three dimensional pinched airflow nozzle and methods for use thereof


Autonomous control mechanism (100) for a movement, comprising a control stem (10) moveable relative to a bar (80) between stable stem positions, for controlling the pivoting, in each of said positions, of a single control train of the control trains of said mechanism (100).

Numerous control mechanisms used in horology comprise a large number of components, the arrangement of which is ill suited to the automated assembly required in mass production.
The particular case of a winding mechanism is usually linked to a particular assembly sequence, which generally means that the stem cannot be changed once the movement has been fitted. This is incompatible with a modular design, in which it is desired to be able to use a particular module or calibre for several different products.
FR Patent Application No. 502 655 A in the name of JULES RUSSBACH discloses a watch movement with a winding and set hands mechanism removably mounted on a fixed support relative to the frame of the movement, between two bottom plates of the frame, with an intermediate wheel of said mechanism being constantly in a meshing relation with the intermediate wheel controlling the under-dial work.
CH Patent Application No. 17 991 A in the name of GROSJEAN FILS discloses a bar for watches with a winding mechanism, on which all the parts forming the winding and set hands mechanism are placed, secured to the bottom plate of the watch.
CH Patent Application No. 124 382 A in the name of ANNEN ROBERT discloses a movement where the winding and set hands mechanism is mounted in an intermediate part housed between the bottom plate and the bars and acting as a heel for a certain number of said bars.
EP Patent Application No. 2 124 111 A1 in the name of CT TIME discloses an actuating module, intended to be mounted on a frame, and containing a mechanism which includes a control stem, a control pinion rotating integrally with said stem, and an actuating member arranged to cooperate with the control pinion when the stem occupies one of its axial positions. This control pinion is integral in translation with the stem when it moves from one position to the other. This module comprises an independent case containing the mechanism, and a connecting means which comes out of the case and is arranged to kinematically connect the actuating member to the element of the movement to be actuated, so that the actuating member can actuate said element regardless of the position of the module on the movement frame.

Autonomous control mechanism for a timepiece

Abstract: It includes, on a first side (81) of said bar (80), a first control train (810), and on a second side (82) opposite said bar (80), a second control train (820). Every stable position of the control stem (10) drives a stable position of a pull-out piece (20) fitted to one of said sides and moveable relative to a boss (210) of said bar (80). In said stable pull-out piece position, any movement applied to the control stem (10) causes the pivoting movement, of either a single first control train (810), or a single second control train (820).


A flat display is provided, which includes: a cathode plate including emitter electrode lines each having emitter tips provided in pixel areas, and gate electrode lines crossing the emitter electrode lines at the pixel areas; and an anode plate spaced a predetermined distance from the cathode plate in an opposed relation and having an anode conductive layer and fluorescent layers formed on the anode conductive layer in the respective pixel areas; the emitter electrode lines and the gate electrode lines each having transparent portions formed of a transparent conductive film at least in the pixel areas so that light emission from the fluorescent layers can be viewed through the transparent portions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flat display and a process for producing a cathode plate for use in the flat display. The cathode plate according to the present invention comprises minute field emission cathodes and can ensure a higher electron emission efficiency and a higher luminosity than a conventional thermionic cathode, and is a promising electron source for a flat display, an image pickup tube and the like. Particularly, a display device employing such minute field emission cathodes is of a self-luminous type, and can exhibit a higher luminance and a higher resolution. Further, the display device has excellent characteristics (e.g., wide view angle, quick response and low power consumption).
2. Description of Related Art
FIG. 14 shows one exemplary construction of a display device employing a conventionally known minute field emission cathode.
The minute field emission cathode includes conical emitter tips 101 each having a sharp tip, gate electrode lines (gate power supply lines) 103 for extracting electrons, emitter electrode lines (emitter power supply lines) 102 for applying a negative voltage to the emitter tips, and an insulation layer 104 for isolating the gate electrode lines from the emitter electrode lines. The minute field emission cathode is disposed on a glass substrate 105 as shown in FIG. 14. The entire cathode structure including the glass substrate is herein called a cathode plate 109. Several hundred to several thousand emitter tips are formed on the emitter electrode lines 102 within each of intersection areas where the emitter electrode lines 102 intersect the gate electrode lines 103.
One display element (e.g., pixel) 106 comprises these several hundred emitter tips.
A voltage is applied between the emitter tips 101 and the gate electrode lines 103, and electrons are extracted from the emitter tips 101 into a vacuum space by field emission. The emitter tips 101 each having a micron size are formed at a high integration density by utilizing semiconductor microprocessing techniques.
The field emission characteristic is non-linear, so that the emitter electrode lines and the gate electrode lines can be driven by simple matrix addressing. Electrons extracted from emitter tips in a selected pixel impinge on a transparent anode plate 107 which is spaced several hundred micrometers from the minute field emission cathode in an opposed relation.
The anode plate 107 includes fluorescent layers 108 formed in a stripe pattern on its surface. The fluorescent layers 108 are excited to emit light when electrons impinge on the fluorescent layers 108. The light emission is observed through the anode plate 107 from the top of FIG. 14 by a user.
FIGS. 15(a) to 15(h) show a process for producing matrix elements of the minute field emission cathode by a conventionally employed vacuum deposition.
An emitter power supply film 117 is formed on an insulative substrate 116 such as of a glass as shown in FIG. 15(a), and patterned into emitter electrode lines 102 as shown in FIG. 15(b).
Subsequently, an insulating film 118 and a gate power supply film 119 are formed in this order over the resulting substrate as shown in FIG. 15(c).
As shown in FIG. 15(d), the gate power supply film 119 and the insulating film 118 are respectively etched with the use of a resist pattern having circular openings for formation of cylindrical gate openings 120.
As shown in FIG. 15(e), a sacrificial film material such as aluminum is deposited on the resulting substrate obliquely with respect to the insulative substrate 116 for formation of a sacrificial film 121 in such a manner that the material is not deposited on portions of the emitter power supply film 117 exposed within the gate openings 120.
As shown in FIG. 15(f), an emitter tip material 122 such as molybdenum is deposited on the resulting substrate vertically with respect to the insulative substrate 116. As the emitter tip material is deposited with time, the gate openings 120 are gradually covered with the emitter tip material. When the gate openings 120 are completely covered, conical emitter tips 101 are formed within the respective gate openings 120 as shown in FIG. 15(f).
In turn, portions of the emitter tip material 122 except the emitter tips 101 are removed by selectively etching the sacrificial film 121 with an aqueous solution of phosphoric acid as shown in FIG. 15(g).
Finally, the gate power supply film 119 is patterned into a desired configuration as shown in FIG. 14 for formation of gate electrode lines 103. Thus, the minute field emission cathode is completed as shown in FIG. 15(h).
The display device shown in FIG. 14 is constructed such that the cathode plate 109 including the minute field emission cathode formed on the glass substrate 105 is bonded to the anode plate in an opposed relation with spacers (not shown) interposed therebetween for keeping a spacing of several hundred micrometers therebetween. The light emission from the fluorescent layers is viewed through the anode plate 107 from the top of FIG. 14.
Although the minute field emission cathode itself is capable of emitting electrons at a high current density in a very high vacuum, the conventional display device fails to ensure a high luminosity because of a low luminous efficiency of the fluorescent layers.
Further, an acceleration voltage to be applied to the anode 107 is limited to several hundred volts at the maximum because of the small spacing between the cathode plate 109 and the anode plate 107. Fluorescent materials which can be excited for light emission by electron beams accelerated at a voltage of several hundred volts have been put in practical use for fluorescent display tubes, but only green fluorescent materials have sufficiently high luminous efficiencies.
Since a low speed electron beam can penetrate through only a several-atom surface layer of a fluorescent layer, only the surface layer emits light. In the case of the display device having the conventional construction shown in FIG. 14, the light emission from the surface layer of the fluorescent layer is observed through the anode plate 107 (including the fluorescentlayers 108 and the glass substrate) from the rear side thereof. Since the light is scattered toward the side of the cathode plate 109 by the fluorescent layers 108, a luminosity observed from the rear side of the anode plate is lower than that observed from the side of the cathode plate.
FIG. 16(a) is a schematic view illustrating one exemplary construction of the conventional anode plate 107. As shown, a user views light emission through a fluorescent layer 108 and the glass substrate from a position FLVFD and, therefore, the luminosity is lower than when the scatter light is directly viewed from a position VFD.
As shown in FIG. 16(b), where the fluorescent layer is formed of ZnO:Zn and has a thickness of about 10 .mu.m (i.e., a thickness equivalent to the thickness of a one- or two-particle layer of a fluorescent substance), the luminosity observed from the position FLVFD is the maximum but only about 60% of that observed from the side of the light emission face (from the position VFD). Further, the formation of such a thin fluorescent layer requires a highly advanced technique.
On the other hand, the luminance of the fluorescent layer can be increased by increasing the density of current to be applied thereto, because the luminance is directly proportional to the product of the luminous efficiency of the fluorescent layer and an electric power (the product of a current density and an acceleration voltage) applied to the fluorescent layer. However, the luminous efficiency levels off even if the current density is increased. In addition, the excitation of the fluorescent layers at a high current density shortens the lifetime of the fluorescent layers.
If the acceleration voltage to be applied to the anode plate is increased to the order of several kilovolts, the required current density can be reduced so that a fluorescent material adapted for high speed electron beam excitation for used in CRTs can be employed. The application of a higher acceleration voltage requires a higher insulation withstand voltage which is attained by increasing the gap (spacing) between the cathode plate and the anode plate. However, spacers having a high aspect ratio are required for increasing the gap without increasing a pixel pitch, and the formation of such spacers is not easy. Further, the increase in the gap between the cathode plate and the anode plate results in image blurring and color diffusion, because electron beams from the cathode diffuse to adjacent pixels. Therefore, an additional electrode for converging electron beams is required.
In the conventional display device shown in FIG. 14, a getter for adsorbing gas particles emanating from the fluorescent layers 108 and the like is required, from a structural viewpoint, to be provided in an area separate from a display area where the pixels are provided. More specifically, the getter accommodating area is located in a position remote from the display area. Therefore, a greater amount of the getter and a larger getter accommodating area are required as the display area is increased.
Unlike the CRTs and fluorescent display tubes, the display device employing the minute field emission cathode has a very small ventilation conductance and, therefore, it requires much time for the getter to adsorb a gas emanating from the fluorescent layers due to electron bombardment and a gas emanating from the cathode plate and the spacers due to ion bombardment. The vacuum level around the emitter tips is locally reduced with time due to the gas emanating from the fluorescent layers. The reduction in the vacuum level causes arc discharge, resulting in destruction of the emitter tips.
The reduction in the vacuum level, though not causing arc discharge, reduces the electron emission from the emitter tips. In general, the value of the emission current from the emitter largely depends on the vacuum level around the emitter. This is because oxygen molecules and water molecules in a residual gas are adsorbed on the surface of the emitter to increase a work function on the emitter surface. That is, a display device constructed such that getters are provided along edges of the display panel has a problem associated with the lifetime thereof. The distances between the getters and emitter tips located in a central portion of the display area are increased as the display area is increased. This aggravates the lifetime problem.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent No. Hei 5(1993)-94787 has disclosed a fluorescent display apparatus which has an electric field emission element (FEC), and a light transmissive part is formed between FECs. U.S. Pat. No. 5,223,766 has disclosed a image display device with cathode panel and gas absorbing getters.

Flat display and process for producing cathode plate for use in flat display


A chain connecting element has two link brackets, coupled via their limbs, and a crosspiece inserted transversally between the limbs, A limb of each link bracket has a neck section and a journal, a neck recess and a journal recess being provided on the opposite limb. The crosspiece includes a bolt, a sleeve and a spring journal. The crosspiece is a mirror-symmetrical design with an outer-lying bearing sleeve on each side of the crosspiece for form-locked locking engagement in the link brackets. The inner-lying bolt has a spring journal on each of its ends, wherein a clamping pin is insertable or extractable on both sides of the locking bolts and secures each of the spring journals in a respective bearing sleeve in form-locked manner.

The present invention refers to a chain connecting element.
Chain connecting members find especially application in high-performance round link steel chains as utilized in underground mining. It is known that when using chain connecting links in the Kenter-mode of construction, after use, the disassembly can prove difficult, since the long clamping pin can seize due to rust in the obliquely extending bore which extends through the opposing limbs of the two link halves and the crosspiece. In addition, the clamping pin as well as the crosspiece disposed between the two link halves are exposed to shearing stress as a result of stress to which the two link halves of the chain connecting link are subjected, so that the extraction of the clamping pin from the long bore is further complicated. Furthermore, the extraction of the clamping pin requires a long spike which, during extraction process, is subjected to intense bending stress which it can resist to an only a limited extent.
The Kenter lock known from DE-PS 201 224 has been refined in most varying embodiments. The refinement according to DE 90 10 317 U proposes a chain connecting link especially for high-performance-round steel chains which use a locking ball as locking element which can be fixed in position by a clamping pin lodged obliquely relative to the chain link plane. A relatively short clamping pin can be used which, should it seize due to rust within the bore of the crosspiece, can be easily extracted from the crosspiece to the other side with a short, respectively rigid spike. This simplifies the assembly as well as the disassembly. A disadvantage is however the increased production costs and the fact that the locking ball represents an additional component, thus increasing the number of parts. This disadvantage is also true for the chain connecting link disclosed in DE 196 52 262 C2 which uses, instead of the locking ball, separate locking elements that are connected with each other by a pivot bolt which extends through the crosspiece component. Pivoting by 90° causes locking elements to embrace guide surfaces on the limbs of the link bracket so that the crosspiece component is secured from falling out from the chain connecting link. The fixed positioning of the ring element is realized by a safety pin driven in parallel to the pivot axis.
Furthermore, DE 20 2006 016 032 U1 discloses a chain connecting link in which two link brackets coupled via their limbs are locked by a crosspiece inserted transversely between the limbs of the link brackets. Depending on a dimensioning of the chain, the latter as well as the link brackets can have a weight of several dozens of kilograms of weight so that during both assembly of the chain connecting and disassembly of the chain connecting link, the entire chain extending from both sides of the chain connecting link must be lifted and turned to enable extraction of the crosspiece.

Chain connecting element with security crosspiece


A seal assembly includes a seal nose, a bellows, and a plurality of bristles. The seal nose is configured to be in sealing contact with a rotating seal plate, the bellows extends between and couples the seal nose to a support structure, and the plurality of bristles extends from the support structure toward the bellows, with at least one bristle of the plurality of bristles being in contact with the bellows to damp vibration of the bellows.

Carbon face seals typically use a bellows to control the axial and/or radial position of a seal nose relative to a rotating seal plate. The bellows forms part of the boundary of the bearing compartment volume. The bellows allows for axial travel of the carbon seal nose while providing a load to keep the carbon nose seated against the rotating seal plate. Carbon seal bellows may have various vibration modes, which may negatively impact performance of the seal assembly due to cyclic load variation between the seal plate and carbon seal nose. Further, displacement caused by vibration modes may also result in stresses that may be higher than the material capability of the components of the seal assembly.

Seal assembly with vibration damping bristles


Systems and methods for providing a combination power supply module containing the main drive electronics and backup drive electronics along with a backup power supply for a light emitting diode (LED) based luminaire are described herein. The power supply module may include a main LED driver that is electrically connected to a main power supply through active power factor correction circuitry and is also electrically connected to an LED or array of LEDs. The power supply module further includes power management circuitry electrically connected to a backup power supply and an emergency LED driver, where the power management circuitry discharges the backup power supply to supply power to the emergency LED driver for powering at least a subset of the LEDs when power is no longer being supplied to the main LED driver. The main LED driver and the emergency LED driver are contained in the same module housing.

Existing power supply modules for an LED luminaire are limited. Accordingly, there is a need for systems and methods for providing a combination power supply module containing the main drive electronics and backup drive electronics along with a backup power supply for an LED based luminaire. There is a further need for a power supply module that includes a main LED driver that is electrically connected to a main power supply and is also electrically connected to an LED or array of LEDs. There is yet a further need for a power supply module that includes power management circuitry electrically connected to a backup power supply and an emergency LED driver. There is yet a further need for a main LED driver and the emergency LED driver being contained in the same module housing. These and other needs can be addressed by the embodiments described herein.

Systems, methods, and devices for providing drive electronics with a backup power supply for an LED luminaire


A detection signal output device includes connector terminals adapted to be connected by a cable to an external device. Fixed contacts are spaced apart from the connector terminals and output information indicating detector states. An integrated circuit includes a box-shaped package having different first and second side surfaces. First IC terminals are arranged on the first side surface and electrically connected to the fixed contacts. Second IC terminals are arranged on the second side surface and electrically connected to the connector terminals. The integrated circuit generates an information signal, in accordance with information indicating the detector states obtained through the first IC terminals, and outputs the information signal from one of the second IC terminals. The fixed contacts are arranged in correspondence with the first side surface, and the connector terminals are arranged in correspondence with the second side surface.

Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-236848 describes a switch device including a plurality of switches like a combination switch for a vehicle. The switch device is connected by a cable to a controller. An information signal related to the activation and deactivation of a switch is sent through the cable to the controller.
There are two types of such a switch device, a non-multiplex type and a multiplex type. A non-multiplex type switch device includes connector terminals, the number of which is greater than or equal to the number of the switched. Voltage is applied to each connector terminal in accordance with the activation state or deactivation state of the corresponding switch. A signal line is provided for each switch. Thus, the number of signal lines arranged in the cable is the same as the number of switches.
FIG. 4A shows a multiplex type switch device. The switch device includes an integrated circuit (IC) 100. The IC includes IC terminals 101 connected by connecting members 103 to contacts 105a to 105h or connector terminals 102a to 102c. The connector terminal 102a is a communication connector terminal, and the two connector terminals 102b and 102c are power connector terminals.
Voltages corresponding to an activation or deactivation state of switches are applied to the contacts 105a to 105h, and consequently, to the connecting members 103 and the IC terminals 101 that are connected to the contacts 105a to 105h. Operational power is supplied by the power connector terminals 102b and 102c to the IC 100. Based on the voltages applied to the contacts 105a to 105h, the IC 100 outputs an information signal related to the activation and deactivation state of the switches to the communication connector terminal 102a. The information signal is then sent through a cable from the communication connector terminal 102a to a controller (not shown). In this manner, in a multiplex type switch device, the number of connector terminals and the number of signal lines in the cable can be reduced.
However, in the structure of FIG. 4A, the connecting members 103 are required to be laid out without contacting one another from the IC terminals 101 to the contacts 105a to 105h. This results in the switch device having a complicated internal structure.
Further, as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 4B, in the IC 100, for example, an IC terminal 101a, which is supplied with power and connected to the power connector terminal 102b or 102c, may be arranged adjacent to an IC terminal 101b, which receives voltage that is in accordance with the activation or deactivation state of a switch and connected to one of the contacts 105a to 105f. The voltage applied to the IC terminals 101a is higher than that applied to the IC terminal 101b. Thus, the magnetic field formed by the IC terminal 101a may influence and change the voltage level of the adjacent IC terminal 101b. Accordingly, to reduce the influence of the magnetic field formed by the IC terminal 101a, a protection element such as a capacitor must be provided for the IC terminal. The IC terminal 101b may be influenced by such a magnetic field not only when the IC terminals 101a and 101b are arranged adjacent to each other but also when the distance between the IC terminals 101a and 101b is short.

KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOKAI RIKA DENKI SEISAKUSHO


Disclosed herein are strollers capable of use in multiple configurations. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to strollers that may be converted and/or configured for multiple uses including a pivotable handle movable for use between a high push configuration and a low pull configuration.

Strollers designed to be used in multiple configurations and/or convertible to multiple modes of use are known in the art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,538,267 to Pasin et al. discloses a convertible wagon convertible from a wagon configuration to a stroller configuration. More specifically, the '267 patent discloses a wagon utilizing a handle which can be pivotably attached to a latch assembly on the front of the wagon body allowing the wagon to be pulled as well as detachable and attached in a separate upright position to a locking assembly positioned on the back wall of the wagon allowing it to be pushed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,567 to Owens discloses a stroller that is convertible between a stroller, carrier and car seat by use of a stroller handle assembly pivotally attached to the carrier body that can be locked in an upright position by means of stroller handle locking means for use of the apparatus as a stroller and locked in a folded position for use of the apparatus as an infant carrier or car seat.
U.S. Pat. No. 9,327,749 to Young et al. discloses a foldable wagon having a collapsible frame that converts the wagon from a use configuration to a folded configuration for storage and transportation. The wagon disclosed in the '749 patent has a collapsible frame positonable in an open position and a collapsed position, a plurality of wheels coupled to the collapsible frame, a plurality of substantially rigid seats pivotally coupled to the collapsible frame, and a flexible housing about the collapsible frame to form a sidewall for the wagon. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 9,333,977 to Herlitz et al. discloses a multipurpose wagon that has seats that may be used in a wagon configuration as well as a stroller-like configuration. However, none of these prior art patents disclose a stroller convertible for multiple modes of use that accomplishes the desired task of easily and efficiently allowing the stroller to be converted to multiple modes of operation as desired.
More specifically, it would be desirable to provide a stroller that is selectively configurable between a wagon configuration, a stroller configuration for use by an infant, and a stroller configuration useable by a toddler. In a stroller configuration, it would be preferable if the handle was usable in a high push configuration. In a wagon configuration, it would be preferable if the handle was usable in a low pull configuration. In particular, it would also be desirable if the stroller had options for storage including the ability to add additional storage areas if necessary. It would also be desirable if the selective configuration of the stroller could be accomplished without the need for any special tools or any add-on components, as purchasing and storing such tools or components can be both costly and burdensome.

Stroller convertible for multiple modes of use


A semiconductor device having a first semiconductor element placed over a second semiconductor element, so that an edge of the first semiconductor element is not placed over a predetermined circuit in the second semiconductor element, and wherein a size of the first semiconductor element is smaller than a size of the second semiconductor element. The predetermined circuit has a characteristic that tends to change with stress greater than characteristics of other circuits on the second semiconductor element that are under the edge of the first semiconductor element.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device wherein a plurality of semiconductor elements are sealed with a resin.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, one has heretofore been known as a semiconductor device, wherein a semiconductor element or chip (hereinafter called "LSI chip") incorporating therein Large Scale Integration (hereinafter called "LSI") in which a plurality of circuits are integrated, is sealed with a resin.
FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of a conventional semiconductor device 1. As shown in FIG. 16, an LSI chip 3 is fixedly placed over a die 8 with an adhesive. A plurality of pad electrodes 5 placed over a main surface of the LSI chip 3 are electrically connected to their corresponding leads 9 each of which serves as a terminal for connection to the outside and is composed of a conductive material, by wires 7 used as metal thin lines or wires. The LSI chip, 3, the pad electrodes 5, the die 8, the wires 7 and parts (corresponding to portions called "inner leads") of the leads 9, which include portions connected to the wires 7 respectively, are sealed with-an insulating resin 10. The semiconductor device 1 is electrically connected to another device by parts (corresponding to portions called "outer leads") of the leads 9 having led out of the resin 10, e.g., with a printed wiring board interposed therebetween, whereby the transfer of signals therebetween and the like are carried out.
When the LSI chip 3 is a system LSI for implementing combined functions of a core of a central processing unit (hereinafter called "CPU"), a memory, other circuits used for peripheral functions, etc. as in the case of, for example, a microcomputer (hereinafter called "micon") or the like, these functions are placed over the same semiconductor substrate in mixed form. Therefore, when the system LSI is equipped with a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) or a batch erasable EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a peculiar manufacturing process is required which is not included in a manufacturing process (hereinafter called "Logic process") for implementing the CPU core and the circuits for the peripheral functions. As a result, a manufacturing process (corresponding to a process for mixing of Logic and memory) peculiar to the system LSI is applied thereto to develop products with a view toward implementing such a system LSI.
A semiconductor device in which a plurality of LSI chips are sealed with a resin to bring it to the commercial stage (i.e., a plurality of semiconductor elements are stored or held in one package), has appeared in recent years. Such a semiconductor device is referred to as "MCP (Multiple Chip Package) type". The semiconductor device of the MCP type is applied to a memory-system LSI. The semiconductor device is applied to, for example, a case in which memories identical in type are held or accommodated in one package to implement an increase in memory capacity, or a case in which memories of types different in function from one another are held in one package to thereby implement space saving.
FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view showing an internal structure of an MCP type semiconductor device 11. FIG. 18 is a plan view illustrating the internal structure of the MCP type semiconductor device 11. In FIGS. 17 and 18, elements of structure structurally similar to those shown in FIG. 16 are identified by the same reference numerals.
As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, an LSI chip 3 fixedly disposed with an adhesive is placed on a die 8. A plurality of pad electrodes 5 respectively electrically connected to leads 9 by wires 7 are placed over a main surface of the LSI chip 3. Further, an LSI chip 13 is fixedly placed over the main surface of the LSI chip 3 with an insulative adhesive interposed therebetween. A plurality of pad electrodes 15 are disposed over a main surface of the LSI chip 13. These pad electrodes 15 are electrically connected to their corresponding ones of the leads 9 by wires 17. These two LSI chips 3 and 13, parts of the leads 9, which include portions where they are respectively connected to the wires 7 and 17, and the die 8 are sealed with a resin 10.
Thus, the MCP type semiconductor device 11 is configured so as to accommodate or hold a plurality of the LSI chips 3 and 13 in one package and have the leads 9 for connection to the outsides of the LSI chips 3 and 13.
As such an MCP-compatible semiconductor device 11, there is known one like BGA (Ball Grid Array), for example. This has such a structure that different types of memories such as a SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), a batch erasable EEPROM, etc. are held or stored in one package, and input/output terminals of the memories are respectively individually connected to the leads 9 to independently activate the memories respectively. Owing to such a structure, the functions corresponding to the two LSI chips can be implemented by a space for one LSI chip.
Thus, in the LSI, particularly, the system LSI built in the semiconductor device, a mixed process is applied thereto to develop products. In the memory-system LSI, the MCP type semiconductor device is applied to implement an increase in memory capacity and bring different memories into combined form, thereby developing each product.
However, the semiconductor device equipped with the system LSI has the following problems in that it is manufactured over the same semiconductor substrate according to a specific process obtained by integrating a manufacturing process peculiar to each memory into a Logic process.
A first problem is that since the number of masks increases compared with a Logic-single manufacturing process or a memory-single manufacturing process, a reduction in yield occurs. A second problem is that the specific process no allows the facilitation of an improvement in the performance of a circuit for a Logic unit and an improvement in the performance of a memory unit. A third problem is that since the manufacturing process becomes complex, TAT becomes long. A fourth problem is that since the manufacturing process is complicated and the number of masks increases, process costs are raised. A fifth problem is that the development itself of a process used for LSI obtained by mixing an LSI comprising an SOI (Silicon On Insulator) process which purses a low voltage/low current operation and an LSI comprising a special process for fabricating high-withstand elementary devices (high-withstand MOS transistors, etc.) together is so difficult from a technical viewpoint.
In an LSI to which a finer deep sub-micron manufacturing process is applied, a reduction in voltage (about 0.8V to 1.5V) is accelerated even in a Logic process from now on in particular. Thus, a plurality of voltages including a high voltage (e.g., 8V to 12V) higher than a source voltage (e.g., 3.3V or 5V) are required upon rewriting and reading of data as in the case of the batch erasable EEPROM. It is therefore difficult to implement a system LSI (such as a batch erasable memory-equipped micon or the like) configured by integrating a high-withstand process for building high-withstand elementary devices therein and the Logic process therein.
Since the MCP type semiconductor device aims. to increase the capacity of each memory and provide space saving as described above, limitations are imposed on the provision of leads for each individual LSIs to accommodate or hold the same types of memory system LSIs in one package or hold different types of memory system LSIs in one package and independently operate the different types of memory system LSIs respectively. Therefore, nothing was found to implement the system LSI for the MCP type semiconductor device.
The present invention aims to solve the above problems and make it possible to easily implement a system LSI by a semiconductor device wherein a plurality of LSI chips are sealed with a resin.
Further, the present invention aims to solve problems developed upon implementation of a system LSI by a semiconductor device wherein a plurality of LSI chips are sealed with a resin, and implement the system LSI without impairing a function defined as for the system LSI as compared with the prior art.

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing same


A magnetic recording medium comprises a magnetically soft underlayer having a plurality of cavities in a surface thereof, and a magnetic recording material in the cavities, wherein a surface of the magnetic recording material in the cavities is substantially coplanar with the surface of the soft underlayer. A recording system that includes the recording medium is also included.

The concept of using discrete track magnetic media to increase areal density or increase component tolerances has received much attention recently. Claimed benefits are a signal to noise ratio (SNR) increase of 0.2 to 3 dB due to a wider read area and reduced track edge noise, and a reader width tolerance that is increased by >100%. Several types of discrete track media (DTM) architectures have been previously modeled and/or fabricated including: (1) topographically defined (spacing loss); (2) selective etch or deposition defined (using a discontinuous recording layer); and (3) selective disordering defined (which alters the magnetic properties of the recording layer).
Although the analysis is far from complete, the benefits from most of the current DTM architectures seem too small to justify the increased media cost and the system impacts. DTM can be used for perpendicular recording, wherein the direction of magnetization in the media is perpendicular to the plane of the media. An issue facing perpendicular recording is the spreading of the magnetic write field beyond the desired recording zones. This causes adjacent track erasures unless the field is contained using recording head side shields. Unfortunately these side shields steal flux from the recording zone.
There is a need for an improved discrete track media that has the benefits of conventional DTM, while addressing some of the manufacturability and tribology concerns, and alleviating the need for side shields in the recording head.

Magnetic recording media with discrete tracks of magnetic material in a magnetically soft underlayer


The invention provides methods and materials related to modulating syndecan levels and angiogenesis in an animal. The invention provides syndecan polypeptides and nucleic acids encoding syndecan polypeptides, including dominant negative syndecan polypeptides. The invention also provides polynucleotides and polynucleotide analogues for modulating angiogenesis, as well as cells and embryos containing the polynucleotides and polynucleotide analogues. The invention further provides methods for identifying syndecan- and angiogenesis-modulating agents.

Proteoglycans are widely distributed, membrane-anchored glycoproteins that have covalently linked extracellular side-chains containing glycosaminoglycan (GAG) molecules such as heparan sulfate, a polymer of repeating disaccharide subunits. GAG side chains can be of different lengths and are subject to modification by sulfation and epimerization, and their structures serve as specific recognition sites for various ligands, including growth factors, extracellular matrix components, and other cell surface molecules. Heparan sulfate proteoglycans have been implicated in the regulation of numerous cellular processes, including coagulation cascades, growth factor signaling, lipase binding and activity, cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix and subsequent cytoskeletal organization, proliferation, differentiation, inflammation, microbial invasion, and tumor metastasis.
The syndecans make up a class of the heparan sulfate proteoglycans that are present on most cell types. Syndecans appear to play modulatory roles as coreceptors by presenting growth factors to their primary receptors or by increasing the infectivity of viruses by interacting with their primary receptors. See, Woods (2001) J. Clin. Invest. 107:935-941; and Elenius and Jalkanen (1994) J. Cell Sci. 107:2975-2982. Syndecans also have been implicated in neurite outgrowth, limb development, cell adhesion, and epithelial morphogenesis.


A digitally controlled variable transconductance amplifier system including first and second input means for receiving first and second input voltages of opposite phase; first and second output means; a voltage to current converter system responsive to the input voltage and including a reference voltage to current converter and a plurality of voltage to current converters each having a different gain relative to the reference voltage to current converter such that the total gain of the voltage to current converters is less than that of the reference converter; each of the converters providing a pair of oppositely phased converter output currents; and a summing system including a reference switching circuit and a plurality of switching circuits, the reference switching circuit and the switching circuits being interconnected with said reference converter and the plurality of voltage to current converters, respectively, the summing system being responsive to a digital control signal for operating each of the switching circuit to selectively deliver one of the converter output currents from the associated converter to one of the first and second output means and the other of the converter output currents to the other of the output means for providing at said output means first and second output currents of opposite or in phase with constant common mode current and having a gain relative to the input voltages which is the sum or difference of the gains of all of the converters and is determined by the digital control signal.

Variable attenuators and variable gain amplifiers are in great demand for use in wire and wireless communication applications such as cable modems and wireless receivers. Presently such devices use step attenuators, Gilbert multipliers or passive PIN diode attenuators. Passive PIN diode attenuators are discrete and difficult to integrate on a single chip. Step attenuators, though integratable, have relatively low absolute accuracy. The Gilbert multipliers do not provide the relative noise and distortion levels required for many communication applications. In addition, gain accuracy is also lower. Another variable gain function that is similar in functionality to this invention is a four-quadrant multiplier. Here two two-quadrant integrated multipliers are required to be parallel connected. As such the overall common mode rejection and offset accuracy is relatively poor.

Digitally controlled variable transconductance amplifier system