An optical probe assembly, which may be used with or without optical fibers for remote operation, incorporates a leak-detecting capability. A source such as a laser is used for optically exciting at least a portion of a sample substance, causing wavelengths characteristic of the sample to be emitted along a collection path for reception by spectral analysis means. The same laser or a different source is employed for optically exciting a point within a test region, causing wavelengths characteristic of any substances contained or entering into the test region to merge with those of the sample within the collection path.

Induced radiative effects such as Raman scattering and fluorescence have become extremely valuable tools associated with the non-destructive determination of molecular constituents. To characterize a composition in a remote or hostile environment, optical fibers may advantageously be used to deliver excitation energy to a sample under investigation and to carry scattered radiation back to means for spectral analysis. An excitation source path may take the form of a laser providing a stimulus at an appropriate wavelength coupled to an input fiber, and a collection path may comprise one or more additional fibers carrying return radiative information to a spectral analysis tool such as a spectrograph.
Fiber-optic probes make it possible to collect optical information such as Raman spectra without having to place the material being characterized inside a spectrometer housing. Such probes therefore simplify the interfacing of spectroscopic systems to chemical processes, and allow analytical instruments to be located remotely from hostile environments in need of spectroscopic monitoring.
The first remote fiber optic probes for Raman spectroscopy, reported by the McCreery group in the early 1980's, used a single optical fiber to deliver laser light to the sample and a single optical fiber to collect light scattered by the sample. This dual-fiber approach offered important benefits. For one, the probe could be made less than one millimeter in diameter, making Raman measurements possible for samples with limited accessibility. In addition, the probe could be placed directly into a hostile sample, since only silica and the encapsulation material were exposed.
More modern imaging probes, however, utilize multiple optical components at or near the distal ends of the excitation and collection fibers. As described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,377,004, entitled REMOTE OPTICAL MEASUREMENT PROBE, merging of the excitation radiation into a combined excitation/collection path preferably takes place proximate to the remote end of the fibers, requiring a beam combiner to be located near the sample. In addition, to prevent laser wavelengths from entering into the collection fiber(s), one or more rejection filters are preferably situated in the probehead as well.
Increasingly, imaging probes of the type just described are being utilized to monitor processes involving hazardous chemicals. Because of the hazardous nature of the materials, it is necessary to ensure that insertion of the probes into pipes or vessels will not leak into the surrounding environment. However, due to the need for additional components in the optical paths from the sample to the tips of the excitation and collection fibers in an imaging probe, leak paths may be created along the various optical paths unless sufficient safeguards are provided.


Apparatus and method are disclosed for the production of compacted granular potassium chloride with improved handling qualities. A binding ingredient such as sodium hexametaphosphate is blended with the potassium chloride feed material in advance of compaction. The product of this apparatus and method has improved handling, storage, strength and other qualities over compacted granular potassium produced using prior art methods.

Potassium chloride ("potash") has many industrial uses, but is most commonly known as a component of agricultural fertilizers. Potash is typically extracted from underground sources either by conventional mining techniques or by solution mining. Once extracted, potassium chloride can be processed into a number of different finished forms or products suitable for specific industrial, chemical or agricultural applications as desired by individual customers.
Finished potassium chloride is typically sold in a granular form, and the purity and granule size may vary depending on the end use to which the product will be put. The grading of potash, and hence its market value are also dependent on both the purity and granule size of the product. Typically the potassium chloride is screened to the desired particle size for a particular need.
A typical potassium chloride feed stock, has a granule size that is comparable to table salt, which is less than the desired granule size. In order to obtain larger granules, this feedstock is first compacted using a simple roll compacter or the like to produce a sheet-like product. Subsequent processing typically involves controlled breakage of the potassium chloride sheet into granules, which are then sorted to a desired size range by screening or other methods known in the industry.
However, one of the limitations with compacted granular potassium chloride produced in this fashion has been that the product will physically break down when handled, stored or shipped. Given that granule size is an important feature in the finished product, breakage therefore diminishes the value of the finished product. These broken granules that arise from the handling of the finished product during processing are known as recycle or reclaim material. Such broken granules are collected or reclaimed from various areas during processing and can be mixed back into the feedstock and compacted again.
After the finished product leaves the plant, breakage diminishes the value of the product. Broken granules are smaller than the desired size and cause problems during the storage and handling of the finished product due to a tendency to generate dust and form clumps, a property known as "bridging." Bridging impedes the flow of the product, and may result in significant storage problems. Excessive dust causes environmental concerns while uneven granule size can directly affect application rates.
Shipping of potash, typically by rail, is not a gentle process either in terms of the handling involved in the loading of rail cars or mechanical agitation during the extended movement of the rail cars themselves. Thus, storage, shipping and handling after the potash has left the mill can break up granules, with the result that over time undesirable characteristics occur in the product.
Therefore, it has been the desire of those in the field to find methods of producing an improved compacted granular potassium chloride product, with better shipping, handling and storage characteristics as compared to compacted potash products manufactured using prior art methods. Methods of production that improve the handling characteristics of compacted potash products and which result in a more durable finished product are of value as the result will be a more desirable and saleable commodity.

Compacted granular potassium chloride, and method and apparatus for production of same


A method of digital telecommunication via an electrical cable is provided, whereby the symbols of a data stream to be transmitted are supplied as a transmission signal to a transmission path, after undergoing a digital-to-analog conversion. The transmission signal is received and sampled at the end of the transmission path on a receiving side. To further process the received signal on the receiving side, a Viterbi decoder operating on the basis of a trellis diagram is used. The Viterbi decoder uses a number of feedback filters to determine branch or path metrics in the trellis diagram, where this number is a function of the number of states in the trellis diagram. To determine the branch metrics in the trellis diagram, separate first feedback filters (8) are only used up to a specifiable number of symbol intervals in the trellis diagram, or up to a specifiable length of feedback filters for all states in the trellis diagram. A common feedback filter (9) is used for the other symbol intervals in the trellis diagram, to which the symbols of the path with the smallest path metrics at the end of the first feedback filter (8) in the trellis diagram are supplied.

1. Technical Field
The invention concerns a method of digital telecommunication via an electrical cable, and more particularly, a method of digital telecommunications where the symbols of a data stream to be transmitted are supplied as a transmission signal to a transmission path after undergoing a digital-to-analog conversion, where the transmitted signal is sampled at the end of the transmission path and is then further processed and supplied to a decision element, and where a Viterbi decoder operating on the basis of a trellis diagram is used to further process the sampled signal, which uses a number of feedback filters to determine branch and path metrics in the trellis diagram, where this number is a function of the number of states in the trellis diagram, with in-line filter taps according to the Delayed Decision Feedback Sequence Estimation-Algorithm.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Digital telecommunication via band-limited channels, such as e.g. copper cables in a local subscriber line network, are subject to disturbances in the form of intersymbol interferences, noise and pulse noise, which produce a limitation of the maximum transmission range. The widest possible equalization (correction) of the intersymbol interference can be achieved with the help of adaptive equalization methods based on digital filter algorithms. However, the performance capacity of such mostly linear filter algorithms is restricted by limited word lengths of digital signal processing and a limited total complexity, as well as by noise and nonlinearities in the analog circuit portion of the transmitting and receiving devices.
An increase in the transmission range or in the resistance to interference is possible with the help of optimum receiving methods according to the principle of Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation (MLSE) as disclosed in the document "Maximum-Likelihood Sequence Estimation of Digital Sequences in the Presence of Intersymbol Interference", G. D. Forney, Jr., IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, volume IT-18, no. 3, May 1972, pages 363 to 378, which provides an example of an MLSE receiver. In this example the transmission channel is considered a "finite state machine". Using a Viterbi algorithm, as disclosed for example in the document "The Viterbi Algorithm", G. D. Forney, Jr., Proceedings of the IEEE, volume 61, March 1973, pages 268 to 277, an estimate of the transmitted signal sequence is obtained by using the channel states according to the Maximum Likelihood criterion.
A problem in principle during the implementation of MLSE algorithms is the proportionality of complexity (number of gates being used) and the number of states in the trellis diagram, which in turn increases exponentially with the channel memory, i.e. with the length of the pulse response in the dispersive transmission channel. The Delayed Decision Feedback Sequence Estimation (DDFSE) algorithm, also known from the document "Delayed Decision-Feedback Sequence Estimation", A. Duel-Hallen, et al., IEEE Transactions on Communications, volume 37, no. 5, May 1989, pages 428 to 436, is a method of decreasing the number of states in the trellis diagram. As with the Viterbi algorithm, in this case as well the states describe all the state variations of the channel considered a "finite state machine" within an established time interval of .mu. symbols. However, while .mu. is identical to the length of the channel memory in the MLSE algorithm, .mu. can be freely chosen in the DDFSE algorithm. This means that a finite .mu. can even be used with an infinitely long channel memory.
Each state of the trellis diagram in the DDFSE algorithm only represents a part of the information about the channel state. The rest of the information is estimated by means of the transmission symbols of the highest probability, which correspond to the preceding path decisions and are stored in a path memory. The DDFSE algorithm combines the properties of the Viterbi algorithm with those of a decision feedback equalization. The DDFSE algorithm can also be imagined with X.sup..mu. feedback filters, where the filter taps of the feedback filters being used are fed different receiving symbols during each symbol interval. In this case X is the number of possible symbols or amplitude stages per step. The combination of symbols in one of the feedback filters, which leads to the smallest error in the decision element, is optimum in the sense of maximum likelihood.
The complexity of the DDFSE algorithm rises exponentially with the parameter .mu., i.e. with the number of symbols considered in its states, or proportionally with the number of states in the trellis diagram. The gain in the DDFSE algorithm increases with increasing .mu. as well as with the increasing length n-.mu. of the feedback filters during the determination of the branch metrics. In that case n indicates the number of filter tap operations for determining the branch metrics per state of the trellis diagram, which in the following is set to be equal to the number of postcursors in the time-discrete channel pulse response. Each filter tap operation comprises an addition, a multiplication and a register operation. The implementation of sufficiently long feedback filters for all states of the trellis diagram requires a large number of logic gates as well as a considerable amount of circuitry.

Method of processing signals in a viterbi decoder according to delayed decision feedback sequence estimation (DDFSE) algorithm


The present invention relates to an automatic grading system for a construction machine, including: a work apparatus having a boom connected pivotally to one side of a vehicle body, an arm connected pivotally to a front end portion of the boom, and a bucket connected pivotally to a front end portion of the arm; a boom angle detection sensor mounted on one side of the boom; an arm angle detection sensor mounted on one side of the arm; a switch panel on which a standard grading mode switch, a grading history storage switch, and a history grading mode switch selected for a grading work are disposed; an electronic control unit adapted to receive grade input signals applied from the angle detection sensors at the time when the grading mode switches and a joystick for controlling the work apparatus are manipulated and to calculate the grade input signals in accordance with a predetermined control algorithm.

Construction machines such as excavators and hydraulic shovels have boom, arm and bucket as their work apparatus, and in this case, they have respective joint structures through which the boom having a given dimension is connected pivotally to a vehicle body, the arm is connected pivotally to the boom at a given angle, and the bucket is connected pivotally to the arm at a given angle.
Each construction machine includes work apparatus manipulation means having a plurality of control levers and foot pedals adapted to activate the work apparatus inclusive of the boom, arm and bucket, and thus, the grading function is performed by the complicated operation of the boom, arm and bucket as the work apparatus.
For example, continuous multiple linkage movements or pivot movements of the boom, arm and bucket of the construction machine are carried out on the ground within a given radius range from the vehicle body, so that if a manual type grading work is performed, the movements of the boom, arm and bucket carried out by their respective hydraulic cylinders from the initial position of the grading area to the final position thereof should be continuously controlled by the operator of the construction machine.
Accordingly, the manual type grading work needs the operator's skilled experiences and high concentration for the complicated operation of the work apparatus, and therefore, the working efficiency may be often decreased due to his fatigue or malfunctioning manipulations.
So as to remove the above-mentioned problems, there have been proposed automatic grading systems for automatically controlling the movements of the work apparatus. One of the conventional automatic grading systems is disclosed in Korean Patent Laid-Open No. 1994-0002438 wherein an automatic control device for a construction machine is proposed to control optimal moving tracks of a work apparatus.
The conventional automatic grading system produces optimal working paths, while the moving angles of the boom, arm and bucket set initially by an operator are being continuously varied. For example, if initial excavating position and angle are inputted by the operator, the optimal working paths are calculated by a control unit to obtain an arm moving angle α(t), a boom moving angle β(t) and a bucket moving angle γ(t) as the angular movements required for the moving arm, boom and bucket. At this time, the obtained moving angles of the arm, boom and bucket produce the optimal working paths through a given algorithm inclusive of PID operation.
According to the conventional automatic grading system, the grading work is performed, while the moving angles of the boom, arm and bucket are being continuously varied to produce the optimal working paths.
However, the conventional automatic grading system becomes complicated in continuously determining and controlling the angular movements or paths of the boom, arm and bucket, and unfortunately, the conventional system substantially increases the quantities of hydraulic pressure and fuel consumed for activating the boom, arm and bucket.

Automatic grading system for construction machine and method for controlling the same


A new and distinct variety of Verbena plant, substantially as herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by its burgundy flowers, very early flowering and a habit that is very compact and later spreading.

The present invention comprises a new distinct cultivar of Verbena, botanically known as Verbena×hybrida.
The new cultivar is propagated from cuttings resulting from the cross of 'T0483-1' and 'T0593-1'. 'T0483-1' is a purple flowering Verbena. 'T0483-1' is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. 'T0593-1' is a scarlet flowering Verbena. 'T0593-1' is not commercially available and is not known by any synonyms. Neither 'T0483-1' nor 'T0593-1' have been patented.
As a result of this cross the present cultivar was created in 2001 in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Enkhuizen, Netherlands and Sarrians, France over a three year period. The new variety is stable and reproduces true to type in successive generations of asexual reproduction.
This new Verbena plant is an annual in most climatical zones in the US, only in zones 9 and 10 is it a perennial plant.


An aqueous ink for inkjet recording is provided, which includes water, pigment, a water-soluble organic solvent incorporated at a content of not less than 30% by weight, a surfactant, and 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol. The surfactant is formed of at least one selected from the group consisting of acetylene glycol-based surfactant and a fluorinated surfactant.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an aqueous ink for inkjet recording.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ink comprising various kinds of water-soluble dye dissolved in an aqueous medium has been generally employed as an inkjet recording ink. In recent years, ink comprising a pigment which is dispersed in an aqueous medium has been proposed. The reason is that, as compared with the ink employing water-soluble dye, the ink employing a pigment is excellent in water resistance and in resistance to light.
Many kinds of the conventional ink using pigments are formulated so as to suppress the wetting properties of ink to the surface of paper by mainly limiting the permeability of ink, thereby making it possible to retain the printed ink in the vicinity of the surface of paper and to secure the quality of printing. These kinds of ink however are accompanied with a problem that they are not always applicable to every kinds of paper. More specifically, the bleeding of ink occurs prominently depending on the kinds of paper. Especially, in the case of recycled paper to be manufactured from the mixture of many and unspecified kinds of paper, the difference in wetting properties of ink to the kinds of paper would give a great influence to the generation of bleeding, thereby destabilizing the quality of printing. Further, in the case of conventional pigment ink, it takes a long time for drying printed portions due to the specific nature of ink composition, resulting in the mixing of colors between the neighboring colors especially in multi-color printing such as color printing. Further, there is a problem that since pigment leave on the surface of paper after printing, anti-fretting properties of printed matter are caused to deteriorate.
With a view to overcome these problems, it is proposed in JP-A 9-111165 (KOKAI) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,675 to incorporate a glycol ether-based penetrating agent to enhance the permeability of ink to paper. In the case of the conventional pigment ink, it has been generally practiced to disperse pigment in an aqueous medium with a dispersant such as surfactants, polymeric dispersant, etc. The glycol ether-based penetrating agent however is accompanied with problems that it may deteriorate the effects of dispersant and hence, if the glycol ether-based penetrating agent is incorporated in ink at a large content, the dispersion stability of pigment decreases with time.
No one has succeeded as yet to find out an aqueous ink for inkjet recording, which is suited for printing on the ordinary paper, excellent in quick-drying property and in quality of printed images of printed matter, free from clogging of ink during the intermittent discharge of ink, and excellent in dispersion stability with time of pigment.
Incidentally, in the case of volatile oily ink, there has been proposed to employ 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol as a solvent as disclosed in JP-A 2005-104139 (KOKAI). Since this oil ink is used in an oil ball-point pen, the vapor pressure thereof at 25° C. is regulated to 0.001 mmHg or more.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of forming a perforated cut line using a cutting plotter capable of accurately and rapidly forming a sheet with a perforated cut line along a cut line which is predetermined on a sheet and along which the sheet is to be cut. A cutter pressure at which a cutter is pressed onto the sheet is repeatedly reduced for a micro period of time at predetermined time intervals to form the sheet with a perforated cut line consisting of perforations and unperforated parts defined between the perforations in an intermittent manner.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of forming a perforated cut line by a cutting plotter, and more particularly to a method of forming a sheet with perforations along a cut line which is predetermined or defined on the sheet and along which the sheet is to be cut out, to thereby provide an article suitable for use as an apparel paper pattern, a bag or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, cutting plotters of the paper moving type (X-moving pen carriage type: vertical or horizontal type) and the flat-bed type (XY-moving pen carriage type: horizontal type) have been proposed, each of which includes a pen carriage arranged so as to be movable in X and Y directions relative to a sheet put on a recording surface and provided with a cutter. The so-constructed cutting plotters are each used in such a manner that the sheet is put on the recording surface and then the pen carriage is relatively moved above the sheet in the X and Y directions with respect to the sheet as desired while the cutter is contactedly pressed onto the sheet at a predetermined cutter pressure, so that the sheet is cut out into a desired configuration.
In the cutting plotter of the vertical type, the sheet is moved on the recording surface in the Y direction by means of a combination of a grit roller and a pinch roller arranged as a pair in the vertical direction while being interposed between both rollers, resulting in the pen carriage being relatively moved with respect to the sheet. Such construction of the paper moving type cutting plotter, when a part of the sheet is cut as a round piece out of the sheet, causes the cut part to be separated from the remaining part of the sheet interposedly held between the grit roller and the pinch roller, resulting in the transmission of drive force of the grit roller and/or pinch roller to the cut part failing. Unfortunately, this causes a jamming phenomenon so that the sheet being cut is complicatedly deformed and folded on the recording surface.
Such a jamming phenomenon is likewise encountered with the flat-bed type cutting plotter. More particularly, in the flat-bed type cutting plotter, the sheet is securely positioned on the recording surface by fixing the corners of the sheet to the recording surface by using a fixing means such as an adhesive tape or the like. Unfortunately, when a part of the sheet is cut as a round piece out of the sheet, this cutting method causes the cut part to be separated or released from the remaining part of the sheet held on the recording surface by the fixing means, so that the remaining part is moved in all directions because the cutter forcedly pushes it, also resulting in the jamming phenomenon occurring.
In view of the above disadvantage of the conventional paper moving type and flat-bed type cutting plotters, an improved cutting plotter is proposed which is constructed so as to intermittently provide the sheet with unperforated parts of a small length at predetermined intervals along a cut line which is described on the sheet and along which the sheet is to be subsequently cut out, to thereby form the sheet with perforations along the cut line of the sheet, resulting in a perforated cut line. The sheet is cut out into a desired shape such as a circular shape or the like depending upon the shape of the perforated cut line in a subsequent step. The cutting may be carried out manually.
The improved cutting plotter is divided into two types of plotters, a paper moving type and a flat-bed type. The paper moving type cutting plotter is constructed so that the driving force of a grit roller and/or a pinch roller for interposedly holding the remaining part of the sheet other than a part of the sheet to be subsequently cut out is positively continuously transmitted, during the perforation forming operation, to the part of the sheet to be subsequently cut out into a circular shape or the like. Also, the flat-bed type cutting plotter takes a measure of fixing the part of the sheet to be cut out into a circular shape or the like onto the recording surface through the remaining part of the sheet by means of an adhesive tape or the like during the perforation forming operation. After the sheet is formed with the perforated cut line as described above, the unperforated parts of the perforated cut line of the sheet may be manually laterally cut or broken to separate the cut part of the sheet from the remaining part of the sheet.
The formation of the perforations along the cut line predetermined or defined on the sheet by means of the formerly improved paper moving type or flat-bed type cutting plotter is carried out by stopping the movement of the cutter relative to the sheet along the cut line at predetermined time intervals while contactedly pressing the cutter onto the sheet, and by raising the cutter above the sheet during the stopping period. Then, the cutter is moved a micro distance along the cut line on the sheet relative to the sheet to form the sheet with an unperforated part along the cut line. Then, during the period of the next stopping, the cutter is lowered for the subsequent perforation motion. Such procedure is repeated to form the sheet with a number of perforations at predetermined intervals along the cut line, resulting in the perforated cut line being formed.
Unfortunately, the repeating of vertical movement of the cutter at the predetermined time intervals to form the perforations and unperforated parts along the cut line on the sheet requires much time, so that operating efficiency substantially deteriorates.

Method of forming perforated cut line by cutting plotter


A first device includes a micrometer-scale or smaller geometry first conductor. A second device includes a micrometer-scale or smaller second conductor. An actuator the first and second devices relative to each other between first and second positions. Signals are substantially coupled between the first and second conductors in the first position and not in the second position.

Integrated circuits have dominated the electronics industry for many years. Some applications require the use of multiple integrated circuits in combination. Signals between these multiple integrated circuits are connected in order for them to perform their intended function.
Wire bonding is one method for connecting signals between integrated circuits. Each integrated circuit may include a wire bonding pad. An electrical interconnection between the integrated circuits is made by connecting a thin wire between the wire bonding pads. As the size of integrated circuits decreases, the space used for wire bonding techniques, such as for the bonding pads and the fan-out structures to bring signals to the bonding pads, becomes a larger proportion of entire integrated circuit surface.

Systems and methods for electrically coupling wires and conductors

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A tamper evident cap designed for threading onto a container by conventional bottle capping machinery. The cap includes a first set of spaced-apart lugs for engaging a second set of spaced-apart lugs of a container. The lugs of the cap and the lugs of the container neck are constructed to slide relative to each other upon threading of the cap onto the container while engaging each other to prevent unthreading of the cap from the container. The container neck is especially suited for glass bottles which must be blow molded. The cap includes a first skirt portion and a separable strip, and may include a second skirt portion that remains on the container neck after the separable strip has been removed. The gap between the skirt portions left by removing the separable strip indicates that the cap has been tampered with.

This invention relates generally to threaded caps and containers. More particularly, the invention relates to caps and containers that are tamper evident in the sense that any tampering with the cap when sealed to the container is clearly visible.
Tamper-evident caps ("closures") and related containers are used to indicate to a prospective purchaser whether the container has been tampered with. Several approaches are in use, ranging from tear bands whose removal indicates a cap has been unthreaded to plastic shrink bands that must first be torn off to unscrew the cap.
One drawback of many of these prior approaches is the need for special capping machinery in order to mount the tamper-evident cap to the container. Conventional capping machinery, especially where the containers are glass, simply threads the cap onto the container. For example, caps that use a snap ring below the threads, such as the tamper-evident cap shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,701, cannot be used by industry-standard bottle capping machinery that is designed for mounting conventional caps, lids, etc. The cap therein must be heated for expansion before applying it to the container, and the cap must be initially pressed onto the container before it can be threaded. Conventional capping machinery lacks means for heating or pressing a cap onto a container. Rather, special capping machinery of a significant cost is required to mount such caps to containers.
Another drawback of prior tamper-evident caps is that many require a container neck that cannot be easily blow molded, a common method of molding glass containers. Plastic containers such as milk jugs may be blow molded with less heat and pressure, allowing many diverse and multiple angles. But glass containers, which are preferable for storing many types of food products, generally cannot be molded in a way that allows many diverse and multiple angles due to the propensity of glass to break rather than bend. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,131,212 shows and describes a container and closure that uses complementary rachet teeth to lock the closure to the container. But the shape number and arrangement of the teeth requires that the container be made by injection molding onto a blank of flexible sheet material. Glass containers cannot readily be made in this manner.
Another drawback of most tamper evident closures is the ease with which a tamperer can reclose a container and mask the tampering, because the container still holds the separated portions in their approximately untampered relationships.
The tamper-evident cap that is the subject of the present invention suffers from none of these drawbacks. It can be mounted with conventional capping machinery onto a complementary container. And the container may be readily blow molded made from glass as well as made from other materials.


A method for sharpening field emitter tips by electroetching/polishing. In gated field emitters, it is very important to initiate electron emission at the lowest possible voltage and thus the composition of the emitter and the gate, as well as the emitter-gate structure, are important factors. This method of sharpening the emitter tips uses the grid as a counter electrode in electroetching of the emitters, which can produce extremely sharp emitter tips as well as remove asperities and other imperfections in the emitters, each in relation to the specific grid hole in which it resides. This has the effect of making emission more uniform among the emitters as well as lowering the turn-on voltage.

The present invention relates to field emitters, particularly gated field emitters for flat panel displays and vacuum microelectrics, and more particularly to electrochemical sharpening of field emission tips.
Flat panel displays and vacuum microelectronics utilize gated field emitters, and it is very important to initiate electron emission at the lowest possible voltage. Both the materials of the emitter and the gate, as well as the geometry of the emitter-gate structure, are very important in this regard. By forming an extremely sharp (needle-like) emitter tip and a correctly configured grid (gate) hole in which the emitter resides, emission is more uniform among the emitters and the turn-on voltage, which initiates electron emission, is lowered. Thus, there is a need for forming field emitters with sharp tips or for sharpening tips of previously formed field emitters.
The present invention is directed to sharpening of previously formed field emitter (nanofilament type) tips, wherein tip sharpening is carried out by electroetching/polishing using the grid (gate) of the field emission structure, such as a field emission triode structure, as a counter electrode. Electroetching performed in this way can produce extremely sharp emitter tips as well as removing asperities and other imperfections in the emitters, each in relation to the specific grid (gate) hole in which it resides.

Electrochemical sharpening of field emission tips

The Regents of the University of California


A stabilized nanobubble can include a membrane that defines at least one internal void, which includes at least one gas. The membrane can include at least one lipid and at least one nonionic triblock copolymer that is effective to control the size of the nanobubble without compromising in vitro and in vivo echogenicity of the nanobubble.

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) are small gas-filled bubbles with a stabilizing shell made from a variety of materials, such as polymer, protein or lipid. Other than the traditional applications of these agents in diagnostic ultrasound imaging, UCA have found relevance in therapeutic applications including targeted gene and drug delivery. These adaptable particles are currently being explored as protective therapeutic carriers and as cavitation nuclei to enhance delivery of their payload by sonoporation. Together these functions improve payload circulation half-life and release profiles as well as tissue selectivity and cell uptake. Regardless of the mode of action, it is advantageous, particularly in cancer therapy, for the bubbles to extravasate from the vasculature and arrive at the cellular target site for the desired effect.
Commercial UCA available today are typically designed to serve only as blood pool agents with diameters of 1-8 μm. Although previous methodologies have been developed to reduce bubble size, most of these strategies involve manipulations of microbubbles post formation, such as gradient separation by gravitational forces or by physical filtration or floatation. While effective for selecting nanosized bubbles, these methods introduce potential for sample contamination, reduce bubble yield and stability, and waste stock materials in addition to being labor intensive. Additionally, the applicability of microbubbles as carriers (e.g., in cancer therapy) has been limited by a large size, which typically confines them to the vasculature.

Stabilized nanobubbles for diagnostic and therapeutic applications


An electro-optic device, comprising an insulating layer and a layer light-carrying material adjacent the insulating layer. The layer of light-carrying material, such as silicon, comprises a first doped region of a first type and a second doped region of a second, different type abutting the first doped region to form a pn junction. The first doped region has a first thickness at the junction, and the second doped region has a second thickness at the junction, the first thickness being greater than the second thickness, defining a waveguide rib in the first doped region for propagating optical signals. Since the position of the junction coincides with the sidewall of the waveguide rib a self-aligned process can be used in order to simplify the fabrication process and increase yield.

Silicon microphotonics has generated an increasing interest in recent years. Integrating optics and electronics on the same chip would allow enhancement of integrated circuit (IC) performance. Furthermore, telecommunications could benefit from the development of low cost solutions for high-speed optical links. The realization of active photonic devices, in particular high speed optical modulators integrated in silicon-on-insulator (SOI) waveguides, is essential for the development of silicon microphotonics/nanophotonics.
Although silicon does not in normal circumstances exhibit a linear electro-optic (Pockels) effect, other mechanisms are available for modulation, including thermo-optic and plasma dispersion effects. Aside from these, further interesting methods have been reported which include using strain to introduce a Pockels effect, forming SiGe/Ge quantum wells to take advantage of the quantum-confined stark effect, and bonding III-V materials to make use of their stronger electro-optic properties. The disadvantage of these approaches is the complex or non-CMOS compatible fabrication processes involved. The thermo-optic effect in silicon is relatively, very slow and therefore has no real use for high speed applications. The plasma dispersion effect on the other hand is much more promising with most of the recent successful high-speed silicon modulators being based upon this effect, whilst using carrier injection, depletion or accumulation to cause the required changes in free-carrier concentration.
The plasma dispersion effect uses changes in the free-carrier concentration to cause modulation of the light passing through the device. The free-carrier concentration may be changed by injecting carriers into the device, depleting carriers from a region of the device or by causing an accumulation of charge carriers in a region of the device. Carrier injection is typically carried out in a PIN diode structure with the optical waveguide passing though the intrinsic region. When the diode is forward biased, carriers pass into the intrinsic region causing a change in refractive index. Carrier depletion can be based upon a PN junction diode in the waveguide. Reverse biasing the diode causes carriers to be swept out of part or all of the waveguide region, again resulting in a change in refractive index. Carrier accumulation involves the use of an insulating layer between P and N diode regions that will, when biased, cause an accumulation of free carriers on the edges of the layer, much like a capacitor. Carrier depletion and accumulation, unlike carrier injection, are not limited by the relatively long minority carrier lifetime in silicon and consequently the fastest reported devices have utilised these mechanisms.
The figures of merit for classifying optical modulators are as follows:                Electro-optic bandwidth: this indicates the high-speed cut off frequency and can be used to predict data transmission rates in the absence of an eye diagram.        Data transmission rate: this indicates the rate at which data can be transmitted, with 5 Gb/s, 10 Gb/s or 40 Gb/s normally being targeted.        Dynamic extinction ratio: this gives the difference between the modulators on and off power levels at a specified data rate. A large extinction ratio will allow for longer transmission lengths before data restoration is required.        Optical insertion loss.        DC extinction ratio: this indicates the low speed difference in on and off power levels.        VπLπ efficiency: since devices produce phase modulation which is later converted to intensity modulation, this describes the voltage-length product required to produce a π radian phase shift.        Size.        Power efficiency.
Other than these quantifiable factors, however, it is also important to consider the ease of fabrication and expected tolerances in device performance caused by slight variations inherent in the fabrication processes used, as these can have a direct effect on production cost and device yield. Existing devices have improved the data transmission rate and VπLπ efficiency, but are not always practical for mass production due to their complex structure.

Electro-optical device comprising a ridge waveguide and a PN junction and method of manufacturing said device


A driving circuit for a flat panel display includes a latch unit which is applied a control signal from a shift register to sequentially sample N-bit digital picture signals and to store the picture signals, and simultaneously output the sampled picture signals by a line pass signal; and a voltage to current converting unit distributing an outer reference current to a plurality of paths using a current mirror method, and supplying current of different levels to data lines of the display panel according to logical combinations of the picture signals which are applied from the latch unit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a driving circuit for a flat panel display, and more particularly, to a driving circuit for a flat panel display for supplying a current of an analog signal corresponding to a size of a digital image signal to data lines of an organic electroluminescence display (OELD)
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, cathode ray tubes (CRTs), which are among the widely used display devices, are typically used as monitors of television sets, measuring instruments and information terminal devices. However, CRTs are not able to be utilized in miniature electronic devices because of their relatively heavy weight and large size.
Therefore, as a substitute for CRTs, various flat display devices, such as, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), field emission displays (FEDs) and electroluminescence display (ELD), for example, have been developed. These flat display devices have the advantages of a relatively small size, light weight and low power consumption.
Among the flat panel display devices, ELDs are display devices which use electroluminescence, a phenomenon in which light is generated when a certain electric field is applied. ELDS can be classified into two categories based on their luminescence material: inorganic ELDs and organic ELDs (OELD).
OELDs are able to generate visible lights including blue lights, for example. Therefore, OELDs can display colors similar to natural colors, and are characterized by relatively high brightness and lower power consumption.
Also, OELDs have a relatively high contrast ratio of self-illumination. They are thus able to be made using ultra-thin displays, and can be fabricated in a relatively simple manner to reduce environmental pollution.
In addition, OELDs have a relatively rapid response time of a few microseconds (μs). Therefore, a moving picture can be realized more easily. There are fewer restrictions to the angle from which the picture can be viewed, and the display is stable at lower temperature.
On the other hand, an active matrix is widely used in a flat panel display. That is, a plurality of pixels are arranged in matrix form in the flat panel display and image information is supplied selectively to respective pixels through a switching device such as thin film transistors (TFTs) disposed on respective pixels.
In recent years, considerable research has been carried out on thin film transistors which use poly-crystalline silicon material. A driving unit built-in type panel has been developed which is able to improve the picture quality and reduce fabrication cost by being formed in the driving circuit in the panel of the flat panel display.
However, it is difficult to realize a driving circuit which is built in the panel because the image quality is lowered and the yield decreases rapidly due to the unevenness of the poly-crystalline silicon TFT.
The OELD of an active matrix according to a conventional current driving method will be described in detail with reference to accompanying Figures.
FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing a rough structure of a general active matrix type OELD.
As shown in FIG. 1, an OELD panel 40 includes gate lines GL1 to GLm which cross data lines DL1 to DLn on a glass substrate 1. Pixels 10 are formed independently in square areas defined by the intersections of the gate lines GL1 to GLm and the data lines DL1 to DLn.
The pixels 10 are driven by scan signals applied through the gate lines GL1 to GLm in a gate line unit to generate light corresponding to the size of picture signals applied through the data lines DL1 to DLn.
On the OELD panel 40, a gate driving unit 20 applies a scan signal to the gate lines GL1 to GLm, and a data driving unit 30 supplies a picture signal to the data lines DL1 to DLn. The gate driving unit 20 and the data driving unit 30 are fabricated on an additional single-crystalline silicon substrate and attached on the glass substrate 1 of the panel 40 using a tape carrier package (TCP) method.
FIG. 2 shows an inner block structure of the data driving unit 30 in FIG. 1.
As shown in FIG. 2, the data driving unit 30 includes a first latch 32 which receives a control signal CS1 from a shift register 31 and sequentially samples N-bit digital picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] and stores the signals. A second latch 33 receives the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] sampled by the first latch 32 and simultaneously transmits the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] by a line pass signal LP. A voltage to current converting unit 34 converts the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] transmitted from the second latch 33 into analog current values and supplies the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] to the data lines DL1 to DLn of the OELD panel 40.
That is, the first latch 32 sequentially samples the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] and stores the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] in accordance with the control signal CS1 of the shift register 31. The second latch 33 simultaneously supplies the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] stored in the first latch 32 to the voltage to current converting unit 34 in accordance with the line pass signal LP.
The voltage to current converting unit 34 converts the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] into the analog current values and supplies the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] to the data lines DL1 to DLn of the OELD panel 40.
If the voltage to current converting unit 34 is formed using a TFT of poly-crystalline silicon, the voltage to current converting unit 34 can be formed directly on the glass substrate 1 of the OELD panel 40.
However, in order for the voltage to current converting unit 34 to convert the picture signals DIGITAL [R, G, B] from a voltage value to an analog current value, a device such as an operational amplifier (OP-AMP) or a resistant-array besides the poly-crystalline silicon TFT should be applied. In this case, the voltage to current converting unit 34 can not be formed on the glass substrate 1, but is formed on an additional single-crystalline silicon substrate with other components of the data driving unit 30 and attached on the glass substrate 1 using the TCP method.
Most of the components of the data driving unit 30, except for the voltage to current converting unit 34, can be formed in the glass substrate 1 of the OELD panel 40 to reduce the number of integrated circuits required in the data driving unit 30. However, as described above, the data driving unit 30 of the conventional current driving method needs to be formed on an additional single-crystalline silicon substrate and attached on the glass substrate 1 of the OELD panel 40 using the TCP method. This entails a high cost of fabrication. In addition, since an additional attaching process is required, the fabrication of the OELD becomes more complex.


An optical network incorporates one of wavelength based or lightpath link based pre-emphasis to reduce the power fluctuation range at optical receivers in the network. Power output from channel transmitters can be varied on a per channel basis to minimize the effects of non-constant per-channel gain as a function of wavelength. Pre-emphasis circuitry coupled to the transmitters imposes an optical power profile on transmitter output in accordance with an inverse of the gain characteristic of network amplifier elements raised to an exponent which is equal to or less than the number of spans through which an optical signal is transmitted.

Known optical communications networks incorporate a plurality of add/drop nodes or optical terminals which incorporate optical signal amplifiers. The terminals or nodes are interconnected by optical fibers.
A plurality of lasers can be used as transmitters to inject optical signals in parallel into respective receiving ends of optical fibers using a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) protocol. Other forms of radiant energy transmitters can also be used.
FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a known system 10. The add/drop nodes, or terminals 12a,b, include a power amplifier 14a, and a pre-amplifier 14b. Optical signals received at a terminal, for example from an up-stream span or optical fiber, such as 16a, which can incorporate a variable optical attenuator (VOA) 16a′, are amplified at the terminal before being coupled to the next fiber optic span 16b. Such amplifiers, pre-amplifiers or power amplifiers, usually incorporate automatic gain control (AGC) circuitry to provide constant total optical power gain.
Although the AGC circuitry produces substantially constant total optical power gain, the system amplifiers introduce gain variations. With nominally identical power amplifiers, and pre-amplifiers each class of amplifier can be expected to exhibit a substantially identical variable gain profile over a wavelength range of interest, best seen, for example, in FIG. 2.
The variable amplifier gain profile for each pre-amplifier and power amplifier causes the actual per channel gain to vary according thereto. The input power profile will also vary, for example where the network is cross-connected. The overall gain experienced by a light path fluctuates as other light paths are set up and torn down in the network. This gain variation translates into light path power variation. The variation propagates from node to node. For example, with respect to FIG. 2, a channel having a wavelength on the order of 1532 nm will be amplified with maximum gain. On the other hand, a channel having a wavelength on the order of 1538 nm will be amplified with minimum gain in each amplifier, assuming that all amplifiers exhibit a similar profile.
As signals travel through the network, some of them will be amplified with a greater gain than others producing output signal power variations. In addition, the gains experienced by a light path will be altered by the set-up, tear-down or power fluctuations of other overlapping light paths in the network. Such variations are problematic in that the optical receivers have limited input sensitivity ranges. The larger the number of amplifiers that a set of channels passes through the greater will be the output power level variability. Too much input power will overload the respective receiver which in turn leads to increased error rates. This in turn limits the number of amplifiers through which a plurality of channels can pass.
With respect to AGC and variable gain profile, the gain on channel i can be represented as,gib(Pin),where gi is the relative gain factor associated with the non-flatness of the amplifiers and b(Pin) is a "normalizing function" due to the AGC. As explained below, b(Pin) indeed varies with the input power profile Pin.
The amplifier is gain controlled such that the total output power divided by the total input power is a constant, Gtot. Hence,
      G          t                                      o                                      t        =                              ∑          j                                              g            j                                          b                                      (                              P                                  i                                                                                n                                            )                                                      P            j                                                ∑          j                                  P          j                      .  consequently, b(Pin) behaves as,
      b              (              P                  i                                                              n                    )        =            G              t                                                  o                                                  t                                                      ∑            j                                          P            j                                                ∑            j                                                        g              j                                                  P              j                                          .      therefore, b(Pin), as well as the gain for each individual wavelength, varies with the input power profile.
The gain experienced by channel i through a span such as 16a can be represented as:
            A      i        =                            g          i          ′                                  b          ′                                  g          i          ″                                  b          ″                    L        ,where b′ and b″ (argument omitted for brevity) depend on the power profile at the input of each perspective amplifier, and L is the total loss (including fiber loss, device loss, and VOA loss) through the span. Substituting the expressions for b′ and b″,
                                          A            i                    =                                                                      G                                      t                                                                                o                                                                                t                                    ′                                                                  G                                      t                                                                                o                                                                                t                                    ″                                                                  g                  i                  ′                                                                  g                  i                  ″                                            L                                                                                ∑                  j                                                                  P                  j                                                                              ∑                  j                                                                                g                    j                    ′                                                                          P                    j                                                                                ∑                  j                                                                                g                    j                    ′                                                                          b                    ′                                                                          P                    j                                                                                ∑                  j                                                                                g                    j                    ″                                                                          g                    j                    ′                                                                          b                    ′                                                                          P                    j                                                                                =                                                                      G                                      t                                                                                o                                                                                t                                    ′                                                                  G                                      t                                                                                o                                                                                t                                    ″                                                                  g                  i                  ′                                                                  g                  i                  ″                                            L                                                                                ∑                  j                                                                  P                  j                                                                              ∑                  j                                                                                g                    j                    ″                                                                          g                    j                    ′                                                                          P                    j                                                                                =                                                    g                i                                                                            G                                      t                                                                                o                                                                                t                                                  L                                                                                ∑                    j                                                                          P                    j                                                                                ∑                    j                                                                                g                      i                                                                                P                      j                                                                                =                                          g                i                                                                            b                                                        (                                          P                                              i                                                                                n                                                              )                                                  .
The above expression shows how the span can be represented by a single amplifier with gain factor g=g′g″. Further, for exemplary purposes only and not limitation, the VOA can be adjusted such that L=Gtot. For a perfectly flat amplifier, every wavelength channel will experience unity gain. For exemplary purposes assume L=Gtot=1.
For a non-flat amplifier, the gain experienced by each channel depends on gi. Furthermore, if the input power profile changes, then the normalizing factor also changes.
For a network that is cross-connected, the input power profile at the beginning of each span is unpredictable. Therefore, the overall gain experienced by a light path fluctuates as other light paths are set up and torn down in the network. The amount of gain variation however is bounded.
The normalizing factor b(Pin) can be upper-bounded by replacing all gi with the minimum value, gmin, in the expression for b(Pin),
                    b        max            ≤              b                          (                      P                          i                                                                                n                                )                                |                        g          i                =                  g          min                      =                              ∑          j                                  P          j                                      ∑          j                                              g            min                                          P            j                                =                  1                  g          min                    .
This maximum is achieved when the input power is dominated by the channel with gain factor gmm. Although the channel associated with gmin is often the weakest channel, it is possible in a cross-connected network to have that channel dominate at the input of an amplifier.
Similarly, the minimum occurs when the input power is dominated by the channel associated with gmax, the channel with the largest gain,
                    b        min            ≥              b                          (                      P                          i                                                                                n                                )                                |                        g          i                =                  g          max                      =                              ∑          j                                  P          j                                      ∑          j                                              g            max                                          P            j                                =                  1                  g          max                    .      This implies that the worst case variation in b(Pin) is bounded by the variation in gj, regardless of the network configuration, traffic mix, light path routes, and input power profile.
Where the amplifiers exhibit gain variations as in FIG. 2, variation per span can be expected to be on the order of plus or minus 1 dB. This bound remains in effect even when light paths are dynamically added and dropped at various places in the network. This bound promotes network stability as each light path traverses a finite number of spans. As a result, the power variation at the receiver will also be bounded.
While such power variations may be bounded, they can exceed the input sensitivity of system receivers. In addition, there are times where light paths need to be added to an existing network which can also produce output signals which exceed receiver sensitivity.
There thus continues to be a need for communications networks which can compensate for amplifier gain variations thereby reducing input power fluctuation at the receivers. Preferably such compensation circuitry will be substantially transparent with respect to transmitted messages and will be implementable with minimal impact on manufacturing costs as well as on system reliability.

Power pre-emphasis for WDM transmission systems


A plastic container lid is adapted for removable attachment to a container. The lid comprises spaced inner and outer peripheral walls defining between them a substantially annular sealing seat for a lid retaining ring carried by the container. The outer wall of the lid defines inwardly-positioned projection means to engage the retaining ring of the container, to facilitate retention of the lid on the container. The outer peripheral wall defines at least one circumferentially extending line of tearing weakness to permit separation of at least some of the inwardly positioned projection means from the remainder of the lid. The lid outer wall defines one or more apertures or recesses to provide access to a pry member, to allow prying of the lid away from its retention on a container while causing the line of weakness to tear, permitting removal of the lid and at least partial separation of the projection means from the lid.

Von Holdt U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,258 discloses various designs of bucket lids, some of which have a tear-away characteristic. However, the ideal lid for containers has yet to become available to the industry, with such an ideal container and lid exhibiting the advantages described in the above cited patent of excellent drop-retention characteristics, coupled with improved hoop strength, and an improved tear-away, tamper evident seal which, nevertheless permits the lid to be sealingly reclosed in the bucket.


A method and transceiver for determining spectrum availability within a give area is disclosed. The given area includes cells in a grid. A belief evaluator receives a measurement from a signal and assigns an instantaneous belief indicator, an instantaneous disbelief indicator and an instantaneous ignorance indicator based on a detection threshold and the power level of the measurement. The indicators quantify the probability of a presence of a transmitter within the grid cell. A belief accumulator uses the instantaneous indicators along with accumulated belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators from previous measurements to determine cumulative belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators. The accumulated belief, disbelief and ignorance indicators are the results of previous measurements and belief/disbelief/ignorance determinations for the grid cell. An allocator indicates the status of the grid cell and whether a spectrum is available. If a spectrum is available, then the grid cell is added to other available cells within the area to generate the spectrum hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to wireless networks that provide communication services between transmitters and transceivers. More particularly, the present invention relates to determining and using the spectrum availability based on the presence or absence of signals to reallocate power to enable services at the transceivers that do not interfere with existing transmissions.
2. Background of the Related Art
Wireless communications between varieties of devices is increasing. Frequency allocation of the radio spectrum, location of transmitters and devices and other factors impact the availability of a communication service, especially when trying to avoid interference with existing networks and transmitters. A service, for example, may be defined as transmit or receive actions using a wireless device. A telephone call, downloading files, text messaging, and the like are all examples of services that may be initiated if the spectrum is available.
Thus, instances may exist where one wishes to transmit at a certain power level within an available portion of the spectrum that is not being used within a certain geographical region. This portion, also referred to as a geographical spectrum hole, is sensed and discovered using algorithms and measurements. Thus, if a spectrum hole is determined, then a node, or transceiver, can transmit or receive communications in the unused portion of the spectrum.
In wireless networking, the radio spectrum is shared dynamically over time between primary networks and nodes. Certain nodes are referred to as next generation, or XG, nodes. Each node is equipped with the sensing and discovery algorithms to delimit the geographical regions with unused spectrum, or the spectrum holes. Spectrum sharing behaviors include protocols or schemes employed by a transceiver to select transmission channels and power levels to avoid causing significant interference to primary networks or existing and non-cooperative (NC) users. Depending on the scenario, different types of dynamic spectrum sharing behaviors may be used by the transceiver.
For example, single node behaviors use spectrum occupancy measurements made by a single transceiver to determine if a channel can be used by the transceiver without causing significant interference with existing networks. One such process is referred to as Listen-Before-Talk (LBT). LBT causes the transceiver to abandon a channel and move to a different one if a received measurement is above a threshold, which may be referred to as a positive reading. The LBT process on an XG node uses an algorithm that integrates power within a particular frequency band over a short-time interval, or listening period.
If the received measurement includes signal power below the detection threshold, then a negative reading is noted by the LBT process. A negative reading indicates that a spectrum hole may exist for the listened channel. Thus, the transceiver is able to transmit at a conservative power level for a short period of time, or a transmitting period. The spectrum hole of the LBT process implies a circular spectrum hole centered at the measurement location with a radius approximately equal to a distance percentile, or α, where α is less than 1%. The distance percentile, or α, can be determined in several ways known in the art, such as using a model, using simulations or through real testing measurements.
The LBT process, however, fails to keep track of the spectrum holes discovered with past measurements. The LBT process discards the measurements after they are analyzed. Thus, the spectrum hole remains constant and changes its location along the movement trajectory to the positions where the measurements are taken. Further, the spectrum availability determination is limited to the area of that spectrum hole. This area, depending on transmit power and other factors, may not be large or reliable enough to provide an appropriate listening period to determine the presence of a NC transmitter. In addition, interference may occur as the transceiver moves its location after the initial LBT determination is made.

Method and system for determining spectrum availability within a network


A laser processing method processes spots on an object in a scan area with a laser beam emitted from a laser emitter. The method includes steps of covering the scan area in such a way as to transmit the laser beam and define a closed space over the scan area, jetting an inert gas into the closed space so that the jetted inert gas forms a gas curtain sweeping along the scan area in the closed space, and discharging the inert gas from the closed space while maintaining a positive pressure in the closed space, thereby removing plumes from the spots processed with the laser beam and preventing the spots from oxidizing. The method is capable of stably laser-processing the object without changing the color of the processed spots.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laser processing method and a laser processing apparatus for processing very thin plate materials with laser beams.
2. Description of Related Art
Hard disk drives are improving in compactness, capacity and speed. To keep with this, head suspensions installed in the hard disk drives to support read/write elements are required to be compact, deal with high-density disks, operate at high speed, and reduce weight.
Reducing the weight of the head suspensions will be realized by thinning parts of the head suspensions. For this, foil-like materials of 10 to 15 μm thick are frequently used to produce the head suspensions.
In order to join such thin plate materials to each other, laser welding is used. The laser welding must be carried out with stabilized low output power to form nuggets for the thin plate materials. The nugget's diameter is dependent on the thicknesses of plate materials to be welded and is about 100 to 250 μm on the surface of the welded materials.
When laser-welding materials at multiple spots, a related art moves the materials or a laser emitter relative to the other so that a laser beam from the emitter is focused on a welding spot on the materials. Another related art employs a galvano-scanner or a galvano-mirror to focus a laser beam emitted from a laser emitter on a welding spot on the materials to be welded without moving the laser emitter or the materials, thereby speedily welding the materials at multiple spots and improving productivity.
The related arts, however, have a problem of causing plumes during the formation of nuggets, to destabilize the welding operation and fluctuate nugget diameters.
To solve this problem, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. H03-234390 ('390 reference) discloses a technique of jetting an inert gas from a nozzle horizontally toward a welding part, to blow plumes out of the welding part.
The technique of the '390 reference is inapplicable to the galvano-scanner that discontinuously scans welding spots one after another at high speed on a material such as a head suspension because the technique is hard to synchronize the movement of the inert-gas-jetting nozzle with the high-speed movement of the galvano-scanner. Namely, it is difficult for the technique of the '390 reference to effectively jet the inert gas horizontally to each welding spot. Accordingly, the related art is incapable of stabilizing nugget diameters.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-251486 ('486 reference) discloses another technique that blows plumes out of a scan area.
This technique employs the galvano-scanner to guide a pulse laser beam through an fθ lens vertically to a welding spot on an object and accurately form a through hole or a via hole in the object. During the laser processing, the technique of the '486 reference horizontally jets a gas to blow plumes out of an entire scan area of the object that contains multiple spots to be laser-processed one after another.
According to the '486 reference, the scan area is open and the gas jetted to the scan area is drawn with a dust collecting nozzle. This related art gives no consideration on oxidization of the material to be laser-processed. If laser output power is adjustable, the related art may be applicable to welding thin plates instead of forming through holes or via holes in materials. The related art, however, is inapplicable to a product that allows no color change at welded spots, such as a head suspension because the related art has the oxidization problem.


An apparatus includes a video encoder, a camera and radio frequency modulation circuitry. The radio frequency modulation circuitry is operative to modulate a radar signal to include video data. A radar transmitter is operatively coupled to the radio frequency modulation circuitry, and is operative to transmit a radar signal including the video data. The apparatus may also include radio frequency demodulation circuitry and a video decoder. The video decoder is operative to decode video data contained in a radar signal demodulated by the radio frequency demodulation circuitry. An inter-vehicle alert system controls the camera to initiate capturing video data which includes the video data. A method of operation modulates a radar signal to include at least a portion of the video data captured in response to detecting an obstruction, and transmits the radar signal to a second vehicle via an antenna array oriented at the moving vehicle's rear.

Automobiles are more frequently incorporating anti-collision systems that utilize radio detection and ranging (radar) technology to detect obstructions at the front and possibly also at the sides and rear of a moving vehicle. The anti-collision systems may provide warnings to the vehicle driver or may take an active role in applying the vehicle brakes or adjusting the vehicle speed to avoid collisions.
Such vehicle radar systems in the United States may operate within frequency bands such as 46.7-46.9 GHz or 76.0-77.0 GHz per Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations for field disturbance sensors used as vehicle radar systems. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) also provides recommendations for radio requirement aspects of "advanced vehicle control systems" which includes automotive radar as one such control system. In traffic, although such systems may provide warnings that a vehicle in front is getting too close, or is slowing down, such systems do not provide any information for obstructions that may be located one or more vehicles ahead and possibly around a curve in the road.

Inter-vehicle alert system with nagable video look ahead


Allocation of a wireless communications system channel resource is managed by utilizing traffic segment allocation. This is realized by partitioning the channel resource into an assignment channel and a traffic channel in a fixed manner. The assignment channel includes assignment segments and the traffic channel includes traffic segments. The traffic segment is the basic traffic channel resource unit used to transport traffic data and has a prescribed finite time interval and bandwidth. Each traffic segment is associated with a so-called assignment segment in a prescribed manner. One or more traffic segments may be associated with a particular assignment segment. A base station broadcasts via an assignment segment which wireless terminal is to use a particular traffic segment. This is realized by transmitting a simply identifier for the particular wireless terminal assigned to the particular traffic segment in the assignment segment. Then, each active wireless terminal monitors all of the received assignment segments to detect any traffic channel assignments. Once a wireless terminal detects its identifier in an assignment segment, it proceeds to receive/transmit the traffic data in the traffic segment associated with the assignment segment including the detected identifier.

In a wireless multiple access communication system, the wireless traffic channel resource, e.g., bandwidth and time interval, is shared by all the wireless terminals, i.e., mobile units, in a particular cell. Efficient allocation of this traffic channel resource is very important, as it directly impacts the utilization of the traffic channel resource and the quality of service perceived by individual wireless terminal users. One such wireless communications system is the Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) based Spread Spectrum Multiple Access system.
In a traditional wireless system, the traffic channel resource is managed by use of rate allocation. In particular, a dedicated control channel is typically established between a base station and a particular wireless terminal. The base station then allocates to the wireless terminal a traffic channel having a prescribed transmission rate through control message exchange on the dedicated control channel. Once the transmission rate allocation is completed, the wireless terminal may use the allocated traffic channel for an indefinite duration. When the traffic requirement changes, the base station and the wireless terminal change the transmission rate of the traffic channel again through control message exchange. A problem with this control message based transmission rate allocation arrangement is that in general the control message exchange can take quite a significant amount of time to complete and, consequently, the traffic channel resource allocation process may be quite inefficient. Specifically, assume that control message exchange takes time T to be completed. Suppose that a traffic channel has already been assigned to a wireless terminal. Further assume that there is some idle interval during which the assigned wireless terminal has no traffic to be transmitted. Then, it is impossible to allow another wireless terminal to utilize the traffic channel resource in the idle interval that is less than T, thereby resulting in under utilization of the traffic channel resource. In another example, assume that "low" priority traffic has been transmitted for one wireless terminal, then when "high" priority traffic arrives for another wireless terminal, the base station has to change the traffic channel resource allocation from the wireless terminal having the low priority traffic to the wireless terminal having the arriving high priority traffic. Exchanging control messages to realize the required traffic channel allocation change introduces latency in transmission and/or reception of the high priority traffic, which is extremely undesirable.

Apparatus and method for use in allocating a channel resource in wireless multiple access communications systems


A system and method for setting the activation state of electronic article surveillance markers, tags, and labels being transported on a conveyor system is provided. The system includes a pair of electromagnetic transmitting coils mountable on opposite sides of a conventional conveyor section, an electronic controller, and can include a remote external controller for manual operation. The electromagnetic transmitting coils are mounted within sensor housings that include one or more sensors to automatically sense an article traveling on the conveyor system and trigger the transmission of preselected activation or deactivation electromagnetic pulses when the article is in the proper location. The system can include an inhibiting sensor input to prevent the automatic transmission of an activation/deactivation pulse for specific preselected articles. The system includes a logic scheme to preselect and shape the activation or deactivation electromagnetic pulse.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to activation and deactivation of electronic article surveillance markers, tags, and/or labels used for triggering electronic article surveillance systems. More particularly, the invention relates to selective activation or deactivation of electronic article surveillance markers moving along a conveyor, such as in a manufacturing or distribution environment.
2. Description of Related Art
Inventory shrinkage, or loss of inventory due to theft and pilferage, is a substantial problem in the retail industry. Costs associated with inventory shrinkage can be significant for the retailer, and are often passed along to the consumer resulting in higher prices to the general public. In addition, some businesses may experience a loss of capital equipment due to employee theft. Several technical solutions have been implemented in the retail and other industries to reduce inventory shrinkage and loss of capital equipment. One solution involves attaching a tag, marker, or label (referred to herein as marker) to the retail or other article which, when brought into the vicinity of prepositioned sensors, triggers an electronic article surveillance (EAS) system which alerts store or security personnel.
Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems and associated markers are known in the art, and encompass several different yet related technologies used to sense the markers that trigger the systems. Active markers typically react to an electromagnetic interrogation signal in a manner that is clearly recognized by the system's receiver(s). The EAS system's transmit and receive sensors are placed in preselected locations, generally at the store's exits to prevent the unauthorized removal of articles.
The EAS markers can be attached to products and articles by conventional methods such as fasteners, adhesives, hang tags and the like. Once an active marker is attached to an article, when the article passes through the EAS sensors near the business or retail store's exit, the marker is immediately identified by the EAS system. When an active EAS marker is identified by the EAS system, store or security personnel can be automatically alerted, normally by sounding an audible alarm signal.
In a retail environment, if the article is being purchased, the cashier removes, or deactivates the marker. Deactivated markers are not identified by the EAS system when brought into the vicinity of the EAS sensors. Thus, when carried out of the store, purchased articles having attached deactivated markers will not trigger the EAS system.
One example of a particularly well suited marker for use in electronic article surveillance systems as described above is the magnetomechanical marker disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,489, issued to Philip M. Anderson, III et al. (the '489 patent), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The marker of the '489 patent produces a specific signal characteristic when exposed to a magnetic field. The marker is adapted to resonate mechanically at a frequency within the range of the incident magnetic field. The marker includes a magnetostrictive material and ferromagnetic element that are positioned adjacent each other such that, when the ferromagnetic element is magnetized, the magnetostrictive material is biased to resonate at a specific frequency. When the ferromagnetic material of the marker is magnetized, the marker is said to be armed or activated. When an armed marker is placed in the magnetic field generated by the EAS system's interrogation sensor(s) it resonates at the expected frequency and is identified by the system's receive sensor(s) as disclosed in the '489 patent.
The markers of the '489 patent are activated by magnetizing the ferromagnetic elements of the markers by exposing the markers to a magnetization field. The magnetization field can be a DC generated magnetic pulse. Deactivation is accomplished by demagnetization of the ferromagnetic elements by exposure to a degaussing field or exposure to a magnetic field that changes the magnetic bias such that the resonant frequency of the marker is shifted outside the range of the interrogation magnetic field and the receive sensors.
Other EAS systems use markers that include tunable electronic circuits such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,608,379 issued to Narlow et al., and as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,059,951 issued to Kaltner.
Typically, active markers are shipped to the retailer and attached to articles at the point-of-sale in the retail environment in conventional manner as discussed herein above. A deactivation system is available to retail cashiers so markers can be deactivated upon purchase of the attached article.
More recently, attaching markers to articles at the point-of-manufacturing or distribution has been introduced as a desirable alternative to point-of-sale attachment. In point-of-manufacturing, commonly called "source tagging", markers are attached to articles during the assembly or packaging process before being shipped to the ultimate retail business establishment. Alternately, source tagging can include activation or deactivation of markers at distribution centers.
In source tagging, the manufacturer or distributer may attach an active marker on all products assembled or packaged in an automated assembly line. However, the manufacturer, or distributer, may not want all the products to be shipped with an active marker attached. For example, the manufacturer may sell some of the products to retailers that do not have an EAS system. If the retailer sells the product without deactivating the marker, which was incorporated during manufacturing, that article could be carried to a store having an EAS system and inadvertently alert the EAS alarm.
Therefore, manufacturing and/or distribution facilities desire the ability to selectively activate or deactivate the EAS markers at one location. Manufacturers and distributors also desire to activate or deactivate the markers in an automated assembly line to prevent delays and disruption in the flow of products.
In addition, the manufacturer or distributer may sell certain products that could be damaged by electromagnetic activation or deactivation fields. The manufacturer or distributer should be able to control the activation/deactivation system to prevent damage to certain products. Moreover, there exists a need for EAS marker manufacturers to activate markers in bulk, preferably while the markers are being transported along a conveyor system prior to shipment to users.
Conventionally, activation and deactivation of EAS markers has been accomplished by separate devices in separate locations. Normally, marker activation was performed by the marker manufacturer and deactivation by the retailer. Accordingly, source tagging creates the need for selective activation and deactivation in one location by the manufacturer or distributer in a dynamic environment that is adaptable to assembly line or conveyor systems. The instant invention addresses these needs as described herein.

Activation/deactivation system and method for electronic article surveillance markers for use on a conveyor


In a strip-shaped mould for producing surface materials, in particular surfaces of melamine resin in the production of laminate panels, with a structured surface, a flexible strip (10) of paper or foil is provided with a layer (12) having a separating action in relation to the surface material, with the formation of slightly cross-linked regions, and a three dimensional shaped structure consisting of UV-hardening printing inks is applied thereto.

The invention concerns a strip-shaped mould for producing surface materialsxe2x80x94in particular surfaces of melamine resin in the production of laminated panels or synthetic resin-covered chipboard panelsxe2x80x94with a structured surface. The invention also concerns a method of producing such a mould.
The production of for example laminate panels in continuously operating presses usually involves employing structured pressing plates or pressing belts with which those surface materials can be provided with a structure. Smooth and structured separating papers are also used, the structure of which is impressed into the paper or whose separating coating is applied by a structured roller.
In recognition of those aspects, the inventor set himself the aim of simplifying the shaping procedure and in particular affording a mould of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which can be easily and inexpensively produced and handled.
In accordance with the invention the mould is a flexible strip or web of paper or foil with a layer which is separating in relation to the respective surface material and which is incompletely irradiation-cross-linked. A three-dimensional shaped structure of UV-hardening printing inks is applied to that separating layer. By virtue of that incomplete cross-linking, it is possible for the applied printing inks to be joined directly to the flexible strip and for the entire composite then to be hardened.
In contrast to the state of the art, it is possible in this case for the structure to be applied to a smooth, incompletely hardened coating in a simple manner using rollers which in comparison are inexpensive and which are engraved in the appropriate fashion.
In a preferred embodiment the separating layer is made from a lacquer which has a separating action in relation to melamine resin; that mould can then be readily used for structuring manufactured laminate panels of melamine resins.
The invention also embraces a method in which the flexible strip of paper foil is coated with a separating lacquer and the latter is incompletely irradiation-cross-linked, whereupon the composite strip produced in that way is printed with UV-hardening printing inks in a structured surface and the composite is hardened with high-dose electrons.
In accordance with a further feature of the invention the printing inks are preferably hardened with UV-light.
It has also proven advantageous to apply 6 g of separating EBH-lacquer xe2x80x94electron beam-hardenablexe2x80x94to a paper which is coated in one stagexe2x80x94for example weighing 70 g/m2xe2x80x94and then to produce a structure which is about 10 micrometers high from the printing inks.
In order to achieve simple colouring of the surface material, the raised structure can be enriched with dyes which are sublimated into the surface material during the pressing operation which is implemented in the press.

Strip-shaped mould cavity for producing surfacing materials and method for producing a mould cavity of this type

WKP Wurttembergische Kunststoffplatten-Werke GmbH and Co. KG


A firearm configuration composed of a multiplicity of elements which can be assembled into a compact interlocked mutually connected closed configuration for storage, and released and reassembled in an operable configuration to provide a complete operable firearm including a forearm/barrel assembly, upper and lower receiver assemblies, a stock, a bolt assembly, a grip assembly, a magazine assembly, a trigger assembly, and a trigger guard assembly each with special operational and storage features.

The present invention relates to firearms and more particularly relates to self storing firearm devices including several assemblies of individual elements of the firearm where the assemblies can be locked together to provide a storage configuration.
Collapsible folding guns are known in the art as illustrated by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,625,621 and 1,779,770 which teach arrangements where the elements are not separable but are pivotably connected for assembly and storage.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,608,909 and 2,447,091 teach arrangements which provide interchangeable barrels and U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,384 teaches a folding stock for a firearm but these references and similar other references do not teach arrangements to reassemble the elements into a compact stored configuration.
Other references such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 518,950, 3,751,841, 2,958,974, and 2,610,426 teach examples of takedown of disassembly means for firearms but again do not teach arrangements where the elements can be reassembled in another configuration for storage. Again the references do not teach arrangements where the elements are capable of mutual interconnecting to provide a stored firearm.
In general no prior art assembly is known which provides the advantages of devices within the scope of the present invention where the firearm is composed of a number of separable elements some of which can be interconnected to form storage configurations then the storage configurations can be assembled into the storage configuration and the elements disconnected and reassembled to operable configuration. Moreover, while the prior art does provide references which teach devices for allowing ejection of shells from either side of the firearm so the firearm can be used ambidextrously, conversion requires the availability of additional replacement parts. No prior art reference teaches or even suggests the features provided by the present invention for a firearm which allows ambidextrous use.