A signal processing device, even when a steep difference in DC level is included in a signal read from a disc such as a DVD-RAM format, cuts off the DC level and pulls the read signal into an appropriate A/D input level. A steep difference in DC level between a data section and a CAPA section is absorbed by a first offset unit, and an asymmetry which occurs due to variations in the disc manufacturing stage is corrected by a second offset unit. Further, a control signal for operating the two offset units exclusively is generated by a controller, thereby controlling both offset units.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a signal processing device which analog-to-digital converts data recorded on an information recording medium to reproduce the data. More particularly, the invention relates to an improvement of a technique for adjusting a DC voltage of an analog signal in order to efficiently use an input dynamic range of an A/D converter.
2. Background Art
While an analog signal processing IC and a digital signal processing LSI have conventionally been configured in different chips, approaches for reducing circuit scale, footprint, and external parts by integrating these ICs in one chip have been made. Further, a cost-down effect due to semiconductor process shrinkage can be easily obtained by promoting digitization of analog signal processing circuits.
With these approaches, the conventional signal processing circuit is required to perform efficient analog-to-digital conversion in a unit for converting an analog signal into a digital signal (hereinafter referred to as A/D conversion), that is, to covert an analog signal into a digital signal with the maximum amplitude, within an input dynamic range of an A/D converter.
As an example of such conventional art, one disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been known.
FIG. 2 shows the conventional signal processing device disclosed in Patent Document 1, which is arbitrarily modified to facilitate the explanation.
The conventional signal processing device comprises, for example, a high-pass filter 8 which cuts off a low-frequency component included in an input signal that is reproduced from an information recording medium to remove a DC offset from the reproduced signal, a variable gain amplifier 9 which gives a gain according to an input gain control signal to the reproduced signal from which the DC offset has been removed by the high-pass filter 8, an equalizer 10 which receives an output of the variable gain amplifier 9 and performs waveform equalization, an offset unit 11 which receives an output of the equalizer 10 and gives a DC offset according to an input offset control signal to the input signal, an A/D converter 3 which receives an output of the offset unit 11 and performs analog-to-digital conversion, a peak detector 4 which performs peak detection from sampling data obtained by the A/D converter 3, a bottom detector 5 which performs bottom detection from the sampling data obtained by the A/D converter 3, an amplitude detector 12 which calculates amplitude information in the input signal to the A/D converter 3 from the detected peak value and the detected bottom value, an offset detector 6 which calculates offset information in the input signal to the A/D converter 3 from the detected peak value and the detected bottom value, a gain controller 14 which controls the variable gain amplifier 9 to make the input amplitude of the A/D converter 3 constant, based on the amplitude information obtained by the amplitude detector 12, and an offset controller 13 which controls the offset unit 11 to make the input offset of the A/D converter 3 constant, based on the offset information obtained by the offset detector 6.
Next, the operation will be described. For example, a signal recorded in an information recording medium such as an optical disc is reproduced by a reproduction means such as an optical pickup. A low-frequency component is removed from the reproduced by the high-pass filter 8, and the resultant signal is output to the variable gain amplifier 9.
The variable gain amplifier 9 is controlled to make the input amplitude of the A/D converter 3 constant, and gives the controlled gain to the input signal from the high-pass filter 8. The equalizer 10 performs equalization to the output signal from the variable gain amplifier 9.
The offset unit 11 is controlled to make the input offset of the A/D converter 3 constant, and gives the controlled offset to the input signal from the equalizer 10.
The A/D converter 3 converts the output signal of the offset unit 11 from an analog signal to a digital signal. The peak detector 4 detects a peak of the output signal from the A/D converter 3, and the bottom detector 5 detects a bottom of the output signal from the A/D converter 3.
The amplitude detector 12 calculates amplitude information of the input signal to the A/D converter 3 from the signals detected by the peak detector 4 and the bottom detector 5, thereby to detect the amplitude information. The gain controller 14 controls the gain to be given by the variable gain amplifier 9 so as to make the input amplitude of the A/D converter 3 constant, based on the amplitude information detected by the amplitude detector 12.
The offset detector 6 calculates offset information of the input signal to the A/D converter 3 from the signals detected by the peak detector 4 and the bottom detector 5, thereby to detect the offset information. The offset controller 13 controls the offset to be given by the offset controller 13 so as to make the input offset of the A/D converter 3 constant, based on the offset information detected by the offset detector 6.
The function of the equalizer 10 will be described in more detail. When reproducing a high-density recorded optical medium or the like, the signal amplitudes of relatively short recording marks are reduced due to optical frequency characteristics. Therefore, the equalizer 10 boosts up this frequency band to improve the SNR (Signal to Noise Ratio) of the signal.
Next, the function of the offset unit 11 will be described in more detail. Although the input signal to the high-pass filter 8 becomes DC free after passing through the high-pass filter 8, if the recording marks are formed larger or smaller than their proper lengths due to variations in the manufacturing stage of the information recording medium, the ratio between the "H" section and "L" section of the signal deviates from 50:50, and this deviation causes a phenomenon that the average DC level of the reproduced signal deviates from the center position between the upper and lower peaks of the reproduced signal. This phenomenon frequently occurs when the recording condition is not appropriate, and it is generally called "asymmetry".
When the reproduced signal having such asymmetry passes through the high-pass filter 8, its DC component is cut off, and a DC offset occurs in the input signal to the A/D converter 3 as shown in FIG. 3. As the DC offset increases, the reproduced signal waveform might exceed the input dynamic range of the A/D converter 3, which causes a problem that a portion of the waveform is lost and thereby correct A/D conversion cannot be performed. In the conventional configuration shown in FIG. 2, the offset unit 11 is placed behind the high-pass filter 8 to provide a control loop for controlling the offset unit 11 by the offset controller 13. Thereby, even when a reproduced signal having an asymmetry is inputted, this reproduced signal can be efficiently included in the input dynamic range of the A/D converter 3.
Next, a format of a DVD-RAM which is a kind of an optical disc will be described.
As a physical format of the DVD-RAM, a wobble land/groove system is adopted. The wobble land/groove system is, as shown in FIG. 4, a system of recording marks in a convex groove track 15 and a concave land track 16 which are recorded on the surface of the optical disc, viewed from the side to which laser light is applied.
The groove track 15 and the land track 16 are separated into units called sectors, and a header region 17 is formed at the beginning of each sector. In this header region 17, sector address information has been recorded in the form of a pit sequence at the time of manufacture. Therefore, in the wobble land/groove system, detection of the sector address can be performed by reading the pit sequence in the header region 17.
In the header region 17, the pit sequence is divided into two parts in the track direction, and the respective pit sequences are arranged in the form called CAPA (Complementary Allocated Pit Address), i.e., arranged so as to be offset at an interval that is half the track width (pitch), alternately in the radial direction of the optical disc, with respect to the respective tracks.
By the way, as a conventional art for reproducing a information recording medium having a format such as the DVD-RAM format, one disclosed in Patent Document 2 has been known.
FIG. 5 shows a front-end part of a conventional optical disc reproducing apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 2. To be specific, reading of recorded data from an optical disc 18 is performed by an optical disc 20 with the optical disc 18 being rotated by a spindle motor 19. Initially, in the optical head 20, laser light emitted from a laser diode 20a travels straight through a beam splitter 20b to be applied onto the recording surface of the optical disc 18 via an objective lens 20c. When the laser light reflected from the optical disc 18 travels backward to reach the beam splitter 20b via the objective lens 20c, it is reflected by the beam splitter 20b at about a right angle to the advancing direction to be received by a photodetector 20d.
The light-receiving area of the photodetector 20d is divided into two parts along each of the radial direction and the tangential direction with respect to the track sequence on the optical disc 18, i.e., it is divided into four light-receiving areas. Electrical signals obtained from the four light-receiving areas of the photodetector 20d are converted from current signals into voltage signals by I/V conversion amplifiers 21a, 21b, 21c, and 21d, respectively, and then level-added by an adder 22 to produce a sum signal.
In this sum signal, as shown in FIG. 6(b), the DC level obtained in the header field 17 is higher than the DC level obtained in the data field.
The reason why the DC level of the sum signal in the data field is low is because there is a difference in height between the groove track 15 and the land track 16, and when the reflected lights from the both tracks are mixed, the lights having different phases to the wavelength interfere with each other to weaken each other.
Therefore, in the optical disc device, the sum signal outputted from the adder 22 is passed through the high-pass filter 8 to cut off the DC component in the sum signal, thereby to absorb the difference in the DC level between the header region 17 and the data region 23. The sum signal from which the DC level difference has been removed by the high-pass filter 8 is input to the variable gain amplifier 9 shown in FIG. 2.
By the way, the time constant of the operation of the high-pass filter 8 must be set short in order to rapidly absorb the DC level of the sum signal, at the timing when the DC level of the sum signal is changed, i.e., at the timing when the sum signal in the data region is changed to that in the header region or when the sum signal in the header region is changed to that in the data region.
On the other hand, when the time constant of the operation of the high-pass filter 8 is set short, there may occur a drawback that the low-frequency component of the input data has a distortion.
Therefore, in the optical disc device, the sum signal is supplied to a pull-in pulse generation circuit 24 shown in FIG. 5, and as shown in FIG. 6(b), a pull-in pulse which becomes H level for a predetermined period is generated at the timing when the DC level of the sum signal is changed to be supplied to the high-pass filter 8. The high-pass filter 8 is switched between the state where the time constant of its operation is short and the state where it is long, for the H level section and the L level section of the pull-in pulse, respectively.
Thereby, as shown in FIG. 6(c), the high-pass filter 8 can rapidly pull the sum signal after the DC level change into the state where the DC level is cut off, and can prevent the pulled-in sum signal from having a distortion.
A configuration example of the high-pass filter 8 is shown in FIG. 7.
The high-pass filter 8 has capacitors 28 and 29 between an LSI terminal 25 and LSI terminals 26 and 27, respectively, and thus the high-pass filter 80 is configured by the capacitor 28 or the capacitor 29 and a resistor 30 inside the LSI. Selection of the capacitor 28 or 29 to be connected is performed by providing analog switches 31 and 32 in the LSI, and switching the capacitors 28 and 29 according to a control signal from the pull-in pulse generator 24 so that one of the capacitors is turned on while the other is turned off.
The required cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter 8 is several tens Hz in the data region, and it must be set at several hundreds kHz in order to absorb a DC difference in the header region, and therefore, it is necessary to switch the cutoff frequency in the order of about 10000 times.
As another method of switching the cutoff frequency, switching of the resistance value can be considered. However, when using the resistor in the LSI, it is difficult to accurately produce a pair of resistors having a resistance value of about 10000 times. Further, since it is also difficult to produce a pair of capacitors having a capacitance value of 10000 times, it is necessary to adopt a configuration which enables switching of the capacitance value using a capacitor externally attached to the LSI as shown in FIG. 7, or a configuration which enables switching of the resistance value using an external resistor.    Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 03/077248    Patent Document 2: Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2000-182239
FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the relation between the semiconductor process rule and the ratio of the pad area to the chip area. A pad is an electrode onto which a wire 33 is bonded when a terminal of an LSI is connected to a lead frame by the wire. As shown in FIG. 9, an end of a lead frame 34 is a portion to be a terminal of the LSI, and an electrode existing on the periphery of a semiconductor chip 35 is a pad 36. The LSI is completed by sealing the external surface of the LSI with a resin, and then cutting the terminal portions.
As shown in FIG. 8, when semiconductor chips of the same circuit scale are assumed, the areas of pads in the chips must be equal to each other regardless of the process rule. Accordingly, when the chips are equipped with circuits of the same function, the ratio of the pad area to the chip area is increased as the process rule is decreased, resulting in a disadvantage costwise.
FIG. 10 is a rough schematic diagram of the chip. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 37 denotes an actual circuit part, and reference numeral 36 denotes pads.
In FIG. 10, the semiconductor chip size depends on the number of pads, and the effect of process shrinkage cannot be exerted. That is, when shrinkage of the semiconductor process rule is further advanced hereafter, a reduction in the number of terminals will be an important challenge.
By the way, as shown in FIG. 7, the conventional high-pass filter 8 for absorbing a difference in DC voltage in the input signal requires three terminals.
Further, when the reproduced signal is transferred by a differential transfer method to improve the S/N characteristics, six terminals are required in the conventional art, and the number of terminals will be further increased.
The present invention is made to solve the above-described problems and has for its object to provide a signal processing device which can absorb a difference in DC component between reproduced signals in different reproduction sections by effectively performing an offset control, without using the method of switching the time constant of a high-pass filter to absorb a steep DC difference.


The present disclosure provides a light bar, a method for fabricating the same, and a display apparatus, in the field of display technologies. The method includes: fabricating a plurality of light emitting units; determining a target group of light emitting units in the plurality of light emitting units based on luminescent characteristics of the plurality of light emitting units, the target group of light emitting units including a portion of light emitting units in the plurality of light emitting units; and disposing at least two light emitting units in the target group of light emitting units on a printed circuit board to obtain the light bar.

With the development of science and technology, display apparatuses are more and more widely used. A display apparatus includes a backlight module, which includes a light bar.
A light bar includes a printed circuit board, a plurality of light beads disposed on the printed circuit board, and a fluorescent film covering the plurality of light beads. Where the light bar needs to be controlled to emit light, power may be applied by the printed circuit board to the plurality of light beads such that the plurality of light beads emit light to the fluorescent film, and hence the fluorescent film is excited to emit light to the light bar.

Light bar, method for fabricating same, and display apparatus

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD


This invention involves encapsulating an RFID device in an encapsulating material by known encapsulating processes to form a domed, encapsulated RFID tag. The encapsulating material may be translucent or opaque, flexible or hard, and has minimal effect on transmission or reception of radio frequency (RF) signals. The invention further involves a stand-off bracket, composed of one or more materials that have minimal effect on transmission or reception of RF signals, for mounting an RFID device on or near materials that impede RF transmission and reception. The encapsulated RFID tag and stand-off bracket, separately, may have an adhesive or other attachment means on one of their surfaces so that they may be adhered or otherwise attached to another surface. In one application, an encapsulated RFID tag in the 860-928 MHz range is mounted on a stand-off bracket and may be used for tracking items to which it is attached.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to radio frequency identification (RFID) devices and, more particularly, to the encapsulation and mounting of RFID devices. Specifically, the present invention relates to the domed encapsulation of RFID transponders and their mounting on surfaces that impede radio frequency (RF) transmissions.
2. Description of Related Art
Radio frequency identification (RFID) is an information acquisition technology. RFID systems are generally designed to manage assets of many types. RFID systems are generally comprised of transponders (a/k/a "tags"), a transmitter to provide energy to the tags, a receiver to receive transmissions from the transponders, and a computer system to process the received information. The transmitter and receiver may be combined into a single device often referred to as an interrogator or reader. Typically a small RFID tag is attached to the asset so that either the asset's presence at a certain location can be detected or the asset can be identified by the response of the tag to the interrogation either by hand-held interrogators or fixed-site interrogators that are encountered in the course of asset movement. The failure to detect an expected RFID signal may also be used as an indicator.
RFID transponders may be exposed to a variety of harsh environments during the course of their use. For this reason, tags must be tolerant of many hostile chemicals, abrasives, weather conditions and mechanical stresses. Although RFID devices generally are packaged in a plastic housing, these housings may lack sufficient properties to withstand harsh environments for prolonged periods.
Encapsulation of art images and advertising materials is a well-known process in the formation of domed labels. A process known as "domed encapsulation" provides an encapsulating material over a substrate on which artwork or advertising is placed. Generally, the encapsulating material is translucent, though in some instances it may be colored, tinted, or otherwise opaque. The encapsulating material makes the underlying art or advertisement stand out with a three-dimensional "wet" look and protects the artwork. Generally, the encapsulating material is comprised of an epoxy for an application where flexibility is not a requirement, or polyurethane where more flexibility is needed. Generally, the doming process depends on surface tension to form a bubble of the encapsulating material on an item being decorated without going off the edge of the item. The encapsulating material is applied to the substrate and, if required, then exposed to a hardening or curing process, such as exposure to ultra-violet light or heat. Known uses of the encapsulating process are the creation of identification, advertising and artwork used on automobiles, computers and computer cases, name badges and lapel pins.
RFID devices are commonly used on or near a number of surface materials. Some of these surfaces that are comprised of materials such as, for example, various metals, impede or block the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) signals by the RFID devices. In other instances, materials proximate to the surface on which the RFID device is mounted may impede the transmission and reception of RF signals by the RFID device. An example would be a glass or plastic container holding a fluid that interferes with the transmission and reception of RF signals by an RFID device mounted on or within the container.
Therefore, a method and apparatus are needed to overcome challenges associated with the use of RFID devices, some of which are given above, including protecting RFID devices through encapsulation, overlaying the devices with images, and mounting the devices so that their reception and transmission of RF signals is not impeded.

Device and method for encapsulation and mounting of RFID devices


The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, comprising a carrier, at least one cleaning roller rotatably supported at the carrier, and a rotary drive for the cleaning roller, wherein the rotary drive is designed as a fluid drive, wherein the flow of a cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning roller for cleaning purposes is converted into a drive movement for the cleaning roller.

Such cleaning apparatus are generally known, with an electric drive being provided to set the cleaning roller into rotation. The costs and inherent weight of such an apparatus are, however, relatively high so that they are basically not particularly suitable either for private households or for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, which are as a rule inclined, on building roofs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


An apparatus comprises an emissions trap and a transfer function device. The transfer function device is configured to determine a transfer function of the emissions trap wherein the transfer function is representative of loading of the emissions trap. An associated method is disclosed.

Emissions traps are used to trap and thus remove emissions from exhaust gas to reduce discharge of emissions to the atmosphere. From time to time, emissions traps are "regenerated." During such regeneration events, emissions trapped by an emissions trap are purged therefrom for further use of the emissions trap.
A particulate filter is one type of emissions trap. A particulate filter is used to trap and thus remove soot from exhaust gas. It is regenerated by burning off the particulate filter thereby.
A NOx trap is another type of emissions trap. A NOx trap is used to trap and thus remove NOx (i.e., oxides of nitrogen) from exhaust gas when the exhaust gas is relatively lean (i.e., has excess oxygen). The NOx trap is regenerated in the presence of a NOx-reducing agent [e.g., fuel, hydrogen (H2), carbon monoxide].

Method and apparatus for determining loading of an emissions trap by use of transfer function analysis


The input signal of one of the plural channels is converted by a converting circuit into frequency components which are separated into tonal components and noise components in a signal comment separating circuit. The tonal components and the signal components are encoded by a tonal component encoding circuit and a noise component encoding circuit, respectively. The amount of bytes allocated to the noise components in the respective channels is determined by a byte allocation circuit based upon time changes of the sum of the scale factors of the respective channels.

This invention relates to a low bit rate encoder and a low bit rate encoding method for compression-encoding audio signals of multi-channel system, a low bit rate decoder and a low bit rate decoding method for decoding compression-coded signals, and recording media on which signals encoded by such encoder/encoding method are recorded, which are used in cinema film projection systems or stereo or multi-sound acoustic systems such as video tape recorder or video disc player, etc.
Various efficient encoding techniques and devices for audio or speech signals, etc. are known.
As an example of an efficient encoding technique, there is a blocking frequency band division system, known as transform coding, for blocking, for example an audio signal, etc. in the time region every time unit to transform signals in the time domain every blocks into signals in the frequency domain (orthogonal transform) and thereafter to divide them into signal components in a plurality of frequency bands to encode those signal components for every respective frequency band.
Moreover, there can be enumerated sub-band coding (SBC) which is a non-blocking frequency band division system in which an audio signal, etc. in the time region is divided into signal components in a plurality of frequency bands without blocking it every unit time thereafter to encode them.
Further, there have been proposed efficient coding techniques and devices in which the sub-band coding and the transform coding described above are combined. In this case, for example, an input signal is divided into signal components in a plurality of frequency bands by the sub-band coding thereafter to orthogonally transform signals for every respective frequency band into signals in the frequency domain to implement coding to these orthogonally transformed signal components in the frequency domain.
Here, as a filter for frequency band division of the above-described sub-band coding, there is, for example, a filter known as QMF, etc. Such filter is described in, e.g. the literature "Digital coding of speech in subbands" R. E. Crochiere, Bell Syst. Tech. J. Vol. 55, No. 8, 1976. This filter of QMF serves to halve the frequency band into bands of equal bandwidth. This filter is characterized in that so called aliasing does not take place in synthesizing the above-mentioned divided frequency bands at later processing stage.
Moreover, in the literature "Polyphase Quadrature filters-A new subband coding technique", Joseph H. Rothweiler ICASSP 83, BOSTON, filter division technique of equal bandwidth is described. This polyphase quadrature filter is characterized in that division can be made at a time in dividing a signal into signal components in a plurality of frequency bands of equal bandwidth.
Further, as the above-described orthogonal transform processing, there is, for example, such an orthogonal transform system to divide an input audio signal into blocks by a predetermined unit time (frame) to carry out Fast Fourier Transform (FFT), Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT), or Modified DCT Transform (MDCT), etc. every respective blocks to thereby transform signals in the time domain into those in the frequency domain.
This MDCT is described in the literature "Subband/Transform Coding Using Filter Bank Designs Based on Time Domain Aliasing Cancellation", J. P. Princen and A. B. Bradley, Univ. of Surrey Royal Melbourne Inst. of Tech. ICASSP 1987.
Further, as frequency division width in the case of encoding (quantizing) respective frequency components divided into frequency bands, there is band division in which, for example, hearing sense characteristic of the human being is taken into consideration. Namely, there are instances where an audio signal is divided into signal components in plural (for example, 25) bands by a bandwidth such that the bandwidth becomes broader according as frequency shifts to higher frequency band side, which is generally called critical band.
In addition, in encoding data every respective bands at this time, coding by a predetermined bit allocation every respective bands or adaptive bit allocation every respective bands is carried out.
For example, in encoding coefficient data obtained after undergoing the MDCT processing by the above-mentioned bit allocation, coding is carried out by adaptive allocation bit number with respect to MDCT coefficient data every respective bands obtained by MDCT processing every respective blocks.
As the bit allocation technique and device therefor, the following two techniques and device are known.
For example, in the literature "Adaptive Transform Coding of Speech Signals", IEEE Transactions of Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, vol. ASSP-25, No. 4, August 1977, bit allocation is carried out on the basis of magnitudes of signals every respective bands.
Moreover, for example, in the literature "The critical band coder--digital encoding of the perceptual requirements of the auditory system", M. A. Kransner MIT, ICASSP 1980, there are described the technique and the device in which necessary signal-to-noise ratios are obtained for every frequency bands by making use of the hearing sense masking to carry out fixed bit allocation.
Meanwhile, for example, in the efficient compression encoding system for audio signals using subband coding, etc. as described above, such a system to compress audio data by making use of the characteristic of the hearing sense of the human being so that its data quantity becomes equal to about 1/5 has been already put into practice.
It should be noted that there is a system called ATRAC (Adaptive Transform Acoustic Coding, a trademark of SONY Corporation) used in, e.g. MD (Mini Disc, a trademark of by SONY Corporation) as the efficient encoding system of compressing audio data so that its data quantity becomes equal to about 1/5.
However, in the efficient coding system utilizing the characteristic of the hearing sense of the human being, there are examples where the sound of a musical instrument or the voice of human being, etc. obtained by compression-coding a speech signal thereafter to decode that coded signal might be changed from original sound, although such a phenomenon takes place to a little degree. Particularly, in the case where this efficient coding system utilizing the characteristic of the hearing sense is used for recording format of recording media for which fidelity reproduction of original sound is required, realization of higher sound quality is required.
On the contrary, a format of such an efficient coding system (ATRAC system), etc. to compress audio signal so that its signal (data) quantity becomes equal to about 1/5 has been already put into practice, and hardware employing such a format is being popularized.
Accordingly, implementation of change or expansion having no compatibility with the format is disadvantageous not only to manufacture (makers) which have used the format but also to general users.
For this reason, it is expected that a device attain high sound quality based on encoding or decoding without changing the format thereof.
As the method of realization of higher sound quality except for the above, it is conceivable to mix linear PCM sound into ordinary compressed data. However, since compressed data of the efficient coding system and linear data are different in length of frame and time length per each frame, it is difficult to provide synchronization at the time of reproduction. Accordingly, it is very difficult to use these data of two formats at the same time.
Furthermore, not only in the case of ordinary audio equipment, but also in, for example cinema film projection systems, high definition television, or stereo or multi-sound acoustic system such as video tape recorder or video disc player, etc. audio signals of plural channels of 4.about.8 channels are being handled. Also in this case, efficient coding to reduce bit rate is expected.
Particularly, with cinema film, there are instances where, for example, digital audio signals, that is, a 8 channels of left channel, left center channel, center channel, right center channel, right channel, surround left channel, surround right channel and sub-woofer channel, are recorded. In this case, the above-mentioned efficient coding to reduce bit rate is required.
In particular, it is difficult to ensure, on the cinema film, the area capable of 8 channels of linearly quantized audio data of sampling frequency of 44.1 kHz and 16 bits as used in so called CD (Compact Disc), etc. Accordingly, compression of the audio data is required.
It should be noted that channels of 8 channel data recorded on the cinema film respectively correspond to left speaker, left center speaker, center speaker, right center speaker, right speaker, surround left speaker, surround right speaker, and sub-woofer speaker, which are disposed on the screen side where, for example, pictures reproduced from the picture recording areas of cinema film are projected by projector.
The center speaker is disposed in the center on the screen side, and serves to output reproduced sound by audio data of center channel. This center speaker outputs the most important reproduced sound, e.g. speech of an actor, etc.
The sub-woofer speaker serves to output reproduced sound by audio data of sub-woofer channel. This sub-woofer speaker effectively outputs sound which is perceived as vibration rather than sound in low frequency band, for example, sound of an explosion, and is frequently used effectively in a scene of explosion.
The left speaker and the right speaker are disposed on left and right sides of the screen, and serve to output reproduced sound by audio data of left channel and reproduced sound by audio data of right channel, respectively. These left and right speakers exhibit stereo sound effect.
The left center speaker is disposed between the left speaker and the center speaker, and the right center speaker is disposed between the center speaker and the right speaker. The left center speaker outputs reproduced sound by audio data of left center channel, and the right center speaker outputs reproduced sound by audio data of right center channel. These left and right center speakers perform auxiliary roles of the left and right speakers, respectively.
Particularly, in movie-theater having large screen and large number of persons to be admitted, etc. there is the drawback that localization of sound image becomes unstable in dependency upon seat positions. However, the above-mentioned left and right center speakers are added to thereby exhibit effect in creating more realistic localization of sound image.
Further, the surround left and right speakers are disposed so as to surround spectator's seats. These surround left and right speakers serve to respectively output reproduced sound by audio data of surround left channel and reproduced sound by audio data of surround right channel, and have the effect to provide reverberation or an impression of being surrounded by hand clapping or a shout of joy. Thus, it is possible to create sound images in a more three-dimensional manner.
In addition, since a defect, etc. is apt to take place on the surface of a medium of cinema film, if digital data is recorded as it is, missing data takes place to a great degree. Such a recording system cannot be employed from a practical point of view. For this reason, the capability of an error correcting code is very important.
Accordingly, with respect to the data compression, it is necessary to carry out compression processing to such a degree that recording can be made in the recording area on the film by taking bits for a correcting code into consideration.
From facts as described above, as the compression method of compressing digital audio data of 8 channels as described above, there is applied the efficient coding system (e.g. the ATRAC system) to attain sound quality comparable to CD by carrying out optimum bit allocation by taking into consideration the characteristic of the hearing sense of the human being as described above.
However, with this efficient coding system, the sound of a general musical instrument or the voice of the human being, etc. is varied from original sound similar to the above, although such a phenomenon takes place to a little degree. For this reason, in the case where such a system is employed in recording format for which reproduction having fidelity to original sound is required, any means for realizing higher sound quality is required.
This problem always exists as long as in the case where systems, except for the above-mentioned efficient coding system is used as multi-channel recording format in the cinema film, an irreversible compression system is employed from a viewpoint of ensuring the recording area.
Moreover, in the system of implementing efficient coding to audio signals of multi-channel systems as described above, data of respective channels are independently caused to undergo compression processing.
For this reason, even if, for example, a certain one channel is in unvoiced sound state, a fixed bit (byte) allocation amount is allocated to that channel.
Giving a fixed bit allocation amount to the channel in unvoiced sound state as stated above is redundant.
Moreover, since bit allocation amounts are the same also with respect to channel of signal of low level and channel of signal of high level, if bit allocation amounts are evaluated over respective channels, redundant bits exist.
It is considered that particularly in the case where bit allocation amounts are fixed every respective channels, redundancy as described above becomes more conspicuous.
The present Assignee proposed in JP Patent Application No. 6-206702 (not laid open as yet) corresponding to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/327,282 a technique of determining channel bit allocation based upon the amplitude information to the respective channels or time changes of the sum of scale factors.
The present Assignee already proposed in PCT/J 94/00880 (International Publication Bo. W094/28633, date of international publication, Dec. 8, 1994, a technique of separating the input acoustic signal into tonal components having the energy concentrated in a specific frequency and components having the energy smoothly distributed in a broad frequency range, that is noisy or non-tonal components, and encoding the respective components for achieving a high encoding efficiency.

Adaptive bit allocation of tonal and noise components


An estimated current dipole displaying system in which a weak magnetic field generated from the heart or brain is measured to estimate the position, direction, magnitude and depth from a body surface of a current dipole which is equivalent to a heart current or a current flowing in a nerve and the estimated current dipole is displayed on a two-dimensional display. A parameter, other than that used to indicate the magnitude and those inappropriate for combined use with the magnitude indicating parameter, is used as a depth indicating parameter and the current dipole is thus displayed.

The present invention relates to a system for displaying on a two-dimensional display current estimated from measurement of biomagnetism.
Weak magnetic fields generated in the heart and the brain have been measured and displayed recently by a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID). These measurements are used to estimate the currents flowing through the heart or the nerves which give rise to these magnetic fields. Such bioelectric currents are considered to be current dipoles in which a current flows through a small distance. The position, direction, magnitude and depth from a body surface of such current dipoles need to be clearly displayed on a two-dimensional display.
Heretofore, only magnetic field components perpendicular to the body surface have been measured. These measurements have been made from above the heart by a SQUID flux meter. The position, magnitude and direction of the current dipole have also been estimated. As shown in FIG. 1, these are indicated on a two-dimensional display by an arrow 1 superimposed on an image (iso map) 2. The iso map 2 also shows constant magnetic field lines.
However, the arrow 1 does not indicate the depth from the body surface at which the current dipole exists. This makes diagnosis difficult with the conventional method.

System for displaying an estimated current source


An interposed sensor having a housing whose lateral extend is not greater than the lateral extend of the machine parts is to be installed between and having a plurality of measuring elements welded under preloading to the housing. Electronics including charge amplifiers are integral with the housing, either interior the lateral extend or in an annular compartment.

The present invention relates to interposed sensors having measuring elements paralleled forcewise, which are fitted in machine parts transmitting force and moment. A principal requirement for such sensors is that they should take the form of disks or plates as thin as possible, so that they alter the installation conditions as little as possible.
The chief requirement for arrangements of this kind is that the subdivision of the total force transmitted through the plate into a smaller measuring force to the force sensors and a supplementary force bypassed must be constant in time.
A sensor of this kind is shown in DE 34 40 670 C2. Glued in these measuring plates are commercial force measuring elements. Their very critical overall heights compared with the measuring plate surface must be adjusted exactly to within a few microns of adapter plates and thrust washers. One consequence of this series connection of a number of disks, of which there are usually already five in the commercial force measuring elements, is great uncertainty in the force transmission by paralleling these elements. This is because eight disks connected in series, for example, with the contact surfaces have ten air gap layers, which according to their preloading have different elasticity ratios.
As a result, the individual force measuring elements in a measuring plate of this kind will give different force signals on account of the ten air gaps, because the size of these gaps is difficult to control. Moreover owing to the fitting of commercial force measuring elements and the necessary adapter and thrust washers, the plate thickness cannot be reduced below a minimum of 10 to 12 mm.
The purpose of the invention is to provide force measuring elements and measuring plates with significantly fewer air gaps in the force measuring arrangement, requiring no additional adapter plates and thrust washers, and being much thinner. This object is attained by the measuring elements consisting of disks having not more than five air gap layers including the force introduction surfaces, whereby the measuring elements are welded in under high mechanical preload, by the sensor surface being ground to ensure flatness, and by the measuring elements forming an assembly unit together with the charge amplifier arrangement. With this combination according to the invention, new installation and monitoring are possible at economical costs, with unified and constant signal conditions of the individual force measuring elements.
The invention relates primarily to piezoelectric force measuring arrangements operating together with charge amplifiers. Quartz (SiO.sub.2) is usually employed as piezo material, allowing measurements lasting up to 15 minutes with only 1 to 2% signal loss, so that satisfactory static calibration is possible. The use of piezo-ceramics may be advisable in certain cases where stronger signals are needed and quasistatic measuring is not important. Nevertheless because quartz plates can be loaded both in compression and shear, depending on the crystal cut, quartz has proved to be the ideal material for multicomponent dynamometry.
The invention can, however, make use of other known sensor techniques. Thus the application of thin and thick film processes and possibly capacitive principles also is conceivable. However, only piezoelectrics makes possible the necessary rigidity against a solid metal plate arranged in parallel.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Interposed force sensor including amplifiers


A trolley supports a person on a platform (1) and moves as a result of his changing weight distribution so that he can conveniently perform tasks above his normal reach. The platform (1) is supported on springs (2) on a frame (3) with castor wheels (4). Rods (6) are suspended from the platform at an angle, extend to the ground and are arranged so that when one side of the platform is depressed a rod engages the ground and moves the trolley in that direction. By changing his weight distribution the person on the platform causes other rods to brake or drive the trolley in other directions.

Step ladders or planks supported on scaffolding or trestles are normally used by persons carrying out tasks above their normal reach. When these tasks cover large areas, for example plastering a ceiling, either the step ladder must be moved frequently or a large working platform constructed and subsequently dismantled. Both methods considerably extend the time and effort to perform the task.


A radio frequency (RF) micro electro-mechanical system (MEMS) device and method of making same are provided, the device including an RF circuit substrate and an RF conducting path disposed on the RF circuit substrate, a piezoelectric thin film actuator, and a conducting path electrode. The piezoelectric thin film actuator has a proximal end that is fixed relative to the RF circuit substrate and a cantilever end that is spaced from the RF circuit substrate. The conducting path electrode is disposed on the cantilever end of the piezoelectric thin film actuator. The cantilever end of the piezoelectric thin film actuator is movable between a first position whereat the conducting path electrode is spaced from the RF path electrode and a second position whereat the conducting path electrode is spaced from the RF path electrode a second distance, wherein the second distance is less than the first distance. The RF MEMS device is particularly useful as a tunable capacitor. The RF MEMS device requires lower operating voltage, and provides variable RF tuning capacity, fewer stiction problems, simplified fabrication, and an improved switching time.

Heretofore, radio frequency (RF) microelectromechanical system (MEMS) switches have utilized an electrostatic force or electrothermal actuation to actuate the RF MEMS switch. In a typical electrostatic RF MEMS switch, at least 30 volts may be required to open and close the switch. Consequently, the switch is not suitable for applications such as commercial handheld products, which typically operate on 3 volts or less. The electrostatic RF MEMS switch also is limited in its operation, as it can only be open or closed, that is, either in contact or not in contact. For this reason, the electrostatic RF MEMS switch is not suitable as a tunable capacitor, as such devices typically require controlled variance in the displacement of the actuation beam.
Electrostatic RF MEMS switches also suffer from a well known problem known as stiction, which occurs when surface tension forces are higher than the spring restoring force of the actuator beam. Stiction may be caused by a wet etching process used during fabrication, which may leave some moisture or meniscus which pulls the beam towards the electrode and prevents the beam from releasing. Alternatively, or additionally, stiction may occur during operation, whereby the beam stays in a deflected position due to capillary forces, electrostatic attraction, or direct chemical bonding. Stiction is a major problem of electrostatic RF MEMS switches, oftentimes rendering the switch inoperable.
Electrostatic RF MEMS devices also may require additional fabrication steps, particularly RF MEMS devices requiring high quality frequency performance. Such devices are typically fabricated using RF-compatible substrate materials such as GaAs, ceramics, and high resistivity silicon. According to one technique, an RF circuit is fabricated from an RF-compatible substrate and an actuator is fabricated on a silicon wafer, and then the circuit and actuator are assembled using flip chip technology. Since the silicon has a low resistivity which may interfere with the RF performance of the circuit, typically a switch manufacturer removes the silicon, leaving only the actuator on the RF circuit. For high volume applications, this additional silicon removal step may be quite costly.
Electrothermal actuated devices also are not without drawbacks. The function of an electrothermal actuator depends on the mismatching of the thermal expansion rates of different dimensioned actuator beams. The electrothermal actuator has some limitations such as slower tuning and more space requirements. Moreover, the manufacturing process of electrothermal actuators involves critical design considerations such as temperature distribution and heat sink placement. In operation, the beam is heated by applying a current (Joule heating), causing the beam to move due to the differing expansion rates of the materials forming the beam. Once actuated, however, the beam must cool down in order to return to its original position. Controllably cooling down the beam is difficult, as the amount of time to sufficiently cool the beam oftentimes is not ascertainable or is met with inconsistent results. Although the actuator may be made smaller to reduce its cooling time, the cooling time still cannot be controlled effectively to vary the interelectrode spacing and hence the capacitance between the electrodes. For this reason, the electrothermal MEMS switch is usually employed as a one-way switch rather than a two-way switch or a tunable capacitor.

Micro electro-mechanical system device with piezoelectric thin film actuator


A switched capacitor voltage multiplication device has a rectifier with a DC input terminal and a DC output terminal and two pulse input terminals. A first flying capacitor is coupled to one of the pulse input terminals, while a second flying capacitor is coupled to the other pulse input terminal. A recycle resistor is coupled across the rectifier with a first resistor terminal coupled to one pulse input terminal and a second resistor terminal coupled to the other pulse input terminal.

Switched capacitor circuits are often used to translate one voltage source into another. It is often referred to as a "charge pump," or a "voltage multiplier," and the new voltage source can be at different voltage levels and referenced to difference potentials in the system. To achieve a high enough desired voltage, multiple charge pump stages may be used. This results in more silicon area.

Switched capacitor circuit with passive charge recycling


A method for generating a single-cavity dualcomb or multicomb for laser spectroscopy, the method comprising the steps of providing a laser system comprising a pump source, a gain medium, and a resonator having a spectral filter; spectrally filtering, by the spectral filter, light in the resonator and attenuating, in particular blocking, by the spectral filter, one or more wavelength bands at least one of which being located completely within the gain bandwidth of the laser system such that two or more at least partially separated spectral regions are provided; mode-locking the two or more at least partially separated spectral regions.

Recently, dual comb, DC, spectroscopy has emerged as a versatile technique combining the advantages of conventional broadband spectroscopy and tunable laser spectroscopy, cf. SCHILLER, Optics Letters, Vol. 27, No. 9, May 1, 2002; IDEGUCHI, T., Optics and Photonics News; Vol. 28; Issue 1; pp. 32-39; Jan. 1, 2017. By using a dualcomb there is no need for a complicated and expensive detector assembly like a virtually imaged phase array or a Fourier transform spectrometer. However, such systems traditionally consist of two identical mode locked lasers, actively stabilized to each other, often leading to an expensive and complex systems, cf. CODDINGTON, I et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 013902, January 2008, see also CODDINGTON, I et al, Optica Vol. 3, No. 4, 414, April 2016. Various approaches were demonstrated to generate two pulse trains using a single laser cavity, aiming at passive mutual coherence due to common-mode noise cancellation in the down-converted radio frequency comb, cf. LINK, S. M. et al, Opt. Express 23, 5521-5531, Mar. 9, 2015. However, such single-cavity dualcomb sources are usually designed for specific types of oscillators and are difficult to implement in other types of lasers. To summarize, a clear drawback of dual comb sources is the often complicated and expensive oscillator design or the need for two mutually coherent optical frequency combs.

Dual-comb generation from a single laser cavity via spectral subdivision


A tool case with a storage space which is accessed from the underside of the tool case. The storage space may be fitted with various pre-assembled snap-in storage modules to provide the user with the flexibility of storing a wide variety of items in a wide variety of ways, depending on the user's needs. For example, the compartment may be fitted with a snap-in module comprising a series of rotating storage containers according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. Alternatively, the snap-in modules can comprise a series of sliding drawers, or a single rotating storage container, or any other tool or component holder. In the invention, a rectangular opening is defined within the bottom surface of the box portion of the tool case. Interior walls project upwardly from the edge of the opening to preferably define a storage space which accommodates a snap-in module. The module is secured within the storage space by inserting two tabs projecting outwardly from the first side of the module into corresponding slits located within the adjacent interior wall. The module is then rotated into the recess so that a plastic arm projecting away from the second side of the module engages a lip protruding from the adjacent interior wall. The lip is engaged by a jaw molded to the distal end of the arm.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a tool case, particularly of the type used to display a tool set at the point of sale, and to subsequently store the tool set. Such tool cases are commonly referred to as "gift cases".
Cases of the general type are well known, and typically include a base in the form of an open-topped box, and a lid hinged or otherwise mated with the box portion, with a clip or other means to secure the lid in the closed position. The case typically also contains a panel with a number of recesses to accommodate various tools and components, such as a screwdriver and various bits therefor, for example.
However, this conventional configuration does not efficiently use the available space in the case because a large volume of unused space is left between the panel and the bottom of the box portion of the case.


Oxygen and hydrogen are catalytically reacted in an acidic reaction medium in the presence of a platinum group metal catalyst to prepare hydrogen peroxide using as a carrier for the platinum group metal catalyst a composite oxide containing cerium. The process need not halogen ions in the acidic reaction medium and enables preparation of hydrogen peroxide in high concentration on an industrial scale advantageously.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide by catalytic reaction between oxygen and hydrogen in a reaction medium in the presence of a catalyst. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved process for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide by catalytic reaction between oxygen and hydrogen in a reaction medium containing substantially no halogen ion in the presence of platinum group metal catalyst.
2. Description of the Prior Arts
Processes mainly used for preparing hydrogen peroxide on an industrial scale are autooxidation processes using an alkylanthraquinone as a reaction medium. These processes have problems that reduction, oxidation, extraction and separation with water, purification, concentration and the like processes are complicated and costs for apparatuses and operation are high. Further, additional problems are encountered such as loss of alkylanthraquinones by deterioration and deterioration of activity of the hydrogenation catalyst.
In order to solve these problems, other process for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide have been proposed. One of such proposals is a process in which hydrogen peroxide is prepared directly from oxygen and hydrogen using a catalyst in a reaction medium. For example, a process has been proposed in which a platinum group metal is used as the catalyst for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen and hydrogen. This process is known to be successful in preparing hydrogen peroxide in a considerably high concentration (cf., for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,009,252, 4,279,883 and 4,772,458, and European Patent Application Laid-Open No. 0132294A1).
The conventional processes perform the reaction in a reaction medium having dissolved therein an acid or an inorganic salt. In particular, the selectivity of hydrogen peroxide and its concentration are increased by the addition of halogen ions in the reaction medium. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,458 supra describes that in the preparation of hydrogen peroxide from oxygen and hydrogen in an aqueous solution made acidic with sulfuric acid under pressure, copresence of halogen ions such as bromide ions in the aqueous solution makes it possible to prepare hydrogen peroxide selectively in a high concentration.
In preparing hydrogen peroxide by catalytic reaction between oxygen and hydrogen in a reaction medium, in order to obtain hydrogen peroxide in a practically acceptable high concentration by the aforementioned conventional processes, it has been considered indispensable to have an acid and halogen ions contained in the reaction medium. Thus, when halogen ions are present in a high concentration in an acidic reaction medium, the apparatus for handling the reaction mixture suffers severe corrosion and hence not only materials which can be used for such apparatuses are limited considerably but also the elution of the catalyst component into the reaction medium is unavoidable. In particular, the amount of the catalyst component eluted into the reaction medium increases proportionally to the concentration of halogen ions.
Such an elution of the catalyst component causes decrease in the activity of the catalyst and reduction in the lifetime of the catalyst. In addition, the metal, which is the catalyst component, eluted into the reaction medium not only deteriorates the quality or grade of hydrogen peroxide as the product but also it is difficult industrially to recover the catalyst component metal which eluted in a low concentration.
On the other hand, it is also known that the presence of halogen ions decreases the activity of the platinum group metal catalyst. Further, the above-described process requires expensive, anticorrosive materials for the reaction vessel and post treatment for the removal of halogen ions, if necessary for the purpose for which the resulting hydrogen peroxide is used, which incurs high cost.

Process for the preparation of hydrogen peroxide


A washing machine and suds removal method thereof. The suds removal method is designed to effectively remove suds at the earliest possible time using a small amount of water by adjusting an activity of suds when the generation of suds is sensed. The suds removal method includes sensing the generation of suds during a washing cycle, and removing the suds by adjusting the activity of suds when the generation of suds is sensed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a suds removal method of a washing machine, and, more particularly, to a washing machine and a suds removal method thereof which can effectively remove suds by adjusting an activity of the suds upon generation thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a conventional drum-type washing machine, washes laundry by raising and dropping the laundry contained in a cylindrical rotating drum through rotation of the drum. The drum-type washing machine reduces cloth damage and water consumption as compared to a conventional pulsator-type washing machine, although it has a long wash time. Thus, the demand for drum-type washing machines is increasing.
In the conventional washing machine, if excess detergent is used or a detergent, which tends to generate large quantities of suds, is used, excess suds are generated due to residual detergent component inside a water tub or laundry during a spin-drying cycle after drainage of water. The generated suds leak from a front side of the washing machine, for example, via a detergent input opening. Moreover, an excess of suds acts as a load which deteriorates a drive of a motor of the washing machine, thereby making it impossible to achieve normal revolutions per minute for a spin-drying cycle.
To solve this problem, Korean Registered Patent Publication 10-282343 discloses a method of sensing a generation of suds to thereby remove the suds.
In operation of a conventional washing machine disclosed in the above Patent Publication, an increase of a load applied to a motor is sensed to determine whether suds are generated. When the suds are generated, a predetermined suds removal cycle, which is a repetition of water supply, washing, water drainage, and spin-drying operations in this sequence, is performed to thereby remove the suds.
However, the suds removal cycle of the conventional washing machine as stated above, does not take into account the amount of suds corresponding to the amount of a detergent, and simply repeatedly performs a rinsing operation, including water supply, washing, water drainage, and spin-drying operations, for a predetermined time to rapidly remove suds. Therefore, when excess detergent is used, part of the detergent may remain depending on the amount of water supplied to remove suds. This results in a failure to completely remove the suds even after completion of the suds removal cycle. Also, when only a small amount of detergent is used to thereby generate a small quantity of suds, the suds removal cycle must be continued for a predetermined time even after the small quantity of suds is completely removed, resulting in unnecessary consumption of time and water.
In addition, when excess detergent is used, a large amount of water is required to remove suds, exerting a negative influence on rinsing and spin-drying performances.

Washing machine and suds removal method thereof


An apparatus for prolonging lamp lifetime by reducing luminance of a least one lamp (5) in phases includes an image signal outputting unit (1), a scaler (2), and a Microprogrammed Control Unit (MCU) (4). The MCU further includes a CPU (41), a timer (42), and a memory (43). The image signal outputting unit outputs image signals to the scaler. The MCU detects in real-time statuses of the image signals being input to the scaler. The timer records each elapsed time “Tn” during which no image signal is input to the scaler. The CPU compares the elapsed time “Tn” with preset times stored in the memory, and sends a control signal to the scaler according to the comparison result. The scaler generates PWM waves with a corresponding duty cycle according to the control signal, in order to control the luminance of the lamp. A related method for prolonging lamp lifetime is also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatuses and methods that can prolong the lifetime of at least one electric lamp, and particularly to an apparatus and method which can prolong the lifetime of at least one Liquid Crystal Display ("LCD") backlight lamp.
2. Related Art of the Invention
Images displayed by an LCD are produced by many liquid crystal molecules which do not emit light themselves. Rather, in a typical LCD, one or more high intensity lamps in a backlight module of the LCD illuminate the liquid crystal molecules. For example, one or more cold cathode fluorescent lamps may be employed. The high intensity lamps gradually age over time, which can result in a yellow display. To avoid yellowing and to prolong the lifetime of the lamps, users can adjust the luminance of the lamps to a reduced level, and/or simply turn off the lamps when the LCD is not actually being used.
The technology of prolonging the lifetime of lamps includes power management by way of an associated computer. If no input from a user is received by the computer over a short period of time, the computer automatically shuts off the lamps. Nowadays, computer manufacturers provide shortcut keying to facilitate users in turning off the lamps. In particular, when a user wants to shut off the lamps for a short moment, the user need only press the shortcut keys provided by the computer manufacturer.
However, turning off the lamps in a very short time also wears out the lamps. The sharp changes of current passing through the lamps damage the fluorescent powder of the lamps, and can age the lamps prematurely.
Thus there is a need for an apparatus and method which can not only shut off lamps when they are not needed, but also avoid the sharp changes of current passing through the lamps.

Apparatus and method for prolonging lamp lifetime


A chip socket assembly provides for the mechanical and electrical coupling of edge-mountable chips to a bus of a circuit board with relative ease. An edge-mountable chip may be placed in a slot defined by a base. A clip may be attached to the base to retain the chip in the base. Alternatively, the base and the package of the chip may be configured such that the chip mates with the base in retaining the chip in the base. With the chip socket assembly, users may add, remove, or replace single chips and therefore expand the functionality of a system with the granularity of a single chip in a relatively easy manner. A chip file assembly may also be used to provide for the mechanical and electrical coupling of a plurality of edge-mountable chips to a bus of a circuit board with relative ease. Assemblies for securing horizontal chip packages are also described.

A semiconductor device is typically packaged as a chip and mounted on a circuit board to mechanically and electrically connect the semiconductor device to the circuit board. This allows semiconductor device to be electrically connected to various other electrical devices within a digital data processing system.
One known package type is a surface vertical package ("SVP"), which provides for the edge-mounting of chips to circuit boards. The semiconductor device is packaged in a relatively flat package such that the leads that provide for electrical connections to the semiconductor device are positioned on one edge of the chip. Each lead of the SVP chip may be soldered to a respective solder pad on a circuit board to mechanically and electrically connect the semiconductor device to the circuit board. The leads of the SVP chip are bent substantially perpendicular relative to the SVP package so that the SVP chip may be placed upright over the circuit board in soldering each lead to its respective solder pad. The SVP chip may have at its bottom edge supporting pins, for example, to help the SVP chip stand upright in soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board.
In soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board the SVP chip may nevertheless fall over, for example by the mechanical movement of the circuit board through a solder oven, and thus have to be resoldered to the circuit board. Even after soldering the SVP chip to the circuit board, the electrical connection between the SVP chip and the circuit board must be tested to ensure that each lead of the SVP chip has been properly aligned with and soldered to its respective solder pad on the circuit board. If the SVP chip has not been suitably soldered to the circuit board, the SVP chip must be resoldered.
Furthermore, the solder connection between the SVP chip and the circuit board may deteriorate during the life of the circuit board, for example by being subjected to various mechanical stresses. Typical users may not have the equipment or know-how to resolder a SVP chip to the circuit board and subsequently test the resulting electrical connection. Thus, a user could be inconvenienced and subjected to the cost of having to replace the circuit board or having someone else resolder a SVP chip to the circuit board.
Another known package type is a surface horizontal package ("SHP"), which provides for the horizontal mounting of an integrated circuit chip to the circuit board. The integrated circuit is mounted inside a thin plastic package of the SHP and connected to metal leads residing on one of the four of the thin sides of the plastic package of the SHP. The SHP chip has pins on an opposite side of the plastic package for aligning and mounting the chip. The metal leads of the SHP are soldered to metallic lines on a circuit board.
The connection of an SHP chip to a circuit board shares some of the same problems as the connection of an SVP chip to a circuit board. Leads of the SHP can be difficult to properly solder. The electrical connection with respect to the soldered leads must be tested, and an SHP must be resoldered if the solder connection is defective. Moreover, even good soldered leads of the SHP can deteriorate over time.
Users of computers or other electrical systems are typically unable to expand the functionality of the system with the granularity of a single soldered SVP chip or soldered SHP chip in a relatively easy manner. Typical digital data processing systems with soldered SVP or SHP chips on circuit boards provide for user-expansion capabilities with the granularity of a circuit board, rather than of a chip. Only by adding, removing, or replacing an entire circuit board can the user easily add or remove the functionality of a single chip.

Chip socket assembly and chip file assembly for semiconductor chips


Disclosed herein are embodiments of a roadside barrier segment to sit on top of a retaining wall to provide impact resistance to vehicular traffic. Concrete traffic barriers are pre-cast in a controlled manufacturing environment then transported as a modular precast concrete segment to the jobsite and installed interlocking directly on top of an earth retaining wall. The precast concrete segment is designed to have a counterweight from soil backfill on a stem of the precast segment that resists overturning pressures from vehicle impact on the traffic barrier segment that extends above the roadway surface. The stem may be triangular in shape to capture more of the backfill soil. A vertical node may be placed on one side of the segment and a receiving channel on the opposite side of the segment to allow the interaction of adjacent segments to share impact loads from motor vehicles.

Precast concrete earth retaining walls are commonly used for architectural, site development and roadway/highway construction applications. When roadways are located above or rest on top of the completed earth retaining wall, a traffic barrier segment is required to prevent vehicles from falling off of the retaining wall. Therefore, a traffic barrier segment is required to contain the impact from vehicles to keep them from falling over the retaining wall.

Precast leveling segment below a traffic barrier atop an earth retaining wall system


Water-soluble, solid, film-shaped preparations comprising at least one film-forming polymer selected from the group consisting of the fully and partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohols, and at least one water-insoluble, oily liquid which is incorporated into the film-forming polymer and amounts to at least 30 percent by weight, relative to the dry portion of the preparation. Methods for producing the preparations and the use thereof are also provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to solid, film-shaped preparations comprising at least one oily substance for oral administration.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Flat-shaped forms of administration for use in the oral region and on the mucous membranes of the mouth, so-called wafers, are known. U.S. Pat. No. 3,444,858 describes medicament strips based on a gelatine-containing material. Also, medicaments in the form of films were already described at the beginning of the seventies, such as, for example, in the New England Journal of Medicine, 289, 533-535 (1973). The utility model specification DE 24 49 865 describes active pharmaceutical ingredient carriers in the form of films that contain various active ingredients and concentrations of active ingredients.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,128,445 discloses technical solutions for the loading of carrier material with active ingredients. In this connection, the patent addresses the subsequent addition of active ingredient preparations onto prefabricated film-shaped preparations. The document describes loading methods in dry and in moist form that aim at a uniform, subsequent distribution of active ingredient on a layer.
Also known are proposals for active ingredient-loaded films for applications outside the medical field. EP 0 219 762, for example, discloses a water-soluble film of starch, gelatine, glycerine or sorbite that is coated using a roll coating process. In this connection, it is stated therein that such dosage forms may also be produced utilising flavouring substances.
A formulation suited for producing film-shaped flavouring substance-containing preparations is described in EP 0 460 588. A composition of 20 to 60%-wt. film former, 2 to 40%-wt. gel former, 0.1 to 35%-wt. active ingredient or flavouring substance, and not more than 40%-wt. of an inert filler is considered to provide special advantages. Apart from other compounds, polyvinyl alcohol is mentioned as a gel former. It has, however, emerged that the gel-forming properties of polyvinyl alcohol are only to a limited extent compatible with the film formers mentioned in that printed publication. A content of 20 parts by weight, and more, of film former—mostly a sugar derivative, polyethylene glycol, or the like—resulted in a considerable loss of aroma occurring already in the drying of thin layers, which is part of the production process.
Flavouring substance-containing forms of administration for application in the oral region are also known from EP 0 452 446, but this document does not describe any measures to prevent an evaporation of flavouring substances during production and/or storage. As a solution to that problem, DE 196 52 257 discloses individually dosed, film-shaped forms of administration which rapidly disintegrate upon contact with a liquid and which can be produced avoiding loss of active ingredients during their production and storage. These film-shaped forms of administration have an internal, liposoluble phase in the form of droplets that contain the flavouring substance and are present in an outer, solid but water-soluble phase, with the outer phase comprising, relative to the water-free portions, at least 40%-wt. of polyvinyl alcohol, up to 30%-wt. of a surface-active substance and 0.1 to 30%-wt. of an internal phase, relative to the outer phase.
Film-shaped preparations for application in the mouth are already available on the market as active ingredient-containing or flavouring substance-containing forms of administration. For example, wafer-thin strips that leave a cool, breath-fresh taste sensation on the tongue without sucking or chewing are sold in the flavours "Peppermint", "Wild-Mint" and "Lemon-Frost" by the company Wrigley under the names ECLIPSE FLASH®, or by the company Pfizer in the flavours "COOL MINT®", "FRESHBURST®", Cinnamon and "Fresh Citrus" under the trade mark Listerine POCKETPAKS®.
Hydrophilic, film-forming polymers are used to achieve a rapid disintegration or rapid dissolution behaviour of film-shaped preparations on contact with saliva.
However, if oily substances are to be administered with a film-shaped preparation that rapidly dissolves in the oral cavity, the differing properties of the matrix (=hydrophilic film-forming polymer) and of the oily substance (hydrophobic) which is to be incorporated in the matrix cause problems.
Since hydrophilic polymers usually only have a low absorption capacity for lipophilic substances, the amount of oily substance with which hydrophilic films can be loaded is limited. This limitation becomes particularly apparent if larger amounts of an oily liquid are to be processed with a hydrophilic polymer into a film since in that case the oily substance exudes, for example due to phase separation occurring during the preparation of the compound (separation of the oil-in-water emulsion) or, later, during storage of the films.
However, for certain applications it is necessary to accommodate a large amount of an oily substance in a film-shaped preparation. For example, to achieve a desired therapeutic effect it may be necessary to load the film with a large amount of an oily active ingredient. For example, for the active ingredient simethicone, which is used as a carminative, a dose of about 80 mg is indicated as therapeutically effective. This amount is administered, for example, by means of known liquid forms of administration. For an administration by means of a film-shaped preparation rapidly disintegrating in the mouth, this amount would however be too large to be able to produce stable films.
To avoid the stability problems occurring during the loading of a hydrophilic film with a hydrophobic substance, surface-active substances are usually added to a material consisting of a hydrophilic polymer and a hydrophobic, liquid or oily substance, i.e. tensides or emulsifiers which reduce the interfacial surface tension between the phases. U.S. Pat. No. 6,177,096, for example, discloses the production of film-shaped forms of administration with addition of surface-active substances.
However, the use of surface-active substances in oral preparations is frequently undesirable because it can have a negative impact on the taste sensation by causing a soapy foreign taste. In addition, the amount of the surface-active substances added to the film-forming polymer limits the possible total loading of the film with oily substance if the surface-active substances do not themselves possess film-forming properties as well.

Method of using a film-shaped preparation comprising oily substances for oral administration


A portable, double bevel, combination table saw and slide miter saw comprising a horizontally disposed working platform with an elongated slot, is supported by a frame. A saw assembly is pivotably mounted beneath the working platform, with a saw blade that protrudes through the slot to cut a workpiece on the platform whereby stationary workpiece operations as well as moving workpiece operations may be executed. The stationary workpiece operations are executed from one side of the platform, and moving workpiece operations are executed from the opposite side of the platform, with separate appropriate controls on each side. The possibility of interference between saw assembly parts and the underside of the work platform inherent in double bevel configurations is avoided by the self-adjustment of the maximum depth for the workpiece bevel cuts.

For transportable personal or contractor use, there has been a steady progression of designs of bench saws. For moving work pieces, these range from simple single position saw blade table saws to beveling and depth cut adjustable table saws. The operational advantage of having stationary workpiece cross cutting was recognized early in design of bench saws, with the ensuing design of swinging saws and sliding saws having motors either above or below the work platform. Comprehensive designs such as radial arm saws and above the work platform slide miter saws have found recent popularity.
Another portable saw design is a saw that achieves long moving workpiece rip cutting, and also provides stationary workpiece cutting. Radial arm saws provide both functions, and have been commercially successful; however, their size and weight make them non transportable, and their rip cut widths are limited. To complete the package of functions, some recent saw designs have, for either above or below work platform saw motor applications, included double bevel cutting. Examples of these designs include U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,834 issued to Ito et al. entitled "Miter Saw"; U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,213 issued to Sberveglieri entitled "Bevel Table Saw Adjustment"; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,591,725 issued to Martin entitled "Circular Sawing Machine." However, the prior art has not developed a table saw with slide miter cutting capabilities that is competitive with the prior art above platform slide miter saws Further, the manual control of prior art table saw slide cutting, is not compatible with operator accustomed procedures.


A CCD image sensor of an interlaced scanning type comprising a plurality of uniformly spaced photodetectors arranged in series in vertical and horizontal directions, a plurality of VCCD regions arranged between sets of said photodetectors arranged in the vertical directions, a plurality of channel stop regions for electrically isolating said plurality of photodetectors from one another, a plurality of gate electrodes formed on said VCCD regions, each of said plurality of gate electrodes being connected simultaneously to transfer gate electrodes of adjacent ones of said plurality of photodetectors on odd and even horizontal lines, a plurality of barrier layers, each formed at a portion of each of said VCCD regions corresponding to a boundary with each of said gate electrodes on said VCCD regions, for forming a desired potential barrier, and a HCCD region formed under said plurality of VCCD regions, for transferring signal charges from said VCCD regions to an output stage. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, the gate electrodes can be reduced from four of the prior art to two in number, resulting in simplification in construction and manufacturing process thereof. Also, the reduction in number of the gate electrodes to two allows the driving system to be simple.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a CCD image sensor, and more particularly to a CCD image sensor of interlaced scanning type.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Generally, a CCD is believed to be an active device for transferring, under a control of a clock pulse a signal charge corresponding to incident light incoming along a predetermined path and has typically been used in image processing devices, such as, for example, a storage device, a logic element, a CCD image sensor, etc.
The scanning of the CCD image sensor employing the CCD is typically of either an interlaced scanning type or a non-interlaced scanning type.
In non-interlaced scanning, there is provided one picture, i.e., one frame containing a plurality of fields, with the scanning on the screen beginning with data in the first input field, as shown in FIG. 1A.
In FIG. 1A, the display of each of fields on the screen in their input orders are designated as the numerals 1, 2, 3. On the other hand, in interlaced scanning, there is provided one frame containing a plurality of even fields and a plurality of odd fields, with the scanning on the screen beginning with data in the odd field, as shown in FIG. 1B.
In FIG. 1B, the numeral 1 designates each of the odd fields and the numeral 2 designates each of the even fields.
Therefore, in non-interlaced scanning, the scanning rate is fast, so such that the actual image of a fast moving object can be picked up accurately. For this reason, the noninterlaced scanning may be applied to a military equipment, such as missile tracking equipment.
However, a problem with this non-interlaced scanning is that the image shakes on the screen.
For interlaced scanning, there is provided a sense of stability of the image in that the scanning rate is slower than that in non-interlaced scanning, but a fast moving object appears as two images. For this reason, interlaced scanning is inappropriate for military purposes and typically is applied to a television broadcasting system, such as a NTSC system or a
system, for the scanning of an image on the screen.
Construction of a conventional CCD image sensor of the interlaced scanning type is discussed with reference to FIGS. 2A through 2D below.
With reference to FIG. 2A, there is shown a schematic diagram of the construction of a conventional CCD image sensor of the interlaced scanning type. A conventional CCD image sensor comprises an N type horizontal charge coupled device (HCCD) region and a plurality of N type vertical charge coupled device (VCCD) regions, to each of which a series of N type photodiodes PD are connected. Each of the N type photodiodes PD is connected to an N type VCCD region such that an image signal charge output therefrom is transferred to the N type VCCD region in a single direction. Also, the N type VCCD regions are connected to the N type HCCD region, such that the signal charges transferred from the photodiodes PD are transferred to the N type HCCD region simultaneously in response to first to fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4, one clock signal corresponding to one phase.
With reference to FIG. 2B, there is shown a layout diagram of the construction of the conventional CCD image sensor in FIG. 2A. The CCD image sensor comprises a channel stop region ST, formed between each of the N type VCCD regions and each of the N type photodiodes PD. An odd gate electrode PG1 is formed over each of the N type VCCD regions and each of the channel stop regions ST such that it is connected to each of transfer gates TG1 of the N type photodiodes PD arranged on an odd horizontal line, the odd gate electrode PG1 being supplied with the first and the second clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.2. On the other hand, an even gate electrode PG2 is formed over each of the channel stop regions ST, each of the N type VCCD regions and each of the N type photodiodes PD, such that it is connected to each of transfer gates TG2 of the N type photodiodes PD arranged on an even horizontal line, the even gate electrode PG2 being supplied with the third and the fourth clock signals V.phi.3-V.phi.4.
Forming of the odd gate electrode PG1 and the even gate electrode PG2 may be repeated successively, as required by a layout of the CCD image sensor, in the same form. Also, these electrodes PG1 and PG2 are generally electrically isolated from each other by a region (not shown) of an insulating material, such as silicon oxide.
On the other hand, materials of the transfer gates TG1 and TG2 and the odd and even gate electrodes PG1 and PG2 may be polysilicon.
The odd gate electrode PG1 includes a first odd gate electrode PG1a formed under each of the N type photodiodes PD on the odd horizontal line and a second odd gate electrode PG1b formed over each of the N type photodiodes PD on the odd horizontal line and connected to each of the transfer gates TG1 of the photodiodes PD on the odd horizontal line, the first odd gate electrode PG1a being supplied with the second VCCD clock signal V.phi.2 and the second odd gate electrode PG1b being supplied with the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1.
The even gate electrode PG2 includes a first even gate electrode PG2a formed under each of the N type photodiodes PD on the even horizontal line and a second even gate electrode PG2b formed over each of the N type photodiodes PD on the even horizontal line and connected to each of the transfer gates TG2 of the photodiodes PD on the even horizontal line, the first even gate electrode PG2a being supplied with the fourth VCCD clock signal V.phi.4 and the second even gate electrode PG2b being supplied with the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3.
Also, the first through the fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 of four phases corresponds to two fields, i.e. an even field and an odd field. The clocking operation of the N type VCCD region will be described hereinafter in more detail.
With reference to FIG. 2C, there is shown a sectional view, taken on the line a--a' of FIG. 2B. A conventional CCD image sensor comprises an N type substrate 100 and a P type well 200, formed on the N type substrate 100. Also on the N type substrate 100 are configured a series of arrangements that the N type photodiode PD and the N type VCCD region on the even horizontal line are connected to each other at a desired interval via the channel stop region ST. Each of the transfer gates TG2 is formed over and between each of the N type photodiodes PD and each of the N type VCCD regions to connect them with each other. Also over the surface of each of the N type VCCD regions is formed a second even gate electrode PG2b being supplied with the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3, to be connected to each of the transfer gates TG2 of the N type photodiodes PD arranged on the even horizontal line.
Herein, the p type well 200 is comprised of two types, a shallow P type well 200a and a deep P type well 200b, for control of over flow drain (OFD) voltage.
On the surface of each of the N type photodiodes PD is generally formed a P.sup.+ type thin layer 300 for application of an initial bias. In FIG. 2C, the lower side of the channel stop region ST designated as the character P.sup.+, indicates a channel stop ion region.
Referring to FIG. 2D, there is shown a sectional view, taken on the line b--b' of FIG. 2B. The P type well 200 is formed on the N type substrate 100, identically to FIG. 2C. Also on the N type substrate 100 are configured a series of N type photodiode PD regions and N type VCCD regions on an even horizontal line connected to each other at desired intervals via channel stop region ST. Also, over the surface of each of the N type VCCD regions is formed a first even gate electrode PG2a supplied with the fourth VCCD clock signal V.phi.4.
Similarly, on the surface of each of the N type photodiodes PD is generally formed a P.sup.+ type thin layer 300 for application of an initial bias. In FIG. 2D, the lower side of the channel stop region ST, designated by the character P.sup.+, indicates a channel stop ion region. Herein, the P type well 200 is comprised of a shallow P type well 200a and a deep P type well 200b, for the control of over flow drain (OFD) voltage.
Hence, the transfer gate TG1 of each of the N type photodiodes PD, arranged on an odd horizontal line, is driven only by the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1 applied to the second odd gate electrode PG1b, and the transfer gate TG2 of each of the N type photodiodes PD, arranged on an even horizontal line, is driven only by the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3 applied to the second even gate electrode PG2b.
The second VCCD clock signal V.phi.2, applied to the first odd gate electrode PG1a and the fourth VCCD clock signal V.phi.4, applied to the first even gate electrode PG2a, serve merely to transfer image signal charges traveling from the N type photodiodes PD arranged on the odd and even horizontal lines toward the HCCD region.
Now, the operation of a conventional CCD image sensor of the above-mentioned construction will be described with reference to FIGS. 3A through 3D.
With reference to FIG. 3A, there is shown a timing diagram of the first through fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 of four phases, each including two fields, an even field and an odd field.
In FIG. 3A, in the odd field of the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1 of tri-state levels, applied to the second odd gate electrode PG1b is contained a transfer gate drive voltage VI of high level (15V). Also, in the even field of the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3 applied to the second even gate electrode PG2b is contained a transfer gate drive voltage V2 of high level (15V).
If the first through fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 in the odd field are supplied simultaneously, the transfer gates TG1 of the N type photodiodes PD arranged on each of the odd horizontal lines are turned on simultaneously by the transfer gate drive voltage VI contained in the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1.
For this reason, the image signal charges produced from the N type photodiodes PD are transferred to the N type VCCD regions, to potential pockets formed under the second odd gate electrodes PG2b as shown in FIG. 3C. and then toward the N type HCCD region by the VCCD clocking operation.
FIG. 3B is a pulse waveform diagram of the first through fourth clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 at the unit interval K of FIG. 3A. The image signal charges produced from the N type photodiodes PD are transferred vertically toward the N type HCCD region by a series of clocking operations, as shown in FIG. 3B.
At this time, the second VCCD clock signal V.phi.2, supplied through the first odd gate electrode PG1a formed in the lower side of the odd horizontal line, serves merely to transfer the image signal charges transferred from the N type photodiodes PD arranged on the even horizontal line by the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1 to the N type HCCD region, together with the first VCCD clock signal V.phi.1.
Thereafter, if the first through the fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 in the even field in FIG. 3A are supplied simultaneously, the transfer gates TG2 of the N type photodiodes PD arranged on each of the even horizontal lines are turned on simultaneously by the transfer gate drive voltage V2 contained in the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3.
As a result, the image signal charges produced from the N type photodiodes PD on the even horizontal line are transferred to the N type VCCD regions and then toward the N type HCCD region by the VCCD clocking operation, as shown in FIG. 3B, in the same manner as that of the odd field. At this time, the signal charges transferred from the photodiodes PD on the even horizontal lines are gathered with the signal charges transferred from the photodiodes PD on the odd horizontal lines in potential pockets formed under the second even gate electrodes PG2b, as shown in FIG. 3C, by the odd gate electrodes PG1, and then the gathered signal charges are transferred toward the HCCD region.
At this time, the fourth VCCD clock signal V.phi.4, supplied through the first even gate electrode PG2a of the even gate electrode PG2 formed in the lower side of the even horizontal line, serves merely to transfer the image signal charges transferred from the N type photodiodes PD arranged on the even horizontal line by the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3 to the N type HCCD region, together with the third VCCD clock signal V.phi.3.
As stated, the use of VCCD clock signals of four phases has the effect of transferring more of the image signal charge than would use of VCCD clock signals of two phases.
As a result, as mentioned above, application of VCCD clocking signals of four phases, i.e. the first through fourth VCCD clock signals V.phi.1-V.phi.4 as shown in FIG. 3A, the image signal charges from the N type photodiodes PD arranged in the odd horizontal line are scanned first in sequence on the screen through the N type VCCD regions and then through the N type HCCD region and then the image signal charges from the N type photodiodes PD, arranged in the even horizontal line are scanned in sequence on the screen through the N type VCCD regions and then through the N type HCCD region.
As previously stated, the scanning of the CCD image sensor as mentioned above is usually referred to as an interlaced scanning type.
With reference to FIG. 3D, there is shown a pixel format of one picture, or one frame, the picture being comprised of pixels, each being displayed as the numerals 1 and 2, each designating the image signal charges from the N type photodiodes PD arranged in odd and even horizontal lines as shown in FIG. 2A, respectively.
In result, as mentioned above, a conventional CCD image sensor of the interlaced scanning type has an advantage, in that the image signal charges can be transferred at high speed by the four phase clocking operation.
However, a conventional CCD image sensor of the interlaced scanning type also has disadvantages as follows:
First, the photodiodes PD arranged on the odd and even horizontal lines comprise respective typical color filters formed thereon to output different chrominance signals. For this reason, in a case where the different chrominance signals outputted from the photodiodes PD arranged on the odd and even horizontal lines are collected to produce a new chrominance signal and the new chrominance signal is then transferred toward the HCCD region, an additional apparatus is required for mixing the chrominance signals outputted from the photodiodes PD arranged on the odd and even horizontal lines.
Second, the VCCD region driving clock signals are as many as four in number, resulting in complexity of the driving system. Also, four gate electrodes are required to apply the four clock signals, corresponding to the number of the clock signals, thereby resulting in complexity in construction of the conventional CCD image sensor of the interlaced scanning type.