The present invention provides a circuit board, which can reduce a conduction loss and generate no trouble in electric/electronic apparatuses in the case of being mounted to electric/electronic apparatuses adapting a high frequency current.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a circuit board, which is mounted to electric/electronic apparatuses adapting to a high frequency current.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, a circuit board formed in the following manner has been known. More specifically, a conductive circuit is formed on a base material (insulating substrate) made of synthetic resin excellent in a dielectric strength. In the circuit board thus formed, the conductive circuit is formed using copper as a base excellent in a conductivity (electric conductivity). However, the copper is inferior to a corrosion resistance; for this reason, a material having a high conductivity and excellent corrosion resistance must be laminated on a layer made of cooper. Preferably, gold is usable as the above material. However, the gold is diffused in copper; for this reason, in general, a slight thick anchor layer of nickel (about 4 to 5 xcexcm) is laminated on the surface of copper, and further, gold is laminated on the anchor layer. Thus, a circuit board 11 as shown in FIG. 5 has been known as a conventionally normal circuit board. The conventional circuit board is formed in the following manner. More specifically, a layer 12 made of copper is laminated on a base material 16, and a nickel plating layer 14 is laminated on the layer 12 made of copper, and further, a gold plating layer 15 is laminated on the nickel plating layer 14. In this case, gold is high expensive; for this reason, normally, the gold is plated extremely thin, that is, less than a thickness of about 0.1 xcexcm.
In general, in the case where a high frequency current flows through a conductor, a skin effect is generated such that the current is limited to a surface layer of circuit; for this reason, almost no current flows through the conductor. Therefore, for example, in the case where the aforesaid circuit board 11 is used for electric/electronic apparatuses adapting to high frequency current, such as a high performance amplifier and converter, a current having a very high frequency of about 20 GHz flows through the circuit. For this reason, theoretically, a current flows through a part up to a depth of about 0.45 xcexcm from the surface of circuit. Thus, in the conventional circuit board 11, most of current flows through the layer 14 made of nickel; for this reason, a conduction loss becomes high. As a result, a problem arises such that a noise figure of the used high performance amplifier and converter increases.
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problem arisen in the conventional circuit board such as the above circuit board 11. It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a circuit board, which can reduce a conduction loss and generate no trouble in electric/electronic apparatuses in the case of being mounted to electric/electronic apparatuses adapting a high frequency current.
Inventors of the present invention have found the following matter. More specifically, in a circuit part of circuit board, a material having a high conductivity is much provided on a part up to a depth of about 0.45 xcexcm from the surface of circuit through which a frequency current of about 20 GHz flows, and thereby, it is possible to reduce a conduction loss of the circuit board for high frequency, and thus, the inventors have proposed the present invention. According to a first aspect, the present invention provides a circuit board, which is constructed in a manner that a conductive circuit is formed on a base material made of polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon etc., manufactured by du Pont) the conductive circuit being formed by laminating a layer made of tin on a layer made of copper.
Further, according to a second aspect, the present invention provides the circuit board wherein the layer made of copper has a thickness less than 0.45 xcexcm.
Furthermore, according to a third aspect, the present invention provides a manufacturing method of a circuit board, comprising the following steps of: forming a copper foil on a base material made of polytetrafluoroethylene; subjecting copper plating onto the copper foil layer; and subjecting tin plating onto the copper plated layer.

Circuit board and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract: A circuit board 1 is formed a manner that a copper foil layer 2 and a copper layer 3 are laminated on a base material 5 made of polytetrafluoroethylene so as to form a predetermined circuit, and further, a tin plating layer 4 is laminated on these copper layers.


The invention provides methods and devices to reduce stomach acid secretion in a patient with a hyper acid condition. For example, the invention may involve ablation of the stomach lining to destroy acid-producing cells. Destroying acid-producing cells may reduce the amount of stomach acid produced and, therefore the amount of acid refluxed in the esophagus. The invention may further provide methods and devices to monitor the esophageal acid level before and after the ablation procedure.

A variety of medical approaches have been devised for reduction of acid secretion and therefore, treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), including diet, medication and surgery. In general, surgery is reserved for patients in whom conservative measures, such as monitoring eating habits or controlling acid levels with acid suppressant medications, have failed. In addition, surgery is generally reserved for patients who have severe cases of GERD and/or suffer from Barrett's esophagus, a precancerous condition linked to GERD.
Acid is one of the key fluids secreted by the gastrointestinal tract for digestion of food. Stomach acid is produced by parietal cells in the mucosal lining of the stomach. Reflux of stomach acid into the lower portion of the esophagus results in well known symptoms of GERD. A common medical strategy for treating GERD is to administer drugs which suppress the production of acid with histamine receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors. U.S. Pat. No. 6,183,776 to Depui, et al., for example, describes an oral pharmaceutical dosage for the suppression of stomach acid that includes proton pump inhibitors (PPI's). In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,906 to Frosch, et al. describes a histamine receptor antagonist (H2 blocker) agent to treat gastric diseases. In many cases, one of these two classes is effective in relieving symptoms of GERD. Some patients, however, do not wish to be on these GERD drugs indefinitely due to uncertain long-term effects. Additionally there are some patients who do not respond to drug treatment.
Other treatments available for GERD involve surgical techniques that strengthen the lower esophageal sphincter (LES), which acts as a valve between the stomach and the esophagus. U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,326 to Harrison, et al. describes a method for inhibiting acid reflux into the esophagus by performing a gastric wrap or fundoplication surgery. Surgical interventions such as this are very invasive, and any form of surgery may involve complications. In addition, surgical procedures often require recovery time that prevents the patient from immediately returning to normal lifestyle. Another surgical technique is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,732 to Edwards, et al. in which the LES is tightened to block acid reflux by ablating nerves in the stomach, causing the LES to contract.
Table 1 below lists documents that disclose techniques for reduction of stomach acid secretion and treatment of GERD.
TABLE 1Patent NumberInventorsTitle5,403,326Harrison, et al.Method for performing a gastric wrap ofthe esophagus for use in the treatmentof esophageal reflux6,159,146El GazayerliMethod and apparatus for minimally-invasive fundoplication4,279,906Frosch, et al.Indomethacin-antihistaminecombination for gastric ulcerationcontrol6,183,776Depui, et al.Oral pharmaceutical dosage formscomprising a proton pump inhibitor andan antacid agent or alginate4,869,902Buehler, et al.Antacid composition6,405,732Edwards, et al.Method to treat gastric reflux via thedetection and ablation of gastro-esophageal nerves and receptors
All documents listed in Table 1 above are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their respective entireties. As those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate readily upon reading the Summary of the Invention, Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments and claims set forth below, many of the devices and methods disclosed in the patents of Table 1 may be modified advantageously by using the techniques of the present invention.

Ablation of stomach lining to reduce stomach acid secretion


Disclosed is the use of the compounds represented by formula (I) in the preparation of a medicament against tumor angiogenesis, wherein R1 and R2 are each independently C1-C8 alkylidene group or C2-C8 alkenylidene group; A1 and A2 are each independently aryl, isoaryl, or aryl or isoaryl optionally substituted by halogen, —CN, —NO2, —OH, —SH, —OR3, —SR3, —R3, —R3—OR4, —C(O)R3, —S(O)R3, —S(O)2R3, —NR4R5, —C(O)OR3, —C(O)NR4R5, —O(O)CR4, —S(O)CR4 or —NR4(O)CR5, wherein R3 is C1-C4 alkyl, R4 and R5 are each independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl; and X and Y are each independently oxygen; and the compound of formula (I) does not include phenethyl caffeate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention belongs to the field of medicine, particularly relates to the use of phenethyl caffeate derivatives in the preparation of a medicament against tumor angiogenesis.
2. Description of the Related Art
Angiogenesis refers to the process of forming new vessels continuously based on the existing vessels of tissues. Angiogenesis under physiological conditions can be found in the processes of embryonic development and wound healing. Under pathological conditions, angiogenesis mainly exists in tumor and chronic inflammatory diseases. Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis not only can inhibit the growth and reproduction of tumor cells, but also has inhibitory effect on the metastasis and recurrence of the tumor (Carmeliet P, Jain R K. 2000. Angiogenesis in cancer and other diseases. Nature, 407 (6801): 249-57).
Since the world's first anti-angiogenic drug (bevacizumab, with trade name of Avastin and produced by Genentech Inc. in USA) was approved by U.S. FDA for the treatment of tumor in 2004, in just a few years, there has been a dozen of such drugs, which have been approved respectively for marketing internationally in a number of countries. The number of drugs studied in Phase II or III clinical trial is more than 50 (Folkman J. 2007. Angiogenesis: an organizing principle for drug discovery? Nature Review Drug Discovery. 6(4): 273-86). The world's pharmaceutical giants have focused on the research and development of such drugs as such drugs can inhibit the growth of tumor effectively, have significantly-reduced toxic and side effects on patients compared to radiation and chemotherapy drugs, and can also inhibit the metastasis of tumor. Therefore, research and application of angiogenesis inhibitors provides a new anti-cancer means and way for clinical patients.
However, currently the main target of the drugs resisting rumor angiogenesis is the endothlial cell (EC) of the new vessel. Although damaging to endothlial cells can inhibit angiogenesis, the normal vessels of the body (non-tumor vessels) is also damaged inevitably, especially when patients suffering from tumor also have atherosclerosis, the drug with the vascular endothlial cell as a target often inevitably results in damaging to the vessels, inducing complications which threaten the life of patients, such as thrombosis. In fact, patients with tumor are often elderly, and the elderly are the high-risk group suffering from atherosclerosis. Thus, these side is effects of the existing drugs resisting tumor angiogenesis limit their clinical application.
Study found that, besides endothlial cells, there are other factors affecting the formation of vessels during the process of tumor angiogenesis, such as pericytes and matrix proteins required for angiogenesis, both of which are indispensable factors affecting tumor angiogenesis. Therefore, it is of important social significance and economic value to development a medicament which can inhibit tumor angiogenesis, without potentially inducing thrombosis in normal non-tumor tissues.

Use of phenethyl caffeate derivatives in the preparation of a medicament against tumor angiogenesis


Shaped Clocked (SC) and Clock Modulation (CM) systems, signal generation-reception, processing and CM implementations. Systems having a first and second shaped clock signal and providing shaped clocks to a selector switch and to a signal transmitter. The selectable clock signal parameters include symmetrical and non-symmetrical shaped clock signals, shaped filtered continuous clock signal patterns, shaped encoded clock signals, variable rise and fall time clock signals, clock signals having shaped adjustable on and off duration, multilevel and shaped clock signals and asynchronous clock signal information transmission means. The Clock Modulation (CM), Shaped Clocked (SC) systems, also designated as Feher Keying (FK) systems or FK processors are also used in conjunction with cross-correlated quadrature and also non quadrature modem systems as input drive signals to FM VCO based systems, to SSB to VSB to DSB-SC to QAM, and/or to coded systems.

The most important objectives of wireless communications, broadcasting, telemetry, infrared and in general "radio" systems as well as "wired" systems include: power and bandwidth or spectrum efficiency combined with robust Bit Error Rate (BER) performance in a noisy and/or strong interference environment. These Radio Frequency (RF) system objectives are specified in numerous systems including wireless communications and cellular systems, satellite systems, mobile and telemetry systems, broadcasting systems, cable, fiber optics and practically all communication transmission systems. Here we are using the term "Radio Frequency" (RF) in its broadest sense, implying that we are dealing with a modulated signal. The RF could be, for example, as high as the frequency of infrared or fiber optic transmitters; it could be in the GHz range, e.g., between 1 GHz and 300 GHz, or it could be in the MHz range, e.g. between about 1 MHz and 999 MHz or just in the kHz range. The term RF could even apply to Quadrature Modulated (for short "QM" or "QMOD") Base-Band (BB) signals.
The cited publications-references [1-24], patents [P1-P10], and the references within the aforementioned publications contain definitions and descriptions of many terms used in this new patent disclosure and for this reason these "prior art" terms and definitions will be only briefly, on a case by case basis highlighted. Robust or high performance BER specifications and/or objectives are frequently expressed in terms of the required BER as a function of Energy per Bit (Eb) divided by Noise Density (No), that is, by the BER=f(Eb/No) expression. Cost, reduced size, compatibility and interoperability/compatibility with other conventional or previously standardized systems, also known as "legacy systems," are highly desired. Several standardization organizations have adopted modulation techniques such as conventional Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (OQPSK), also designated as Staggered Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (SQPSK) and pi/4-QPSK techniques including differential encoding variations of the same. See publications [1-23] and referenced patents [P1-P8]. For spectrally or spectrum efficient (i.e., band-limited) signaling, these conventional methods exhibit a large envelope fluctuation of the modulated signal, and thus have a large increase in peak radiation relative to the average radiated power. For these reasons such systems are not suitable for Bit Rate Agile (BRA), robust BER performance NLA operated RF power efficient systems. Experimental work, computer simulation, and theory documented in many recent publications indicates that for bandlimited and standardized BPSK, QPSK, OQPSK or SQPSK or pi/4-QPSK, and QAM system specifications, very linear amplifiers are required to avoid the pitfalls of spectral restoration and of BER degradation. Linearized or linear amplifiers are less RF power efficient (during the power "on" state, power efficiency is defined as the transmit RF power divided by DC power), considerably more expensive and/or have less transmit RF power capability, are larger in size, and are not as readily available as NLA amplifiers. The advantages of NLA over Lin amplifiers are even more dramatic at higher RF frequencies, e.g. above 1 GHz for applications requiring low dc voltage, e.g., size "AA" batteries having only 1.5 Volt dc and for high RF modulated power requirements, e.g., transmit RF power in the 0.5 Watt to 100 Watt range.
Published prior art references [P1-P8] and [1-23] include additional background information. These references include descriptions of binary- and multiple-state Transmitter/Receiver (Transceiver) or for short ("TR") systems that are suitable for NLA. These Modems and Transceivers have been designated as first generation of Feher patented Quadrature Shift Keying (FQPSK). For example, in reference [23] published on May 15, 1999 the authors Drs. M. K. Simon and T. Y. Yan of JPL/NASA-Caltech present a detailed study of Unfiltered Feher-Patented Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (FQPSK". In references [1-21] and patents [P1-P8] numerous first generation FQPSK technology based terms, other than the FQPSK abbreviation/acronym have been used. In addition to FQPSK Transceivers, these first generation systems have also been described and/or defined as: Feher's Minimum Shift Keying (FMSK), Frequency Shift Keying (FFSK), Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (FGMSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (FQAM) and/or (F) Modulation/Amplification (FMOD). Additionally terms such as Superposed Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (SQAM), Intersymbol Interference and Jitter Free (IJF) and/or IJF-OQPSK have also been described in Feher et al.'s prior inventions and publications.
In the cited patents and references, among the aforementioned abbreviations, acronyms, designation, terms and descriptions the "FQPSK" abbreviation/term has been most frequently used to describe in most generic terms one or more of these Feher et al., previously described, first generation of Non-Linearly Amplified (NLA) inventions and technologies. The 1.sup.st and 2.sup.nd generation of FQPSK systems have significantly increased spectral efficiency and enhanced end-to-end performance as compared to other conventional NLA systems. RF power advantages, robust BER performance and NLA narrow spectrum without the pitfalls of NLA conventional BPSK and DBPSK, QPSK and OQPSK have been attained with these FQPSK systems. The aforementioned modulation and processing methods use data signal shaping methods whereby the data signals, also referred to as data bits, data symbols, signaling elements or signal wavelets, are shaped signals. Systems such as QPSK, FQPSK, QAM and FQAM could be interpreted as two dimensional modulation and transceiver systems whereby the information is contained in the amplitude and in the phase of the data symbols of the Quadrature Modulated (QM) signals.
The RF spectral efficiency of the aforementioned systems for four (4) state modulation systems, such as QPSK, DQPSK, SQPSK and FQPSK, is limited to 2 b/s/Hz, while the spectral efficiency of multi-state or multi-ary systems such as 64 state QAM is limited to 6 b/s/Hz. An increased number of signaling states increases the complexity of a transceiver and increases the required C/N, that is it has a negative impact on the BER=f(Eb/No) performance, as increased C/N requirement and increased Eb/No requirement leads to more expensive and larger transceivers and/or reduced fade margins. Among the highest spectral efficiencies attained with practical QAM type of systems are for 1024 state 1024-QAM systems with a theoretical limit for 1024-QAM of 10 b/s/Hz and practical limit of about 8 b/s/Hz. However, such a relatively high spectral efficiency requires very complex implementations, steep filters and a significantly increased C/N requirement.
Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) and Pulse Duration Modulation methods, described in Peebles's book [8] and in other prior art references, provide the signal information in the width and/or in the duration of the data symbols. However PWM and PDM methods have a very low spectral efficiency, and for this reason have not generally found applications in RF spectral efficient systems. H. R. Walker's patents [P9] and [P10] as well as Walker et al. publications, including [21] and [24] describe information signal transmission methods which could attain ultra high spectral efficiencies of more than 10 b/s/Hz. In one aspect, to the understnading of inventor, the Walker references appear to provide methods whereby the data information content is transmitted in the clock position, clock duration and/or in the location of one of the edges of the clock transitions. The focus in the Walker et al. references is on binary non-shaped two-level Non-Return to Zero (NRZ) and to Return to Zero (RZ) binary synchronous and symmetrical clocks and to embodiments in which the input data has a bit period of M clock periods, and the data bit polarity are phase shift key coded with waveform widths of M/M, M+1/M and M+2/M bit periods wherein M is an even integer greater than 3. Walker also appears to disclose a method for encoding an output encoded non-shaped signal clock incorporating polarity switches encoded at a plurality of time periods which are equal to and fractionally larger than the bit period of the NRZ data signal. In the aforementioned Walker methods the clock signals are not shaped and have the same basic form for the zero and one states respectively i.e., the Walker methods use NRZ or RZ type of symmetrical clock signals.
Some of the fundamental novelties of this Feher Keying (FK) invention, as compared to the aforementioned prior art references including the Walker et al. patents and publications, are briefly highlighted in this paragraph. Methods and implementation strategies and circuits which generate shaped symmetrical and non-symmetrical clock signals, two level and multilevel non-symmetrical clock signals, variable rise and different non-symmetrical fall time and/or other shaped clock signals and asynchronous clock signal information transmission means, where asynchronous clocking is referenced to the incoming data source signals are disclosed. In one of the embodiments of this invention the FK shaped and non-symmetrical format clock signals have different signal shapes for the one (1) state of that for the zero (0) state. The FK processors are also used in conjunction with NLA cross-correlated and Bit Rate Agile (BRA) quadrature FQPSK, FQAM and also non quadrature modem systems and as input drive signals to FM-VCO based systems to SSB to VSB to DSB-SC and in conjunction with conventional QPSK and QAM transceivers.
While the aforementioned issued patents and publications describe material of a background nature, they do not describe or suggest the subject matter of the present patent which provide novel enhanced performance systems and methods having more efficient and simpler bit rate agile and shaped clock modulation and transceiver demodulation agile/selectable technologies.


The present invention provides for a static excitation system for a superconducting rotor that comprises multiple brushes (12) in contact with the superconducting rotor winding (6), normally via collector rings and field leads. A power conditioning device (16) is connected to the brushes (12), and an energy storage device (18) is linked to the power conditioning device (16). The power conditioning device provides power from the energy storage device to the superconducting rotor when required, and when power to the superconducting rotor is not required, the power conditioning device takes excess power from the superconducting rotor and stores it in the energy storage device.

In certain high speed rotating equipment with static excitation, such as large turbine-generator systems, carbon brush current collection systems are utilized in conducting a field current to the generator rotor. The collector sets typically comprise a pair of collector rings, or one for each pole, mounted on the rotor and a set of stationary brushes angularly displaced around, and in contact with, each collector ring. In order to protect the collector sets and to prevent inadvertent contact with them by personnel, they are usually housed within an enclosure which includes a fixed base. This enclosure is commonly referred to as a collector house. Typically the collector house includes stationary traverse end walls having sealed openings through which the rotor shaft passes and a house defining the roof and sidewalls of the enclosure.
Because of high energy demands, it is common to arrange several carbon brushes within a magazine or gang type brush holder. Several brushes, normally six, are grouped within the brush holder, a plurality of which are arranged around the outside diameter of the generator rotor. Examples of such brush holders are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,155, issued on Jun. 4, 1968, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,710,478 which issued on Jan. 16, 1973.
In synchronous generator excitation systems the field windings require a continuous source of power, and the excitation system must be sized to draw the maximum energy and power from either the local system for a static excitation system, or from the shaft for a brushless system. FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a static excitation system. The generator rotor 2, disposed in the AC windings 4, has a protruding shaft 6. The static excitation system 8, which comprises an excitation transformer followed by a large power rectifier and associated controls, draws power from the local grid 10 which provides power to the shaft 6, though carbon brushes 12 and slip rings 14.
These types of excitations systems, however, are complicated and expensive, since they draw power from the grid and require the installment of electrical components. In the prior art, even if the excitation system drew power directly from the generator, since the generator is still part of the local grid, the input voltage to the excitation transformer would still drop too low to use.
What is needed is an excitation system that does not rely on an external power supply, and is simple to install and use. Other difficulties with the prior art also exist, some of which will be apparent upon further reading.

Regenerative static excitation system for superconducting rotor


A semiautomatic electronic printer comprises a housing (2) and, internally, a print head (8). A push-button (3), projecting upwards from the housing (2), is rigidly connected to a frame (7), which is mounted in a spring-charged relationship inside the housing (2) in such a manner to be vertically movable between a rest position and a working one. The frame (7) sustains in the upper part a printed circuit board including a microprocessor for acquiring from a separate computer data that has to be printed, and for storing such data, as well as for controlling the operation of the print head (8), supported by a carriage (20), with its inferior part being brought to touch the medium to be printed when the push-button is pushed downwards and to translate horizontally after the printing of a line of dots until a desired imaging made of a dot matrix has been printed on the all printing surface.

Electronic printers, as described, for example, by documents U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,283, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,730, PCT/SE01/01575, and PCT/AU03/00168, are already known.
From a general point of view, said electronic printers have in common a print head operable by a manual print control on a medium to be printed, an external housing being comfortable for a hand gripping, communication means for coupling the print head with an electronic apparatus such as a computer, and position detecting means adapted to detect the position of the print head.
The above mentioned printers are rough in the movement and positioning of the print head. Further, they require a manual operation by a user that moves the print head on the medium to be printed by pressing the print control.
In order to better illustrate the background of art, U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,730 is particularly considered, which discloses a hand-held electronic printer having a housing that can be manually positioned on a surface of the medium to be printed and remain stationary during a print sequence. The housing has an aperture that generally defines a printing area on the medium. A printing device is disposed in the housing and comprises a print head that, under the control of an actuator, is moved from an initial position to a final position to perform the printing operation. A spring is operatively connected to the print head to return the same to the initial position. Electronic control means are disposed in the housing to synchronise the printing in relation with the movements of the print head.
In the specification of U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,730 it is often said that its object is to make the electronic printer similar to a conventional mechanical stamper, in which the rubber marker is manually lowered in vertical direction up to the surface of the medium to leave a desired mark. However, the printer according to U.S. Pat. No. 5,634,730 does not perform really the operation of a traditional stamper, since the force that is exerted by the user on the actuator does not bring the print head near to the medium, as the print head is always close to the medium, but it produces an horizontal movement of the print head to perform the printing operation. On the contrary, a spring acting against the actuator, besides giving to the user a similarity impression with the action exerted on a conventional mechanical stamper, serves to bring the print head back to its initial position.
It can be appreciated that in all the patents cited the relevant printing apparatuses do not allow a user to select with precision the zone on which he or she desires to print. Firstly, because it is the user who has to displace very approximately the printer, as he or she cannot see the zone to be printed underneath the printer. Secondly, because the user cannot reasonably estimate a travel of the print head to adjust the printing operation on the desired zone of the medium.
Thus, an object of the present invention is to make an electronic printer that functions exactly as a mechanical stamper in the way in which a print head is brought near to a medium to be printed.
Another object of the invention is to permit a precise printing on the desired zone of the medium independently of the precision of the operation of the user.
A further object of the invention is to allow a working position of the print head to be maintained independently of maintaining the force exerted by the user on the actuator until the printing operation is completed.
Yet another object of the invention is to permit the choice of the printing resolution that the user wants to obtain.
Another object of the invention is to allow the user to see the impression zone of the printer, i.e. the zone where the printing is performed, also when the printer is positioned in the printing zone.


Field testing apparatus includes load device with drop weight for generating force impact and load stamp for introducing the force impact into asphalt. Load stamp is guided in a guide element. The load stamp is guided with its stamp face resting flat on the asphalt surface for testing. Time dependence of acceleration of load stamp is measured with acceleration sensor and movement of the load stamp is measured with displacement sensor. When impact force generated by the device is applied, the load stamp penetrates into the asphalt for testing. This penetration has a dynamic and a static depth (sdyn, sst). Load stamp is subjected to force impacts: For each force impact, time dependence of acceleration of load stamp and movement of load stamp are measured and temporarily stored, until static penetration depth (sst) is smaller than or equal to the predetermined minimum static penetration depth (sstmin).

(1) Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a field testing apparatus and a method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of asphalt. A preferred field of application of the invention is the determination of the dynamic elastic modulus of asphalt in asphalt poured as pavement or as installed asphalt.
The dynamic elastic modulus of asphalt poured as pavement or as installed asphalt is typically determined in accordance with the splitting tension-swelling test. For this purpose, a cylindrical test specimen is taken from the asphalt layer to be tested, to which a sinusoidal pressure swelling load is introduced via two diametrically opposite load input rails arranged on the outer surface of the cylindrical specimen (see operating instructions for determining the stiffness and fatigue behavior of asphalts with the splitting tension-swelling test as input variable for the dimensioning, AL Sp-asphalt 09, Research Institute for Roads and Transportation, Issue 2009, pp. 10-16). The tensile stress produced in the test specimen causes significant material fatigue and ultimately the fracture of the test specimen.
The test specimen is loaded with a force-controlled, harmonized sinusoidal swelling load without load pauses at different stress levels and load frequencies, wherein the load is continuously applied and increased until macro cracks appear in the test specimen. The test force and the deformation of the test specimen transverse to the direction of the test force are detected. The dynamic elastic modulus is calculated from these values. When the dynamic elastic modulus increases of under repeated loading of the test specimen, the curve of the dynamic elastic modulus as a function of the number of applied loads is a measure for the stiffness of the asphalt; conversely, a decrease of the curve of the dynamic elastic modulus as a function of the number of loads is a measure for the fatigue behavior of the asphalt. The splitting tension-swelling test is complicated and can only be performed in the laboratory, so that test results are available only after a considerable time after the samples have been removed and are related to permanent the damage in the asphalt surface to be tested due to the sample removal. This test is therefore not suitable as a field test.
(2) Description of Related Art
DE 10 2008 035 565 A1 mentions that the load carrying capacity of asphalt in an uncured state can be determined by using a device with a drop weight according to technical test method TP BF-StB Part B 8.3. In particular, the dynamic elastic modulus, in DE 10 2008 035 565 A1 called dynamic deformation modulus, of the test plenum is determined. A drop weight tester according to the above test method includes a load plate having a diameter of 300 mm and a mass of 15 kg, and a load device composed of drop weight, guide rod, spring element and release device. The mass of the drop weight is 10 kg, the total mass of the guide rod is 5 kg. The drop weight acts on the load plate with a force of 7.07 kN. An acceleration sensor, which is configured to measure the movement of the load plate placed on the test plenum that is caused by the force impact of the drop weight, is coupled to the load plate. The dynamic elastic modulus of the test plenum is determined from the movement of the load plate, i.e. from the movement of the test plenum caused by the force impact. However, the determined dynamic elastic modulus is not a specific characteristic value of the asphalt in the asphalt layer, but rather a characteristic value that describes the dynamic behavior of the entire system of the layer structure below the test plenum, i.e. of the compacted soil, the support layers built on top of the compacted soil and the final layer of asphalt. This drop weight cannot be used to determine the dynamic elastic modulus as a characteristic material parameter of the asphalt in the asphalt layer.

Field testing apparatus and method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of asphalt


A flexible medical needle for extended indwelling periods is provided. The medical needle apparatus includes a spine body and a flexible shaft portion. The spine body has a length between a first end, comprising a piercing tip, and a second end. The flexible shaft portion may be disposed on at least a portion of the spine body, forming a needle shaft having a passage along a portion of the length of the spine body. The spine body may also be coiled forming an axial passage within the spine body. In this latter embodiment, the flexible shaft portion surrounds the spine body. In each embodiment, the spine body is configured to facilitate bending, allowing for the medical needle to remain indwelling with reduced discomfort.

Medical needles are typically rigid metal tubes with a piercing end for piercing the skin and penetrating into the tissue below the skin. In some applications, it is desirable to have the needle remain in the tissue (i.e., indwelling) for an extended period of time. Under those conditions, it is often necessary to immobilize the site to aid patient comfort by preventing movement between the tissue and the rigid needle. This is not always convenient or desirable.
In some known indwelling applications, a needle is first used to pierce the skin and penetrate into the tissue. A flexible tube placed over the needle as a sheath to follow the needle to a site within the tissue. Once the tube reaches a desired location, the needle is removed from the tube, leaving the flexible tube in the tissue (i.e. a cannula). However, this is a multi-step process to place a flexible tube in tissue.
Accordingly, a need exists for a flexible needle that can be easily placed in tissue without the need for a separate flexible tube to be place over the needle, and that can remain indwelling for an extended period of time without patient discomfort.


In a portable electric apparatus comprising a radio tuner, an optical disc drive, a casing, and an antenna, the apparatus further comprises a lid arranged on a top surface of the casing. The lid is openable for taking the optical disc into and out from the optical disc drive. The antenna is mounted to the lid. An earth plate electrically connected to the antenna is mounted to the lid.

The present invention relates to a portable electric apparatus and an antenna device used for the apparatus. The portable electric apparatus comprises a digital radio tuner, an optical disc drive, and a casing containing therein the digital radio tuner and the optical disc drive. The digital radio tuner can receive radio waves from an artificial satellite (hereinafter, may be called "satellite waves") and/or radio waves above ground (hereinafter, may be called "terrestrial waves") by an antenna, for listening to digital radio broadcasting (may be merely called "radio broadcasting"). The optical disc drive can reproduce data recorded in an optical disc such as a CD (Compact Disc). The optical disc drive may not only reproduce data from the optical disc but also record data in the optical disc or record and reproduce data in/from the optical disc.
Recently, a digital radio receiver receiving the satellite waves and/or the terrestrial waves for listening to the digital radio broadcasting is developed and is put to practical use in USA. This kind of digital radio receiver can receive radio waves of approximately 2.33 GHz and can be used for listening to the radio broadcasting. Therein, the terrestrial waves are provided by slightly shifting the satellite waves in frequency after once receiving one by an earth station.
As the digital radio receiver, there is various types, such as a vehicle-mounted type, a stationary type stationed in house, and a portable type operated by battery.
As the digital radio receiver of the portable type, there is specifically a portable electric apparatus such as a portable audio apparatus containing an optical disc drive the CD, an amplifier, and speakers in addition to the digital radio tuner in a casing in an integrated fashion.
As an antenna capable of receiving the radio waves of the approximately 2.33 GHz, various types of antennas have been known. The antennas are classified broadly by configuration into a flat type (plain plate type) such as a patch antenna and a cylindrical type such as a loop antenna. The patch antenna or the loop antenna is generally provided for the portable electric apparatus separately from the casing. The antenna is connected to the radio tuner via a cable and a connector and used.
Japanese Patent Application Publication (JP-A) No. 2003-163521 discloses an electric apparatus comprising a patch antenna. The patch antenna is not for the digital radio broadcasting but may be usable for satellite waves.
The advantage of the portable electric apparatus is that is portable readily by the user and usable anywhere. However, the existing portable electric apparatus having the antenna separated from the casing as mentioned above is not necessarily sufficient in portability.

Portable electric apparatus for radio broadcasting simple in structure and antenna device used for the apparatus


A method performed by an aircraft, the aircraft including a wing, aircraft fuel, and a whole-aircraft parachute that is coupled to the aircraft. The method comprises: deploying the whole-aircraft parachute while the aircraft is in flight; and after deploying the parachute, but before the aircraft contacts the earth or any object coupled to the earth, discharging at least a portion of the aircraft fuel from the wing of the aircraft.

The safety of the occupants of an aircraft is of the utmost importance. Thus, aircraft manufacturers are constantly adding safety improvements to their aircraft. One of the recent aircraft safety improvements added to aircraft is a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute system. According to Ballistic Recovery Systems, Inc., over 200 lives have been saved by whole-aircraft ballistic parachute systems. One embodiment of a prior art aircraft with a whole-aircraft ballistic parachute system is shown in FIG. 1. The aircraft 100 includes a fragile parachute cover 105. When the whole-aircraft parachute is deployed, a rocket fires through the cover 105 and extracts the whole-aircraft parachute from an opening under the cover. The rocket then tensions the parachute harness straps. Next, the whole-aircraft parachute inflates. After the whole-parachute inflates, the aircraft is lowered to the earth.
FIG. 2 shows a prior art whole-aircraft parachute harness. The forward straps 110 and the rear straps 115, both of which are made of a light but strong flexible material, such as KEVLAR™, couple the aircraft fuselage to a whole-aircraft parachute canopy (not shown) via the straps 120.
While the above whole-aircraft ballistic parachute system has saved many lives, the safety of aircraft occupants can still be further increased.

Intelligent ballistic parachute system with fuel discharge


The present invention provides pharmaceutical preparations and the uses thereof for preventing and/or treating seizures and other electroconvulsive disorders by administering a pharmaceutically effective amount of a therapeutic compound having the following formula (I):

Epilepsy is a general term describing a group of central nervous system disorders that are characterized by recurrent seizures that are the outward manifestation of excessive and/or hyper-synchronous abnormal electrical activity of neurons of the cerebral cortex and other regions of the brain. This abnormal electrical activity can be manifested as motor, convulsion, sensory, autonomic, or psychic symptoms.
Epilepsy affects millions of people worldwide, and over 2.5 million individuals in the United States. For the purposes of clinical assessment, it is useful to classify patients according to the type of seizure the patient experiences. As described in The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 9th Ed. (McGraw-Hill) [1], there are two classes of seizures: partial seizures and generalized seizures. Partial seizures consist of focal and local seizures. Partial seizures are further classified as simple partial seizures, complex partial seizures and partial seizures secondarily generalized. Generalized seizures are classified as convulsive and nonconvulsive seizures. They are further classified as absence (previously referred to as 'petit mal') seizures, atypical absence seizures, myoclonic seizures, clonic seizures, tonic seizures, tonic-clonic seizures, and atonic seizures.
Hundreds of epileptic syndromes have been defined as disorders characterized by specific symptoms that include epileptic seizures. These include, but are not limited to, absence epilepsy, psychomotor epilepsy, temporal lobe epilepsy, frontal lobe epilepsy, occipital lobe epilepsy, parietal lobe epilepsy, Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Rasmussen's encephalitis, childhood absence epilepsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome type II, benign epilepsy syndrome, benign infantile encephalopathy, benign neonatal convulsions, early myoclonic encephalopathy, progressive epilepsy and infantile epilepsy. A patient may suffer from any combination of different types of seizures. Partial seizures are the most common, and account for approximately 60% of all seizure types. Regardless of the type of epilepsy, seizures significantly limit the autonomy of the patient.
It is believed that the characteristic seizures of epilepsy are caused by the disordered, synchronous, and rhythmic firing of brain neurons. The neurons can fire at up to four times their normal rate. As a result, epileptic seizures are an overstimulation of the normal neuronal processes that control brain function.
Anti-epileptic drugs are available for treating epilepsies, but these agents have a number of shortcomings. For instance, the agents are often poorly soluble in aqueous and biological fluids or are extremely hygroscopic. Of even greater importance is that patients often become refractory to a drug over time. In addition, many anti-epileptic agents cause unwanted side effects, neurotoxicities, and drug interactions. Even while being treated with one or a combination of the anti-epileptic drugs currently in clinical use, 30% of epileptic patients still experience seizures. As more anti-epileptic drugs are developed, the clinician will have expanded pharmaceutical options when designing an effective treatment protocol for each patient. Accordingly, a continuing need exists for pharmaceutical compositions that treat or prevent epilepsy and its associated symptoms with minimal side effects.
After experimentation and investigation, it has been discovered that oral and intraperitoneal administration of a therapeutic compound comprising formula (I) below to mice and rats resulted in profound and reproducible anticonvulsant or antiepileptic activity in animal modes of seizure disorders. It has further been discovered that these compounds do not show acute neurotoxic effects at the levels required for a therapeutic response.

Compounds of use in the treatment of epilepsy, seizure, and electroconvulsive disorders

Abstract: Embodiments include administering an effective amount of 4,4′-thiodianiline, 4,4′-diaminobenzophenone, 4,4′-methylenedianiline, 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl ether, or (3-aminophenyl)-(4-aminophenyl) amine, an analog, or a pharmaceutically accepted salt or complex thereof to a mammal in need of treatment or prevention of epilepsy, seizure, or other electroconvulsive disorder.


Some embodiments of the present disclosure provide an integrated circuit (IC) design method. The method includes (1) receiving a first layout comprising stripe patterns with a first separation and a first width; (2) receiving a second layout comprising stripe patterns with a second width narrower than the first separation, each stripe on the second layout is configured to situate between two adjacent stripes on the first layout when overlaying the first layout and the second layout; (3) performing a separation check by identifying a spacing between a stripe on the second layout and one of the two adjacent stripes on the first layout; and (4) adjusting the spacing between the stripe on the second layout and one of the two adjacent stripes on the first layout when the separation check determining the spacing is greater than a predetermined value.

The semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) industry has experienced rapid growth. In the course of IC evolution, functional density (i.e., the number of interconnected devices per chip area) has generally increased while geometry size (i.e., the smallest component (or line) that can be created using a fabrication process) has decreased. This scaling down process generally provides benefits by increasing production efficiency and lowering associated costs. Such scaling down has also increased the complexity of processing and manufacturing ICs and, for these advances to be realized, similar developments in IC manufacturing are needed.
For example, as IC technologies are continually progressing to smaller technology nodes, such as 65 nm technology node, 45 nm technology node, 20 nm technology node and below, simply scaling down similar designs used at larger feature sizes often results in poorly shaped or poorly arranged device features. Typically, optical proximity correction (OPC) may be performed on a design pattern before the pattern is created on a mask. However, current OPC techniques may not offer great enough fidelity or sufficient rules to correct problems in sub-45 nm designs. Therefore, although existing methods for improving IC manufacturing have been generally adequate for their intended purposes, they have not been entirely satisfactory in all respects.

Method and apparatus for optical proximity correction

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.


An encoder unit releasably secured to the flange end of a motor with a form-fitting and positive connection comprises an encoder housing with guide grooves for receiving a printed circuit board (PCB), a recess for receiving the motor shaft, and at least one moveable side wall. A timing disc and hub are positioned on the motor shaft within the encoder housing beneath the PCB. The PCB, a sensor unit fixed, and the movable side wall are slid into the guiding grooves to press an abutment against the hub. The pre-assembled encoder housing can be placed onto a base plate at the flange end of the motor. Pressure movement fully insert the PCB into the housing cover so that the sensor unit records the code markings of the timing disc and so that an abutment is removed from a region of contact with the timing disc hub.

An encoder unit of the initially mentioned type is known from EP 1 055 915 (PWB-Ruhlatec GmbH) wherein the encoder consists of an interlocking housing which, at the end face, is flanged on to a motor which, at least in one flange plane, comprises a motor shaft projecting into the housing. The housing consists of a base plate with an inner housing part and an upper housing part, which two parts, for assembly purposes, can be interlocked relative to one another, wherein bayonet segments are arranged on the inner housing part, which bayonet segments engage matching recesses in the upper housing part. During a rotational movement for form-fittingly and positively connecting the bayonet segments, wedge-shaped guiding faces slide on one another, so that the upper housing part is separated from the base plate, as a result of which the timing disc is "cleared" on the motor shaft.
The German utility model DE 291 20 932 U1 (PWB-Ruhlatec Industrieprodukte GmbH) proposes a motor/sensor system wherein on a printed circuit board there are provided at least two contact pins for supplying power to the electric motor fixed by a fixing bracket on the printed circuit board. During the fixing process, the timing disc secured on the motor shaft is positioned in the slot of a sensor/emitter unit. Through a semi-circular cut-out in the fixing bracket, the shaft end of the sensor/emitter unit is self-centringly positioned with reference to the timing disc secured on the shaft end of the electric motor. However, said fixing is open on all sides, so that the prior art motor/sensor system is exposed to environmental influences.
Encoder systems are subject to stringent requirements in respect of reliability under fluctuating temperatures, in respect of accurate positioning and resolution quality. As such encoder systems are mass-produced, there is a need for designs which are easy to produce and which consist of a few simple components which are not subject to failure.
For some time now, the high surface quality of the motor shaft is used for fixing the timing discs via a timing disc hub by means of a press fit. As it is necessary to observe very close tolerances, the pressure forces are correspondingly high. After the assembly process has been completed, the timing disc has to be "cleared" so to speak, which in EP 1 055 915 is achieved by rotating wedge-shaped bayonet faces. However, the prior art system is not suitable for larger timing disc diameters and larger printed circuit boards.
It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide an encoder unit and a process of assembling same which can be carried out quickly and easily and with a minimum of tools. The pre-assembled unit is to be protected against dirt and mechanical damage to the timing disc. A further requirement consists in that the encoder can be tested as a component. After the unit has been pre-assembled on the electric motor or on some other driven shaft, there shall be no need for individual parts of the unit to be removed or newly added.

Encoder unit and process of assembling same


The belt conveyance device includes a plurality of rollers, a belt, a meandering correction part, and an adjustment part. The rollers are disposed at intervals each other and rotate around axes. The belt is disposed around the plurality of rollers and travels. The meandering correction part shifts one end portion in an axial direction of a tension roller included in the plurality of rollers in a radial direction within a predetermined range to correct a meandering of the belt. The adjustment part shifts the other end portion in the axial direction of the tension roller in the radial direction such that a position of the one end portion of the tension roller is variable under a state where the meandering of the belt is corrected.

The present disclosure relates to a belt conveyance device and an image forming apparatus.
A belt conveyance device is known, in which a meandering of a belt is corrected by difference in load between left and right belt tension applying rollers around which the belt is wound by 90 degrees or more.
A tendency of the belt meandering is different owing to dimensional tolerance of members of the belt conveyance device and displacement of the members at a time of assembling. Then, when the belt meandering of the plurality of belt conveyance devices is corrected, the meandering correction may be performed in a state where the load is biased to the right side, or the meandering correction may be performed in a state where the load is biased to the left side. Also, there is a limit (a range) to the load exerted for the meandering correction. For example, in a case where the meandering correction is performed in the state where the load is biased to the right side and it is desired to correct the meandering of the belt again by applying the load further to the right side at a later maintenance, there is a possibility that the load cannot be shifted to the right side depending on the situation of the previous meandering correction. That is, in a state where the meandering correction is performed under the situation where the load is shifted to the right side, since the shift range of the load to the right side is narrow, the load sifting necessary for the re-correction may not be performed. As described above, it is ideal that the meandering correction is achieved substantially in a center of a correctable range.

Belt conveyance device with a meandering correction part shifting one end of a tension roller and an adjustment part shifting the other end


A method for providing a camera calibration includes recovering geometric information from a single rectangular image, obtaining intrinsic and extrinsic construction information of a camera based on the recovered geometric information, obtaining a shooting position and real geometric information of the camera from the obtained intrinsic and extrinsic construction information of the camera.

A camera calibration is defined as to find out an intrinsic construction (for example, lens property and imaging method) and an extrinsic construction (for example, position and direction of a camera). It is a major technical issue in a field of computer vision, and also an augmented reality-based core element technology whose interest is increased recently.
Information on a camera intrinsic construction is not explicitly known if not an expensive one, and it is not easy to measure information on a camera extrinsic construction except a special case. Accordingly, a variety of methods to measure such intrinsic and extrinsic construction information are suggested, which usually use a single image for three-dimensional object constructed precisely in advance or a plurality of images for a checkerboard whose size is known.
However, the three-dimensional object is so complicated that it is not easy to use it in a normal environment and that it is not proper to apply to a cheap camera such as a smart phone camera. While a method to use a plurality of images for a simple checkerboard is most widely used, such a method takes a long time comparatively to measure so that it is not easy to apply to a real time application.

Method and apparatus for providing camera calibration

ELECTRONICS AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS RESEARCH INSTITUTE


An orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) for manufacturing a high quality liquid crystal display apparatus by subjecting orientation films formed on glass substrates of a relatively large-size liquid crystal display apparatus to a uniform orientation process. An orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) 10 is formed by applying a plurality of rubbing cloth pieces 12A and 12B applied with double-side bond tape to the outer periphery of the rotational roller 11. Another orientation processor (i.e., rubbing roller) 20 is formed by at least one parallel quadrilateral rubbing cloth piece 22B and 22C and substantially triangular rubbing cloth pieces 22A and 22D disposed on the opposite sides of the cloth pieces 22B and 22C. The orientation processor 10 or 20 is used to execute an orientation process of rubbing orientation films formed on the surface of glass substrates (panels) and a liquid crystal display apparatus.

This application claims benefit of Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-387654 filed on Nov. 18, 2003, the contents of which are incorporated by the reference.
The present invention relates to liquid crystal display apparatus and, more particularly, to a rubbing roll apparatus for executing an orientation process on a glass substrate surface of the apparatus and a method for manufacturing a liquid crystal display apparatus using the same.
Liquid crystal display apparatus (or liquid crystal display panel) is relatively thin and consumes low power, and is thus broadly spread as display units of personal computers and those of car navigation apparatuses.
A liquid crystal display is usually formed by disposing face-to-face and at a very small distance two thin glass panels having electrodes of TFTs (Thin Film Transistors) formed thereon and filling liquid crystal in the space between these glass panels. These glass panels have respective orientation films formed on their inner surfaces, and these orientation films are subjected to a predetermined orientation process, thereby obtaining orientation of the sealed liquid crystal. The orientation process is usually carried out by using an orientation processing apparatus, i.e., a rubbing roll or rubbing apparatus.
Heretofore, various types of orientation processing apparatus have been proposed. As a typical prior art orientation processing apparatus, a rubbing apparatus has been disclosed, which is formed by applying a rubbing cloth with a double-side bond tape or the like to the surface of a cylindrical rotational roller (see Literature 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2000-171803, for example).
FIGS. 3(A) and 3(B) show an example of such a prior art orientation processing apparatus. FIG. 3(A) is a perspective view, and FIG. 3(B) is a developed view of a rubbing cloth. As shown in FIG. 3(A), this prior art orientation processing apparatus 30 comprises a cylindrical rotational roller 31 and a plurality of rubbing cloth pieces 32 provided on the outer periphery (i.e., peripheral surface) of the rotational roller 31 and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the rotational roller 31. These rubbing cloth pieces 32 are applied by using a double-side bond tape or the like such that their adjacent edges abut, i.e., form contact seams 34. This orientation film processing apparatus 30 is used for the orientation process such that it is rotated on and rubs an orientation film, which is printedly formed on, for instance, a glass panel of a liquid crystal display apparatus. In this case, as shown in the developed view in FIG. 3(B), a circumferential pattern of a plurality of seams 34 is formed
FIGS. 4(A) and 4(B) show a different orientation processing apparatus disclosed in the Literature 1. FIG. 4(A) is a perspective view, and FIG. 4(B) is a developed view. This orientation film processing apparatus 40 comprises a cylindrical rotational roller 41 and a relatively thin rubbing cloth piece 42 helically wound on the outer periphery of the rotational roller 41 such that the edges of adjacent turns are in contact with each other. Also this rubbing cloth 42 is applied to the outer periphery of the rotational roller 41 at an acute angle to the direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation by using a double-side bond tape or the like. Thus, as shown in the developed view 43 of FIG. 4(B), a pattern of a plurality of inclined seams 44 is formed.
Display panels such as liquid crystal display apparatuses are increasing in size more and more, and their price competition becomes harder and harder due to mass production. In such large-size liquid crystal display apparatuses, the panel size is naturally increasing in size. However, the use of the above orientation processing apparatus or rotational roller necessitates a wide cloth piece, which is applied as rubbing cloth substantially parallel to or at an edge to the axial direction. The manufacture of wide cloth has a problem that it is difficult to obtain uniform stretch by applying a predetermined stretching force in the axial direction, thus leading to lack of pile length uniformity and increase of possibility of occurrence of abnormal orientation. In the case of helically winding a narrow rubbing cloth piece on the outer periphery of the rotational roller, the direction of pile for raising is determined by the rubbing cloth application angle, thus forming a seam at a predetermined angle from the circumferential direction. This causes the portion which has not been uniformly rubbing-processed.

Rubbing roll orientation processor for liquid crystal display manufacturing


An acoustic panel system is provided for partially acoustically isolating a portion of a space in, for example, a recording studio. The acoustic panel system is modular in design and includes a plurality of different sized acoustic panels which can be assembled together in various configurations to form complete or partial acoustically isolated areas within a space. The acoustic panel system includes wall mount members, wall panels, floor panels, ceiling panels, transparent viewing panels and door panels. The wall mount members are basically partial members either permanently or removably interconnected with the walls of a space. The wall panels can be interconnected with the wall mount members. The wall panels may include casters for facilitating the movement thereof, and may also include feet for supporting the panels on uneven flooring. The wall panels further include recesses along the upper edges thereof for cooperating with the casters and/or clips interconnected with the casters, on lower edges of the panels to allow for such panels to be stacked. Additionally, such wall panels can be connected together along the sides thereof to form partial or complete enclosures as desired.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to an acoustic panel system for partially or completely, acoustically, isolating desired areas in a recording studio, and more specifically to such an acoustic panel system of a modular design having a plurality of different sized interconnectable panels for forming a partial or complete acoustical enclosure of a desired configuration.
2. Related Art
Acoustic panels, sometimes referred to as "gobos" in the sound recording industry, have been widely known and used in the past to acoustically partition areas in recording studios, or on stage, or in theatrical use, as well as in other areas of use. Such panels have been created with sound absorbing features or sound reflecting features in order to separate or isolate sounds, or to reflect and enhance sounds. These panels are used, for example, in a recording studio, to partially acoustically isolate one or more persons, for example a vocalist, from other persons, for example, musicians. Some such panels have been carefully tailored to obtain specific desired acoustical effects, while others have been put together from readily available materials in a more haphazard manner.
In either case, these past efforts at acoustic panel systems typically include one or more panels having a substantially similar size and substantially similar acoustical characteristics. Such panels have been placed next to each, and in some cases even joined together. However, none of these previous efforts are directed to an acoustic panel system of a modular construction including a plurality of different sized members for forming a partial or complete enclosure of a desired configuration.
In a sound recording studio the acoustic panel system of the present invention can be used to partially, acoustically, isolate desired areas in the studio in order to obtain desired effects such as separating a singer from the instrumentalists during a sound recording. The system of the present invention is modular and contains a plurality of different sized members which can be stacked to form sound partitions of varying heights. Some of the members, or areas thereof, could be transparent to allow one to see therethrough. Additionally, such panels can be positioned side by side and attached together along sides by attachment means. Further, the side walls of the panels could be curved to allow members to be joined together at any desired angle.
Examples of such of previous efforts of acoustic panels include:
U.S. Pat. No. 2,975,853 to Friend, discloses a sound absorbent translucent building block that has mechanical strength and a pleasing appearance while having light-transmitting and acoustic-absorbing qualities. Also disclosed is a method of making such translucent, sound-absorbent blocks comprising the step of bonding or fusing together the pieces that make up the block, namely hollow tubular members disposed within a frame.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,748,799 to Tough, et al., discloses a sound absorbent panel or partition member comprising a rigid panel positioned within an enclosing, channel-shaped, one-piece edge member. A piece of double face tape secures the ends of the edge member about the rigid panel and also provides for the attachment of the partition member to a structure. Sound absorbency is achieved by means of applying a woven material to the panel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,094,380 to Kobayshi, et al., discloses a multi layered sound-proofing structure comprising a plurality of layers including a layer of a light aggregate material, a layer of material having the quality of insulating high frequency sounds but permitting penetration of low frequency sounds, another layer of light aggregate material, and a fourth layer of high sound-insulating ability covering the other layers except for the sound incident face of the first layer.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,416 to Lapins, et al., discloses a movable, prefabricated wall panel having a rigid rectangular frame for use in partitioning office space or other space where high noise reduction and absorption is necessary. The panel includes a core structure preferably comprising at least one honeycomb layer bounded by skins with small openings therein for creating a sound chamber. The skins are covered by a porous fiberglass material for absorbing sound.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,043 to Kurrasch, discloses an acoustic panel for use as part of a freestanding modular office partition. The panel has an open frame, a septum centrally located therewithin and expanded fiberglass batts on each side thereof. Each side of the frame has a perforated hardboard facing sheet adhesively bonded to the frame. A layer of open-cell foam is carried by the facing sheets and a foil layer is applied over the foam layer. The panel may be finished with a fabric material.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,069,011 to Jenne, discloses a portable acoustical panel for stage or theatrical use to reflect and enhance the sound produced by an orchestra or band or by actors in a play. The panel includes weighted supporting base having a roller thereon disposed at a corner of the panel to facilitate movement of the panel. The panel can be oriented either upright or sideways. The panel includes a canopy hingedly affixed to the main panel which may be positioned at an angle to the main panel. The panel is constructed of a lightweight honeycomb core having a rigid sheet material adhesively bonded to opposing faces thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,131,194 Anderson, discloses a sound barrier double-pane window having panes of different thicknesses or different densities or a combination thereof to dampen sounds. The window also includes a gasket about the periphery of the panes for providing a sound-deadening seal between interior and exterior environments.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,423,151 to Caro, et al., discloses a tackable tile for use as a wall panel for creating a modular office system. The tile includes a frame, a composite material positioned within the frame, and a noise reducing acoustic material applied over the composite material.
None of these previous efforts disclose all of the benefits and advantages of the present invention, nor do these previous patents teach or suggest all of the elements of the present invention.


A Christmas tree or tree container and protective underlay comprising a bottom which lays in a flat circular sheet forming the top of a first open bottomed container and the bottom of a second open topped container, the walls and circular sheet being so constructed, secured and configured as to define cylindrical containers closed at one end with the disk-shaped circular sheet and open at the other end and being substantially moisture and vapor tight, the first container walls being constructed and configured to be folded accordion-like under the circular sheet during display of the Christmas tree and to be lifted to enclose the Christmas tree for disposal thereof is disclosed.

This invention relates to a container specifically designed as a base for and as a container for Christmas trees to a container specifically designed an underlay for a Christmas tree and wrap-container for the stand, bucket, or other support for Christmas trees.
The Christmas tree, in much of the Christian world, particularly in Northern Europe and in the United States, has become a symbol of the Christmas holidays.
Among the problems associated with Christmas trees are moisture or sap damage to the floor or carpet and the inconvenience, the dropping of dry leaves or needles on the floor or carpet and the difficulty in removing the Christmas tree and preventing the spread of dry needles, dust, and remnants of decorations far and wide when the used Christmas tree is disposed of.
Another aspect of the usage of Christmas trees, providing an ornamental or decorative base for the Christmas tree, is also addressed and provision is made for a utilitarian as well as decorative base for the Christmas tree.
It is well known and common in the use of Christmas trees to provide some kind of a decorative or ornamental base. Sometimes the base is a layer of cotton, representing snow, or a highly colored paper or film which is spread on the carpet or floor underneath the Christmas tree. These devices provide an ornamental setting for the Christmas tree and, in some instances, provide some limited protection for the floor or carpet under the Christmas tree. It is also known to provide a plastic sheet under the Christmas tree to protect the carpet or floor from the moisture which seeps out of the Christmas tree, from the dropping of sap, needles and the like, and if provided, the protection of the floor from watering or moisturizing the Christmas tree. No single device, however, provides a decorative underlay for the Christmas tree, protects the floor or carpet from the Christmas tree, and collects and prevents the spread of falling or dried or loose needles or leaves. It is to a solution of these three problems that the present invention is directed.

Christmas tree skirt and container and floor protector


A method for sensitizing lead salt infrared detectors includes the step of making a photomask for depositing a lead salt material on a substrate for forming a plurality of detectors in which each detector is electrically coupled in series to at least one other detector on the substrate. A lead salt material, such as lead sulfide or lead selenide, is deposited onto the substrate through the photomask to form a plurality of lead salt detectors connected in series on a substrate. A monitor is connected across a series of interconnecting detectors on the substrate and the substrate is immersed in a heated chemically inert liquid, such as a fluorocarbon liquid, for a predetermined time period to sensitize the lead salt detectors on the substrate while simultaneously monitoring the detectors across the substrate in the heated liquid. The monitor produces an average reading of the resistance for each detector on the substrate to determine when to remove the detectors from the heated liquid. The substrate is then removed from the heated liquid and the separate infrared detectors are separated from each other to form a plurality of lead salt detectors.

The present invention relates to a method of sensitizing lead salt infrared detectors and especially to a method for sensitizing a lead sulfide or lead selenide infrared detector.
In the past, many materials have been known which can be excited by the absorption of infrared energy to provide a useful electrical signal. Some of these detectors of infrared energy take advantage of the fact that a change in conductivity occurs in the material when heating with infrared radiation. This change in conductivity is thus used to modulate a signal impressed across the infrared sensitive material. These device are satisfactory for some purposes but the reaction time in such devices is inherently long since the operation depends entirely upon a thermal affect. Another type of detector employs certain materials which operate on the photoconductive principal such that when the material is excited by absorption of infrared energy, there is a change in conductivity in the material. Certain of these photoconductive materials can be prepared which have very short time constants. Lead salts provide some of the most sensitive materials for the detection of infrared energy at certain wavelengths and especially lead selenide and lead sulfide materials. An infrared detector utilizing these materials usually comprises a thin film of lead selenide or lead sulfide on a substrate with electrical leads connected to opposite sides of the thin film or layer. The thin film of lead salt can be formed by either vacuum evaporation or deposition onto the substrate or by chemically depositing onto the substrate from a solution. The vapor deposition technique has been found to be extremely difficult to control. On the other hand, a chemical deposition from solution technique has also been far from satisfactory in that frequently the precipitation of the lead salt has had poor adherence to the substrate.
Lead salts are typically deposited on the substrates in a manner to form a plurality of infrared detectors simultaneously. First a photomask is made up of the exact shape of the detectors to be formed on the substrate. The photomask is applied directly to the substrate such that the lead salt material is deposited in the exact positions through the photomask to form the desired detectors. Once the lead salt is deposited on the substrate, the lead salt is sensitized by oxidizing the lead salt by positioning the substrate and the lead salt at an elevated temperature for a predetermined time. It is known in the industry that the sensitization of the lead salt material, such as a lead sulfide or lead selenide, is one of the more critical or more difficult processes to control. The sensitization process is the conversion or oxidation of the lead sulfide material using elevated temperatures and time. The resistance of the material is the test most commonly used to determine the useful range of the material as a detector. Presently, the method used is to bake a group of detectors for a set period of time. The resistance of the detectors is measured to determine how long in time the remaining detectors will be baked. The problem associated with this method is the changing conditions in the oven and the room that the oven is residing in which usually gives different results from the evaluation. An alternative method is to bake all the detectors at the same time which has been unacceptable as the resistance target moves from deposition to deposition. Any difference in the deposition process or environmental conditions and the final resistance values is thereby different.
The present invention relates to a process of improving sensitization of the lead salt materials placed on a substrate, such as a quartz plate, having each electrical lead contacting an electrical lead of another detector so that a monitor can be placed across the series connected plurality of detectors formed on a single substrate to monitor the resistance through all of the detectors simultaneously and then immersing the substrate and detectors still connected to the monitor in a heated inert liquid, such as a heated fluorocarbon liquid, at a predetermined temperature until the monitor provides a reading through all of the detectors which can be averaged to determine the desired resistance for each detector. The substrate with the sensitized detectors can be removed from the heated liquid and further processed and separated into individual detectors.
A great variety of prior art patents have dealt with the making of infrared detectors and especially with infrared detectors made with lead salt materials, including both the detectors and processes for making the detectors. In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,997,407, to McLean, a method of production of a lead selenide photodetector is provided which seeks a high degree of reliability in the production of the detector cells which applies a layer of selenide to a suitable substrate, oxidizes the layer of selenide at an elevated temperature, and applies a controlled amount of selenium to the oxidized layer of selenide. In the U.S. Pat. No. 3,178,312, to Johnson, solutions and methods for depositing lead selenide in situ on a substrate of a polycrystaline layer of a thin film of lead selenide by chemical deposition is illustrated. In the U.S. Pat. No. 2,809,132, to Bloem, a method of coating a support with a lead sulfide layer, such as lead sulfide is shown. The Autrey U.S. Pat. No. 3,356,500, shows the production of infrared detector patterns using lead selenide or lead sulfide and delineates the film areas for complex detector array patterns. In the Barrett U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,246, a method of fabricating a lead salt infrared detector array on a silicon wafer which does not employ individual bonded leads between the infrared sensitive elements and the input stages of the multiplexers is provided. In the Barrett patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,032, a Joule-Thomson cryostat having a chemically deposited infrared detector is provided and a method of manufacturing the infrared detector in which the infrared detectors are integrally deposited on a Joule-Thomson cryostat to permit efficient cooling of the detectors. In the Nakamura et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,145, a method for the production of image sensors has a simplified chip mounting technique.
The present invention, on the other hand, deals with an improved technique for sensitizing the lead salt infrared detectors which have been deposited on a substrate and includes making a photomask which interconnects the sensor material leads on the substrate plate for simultaneously monitoring the resistance of an entire batch of sensors being oxidized at an elevated temperature and monitoring the batch during sensitization to determine temperature/time for each batch.

Method of sensitizing lead salt detectors


A method for adjusting a safety distance between a first vehicle and a second vehicle preceding the first vehicle at a bunched traffic site by at least one control device is disclosed which includes receiving measurement data of at least one sensor unit with the at least one control device. The method includes evaluating the measurement data of the at least one sensor unit with the at least one control device to identify a bunched traffic site in front of the second vehicle and identifying a safety distance of the first vehicle from the second vehicle, wherein the identified safety distance accounts for a possible reverse motion of the second vehicle. The method further includes establishing the identified safety distance with the at least one control device based upon the identified bunched traffic site. A control device, a computer program and a machine-readable storage medium are further disclosed.

Various methods for the automated operation of vehicles are already known. In particular, in such methods, the longitudinal and transverse guidance of the vehicles is controlled in such a way that the distance from preceding vehicles is adjusted in a manner that is optimized for the speed. The regulation of the safety distance of a vehicle from a preceding vehicle can take place according to defined convenience conditions, traffic events, lane markings and light signals.
At bunched traffic sites such as, for example, intersections or exits, it may be that there is only a limited overview of the traffic events. Parked vehicles or static objects can, for example, impair the view. In such traffic situations, a vehicle must venture carefully into a road with impaired view. Depending on the particular situation, it may be necessary to reverse the vehicle here. In such traffic situations, usual automatically operated vehicles can maintain an insufficient safety distance from the preceding vehicle, and thus prevent reverse motion of the preceding vehicle.

Enabling reverse motion of a preceding vehicle at bunched traffic sites


A disposable apparatus for cell expansion, having at least one bioreactor. The bioreactor has a cellular growth area and a supply area, the cellular growth area being separated from said supply area by a membrane. A fluid recirculation path in fluid communication with the cellular growth area allows for hermetically removing a sample containing cellular matter. This may comprise an elongated tube, or a plurality of parallel tube segments. The parallel tube segments have inflow ends and outflow ends, and the inflow ends are joined at a first common juncture and the outflow ends are joined at a second common juncture. The common junctures may comprise valves.

Stem cells can be expanded from a few donor cells in a cell expansion apparatus. The resulting multiplied cells can be used to repair or replace damaged or defective tissues. Stem cells have broad clinical applications for a wide range of diseases. Recent advances in the area of regenerative medicine have demonstrated that stem cells have unique properties such as high proliferation rates and self-renewal capacity, ability to maintain an unspecialized cellular state, and the ability to differentiate into specialized cells under particular conditions.
As an important component of regenerative medicine, bioreactor systems play an important role in providing optimized environments for cell expansion. The bioreactor provides efficient nutrient supply to the cells and removal of metabolites, as well as furnishing a physiochemical environment conducive to cell growth. In particular, foreign cells, such as air-borne pathogens, must be excluded from the cell-growth areas of the bioreactor. At the same time it is important to be able to obtain samples of the expanding stem cells to determine how much cellular growth has taken place. There remains a need for improved apparatus and methods for hermetically sampling expanding cellular material from cell-growth areas of a bioreactor, without environmental contamination.

Disposable tubing set for use with a cell expansion apparatus and method for sterile sampling


Stacked die that are separated by an overlaying chip capacitor with a plate bonded to the bottom of the top die with a conductive adhesive and the capacitor shell bonded to the top of the lower die with a non-conductive adhesive. The lower die is attached to a substrate using a conductive adhesive. Conductors extend from edge terminals on the substrate to edge terminals on the lower die, and conductors extend from the lower die terminals to the capacitor that are tiered to provide space between the die for the wires and connections. A second overlaying capacitor is attached to the top of the upper die with non-conducive adhesive. Pads on the capacitor are connected by conductors to edge pads on the die and conductors extend from the pads to pads on the substrate.

As the need to provide sophisticated circuitry in smaller packages grows, techniques such as "die stacking" are becoming increasing popular. With one method of die stacking, the die are separated by a spacer comprised of an insulating material, such as silicon aluminum nitride or alumina to provide clearance for the wire bond connections made between the bond pads at the top periphery of the die and and the mating bond pads of the supporting substrate.
Bypass capacitors are used in large and small circuits to provide local decoupling of the supply voltages around active circuitry. Placing bypass capacitors as close as possible to the active circuitry and minimizing the length of the power and ground connections between the bypass capacitors and the active circuitry optimizes power supply stabilization and noise suppression.
Optimal installation of bypass capacitors with sufficient capacitance is problematic in planar multichip assemblies to begin with, but is even more difficult with stacked die owing to the lengthening of the bond wires from the die to the substrate and higher active circuit densities. This is evidenced in FIGS. 4 and 5, which demonstrate an approach where bypass capacitors are attached on a mini-substrate that is attached to the top of the stack, a notable characteristic being that all the bypass currents flow through long bond wires 78, 80 (relative to the size of the circuit) because the capacitors 78 are at the top of the stack. Thus, when a bypass capacitor provides current to the bottom die 76 (when there is temporary drop in the supply voltage to the circuit), the stabilized current from the capacitor 70 flows through the connection 78 and then up through connection 80. The connection lengths are small compared to normal large circuits, but their impedances can have a significant effect under high current transients (di/dt) caused by the active circuitry.

Bypass capacitors for chip and wire circuit assembly


A treatment for an aircraft interior has a plurality of panels for assembly to the interior, including side and center ceiling panels, and sidewall panels. The panels control overhead liquids and water and divert them away from the interior. The panels have features that permit them to flex and slide in relation to each other while still retaining the ability to transmit liquids from the side ceiling panels outwardly to exterior surfaces of the sidewall panels and away from the interior. The center ceiling panel has features that block liquids thereon from moving outwardly toward the side ceiling panels, and features that transmit such liquids rearwardly and away from the aircraft interior.

Blackhawk helicopters have traditionally been used principally for military purposes. The Blackhawk has a large cabin suitable for transporting soldiers and cargo, and hence is a versatile aircraft for use in warfare. As is true of many helicopters, the Blackhawk's cabin is located directly beneath the engines, gearbox, and main rotor of the helicopter. In addition to containing the engines and gearbox, the area above the cabin also contains numerous hydraulically activated devices.
Experience has shown that this engine/gearbox area may leak various fluids such as lubricants, water, and hydraulic fluid. In the Blackhawk's primary military uses, such leaks do not pose much of a problem because the cabin interior is typically unfinished, and hence dripping fluids do no damage. However, the Blackhawk has other potential uses in which it is desirable to eliminate to as great an extent as possible the intrusion of fluids into the cabin area.
For example, it is desirable to use a Blackhawk helicopter to transport persons, such as military officers, in non-warfare situations. In such uses, it may be desirable to finish the cabin interior in a manner similar to the interior of a civilian or commercial aircraft, in order to provide a greater degree of comfort than the unfinished cabin affords. In particular, it may be desirable to install upholstered seating, carpeting and the like.
In such a case, it is desirable to prevent the leaking of fluids into the cabin because the materials used in finishing the interior may be damaged by contact with lubricants, fuels, or hydraulic fluids. Thus, it is desirable to refurbish the unfinished cabin of such a helicopter to provide a substantial degree of protection against fluids entering the finished interior and to provide a finer grade interior than that used for military field application.
A number of considerations limit the available alternatives for solving this problem. First, the cabin treatment must be capable of withstanding relative movement between various parts of the cabin caused by the flexing of the aircraft structure under the loads experienced in flight and on the ground. Such flexing can tear or crack fixtures mounted to the cabin wall structure. Second, because the ceiling of the Blackhawk cabin is low to begin with, it is desirable to maximize the ceiling height with the treatment installed.
Third, all parts of the treatment must be capable of passing through the side doors of the Blackhawk because the cabin treatment is preferably installed after the manufacturing of the helicopter is completed.
Fourth, because the treatment or furnishing must be removed in order to allow regular periodic maintenance to be performed on the engine/gearbox area and other areas such as the side areas housing the flight controlling rods etc., it is desirable to minimize the time required for disassembly and assembly.
Finally, the treatment must be readily adaptable to minor variations in cabin dimensions from one aircraft to another, as all aircraft, including Blackhawks, are built by hand and no two are exactly alike.
It has thus been a primary objective of the invention to provide an improved apparatus for refurbishing aircraft interiors to meet one or more of these considerations.