The present invention provides a replaceable insert cutting tool combination. The combination comprises a cutter head having at least one peripheral transverse indentation and being rotatable about an axis, the cavity including a knife support wall at least partially transverse to the cutter head periphery, and at least one threaded bore substantially parallel to the knife support wall. The combination further comprises a knife element disposed adjacent the knife support wall and having an edge extending from the indentation, in addition to at least one threaded element for engagement in the threaded bore. At least a pair of wedging elements are mounted adjacent the knife element in engaging side-by-side relation in the indentation. One of the wedging elements receives the at least one threaded element and is movable in toward the cutter head therewith, and at least one of the wedging elements is positioned to move the knife element toward the knife support wall when the threaded element is increasingly engaged in the threaded bore. The threaded element and associated wedging element are arranged to be extractable together, so that lateral locking forces can be overcome by torquing action on the threaded element.

Specialized cutting tools which rapidly shape a simple or complex profile into the surface of elongated wood stock have been in use for many years. For example, edge details, panels, tongues, grooves, and other complex profiles are formed in wood by rotating cutter heads or bodies having transverse knife edges which shape the surfaces of moving stock during finishing operations. The cutting knives are formed or finished with the desired cutting edge profile and mounted, usually at a number of positions, in the periphery of the rotatable cutter body. The cutter body or head is mounted on a drive shaft, and then rotated at high speed about an axis transverse to the direction of stock movement so that the stock is profiled as it moves past the work station.
Obviously, the knife, which is usually a flat sided element, must be firmly held so that the shaped cutting edge is precisely positioned despite the recurring impacts encountered during high speed operation. If this is not done, the milled stock will not be held within tolerances and knife edge will wear too rapidly or the knife must even come loose.
When the knife edge wears to a degree at which it must be replaced, replacement should be quick and precise. In addition, it is also advantageous to have some adjustment capability, so that different knife thicknesses and knife shapes, within limits, can be used with a single cutter body, within limits.
The problem having existed for many years, a number of different approaches have been adopted for positioning and locking such replaceable insert cutting tools. Shaped receiving mounts or notches have been provided at regular intervals about the periphery of the cutter body, with one flat side of a knife being seated against one side wall of the receiving notch, and forced against that side wall by one or more set screws. The set screws act directly on the knife or against a knife gib that distributes force more equally. A commonly used technique is to mount the set screws so that they lie along a chord across the cutter body periphery, and intercept the knife or the knife gib approximately perpendicularly. Another approach is to use a split base supporting a cutting bit having angled planar surfaces which fit in the base in such fashion that when a clamping bolt is tightened, the tool is pulled firmly down into position. A number of systems use wedges together with complementary receiver mounts so as to provide increasing force as threaded elements are directed radially or partially tangentially into the body.
All of these arrangements involve at least some of the following disadvantages:
A. They may require extensive and costly machining of the cutter body. PA1 B. They do not efficiently redistribute forces and may be too difficult to tighten and loosen. PA1 C. They may incorporate an excessive number of parts and require too much handling to permit easy tool replacement. PA1 D. They may require an excessive amount of precision machining. PA1 E. They also require too much time to effect tool replacement. PA1 F. They are not adequately adaptable to use with different knife shapes and thicknesses.
A unit which does not share all of these disadvantages and which has been used by Applicant in the past is one in which the retaining mount or pocket in the cutter head includes a threaded bore in its base, and has a pair of substantially parallel side walls, against one of which the knife is to be seated. A knife gib wedge acting against the knife at one side of the mount is itself acted against by a conic head on a retaining machine screw. The conic machine screw head is angled to match a diverging angle on the side of the knife gib. Thus as the retaining machine screw is driven into the threaded bore in the cutter body, increasing force is directed against the knife gib and hence the knife itself. While this functions in a satisfactory manner by comparison to other units, it requires maintenance of close tolerances on the knife gib and the conic head. Otherwise, it is difficult to establish a proper fit unless parts are selectively matched. Moreover, the reactive forces on the conic head, which presses against the knife gib, seek to tighten it against the support wall opposite to the knife. This is apt to result in galling of the surfaces, increasing the difficulty of knife removal and replacement. Also, the screw and gib have to be completely removed in order to replace a knife, since adequate clearance is not otherwise available.
It is therefore desirable to provide a single replaceable insert cutting tool combination which not only provides desirably firm seating under high force, but is amenable to ready replacement of the tool, while also permitting changes in knives and other parts of the assembly.


A metaverse system and method for allowing a user to attend a recorded past event in a metaverse application. The metaverse system includes a client computer, a metaverse server, and a time travel engine. The client computer interfaces with the metaverse application. The metaverse server records an event environment of a past event in a metaverse application. The time travel engine serves, in response to a request from a user, a playback of the recorded event environment to the client computer to allow the user to attend and to observe the recorded event environment.

The term metaverse is widely used to describe a fully immersive 3D virtual space, wherein a virtual environment exists where humans are represented by an avatar and may interact with other user's avatars, both socially and economically, and with software agents in a cyber space. The environment in a metaverse is built upon a metaphor of the real world, but in some cases, without the physical limitations of the real world. In a metaverse application, such as Second Life®, users are allowed to have friends, create groups, and talk and mingle with strangers, fly, and teleport to different locations, and different metaverses.
Currently in a metaverse application, a user is only able to enter the metaverse as it exists in real time and attend an event that is presently taking place at the moment the user is in the metaverse. However, at least one event may have transpired in the past that a user did not attend because the user was not logged on during that time. For example, a user may want to attend a virtual conference held by a company in the metaverse, but the user may not be able to attend the virtual conference because there are two or more events in the metaverse that the user wants to attend that are scheduled during the same time or the user is not able to be in the metaverse at the scheduled time of the event.
Currently in a metaverse application, a user is able to view a list of past, current, and future events. Of the current and past events, the user may choose to attend only those events currently taking place. Although the user may select a past event, the user is simply teleported to the location of the past event, but the activities of the past event are concluded as the past event has since ended and is not currently taking place. In some cases, a user may want to attend an event that has already started, but not yet finished. Although the user could join the event in progress, the user may want to attend the event from the beginning. Thus, the current solution to attend an event in a metaverse application is limited because it does not allow a user to attend and observe past events.

System and method for attending a recorded event in a metaverse application

International Business Machines Corporation


An actuator having first and second brake sections, one of the first and second sections movable relative to the other along a predetermined axis, spaced apart pairs of brakes in each of the brake sections, a spring connected between the first and second brake sections for biasing the first section away from the second section along the axis, a pusher rod between the first and second sections parallel to the predetermined axis, operative in response to an activating control signal to expand axially and upon removal of the control signal to contract to its original length, and a device for selectively activating the brakes in each section and the push rod such that the actuator moves in a selected direction along the axis.

The present invention relates to a magnetostrictive motor of the inch worm type having performance characteristics that make it a capable of the precision control required for actuators.
Actuators are distinguished from ordinary drive motors by their controllability. Motors produce stable operation and convert energy efficiently. However, actuators do even more. They must provide superior control performance, high transient response, minimum delay time, high acceleration and damping, bidirectional symmetrical operation and wide tolerance for overload. Considering that modern control elements and sensors have progressed to a high level of accuracy and sophistication, actuators often prove to be the weak link in a system being able to achieve high precision, quick response and more power.
Magnetostrictive materials have enabled actuators to achieve larger force, fine positioning and backlash free applications. Since the early 1970's piezo electric materials (PZT) have been laminated to make active elements that can produce both high force and substantial displacement. In 1974 Burleigh Instruments Inc. designed an actuator in accordance with U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,902,084 and 3,902,085 which utilize three active piezo electric elements, two for clamping and one to generate forward motion. The two clamping elements are positioned on either end of an active, pushing or drive element. Motion is created by clamping a first end of the pusher, activating the pusher so that it expands. Clamping a second end, unclamping the first end and deactivating the pusher. To start the second cycle, the first end is clamped, the second end unclamped and the pusher again activated. A major problem with the latter design is that the elongation of the pusher is reduced in size when the built up strain is released, causing a slipping action. Moreover the significant hysteresis when the load shifts from push to pull reduces precision and stiffness.
Strains of 1,000 parts per million (ppm) can be achieved with PZT but the displacement decreases proportionately with the increase in force. Thus, PZT is suited only for relatively light loads, especially if large displacements are required. The advantage of PZT is its simplicity and compact structure. The disadvantages are the requirement for high voltage drivers, its low energy density and its vulnerability to de-polarization after momentary thermal overloads.
In the 1980's a rare earth alloy in the form of a large crystalline rod known as terfenol was found to exhibit unusually large magnetostrictive strain or elongation. Such crystals are grown as axially elongated rods in the direction of its crystalline axis. When magnetic fields are applied along the axis of these rods they exhibit large amounts of axial elongation. Terfenol exhibit strains of 2,000 ppm under modest magnetic fields. It operates at low voltage and has an energy density of more than 20,000 Joules per cubic meter, or in excess of 20 times greater than that of PZT. Terfenol produces compressive strengths of 700 MPa and the elongation is many time greater than that of PZT at any level of output force. The use of terfenol in inch worm linear motors has been disclosed in a paper entitled "An Application of Giant Magnetostrictive Material to High Power Actuators" by Der. Tomohiko Akuta (Paper No. 18A0107 at the 10th International Workshop on Rare-Earth Magnets and Their Applications, Kyoto, Japan, 16-18 May, 1989, (Proceedings Book: The Society of Non-Traditional Technology, 1-2-8, Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105 Japan)) Akuta uses terfenol in place of PZT in a conventional inch worm motor design. Akuta also discloses a shear free clamp which allows conventional terfenol to be used in the clamps notwithstanding its low tensile strength. However, the slipping action inherent in the conventional inch worm motor design is still present in the Akuta design.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inch worm motor which exhibits reduced slippage. It is a further object of the invention to provide an inch worm type of motor having an improved efficiency.


This disclosure discloses an adhesive tape with print, comprising a transferred layer. The transferred layer is formed on a tape main body by transfer from an ink ribbon. In the tape main body, an adhesive layer is disposed on one side of a tape base layer, and a separation layer is provided on the other side of the tape base layer and comprises an olefin resin separating agent or an acrylic resin separating agent. A first layer is formed on a front surface of the other side of the transferred layer and has a solubility parameter value greater than or equal to 7 and less than or equal to 9. A second layer is formed on a front surface of the one side of the transferred layer and has a solubility parameter value greater than or equal to 7 and less than or equal to 9.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates to an adhesive tape with print that is affixed to an adherent and used, and an adhesive tape roll with print that uses the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are known adhesive tapes with print that are affixed to an adherent and used. These adhesive tapes include a tape base layer (resin film base), an adhesive layer, and a separation material (separation sheet), in that order, from the front surface side to the rear surface side in the thickness direction, and print formation is performed by transferring the ink of the ink ribbon to the front surface side. The ink ribbon used is a ribbon comprising a ribbon base layer and an ink layer that sticks to the front surface side of the adhesive tape. The user uses the adhesive tape of a preferred length by affixing it to a suitable adherent.
When the user affixes and uses the adhesive tape as described above, dirt and debris sometimes stick to the front surface, and it is contemplated that a separation layer could be provided on the front surface of the tape base layer to prevent this. Hence, such an adhesive tape may be conceivably generated as a roll wound around a predetermined axis, for example. In a case where a separation layer is thus provided, the adhesive tape includes a separation layer, a tape base layer, and an adhesive layer, in that order, and thus the adhesive layer in the roll is in contact with and adhered to the separation layer in the radial direction of the roll. Then, when the adhesive tape is fed out from the roll, the adhesive layer is sequentially peeled and separated from the separation layer, requiring consideration for improving the separability thereof as well. Furthermore, in a case of a structure that provides separability as described above, consideration must be made to improve the adhesion between the separation layer and ink ribbon in order to ensure favorable transferability at the time of transfer from the ink ribbon.
In the prior art described above, achieving an adhesive tape with optimum characteristics that is capable of maintaining separability at the time of feed-out from the roll, transferability from the ink ribbon, and antifouling properties when affixed and used as previously described was not taken into account.

Adhesive tape with print and adhesive tape roll with print


A corrected ball diameter calculating method includes: preparing a reference gauge that has at least one reference peripheral surface of an outer peripheral surface and an inner peripheral surface; valuing of diameter values of the reference peripheral surface at a plurality of different height positions from a bottom surface of the reference gauge; calculating calibrated diameter values per each of the height positions; placing the reference gauge on the rotary table and causing the stylus tip to touch a plurality of measurement sites on the reference peripheral surface at each of the height positions to calculate measured diameter values that are diameter values of a circle passing through the neighborhood of center points of the stylus tip; and calculating the corrected ball diameters per each of the height positions from the calibrated diameter values and the measured diameter values that are calculated per each of the height positions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a corrected ball diameter calculating method and a form measuring instrument.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as form measuring instruments that measure the dimensions and the profile of an workpiece, there have been known coordinate measuring machines, for example.
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a conventional coordinate measuring machine 1.
The coordinate measuring machine 1 is equipped with a measuring machine body 2 and a personal computer (PC) 3 that processes measurement data acquired by the measuring machine body 2 to determine the dimensions and the profile of an workpiece W.
The measuring machine body 2 is equipped with a table 21, a gantry-type frame 22 that is disposed so as to be movable in an anteroposterior direction (the direction of the Y axis) on the table 21, a slider 23 that is disposed so as to be movable in a transverse direction (the direction of the X axis) along a horizontal beam 221 of the gantry-type frame 22, an ascending and descending shaft 24 that is disposed such that it may ascend and descend in the vertical direction (the direction of the Z axis) in the slider 23, and a probe 25 that is attached to the lower end of the ascending and descending shaft 24. A moving mechanism 26 that supports the probe 25 such that the probe 25 is movable in the triaxial direction is configured from the gantry-type frame 22, the slider 23 and the ascending and descending shaft 24. The probe 25 is equipped with a stylus 28 on whose distal a stylus tip 27 is disposed.
As methods by which the coordinate measuring machine 1 measures the workpiece W, point measurement and scanning measurement are commonly known.
In point measurement, the coordinate measuring machine 1 first causes the stylus tip 27 to sequentially touch measurement sites on the workpiece W while causing the probe 25 to move in the triaxial direction, whereby the coordinate measuring machine 1 acquires the coordinate values of the probe 25 in each touch point. Here, as shown in FIG. 11, the points of contact between the stylus tip 27 and the workpiece W exist in positions offset by an amount equal to the radius r of the stylus tip 27 from the center point P of the stylus tip 27 determined from the coordinate values of the probe 25. Consequently, the coordinate measuring machine 1 can determine the points of contact between the stylus tip 27 and the workpiece W from the coordinate values of the probe 25, so the coordinate measuring machine 1 can determine the dimensions and the profile of the workpiece W by using each of the coordinate values it has acquired to perform a predetermined operation.
In scanning measurement, the coordinate measuring machine 1 causes the probe 25 to move along the profile of the workpiece W in a state where the stylus tip 27 has been caused to touch the workpiece W and acquires the coordinate values of the probe 25 at a predetermined sampling pitch. Consequently, the coordinate measuring machine 1 can determine the dimensions and the profile of the workpiece W by using these coordinate values to perform a predetermined operation.
Incidentally, in measurement using the coordinate measuring machine 1, it is necessary to replace the stylus 28 depending on the measurement target, and the coordinate measuring machine 1 cannot automatically recognize the length of the stylus 28 and the diameter value of the stylus tip 27 disposed on the distal end of the stylus 28 when the stylus 28 has been attached. The length of the stylus 28 and the diameter value of the stylus tip 27 are values needed for determining the center point P of the stylus tip 27 from the coordinate values of the probe 25 and are values needed when determining the points of contact between the stylus tip 27 and the workpiece W from that center point P. For that reason, when the coordinate measuring machine 1 is used to measure an workpiece, it is necessary to perform, in advance, calibration that causes the coordinate measuring machine 1 to perform measurement of a master ball to cause the coordinate measuring machine 1 recognize the length of the stylus 28 and the diameter value of the stylus tip 27.
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing calibration.
In calibration, a diameter-calibrated value D of a master ball M is inputted to the coordinate measuring machine 1, and then the coordinate measuring machine 1 is caused to measure the master ball M, whereby the coordinate measuring machine 1 is caused to determine and recognize the length of the stylus 28 and the diameter value of the stylus tip 27. At this time, calculatory diameter values of the stylus tip 27 that are determined by measuring the master ball M ordinarily differ from diameter-calibrated values of the stylus tip 27 due to error that arises because of the affects of flexure of the stylus or the like when measuring the master ball M. Hereinafter, these calculatory diameter values of the stylus tip 27 will be called corrected ball diameters.
Incidentally, the magnitude of error that arises when measuring the master ball M differs depending on whether measurement of the master ball M is performed by static point measurement or dynamic scanning measurement. Consequently, corrected ball diameters that are determined by calibration differ depending on whether measurement of the master ball M has been performed by point measurement or scanning measurement. For that reason, when point measurement is performed by the coordinate measuring machine 1, it is necessary to use corrected ball diameters for point measurement that have been obtained by performing calibration by point measurement, and when scanning measurement is performed by the coordinate measuring machine 1, it is necessary to use corrected ball diameters for scanning measurement that have been obtained by performing calibration by scanning measurement.
In calibration resulting from point measurement, as shown in FIG. 12, the stylus tip 27 is caused to touch plural measurement sites on the master ball M to determine a measured diameter value Dp that is the diameter value of a circle passing through the neighborhood of the center points of the stylus tip 27 when the stylus tip 27 has touched each measurement site.
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing center points P1 of the stylus tip 27 that are recognized during point measurement.
At the time of this measurement, the center points of the stylus tip 27 end up being recognized as being in the positions of points P1 offset (e.g., slightly inward) by an amount equal to error G from the original positions P because of the affects of flexure of the stylus 28 or the like. For that reason, the measured diameter value Dp becomes a value including two parts of this error G. Thus, as shown in expression (1) below, by subtracting the diameter-calibrated value D of the master ball M from this measured diameter value Dp, a corrected ball diameter dp (a calculatory diameter value of the stylus tip 27) for point measurement including two parts of this error G can be determined.dp=Dp−D  (1)
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing calibration performed by scanning measurement.
In calibration resulting from scanning measurement, the circumference of the equator of the master ball M, the XZ in-plane semi-circumference of the northern hemisphere and the YZ in-plane semi-circumference of the northern hemisphere are profile-measured at a predetermined sampling pitch to determine a measured diameter value Ds in the same manner as mentioned before, and, as shown in expression (2) below, by subtracting the diameter-calibrated value D of the master ball M from the measured diameter value Ds, a corrected ball diameter ds for scanning measurement including two parts of the error G can be determined.d=Ds−D  (2)
Additionally, by dividing each of the corrected ball diameters dp and ds that have been determined in this manner by 2, the radius r1 (FIG. 13) of the stylus tip 27 including error G can be calculated depending on the measurement method. The center points of the stylus tip 27 are recognized by the coordinate measuring machine 1 as being in positions P1 including error G that arises depending on the measurement measure, so the coordinate measuring machine 1 can, by determining the positions offset by an amount equal to the radius r1 of the stylus tip 27 calculated depending on the measurement method (point measurement, scanning measurement) from the center points P1 of the stylus tip 27 that it recognizes, determine the points of contact between the stylus tip 27 and the workpiece W while controlling error G that arises depending on the measurement method and can analyze the profile and the like of the workpiece with high precision. In this manner, the coordinate measuring machine 1 can analyze the profile and the like of an workpiece with high precision by calculating beforehand the corrected ball diameters dp and ds including error G at the time of measurement and using these corrected ball diameters dp and ds to analyze the profile and the like of the workpiece.
Incidentally, in recent years there has been proposed a coordinate measuring machine that uses a rotary table to perform measurement while causing an workpiece to rotate (e.g., JP-A-2001-264048). The coordinate measuring machine described in JP-A-2001-264048 can efficiently measure an workpiece with a complex profile and can shorten the amount of analysis time of the profile and the like of the workpiece because the coordinate measuring machine can measure the workpiece with a total of four axes including three axes of a moving mechanism and one axis of the rotary table.
However, it has been found that when a rotary table is used in this manner to measure an workpiece and the corrected ball diameters are used to analyze the profile and the like of the workpiece, error ends up arising in the analysis result even though the error is slight. Moreover, it has been found that this error is affected by the height position of the workpiece that is measured. It is thought that when an workpiece is measured while the workpiece is caused to rotate, error resulting from measuring the workpiece while causing the workpiece to rotate and error corresponding to the height position that is measured arises because of runout of the rotary table, whirl of the workpiece and flexure of the stylus or the like, and error ends up arising in the analysis result because of these measurement errors.
That is, it is thought that because error that arises by measuring an workpiece while causing the workpiece to rotate and error that arises depending on the height position that is measured are not included in the conventional corrected ball diameters that are calculated by measuring the master ball M in a stationary state, when the conventional corrected ball diameters are used to analyze the profile and the like of the workpiece when the workpiece has been measured while the workpiece has been caused to rotate, analysis precision ends up dropping in correspondence to these errors not being included in the corrected ball diameters.

Corrected ball diameter calculating method and form measuring instrument


A method of manufacturing Ce:YAG polycrystalline phosphor with the formula (Y1-x-mAxCem)3(Al1-yBy)5O12; 0≦x≦1, 0≦y≦1, 0≦m≦0.05; wherein A is one of Lu, Tb, Pr, La and Gd; and wherein B is one of Ga, Ti, Mn, Cr and Zr.

LED is one sort of solid semiconductor device, which is able to directly convert electric energy to light energy. Compared with traditional incandescent and fluorescent light, white LED possesses the advantages of low power consumption, high luminous efficiency, long working life, energy conservation and environmental friendliness, etc. Therefore, not only is it widely used in the field of daily lighting, but it also steps into the field of display equipment. Currently, the techniques of acquiring white LED can be divided into two classes: (1) adopting the combination of three LED chips that emit red, green and blue light; (2) adopting a monochromatic (blue or ultraviolet) LED chip to excite an appropriate fluorescent material. At present, white LED mainly utilizes the combination of a blue LED chip and phosphor powder Ce3+:YAG which can be excited effectively by blue light and emit yellow light, and then the lens principle is used to mix complementary yellow and blue light so as to provide white light.
For a structure that uses phosphor powder packaging, there are the following disadvantages: 1) phosphor powder excitation efficiency and light conversion efficiency are low; 2) the problem of inhomogeneity of phosphor particle size and dispersion cannot be effectively solved; 3) phosphor powder lacks a red luminescent component, making it hard to manufacture white LED with a low color temperature and a high color rendering index; 4) the light failure of phosphor powder is tremendous, resulting in short working life of white LED; 5) the poor physicochemical properties of phosphor powder fail to meet the development of high-power LED.

Method of manufacturing Ce:YAG polycrystalline phosphor


In some examples, a memory device generates and exposes parity/difference information to a test system to reduce overall test time. The parity/difference information may be generated based on parity bits read from the memory device and parity bits produced from data bits stored in the memory device. In some cases, the parity/difference information may be compared to an expected parity/difference to determine a number of correctable errors which occurred during testing, while the data bits may be compared to expected data to determine a number of uncorrectable errors which occurred during testing.

Some types of memory devices, such as magnetic memories, may experience inherent random errors during operation. These errors are expected and can be corrected during operation. In many cases, an error rate sufficiently high to exhibit errors within less than a second of operation without the use of correction may be corrected during operation with a resulting error rate that is sufficiently low to guarantee months or years of continuous error free operation. For this reason, testing of memory devices to guarantee an acceptable error rate during operation is performed with correction disabled. Since error correction typically requires additional memory cells to store parity information, the testing with correction disabled may require a special mode of operation to access all memory cells. In addition, the circuitry performing the correction must be verified during testing, therefore, testing of at least a portion of the memory must be performed in a second mode of operation with error correction enabled.
When testing magnetic memory devices, the number of correctable errors that occur may be important in determining the viability of the specific device. However, some test systems or services may classify a device as passing or failing based on the existence of a single error and are not easily configured to count or classify devices based on the number and types of errors that occur without adding significant time and cost.


A polyester blend composition that comprises at least two copolymers selected from certain copolymers, particularly blends of branched and linear biodegradable copolymers. Also provided is a blown film that is produced from the polyester blend composition, and a process for producing the polyester blend composition and the film. The film is biodegradable, transparent, and has excellent mechanical properties.

The present invention relates to polyester blend compositions. More specifically, the invention relates to a polyester blend composition of two or more copolymers, particularly polyester blends of one or more branched biodegradable copolymers with one or more linear biodegradable copolymers, a biodegradable film formed from the blend composition, and a method for manufacturing the blend composition and film.
Prompted by societal concerns and demands concerning the disposal of plastic products such as plastic films, research is being done on biodegradable resin compositions. Active efforts are underway to develop biodegradable aromatic polyester resin compositions that are degradable under the high-humidity, high-temperature conditions associated with waste composting processes. Various uses are being proposed for such compositions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,482 to Tietz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,004 to Gallagher et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,005 to Tietz describe polyesters prepared by polymerizing a glycol component made of ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol with two acid components; namely, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt of a sulfonic acid, and terephthalic acid. These patents also describe fibers, films, sheets, and fiber nonwoven fabrics composed of such polyesters.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,780 to Matsumoto et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,983 to Loomis et al. describe biodegradable films and methods for their production, which films are biaxial films produced by melt-extruding a biodegradable polylactic acid polymer as a film and then orienting the extruded film. Such films have properties similar to those of films endowed with good strength and clarity, such as polypropylene film, oriented polystyrene film, and oriented polyethylene terephthalate film.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,983 to Loomis et al. discloses a film of improved properties, including strength, stiffness and clarity that is formed by extruding a polyhydroxy acid composition and stretching the extruded composition to produce a biaxially oriented film.
Films made of ordinary resins such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, and polyvinyl chloride resins are currently widely used today as packaging materials.
When films formed of degradable polymer are used as packaging materials and in related applications, the relevant film properties (e.g., mechanical strength, clarity, and gas barrier properties) generally fall somewhat short of the properties of resins that have hitherto been used in packaging materials, such as polyolefin resins, polyamide resins, polyester resins, and polyvinyl chloride resins.
As noted above, oriented films made of polylactic acid resins have sufficient strength and clarity. These films, however, lack sufficient stiffness, impact resistance, heat-sealability, and gas barrier properties for practical use.
Moreover, when a film is extruded using polylactic acid, and especially poly(L-lactic acid), the melting point is 170° C. Because the temperature difference between the glass transition temperature (about 60° C.) and the crystallization temperature (about 110° C.) is small, the allowable range of conditions for carrying out orientation is narrow. As a result, film composed of this type of resin is poorly suitable for orientation.
To overcome these shortcomings, International Publication Number WO01/10928 describes an oriented aromatic polyester film formed by an aromatic polyester copolymer consisting of repeating units derived from terephthalic acid, a metal salt of sulfonic acid, aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, ethylene glycol, and diethylene glycol, wherein the melting point and glass transition temperature of the film is controlled to provide enhanced performance properties, particularly sealing strength.
It is desirable to provide biodegradable compositions that have enhanced performance properties, such as softness and tear strength, and that are suitable for use in such applications as packaging materials.
All references cited herein are incorporated by reference.

Polyester blend compositions and biodegradable films produced therefrom


A method for chemically neutralizing a nitroarene explosive uses a nitroarene hypergol having an α,ω-amine and an accelerant that is applied to the explosive composition to cause ignition of the explosive composition. The method may be used to neutralize active mines.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to improved reagents for the hypergolic ignition of nitroarene explosive compositions for chemical neutralization of the nitroarene explosive, particularly for mine neutralization applications.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Various explosive devices are known, such as unexploded ordnance, bombs, and mines, presenting a hazard to people and property. Such mines include anti-personnel or anti-vehicle land mines, or underwater mines designed to destroy or damage surface or submarine vessels. Unexploded ordnance (UXO), such as armed aerial bombs or shells, also presents a threat to people and property. Disarming or removing these explosive devices is a hazardous procedure. One method of neutralizing these explosive devices includes the use of hypergolic substances to ignite the explosive composition within the device. Identification of reagents effective in causing the ignition of trinitrotoluene (TNT), i.e., hypergols, has included interhalogens such as chlorine trifluoride and organometallics such as diethyl zinc. These reagents cause rapid ignition of the TNT, but are corrosive or pyrophoric. The use of diethylene triamine and ethylene diamine has been disclosed for use in destruction of an explosive device, such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,936,184 to Majerus et al., for "Devices and Methods for Clearance of Mines or Ordinance".
There is a need in the art to provide improved formulations for chemical neutralization of nitroarene explosive compositions. The present invention addresses this and other needs.

Reagents for hypergolic ignition of nitroarenes

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy


Crystalline forms of atorvastatin and hydrates thereof are useful hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agents.

The present invention relates to novel crystalline forms of atorvastatin which is known by the chemical name [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-.beta.,.delta.-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)- 3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid hemi calcium salt useful as pharmaceutical agents, to methods for their production and isolation, to pharmaceutical compositions which include these compounds and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, and to pharmaceutical methods of treatment. The novel crystalline compounds of the present invention are useful as inhibitors of the enzyme 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase) and are thus useful hypolipidemic and hypocholesterolemic agents.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,681,893, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses certain trans-6-[2-(3- or 4-carboxamido-substituted-pyrrol-1-yl)alkyl]-4-hydroxy-pyran-2-ones including trans (.+-.)-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[(2-tetrahydro- 4-hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,273,995, which is herein incorporated by reference, discloses the enantiomer having the R form of the ring-opened acid of trans-5-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(1-methylethyl)-N,4-diphenyl-1-[(2-tetrahydro-4 -hydroxy-6-oxo-2H-pyran-2-yl)ethyl]-1H-pyrrole-3-carboxamide, i.e., [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-.beta.,.delta.-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)- 3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,003,080; 5,097,045; 5,103,024; 5,124,482; 5,149,837; 5,155,251; 5,216,174; 5,245,047; 5,248,793; 5,280,126; 5,397,792; and 5,342,952, which are herein incorporated by reference, disclose various processes and key intermediates for preparing atorvastatin.
Atorvastatin is prepared as its calcium salt, i.e., [R-(R*,R*)]-2-(4-fluorophenyl)-.beta.,.delta.-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)- 3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid calcium salt (2:1). The calcium salt is desirable since it enables atorvastatin to be conveniently formulated in, for example, tablets, capsules, lozenges, powders, and the like for oral administration. Additionally, there is a need to produce atorvastatin in a pure and crystalline form to enable formulations to meet exacting pharmaceutical requirements and specifications.
Furthermore, the process by which atorvastatin is produced needs to be one which is amenable to large-scale production. Additionally, it is desirable that the product should be in a form that is readily filterable and easily dried. Finally, it is economically desirable that the product be stable for extended periods of time without the need for specialized storage conditions.
The processes in the above United States Patents disclose amorphous atorvastatin which has unsuitable filtration and drying characteristics for large-scale production and must be protected from heat, light, oxygen, and moisture.
We have now surprisingly and unexpectedly found that atorvastatin can be prepared in crystalline form. Thus, the present invention provides atorvastatin in new crystalline forms designated Form I, Form II, and Form IV. Form I atorvastatin consists of smaller particles and a more uniform size distribution than the previous amorphous product and exhibits more favorable filtration and drying characteristics. Additionally, Form I atorvastatin is purer and more stable than the amorphous product.

Crystalline [R- (R*,R*)]-2-(4-Dfluorophenyl)-.beta.,.delta.-dihydroxy-5-(1-methylethyl)- 3-phenyl-4-[(phenylamino)carbonyl]-1H-pyrrole-1-heptanoic acid hemi calcium salt (atorvastatin)


A gray water recycling system directs gray water from a fixture to either a sewer line or a holding tank. The system includes a drain valve assembly that is controlled at the fixture and that selects between allowing water to flow into a drain pipe and then into the sewer line or allowing water to flow into a holding tank line to a pump and then into the holding tank. The drain valve assembly can be used with conventional fixtures such as sinks, tubs, and showers, using many standard fittings that are readily available. In an embodiment especially useful with sinks having a plug that is raised and lowered, the solid plug of a conventional sink is replaced with a hollow tube that communicates with the holding tank line. In another embodiment especially suited for showers and sinks with rotatable catch cups, the valve assembly includes two, nested valve bodies that rotate relative to each other to align valve body ports that alternately direct water into the sewer line or into the holding tank line.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to gray water recycling systems and, more particularly, to valve assemblies for recycling systems that recirculate gray water from wash basins, tubs, and showers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gray water is generally defined as water that is allowed to empty down the drain pipes of wash basins, tubs, and showers after being used for washing or rinsing, and that is ordinarily discarded and allowed to flow from the drain pipe into a sewer line. Thus, gray water from a sink or tub in a residence is lost to the resident after it flows down the drain. Because of water shortages and increasing demand for water, there is an increasing awareness of the need to conserve water and of the wastefulness of discarding gray water. As a result, gray water recycling systems are gaining favor.
Recycling systems divert gray water from being discarded and instead use the gray water for such non-critical uses as toilet tanks. Recycling systems typically filter the gray water and direct it via a pump to a holding tank that is elevated to create a sufficient head of pressure that the gray water can be used, for example, to operate a toilet tank water valve. After flushing, water from the toilet tank conventionally flows into the sewer line for treatment at a special facility. Such recycling systems can greatly decrease water consumption, but also can be quite complicated to install and difficult to retrofit to existing plumbing.
Contributing to the complexity and difficulty of installing gray water recycling systems is that, often, many non-standard plumbing fixtures and components are used and extensive modifications to existing plumbing are necessary. A gray water recycling system is more desirable and feasible if it can utilize as many existing, standard components as possible and if it requires minimal modification of existing plumbing. Many gray water recycling systems require complete renovation of plumbing with entirely new sinks, tubs, or toilets, or require complicated valve assemblies to direct water between gray water holding tanks and sewer lines. These requirements can be sufficiently expensive and time consuming to meet that they discourage efforts at recycling gray water.
Another problem encountered with typical recycling systems concerns control over the gray water. There might be occasions in which the water from a wash basin, tub, or shower should not be allowed to flow into a holding line. For example, if certain cleaning agents or dyes are being used, it might be preferable to allow the gray water to empty into the sewer line for proper treatment at a sewage treatment facility. Thus, it is advantageous to provide control over the flow of gray water at the wash basin, tub, or shower. It also is advantageous if a standard fixture can be used with as little modification as possible, to help reduce the cost and time to incorporate gray water recycling systems into new and existing construction.
From the foregoing discussion, it should be apparent that there is a need for a recycling system that can recycle gray water with a minimum modification to existing plumbing, using as many existing components as possible, without requiring replacement of entire fixtures. The present invention satisfies this need.


A clamping assembly for a squeegee blade used in solder paste application. The assembly comprises a holder having referencing pins to position the blade. A clamping bar secures the blade to the holder. A recess is formed between the holder and the clamping bar. When a new blade is inserted, any paste contaminating the assembly is pushed into the recess ensuring both accurate blade positioning and clamping force.

In the manufacture of circuit boards or cards, a circuit board is placed in a printer. A stencil is secured over the circuit board and a squeegee blade draws a solder paste over the stencil. This forms a pattern which becomes the conductive pattern of the circuit board.
As would be expected, after being used for some time the squeegee blades must be replaced, usually because of wear but also because of damage. In state of the art holders for squeegee blades, such as shown in FIG. 1, a prior art holder 10 is characterized by a stepped surface 14, a squeegee blade 16 having a pair of holes 18, a clamping bar 20 and a pair of threaded fasteners 22. The clamping bar secures the blade 16 to the holder 10. Typically, several fasteners, i.e. 10, are used. Here, only two are shown for clarity.
When the squeegee blade of FIG. 1 must be replaced all the threaded fasteners must be completely removed to release the squeegee blade. When the squeegee holder is open and the parts are separated, solder paste enters onto the surfaces of the holder and clamping bar. If the solder paste is not removed, when the holder is reassembled, the clamping force is reduced because of the presence of the solder paste. Another problem is that solder paste flows on the stepped surface and in the open tapped holes, further complicating blade replacement and most importantly reducing the accuracy of the blade position. It would appear logical that if a squeegee blade is to be replaced that the entire squeegee holder would be disassembled, cleaned and reassembled. In practice, this does not usually occur because it requires considerable time.
The squeegee holder embodied in the present invention does not require total disassembly of the squeegee holder. The squeegee holder is tolerant of paste contamination and incorporates a self-wiping action to insure that the new squeegee blade is clamped accurately to the holder.
Broadly the invention comprises a clamping assembly which is adapted to be secured to a solder paste applicator. The assembly comprises a holder which is characterized by two bearing surfaces, a first bearing surface and a second bearing surface. The second bearing surface has formed therein a pair of tapped holes, adapted to receive threaded fasteners, and a pair of holes adapted to have registration pins received therein. A clamping bar is adapted for mating engagement with the holder and has two pairs of holes in registration with the holes formed in the holder. The first pair of holes are in register with the tapped holes and threaded fasteners pass therethrough to secure the squeegee blade between the holder and the clamping bar. In practice, there would be several pairs of holes, only two pair are shown for clarity.
The other pair of holes are in register with the registration posts such as pins which pass through the holes. The registration pins locate the squeegee blade.
The first bearing surface is offset from the second bearing surface by a stepped surface. When assembled the clamping bar defines a recess with the second bearing surface and the stepped surface. When a new squeegee blade is clamped in place excess solder flows into the recess ensuring the blade is accurately aligned.

Clamping assembly for squeegee blade with pin referencing and bar clamping


Carbon foams exhibiting a dielectric constant of from about 2 to about 6 and simultaneously an electrical resistivity in the range of between about 1.E+00 ohm-cm and about 1.E+06 ohm-cm, demonstrate excellent radar emission absorptivity in the megahertz and gigahertz ranges.

The search for materials that are relatively easily adaptable to coating and structural application in naval and aircraft construction is well known and long standing. Such materials are conventionally used to eliminate or at least significantly reduce the "radar signature" of such military vehicles to enemy radar. The literature abounds with proposals for such materials and the available texts (for example "Introduction to Radar", Skolnik, McGraw-Hill Book, Co. (1980) pp. 26, 31, 33, 63-63, etc.) list thousands of references to methods and materials for absorbing radar signals for purposes of reducing the detectability of military ships and aircraft. Since it is highly likely that the most refined techniques for making military targets "stealthy" have not been made public, no extended discussion of such materials and techniques is can be presented herein. Suffice it to say that the search for more effective such materials and techniques continues unabated and that the development of such materials continues to be of military significance.


A method and system for user-defined triggering logic in a hardware description language is described. The method includes reading a file containing user-defined triggering logic described in a hardware description language (HDL), inserting and connecting the triggering logic to a circuit described in HDL, and compiling the HDL description of the circuit to generate a register transfer level (RTL) netlist.

1. Technical Field
Embodiments of the invention relate to the field of debugging electronic circuits, and more specifically to user-defined triggering logic in a hardware description language.
2. Background Information and Description of Related Art
For the design of digital circuits, designers often employ computer aided techniques. Standard languages, such as Hardware Description Languages (HDLs), have been developed to describe digital circuits to aid in the design and simulation of complex digital circuits. As device technology continues to advance, various product design tools have been developed to adapt HDLs for use with newer devices and design styles.
After the HDL code is written and compiled, the design of an integrated circuit (IC) or a system which includes multiple ICs must be verified to be correct. Debugging applications have been developed to aid in the verification process. Using the debugging applications, designers may add logic to the circuits for debugging purposes. For example, triggering logic may be added to the circuits. The triggering logic detects when one or more defined triggering events of interest have occurred. The triggering events are triggered when one or more triggering conditions are met. Each triggering condition is defined by one or more states of one or more signals in the circuit. When a triggering event is detected, signals of interest may be sampled and captured for error detection and correction. The triggering logic may include one or more configurable registers that may be connected to a debugger during the verification process. The debugger allows for the programming of control signals via the configurable registers to trigger the triggering events of interest.
The debugging applications described above allow a user to specify the data signals that will trigger an event of interest. A limited number of predetermined parameters, such as width or whether the triggering logic will have a counter, a state machine, or complex comparators, may be selected by the user. After obtaining these parameters, the debugging applications will typically generate a triggering logic block that implements the logic and detects for the desired triggering events. Since the logic elements in the triggering block are determined and generated by the debugging application, the user is limited in the ability to customize the design of the triggering logic to meet the user's needs.

Method and system for user-defined triggering logic in a hardware description language


The invention relates to the packing of photographic rolls. The packing comprises a base 200 adapted to the handling by lift truck, a lightproof envelope 230 and horizontal spindles 220 to receive rolls 191 provided with winding tubes 190. The diameter of the spindles varies between a first dimension where the winding tubes are rotationally and translationally immobilized and a second dimension where said winding tubes are free. Used for collective packing of photosensitive rolls.

At present, photographic paper used for printing is supplied in two different forms: either by format as individual sheets, or as rolls which are generally cut after processing. For the latter use, the rolls are of different sizes, adapted to the machines which use them.
Presentation in rolls has made it possible to increase productivity. However, the printing machines need to be installed in dark rooms, to allow the machines to be loaded, since photographic paper must be protected from light. During production, the rolls are obtained by cutting a sheet of large width, e.g. >1 m, longitudinally into individual webs having a relatively narrow width, e.g. 95 mm, 102 mm, 127 mm, or more, which are wound up. The rolls are then individually packed in lightproof sleeves, e.g. as referred to in U.S. Pat. No. 4,876,125. At the time of use, the rolls have to be removed from their packing and positioned in the machines. All these operations must be carried out in the dark, and they are time consuming.
To improve the efficiency of the machines, packing has been designed, adapted to each machine. These types of packing, known as cartridges, are described, for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,439. These cartridges make for easy use of the machine, since there is no longer the need for a room which can be put into total darkness when positioning the photographic paper in the machine. However, the roll lengths are limited and, at the time of their use, it is necessary to renew the cartridges frequently and to connect the webs to one another.
To increase productivity on the machines, one method is to increase the size of the rolls. However, the weight of the rolls becomes heavy and, on account of this, it becomes tedious to handle them, both when packing and removing them from the packing. At preset, rolls of up to approximately 500 m are used. The weight of these rolls is greater than 10 kg and the diameter is wider than 40 cm.
In view of their dimensions, the rolls offer greater stability when their axis is directed vertically. However the printing machines currently available on the market use rolls whose axes are directed horizontally. One purpose of the invention is therefore to avoid having to tilt the rolls.

Packing process, packing for photographic web materials


The invention relates to a glass composition for electric lamps comprising SiO.sub.2, Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, Na.sub.2 O, K.sub.2 O, Li.sub.2 O, B.sub.2 O.sub.3, BaO, CaO and MgO, in addition optionally SrO, Sb.sub.2 O.sub.3, MnO.sub.2, Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3, and/or CeO.sub.2. The glass composition according to the invention is characterized in that its B.sub.2 O.sub.3 content is 1 to 5 mass %, K.sub.2 O content is 7.2 to 11 mass %, BaO content is 5.5 to 9 mass % and MgO content is 2.1 to 4 mass %, furthermore in addition to the components listed, it optionally also comprises maximum 3.5 mass % ZnO, maximum 1.2 mass % TiO.sub.2 and maximum 0.8 mass % P.sub.2 O.sub.5 with the condition that the total amount of CaO, MgO and ZnO in the composition is at least 5.8 mass %. Stems and bulbs made of the above glass composition and used in electric lamps are also subject matters of the invention.

The invention relates to a glass composition which is suitable for use primarily in electric light sources.
Some glass parts of electric lamps as stems of incandescent and fluorescent lamps and the exhaust tubes thereof as well as the bulbs of some fluorescent lamps have been made of glasses with relatively high (20 to 29 mass %) lead oxide content for a long time. With these glasses, the high lead oxide content provides for the expected high electric resistance and the acceptable softness needed for good workability.
It is known, however, that lead containing glass exerts harmful effects to the environment both during glass and lamp manufacture and in the form of waste arising at the users. Thus, based on environment protection considerations, one has to make efforts to reduce/eliminate lead content in/from mass products made of glass. A European patent application No. EP 603 933 discloses a lead-free glass composition which is suitable for use in electric lamps, primarily in stem glasses and fluorescent lamp bulb glasses. Although the glass compositions described in it closely approximate the lead-containing ones as to their application parameters (e.g. electric resistance, workability, thermal expansion, etc.), their viscosity values are much higher than those of the lead glass. Due to this, they require higher flame temperatures, i.e. more energy to be supplied during the manufacture of a lamp, which is disadvantageous particularly in the case of high-speed production lines. It is also disadvantageous that these glass compositions contain a substantial amount of barium and strontium oxides (7 to 11 mass % BaO, 1 to 5 mass % SrO). Although BaO is presently qualified as less hazardous to the environment than PbO, it is still strongly poisonous and it should be reduced first of all owing to labor hygiene considerations.
In the glass compositions according to European patent application No. EP 603 933, BaO primarily provides for the high electrical resistance (and serves as a substitute for PbO in this respect), and enables the glass to have good workability. The lower limit of BaO content is a critical value according to this disclosure. Using BaO in amounts below 7 mass % reduces not only the electrical resistance of the glass, but also increases its melting, softening and working temperatures which adversely affects workability. SrO is also needed for ensuring good workability.
We set ourselves the objective of developing a glass composition which is suitable for use primarily in electric lamps and in which glass composition the amounts of BaO and SrO can be reduced and SrO can even be fully eliminated in some cases without the impairment of the electrical resistance and the workability parameters of the glass.


A filter kit with an enhanced surface area filter and cage, for an electric power vacuum cleaner, the filter is a self-cleaning, flexible interlocking fabric having a rest position at atmospheric pressure, and a stretched position when under vacuum of a vacuum cleaner, the fabric having at least enough stretchability to increase its surface area by at least 10% in its stretched position from its rest position. When the vacuum cleaner is operating, the filter is in its stretched position and collects dust and debris, and when the vacuum cleaner is off, the filter relaxes, returns to its rest position and its surface area contracts to be self-cleaning, and a portion of the dust and debris to fall from the filter.

a. Field of Invention
The invention relates generally to vacuum cleaners, including stationary and portable vacuum cleaning devices of all sizes and shapes. More specifically, the present invention relates to retrofit kits with enhanced surface area filters for vacuum cleaners and vacuum cleaners containing these enhanced filters. The present invention filters have increased relative surface areas and have stretchability that creates a self-cleaning feature. These characteristics in turn provide more efficient vacuuming and more use between filter cleanings. In addition, it has been found that these filters sustain higher vacuums (greater suction) for longer periods of time as compared to conventional filters. In some embodiments, the invention also involves an advanced filter cage for quick insertion and quick releases to and from the vacuum cleaner connections.
b. Description of Related Art
The following patents and applications are representative of various types of vacuum cleaners and filter systems:
United States Patent Application No. 2012/0279185 A1 to Appelo describes a vacuum cleaner primary filter cage wall element that is adapted to form, together with at least one complementary filter cage wall element, a tubular baghouse filter cage segment. The filter cage wall elements are provided with snap-locks, for snapping a first long side of the primary filter cage wall element to a second long side of the complementary filter cage wall element, and for snapping a second long side of the primary filter cage wall element to a first long side of the complementary filter cage wall element.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,206,482 B2 to Williams et al. describes vacuum cleaner filters, in particular replaceable vacuum cleaner filters suitable for both dry and wet/dry type vacuum cleaners, as well as systems incorporating the use of such filters and methods for their use. The filters include a plurality of adjacently positioned pleats arranged in a closed circumferential, cylindrically-shaped path, a top end cap having a central orifice capable of constricting a post on a vacuum filter cage, and optionally a molded end ring oppositely-spaced from the top end cap for engagement with the motor housing of a vacuum cleaner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,110,248 to Liu at al. describes a dual filter assembly for a vacuum cleaner that includes an annular inner filter mountable on a filter cage of the vacuum cleaner. The inner filter has a lower end and a retaining ring is attached to the lower end. An annular outer filter is removably mounted surrounding the inner filter, with a lower end of the outer filter supported by the retaining ring.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,783,086 to Scanlon et al. describes an improved method of employing a wet/dry vacuum cleaner for wet material pick-up. By employing a hydrophobic and air permeable filter material, such as an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), with a tight gasket around its edge in a place of a conventional wet/dry vacuum filter, it has been determined that the filter can be retained in place at all times during operation, regardless of the material being collected.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,485 to Griffin et al. describes a filter assembly for use in a baghouse having a cell plate provided with openings. The filter assembly includes a collar, filter bag, tubular supporting cage and locking ring. The filter bag filters particulate material and extends from below the cell plate. The collar supports the filter bag and has a longitudinally extended portion and a flange portion. The longitudinally extended portion is affixed to the filter bag below the cell plate, while the flange portion extends along the cell plate as a rim above a respective opening. The collar acts as a gasket to seal a respective opening in the cell plate. The tubular supporting cage has a longitudinally extended portion that structurally supports the filter bag. The locking ring is integrally fixed to the supporting cage and locks an arrangement of the filter bag, collar and cage in place. The locking ring also can include a venturi affixed thereto to assist in filtering and cleaning operations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,308,369 to Morton et al. describes a cylindrical filter bag including a wire mesh cage with an access opening in the cage proximate to the open end of the filter bag. A resilient snap band is provided around the outer circumference of the cylindrical filter bag. The snap band includes a pair of felt rings formed around the band and an annular groove between the rings. The snap band thus provided can be depressed into the access opening in the wire mesh cage to allow the filter bag to be readily positioned in an airtight manner within a circular hole provided in the tube sheet of a dust collector. The hole in the tube sheet is provided with a collar having a radially extended flange portion that is attached to the top surface of the tube sheet to center the collar above the hole. The wire tube mesh cage of the filter bag is further provided with a reinforcing sleeve that mates with the tube sheet collar, and a venturi that is positioned concentrically within the sleeve.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,265 to Berfield describes installing a dry material paper filter on the filter cage of an electric vacuum cleaner, a disk of porous paper filtering material or of cloth type fabric, laid over the panel enclosing the bottom of the filter cage and a ring is pressed up over the paper or cloth filter and over the panel. As the ring is drawn up over the filter cage, it folds and presses the paper or cloth filter around the filter cage. At the top of the filter cage, the ring secures the filter to the cage. An additional filtering sleeve may be disposed around the filter cage before the filter is installed over the cage and over the sleeve with the attachment ring. The sleeve may be of foam or other wet material filtering material. The filter installed with the ring is of dry filtering material, like paper or cloth. A marking or disk at the center of the filter helps a user place the filter over the filter cage before the ring is used to fold the filter into place.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,042 to MacDonnell describes a disposable filter bag for the intake air housing of a locomotive that has a generally rectangular box-shaped extended configuration and is of pliable sheet stock of full flow depth filter material to be collapsible for folding into compact form. The bag is mounted between external and internal cage-like frames that stabilize the extended configuration of the bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,478,498 to Sauermann describes a filter that comprises a frame and a filter element carried by the frame to define therewith an internal chamber. The filter element consists of two apertured supporting layers and a filter layer of fibrous filter material sandwiched therebetween. A plurality of supporting bars are located in the internal chamber and engage the inner surfaces of the filter element. A plurality of deflecting bars engage the outer surfaces of the filter element intermediate the reinforcing bars and deflect the filter element intermediate such reinforcing bars inwardly into the chamber.
Notwithstanding the prior art, the present invention is neither taught nor rendered obvious thereby.

Vacuum cleaner with enhanced surface area filter


A trench DMOS device having improved breakdown characteristics. The trench DMOS device has a gate oxide layer which has a substantially flattened thick portion in the bottom of the trench and which is relatively thinner on the sidewalls. In greater detail, the trench DMOS device comprises a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate, said trench having sidewalls and a bottom, a gate polysilicon layer filled into said trench, and a gate oxide layer formed between said gate polysilicon layer and the sidewalls and bottom of said trench, wherein a bottom part of said gate oxide layer has a thickness greater than both sidewall parts thereof, and a central region of said bottom part is substantially flattened with a thickness greater than boundary regions thereof. Also disclosed is a novel method of fabricating a trench DMOS device.

The present invention relates to a trench DMOS (double-diffused metal oxide semiconductor) device.
Conventionally, a trench DMOS transistor comprises, as shown in FIG. 1, a trench passing through a body layer 11 formed over an n-type semiconductor substrate 10, said body layer 11 being formed of a p-type diffused region and a more heavily doped p+ region, a gate oxide layer 24 formed on the sidewalls and bottom of the trench, a gate polysilicon layer 26 formed over said gate oxide layer 24 in the trench, and an n+-type source impurity layer 28 formed on both side surfaces of the gate polysilicon layer 26 and partially at the top surface of the body layer 11.
In such trench DMOS transistors, the drain terminal is connected to the semiconductor substrate 10, the source terminal is connected to the source impurity layers 28 and the body layer 11, and the gate terminal is connected to the polysilicon layer 26 in the trench. The semiconductor substrate 10 comprises a heavily doped n+-type silicon substrate 10a covered with a low doped n-type covering layer 10b. During operation of the device, two channels are formed along the interface surfaces between the gate oxide layer 24 and the body layer 11.
Such conventional DMOS transistors may suffer a breakdown phenomenon which occurs in the junction between the heavily doped region of the body layer 11 and the low doped covering layer 10b, or between the gate oxide layer 24 and the low doped covering layer 10b when the transistor is reverse-biased. The latter case may be recoverable, but the former case is not, so there is a problem with the reliability of a device fabricated in this manner. In order to resolve this problem, U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,442, incorporated by reference herein, proposes that the junction between the heavily doped region of the diffused layer (i.e. the body layer) 11 and the low doped covering layer 10b be formed below the trench so that the breakdown may occur through the gate oxide layer 24 to the heavily doped region 11.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,390, incorporated by reference herein, proposes that the bottom of the gate oxide layer 24 be formed more thickly in order to prevent a breakdown in the gate oxide layer 24. This process and structure are described below with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2D.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a first oxide layer 12, a nitride layer 14, and a second oxide layer 16 are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. A patterned photoresist 18 is formed on the second oxide layer 16 to define a trench forming region. As shown in FIG. 2B, an etching process is performed using the patterned photoresist 18 as a trench forming mask. Thus, the laminated layers on the substrate 10 are sequentially removed by the etching process, and a portion of the substrate 10 is selectively removed to form the trench 19. Oxygen ion implantation is performed to implant oxygen ions in the bottom of the trench 19.
Thereafter, an oxidation process is carried out to form the gate oxide layer 24 on the sidewalls and bottom of the trench, as shown in FIG. 2C. In this case, the gate oxide layer 24 is formed more thickly on the bottom of the trench than on the sidewalls because of the previous oxygen ion implantation. Removal of the nitride layer 14 and the second oxide layer 16 results in the structure shown in FIG. 2D. Hence, the above described breakdown is prevented from occurring in the region between the gate oxide layer 24 and the semiconductor substrate 10.
Another conventional means for preventing breakdown is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,442, incorporated by reference herein, and is described below with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F. In FIG. 3A, a first oxide layer 12, a nitride layer 14 and second oxide layer 16 are sequentially formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. A patterned photoresist 18 is formed on the second oxide layer 16 by means of a well-known photo process to define the trench forming region. An etching process is carried out by using the patterned photoresist 18 as a trench forming mask to remove the layers to form the trench 19, as shown in FIG. 3B. After removal of the patterned photoresist 18, a nitride layer 20 is deposited on the sidewalls and bottom of the trench 19 and on the second oxide layer 16, as shown in FIG. 3C. A third oxide layer 22 is formed over the nitride layer 20 by means of thermal oxidation.
As shown in FIG. 3D, a reactive ion etching process is performed on the oxide layer 22 to form spacers 22a on the sidewalls of the trench 19. The spacers 22a are used as a mask for removing the exposed nitride layer 20 on the second oxide layer 16 and exposed at the bottom of the trench 19. This is followed by an oxidation process to produce a thick oxide layer 24 in the region defined by the spacers 22a, as shown in FIG. 3E. Finally, the spacers 22a and the nitride layers 14 and 20 are all removed. This is followed by an oxidation process to produce the gate oxide layer 24a with the bottom region being thicker than the sidewalls, as shown in FIG. 3F. Hence, breakdown is prevented from occurring in the thick bottom region 24a shown in FIG. 3F.
The prior art described above suffers from several drawbacks. In FIG. 2D, the gate oxide layer 28 with a consistent thickness through the bottom region may not prevent the breakdown which frequently occurs in the central portion of the bottom region. In FIG. 3F, the gate oxide layer 24a with the bottom region gradually sloped from the central portion to the boundary portions may degrade the silicon interface characteristics because it is formed by using a dry etching process to produce the oxide spacers 22a on the sidewalls of the trench, as shown in FIG. 3E. In addition, the whole process is complicated due to the additional processing steps of forming and removing the oxide spacers 22a.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method of fabricating a trench DMOS device which prevents the breakdown from occurring in the central portion of the bottom of the gate oxide layer, and to simplify the fabrication process for producing such a device.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a trench DMOS device or a trench semiconductor device with a gate oxide layer having an improved structure.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a trench DMOS device comprises a trench formed in a semiconductor substrate, a gate polysilicon layer formed in said trench, and a gate oxide layer formed between said gate polysilicon layer and the sidewalls and bottom of said trench, wherein a bottom part of said gate oxide layer has a thickness greater than the sidewall parts thereof, and a central region of said bottom part is substantially flattened with a thickness greater than the boundary regions thereof.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of fabricating a trench DMOS device, which comprises the steps of forming a trench by selectively etching a semiconductor substrate, said trench having sidewalls and bottom; forming a thermal oxide layer on the sidewalls and bottom; filling a polysilicon layer into said trench; wet-etching said thermal oxide layer between said polysilicon layer and said sidewalls from the top of said trench to a point surpassing the bottom of said polysilicon layer, said thermal oxide layer comprising a bottom part of having a thickness greater than each of sidewall parts, and said bottom part comprising a central region having a thickness greater than each of boundary regions thereof; and performing, after removal of said polysilicon layer, a thermal oxidation to form a relatively thin oxide layer on said thermal oxide layer on said sidewalls of said trench and on a top surface of said semiconductor substrate, said thermal oxide layer and said relatively thin oxide layer constituting a gate oxide layer.
In this embodiment, the step of forming said trench comprises the steps of sequentially forming a first oxide layer, a nitride layer and a second oxide layer on said semiconductor substrate, forming a photoresist pattern on said second oxide layer to define a trench forming region, and sequentially etching the layers on said semiconductor substrate and a portion of said semiconductor substrate by using said photoresist pattern as a trench forming mask to form said trench.
In this embodiment, the step of forming said thermal oxide layer comprises the step of removing said second oxide layer, and subjecting said semiconductor substrate to a thermal oxidation process to form a relatively thick thermal oxide layer on said first oxide layer on the sidewalls and bottom of said trench. The method of fabricating the DMOS device further comprises the step of polishing said semiconductor substrate until a top surface of said first oxide layer is exposed.
According to a further embodiment of the present invention, there is also provided a method of fabricating a trench DMOS device, which comprises the steps of sequentially forming a first oxide layer, a nitride layer and a second oxide layer on said semiconductor substrate and forming a photoresist pattern on said second oxide layer to define a trench forming region; subjecting said semiconductor substrate having said layers to an etching process by using said photoresist pattern as a trench forming mask so as to sequentially remove said layers and a portion of said semiconductor substrate; a thermal oxidation process after removing said second oxide layer so as to form a third oxide layer, thicker than said first oxide layer, on said sidewalls and bottom of said trench; forming a polysilicon layer over said nitride layer together with filling said trench; subjecting said semiconductor substrate to a polishing process so as to expose a top surface of said first oxide layer; wet-etching said third oxide layer between said polysilicon layer and said sidewalls from the top of said trench to a point surpassing the bottom of said polysilicon layer, said third oxide layer comprising a bottom part having a thickness greater than sidewall parts thereof, and said bottom part comprising a central region having a thickness greater than boundary regions thereof; and subjecting, after removal of said polysilicon layer, said semiconductor substrate to a thermal oxidation process to form a relatively thin oxide layer to said third oxide layer on said sidewalls of said trench, said third oxide layer and said relatively thin oxide layer constituting a gate oxide layer.
The trench DMOS device, which is fabricated in accordance with the inventive method, has the bottom part of the gate oxide layer formed relatively thick compared to the sidewall parts thereof, and also the central region of the bottom part formed relatively thick compared with the boundary regions thereof, so that the breakdown may be sufficiently prevented from occurring in the central region.

Trench DMOS device having a high breakdown resistance


An x-ray detector (50) includes multiple pixels that receive x-rays. The x-ray detector (50) includes a split scan line (52) that activates the pixels and a data line (54) that conducts charge indicative of the x-rays.

The present invention relates generally to x-ray imaging systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to improved x-ray detectors and methods of operating the same.
An x-ray system typically includes an x-ray beam source and an x-ray detector. An x-ray beam is directed by the x-ray source across a region of interest of a patient and is detected by the x-ray detector, which in turn generates projection data in response to the x-ray beam.
A solid-state x-ray detector commonly has an array of pixels composed of field effect transistors (FETs) that perform as switches and photodiodes, which detect light. The FETs and the photodiodes are constructed of amorphous silicon, over which cesium iodide (CsI) is deposited. The CsI absorbs the x-rays, generated by the x-ray beam source, and converts them into light energy, which is then detected by the photodiodes. The photodiodes, due to their construction, perform as capacitors and store energy in the form of a charge.
Initialization of the detector occurs prior to an x-ray exposure during a technique that is commonly referred to as "scrubbing the detector" or simply "scrubbing". During scrubbing each photodiode is charged to a determined and initial voltage potential. The detector is then exposed to x-rays, which are absorbed by the CsI. Light that is emitted from the CsI, in proportion to flux of the x-rays, partially discharges the photodiodes. After the conclusion of the exposure, the voltage potential across the photodiodes is returned to the initial voltage potential. The amount of charge required to return each photodiode to the initial voltage potential is related to the x-ray dosage amount detected by each pixel, as integrated by coverage area of each pixel for the length of an exposure.
The detector is read and scrubbed row by row, as controlled through active switching of the FETs. Reading is performed whenever an image produced by the detector contains valuable data, this mainly occurs when the images contain exposure data or offset data. Since data acquired during scrubbing is not of interest it is discarded. Scrubbing is performed to maintain proper voltage bias across the photodiodes during idle periods or to perhaps reduce the effects of lag or incomplete charge restoration of the photodiodes.
Current x-ray detectors, that are used to support high frame rates, often have a split data line design. The x-ray detectors consist of a K column by N row matrix of photodiodes. The data lines are split such that there is a first half of scan lines and a second half of scan lines. Each scan line extends across each half and intersects with each data line. Each data line is split to have a pair of line segments, each line segment corresponds to either the first half or the second half. Readout electronics acquires the charge from the photodiodes, representing an x-ray signal, and converts the measured charge into a digital format. The readout electronics are attached to both segments of the data lines.
The split data line design supports faster acquisition frame rates since two scan lines can be activated simultaneously. Effectively, the detector can be read as though it had two half panels rather than a single full panel, thereby, doubling the acquisition frame rate. However, twice the number of readout channels is required to support all of the data line segments, which increases costs and power consumption and decreases reliability. Doubling the readout electronics increases power consumption of the detector and heat generated therein. Increased heat generation results in increased costs in equipment to remove the heat.
Also, in designing readout circuitry, electronic noise performance is a concern. One technique for achieving low noise performance is to increase bias currents, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,426,672 entitled, "Means of Selecting Low Noise Performance or Low Power Dissipation in the Analog Front End of a Custom Integrated Circuit". Such an implementation can be advantageous for those applications that acquire low dose x-ray images, such as in fluoroscopy. By increasing bias currents, the electronic noise is reduced, below the X-ray quantum noise in low dose images. This allows low dose X-ray images to be acquired that are not corrupted by electronic noise.
Thus, there exists a need for an improved x-ray detector that supports high frame rates, consumes less power, has low noise performance, and minimizes heat generation therein.

Split scan line and combined data line x-ray detectors


Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for facilitating user engagement with a bot. One example method includes receiving, by a dialogue manager server, a sequence specification for a user activity that identifies a type of interaction between a user and a network service, the sequence specification including instructions for implementing a trigger action in the event of a negative user input into the bot. The negative user input in the sequence of interactions is detected and the trigger action is implemented in response to detecting the negative user input.

Advancements in computer and networking technologies have enabled persons to find information about products and services or conduct commercial and financial transactions "online" via computer-based applications. A number of entities have established their presence on the Internet by operating websites that provide information on products and services, provide reviews of products or services, or facilitate acquisition of product or services.
Further advancements in computer and networking technologies have also enabled people to communicate "instantly" or in near-real-time through the use of instant messaging (IM) protocols, short messaging service (SMS) protocols, multiple messaging service (MMS) protocols, or instant messaging applications embedded in web browsers. Some communication applications include "personal assistants" (e.g., Siri, Cortana) or "chat bots" that can respond to verbal commands in a scripted manner.
Despite the many technical advances, a great number of technical challenges and problems remain. One such problem involves determining other ways to give customers a better user experience with a chat bot. Another such problem involves interacting with a customer intelligently to determine their interests in an efficient manner and delivering content that fits the customer's interests.

Expandable service architecture with configurable dialogue manager


Embodiments described herein generally relate to organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) comprising a substrate, a light extraction layer, a first electrode, one or more organic layers, and a second electrode. In some embodiments, the light extraction layer is positioned between the substrate and the first electrode. According to some embodiments, an interface between the light extraction layer and the first electrode comprises a grating structure. The grating structure may, in certain cases, promote outcoupling of light generated within the OLED (e.g., through diffraction).

Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) have been the focus of research over the past 30 years. Due to their fast response, flexibility, and low-cost processing, OLEDs have been recognized as promising candidates for next-generation light sources and displays. Although intensive research has resulted in OLEDs with 100% internal quantum efficiency, low outcoupling efficiency remains a significant challenge.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a conventional bottom-emitting OLED 100 comprising a transparent substrate 110, a first electrode 120, one or more organic layers 130, and a second electrode 140. As shown in FIG. 1, each layer of conventional OLED 100 is substantially planar. In operation, a relatively small percentage of light generated within one or more organic layers 130 may be emitted (i.e., outcoupled) from OLED 100 through substrate 110. For example, a relatively large percentage of generated light may be lost to substrate mode, waveguided mode, and/or surface plasmon (SP) mode. In conventional OLEDs, such as the one shown in FIG. 1, typically only 20-30% of generated light is outcoupled.

Organic light-emitting diodes comprising grating structures and light extraction layers

UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INCORPORATED


A method for transforming single-ended signals outputted from a low-noise amplifier of a wireless transceiver into differential signals. The method includes: providing a transformer according to a default requirement of the wireless transceiver; transferring the single-ended signals provided by the low-noise amplifier to a first end of a primary end of the transformer, and coupling a second end of the primary end of the transformer to a power source; grounding a center tap of a secondary end of the transformer; and outputting the differential signals from two ends of the secondary end of the transformer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention provides methods for transforming output signals of a low-noise amplifier of a wireless transceiver, and more particularly, methods for transforming single-ended signals to differential signals, and for transforming differential signals to single-ended signals.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With developments of circuit technologies, an electric device can include multiple functions in a small case. In some applications, a single-ended signal must be transformed into a pair of differential signals for increasing precision. For example, in a wireless transceiver, a low-noise amplifier, utilized for amplifying received signals, providing an adequate gain and minimizing noise as possible, is the first stage of the transceiver. In analog circuits, a differential source-couple pair or a differential emitter-couple pair can reduce even-order harmonic noise caused by a non-linear system, which is the biggest advantage in comparison with a single-ended amplifier. Therefore, configurations of the differential source-couple pair or the differential emitter-couple pair are usually applied for a design of the low-noise amplifier in the wireless transceiver. Because the low-noise amplifier is the first stage of the wireless transceiver, when applying the above-mentioned configurations, the wireless transceiver must include two input pins. In order to conserve space, cost, and current, a single-to-differential converter is needed for transforming single-ended signals to differential signals, and realizing a low-noise amplifier with a single-ended input and a pair of differential outputs.
Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a prior art low-noise amplifier 10 with a single-ended input and a pair of differential outputs. The amplifier 10 includes a first-stage amplifier 12 and a single-to-differential converter 14. The first-stage amplifier 12 is coupled to a power source Vdd and ground GND, and is biased with a bias Vb for operating in a saturation area. After receiving a radio signal RFin, the first-stage amplifier 12 amplifies the radio signal RFin to become a radio signal RFout, which is sent to the single-to-differential converter 14. The single-to-differential converter 14 transforms the single-ended signal RFout into differential signals VO1 and VO2. The single-to-differential converter 14 can be a balance-to-un-balance, or BALUN, circuit or a buffer composed of passive or active elements. Please refer to FIG. 2, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a prior art single-to-differential converter 20 applying passive elements. With capacitors and resistors, the single-to-differential converter 20 can transform the radio signal RFout into the signals VO1 and VO2. Please refer to FIG. 3, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a prior art single-to-differential converter 30 applying active elements. The single-to-differential converter 30 can also transform the radio signal RFout into the signals VO1 and VO2.
In short, the single-to-differential converter 20 in FIG. 2 and the single-to-differential converter 30 in FIG. 3 can transform the received signals RFout into the differential signals VO1 and VO2, and adjust to an optimum operating point according to the first-stage amplifier 12, so as to decrease a noise figure and increase the gain and linearity of the low-noise amplifier 10. However, because the single-to-differential converter 14 in FIG. 1 can be seen as the second stage of the low-noise amplifier 10, the single-to-differential converter 14 will decrease the linearity of the low-noise amplifier 10, and increase current consumption and required area, and more seriously, the wireless transceiver may have errors when receiving signals.
Please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates a schematic diagram of a prior art low-noise amplifier 40 with a signal-ended input and a pair of differential outputs. The low-noise amplifier 40 includes MOS transistors 42, 44, 46, and 48 for amplifying the single-ended radio signal RFin and outputting differential signals DRFout from drains of the MOS transistors 42 and 46. As shown in FIG. 4, the low-noise amplifier 40 does not need another single-to-differential converter, but is able to output the differential signals. However, the low-noise amplifier 40 does not decrease current consumption and required area. Moreover, although the low-noise amplifier 40 has fewer stages than the low-noise amplifier 10, the linearity of the low-noise amplifier 40 is not better than that of the low-noise amplifier 10. In FIG. 4, gates of the MOS transistors 46 and 48 couple to the power source Vdd and the ground GND, so the gates of the MOS transistors 46 and 48 can be seen as logic groundings or AC (alternating current) groundings when operating in a small signal mode, or a high frequency mode. Therefore, an amplifier formed by the MOS transistors 46 and 48 is a common gate amplifier. Similarly, in high frequency situations, looking from a gate, or a signal input, of the MOS transistor 42 to the low-noise amplifier 40, the MOS transistors 42 and 48 form a common source amplifier. In short, an input stage of the low-noise amplifier 40 is the common source amplifier formed by the MOS transistors 42 and 48, while an output stage of the low-noise amplifier 40 is the common gate amplifier formed by the MOS transistors 46 and 48. As a result, input impedance and output impedance of the low-noise amplifier 40 are different, which decreases the linearity of the low-noise amplifier 40 and makes signals outputted from drains of the MOS transistors 42 and 46 have different amplitudes and different phases.

Method for transforming output signals of a low-noise amplifier of a wireless transceiver


Document data is transferred from a facsimile server 118 to a facsimile apparatus 201 to transmit the document data to a plurality of destinations via a communication line 116. The document data is stored in an image memory in the facsimile apparatus 201. A cover page specific to each of the destinations is input from the facsimile server 118 to the facsimile apparatus 201. The facsimile server 118 specifies IDs and the order of transmission of the files so that the cover page is transmitted first, followed by the document data, in a series of information. The facsimile apparatus 201 transmits them to the proper destination in accordance with the cover page. This process is repeated each time a cover page input is made until transmission to all destinations is completed. When document data from an external apparatus such as a computer transferred to the data communication apparatus such as a facsimile is transmitted to a plurality of destinations, the cover page specific to each destination is attached to the document data without unnecessary redundant proceeding.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data communication method in a data communication system comprising an external apparatus and a data communication apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In one of known communication systems, computers such as a personal computer are directly connected to a data communication apparatus such as a facsimile machine, and document data produced on the computer is transmitted to a communication partner or a destination apparatus via the facsimile machine. The document data produced on the computer is transferred to the facsimile machine, while issuing at the same time a transmission request command including destination information about the destination apparatus and the information specific to the document data, and upon receiving the command, the facsimile machine then transmits to the destination apparatus the document data specified in the destination information. When a cover page (an invoice indicating the summary of the document, the name of a sender, and the destination) is necessary, it may be attached as the header of the document data before the document data is transferred to the facsimile machine.
To send the same document data to a plurality of destinations, the above conventional method treats the cover page as a part (first page) of the document data. Thus, the document data is transferred to the facsimile machine on a destination by destination basis, or transferred without a cover page to all destinations.

Data communication method for transmitting document data from an external apparatus together with cover information to a plurality of communication partners