The relative positional relationship between a movable member which is moved to prevent image blur and a locking device for locking the movable member is shifted by an elastic force using a spring or the like from the relative positional relationship while image blur is being prevented to the relative positional relationship in which the locking device is able to lock the movable member. As a result, since electric power is not required for the above shift, the shift is possible even if a power supply is used up in a state in which the movable member is not locked.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image blur prevention apparatus for preventing an image from being blurred by moving a movable member.
2. Description of the Related Art
Camcorders having a function for preventing image blur resulting from camera shake during photographing have recently become commercialized, and also research and development for still cameras having an image blur prevention function is under way.
As an image blur prevention apparatus for preventing an image from being blurred even if the camera is shaken during photographing, apparatuses utilizing various methods have already been proposed. An example of a known optical apparatus having a shake prevention apparatus proposed by the applicant of the present invention will be explained below with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a schematic view of a lens barrel having a shake prevention apparatus proposed by the applicant of the present invention, also schematically illustrating the shake prevention apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 14, reference numeral 82 denotes an outer barrel of the lens barrel; reference numeral 84 denotes an inner barrel which is housed in the outer barrel 82; reference numeral 83p denotes an angular displacement detecting means, mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner barrel 84, for detecting the angular displacement of the longitudinal shake (pitching) P of the lens barrel; reference numeral 83y denotes an angular displacement detecting means, mounted on the outer peripheral surface of the inner barrel 84, for detecting the angular displacement of the lateral shake (yawing) Y of the lens barrel; reference numeral 80 denotes a correction lens for preventing image blur on the surface of a film 88 even if the lens barrel is shaken; reference numeral 81 denotes a correction lens holding frame for holding the correction lens 80, disposed so as to face the end surface in the back portion of the inner barrel 84 in such a manner as to be movable vertically and from side to side; reference numeral 86p denotes a coil, mounted in the holding frame 81, which constitutes a part of first electromagnetic driving means for causing the holding frame 81 to move vertically; reference numeral 86y denotes a coil, mounted in the holding frame 81, which constitutes a part of second electromagnetic driving means for causing the holding frame 81 to move from side to side; reference numeral 87p denotes a longitudinal position detecting means for detecting the position when the holding frame 81 is moved vertically by the first electromagnetic driving means and the amount of the movement of the holding frame 81; reference numeral 87y denotes a lateral position detecting means for detecting the position when the holding frame 81 is moved from side to side by the second electromagnetic driving means and the amount of the movement of the holding frame 81; and reference numeral 89 denotes a cover for covering the holding frame 81 and the like.
The angular displacement detecting means 83p and 83y are formed of detecting means formed of a known vibration gyroscope or the like and an integration circuit. The longitudinal position detecting means 87p and 87y for detecting the positional change of the holding frame 81 are formed of a light projection element formed of an infrared emitting diode and a photoreceptor element formed of a known position sensing device (PSD). The output of the angular displacement detecting means 83p and 83y and the signals output from the correction lens position detecting means (PSD) are input to a control circuit (not shown) whereby predetermined processing is performed, after which two electromagnetic driving means, including the coils 86p and 86y, are driven in accordance with the signals output from the control circuit in order to control the position and driving of the correction lens 80. Hereinafter the component member formed of the correction lens 80 and the holding frame 81 will be described as correction optical means 85.
Next, specific construction examples of the lens barrel explained in FIG. 14 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15 to 17. FIGS. 15 and 16 are exploded perspective views of another lens barrel having nearly the same construction as the lens barrel explained in FIG. 14 viewed from the film surface side, i.e., from behind in FIG. 14. In FIGS. 15 and 16, however, the outer barrel 82 and the angular displacement detecting means 83p and 83y of FIG. 14 are not shown. A specific example of the control circuit which is not depicted in FIG. 14 is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17.
Since the reference numerals used in FIG. 14 are different from those used in FIGS. 15 to 17, before an explanation of FIGS. 15 to 17 is given, the correspondence between the components designated by the reference numerals in FIG. 14 and the components designated by the reference numerals in FIGS. 15 to 17 will be explained.
In FIGS. 15 to 17, reference numeral 710 denotes a lens barrel corresponding to the inner barrel 84 shown in FIG. 14; reference numeral 71 denotes a correction lens corresponding to the correction lens 80 shown in FIG. 14; reference numeral 72 denotes a correction lens holding frame corresponding to the correction lens holding frame 81. A coil 79p mounted in the lens holding frame 72 is a coil corresponding to the coil 86p of FIG. 14; a coil 79y mounted in the lens holding frame 72 is a coil corresponding to the coil 86y of FIG. 14; the two light projecting elements 76p and 76y mounted at two places of the lens holding frame 72 are in a pair with two position detecting elements 78p and 78y, such as PSDS, mounted in the lens barrel 710, and are position detecting means corresponding to the position detecting elements 78p and 78y of FIG. 14; and reference numeral 724 denotes a cover corresponding to the cover 89.
Since, as described above, the correspondence between the construction shown in FIGS. 15 and 16 and the construction explained in FIG. 14 has become clear, a specific example of the prior art proposed by the applicant of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 15 to 17, will be explained below.
Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, reference numeral 91 denotes a magnetic pole unit which, together with the coil 79p, constitutes electromagnetic driving means along the vertical direction, which unit is placed in a recess portion 710pb on the back end surface of the lens barrel 710, and a yoke 712p.sub.3 which will be described later is inserted into the coil 79p and fixed to the lens barrel 710. A magnetic pole unit 92 constitutes electromagnetic driving means along the lateral direction, which unit is placed in a recess portion 710yb on the back end surface of the lens barrel 710, and a yoke 712y3 is inserted into the coil 79y and fixed to the lens barrel 710.
The magnetic pole units 91 and 92 each are formed by making two magnets sandwiched between three yokes. In the pole unit 91, two magnets 713p are sandwiched and held between three yokes 712p.sub.1 to 712p.sub.3. In the pole unit 92, two magnets 713y are sandwiched and held between three yokes 712y.sub.1 to 712y.sub.3.
The lens holding frame 72 is supported by a support arm 75 shown in FIG. 15 so as to be able to move vertically and from side to side. The support arm 75 is mounted in a claw portion 710a on the back end surface of the lens barrel 710.
Reference numeral 93 denotes a lock/unlock apparatus (locking means) for prohibiting and releasing the movement of the lens holding frame 72, which lock/unlock apparatus has a solenoid 719 for locking and unlocking the holding frame 72 and a spring 720 for maintaining the unlocked state. The lock/unlock apparatus 93 is disposed so as to face the lower portion on the back end side of the lens holding frame 72 and is fixed to the back end surface of the lens barrel 710 by means of screws.
A correction optical means drive control circuit 94 (FIG. 16) for driving and controlling coils 79p and 79y of the electromagnetic driving means are connected to the coils 79p and 79y, and connected to the position detecting elements 78p and 78y, such as PSDs, which are position detection signal output means for the lens holding frame 72, and are also connected to a camera control circuit (not shown) and a lens barrel control circuit (not shown).
As shown in FIG. 15, a bearing 73y is press-fitted to the lens holding frame 72, and a support shaft 74y is supported so as to slide axially by the bearing 73y. A recess portion 74ya of the support shaft 74y is engaged with a claw 75a of the support arm 75 shown in FIG. 15. Also, as shown in FIG. 15, a bearing 73p is press-fitted to the support arm 75, so that a support shaft 74p is supported so as to slide axially.
Light projection elements 76p and 76y, such as IRED-LEDs, are bonded to light-projection device mounting holes 72pa and 72ya of the lens holding frame 72, respectively, and the terminals of the light projecting elements 76p and 76y are soldered to lids 77p and 77y, respectively, which serve also as connection substrates. The lids 77p and 77y are bonded to the lens holding frame 72. The slits 72pa and 72yb are disposed in the lens holding frame 72, and the light emitted from the light projection elements 76p and 76y enters the position detecting elements 78p and 78y through the slits 72pa and 72yb, respectively. The coils 79p and 79y are also connected to the lens holding frame 72, and the terminals of the coils are soldered to the lids 77p and 77y.
Three support balls 711 are inserted into the lens barrel 710, and a recess portion 74pa of the support shaft 74p is engaged with the claw portion 710a of the lens barrel 710.
The yokes 712p.sub.1, 712p.sub.2 and 712p.sub.3, and the magnet 713p are bonded to each other and stacked on each other, and the yokes 712y.sub.1, 712y.sub.2 and 712y.sub.3, and the magnet 713y are bonded to each other and stacked on each other as well. The poles of the magnets are as indicated by the arrows 713pa and 713ya. The yokes 712p.sub.2 and 712y.sub.2 are screwed to the recess portions 710pb and 710yb of the lens barrel 710, respectively.
The position detecting elements 78p and 78y, such as PSDs, are bonded to sensor seats 714p and 714y (714y is not shown), respectively, the position detecting elements 78p and 78y are covered with sensor masks 715p and 715y, and the terminals of the position detecting elements 78p and 78y are soldered to a flexible printed circuit board 716. Dowels 714pa and 714ya (714ya is not shown) of the sensor seats 714p and 714y are inserted into mounting holes 710pc and 710yc of the lens barrel 710, and the flexible printed circuit board 716 is screwed to the lens barrel 710 by a flexible printed circuit board stay 717. Ears 716pa and 716ya of the flexible printed circuit board 716 pass through holes 710pd and 710yd and are screwed to the yokes 712p.sub.1 and 712y.sub.1, respectively. The coil terminals and the light projection device terminals on the coil terminal lids 77p and 77y are respectively connected to the ears 716pa and 716ya of the flexible printed board 716 and the land portion 716b through polyurethane copper wires (three twisted wires).
The solenoid 719 is screwed to a chassis 718 of locking means 93. One end of the solenoid 719 is inserted into a lock arm 721 charged by a spring 720, and the lock arm 721 is rotatably screwed to the chassis 718 by means of a shaft screw 722. The chassis 718 of the locking means 93 is screwed to the lens barrel 710, and the terminal of the solenoid 719 is soldered to the land 716b of the flexible printed board 716.
Three adjustment screws 723 whose tips are formed in a spherical shape (FIG. 16) are screwed through the chassis 718 of a yoke 712p and the locking means 93, and the adjustment screws 723 and support balls 711 sandwich the sliding surface (the shaded portion 72c in FIG. 15) of the lens holding frame 72. The adjustment screws 723 are adjusted in screwing so as to face the sliding surface 72c with a slight clearance in between. The cover 724 is bonded to the lens barrel 710 and covers the above-described correction optical means.
In the correction optical means drive control circuit 94 shown in FIG. 16, when the output from the position detecting elements 78p and 78y is amplified by amplifier circuits 727p and 727y and input to the coils 79p and 79y, the lens holding frame 72 is driven vertically or from side to side, and the output of the position detecting elements 78p and 78y varies. When the driving directions (poles) of the coils 79p and 79y are set so that the outputs from the position detecting elements 78p and 78y will be decreased (negative feedback), the lens holding frame 72 stabilizes at a position at which the outputs of the position detecting elements 78p and 78y are nearly zero by the driving force of the coils 79p and 79y.
Compensation circuits 728p and 728y are circuits for stabilizing the control system further, and driving circuits 719p and 719y are circuits for compensating for the applied current to the coils 79p and 79y. When command signals 730p and 730y are given from outside to the control circuit 94 from the control circuit (not shown), the lens holding frame 72 is driven very accurately by the command signals 730p and 730y.
FIG. 17 is a detailed view of the correction optical means drive control circuit 94 for driving the correction optical means, also illustrating only the control system for the pitch direction p (FIG. 16). The construction is the same for the yaw direction y.
In FIG. 17, current-voltage conversion amplifiers 732pa and 732pb amplify photo-current 731pa and 731pb which is generated in the position detecting element 78p when light enters from the light projecting element 76p to the position detecting element 78p, and a differential amplifier 733p determines the difference between the outputs of the current-voltage conversion amplifiers 732pa and 732pb. The difference between the outputs is proportional to the position of the lens holding frame 72 along the pitch direction p. The current-voltage conversion amplifiers 732pa and 732pb and the differential amplifier 733p correspond to the amplifier circuit 727p in FIG. 16.
A command amplifier 734p adds the command signal 730p to the output of the differential amplifier 733p and inputs the signal to a driving amplifier 735p. A driving circuit 729p in FIG. 16 is formed of a driving amplifier 735p, transistors 736pa and 736pb, and a resistor 737p. Resistors 738p and 739p, and a capacitor 740p constitute a known phase lead circuit corresponding to the compensation circuit 728p of FIG. 16.
An addition amplifier 741p determines the output sum (the total sum of the light received by the position detecting element 78p) of the current-voltage conversion amplifiers 732pa and 732pb and inputs the total sum to a light projection element driving amplifier 742p.
Since the light projecting element 76p is very susceptible to temperature or the like and the amount of light projection of the light projecting element 76p varies, the position detecting sensitivity of the differential amplifier 733p varies with the change in the amount of light projection. However, by driving the light projection element in accordance with the total sum of the light received by the position detecting element 78p as described above, i.e., by effecting control for maintaining the amount of light received at a constant level such that when the total sum of the light received is decreased, the amount of light emitted from the light projecting element 76p is increased, the position detection sensitivity change will be decreased.
In the above-described construction, the lock arm 721 which constitutes one member of the locking means 93 for locking and unlocking the lens holding frame 72 is turned about the screw 722 by means of the solenoid 719, and when a dowel 721a in the tip of the lens holding frame 72 is inserted into a hole 72d of the lens holding frame 72, the lens holding frame 72 will be locked.
A permanent magnet which is contained in the solenoid 719 and a movable iron core 719a which is connected to the lock arm 721 constantly attract each other. Therefore, when the lens holding frame 72 is locked, the locked state of the lens holding frame 72 is maintained even if no electric current is supplied to a coil (not shown) of the solenoid 719. When electric current is supplied to the coil of the solenoid 719 in a desired direction, the electromagnetic force of the coil cancels the attraction force of the permanent magnet, causing the force for urging the lock arm 721 toward the lock arm 721 to be weak. Since the lock arm 721 is urged by the spring 720 so as to be away from the lens holding frame 72, when the attraction force between the solenoid 719 and the movable iron core 719a becomes weak, the dowel 721a is pulled out of the hole 72d of the lens holding frame 72 by means of the force of the spring 720, causing the lens holding frame 72 to be unlocked. Since the attraction force between the solenoid 719 and the movable iron core 719a is not present even if the supply of electric current is stopped, the unlocked state of the lens holding frame 72 will be maintained by the urging force of the spring 720.
Next, when electric current is supplied to the coil of the solenoid 719 in an opposite direction, the solenoid 719 attracts the movable iron core 719a by the total force of the electromagnetic force and the attraction force of the permanent magnet. Thus, the urging force of the spring 720 is overcome, and the dowel 721a enters the hole 72d, causing the lens holding frame 72 to be locked.
As described above, electric current may also be supplied to the solenoid 719 only during a very short time as when the lens holding frame 72 is locked and unlocked, and the supply of electric current need not be continued more than that. Thus, the locking means 93 saves power.
The above-described optical apparatus of the prior art has the problems described below.
1 Maintaining the lens holding frame 72 in a locked or unlocked state is likely to be unstable.
2 Space efficiency is not good because the locking means 93 protrudes greatly outside the lens barrel 710.
3 Although the locking means 93 of the lens holding frame 72 has a function for locking and unlocking the lens holding frame 72, it does not have a function for restricting the movable range of the lens holding frame 72 when the lens holding frame 72 is unlocked, i.e., becomes ready for a correction operation.
The above problems will be explained below in more detail.
1 The operation for locking and unlocking the lens holding frame 72 is performed by a magnetic attraction force or a spring force. Therefore, when, for example, the lens holding frame 72 is maintained in an unlocked state, the movable iron core 719a is moved relative to the solenoid 719 by an inertial force due to disturbance vibration and the gap between the movable iron core 719a and the permanent magnet of the solenoid 719 becomes narrower, causing the magnetic attraction force to be larger than the spring force and resulting in the lens holding frame 72 being put in a locked state. If, on the contrary, disturbance vibration occurs when the lens holding frame 72 is maintained in a locked state, the lens holding frame 72 may be unlocked by the same phenomenon.
2 Although the solenoid 719 is compact and does not take a large amount of space, the lock arm 721 is long in the direction at right angles to the direction the movable iron core is moved. Therefore, the provision of a space along the length of the solenoid 719 and a space along the length of the lock arm 721 at right angles to the length of the solenoid 719 is necessary, and as a result, a large amount of space is taken. Further, since the locking means 93 is disposed outside the lens barrel, the total volume of the optical apparatus is large.
3 Although the locking means 93 has a function for locking and unlocking the lens holding frame 72, it does not have a function for restricting the movable range of the lens holding frame 72 when the locked state of the lens holding frame 72 is released. Therefore, a restricting means for making the lens holding frame 72 not move more than necessary is required.
When a photograph is taken by using the above-described optical apparatus having a shake prevention apparatus, if the optical apparatus is shaken by camera shake, the operation for eliminating the image blur due to the shake is performed as a result of the lens holding frame 72 being moved in the plane which intersects the optical axis. However, since the movement of the lens holding frame 72 has not been adjusted according to other variables which influence optical apparatus and the photographic conditions, in some cases, there is the risk that on the contrary the image blur correction operation might deteriorate the image quality even more. Therefore, to realize a shake prevention apparatus suited to the primary designed purpose of the optical apparatus such that it is desired to decrease the image deterioration on the image forming plane, it is necessary to restrict the amount of the movement of the lens holding frame 72 according to the situation in which the optical apparatus is used and the photographic conditions. Also, although the image blur is corrected as a result of the lens holding frame 72 performing the image blur correction operation, optical aberration occurs due to the movement of a correction lens 71 during the image blur correction operation, and the optical aberration causes the image to be deteriorated. Therefore, the balance between the image deterioration and the image blur prevention effect must be taken into consideration. Thus, means for restricting (adjusting) the amount of movement of the lens holding frame 72 is necessary.


In a stick electrode for electric arc welding having a center alloy wire and an outer cellulose coating which coating includes powdered fluxing agents, alloy powder, cellulose powder and a binder. The improvement involves forming the binder as a solution of sodium silicate and 61-78 percent by weight of the binder. The binder comprises 25-35% of the coating to produce at least about 4% by weight of water in the electrode. Furthermore, the fluxing agent is titanium dioxide with a percentage greater than 12 percent of the coating.

Cellulose coated stick electrodes are commonly used in pipe welding; however, they generally have a water content in the general range of 1-3 percent of the total electrode. Consequently, there is some tendency to have a certain amount of porosity in the final pass of the welding operation. Furthermore, cellular electrodes with lower stackabilty require additional passes to fill the gap between the sections forming the pipe. Stackability is the capacity of an electrode to "stack metal" into a weld joint. Depositing metal into a pipe joint with an electrode having good stackability will fill the joint in fewer passes than using an electrode with a lesser stackability. For a given electrode size under standard welding conditions, stackability is measured as the run out length, or bead length, per unit time. A short run out length is better than a long run out length because all the metal from the electrode is deposited in the same sized joint in a shorter distance. With acceptable stackability, the welder controls the weld pool, rather than the weld pool controlling the welder. Fast freezing slag and metal increases stackability. Stackability is related to the deposition rate of the metal that is actually transferred into the weld joint. The electrode to which the present invention is directed is specially designed for traveling slower and depositing heavier beads so that a welder can fill the joint between the pipe sections with fewer passes. However, there is still a desire to improve the stackability. More importantly, with a cellulose coated electrode there is a need to decrease the porosity of the upper bead as it is deposited during the welding operation by increasing the moisture content of the coating.


A gray scale mask having distribution of light transmittance determined for the purpose of exposing a resist layer with a predetermined pattern, wherein the distribution of the light transmittance is determined so that the resist layer having been exposed in accordance with a first resist shape would be used to form a second resist shape with an aspect ratio higher than the aspect ratio of the first resist shape.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a gray scale mask and a microlens, a microlens, a spatial light modulating apparatus and a projector, particularly, a technology of a gray scale mask for manufacturing an optical element having a three-dimensional microstructure such as a microlens.
2. Related Art
Up to now, in manufacturing an optical element having a three-dimensional microstructure, used has been a photolithography technology, for example. The photolithography is a technology of applying a resist layer, which is a photosensitive material having a photoreactive characteristic, on a substrate to carry out exposure and development for the purpose of forming a pattern in the resist layer. As a method of forming a desired pattern in a resist layer, used is a technology of exposing a resist through a gray scale mask, for example. The gray scale mask includes plural unit cells whose light transmittance is set so as to correspond to a desired shape of a resist. The light transmittance of a unit cell can be set in accordance with an area aperture rate, which is a rate of the area of an opening in a unit cell, for example. A technology of using a gray scale mask whose light transmittance is set in accordance with the area of an opening is proposed in JP-T-H08-504515, for example.
Depth distribution of a resist shape formed in a resist layer corresponds to distribution of light transmittance in a gray scale mask. It is difficult in some cases to form the resist shape having a high aspect ratio, the aspect ratio being a ratio of the depth to the width, since the light transmittance capable of setting for the gray scale mask is limited in range. Further, it is necessary to form a part of the resist shape corresponding to the vicinity of the outer periphery of a microlens with high accuracy in order to form a microlens capable of efficiently guiding light. On the other hand, a part where the resist depth greatly varies in the two-dimensional direction is extremely difficult to accurately control the resist depth. Accordingly, even a part considered to have a great influence on a performance of the microlens is difficult to be formed with high accuracy. Especially, the higher the aspect ratio of the resist shape is, the larger a range of the resist depth should be made. This causes deterioration in accuracy. As described above, the usual technology has a problem that an optical element having a three-dimensional microstructure such as a microlens is difficult to be formed with high accuracy in some cases.

Method of manufacturing gray scale mask and microlens, microlens, spatial light modulating apparatus and projector


The invention relates to an apparatus for the storage and/or reproduction of information on/from an information carrier accommodated in a cartridge. The apparatus comprises a motorized loader for the motorized loading of a cartridge. The apparatus has a mechanism by which the cartridge can be removed from the apparatus in the case of faults. The mechanism is based on the fact that the motorized loading mechanism comprises an element which can be uncoupled from the chassis of the apparatus

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus for the storage and/or reproduction of information on/from an information carrier accommodated in a cartridge, which apparatus comprises
a chassis, PA1 a device for cooperation with the information carrier, PA1 a cartridge space for receiving a cartridge, which cartridge space is accessible via an opening in a wall of the apparatus, PA1 a movable gripper arranged in the cartridge space and adapted to grip the cartridge, PA1 a first mechanism comprising an electric motor and a wheel drivable by the motor, which wheel cooperates with an element for moving the gripper in an inward direction from a loading position, in which the cartridge can be inserted, into an operational position, in which the information carrier can cooperate with the device, and for moving the gripper in an outward direction from the operational position to the loading position, and PA1 a second mechanism adapted to move the gripper in an outward direction from the operational position to the loading position without the motor being energized.
2. Description of Related Art
Such an apparatus is known from JP-2-236860. The known apparatus is a disk drive comprising a motorized loader and a manually actuated ejection button for ejecting a cartridge, which has been loaded into the apparatus and which accommodates a disk, in the case that the motorized loader does not function. The apparatus has a chassis and a cartridge holder which is movable relative to the chassis. An electric motor is mounted on the chassis to drive a gear wheel which is in mesh with a gear rack connected to the cartridge holder. By energizing the motor the cartridge holder can be moved from a loading position to an operational position. The known apparatus further comprises a mechanism for disengaging the gear wheel and the gear rack from one another and for moving the gear rack and, consequently, the cartridge holder in the outward direction. This mechanism can be actuated by means of a push-button on the outside of the apparatus. A disadvantage of the known apparatus is that the overall height of the apparatus is large in relation to the corresponding dimension of the cartridge. Another disadvantage of the known apparatus is that the mechanism comprises a large number of parts. A further disadvantage is that by means of the eject button the cartridge holder can be moved only over a small distance.

Apparatus for storage and/or reproduction of information on/from an information carrier


An optical disc driving device employing an optical disc as a recording medium. The device includes a skew control mechanism for controlling relative tilt between an optical disc and an objective lens for selectively recording and/or reproducing data on or from a first optical disc having a standard recoding density and a second optical disc having a high recording density. The relative tilt between the second optical disc and the objective lens is controlled by the skew control mechanism only when the second optical disc is loaded and data is recorded and/or reproduced on or from the second optical disc.

Up to now, an optical disc enabling information signals to be recorded and/or reproduced using an optical beam has been used. Among the optical discs of this sort in use, there are a read-only compact disc (CD) having pre-recorded music data or information data to be processed by a computer, and a CD-ROM.
There have also been proposed a high-density (HD) disc or a high density (HD)-CD-ROM having the recording density twice or three times as high as that of the CD or CD-ROM having the standard recoding density.
There is also proposed a digital versatile disc/digital video disc (DVD) as an optical disc having the same size as but having the recording density seven to eight times as high as the CD or the CD-ROM.
Also in use is a magneto-optical disc which is a recording/reproducing optical disc having the same size as the CD or CD-ROM and capable of re-recording data signals.
An optical disc drive device, having the above optical discs as a recording medium, has a disc table which is run in rotation by a spindle motor and in which the optical disc is set in a horizontal position. The signal recording surface of the optical disc, thus rotated, is scanned across its inner and outer rims by a light beam radiated from an optical pickup for recording/reproducing data on or from the optical disc. The light beam radiated from the optical pickup is radiated perpendicularly on the signal recording surface of the optical disc as it is converged for being focused on the signal recording surface.
For recording and/or reproducing data on or from the optical disc with satisfactory recording/reproducing characteristics, it is desirable that the light beam radiated from the optical pickup be incident perpendicularly on the signal recording surface of the optical disc. With the light beam being incident perpendicularly on the signal recording surface of the optical disc, a beam spot of the light beam converged by the objective lens for being radiated on the signal recording surface of the optical disc becomes truly circular, as a result of which the beam spot can correctly scan a recording track formed on the signal recording surface of the optical disc for recording and/or reproducing data with good recording/reproducing characteristics.
Meanwhile, in consideration of warping of an optical disc and mounting accuracy of a spindle motor or an optical pickup, a pre-set allowance is provided in an optical disc driving device employing an optical disc as a recording medium by a standard with respect to a relative tilt between the signal recording surface of the optical disc and the optical axis of the objective lens converging and radiating the light beam on the optical disc.
For example, in an optical disc driving device employing an optical disc, such as a CD or CD-ROM 12 cm in diameter, as a recording medium, the allowance of the relative tilt between the optical axes of the optical disc and the objective lens is unified at 1.2.degree. or less. That is, the relative tilt of 1.2.degree. or less between the optical axis of the optical disc and that of the objective lens with respect to the optical axis of the objective lens perpendicular to the signal recording surface of the optical disc is allowed. Specifically, the allowance of the tilt of the objective lens is set to 0.6.degree. or less, while that of the spindle motor or of the objective lens on the device is set to 0.6.degree. or less.
On the other hand, with an optical disc, such as HD-CD or HD-CD-ROM, having a recording density higher than that of a CD or a CD-ROM having a standard recording density, not only the recording track for data recording is reduced in width, but also the track pitch is reduced for increasing the recording density per unit area for improving the recording density.
In an optical disc drive device employing the optical disc of such high recording density as a recording medium, it is necessary to set verticality of the objective lens with respect to the optical disc to a higher accuracy. If, when the optical disc of high recording density is used as a recording medium, the verticality of the objective lens with respect to the optical disc is not maintained at high accuracy, the beam spot of the light beam radiated on the signal recording surface is distorted in shape and narrow in width such that the recording track of narrow pitch width cannot be scanned correctly. For example, it may be an occurrence that a sole beam spot radiates the neighboring recording tracks simultaneously such that the light beam radiated on a pre-set recording track is reduced in energy density with the result that data recording/reproduction cannot be performed correctly.
This it is not possible to record and/or reproduce data on or from an optical disc of high recording density with the use of an optical disc player employing a CD or a CD-ROM having a standard recording density.

Disc device that controls the incident angle of a light beam striking a disc


The present invention provides an antifungal phyllosilicate comprising a phyllosilicate carrying a triazole-type antifungal organic compound between the layers thereof, and an antibacterial and antifungal composition comprising the antifungal phyllosilicate and an inorganic antibacterial agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antifungal phyllosilicate having excellent water resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, prolonged antifungal property and weather resistance. The antifungal phyllosilicate of the invention is useful as an antifungal agent which can be incorporated into a molding material such as resins (e.g., rubber and plastics) or which can be coated onto the surface of a molded article to impart an antifungal property to the molding material or the molded article. The present antifungal phyllosilicate can also be blended with an inorganic antibacterial agent to provide an antibacterial and antifungal composition excellent in water resistance, chemical resistance, heat resistance, a prolonged antifungal property and an antibacterial property, particularly excellent in an antifungal property by which the germination of spores of fungi can be inhibited.
2. Description of Prior Art
Up to date, various types of organic and inorganic antibacterial and antifungal agents have been developed for imparting an antifungal property to a desired material.
As the organic antibacterial and antifungal agents, there have been known quaternary ammonium compounds such as benzalkonium chloride; sulfur-containing benzimidazole compounds such as 2,4-thiazolylbenzimidazole; bisthiocyanate compounds such as methylene bisthiocyanate; quinolinol compounds such as 8-quinolinol; alcohols such as ethanol; aldehyde compounds such as formalin; phenol compounds such as cresol; carboxylic acid compounds such as sorbic acid; and so on.
As the inorganic antibacterial and antifungal agents, there have been known those comprising an antibacterial metal ion, such as silver ion, copper ion and zinc ion, carried in a material such as active carbon, apatite and zeolite.
However, the conventional organic and inorganic antibacterial and antifungal agents have some disadvantages to be improved.
For example, the conventional organic antibacterial and antifungal agents are generally poor in heat resistance. Therefore, when incorporated into plastics or fibers under heating, they tend to cause discoloration or blowing of the resultant products or tend to be evaporated or degraded during the incorporation and, as a result, a satisfactory antibacterial or antifungal effect of the agents can not be achieved. In addition, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agents are also poor in chemical resistance and show a relatively high solubility to any solvent. Therefore, when used with a solvent for molding an article, they tend to be leached out from the resultant article, which causes the decrease in antibacterial or antifungal effect of the agents and gives some fear of adverse influence to a human body. For these reasons, the organic antibacterial and antifungal agents are limited in their practical applications.
On the other hand, although the conventional inorganic antifungal agents are excellent in heat resistance and chemical resistance, they exhibit a poorer antifungal effect relative to the antibacterial effect.
For the purpose of improving the above-mentioned disadvantages of the conventional antibacterial and antifungal agents, there has been proposed an antibacterial and antifungal phyllosilicate obtained by substituting at least a part of ion-exchangeable metal ions of a phyllosilicate by an antibacterial and antifungal organic compound (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 4-292410).
However, the present inventors have found that the phyllosilicate obtained by the above-mentioned technique has some disadvantages such as discoloration and poor weather resistance, and that the organic compound present in the phyllosilicate causes such disadvantages.


A system includes a model-based control unit configured to receive a lower heating value for a liquid fuel having a composition. The processor is configured to determine a specific gravity, a hydrocarbon ratio, or both, for the liquid fuel based, at least in part, on the lower heating value of the liquid fuel. The processor is configured to compare the hydrocarbon ratio, the specific gravity, and/or the lower heating value of the liquid fuel to a collection of hydrocarbon ratios, specific gravities, and/or lower heating values for a plurality of mixtures of methane and ethylene. The processor is configured to identify a mixture of methane and ethylene from the collection that best matches the hydrocarbon ratio, the specific gravity, and/or the lower heating value of the liquid fuel and configured to use the identified mixture of methane and ethylene as a model for the composition of the liquid fuel.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to gas turbine systems and, more specifically, to gas turbines that use liquid fuel.
In general, gas turbine systems may consume a fuel to produce rotational energy to power a load. Certain gas turbine systems are capable of combusting a liquid fuel (e.g., an oil or slurry) in one or more combustors in order to drive a turbine. In such systems, there may be significant variation in the chemical composition of the liquid fuel over time. As the fuel composition fluctuates, this may cause undesirable inconsistency in the operation of the gas turbine system.

Systems and methods for liquid fuel modeling


A device and method for printing lumen tissue constructs and a 3D bioprinter are disclosed. The device has a spray sprayhead assembly and a bioprinting platform. The spray sprayhead assembly prints a biological construct on an inner surface of a lumen tissue by the bioprinting platform. Problems, such as, recurrence of thrombus and restenosis of a lumen after the lumen tissue has been transplanted for a long time, can be avoided. The biological reliability of the lumen tissue can be improved.

In the prior art, common artificial blood vessels are made from polymer fibers (e.g., nylon, dacron), silk, or ePTFE. In the case of vascular transplantation, intact artificial blood vessels may be used to replace lesioned or damaged blood vessels. Although the replacement of lesioned or damaged blood vessels with such artificial blood vessels has attained great clinical achievement, it is still confronted with difficult problems, including recurrence of thrombus and appearance of restenosis of a lumen after transplantation for a long time. The root of these problems lies in the lack of a complete endothelial cell layer on the inner surface of such artificial blood vessels.
In addition, since the artificial blood vessels can hardly deform in a radial direction, the prior art cannot externally compress the artificial blood vessels so that the bio-block is completely evenly, intactly, and flatly attached on the inner wall of the artificial blood vessels.

Device for printing lumen tissue construct, method for using the same and 3D bioprinter


The present invention is directed to ambient temperature molten salts as non-aqueous electrolytes. The molten salts comprise a cation of a guanidine moiety and an anion. The guanidine cation is asymmetrically halogenated, which means that in the general formula: C(NR2)3+, one or two, but not all three, of the N atoms are bonded to R radicals that are the same for each thusly substituted N atom and the third N atom is bonded to hydrogen or two of the same R radicals, and if R radicals, they are different than the R radicals bonded to the first and second N atoms. The R radicals bonded to any one N atom is an alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Either both of the hydrogen atoms or at least one of the hydrogen atoms on each of the R radicals bonded to one or two, but not three, of the N atoms are substituted with the same halogen selected from the group consisting of fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine. Preferably the anion is partially or fully halogenated, and the halogen of the guanidinium cation and that of the anion are the same. The electrolyte is useful with electrochemical devices such as primary and secondary electrochemical cells and capacitors, such as of the electrolytic and electrolytic/electrochemical hybrid types.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrochemical power sources such as cells, batteries and capacitors. More particularly, the present invention is directed to ambient temperature molten salts that are useful as electrolytes in primary and secondary electrochemical cells and in high energy density electrolytic capacitors. Additionally, such salts are useful as hydraulic fluids and fire retardants.
2. Prior Art
Examples of electrolytes currently being used in rechargeable electrochemical power sources include liquid, gel, and dry polymer types. Dry polymer electrolyte cells without plasticizers exist, but their inadequate conductivity and low lithium ion transference prevent them from being used at ambient or reduced temperatures.
Liquid and gel electrolytes have higher ionic conductivity and adequate lithium ion transference when compared with dry polymer electrolytes. An example is a solvent system of propylene carbonate and 1,2-dimethoxyethane having a lithium salt such as LiPF6 or LiAsF6 dissolved therein. Such an electrolyte is typically used to activate a lithium/silver vanadium oxide (Li/SVO) cell. Additionally, liquid and gel electrolyte cells, such as of a carbonaceous negative electrode and a lithium cobalt oxide positive electrode, are capable of cycling at relatively high rates and low temperatures. One major disadvantage with them, however, is that organic solvents must be included in the electrolyte to improve conductivity and, in the case of the liquid phase, lower viscosity. Liquid and gel electrolytes are also relatively volatile and flammable, which poses a risk of fire when they are heated. In addition, liquid and gel electrolyte cells, whether of a primary or a secondary chemistry, are subject to gassing and subsequent leakage. The packaging and processing required to prevent leakage is complex and, therefore, costly.
In contrast, electrolytes based on ambient temperature molten salts promise the safety of dry polymers along with substantially higher ionic conductivies. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,827,602 to Koch et al., which relates to derivatives of imidazole and the usefulness of these ambient temperature molten salts as electrolytes for high energy density batteries and capacitors. Pyridine and other five and six membered heterocyclic cations containing one or more nitrogen atoms are also discussed. For example, 1-methyl-3-ethyl-1H-imidazolium, which is shown below, forms molten salts at ambient temperature with several different anions.

Guanidine derivatives as cations for ambient temperature molten sales in electrochemical power sources


A dolly for the transportation of snow sports equipment is an apparatus that facilitates the transportation of snow equipment. The apparatus includes a storage assembly which is used secure items in need of transport. The storage assembly includes a pan, an open adjustable brace and a restraint which are all used to secure items to the apparatus. The storage assembly also includes a locking mechanism which is used to set the position of open adjustable brace. The storage assembly is connected along a support structure which is used to support leverage items held by the storage assembly during transportation. The support structure includes a spine, and a wheel assembly. The spine is used as the main supporting member for the apparatus. The wheel assembly is connected to the spine and facilitates the transportation of equipment. The handle is used to maneuver the entire apparatus during transportation.

Skiing, snowboarding, and other snow sports are very popular activities that require both a great deal of equipment and a considerable amount of energy to participate in. When partaking in any of these activates one may require a pair of skis, poles, snowboards, goggles, a helmet, gloves, as well as a host of other personal items. Carrying these items without any assisting devices can be difficult and exhausting. This problem is only exacerbated if users need to assist small children in carrying their equipment. Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to allow users to carry multiple sets of skis or snowboards, along with helmets and other snow sports related equipment with one device. The wheels will also allow the users to transport the equipment with much less effort on their part, leaving users with much more energy for the slopes. The present invention can also be used by guests or staff to transport gear around the premises for checking in, checking out, or any other reason they deem fit.
Users can obtain two additional benefits from the present invention. While not the intended use of the present invention, during the summer months, users may use the device to carry non-ski related objects such as trashcans or ice chests. There are also multiple places on the present invention for users to place advertisements.

Dolly for the transportation of snow sports equipment


A printing press has at least one ink carrier. A printing substance, such as ink is applied to the ink carrier and at least some of that ink is transferred to a substrate at a separation location. A light-hydraulic effect is used to accomplish this separation. Radiation energy that is transferred to the printing substance stimulates this transfer of the print substance to the substrate to be printed. The transport of the radiation energy takes place by the use of at least two energy beams of different wavelengths.

A printing method, which is capable of using a print substance for printing with the aid of a preferably pulsed and focused energy beam, such as, for example, a laser beam or an electron beam, is known from WO 01/72518 A1. In this method the energy of the energy beam is introduced either directly or, following a conversion in an absorption layer, indirectly into the print substance. The print substance consists, for example, of a solvent, such as, for example color pigments dissolved in water. In both cases, a small gas bubble is explosively formed in the print substance by heat expansion or evaporation of, in particular, the solvent, as a result of the high energy density of the energy beams. This bubble, in the course of its exit from the print substance, displaces a portion of the print substance in the direction of a material to be imprinted, which material is located at a slight distance from the print substance, and sets a print point there. A so-called light-hydraulic effect is employed in this method, in which a shock wave is generated in a liquid by the light pulse. The light pulse is either directly introduced into the liquid, or acts indirectly on the liquid, and in both cases suddenly leads, in a point-like manner, to a thermally caused volume expansion in the liquid. The light-hydraulic effect is described in greater detail in EP 0 836 939 B1 while citing further sources.
In accordance with the above-mentioned WO 01/72518 A1, the print substance is applied as a homogeneous film to an ink carrier. The ink carrier is embodied, for example, as a rotating cylinder, and preferably is embodied as a transparent hollow cylinder which is made of glass. The ink carrier and the material to be imprinted are moved past each other without touching. If an absorption layer has been applied to the full surface of the ink carrier, the energy beam first penetrates the print substance, which, in this case, is not absorbent for its wavelength, and only then impacts on the absorption layer, which absorption layer converts the energy beam's radiation energy into heat or a pulse transfer. The absorption layer preferably consists of a crystalline material, preferably of poly-silicate. The crystal size of this material lies between 10 nm and 1000 nm and advantageously is less than the wavelength of the radiated energy employed. The thickness of the absorption layer is said to be less than 10 μm, and preferably is less than 1 μm. An energy beam directed to the print substance is said to have an incidence of more than 0° and less than 75°. The distance between the ink carrier and the material to be imprinted, which is moved past it at a conveying speed, is cited to be less than 2 mm, and preferably is even less than 0.5 mm. The pulse length of the energy radiation is said to be less than 1 μs, and is preferably between 100 ns and 200 ns. The output of the energy radiation lies at an order of magnitude of 50 W to 100 W or more. Laser diodes or arrays, i.e. arrangements thereof, are mentioned by way of example as energy sources. Specific information regarding the wavelength and the pulse sequence frequency of the energy radiation used is not present in this prior document.
An ink jet printer is known from DE 37 02 643 A1. Ink is applied in a thin layer of 10 μm to 100 μm to a glass substrate or to an ink ribbon, and points on the substrate or ribbon are heated, for a period of 0.1 μs to 1 μs, to more than 100° C. as a function of a beam of a laser, preferably a CO2-laser, which beam has been modulated by use of an image signal. A bubble is formed which, when it bursts, transfers ink to a material to be imprinted, which material is moved past the glass substrate or the ink ribbon with the heated ink at a short distance of less than 1 mm. In a preferred embodiment, an ink jet printer for use in printing several printing inks, such as, for example, red, green, blue and black commercially available water-soluble ink is described, and wherein an ink cartridge is provided for each printing ink, each of which ink cartridges is sequentially introduced into the beam path of the laser. In connection with printing inks having little light-absorbing properties, such as red ink, or in particular yellow ink for example, a light-absorbing film of a layer thickness of less than 20 μm, which film has been evenly painted on the substrate, is employed, and on which film the light beam of the laser impinges. The light-absorbing film heats the ink which is in contact with it until a bubble is formed. The bubble is then driven out of the ink cartridge in the direction toward the material to be imprinted.
Since print substances of different colors, and therefore also of different material structures, are employed in printing technology, and wherein the print substances, which differ from each other, can be arranged, for example, on different ink carriers in the same printing press, it is desirable for different print substances to be printed by the same printing press in accordance with the printing processes described at the outset.

Printing machines with at least one color support


A luminaire system provides for mounting and accessing a light fixture housing without tools. A universal bracket is coupled to the junction box along the ceiling and engages with a top mounting plate affixed to the housing. One or more slide hooks appended to the universal bracket allows the top mounting plate to mount to the universal bracket, and a reinforced spring and locking spring keeps the light fixture housing in place, while preventing rattling between the universal bracket and the top-mounting plate. The housing can be removed from the electrical junction box through the use of a release button affixed to the housing. The button disengages the locking spring from the top mounting plate, thereby allowing the housing to swivel away from the universal bracket and junction box by way of a hanging hook. The hanging hook supports the housing when released from the universal bracket.

A luminaire is a system for producing, controlling, and/or distributing light for illumination. For example, a luminaire can include a system that outputs or distributes light into an environment, thereby allowing certain items in that environment to be visible. Luminaires are sometimes referred to as "light fixtures."
A luminaire may be attached or suspended from an overhead location, such as a ceiling. A typical luminaire includes electrical components contained within a housing, a lamp socket coupled to the electrical components and a reflector or diffuser mounted to the lamp housing. For suspended luminaries, one or more cables connecting the housing to an overhead location can also be included. The lamp socket is configured to receive a light-emitting element, such as a lamp, a light-emitting diode ("LED"), or a bulb.
A person must be able to access the internal electrical components of the light fixture to perform routine maintenance on the light fixture and/or to troubleshoot failures of the light fixture. For example, access to the internal electrical components may be necessary to replace a faulty electrical component with a working electrical component. To access the internal electrical components in the housing of a conventional light fixture, a person has to climb a ladder or ride a bucket truck to the overhead location of the light fixture and disconnect the housing from the overhead location. The housing is typically affixed to a junction box by one or more screws or bolts. Once the light fixture is removed, the electrical components of the housing can be accessed. This process, however, is time consuming and cumbersome. In addition, this process is dangerous because the person could accidentally drop the housing from the overhead location while disconnecting it and/or accessing the electrical components. Further, because conventional light fixtures are attached to the housing through the use of screws and/or bolts, the fixtures have a tendency to rattle during periods of vibration. This rattling may cause unnecessary noise and ultimate failure of the components of the light fixture.
Accordingly, a need exists in the art for an improved means for quickly mounting, securing, and accessing components of a light fixture, while also providing a fixture that is less prone to rattling.

Luminaire quick mount universal bracket system and method


An audio processing system has multiple microphones that capture an audio signal. A noise suppression circuit analyses the audio signal to detect a type of noise present in the signal (e.g., stationary or non-stationary background noise). Based on the detected background noise type, the system operates in either a first or second mode of operation. In the first mode (stationary noise detected), one microphone is used to enhance a speech signal from the audio signal, and in the second mode (non-stationary noise detected), more than one microphone is used to enhance the speech signal. Processing more than one microphone input signal requires additional complexity and more processing power than one-microphone speech enhancement, so by classifying the background noise type and then switching between one microphone or N-microphones based speech enhancement, processing power is reduced during stationary noise conditions.

The present invention relates generally to electronic circuits, and, more particularly, to an audio processing system for speech enhancement.
In communication systems, speech signals captured by microphones are either transmitted over digital channels for communication or stored in a digital format. Such speech signals include a speech component and a noise component that affects the quality of the speech signals. The noise component may include stationary noise and non-stationary noise. Communication systems usually make use of audio processing systems to enhance the quality of the speech signals such as to suppress the noise present in the speech signals and improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the speech signals.
One-mic noise suppression is a technique used in an audio processing system to improve the SNR of a primary speech signal received from a primary microphone (mic) of the system. The one-mic noise suppression technique includes modelling the noise present in the primary speech signal and suppressing the noise using a spectral subtraction method. The spectral subtraction method is effective when the type of noise present in the primary speech signal is stationary noise. However, if the type of noise present in the primary speech signal is non-stationary noise, the spectral subtraction method is ineffective.
Another known technique for suppressing the noise in the primary speech signal is an n-mic noise suppression technique. The n-mic noise suppression technique includes modelling the noise present in the primary speech signal using secondary speech signals provided by secondary microphones and then suppressing the noise in the primary speech signal using the modelling. This technique effectively suppresses both stationary and non-stationary noise. However, processing multiple speech signals simultaneously increases the complexity of the audio processing system, which requires greater processing power than processing one speech signal. However, the quality of an output primary speech signal is the same for both the one-mic and n-mic noise suppression techniques when only the stationary noise is present in the primary speech signal.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have an audio processing system that uses less processing power to suppress noise present in a speech signal while maintaining the quality of the speech signal.

Audio processing system for speech enhancement


Lossless compression of fragmented image data is disclosed. In some embodiments, a stream of information is received, wherein the stream of information comprises a sequence of tuples and wherein each of the tuples comprises data elements corresponding to one of a plurality of input channels. A channel transformer is employed to rearrange the data elements into a plurality of output channels for an output stream wherein the output channels have higher compressibility than the input channels. The compressed output stream is stored.

Computing, storage, and communications media must handle greater and greater volumes of digital data. The increase in data volume has led to a tremendous demand for high-speed transmission, high capacity and high throughput storage, and data archiving. In order to accommodate this data growth, efficient compression techniques have become increasingly important.


A method for operating a wireless telephone system to provide emergency service for a wireless telephone operating in the wireless telephone system. In the present invention, the wireless telephone system receives a request to connect the wireless phone to a predetermined telephone number from the wireless telephone. The telephone system then queries the wireless telephone for a unique identifying number identifying the wireless telephone. The unique identifying number enables the wireless telephone system to connect the wireless telephone to the wireless telephone system. The wireless telephone system maintains a set of direct inward dialing numbers (DIDs) that are used exclusively for emergency calls. Each of the DID allows a caller outside of the wireless telephone system to direct a call to a telephone within the wireless telephone system. The emergency call is assigned one of these DIDs and that DID is linked to the unique identifying number of the telephone placing the emergency call. The wireless telephone is then connected to an emergency operator and the emergency operator is given the assigned DID. The DID enables a call from the emergency operator to the wireless telephone through the wireless telephone system. In one embodiment of the present invention, the DID assigned to the wireless telephone also identifies the antenna closest to the wireless telephone. The assignment between the DID and the unique identifying number is terminated after a predetermined period of time which may be altered by the caller or those servicing the emergency call.

Wireless phone systems are commonly used in PBX serviced areas as well as in the public cellular phone system. Wireless voice systems are designed to allow only registered mobile phones to originate-and receive calls. This presents a problem when the user must make an emergency call while traveling in an area which is serviced by a phone system in which the user is not registered. Current protocols in some wireless voice systems (e.g., DECT systems) allow an unregistered mobile phone to make a call if the call is designated as an "emergency call". However, current protocols do not allow an unregistered mobile phone to receive a call for any reason.
When an emergency call is received by a telephone system, it is typically forwarded to an Emergency Service Answering Point (ESAP) where a specially trained operator handles the call. If the ESAP loses the connection to the caller, the ESAP may not be able to provide emergency service without re-establishing the telephone link. If the call was placed from the public switched telephone network (PSTN), the emergency operator receives the number of the telephone making the call from the telephone system, and hence, can call the party back to continue the call. Furthermore, the emergency operator can determine the location from which the call was made since the telephone number is associated with a unique geographical location.
Such call backs are not possible with current wireless systems since an unregistered telephone does not have a phone number in the system. In public cellular systems, the limited amount of information that can be transferred to the ESAP forces further compromises usefulness. In these systems, the location of the caller is deemed to be more important than a call-back number. Since the systems are set up to transfer only a single identifying number, the cellular systems transfer a number identifying the antenna on which the call was received. This provides some localization of the user; however, this location information is, typically, limited to localization within a few miles. If the call was transferred to another antenna because of congestion at the closest antenna, this localization information is even less usefil.
Broadly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved wireless telephone system.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a wireless telephone system in which an unregistered telephone can make an emergency call and receive a call back from an emergency operator.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a wireless telephone system in which the emergency operator can receive both location and call-back information.
These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings.

Method for allowing a mobile phone to receive a call through a wireless network for which it is not registered, for emergency purposes

Siemens Business Communication Systems, Inc.


A collision detection and path prediction system (10) adapted for use with a traveling host vehicle (12) having an operator, includes a locator device (20) configured to determine the current position coordinates, and pluralities of trail and immediate dynamic path coordinates of the vehicle (12) and a communicatively coupled traveling remote vehicle (16). The system further includes a preferred controller (36) configured to predict a collision between the two vehicles (12,16) from the coordinates, and determine a plurality of projected path coordinates for the host vehicle (12) relative to the remote vehicle (16) trail coordinates.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to collision avoidance systems adapted for use with a vehicle, and more particularly to an improved system configured to predict a projected path of a host vehicle, and detect a collision between the host vehicle and at least one other object.
2. Background Art
Collision control systems have been developed to reduce the likelihood of collisions between transportation machines, such as boats, aircrafts, and automotive vehicles. With respect to vehicles, these conventional safety applications rely upon the ability to determine the accurate relative positioning and predictable driving trajectories of the host and the surrounding vehicles to provide forward collision warning and effect automated braking in certain instances. In general, to identify the target vehicles that pose collision threats, current state of the art approaches use inputs from a variety of external vehicle sensors that detect surrounding vehicles and other objects. These sensory inputs are then utilized by a controller to determine a projected collision.
Though commonly used, these multi-sensor based systems present general concerns and inefficiencies. For example, to provide three-hundred-and-sixty degree detection numerous sensors are required, which significantly increase the total product and repair costs of the host vehicle. The numerous sensors are unreliable due to the extra complexity involved in interpreting and fusing sensory inputs in the final decision making algorithms. Further, the complexity of these conventional systems increases labor costs associated with training, manufacture, and design.
These systems are limited operationally due to inflexible vehicle-specific configurations. Of primary concern, these systems are limited by the capabilities of the sensors. For example, a rapidly approaching vehicle outside of the range of the applicable sensor(s) may collide with the host vehicle for lack of detection outside of a sufficient period from impact. Proper sensory performance is also affected by increasingly complex and over-burdened vehicle communication networks. In this instance, each separately performing sensor that presents an electrical control unit utilizes available bandwidth for inter-nodal communication. Where baud rates or capacity becomes insufficient, backlogging of sensory inputs may cause poor performance or the failure of the conventional system.
Finally, collision control systems are also limited in their ability to predict the future driving path of the host vehicle. In this regard, yaw-rate and steering angle sensors are conventionally used to predict the future path of the vehicle by assuming that the vehicle will undergo, for the immediate future, the same change in heading as is currently being commanded. The predictive capabilities of these systems, however, are limited by the ability of the operator to minimize steering angle and heading oscillations, which cause the predicted path to change dramatically. Further, the driving path of the vehicle often follows the shape of the roadway. For this reason, many systems attempt to identify the roadway or lane shape to perform path prediction, and often employ map databases and vision systems for this purpose. However, map systems are expensive, and vision systems may have trouble overcoming challenging environmental conditions due to limited views of the roadway.

System for and method of detecting a collision and predicting a vehicle path


A duct board or duct liner comprises: an insulating layer formed from fibrous material bound with a resin binder, an outer facing layer adhered to an outer surface of the insulating layer, and a water repellant mat facing adhered to an interior surface of the insulating layer opposite the outer surface to form a duct board material. The mat facing provides sufficient water repellency to repel a mixture of about 40% isopropanol and about 60% water. The duct board or duct liner material may be formed into a tubular shape capable of conducting air, with the mat facing on the interior of the tubular shape.

Ducts and conduits are used to convey air in building heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems. In many applications, especially in commercial and industrial construction, the ducts are lined with flexible thermal and sound insulating material. The lining enhances the thermal efficiency of the duct work and reduces noise associated with movement of air therethrough. Duct liner may comprise any suitable organic material or inorganic material, e.g., mineral fibers such as fiber glass insulation or the like. Typical fiber glass duct liners, for example, are constructed as fiber glass mats having densities of about 1.5 to 3 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and thicknesses of about 0.5 to 2 inches. To prevent fiber erosion due to air flow, the insulation may include a coating of on its inner or "air stream" surface. The air stream surface of the insulation is the surface that conveys air through the duct and is opposite the surface that contacts the duct sheet metal in the final duct assembly. The coating also serves to protect the insulation during brush and/or vacuum cleaning of the interior of the duct. Examples of duct liners having coatings on their inner surfaces are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,861,425 and 4,101,700. Several coated insulation duct liners are marketed under the trade designations Toughgard® by CertainTeed Corp. of Valley Forge, Pa., Aeroflex® and Aeromat® by Owens Corning Fiberglas Corp. of Toledo, Ohio, Permacote®, and Polycoustic™ by Johns Manville Corp. of Denver, Colo.
Other insulated HVAC systems use ducts either fabricated from or lined with rigid duct boards or tubes. Duct boards are rigid members formed from resin-bonded mineral fibers and whose air stream surfaces may also be provided with protective coatings. Duct boards typically have densities of about 3 to 6 pounds per cubic foot (pcf) and thicknesses of between about 0.5 to 2 inches. Coated and uncoated duct boards are marketed under a variety of trade designations from the aforementioned manufacturers of duct liners. Whether provided on duct liners or duct boards, dedicated water-resistant coatings add to the cost and complexity of manufacturing these products.
It is well known that microorganisms will grow in an environment where moisture and nutrients are present and that many species of microorganisms have a negative impact on indoor air quality (IAQ). If liquid water leaks into air duct insulation, the water may collect and stagnate in the insulation and support the growth of microorganisms.
To address the problem of microorganism growth in HVAC systems, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,314,719; 5,379,806; 5,487,412 and 5,783,268 disclose providing antimicrobial agents on or in the air-conveying surfaces of impermeable duct liners and/or duct boards. However, these antimicrobial agents have very limited zones of effectiveness. That is, they tend to prevent microbe formation only in their immediate vicinity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,314,719, for example, describes a zone of antifungal inhibition of about one millimeter. Typical duct liners and duct boards have insulation thicknesses ranging from about one-half to two inches. In these products, such a limited zone of inhibition would be essentially useless in preventing microorganism formation caused by duct insulation that becomes saturated by water entering through the exterior walls and seams of the duct.
Moisture impermeable coatings, if applied to the airstream surface of air duct insulation products, inhibit ingress of water into the insulation and attendant microorganism formation therein. U.S. Pat. No. 3,861,425 discusses providing HVAC ducts either composed of or lined with fibrous glass insulation media such as batts, mats, boards or the like with such coatings. While certain coatings may provide the benefits of fiber erosion protection and moisture resistance, they add to the cost and complexity of the products and their methods of manufacture. Coatings applied to the air stream surface of fibrous insulation products are applied to those products after their formation. This requires application of the coating to the previously formed insulation product by brush, roller, sprayer or by some other means or method and thereafter allowing the coating to cure or dry. This post-formation coating step may prolong the time required to manufacture the insulation product and, whether performed manually or automatically, must be carefully monitored in order to assure uniformity in application of the coating.
As an alternative to coated duct liners and duct boards, at least CertainTeed Corp. and Knauf Fiber Glass GmbH offer duct liners or duct boards having glass fiber insulation covered with a layer of non-woven facing material which defines the air stream surface of those products. The facing material produces a durable surface that protects the air duct from fiber erosion.
However, both uncoated fibrous insulation HVAC duct products and some products that are covered with facing material possess limited inherent moisture resistance. Consequently, they are susceptible to microorganism formation in the event they become wet.


A redundant network interface for ethernet devices is disclosed. The redundant network interface provides connections between one or more Ethernet devices and two or more independent networks. The redundant network interface device also tests an active primary Ethernet connection path, and when a failure or inactive path is detected, the redundant network interface device reroutes the messages to alternate communication path.

1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to a network switch for communications networks, and more particularly to a redundant network switch which is able to interface with and segregate two or more independent Ethernet networks. A method of using the redundant network switch interface device is also presented.
2. Related Art
It is often desirable to form multiple connections to devices on an Ethernet network to enhance reliability, or to connect one or more Ethernet device(s) to two independent networks. The vast majority of Ethernet devices have only a single Ethernet port, and/or either limited or no capabilities to make multiple, independent connections.
Local Ethernet devices are commonly connected to an Ethernet network by use of a device known as an Ethernet hub or network switch. These devices typically make the required connections with no regard to segregation or restriction of network traffic. There are significant limitations to the usefulness of using these network switches to make connection to independent networks. These limitations include, inter alia:
a) Unmanaged network switches pass messages from one network to the other, thus removing independence of the networks. This unwanted traffic increases network loading; can breach security through the undesirable transmission of messages; and can cause network conflicts if, for example, duplicate addressing is in use on the independent networks.
b) In the case of applications utilizing redundant network paths, unmanaged network switches could send messages back to network nodes that have received this message already from another path. This undesired event could cause unacceptable confusion on the network.
c) In redundant network schemes it is desirable to know when a failure in one of the network paths occurs so that a repair can be made. Network switches do not identify the path of the message for this purpose.
d) While many of these limitations can be overcome with a managed network switch or router, these complex devices require configuration and careful network planning. Further, the addition of new devices on the network or changes in the network topology can require reconfiguration for continued operation.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a simplified redundant network interface, which is capable of solving the above-mentioned limitations related to network switches for making connections to, as well as to providing segregation and redundancy for, independent networks.

Redundant network interface for ethernet devices


To provide an interconnecting power generation system which can detect an abnormality in the utility power supply and can be isolated from a utility power system and can prevent damage to a turbogenerator.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an interconnecting power generation system and, more particularly, to an interconnecting power generation system for supplying electrical power to an interconnecting load in conjunction with a utility power system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an interconnecting power generation system comprises an inverter apparatus for converting a DC output of a solar power generation system for example as a DC power source into an AC output and linking the DC power source to an AC utility power supply. A control unit for controlling the inverter apparatus has a detection circuit for detecting the phase voltage of the utility power supply, a detection circuit for detecting the output current of the inverter apparatus, an arithmetic circuit for calculating the error between signals indicating the phase voltage of the utility power supply and the output current of the inverter apparatus detected by the respective detection circuits, and a driver circuit for controlling the switching of the inverter apparatus based on the output of the arithmetic circuit, and makes the output current outputted from the current-controlled inverter apparatus follow the phase voltage signal of the utility power supply so that a sine wave current coincident in phase with the voltage of the utility power supply can be outputted. The interconnecting power generation system thereby converts electrical power generated by a solar cell into AC electrical power for example.
However, in order to interrupt power supply in a utility power system intentionally for maintenance or inspection, a switch upstream of the power outage section must be opened to interrupt the power supply to the section. When an interconnecting power generation system described as above is installed in or connected to the power outage section, it is necessary to detect the power outage and open a switch interposed between the interconnecting power generation system and the utility power system to isolate the interconnecting power generation system from the utility power system.
When an abnormality in the utility power supply such as an over-frequency or under-frequency condition is detected, the interconnecting power generation system must be isolated from the utility power system by opening the switch.
Moreover, in an interconnecting power generation system comprising a turbogenerator, at the moment when the interconnecting power generation system is isolated from the utility power system, the generator is put into a no-load operating condition to the rotational speed of the turbine rapidly increase to exceed the absolute rated speed, resulting in damage to the turbine or the auxiliaries.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances and it is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an interconnecting power generation system which can detect an abnormality in the utility power supply and can be isolated from the utility power system and can prevent damage to a turbogenerator.

Abstract: An interconnecting power generation system comprises: an interconnecting inverter 14; a voltage phase shift circuit 20 which synchronizes the output voltage phase of the interconnecting inverter 14 with the utility power voltage phase and monitors zero crossings of the utility power voltage, and which shifts the output voltage phase from the utility power voltage phase and shifts the shifted output voltage phase to the utility power voltage phase; a phase comparator 24 for comparing the voltage phase of the utility power system 10 and the output voltage phase of the interconnecting inverter; and an interconnection control unit 30 which detects a power outage caused by an interruption of power supply from the utility power system 10 based on a series of a predetermined number of matching signals outputted from the phase comparator 24 and sends a control signal to a circuit breaker 22 to shut off the output of the interconnecting inverter 14 from the utility power system 10.


Certain embodiments of this disclosure describe techniques for detecting a spoofed network device and preventing the serving of content, such as advertisements, to the spoofed network device. In certain embodiments, a network security system is provided. The network security system can include hardware and/or software programmed to prevent the provision of content to a spoofed client device. The network security system can provide a mechanism for certifying to content providers, such as advertisers, whether or not a client is a legitimate mobile device or a spoofed device. Accordingly, content providers can prevent the delivery of content to fraudulent devices instead of relying on imprecise solutions that detect fraudulent activity after it has occurred.

This application relates to electronic communication between devices in a computer network. Many communications between devices include the transfer of data for user consumption. For example, a computing device may request content on behalf of a user for presentation to a user. This content may include various forms of media, such as images, audio, video, or text. The media may be news articles, pictures, animations, movies, video games, and the like. It is often desirable to track the access or consumption of media. For example, the determination of popularity of certain media may affect a decision as to whether to produce additional content.

Network device detection and verification protocol


A multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) receiver includes a receive path circuitry configured to receive a first signal from a first antenna and a second signal from a second antenna, downconvert the first signal to a first frequency to generate a first intermediate frequency (IF) signal, downconvert the second signal to a second frequency different from the first frequency to generate a second IF signal, and combine the first IF signal and the second IF signal into a common signal.

In modern digital communications systems, advanced transmission techniques are being implemented to increase link capacity and spectral efficiency. Many of these methods utilize multiple antennas to transmit and receive signals. Examples of multi-antenna systems included beamforming, MIMO, and Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDMA). As an example, in the 3rd Generation Partnership Project Long Term Evolution (3GPP LTE), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) is adopted as a downlink (DL) transmission scheme, and all of the referenced multi-antenna methods are potentially utilized.

Method and system of MIMO and beamforming transmitter and receiver architecture


A derived quantization parameter for a section of a currently encoding picture of a plurality of pictures is incremented to produce an updated quantization parameter when the derived quantization parameter is less than a minimum quantization parameter for the currently encoding picture. The section is then encoded using the updated quantization parameter. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Digital signal compression (sometimes referred to as video coding or video encoding) is widely used in many multimedia applications and devices. Digital signal compression using a coder/decoder (codec) allows streaming media, such as audio or video signals to be transmitted over the Internet or stored on compact discs. A number of different standards of digital video compression have emerged, including H.261, H.263; DV; MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, VC1; AVC (H.264), and HEVC (H.265). These standards, as well as other video compression technologies, seek to efficiently represent a video frame picture by eliminating the spatial and temporal redundancies in the picture and among successive pictures. Through the use of such compression standards, video contents can be carried in highly compressed video bit streams, and thus efficiently stored in disks or transmitted over networks.
It is within this context that aspects of the present disclosure arise.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Picture quality oriented rate control for low-latency streaming applications


A magnetic disk cartridge having a plurality of generally rectangular-shaped strip liners placed in sliding contact with a magnetic recording sheet to protect and clean the sheet. The strip liners are provided in pairs on each side of the magnetic recording sheet, each pair having first and second strip liners disposed on opposite sides of a central axis of the magnetic recording sheet. The strip liners for a 3.5 inch floppy magnetic disk cartridge have a length of approximately 4 to 5 cm and a width of approximately 1.6 to 2 cm. The strip liners are formed of a nonwoven fabric and are thermally welded to an inside surface of the upper and lower casings within a circumference of the magnetic recording material. The strip liners reduce manufacturing costs over conventional disk-shaped liners, and also provide a significant improvement in quality.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to magnetic disk cartridges in which a disc-shaped, thin magnetic recording medium, namely a magnetic disc sheet, is rotatably supported. More particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic disc cartridge in which a liner is placed in sliding contact with the magnetic disc sheet to protect and clean the sheet.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic disk sheets, i.e., floppy disks, are widely used as recording media for computers because they are easy to handle and low in cost. A conventional magnetic disk sheet comprises a disk-like base sheet made of flexible polyester or the like, and magnetic material layers overlaid on opposite surfaces of the disk-like base sheet. The magnetic disk sheet is rotated for magnetically recording information on the magnetic material layers by use of a magnetic head.
In general, writing of information on the magnetic disk sheet or reading of information therefrom is carried out by rotating a magnetic disk sheet and, at the same time, sliding a magnetic writing head or a magnetic reading head over the magnetic recording surface in the radial direction of the magnetic disk sheet. Therefore, when conformity of the surface of the magnetic disk sheet with the magnetic head is low, or when dust or the like enters the gap of the magnetic head in the course of writing or reading of the information, the signal input and/or signal output fluctuates, or drop-outs occur. Such fluctuations or drop-outs are serious because magnetic disk cartridges are used mainly as digital data memories in computers or the like and a single data error may be unacceptable.
Referring to FIG. 1, a conventional 3.5-inch type small magnetic disk cartridge 10 will be described. The cartridge 10 includes an outer case formed of an upper casing 11, a lower casing 12, and a dust-preventing shutter 13. The shutter 13 covers openings 14 and 15 in the casings 11 and 12, respectively, and has an opening 13a to permit access to a recording surface of a magnetic disk sheet 16 by a magnetic recording head. A hub 16a is fixed to the magnetic disk sheet 16 for rotatably driving the disk sheet 16 with a disk drive mechanism.
Disk-like liners 17 and 18 formed of a rayon nonwoven fabric, a polyester nonwoven fabric or the like are disposed between the magnetic disk sheet 16 and an inner wall surface of the upper and lower casings 11 and 12, respectively. The liners 17 and 18 lightly contact the upper and lower recording surfaces of the magnetic disk sheet 16, respectively. A lifter spring 19 is attached to the lower casing 12 to exert pressure against the liner 18 to maintain contact between the liners 17 and 18 and the recording surface. When the magnetic disk sheet 16 is rotated, the liners 17 and 18 function to remove dust or the like from the surface of the magnetic disk sheet 16.
As mentioned above, liners formed of rayon, polyester or the like have heretofore generally been shaped in a disk-like form. This disk-like shape requires a significant amount of material for the liner, and also results in a large amount of material being wasted during the manufacturing process. For example, several disk-shaped liners may be cut from a single sheet of liner material. A disk-shaped liner will require an amount of material, both used and wasted, having a surface area equivalent to a square with sides equal to a diameter of the liner. Thus, a conventional disk liner having a diameter of 8.6 cm requires approximately 74 cm.sup.2 (8.6 cm.times.8.6 cm) of liner material to manufacture. This large amount of liner material is a significant cost in high volume disk cartridge production. Moreover, conventional disk-shaped liners require a large amount of thermal welding to secure the liners to the plastic casings.
In addition, the large amount of textile liner material within the disk cartridge has a tendency to create what is referred to as "soft error." Soft error results from textile particles from the liners being leaked to the media of the rotating magnetic disk sheet. Such soft error is primarily caused by the ultrasonic welding of the upper and lower plastic casings 11 and 12 together during manufacture. The ultrasonic welding utilizes a high frequency vibration, which tends to break the liner material down and cause the material to be leaked to the media. The soft error will generally correct itself after the disk rotates a sufficient number of times so that the leaked particles of liner material are reabsorbed by the liners. However, if the recording head contacts the disk sheet while a large amount of liner material is in the media, permanent damage to the media can result.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved liner for floppy disk cartridges to reduce the occurrence of soft error and to minimize manufacturing costs.

Magnetic disk cartridge having strip liners


A system (100) for spatially addressing the synchronization of two light pulses (118, 120) having a respective wavelength. The system (100) includes two light sources (110, 114), each one generating one of the light pulses (118, 120) in response to receiving a respective source trigger. The light pulses (118, 120) are combined and then distributed in many light guiding elements (104) in which propagation at the first and second wavelength takes a different amount of time, the differences between the propagation times at the first and second wavelengths differing between the light guiding elements (104). The source triggers are separated from each other by a variable delay in order to cause simultaneous arrival of the first and second pulses (118, 120) at the output of only one of the light guiding elements (104).

There are many applications that require the combination of laser light at two different wavelengths to produce laser light at a third wavelength, which depends on the first two wavelengths. In some of these applications, many light sources are required to produce the laser light at the third wavelength at different spatial locations, which typically requires many different light sources for generating the laser light at the first two wavelengths, or an active component to dispatch to the right location the laser light at the first two wavelengths produced at a central location. Systems for performing these actions are therefore relatively complex, with relatively large costs and relatively large maintenance needs.
Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to provide improved systems and methods for synchronizing light pulses at a selected location. An object of the present invention is therefore to provide such a system and such a method.

System and method for synchronizing light pulses at a selected location