A phase control device, for providing a plurality of phase values, for utilization by any system having a number of input/output ports with signals requiring control of their relative phases. The phase control device is constructed from phase shift elements electrically connected to a system of electrically interconnected switches separated off from the phase shift elements. The result is a reduction in the number of phase shift elements and switches as compared to conventional phase shifters and a simplification of the resulting architecture, a feature of significant importance in chip miniaturization.

The present invention relates to phase control devices in general and phase control devices as applied to phased array antennas in particular.
Phase control devices play an important role in radar and communications in general, and in satellite communications in particular. There are known in the art, planar phased array antennas for communicating with satellites which are mountable on moving platforms. For certain of such applications the planar phased array antenna may comprise several hundred radiating elements. This results in the use of a corresponding several hundred phase shifters, one for each radiating element. Owing to the large number of phase shifters required, the phased arrays themselves are therefore expensive.
There is, therefore, a need for reducing the number of phase shifters required for a given number of radiating elements of a phased array.
In the following description and claims reference is made to phase shifters and to phase control devices as applied to phased array antennas. This is done for clarity of illustration only and should in no way be interpreted as a limiting property of the phase control devices of the invention which can be utilized by any system having a plurality of input/output ports with signals requiring control of their relative phases.
In referring to phase shifters reference is implicitly made to the phase shift elements and switches constituting the phase shifters; hence reducing the number of phase shifters required for a given task implies reducing the number of constituent phase shift elements and switches.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a phase control device which reduces the number of phase shifters required in a given application as compared to prior art techniques. In addition to the reduction in the number of phase shift elements and switches, another object of the present invention is the simplification of the resulting architecture wherein the reduced number of phase shift elements is separated off from the reduced number of switches, a feature of significant importance in chip miniaturization.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a phase control device for providing a plurality of phase values, comprising:
a plurality of electrically interconnected phase shift elements; and
a plurality of switches electrically interconnected by a plurality of first conducting lines and a plurality of second conducting lines, said plurality of switches electrically connected to said plurality of phase shift elements by means of said plurality of second conducting lines.
If desired the phase shift elements and the switches may be partitioned into phase control units, the phase shift elements in each phase control unit being electrically interconnected and the switches in each phase control unit being electrically interconnected, only to switches within the same phase control unit and to the phase shift elements thereof.
Further, if desired, all the phase control units are parallelly connected.
Optionally, all the phase control units are serially connected.
Alternatively, some of the phase control units are serially connected whereas others are parallelly connected.
Also, if desired, the phase control units may be connected to the switches of a further phase control unit.
In a specific application of the invention the phase shift elements, the switches and the first conducting lines are disposed on one side of a dielectric plate; whereas the second conducting lines are disposed on the opposite of said dielectric plate.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention the phase control device further comprises, in a piecewise layered formation, a plurality of dielectric plates, each having front and rear faces, and wherein said plurality of phase shift elements, said plurality of first conducting lines and said plurality of second conducting lines are disposed on the faces of said dielectric plates.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention the phase shift elements are serially connected.
In accordance with another embodiment of the invention the phase shift elements are parallelly connected.


A system includes generation of an encoding for each of a hierarchy of nodes, each of the nodes associated with one or more attributes, and the encoding for each node including a first pointer and a second pointer, and generation of an order tree comprising a hierarchy of entries, where each pointer of the encoding points to a respective one of the entries, wherein the encoding and the order tree indicate a position of each node in the hierarchy of nodes.

Hierarchical data has always been a challenge for relational database management systems (RDBMSs) because a relational model is flat while hierarchies exhibit inherent recursive properties. Nevertheless, many business operations feature hierarchical data. For example, business users need to manage human resource (HR) hierarchies, which model the relationships between employees. Queries on these hierarchies may retrieve all employees who work under a certain supervisor, or may determine whether an employee A is supervised by an employee B. Conventionally, such a query is modeled as a recursive SQL query operating on a parent column. This approach is inefficient.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A releasable joint connects an upright (10) and a transverse brace (16) in an aluminum scaffold frame. A horizontal aluminum flange (12) is attached to the upright (10) and an aluminum connector (18) to the brace (16). The connector (18) has a mouth (50) which receives the flange (12). A steel wedge (20) is inserted through a vertical passage (52) in the connector (18) and an opening (28) in the flange (12). The opening (28) contains a vertical, planar wedge-seating surface (36) of uniform horizontal cross-section. The connector (18) contains a pair of parallel, planar wedge-seating surfaces (54, 56), one above and one below the flange (12). These surfaces (54, 56) extend downwardly and radially outwardly relative to the upright (10) at a predetermined angle relative to vertical and have uniform horizontal cross-sections. The wedge (20) has a vertical edge surface (64) that mates with the wedge-seating surface (36) in the opening (28) and a pair of edge surfaces (66, 68) inclined at the predetermined angle and mated with the wedge-seating surfaces (54, 56) in the connector (18). The various mated surfaces slide relative to one another as the wedge (20) is forcefully inserted or released from the joint, reducing wear. The wedge (20) also forces the connector (18) downwardly against the flange (12), during wedge (20) insertion, ensuring that the joint is reliably locked.

Uprights and transverse braces are principal components of a knock-down scaffold frame. A variety of releasable joints are known that permit the principal components to be joined to produce a unitary structure. The present invention has application to a wedge-operated joint whose general configuration has been widely accepted in the scaffold industry. The joint includes an annular horizontal flange which is fixed to an upright and which has a set of openings between its upper and lower faces. A complementary connector is fixed to the brace and has a mouth that receives the flange. A vertical passage in the connector is aligned with a flange opening, and a wedge is inserted through the aligned passage and flange opening to secure the joint. The wedge acts between the connector and the radial periphery of the flange to force the connector against the upright, locking the joint. Exemplary joints of this nature are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,044,523, No. 4,394,095, No. 4,426,171 and No. 4,603,756, all to Layher.
Inserting the wedge causes wear in the flange, the connector and the wedge itself. The wedge normally bears against a particular seating surface formed in the flange opening. In the prior Layher patents, the seating surface is rounded and the edge of the wedge that engages the seating surface is inclined relative to vertical. Since the wedge is driven vertically, it attacks the point of contact with considerable force, producing essentially a cutting action. Although the wedge is shaped to mate with vertical surfaces within the connector, at least when fully seated, similar point contacts may be formed as the wedge is driven to a final position or during initial stages of removal while the joint is stressed. The resulting wear may be gradual and tolerable in steel scaffold frames but it can quickly defeat the operation of an aluminum system. In that regard, it should be noted that steel wedges are still suggested for use in aluminum systems in order to withstand the hammering necessary to insert and remove the wedges.
Such scaffold joints also have a tendency to loosen and release. Wedging action inherently applies an upward force to the wedge. Point contacts between components may be inadequate to react such upward forces and avoid loosening of the wedge. Another significant aspect of this problem appears to have been overlooked. The connector normally rests on the upper surface of the flange when the joint is in a released state. As the wedge is driven downwardly, it not only forces the connector horizontally against the upright but also raises the connector until the latter engages the lower surface of the flange. Vibration, striking or other dynamic loads applied to the associated brace then cause the connector to dislodge, releasing the wedge and the joint. Moreover, a worker senses a significant resistance to wedge insertion when the connector engages the bottom surface of the flange. A worker tends to strike the wedge several more times assuming, incorrectly, that the wedge is just beginning to lock the joint. This encourages further damage to the components of the joint and is most significant if an aluminum flange is provided.
Alternative wedge-operated scaffold joints have been proposed but these also appear subject to the wear and loosening problems described above. U.S. Pat. No. 4,493,578 to D'Alessio proposes a wedge with one rounded side edge ostensibly conforming to vertically-aligned surfaces in the connector. The opposing side edge of the wedge and the corresponding seating surface within the associated flange opening are both angled relative to vertical, somewhat reducing wear. However, the angle between the side edges of the wedge does not conform to the inclination of the wedge-seating surface defined by the flange. Point contacts are formed, which contribute once again to wear. Furthermore, producing a wedge-seating surface that is not perpendicular to the customary flat upper surface of the flange adds complexity and increases manufacturing costs. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,513 to Hacket, point contacts are formed between the wedge, connector, and flange at various stages of wedge insertion and removal, once again leading to wear. In the scaffold joint described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,525,096 to Green et al, the wedge has one edge that aligns with a corresponding vertical wedge-seating surface within a flange opening, once the wedge is fully seated. However, the opposing side edge wedge is then angled relative to vertical and bears against vertical surfaces in the connector. One of the vertical connector surfaces is formed on an abutment element that displaces relative to the rest of the connector. Once again, point contacts are formed during wedge insertion and removal, which are expected to lead to wear.

Flange-type scaffold joint adapted to resist loosening of wedge in response to vibration and tapping


A brushless DC motor is disclosed. In the motor, an axial vibration limit unit is provided on a bearing and electromagnetically attracts a rotor, thus preventing the rotor from being centrifugally lifted during a high speed rotation of the rotor. In the operation of the motor, an axial displacement of the rotor is sensed by an induction coil of a sensor. The induction coil generates a variable induction current indicative of an axial displacement of the rotor, and outputs the current to a controller through an amplifier, thus controlling the vibration limit unit. The electromagnetic bearing of this invention thus supports the shaft and rotor in an axial direction and almost completely prevents any axial vibrations of the rotor, thereby reducing operational vibrations and noises and improving the axial dynamic characteristics of the brushless DC motor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to brushless DC motors and, more particularly, to a brushless DC motor with a rotor, the rotor being coupled to a hydrodynamically supported shaft and being free from any axial vibrations during a high speed operation of the motor, thus effectively reducing operational vibrations and noises.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As well known to those skilled in the art, small-sized precision motors, typically used in office machines, are required to be designed to rotate at high speeds and provide dynamic characteristics of low operational vibrations and noises in order to meet the necessity of high speed operation and provide a large capacity of such office machines. Therefore, it is a recent trend to change bearings for such motors from ball bearings into hydrosintered or hydrodynamic bearings with excellent dynamic characteristics.
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a spindle motor using a conventional hydrodynamic bearing. As shown in the drawing, a sleeve 1a is vertically and concentrically arranged on the base panel of a motor housing 1 through a fitting process, while a shaft 2 is rotatably and downwardly inserted into the sleeve 1a. A core 1b, with a coil 1c, is arranged around the sleeve 1a, thus forming a stator of the motor. The top end of the shaft 2 is coupled to a cap-shaped rotor 3, thus being rotatable along with the rotor 3. A cylindrical magnet 3a is attached to the inner surface of the rotor's sidewall, thus surrounding the core 1b. When the motor is started, electric power is applied to the coil 1c of the core 1b, thus allowing the magnet 3a to generate magnetic force. The rotor 3 is thus rotated along with the shaft 2 at high speeds.
In the above spindle motor, the hydrodynamic bearing comprises a plurality of dynamic pressure grooves 2a, which are formed on the shaft 2 and are filled with oil. When the shaft 2 is rotated inside the sleeve 1a at high speeds, oil, filled in the gap between the sleeve 1a and the shaft 2, generates a hydrodynamic pressure at the grooves 2a and effectively supports the shaft 2 in a radial direction during a high speed rotation of the shaft 2. When the shaft 2 is rotated at high speeds as described above, the rotor 3, carrying a disc (not shown) thereon, is rotated at high speeds, thus allowing data stored on the disc to be reproduced.
However, such a conventional hydrodynamic bearing for spindle motors is problematic in that it fails to support the shaft 2 in an axial direction and only supports the shaft 2 in a radial direction. Therefore, another bearing has to be provided in the motor for supporting the shaft 2 in an axial direction even though it is very difficult to produce the radial support hydrodynamic bearing and the axial support bearing and precisely set the two bearings in the motor.
In an effort to overcome the above problems experienced in the above spindle motors, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Hei. 7-110,028 and Japanese Laid-open Publication No. Sho. 56-20,828 individually disclose a technology of limiting axial vibrations of a rotor in motors. In each of the above Japanese patents, the shaft of a motor is axially supported by a washer-type structure capable of forming a hydrodynamic pressure on the shaft in an axial direction using elastic liquid. However, the above Japanese technologies have a problem in that such a washer-type structure complicates the production process of motors and remarkably increases production cost, thus being less likely to be produced in commercial quantity. Another problem of the above Japanese technologies is that the washer-type structure only provides low axial dynamic characteristics for the shaft, thus failing to radically remove axial vibrations of the shaft and rotor.


Methods and system for providing heat to a vehicle are presented. In one example, a refrigerant loop is operated to heat a passenger cabin via heat generated by a compressor and heat generated by a resistive heating element. The heat that is generated by the compressor and the heat that is generated by the resistive heating element is transferred to a refrigerant before it is transferred to the passenger cabin.

A vehicle may include an air conditioner to cool a passenger cabin when ambient temperatures are higher. The vehicle may also include a heater core that heats the passenger cabin via engine waste heat when ambient temperatures are lower. However, it may take several to tens of minutes for passengers in the vehicle to notice passenger cabin heating due to the large mass of engine coolant and time it takes to heat an engine. One way to provide a warm passenger cabin is to remotely start the vehicle and increase passenger cabin temperature while vehicle passengers wait in a warm place and the passenger cabin temperature increases. While this solution heats the passenger cabin, it also consumes fuel that might otherwise be used to propel the vehicle. Consequently, the vehicle's fuel economy may be reduced at the expense of passenger comfort. Further, the vehicle occupants may be made to wait to drive.
The inventors herein have recognized the above-mentioned disadvantages and have developed a method for conditioning a vehicle's passenger cabin, comprising: cooling a passenger cabin via a refrigerant in a refrigerant loop in response to a request to cool a vehicle passenger cabin; and heating the refrigerant in the refrigerant loop via a compressor, heating the refrigerant via a resistive heater, and heating the vehicle passenger cabin via the refrigerant in response to a request to heat the vehicle passenger cabin.
By heating refrigerant in a climate control system, it may be possible to increase vehicle passenger cabin heating without having to wait an extended period of time for engine coolant to heat the passenger cabin. The refrigerant may have a much smaller thermal inertia than engine coolant, which allows refrigerant temperature to increase at a faster rate than engine coolant temperature, so that a desired level of heating may be provided to a vehicle passenger cabin sooner than if the vehicle passenger cabin were heated via engine coolant. The refrigerant may be heated via a compressor through heat of compression, and the refrigerant may also be heated via resistive heaters so that a larger amount of energy may be converted into thermal energy for heating the passenger cabin. Consequently, the vehicle passenger cabin may be heated via a low voltage electric energy storage device without flowing high current amounts from the electric energy storage device. In addition, the same refrigerant may also be used to cool the passenger cabin when ambient temperatures are higher. Once the engine coolant is warm due to engine operation, cabin heating would primarily come from the engine since using engine heat is fuel efficient when it is available.
The present description may provide several advantages. Specifically, the approach may improve passenger cabin heating of vehicles. Further, the approach provides for higher levels of vehicle passenger cabin heating via a low voltage electric energy storage device and no more than two resistive heating elements. Additionally, the approach may improve a vehicle's fuel economy during low temperature conditions while simultaneously providing a shorter time to the desired level of passenger cabin heating.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.


An information processing system includes first information processing devices, and a second information processing device. Each of the first information processing devices includes a request transmitter for transmitting a connection request to the second information processing device; a first storage unit for storing job information to be executed by an apparatus; a retrieval unit for transmitting a request for job information to the second information processing device and receiving the job information; and a first reply unit for transmitting the job information to the apparatus. The second information processing device includes a collection unit for collecting the job information from each of the first storage units of the first information processing devices other than a source of a retrieval request; and a second reply unit for transmitting the job information to the source of the retrieval request.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing device, an information processing method, and a program.
2. Description of the Related Art
A printing method has been known that is referred to as "pull-print printing" (cf. Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-081741), for example). In the pull-print printing, a personal computer (PC) or the like may transmit print data to a predetermined server. The predetermined server stores the received print data. In response to an operation by a user to an image forming apparatus, the image forming apparatus may retrieve (pull) the print data that is stored in the server that is set, in advance, as a referent, and the image forming apparatus may execute a print job (a unit of a job to be executed by a computer). For the pull-print printing, situations can be prevented from occurring, such as a case in which a sheet on which confidential information is printed is left or confidential information is read by an unauthorized person, because the print job is executed when the user is in the vicinity of the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, according to the pull-print printing, a print job can be executed with respect to the same print data from each of a plurality of image forming apparatuses that refers to the same server.
However, in the pull-print printing, it may be difficult to share print data among image forming apparatuses that refer to different servers, respectively. For example, suppose that a user A stores print data in a server A that is a referent of image forming apparatuses that are located in the user A's office. In this case, the user A can cause each of the image forming apparatuses to execute the print job regarding the print data within the office. However, when the user A visit another office in which a referent of image forming apparatuses that are located in the other office is a server B, it may be difficult for the user A to cause each of the image forming apparatus that is located in the other office to process the print job that is stored in the server A.
There is a need for enhancing flexibility of distribution of data that is retrieved from a predetermined storage device by an apparatus as a job to be executed.

Information processing system and information processing method for distributing job data among plurality of first information processing devices


A laser interferometer measuring system generates a series of digital output quadrature pulses corresponding to movement of a retroreflector 18. The output pulses are intended for receipt by a master counter containing an incremental count corresponding to displacement of the retroreflector 18. Errors present in the output pulses due to environmental or geometrical error sources in the interferometer may be compensated for by scaling the output pulses in accordance with a correction factor K. The output pulses are stored in a first counter 30, 130; a series of secondary pulses, being either the output pulses as scaled, or independently generated by a signal generator 200, are sent both to the master counter and a second counter 80, 180. A processor 50, 150 continually monitors the value of the second counter, and compares this with an actual value of displacement, equal to the product of the correction factor and the instantaneous value of the first counter. The frequency of secondary pulses transmitted to the master counter and the second counter is continually controlled by the processor in order to equalize the value of the second counter with the actual displacement value.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a real-time compensation system and a real-time compensation method for use with a measuring apparatus.
Laser measuring apparatus are known per se, and typically include an interferometer which combines a reference beam, reflected from a stationary retroreflector, and a measuring beam reflected from a moving retroreflector, to generate interference which may be made manifest at a photodetector. Displacement of an object to which the moving retroreflector is connected may be measured by generating an incremental count from the output of the photodetector. In practice a plurality of photodetectors may be provided which, in conjunction with suitable signal processing electronics, generate a pair of digital quadrature pulses, thereby to generate information on both the magnitude and direction of movement of the object to which the movable retroreflector is connected. It is also known to provide one or more environmental sensors, which generate signals corresponding to values of, for example, ambient air temperature, air pressure, humidity, and so on. These signals may be used to correct measurements made with the laser.
2. Description of Related Art
EP 334541 discloses an error compensation system for a CNC machine tool in which positioning errors arise when a movable body is positioned by a servo. U.S. Pat. No. 5,375,066 discloses error correction to a machine tool in real time to correct fixed geometric errors, or thermally induced errors. This subject is also addressed in the following publications of the U.S. Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology NISTIR 4854, 4447 and 4832.

Real-time compensation system and method


Ring laser gyroscope that includes a gyroscope block, a radio frequency transmitting device, and a radio frequency energy source. The gyroscope block has at least one discharge bore containing a gain medium, and the radio frequency transmitting device is located within the gyroscope block in proximity to at least one discharge bore and located so as to encompass the discharge bore. The radio frequency energy source is configured to apply a pulsed radio frequency signal to the transmitting device.

This invention relates generally to ring laser gyroscopes, and more specifically, to systems and methods for utilizing pulsed radio frequencies within ring laser gyroscopes.
At least some known ring laser gyroscopes (RLGs) utilize a direct current (D.C.) voltage discharge in order to start and maintain laser beams within a discharge cavity located in a block of the RLG. A discharge cavity is also sometimes referred to as a gain bore or discharge bore. In such a utilization, D.C. electrodes must be in direct contact with a gain medium of the laser that is contained within the discharge bore. In order to prevent external materials from leaking around these D.C. electrodes, an interfacial seal is used to bond the electrodes to the laser block. The integrity of such interfacial seals has historically limited the temperature range, reliability, and lifetime of RLGs which employ the interfacial seals.
Often the gain necessary to sustain the laser beams within an RLG require discharge currents which are powerful enough to sputter cathode material from the electrodes into the gain medium. This sputtering contaminates the gain medium which results in shortening the laser lifetime and hence gyro reliability and performance. Additionally, the cathode or cathodes, depending upon the RLG configuration, pump gases from the gain medium producing undesirable gas mix changes.
Other known ring laser gyroscopes employ capacitively coupled radio frequency (RF) energy which maintain the laser beams within the gyroscope through discharge of the RF energy. In such gyroscopes, electrodes transmitting RF energy are deposited onto an outer surface of the laser block. Still another known RLG employs an inductive coil wrapped around one leg of the discharge bore within the laser block. In this gyroscope embodiment, the inductive coil may be embedded within the laser block itself. As still another alternative, a capacitively coupled RF apparatus which includes two plates, is embedded within the laser block. When utilizing such an apparatus, one leg of the discharge bore is juxtaposed between two of the plates.
These RLGs couple continuous wave RF energy into the gain medium of a ring laser gyroscope thereby eliminating the need for electrodes within the discharge bores and the resulting problems associated with the sealing of the laser block. However, dynamic impedance characteristics of the gain medium within the discharge bore can cause problems related to controlling an amount of power delivered to the gain medium when utilizing such continuous wave (CW) RF signals.

Systems and methods for utilizing pulsed radio frequencies in a ring laser gyroscope


A hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle may include a low-pressure hydraulic pump, a low-pressure regulator valve, a high-pressure hydraulic pump, a high-pressure regulator valve regulating the high hydraulic pressure supplied from the high-pressure hydraulic pump to be stable hydraulic pressure and supplying the regulated hydraulic pressure to the high pressure portion, a first switch valve disposed between the low-pressure hydraulic pump and the low-pressure regulator valve, and selectively communicating the low-pressure hydraulic pump to the low-pressure regulator valve, a second switch valve selectively opening or closing a first circulating line connecting a downstream of the low-pressure hydraulic pump to an upstream of the high-pressure regulator valve, and a third switch valve selectively opening or closing a second circulating line connecting a downstream of the high-pressure regulator valve to an upstream of the low-pressure regulator valve.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle. More particularly, the present invention relates to a hydraulic pressure supply system of an automatic transmission for a vehicle which executes idle stop and go (ISG) function safely by supplying prefill hydraulic pressure to a high pressure portion through a high-pressure hydraulic pump when a vehicle stops and improves reliability through fail-safe function when the high-pressure hydraulic pump is out of order.
Description of Related Art
Recently, vehicle makers direct all their strength to improve fuel economy due to worldwide high oil prices and strengthening of exhaust gas regulations.
Improvement of fuel economy may be achieved by improving power delivery efficiency, and the improvement of the power delivery efficiency may be achieved by minimizing unnecessary power consumption of a hydraulic pump.
A recent automatic transmission is provided with a low-pressure hydraulic pump and a high-pressure hydraulic pump so as to improve fuel economy. Therefore, hydraulic pressure generated by the low-pressure hydraulic pump is supplied to a low pressure portion (i.e., a torque converter, a cooling device, and a lubrication device), and hydraulic pressure generated by the high-pressure hydraulic pump is supplied to a high pressure portion (i.e., friction members selectively operated when shifting).
In further detail, general hydraulic pressure of the automatic transmission is generated for the low pressure portion (i.e., generated by the low-pressure hydraulic pump), and hydraulic pressure demanded by the high pressure portion is generated by the high-pressure hydraulic pump and then is supplied to the high pressure portion.
Therefore, fuel economy may be improved by minimizing power consumption for driving the hydraulic pump, and noise and vibration may be reduced and durability may be improved by reducing load applied to the hydraulic pump.
Since hydraulic pressure generated by the low-pressure hydraulic pump is supplied to the high-pressure hydraulic pump and is then increased according to a conventional hydraulic pressure supply system, the hydraulic pressure supplied to the high pressure portion is insufficient and a vehicle cannot run if the high-pressure hydraulic pump is out of order.
Since the low-pressure hydraulic pump is stopped in a case that the engine is stopped, the hydraulic pressure is not supplied to the high-pressure hydraulic pump and the conventional hydraulic pressure supply system is hard to apply to the vehicle including an idle stop and go (ISG) system.
The vehicle including ISG system means a vehicle where the engine stops if the vehicle stops and the engine is started again if the vehicle start to run so as to reduce fuel usage and emission.
The information disclosed in this Background of the Invention section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Hydraulic pressure supply system of automatic transmission for vehicle


In a sheet transport apparatus in which a skew feed correcting portion is provided so as to be able to pull out from the apparatus, the skew feed correcting portion including a sheet transport path through which a sheet is transported, and a skew feed correcting device for correcting skew feed of the sheet passing through the sheet transport path, a guide constituting an upper surface of the sheet transport path is divided into two guide members in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet transport direction so that the two guide members can each be opened.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a sheet transport apparatus, an image forming apparatus, and an image reading apparatus, and in particular, to a configuration of a skew feed correcting portion for correcting the skew feed of a sheet.
2. Related Background Art
Conventionally, an image forming apparatus and an image reading apparatus in a printer, a copier, and the like has a sheet transport apparatus for transporting a sheet to an image forming portion or an image reading portion. When a sheet is to be transported in such a sheet transport apparatus, skew may occur in a sheet due to the misalignment of a transport roller, the distortion of a sheet guide, and the like depending on the assembly precision of components.
When an image is formed or an image is read with respect to a sheet transported under the condition of skew feed, a distorted image is formed or read with respect to the sheet. Particularly, in an image forming apparatus having a two-side printing function, an image formed on one surface may be remarkably shifted from an image formed on the other surface.
Therefore, in a conventional sheet transport apparatus, a skew feed correcting portion for correcting the skew feed of a sheet is provided in a sheet transport path. Regarding such a skew feed correcting portion, there are a system using a registration roller, a system of correcting the skew feed of a sheet by pressing a side edge of a sheet into contact with a reference wall provided in parallel to a sheet transport direction at one end of a sheet transport path in a width direction orthogonal to the sheet transport direction as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H09-12182, and the like.
In the case where a sheet jam occurs in the skew feed correcting portion in the sheet transport apparatus, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,145,828, the skew feed correcting portion is pulled out, and then, a guide member constituting the upper surface of the sheet transport path is opened, whereby the jammed sheet is removed.
However, in such conventional sheet transport apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image reading apparatus, the lateral length of the guide member constituting the upper surface of the sheet transport path is at least larger than the lateral length of a sheet with a maximum size to be transported. Therefore, the force required for opening the guide member becomes large, degrading operability. In particular, this problem is conspicuous in a sheet transport apparatus with a large size.
Furthermore, even in the case where a jammed sheet is on the front side in a pulling direction of the skew feed correcting portion, in order to open the guide member, the entire skew feed correcting portion needs to be pulled out, which prolongs a time required for jammed sheet processing.

Sheet transport apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image reading apparatus


A velocity/speed measurement radar unit incorporates a handle assembly for detachment from a base unit to allow for convertibility from a hand-held unit to a remote controlled radar unit. The removable handle assembly controls the operating parameters and secondary functions of the radar unit in a simple and user friendly manner. The operating parameters are established using multifunctional switches incorporated in the handle assembly, such as a trigger-type switch, rocker switches, and push button switches. The secondary functions are similarly controlled using a rotary encoder/push button switch combination. A microprocessor in the handle assembly receives inputs from the multifunctional switches and generates a corresponding control signal for transmission to the base unit. The handle assembly and base unit communicate via infra-red transmitters and receivers. The handle assembly is ergonomically designed to insure ease of use. The base unit is independently mounted when converted to the remote mode of operation.

It is desirable for observation instruments, such as photographic cameras, television cameras, camcorders, speed measurement or vehicular traffic radar guns, and similar instruments to operate in either a hand-held configuration or a remotely controlled mounted configuration. For example, in the field of velocity/speed measurement radar systems, it is well known to mount a radar base unit and to utilize a remote control device connected to the base unit by a cable to control at least some of operating parameters of the radar system. One such radar system is the BEE mobile traffic radar system manufactured by MPH Industries, Inc., assignee of the present application. The remote control device of the BEE radar system utilizes a plurality of non-momentary switches as input devices in order to establish such control. Within the limited operating area of a typical police patrol vehicle, having the remote control device tethered by the cable can be both difficult and burdensome to work around. In addition to this shortcoming, the tethered remote control device limits the use of the radar system in a practical sense to the mounted configuration, such as on the dash of the patrol vehicle.
In order to overcome these limitations, others have resorted to more conventional types of remote control devices. These more conventional devices are similar in size, shape and structure, as well as operation, to the remote control devices presently utilized with such consumer goods as television sets, video cameras, video cassette recorders, compact disc players, and various other electronic and audio equipment. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,565,871 to Aker et al. teaches the use of one of these conventional remote control devices to establish some of the operating parameters of a dash mounted traffic radar system.
In use, control of the selected operating parameters is achieved by depressing one of a group of momentary switches, thus transmitting an infrared or UHF control signal for receipt by the radar base unit. Although these remote control devices are touted to eliminate the undesirable limitations of the tethered or cabled control devices, additional operational shortcomings become apparent during use. For example, as mentioned above these conventional remote control devices are designed specifically for use with dash mounted radar systems only. More importantly, the flat-shaped design and numerous momentary switches of this type of control device make it difficult for the operator to use.
Specifically, during mounted use with remote control operation, the operator must frequently direct his attention to the remote control device in order to insure proper switch selection and actuation. In effect, the operator must deal with operating switches that are in a different location and have a different feel than when the radar unit is operated directly by the operator. The mental process required to switch from one control mode to the other, not only slows the process, but is likely to lead to mistakes. Further, the operating parameters are not all controlled by the remote control device in these prior art devices, thus necessitating the operator to divide his/her attention between two sets of switches. This divided operation requires even more mental gymnastics that is still more likely to lead to slower and mistake prone operation. Of course, the potential difficulty in operation of the vehicle while on the move under such conditions is potentially even more serious.
Heretofore, the various input devices or switches on hand-held radar systems utilizing a pistol grip handle typically include only the target velocity or speed lock/release feature. The remaining input devices, such as the on/off, internal circuit test and volume control among others, are positioned on the rear display panel of the base unit. Typically, the operator must cease operating the system while establishing the desired operating parameters. These limitations in present hand-held radar systems also result in inefficient operation.
It is contemplated that these shortcomings and inefficiencies can be alleviated in the control of observation instruments, such as speed or vehicular traffic measurement radar systems, by incorporating a detachable handle assembly for convertibility from a hand-held configuration to a remotely controlled mounted configuration. Specifically, what is needed is a handle assembly with one set of input devices/switches that allows for complete control of an observation instrument, in either a first attached configuration, or in a second detached configuration where the base unit is remotely mounted.

Observation instrument and remote control handle assembly


The invention relates to a headset (1) for a hearing protector provided with a padding part (12) having an essentially elliptical ear opening (18). The headset comprises a microphone (2), an earphone (3), and conducting wires (7) for bringing signals to the earphone (3) and from the microphone (2). According to the invention the earphone (3) is attached to a bow part (10) whose contour essentially follows the external dimensions of the hearing protector padding (12), and a mounting wing (13, 4) is connected to the bow part (10) or the earphone (3) and has a maximum dimension (A) which is smaller than the maximum dimension of the ear opening (18) and yet greater than the minimum dimension (B) of the ear opening (18), and during use the maximum dimension of the mounting wing (13, 4) is essentially horizontal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a headset for hearing protectors according to the preamble of claim 1.
2. Description of Background Art
Maintaining on-line radio telephone communication in situations necessitating the use of different kinds of protectors, such as hearing protectors and respirators as well as helmets and protective clothing, is difficult, or, in fact, almost impossible without auxiliary equipment. The term `auxiliary equipment` refers to an earphone/microphone combination coupled with a built-in speaker and microphone in the radiotelephone or used to replace these altogether. Such combined microphones and earphones have been used almost since radio telephones became available. They have been manufactured by both radio telephone manufacturers and specialized companies. The best-known user groups include air pilots as well as drivers of military vehicles and signallers. Used by civilians, such combinations have become more common along with the increased use of radio telephones and wireless and line telephones.
The above-mentioned increased use of protectors and protective clothing as well as the need for a hands-free mode for reasons of occupational safety impose new requirements on the compatibility of the combinations in different work situations. Thus far, commercially manufactured built-in earphone/microphone combinations have been available in hearing protectors. The manufacturers of such combinations have themselves almost invariably been manufacturers of hearing protectors.
The following features are characteristic of such prior art hearing protectors equipped with a microphone and an earphone:
a) The cups of the hearing protectors are pressed over the user's ears by means of the springback force generated by the bow connecting them; PA1 b) The inside of the cups is provided with a sound-absorbing material, usually expanded plastic, and depending on the size of the cup and the amount of said material, different degrees of damping are attained depending on the audio frequency in question; PA1 c) The edge of the cup is rimmed with a annular, typically elliptic padding which during use closes the inside of the cup against the user's cheek. PA1 a) a laryngophone (throat microphone) fixed to a collar worn round the user's neck. The disadvantage here is that the earphone is placed in the auditory canal where it as a result of prolonged use causes irritation and requires hygienic measures to be taken. In order to function in a satisfactory manner, the laryngophone requires a certain pressure and careful adjustment into position which in turn often results in discomfort during use. PA1 b) A separate microphone attached to the user's collar as close to his/her mouth as possible, whereby such a microphone needs to be of the noise compensated kind so as to perform in noisy conditions, and whereby the microphone needs to be placed such that background sounds reach the microphone from all directions. The drawback involved herein, in addition to the above-cited problems related to the earphone itself, lies with the risks of the separate wires being exposed to unwanted traction. PA1 c) The earphone itself which from inside the ear captures acoustic vibration transmitted from the vocal chords to the ear cavity through cavities in the head. When transmitting, the weak signal generated in the ear capsule requires amplification and its frequency pattern needs to be modified to comply with the transmitter modulator. In addition to the above-cited problems relating to the earphone, the solution is hampered by the amplifier structure, protection, and current supply. Regardless of the drawbacks, this solution is a practical and simple one in short-term use. PA1 d) A separate microphone placed in the same piece with the earphone and responding to the vibration of the ear bone. The weak signal requires amplification and its frequency pattern must be modified to comply with the modulator of the radio telephone transmitter. The drawbacks and advantages are as cited under c).
The aforementioned fixedly mounted earphone/microphone combinations (headsets) in the protective cups necessitate changes, namely piercing, machining, and glueing, etc., to be performed on the cups and the bow. Such units are manufactured in various European countries, the USA, Japan and South Korea.
Headsets of the above-described kind are mainly hampered by their complexity and expensiveness, where a restricted supply limits competition. As manufacturers only provide integral units, each alternating user requires personal equipment even where only momentary use occurs.
Other prior-art solutions applied in combination with hearing protectors are based on an earphone in the user's ear equipped with a wire between the padding and the user's cheek. In such solutions, the microphone is constituted by the following
Integral headsets generally referred to as "light headsets" are as such not fitted for use with hearing protectors due to either their mechanical structure or the fact that they impair the noise abatement properties of the hearing protectors.


A negative electrode for a lithium ion battery includes an active electrode material, a conductive additive, and a binder for holding the active electrode material and the conductive additive together. The binder is chosen from polyethyleneimine, copolymers of polyethyleneimine, amine functionalized polyamides, proteins, and combinations thereof.

Lithium ion batteries are rechargeable batteries where lithium ions move from a positive electrode to a negative electrode during charging of the battery, and move in the opposite direction when discharging the battery. The lithium ion battery also includes an electrolyte that carries the lithium ions between the positive electrode and the negative electrode when the battery passes an electric current therethrough.

Negative electrode for a lithium ion battery


A motor vehicle airbag module having an airbag consisting of an airbag fabric, and an inflation device The airbag having a ventilation area closed by a covering prior to inflation. A restraining strap has one end in the interior of the airbag detachably mounted on a fixed compartment and another end affixed on the covering. On inflation of the airbag before the release of the restraining strap, the strap holds the covering closing the ventilation area. The covering is a three-dimensional element which is connected via at least one partial area of its perimeter to the airbag fabric and that it can be folded such that, on release of the restraining strap, the three-dimensional element is unfolded due to the effect of the gas flowing from the ventilation area into the covering The covering is held in position in a detachable overlap with a part of the airbag.

An airbag module having the features mentioned above is described in document EP 1 790 538 A2. Insofar as the adaptive ventilation opening forming the ventilation area configured on the generic object in order to keep the ventilation opening to be closed, and the release of the ventilation opening to be enabled only at a definable time during the inflation of the airbag, or after the inflation thereof, in the known airbag module, the covering consists of two mutually overlapping fabric cuttings arranged outside on the airbag fabric and covering the ventilation opening. In order to initially keep the fabric cuttings in their position closing the ventilation opening, a restraining strap is provided which is secured with one end to a module-sided holding device arranged in the interior of the airbag. The other end of the restraining strap is led to the outside of the airbag via an opening arranged on the outside of the fabric cutting forming the covering and is secured to the outside of the two mutually overlapping fabric cuttings. The length of the restraining strap is dimensioned such that, when the airbag is inflated, the outer fabric cutting is held by the restraining strap in its extended position and thereby also pressing the inner fabric cutting lying underneath against the airbag fabric, so that the ventilation opening is closed by the two fixed fabric cuttings. Only after activation of the retaining device upon release of the end of the restraining strap secured thereon does the restraining strap sliding through the opening allow an automatic unfolding of the two mutually overlapping fabric cuttings toward the outside as a kind of bird's wings, so that the ventilation opening is thereby released.
The known airbag module is associated with the disadvantage that the opening needed in addition to the ventilation opening and used for the passage of the restraining strap inherently forms an unsealed area in the airbag, which allows an undesirable ventilation of the airbag even when the ventilation opening is to be held closed. Owing to the required threading of the restraining strap through said opening, the installation of the airbag is also hindered. Finally, the opening behavior of the fabric cuttings pressed flat on each other can be insufficient upon release of the restraining strap due to the gas pressure merely acting via the cross section of the ventilation opening.
It is therefore the underlying object of the present invention to design the covering of the ventilation opening and the release thereof in an airbag module having the generic features in a simple and efficient manner.

Airbag module with a three-dimensionally structured vent arrangement


In an optical imaging lens set a first lens of positive refractive power has an object-side surface with a convex portion around the optical axis and a convex portion around its periphery, an image-side surface with a convex portion around its periphery, a second lens of negative refractive power has an object-side surface with a concave portion around its periphery, a third lens has an image-side surface with a concave portion around its periphery, a fourth lens has an image-side surface with a convex portion around the optical axis, a fifth lens has an object-side surface with a concave portion around its periphery, a sixth lens has an image-side surface with a concave portion around the optical axis and a convex portion around its periphery. The sum of total five air gaps AAG and a second lens thickness T2 satisfy AAG/T2≦3.6.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to an optical imaging lens set and an electronic device which includes such optical imaging lens set. Specifically speaking, the present invention is directed to a shorter optical imaging lens set of six lens elements and a shorter electronic device which includes such optical imaging lens set of six lens elements.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, the popularity of mobile phones and digital cameras makes the sizes of various portable electronic products reduce quickly, and so does that of the photography modules. The current trend of research is to develop an optical imaging lens set of a shorter length with uncompromised good quality. With the development and shrinkage of a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor element (CMOS), the optical imaging lens set installed in the photography module shrinks as well to meet the demands. However, good and necessary optical properties, such as the system aberration improvement, as well as production cost and production feasibility should be taken into consideration, too.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,830,620 discloses an optical imaging lens set of six lens elements. The first lens element has negative refractive power and the second lens element has positive refractive power. This arrangement makes the total length too long to be ideal for the size reduction of the portable devices. Therefore, how to reduce the total length of a photographic device, but still maintain good optical performance, is an important objective to research.

Optical imaging lens and electronic device comprising the same


A torque tube for an aircraft wheel and brake assembly is characterized by an annular, substantially cone-shaped, radially-extending backplate flange having a plurality of stiffening ribs which extend axially inboardly as radial extensions of various key surfaces, the key surfaces being adapted for engagement with alternating disks of a brake disk stack of the assembly. The stiffening ribs exhibit an axial dimension as may be defined by a pair of acute angles, a first acute angle establishing an outboard straight line surface of revolution which is continuous about the outboard end of the tube while a second acute angle establishes an inboard straight line surface of revolution in only the areas of the stiffening ribs. The backplate flange exhibits an axial dimension between the ribs as may be defined by a third acute angle which establishes a straight line surface of revolution between the adjacent ribs.

A torque tube conventionally comprises a body that is substantially cylindrical terminating at an inboard end in a radially depending mounting flange and at an outboard end in a radially extending backplate flange. The inboard mounting flange is characterized by a plurality of bolt retaining bores which function to affix the torque tube to a member of the wheel and brake assembly which is relatively stationary with respect to any rotating members of the assembly. The torque tube body is characterized by a plurality of axially oriented and longitudinally extending key surfaces which are adapted for engagement with alternating ones of a brake disk stack so as to maintain the disks stationary relative to disks which are rotating with a wheel.
The backplate flange functions to engage the brake disk stack through an end plate disk such that the disk stack is clamped between it and a brake pressure plate at the inboard end of the disk stack. The pressure plate is a disk which functions to accept axial load forces imposed on it by a plurality of hydraulically-operated pistons carried within a brake housing member and these are responsive to a call for wheel braking in a well-known and practiced manner.
A torque tube is conventionally a one-piece forged or cast steel or other suitable metal member which is machined to close tolerance to obtain the necessary keying interconnections with specific ones of the brake disk stack. Multiple machining operations are usually necessary to achieve such close tolerance and this, of course, increases the cost of the torque tube. Ways are being sought to decrease the number of machining operations and thus reduce the cost of these very necessary and important members of a wheel and brake assembly. In addition and because the backplate flange must accept and absorb the very high axial load forces imposed during braking of a rotating aircraft wheel, various configurations of backplate ribs have been developed into the outboard end so as to strengthen and stiffen the backplate flange. While such ribs are effective in achieving this, they also tend to add to the overall weight of the torque tube which works against recent efforts to decrease the weight. Furthermore, the various outboard configured strengthening ribs are limited in design by the volume space and axial extent available within a specific wheel which carries the brake assembly.
It is, therefore, in accordance with a primary aspect of the present invention an object to provide a disk brake torque tube having a configuration of backplate flange stiffening ribs which may be easily changed to meet varying specifications of different configurations of wheel and brake assemblies.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention it is an object to provide a torque tube which may be machined to meet varying disk brake assembly criteria, which torque tube may be machined to reduce weight and provide enhanced thermal cooling while maintaining structural stiffness and integrity.
According to still another aspect of the invention it is an object to provide a torque tube for aircraft disk brake applications wherein backplate flange stiffening may be varied to meet and/or exceed fatigue life requirements imposed on these type applications.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention it is an object to provide a torque tube structure which comprises axially and longitudinally oriented key surfaces which may be machined in conjunction with backplate flange stiffening ribs while varying both the configurations and dimensions of either or both the keys and/or the ribs, the ribs being varied in either their axial width dimension and/or their transverse width dimension by merely changing angular relationships which define the ribs.

Configuration for a disk brake torque tube


A lighting apparatus includes: a reflecting surface for reflecting light, formed on a circuit board;—an LED light source for emitting illumination light with a light-emitting diode, mounted on a part of the reflecting surface; and a reflector for reflecting ahead the light emitted from the LED light source, mounted on the circuit board so as to surround the LED light source and have the opened rear thereof closed by the reflecting surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a lighting apparatus, an electronic flash apparatus and a camera, and in particular, to the lighting apparatus, electronic flash apparatus and camera using a light-emitting diode (LED) as a light source.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an electronic flash apparatus of a camera is using a xenon tube as a light source. However, the electronic flash apparatus using the xenon tube as the light source has a drawback that strobing with a slow shutter is not possible because it can only emit instantaneous light of a few milliseconds or so. It also has a drawback that, as the xenon tube has a spectral characteristic close to daylight color, a photo of unnatural tone is made if strobing for the sake of back light correction is performed in the morning or in the evening.
Thus, the electronic flash apparatus using an LED as the light source is proposed in order to resolve the drawbacks of the electronic flash apparatus using the xenon tube as the light source (refer to Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-116481 for instance).

Lighting apparatus, electronic flash apparatus and camera


Techniques for inter-user equipment (UE) transfer (IUT) are disclosed. An application server receives an IUT request for transfer of a media session toward at least one UE such that a media stream is played by at least two UEs that are geographically separated after the transfer. The application server triggers inter-destination media synchronization (IDMS) for group synchronization of the media session among the UEs. The media stream may be anchored at a media server, and a media synchronization application server for the IDMS may be running at the media server. Alternatively, the media stream may be anchored at a media resource function (MRF), and a media synchronization application server for the IDMS may be running at the MRF.

Inter-user equipment (UE) transfer (IUT) transfers at the IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) level of all or some of the media flows and associated signaling between UEs. IUT for service continuity allows a multimedia session to be split on the local end across two or more UEs that are part of the collaborative session. FIG. 1 shows an example IUT operation. In FIG. 1, UE1 is running a multimedia session that comprises audio and video from a remote server. After IUT, the audio session is transferred to UE2 and the video session is transferred to UE3.
FIG. 2 is an example signaling flow for IUT operation. UE1 sends an IUT request to the service centralization and continuity (SCC) application server (AS) for transfer of the video session toward UE2 (12). The SCC AS sends a request to UE2 to establish an access leg on UE2, and updates the remote leg (14). The access leg is the call control leg between the UE and the SCC AS. The remote leg is the call control leg between the SCC AS and the remote party. The SCC AS sends an IUT response to UE1 (16), and the video session is transferred to UE2 (18). UE1 sends an IUT request to the SCC AS for transfer of the audio session toward UE3 (20). The SCC AS sends a request to establish an access leg on UE3, and updates the remote leg (22). The SCC AS sends an IUT response to UE1 (24), and the audio session is transferred to UE3 (26).
When media is split and transferred to two different devices, there may be a considerable lag between the first transferred media and the second transferred media (i.e., audio and video in FIGS. 1 and 2).

Method and apparatus for inter-user equipment transfer of streaming media


A fine treatment agent according to the present invention is a fine treatment agent for the fine treatment of a multilayer film, including a tungsten film and a silicon oxide film comprising at least one from among hydrogen fluoride, nitric acid, ammonium fluoride and ammonium chloride. Thus, a fine treatment agent which makes fine treatment on a multilayer film, including a tungsten film and a silicon oxide film, possible by controlling the etching rate and a fine treatment method using the same can be provided.

Various types of metals and metal oxides are widely used as a general electrode and wire material having a fine multilayer structure in a semiconductor device, a liquid crystal display or the like. Wet etching methods using chemicals as well as dry etching methods, such as ion etching methods and plasma etching methods, are mainly known as conventional fine processing technologies for electrodes and wires using these metals or metal oxides. Different methods from among these methods are selected depending on the type of the metal, the metal oxide or a composite material of these, which is the object of etching, the targeted precision in the fine processing, the manufacturing method and the like.
Wet etching methods do not require an expensive apparatus in comparison with dry etching methods and are economical because only inexpensive chemicals are used. In addition, the effects of the wet etching methods are not affected by the form of the object of etching, and thus, wet etching methods are appropriate for etching an object having a three dimensional structure. Furthermore, metals which are dissolved in the etchant as a result of etching and useful as the electrode and the wire materials can be collected relatively easily from the etchant after use (etching waste), and therefore, wet etching methods are widely adopted from the point of view of effectively using natural resources.
A variety of metals, alloys of these and metal oxides are used as the above described electrode and wire materials for a semiconductor device or a liquid crystal display. Aluminum, molybdenum, titanium, tungsten, zirconia, tantalum, gold, silver, copper and alloys of these metals, for example, can be used as the metal.
Here, as the etchant for tungsten films made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy, a liquid mixture of an alkaline solution and hydrogen peroxide can be cited as an example (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2001-26890, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002-25965, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002-53984 and Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2004-31791).
In the case where the etchant contains hydrogen peroxide, however, the composition of the etchant easily changes due to the decomposition of this hydrogen peroxide, and thus, there is a problem with its stability as a chemical. In addition, in the case where an etchant for etching a multilayer film of, for example, a tungsten film and a silicon oxide film is made of only alkaline solutions, there is a problem that the silicon oxide films cannot be etched. Furthermore, the difference in the etching rate between the tungsten film and the silicon oxide film causes a problem where the form after etching becomes poor, the surface of the substrate becomes coarse through etching or etching is carried out unevenly.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2001-26890
Patent Document 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002-25965
Patent Document 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002-53984
Patent Document 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2004-31791

Fine treatment agent and fine treatment method using same


The signal converter of the present invention receives a multichannel video signal and converts the video signal into a microwave signal, the phase of which has been modulated with the video signal. The signal converter includes: a laser light source; a modulating section for modulating the phase of output light of the laser light source with the multichannel video signal and modulating the intensity of the output light with the microwave signal; and a light receiver for receiving the output light modulated by the modulating section and for outputting the microwave signal, the phase of which has been modulated with the multichannel video signal.

The present invention relates to signal converter, optical transmitter and optical fiber transmission system for transmitting a multichannel analog signal, a digital video signal or the like through an optical fiber.
In a suggested method for transmitting and distributing a multichannel video signal to users' homes, the output light of a semiconductor laser is directly modulated with the multichannel video signal, and an optical signal resulting therefrom is transmitted through an optical fiber and directly detected by an optical receiver. An amplitude-modulated (AM) video signal transmission technique is currently in high demand, because this technique has excellent compatibility with existing CATV's. However, in accordance with this technique, excellent carrier-to-noise ratio (CNR) and distortion characteristics are required. Accordingly, in employing this technique, the transmission distance and the number of branches of an optical fiber are adversely limited and the resistance of an optical fiber connector to reflection is disadvantageously low.
In order to solve these problems, a method for distributing a multichannel video signal using an AM/FM simultaneous converter of an optical heterodyne detection type is proposed. Such a method is described by K. Kikushima et al., "Super-wide-band Optical FM Modulation Scheme and its Application to Multichannel AM Video Transmission Systems, IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, pp. 839-841, 1996, for example.
Hereinafter, a conventional optical fiber transmission system of an AM/FM simultaneous conversion type will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A through 1C.
As shown in FIG. 1A, an optical transmitter 1 of this optical fiber transmission system includes an AM/FM converter 2 and a semiconductor laser 3 for transmission. The optical transmitter 1 generates an optical signal. The intensity of the optical signal has been modulated with a microwave signal, the frequency of which has been modulated with an AM multichannel video signal. The optical signal output from the optical transmitter 1 is amplified by an optical fiber amplifier 4. The amplified signal is branched by an optical fiber coupler 5 into respective paths of an optical fiber 6, through which the optical signal is transmitted. The optical signal, which has been transmitted through the optical fiber 6, is received by an optical receiver 7. Specifically, an avalanche photodiode (APD) 8 of the optical receiver 7 receives the optical signal. The APD 8 converts the optical signal into a microwave signal, the frequency of which has been modulated with the AM multichannel video signal. And the microwave signal is demodulated by an FM demodulator 9 into the AM multichannel video signal.
FIG. 1B illustrates the internal configuration of the AM/FM converter 2. In the AM/FM converter 2, first, a semiconductor laser 10 is subjected to frequency modulation. Next, the output light of a local oscillator laser 11 is coupled with the output light of the semiconductor laser 10 at an optical coupler 12. Part of the coupled light is irradiated to a photodiode 14, which performs a heterodyne detection on the light so as to output a microwave signal having had the frequency modulated with the AM multichannel video signal. The carrier frequency of the microwave signal is equal to a beat frequency (υ2−υ1), which is the difference between the frequency υ1 of the semiconductor laser 10 and the frequency υ2 of the local oscillator laser 11.
The other part of the coupled light is irradiated to the other photodiode 13, which also performs a heterodyne detection on the light so as to output a microwave signal. The microwave signal is fed back to the semiconductor laser 10 through an auto frequency control (AFC) loop 15. This feedback loop can control the driving current of the semiconductor laser 10 and stabilize the carrier frequency. The AFC loop 15 includes an FM modulator 16 and an FM laser current controller 17.
Next, the semiconductor laser 3 for transmission (i.e., a distributed feedback (DFB) laser) is subjected to intensity modulation with the output signal of the AM/FM converter 2. As a result, the optical signal is output from the optical transmitter 1.
FIG. 1C illustrates the configuration of the FM demodulator 9 in the optical receiver 7. The FM demodulator 9 includes AND gates 18, 19, a delay line 20 and an amplifier 21 and demodulates the microwave signal output by the APD 8 into a multichannel video signal.
In accordance with such a transmission system, the minimum light-receiving level can be increased by about 10 dB and the reflective resistance of the optical fiber connector can be considerably improved as compared with a conventional AM transmission technique.
This conventional converter uses the AFC loop 15. However, if the temperature of the environment surrounding the semiconductor laser 10 changes, then the respective frequencies υ1 and υ2 of the semiconductor laser 10 and the local oscillator laser 11 also change. Accordingly, the intermediate frequency fIF (=υ2−υ1) is greatly variable with the changing environmental temperature. FIG. 2A illustrates the spectra of the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 10 and the laser light emitted from the local oscillator laser 11. As for the laser light emitted from the semiconductor laser 10, both the spectrum of the laser light at the frequency υ1 (having a relatively narrow distribution) and the spectrum of the AM multichannel video signal carried by the laser light (having a relatively broad distribution) are illustrated. FIG. 2B illustrates the spectrum of the carrier of the microwave signal at the intermediate frequency fIF (=υ2−υ1) and the spectrum of the AM multichannel video signal carried by the carrier. As described above, as the intermediate frequency fIF (=υ2−υ1) greatly changes with the changing environmental temperature, the spectrum of the intermediate frequency fIF shown in FIG. 2B has a broader width. FIG. 2C illustrates the intensity ratio of carrier to noise. As the width of the spectrum of the intermediate frequency fIF becomes broader, the intensity of the noise component increases relative to the intensity of the carrier. As a result, the CNR (carrier-to-noise ratio) decreases and the signal quality deteriorates.
In addition, in the conventional optical receiver 7, the optical signal needs to be received by the APD 8 operating in a broad band (e.g., 6 GHz) and the FM demodulator 9 needs to convert the optical signal into an electrical signal by using high-speed AND gates 18 and 19 that can operate at 6 GHz. In connecting high-speed devices such as these on multiple stages, since the frequency characteristics of the respective devices deviate from each other in terms of amplitude and group delay, such deviations are added to each other, thereby deteriorating noise and distortion characteristics. The broader band operation is advantageous in improving the noise characteristics. However, so long as electric devices such as AND gates are used, there is a limit on the high-speed operation. Since a band limitation is imposed, the deterioration of noise and distortion characteristics is inevitable.

Signal converter, optical transmitter and optical fiber transmission system

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


The present invention is directed toward novel matrix elements, generally comprising functionalized carbon nanotubes, for matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI)-mass spectroscopy (MS), methods of making such matrix elements, and to methods of using such matrix elements in MALDI-MS applications, particularly for the analysis of biological molecules. In some embodiments, by carefully tuning the absorption characteristics of the matrix element, biomolecular analytes can be sequenced.

The MALDI-MS technique, or Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry [M. Karas, F Hillencamp., Anal. Chem., 60, 2301 (1988); R. C. Beavis., Org. Mass. Spec., 27, 653 (1992)], has emerged as a powerful analytical tool in the investigation of non-volatile high molecular weight compounds, especially fragile biological molecules. Such techniques are simply referred to as "MALDI" herein. In the matrix-assisted laser desorption process, the anaylate is mixed with a matrix, usually a small organic molecule, at mole ratios of few thousand matrix molecules to the analyte. During irradiation with a laser, the matrix molecules assist in the desorption of the analyte molecule as molecular ions, as shown in FIG. 1. The mechanistic aspects of the interaction of the matrix molecules and the anaylate during irradiation has been a topic of continuing research [R. Zenobi, R. Knochenmuss, Mass. Spec. Rev., 17, 337 (1998)]. MALDI is a soft-ionization technique, where the energy from the incident laser radiation is utilized to desorb the small molecules rather than dissociating the anaylate.
One of the key issues in MALDI analysis is the selection and availability of the right matrix molecule. The matrix molecule, in its assisting role, is expected to function as an efficient absorber of laser energy—as well to isolate the polymer molecules from one another [M. Karas, F. Hillencamp, R. C. Beavis, B. T. Chait., Anal. Chem., 63, 1193A (1991); H. S. Creel., Trends. Pol. Sci., 1, 336 (1993)]. While the purpose of the matrix is to desorb the anaylate without degradation, there is a positive aspect to fragmentation, especially when the anaylate is a biomolecule such as a peptide, protein or DNA.
Tandem mass spectrometry (TMS), in the recent past, has been developed into an efficient technique for solving the structural problems and sequencing of proteins and DNA molecules [W. D. Bowers, S. S. Delbert, R. L. Hunter, R. T. McIver., J. Am. Chem. Soc, 106, 7288 (1984); K. Biemann et al., in Mass Spectrometry in the Analysis of Large Molecules, C. J. McNeal ed (Wiley, Chichester, 1986)]. The schematics of tandem mass spectrometry are shown in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 2, a combination of biomolecules are ionized by fast ion bombardment at stage A, after which they pass through the first mass selector (M1). The mass selected species then passes to the collision chamber (CS) where fragmentation is achieved through collision-induced decomposition (CID). The mass distribution of the fragments is analyzed in a second mass spectrometer (M2) and a detector (D) to generate a CID-MS spectrum. The applications of tandem mass spectrometry in the sequencing of biomolecules has recently been reviewed by Biemann and Scoble [K. Biemann, H. A. Scoble., Science, 237, 992 (1987)].
A look at the fundamentals of both these techniques reveal that a matrix with properties tunable from one extreme of complete analyte desorption to the other extreme of complete fragmentation of the analyte can combine the advantages of both MALDI and TMS in a single technique. This requires a unique matrix element that is an efficient absorber in the ultraviolet (UV) region of the electromagnetic (EM) spectrum, and which can go through photo-ionization followed by excited state proton transfer (ESPT) [M. Karas, D. Bachmann, U. Bahr, F. Hillenkamp., Int. J. Mass. Spectrm. Ion. Proc., 78, 53 (1987)]. The ESPT process requires the presence of labile protons in the matrix molecule. Some of the traditional matrix molecules are shown in FIG. 3. A common characteristic of all these matrix molecules is the presence of a labile, acidic proton in their molecular structure.

Carbon nanotubes and their derivatives as matrix elements for the matrix-assisted laser desorption mass spectrometry of biomolecules and sequencing using associated fragmentation


Performance of multibeam cellular antenna systems is improved by use of space diversity in antenna placement and angle diversity in antenna alignment. Space/angle diversity is achieved on a single tower structure (20) by placement of eight antennas (B1-B8) in pairs at four spaced locations (I, II, III, IV) at the tower corners. Antennas are placed with an orthogonally directed pair at each location. For each orthogonal pair (e.g., B1 and B2 at location I) there is an antenna located at a different corner which is pointed between the orthogonal directions (e.g., B5 at location II). Antenna placement and alignment for achieving space/angle diversity in triangular tower configurations are also described.

This invention relates to multibeam antenna systems for cellular radio applications and, more particularly, to antenna placement for improved space/angle diversity. Use of various types of cellular radio systems is increasing. For reasons including overall cost and also antenna site availability, the effective coverage area of a given cellular site is increasingly important. For many applications, improvements in both coverage area and signal processing can be obtained by using a plurality of beams (e.g., eight beams) of relatively narrow beamwidth (e.g., about 45 degrees beamwidth) to provide omnidirectional coverage (i.e., 360 degrees in azimuth), instead of relying upon a single omnidirective antenna for such purpose.
For improved signal processing, with decreased loss of signal or blind spot degradation, space diversity in antenna placement has been employed in cellular antenna systems. Typically, this has been accomplished by physically displacing one group of antennas from another group, with both groups covering the same sector. Angle diversity, wherein antennas of a first group providing coverage of a sector are aimed at different azimuth angles than antennas of another group covering the same sector, has also been described for use alone or with space diversity placement.
In prior implementation of space diversity, groupings of antennas separated by 10 to 20 feet, omnidirectional antennas mounted on the sides of tower structures, or other less than optimum arrangements have been employed to achieve physical separation of antennas.
Objects of the present invention are, therefore, to provide new and improved cellular antenna systems enabling operation with improved space/angle diversity. Additional objects are to provide cellular antenna systems having one or more of the following characteristics or capabilities:
improved space diversity operation with single mast antenna mounting; PA1 improved angle diversity operation with single mast antenna mounting; PA1 improved space/angle diversity with single mast antenna mounting.

Space/angle diversity configurations for cellular antennas

GEC-Marconi Hazeltine Corporation Electronic Systems Division


A current source (200) comprises an input bias unit (291), a transconductance unit (295), an output bias unit (292), a combiner unit (296) and a voltage source 130'. In the transconductance unit (295), a first current mirror (215) provides currents I.sub.A and I.sub.B which are distributed to cross-coupled first and second transistors arrangements (TA 3 and TA 4). The first arrangements (TA 3) receives a control signal (V.sub.GS12) which is derived from a master signal (205') at a master terminal (205). The second arrangement (TA 4) is controlled from the first arrangement (TA 3). The transconductance ratio between the arrangements (TA 3 and TA 4) is regulated through a feedback in a second current mirror (235). A transconductance drift is substantially prevented. Output currents which are related to this stabilized transconductance ratio are provided at output terminals (203, 204). A first output current (I.sub.out1) is derived from the second arrangement (TA 3) and a second output current (I.sub.out2) is derived by from the master signal and from the second arrangement (TA 3).

Modern electronic circuits often have analog and digital portions integrated on a single chip. Such circuits ("mixed-signal chips") are, for example and not intended to be limiting, analog-to-digital converter (ADCs) or digital-to-analog converters (DACs). Unwanted noise signals, such as common mode spikes can parasitically leak from digital portions to analog portions. It is well known in the art to lower the spike sensitivity of the analog portions by a differential design. This approach includes differential current sources supplying currents, for example, I.sub.out1 and I.sub.out2 to the electronic circuits. The magnitude of currents I.sub.out1 and I.sub.out2 and their ratio I.sub.out1 /I.sub.out2 should be substantially temperature invariant.
The differential current sources are, preferably, implemented by transistor pairs. For example, a first transistor provides I.sub.out1 and a second transistor provides I.sub.out2. Field effect transistors (FETs) are often used. The transconductances g.sub.m1 of the first transistor and g.sub.m2 of the second transistor depend among others on the physical dimension of the transistors (e.g., channel width W and channel length L) and on the availability and mobility of charge carriers (e.g., electrons and holes). Changes of the environment temperature influence the transconductances g.sub.m1 and g.sub.m2 and therefore the magnitude of currents I.sub.out1 and I.sub.out2 as well as their relation. Such temperature influences are not wanted and should be compensated. Relations between g.sub.m, W, L, the temperature and other parameters are analytically expressed by well known equations. For example, equations and more details for FETs are given in: Horowitz, P., Hill, W.: "The Art of Electronics", Second Edition, Cambridge University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-521-37095-7, chapter 3.07 "FET amplifiers" on pages 129-133 [1]. One can expect that the transconductances of two non-ideal transistors differ even if the applied currents or voltages are equal.
Spikes going from the digital portion to the transistor pair should affect the differential currents in a common mode rather than in a differential mode. Temperature dependent changes of the transconductance ratio g.sub.m1 /g.sub.m2 would have an unwanted effect on the response of the transistor pair to a spike at different temperatures. For example, at some temperatures, differential mode responses could prevail over common mode responses, or at different temperatures, the common mode responses prevail.
Modem manufacturing processes for electronic circuits allow one to decrease operating voltages so as to become substantially as low as transistor threshold voltages ("low voltage"). Also, the dimensions are shrunk ("deep sub-micron technology"). This lead among other things to a higher complexity of equations involving transconductances and bias voltages. Under such conditions it is difficult to predetermine the transconductances in the design process and to reproduce transconductances during manufacturing.
Prior art current sources are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,408,235 to Doyle et al. (especially in FIG. 13) [2] and 5,223,743 to Nakagawara [3]. The present invention seeks to provide current sources which mitigate or avoid these and other disadvantages and limitations of the prior art.

Apparatus providing a substantially equal transconductance ratio and method


A laser includes a laser source and an power source arranged such that both components have substantially the same cross-section, with cooling fins arranged axially along the length of each element. The components are arranged end-to-end in a series to form an assembly with substantially the same cross-section along the entire length of the assembly. A shroud mounted along the assembly forms a single air channel directing air from a fan along the entire length of the assembly, for cooling both the power source and the laser source with the total air flow from the at least one fan. The laser source and the power source are arranged in series such that the laser source is cooled first, and the subsequent air flow, although slightly warmer from cooling the laser source, is sufficient to cool the power source.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to lasers, and in particular to a method and apparatus for cooling a laser.
2. Description of the Related Art
Lasers and their components generate heat during operation, and so require cooling to prevent overheating and to extend the operational life of the laser. One known method of cooling a laser involves passing one or more streams of flowing air from a fan over the components.
Traditionally, sealed-off air-cooled gas lasers have used a split configuration with the laser source and a radio frequency (RF) power source separated into two assemblies connected by cables. In some prior art systems, each component employs its own cooling fan. In other lasers, users have been required to integrate laser components with separately provided cooling fans. For example, one laser introduced by the Synrad Corporation includes a sealed-off air cooled gas laser, marketed as the Series 48 models, which integrates a RF power source with a laser source by mounting the RF power source on the side of and along the entire length of the laser source. However, such Synrad lasers have not been supplied with cooling fans, but instead it was the responsibility of the user to obtain and integrate cooling fans with the laser, thus increasing costs and complexity in assembly.
In other lasers, at least one RF power source and at least one air cooling fan have been integrated with a laser source. For example, a method for cooling a gas laser is described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,167, which is incorporated herein by reference and is made a part of the present application. In the U.S. Pat. No. 5,901,167, air flow from one or more fans 12 is split into two cooling air paths 14, 16, for example, illustrated by a prior art laser 10 shown in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, one path 14 provides flowing air to cool a RF power source which provides power to the laser source, and a second path 16 cools the laser source directly.
These paths may be designed to split the air flows in any desired ratio. For example, 50% of the flow may be split to a first path, and 50% to a second path; or alternatively 70% of the flow may be split to the first path, and 30% to the second path.
Methods known in the art for cooling lasers work well, but such methods include a number of drawbacks. For example, the splitting of the air flow between at least two components or into at least two paths provides less air flow to cool each of the components. In addition, the air flow, and therefore the cooling, is typically not symmetric, which causes undesirable deformations such as twisting or bowing of the laser source, thus causing optical misalignment of the laser source. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, air flow must turn about ninety degrees in order to travel through the fins of the laser source, and so more air tends to flow through the fins at the base of the laser source farthest from the fan than through the fins closer to the fan.
Furthermore, prior art lasers with such multiple air flows as shown in FIG. 1, for example, have an arrangement of components which does not lend itself to the most compact packaging. Accordingly, such lasers with cooling fans may be bulky.
Other known lasers with split air flow are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,853 and also in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,493, which are incorporated herein by reference and are made a part of the present application.
We have invented a laser in which air flow from at least one fan cools a laser source and an RF power source in series, thus avoiding the disadvantages of splitting the air flow between such components.

Method and apparatus for cooling a laser