The TOF mass spectrometer disclosed places an even number of ion mirrors in close proximity to a MALDI ion source and a field-free drift space between the exit from the mirrors and an ion detector. This “reversed geometry” configuration may be distinguished from a conventional reflecting TOF analyzer employing a single ion mirror where a large fraction of the total drift space is located between the ion source and the mirror.

Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-fight mass (MALDI-TOF) spectrometry is an established technique for analyzing a variety of nonvolatile molecules including proteins, peptides, oligonucleotides, lipids, glycans, and other molecules of biological importance. While this technology has been applied to many applications, widespread acceptance has been limited by many factors including cost and complexity of the instruments, relatively poor reliability, and insufficient performance in terms of speed, sensitivity, resolution, and mass accuracy.
In the art, different types of TOF analyzers are required depending on the properties of the molecules to be analyzed. For example, a simple linear analyzer is preferred for analyzing high mass ions such as intact proteins, oligonucleotides, and large glycans, while a reflecting analyzer is required to achieve sufficient resolving power and mass accuracy for analyzing peptides and small molecules. Determination of molecular structure by MS-MS techniques requires yet another analyzer. In some commercial instruments all of these types of analyzers are combined in a single instrument. This has the benefit of reducing the cost somewhat relative to three separate instruments, but the downside is a substantial increase in complexity, reduction in reliability, and compromises are required that make the performance of all of the analyzers less than optimal.
Many areas of science require accurate determination of the molecular masses and relative intensities of a variety of molecules in complex mixtures and while many types of mass spectrometers are known in the art, each has well-known advantages and disadvantages for particular types of measurements. Time-of-flight (TOF) with reflecting analyzers provides excellent resolving power, mass accuracy, and sensitivity at lower masses (up to 5-10 kda), but performance is poor at higher masses primarily because of substantial fragmentation of ions in flight. At higher masses, simple linear TOF analyzers provide satisfactory sensitivity, but resolving power is limited. An important advantage of TOF MS is that essentially all of the ions produced are detected, unlike scanning MS instruments.
Applications such as tissue imaging and biomarker discovery require measurements on intact proteins over a very broad mass range. For these applications, mass range, sensitivity over a broad mass range, speed of analysis, reliability, and ease-of-use are more important than resolving power. The present invention seeks to address these issues in providing a mass spectrometer having optimum performance that is reliable, easy to use, and relatively inexpensive.


A flexible lock (50) is disposed on a side plate (41) of a lever (12) within a thickness of the side plate (41). The flexible lock (50) can elastically deform toward or away from a side wall of a male housing (10). A locking portion (51) on an inner surface of the flexible lock (50) is locked to a lock-receiving portion (52) on an outer surface of the male housing (10) to lock the lever (12) at a fit-in position. The lever (12) does not project out from the lever (12) in a thickness direction thereof. Thus a connector is compact in its widthwise direction. An unlocking portion (53) for unlocking the lever (12) at the fit-in position is nearer an operation portion (42) of the lever (12).

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a lever-type connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 5-90845 discloses a lever-type connector with first and second housings and a lever mounted rotatably to the first housing. The lever has an operation portion and side plates that extend from opposite ends of the operation portion. Thus, the lever is U-shaped and straddles the first housing. The side-plates of the lever have cam grooves that receive cam pins on the second housing. The cam pins move along the cam grooves as the lever is rotated and urge the housings together. A housing-side locking claw projects out from an outer surface of the first housing and locks to a lever-side lock on the side plate of the lever when the housings have been fit together. The lever-side lock engages the lever-side locking claw from the outside. Thus, the locking arm of the lever-side lock must project out from the lever, and the connector is wide.
The invention has been completed in view of the above-described situation and an object of the invention to provide a lever-type connector that can be miniaturized and that provides excellent unlocking performance.


A patterned substrate includes a laminated pattern having laminated patterns that are formed by drying droplets containing a pattern formation material. A lower layer pattern contains lyophilic microparticles that are lyophilic with respect to droplets that form an upper layer pattern.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a patterned substrate, an electro-optical device, and a method for manufacturing an electro-optical device.
2. Related Art
Known displays equipped with light emitting elements include organic electroluminescence displays (organic EL displays) used as an electro-optical device equipped with an organic electroluminescence element (organic EL element).
Methods for manufacturing organic EL elements are generally classified by the kind of material that makes up its organic EL layer. When the material that makes up the organic EL layer is a low-molecular weight organic material, a vapor phase process is utilized, in which the organic EL layer is formed by the vapor deposition of this low-molecular weight organic material. On the other hand, when the material that makes up the organic EL layer is a high-molecular weight organic material, a liquid phase process is utilized, in which the high-molecular weight organic material is dissolved in an organic solvent or the like, and a coating of this solution is applied and dried.
With an inkjet method, which is a type of liquid phase process, tiny droplets of solution are discharged, so the location where the organic EL layer is formed, the film thickness, and the like can be controlled more precisely than with other liquid phase processes (such as spin coating). Furthermore, since an inkjet method involves discharging the droplets only in the region where the organic EL layer is to be formed (the element formation region), the high-molecular weight organic material (the raw material) can be used in a smaller amount.
With an inkjet method, however, as the contact angle of the droplets increases with respect to the element formation region (that is, as wettability decreases), the discharged droplets end up clumping in just one part of the pattern formation region. As a result, depending on the boundary between droplets and other factors, this can lead to problems such as a loss of uniformity of shape (such as the film thickness uniformity of the organic EL layer, or the film thickness uniformity between organic EL layers).
In view of this, it has been proposed in the past that the wettability of the discharged droplets be improved in an inkjet method (see JP-A-2002-334782, for example). In JP-A-2002-334782, the pattern formation region (over the transparent electrode) is subjected to a lyophilic plasma treatment (oxygen gas plasma treatment) before the droplets are discharged. This improves the wettability of the droplets and increases the uniformity of the pattern shape within the pattern formation region.
In general, an organic EL layer is formed from a laminated pattern having at least a light emitting layer that emits colored light and a hole transport layer formed between this light emitting layer and an anode (such as an ITO film). Accordingly, the lower layer pattern (such as the hole transport layer) has to be subjected to the above-mentioned oxygen plasma treatment or another such surface treatment in order to ensure the wettability of the droplets that form the upper layer pattern (light emitting layer).
However, when the lower layer pattern is subjected to an oxygen plasma treatment or the like, this lower layer pattern is oxidized, which is a problem in that the electrical characteristics of the pattern are adversely affected. Another problem is that tacking on this plasma treatment step results in correspondingly lower productivity of the organic EL display.

Patterned substrate, electro-optical device, and method for manufacturing an electro-optical device


An adjustable laryngoplasty device is provided for medializing a paralyzed vocal cord in a larynx. The device includes an anchoring plate, a prosthesis member, and a pair of adjustment screws which are threaded through the anchoring plate and rotatably connected to the prosthesis member. A window is formed in the patient's thyroid cartilage adjacent the paralyzed vocal cord and the prosthesis member is extended through the window so that it presses against the underlying vocal cord. The anchoring plate is secured to the outer surface of the thyroid cartilage with self-tapping screws which are extended through apertures in the anchoring plate and imbedded into the thyroid cartilage. The adjustment screws are rotatable for moving the prosthesis member relative to the anchoring plate and thereby adjusting the medial position of the vocal cord in the larynx.

The instant invention relates to surgical devices and more particularly to a surgical device for use in the treatment of unilateral vocal cord paralysis.
Unilateral vocal cord paralysis is a relatively common disorder in which one of the two vocal cords becomes paralyzed. Such paralysis most often occurs when the recurrent laryngeal nerve on one side of the neck is injured by surgery, trauma or a tumor. When the laryngeal nerve is damaged, the associated vocal cord no longer functions normally, and it rests flaccidly to the side of the larynx. The remaining vocal cord is functional. However it cannot cross over the mid-line of the larynx to press against the paralyzed vocal cord and form sounds properly, and therefore these patients have a hoarse breathy voice, have difficulty raising their voices or coughing, and often aspirate fluids when swallowing.
It has been found that unilateral vocal cord paralysis can be corrected by artificially moving the paralyzed vocal cord toward the mid-line of the larynx where the functional vocal cord can press against it. One known treatment for manipulation of the paralyzed vocal cord comprises injecting the paralyzed vocal cord with aliquots of TEFLON (registered TM of Dupont) paste which effectively expand the vocal cord toward the mid-line of the larynx. A surgical procedure has also been developed wherein the surgeon approaches the patient's thyroid cartilage externally, and cuts a small rectangular window in the thyroid cartilage to create a rectangular panel of cartilage adjacent to the paralyzed vocal cord. Theoretically the cartilage remnant reduces the risk of erosion of the prosthesis, but the reported experience of surgeons who remove the cartilage is that there have been no complications and that the surgeons believe that the vocal quality of the patients is improved with this technique. In either case, the soft tissue, including the paralyzed vocal cord, can then be pressed into the laryngeal airway until the patient can phonate optimally. In the existing technique a silastic shim is then estimated in size and shape and cut to fill the window and to hold the soft tissue and vocal cord in position. The block is then secured to the thyroid cartilage with sutures or flanges.
The technique of vocal medialization with a silastic shim has two clear advantages over the TEFLON paste injections. First, the silastic prosthesis can be removed and replaced with a different size prosthesis if airway or vocal cord problems occur. Second, the silastic implant also avoids the migration of Teflon paste or the formation of granulation tissue.
The major drawback to both of these procedures is that they are not easily adjusted to the individual dimensions of each patient's larynx. In other words, it is difficult to fine-tune the patient's optimal voice with either of these techniques. On the one hand, the Teflon technique makes it difficult to estimate the exact amount and location of each aliquot of paste. On the other hand, it is difficult to customize the shape of the silastic block during the surgical procedure. There has also been described an adjustable medialization technique which relies on an implanted balloon, but the theoretically less precise expansion of a balloon and risk of leakage make this alternate technique potentially less attractive.


A strain relief system is provided for holding an electrical cable to a printed circuit board. The system includes a flat flexible cable including a plurality of parallel conductors with insulation around the conductors and a web of insulation between adjacent conductors. The web has an opening therethrough. A cable retention clip is provided for holding the cable to the board. The clip includes a base engaged in the cable opening, and a boardlock leg projecting from the base into an appropriate mounting hole in the printed circuit board.

In order to electrically interconnect printed circuit boards to other electrical components, it is necessary to provide electrical connecting lines or cables which lead in and out of the boards. The cables may extend from one printed circuit board to another or from a printed circuit board to an electrical component. In many instances, the cable is a flat flexible cable having a plurality of generally parallel conductors with insulation disposed around and between the respective conductors. It is well known in the art to employ plug-in connectors mounted to the printed circuit board, with terminals of the connector electrically connected to circuit traces on the board. A cable then may be terminated to a second electrical connector which can be mated to the board-mounted connector. Connector assemblies of this type are employed when it is necessary to periodically separate the cable from the printed circuit board. Such connectors often are relatively expensive in a highly competitive industry and take up considerable "real estate" on the board when high density boards have become prevalent.
Therefore, whenever periodic disconnection of the cable from the circuit board is not necessary, the conductors of the cable are directly and permanently connected to the circuit traces on the board, as by solder connections. This direct connection of the cable to the circuit board can result in substantial cost savings and manufacturing efficiencies. The respective conductor leads of the cable can be soldered directly to the circuit traces on the board without having expensive and sizable mating connectors and terminals.
When electrical cables are connected directly to printed circuit boards, some form of strain relief protection is desirable so that the solder connections of the conductors to the circuit traces on the board will not be broken in the event of pulling on the cable. Various strain relief techniques have been used, but they tend to be relatively expensive or cumbersome. For example, electrical contacts may be placed on the conductors and locked into place on the circuit board. This is a rather expensive expedient. Strain relief clips or brackets have been used to hold the cable by means of various boardlocks. However, such clips or brackets most often are of a clamping type wherein they embrace or clamp the cable and, consequently, they require considerable "real estate" on the board just like the expensive mateable connectors.
The present invention is directed to providing a unique strain relief system and clip for holding an electrical cable to a printed circuit board in a very simple, very inexpensive and efficient manner.

Strain relief system for holding cables to circuit boards


Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products are described for calibrating servos, and in some implementations, calibrating spiral servos for use in self-servo-write (SSW) processes. In one aspect, a method is provided that includes determining timing reference information on a machine readable medium, locking a clock signal to the timing reference information, detecting a spiral on the machine readable medium, determining a location of the spiral using the clock signal, and calibrating a spiral servo according to the location of the spiral.

In magnetic-medium-based storage devices, data can be stored on circular, concentric tracks on a magnetic disk surface. A read/write head can retrieve and record data on a magnetic layer of a rotating disk as the head flies on a cushion of air over the disk surface. When retrieving data, magnetic field variations can be converted into an analog electrical signal, which can then be amplified and converted to a digital signal for signal processing. To guarantee the quality of the information stored on and read back from the disk, the read/write head needs to be precisely positioned at substantially the center of a track during both writing and reading. A closed-loop servo system, driven by servo information embedded in a dedicated portion of the track, can be used as a reference for positioning the head.
The servo information generally defines the position of the data tracks and is generally written with great accuracy to ensure that the head servo system operates properly. The servo information can be written on each surface as a radially extending set of spokes or wedges. The portion of a servo wedge at a particular track location may contain a sync field, and index mark, a gray coded track number, and two or more fine-positioned offset bursts configured in an echelon across the track. Head positioning relative to a track center can be determined and corrected, if necessary, by reading and noting the respective amplitudes and timings of the offset bursts.
A servo writer (e.g., a servo track writer (STW)) can be used to write the embedded servo information on the disk surface. A servo writer can include a large base (e.g., granite base) to minimize the effects of vibration. The servo writer also may use precision fixtures to hold the target drive, a precision, laser-interferometer-based actuator arm positioning mechanism to place the arms radially with respect to the axis of rotation of the disks in the drive, and an external clock head to position the servo wedges in time. Conventional servo writers are typically large in size and expensive to be manufactured. Further, as track density increases, the servo writing time required to write the servo information also increases, which can create a bottleneck in the disk drive manufacturing process.
Instead of using a STW to write a full set of servo tracks on a machine readable medium, a small band of seed tracks (e.g., two hundred servo tracks) can be written to facilitate a self-servo-write (SSW) process. A SSW process uses the same heads (e.g., read/write heads) that are used to read/write data to write servo sectors. Alternatively, or in addition, spirals can be written, without using a STW, to facilitate a self-servo-write process.


A high-speed CMOS transmit/receive antenna switch includes a first transistor, a second transistor and a parasitic compensation network. The first transistor is operably coupled to an antenna, to a transmit path, and to receive a transmit/receive (T/R) control signal. The second transistor is operably coupled to the antenna, the receive path, and to receive the T/R control signal. When the T/R control signal is in a first state, the first transistor is active and the second transistor is inactive such that the transmit path is coupled to the antenna. When the T/R control signal is in a second state, the second transistor is active and the first transistor is inactive such that the receive path is coupled to the antenna. The parasitic compensation network is coupled to compensate for adverse effects of parasitic components of the first and second transistors at operating frequencies of the transmit/receive antenna switch.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to wireless communications systems and more particularly to wireless communication devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof.
Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, et cetera communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network.
For each wireless communication device to participate in wireless communications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, one or more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The data modulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna.
As is also known, the receiver is coupled to the antenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediate frequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The low noise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna and amplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IF signals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filtered signals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filtered signals in accordance with the particular wireless communication standard.
Even though wireless communication devices include a transmitter and receiver, they generally communicate in a half duplex manner, i.e. they are either transmitting or receiving. As such, a wireless communication device may include a single antenna structure, which may include one antenna or a diversity antenna structure that is shared by the receiver and the transmitter of the device. To facilitate the sharing of the antenna structure, the wireless communication device includes at least one transmit/receive (T/R) switch.
In general the T/R switch couples either the receiver path or the transmitter path of the wireless communication device to the antenna structure. Since the T/R switch is coupling radio frequency (RF) signals in the megahertz to gigahertz range, the T/R switch must have a stable frequency response over the frequency range of interest. As such, the T/R switch is generally an off chip device or is fabricated using gallium arsenide integrated circuit process. Neither implementation is ideal for a CMOS implemented radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC).
Another issue with T/R switches is when used by a wireless communication device that employs a diversity antenna structure. As is known, a diversity antenna structure includes two or more antennas that are physically separated (e.g. by a quarter wave length, half wave length, or full wave length) but receive the same signal. The antenna that receives the signal with the largest signal strength is selected for use by the wireless communication device. For a two antenna diversity structure, the wireless communication device includes two transmit receive switches: one to select the transmit or receive path and the other to select the first or second antenna. In this instance, since the RF signals are traversing two T/R switches, the T/R switches need to be extra clean (i.e. have a flat frequency response over the frequency range of interest and induce very little noise) making it essential to use off chip T/R switches or gallium arsenide integrated circuit T/R switches in conjunction with a CMOS radio frequency integrated circuit, which dramatically adds to the cost of a radio frequency integrated circuit.
Therefore, a need exists for an on chip implementation of a transmit receive switch that provides clean RF switching for single or diversity antenna structures.

High speed CMOS transmit-receive antenna switch


A method and apparatus in connection with a wristop computer. According to the method, a desired variable is measured using a measuring unit, the measured variable is equipped with at least one digital codeword and transmitted wirelessly over a transfer channel to a receiver, and at the other end of the transfer channel, the transmitter's signal is identified on the basis of at least one codeword. According to the invention, the digital codeword is transmitted to the receiver together with the measured variable depicted as time-period data (t1 or t3).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data transfer method for wristop computers. The invention also relates to an apparatus for wristop computers.
2. Description of Background Art
According to the state of the art, wristop computers typically include a transmitter belt connected by a flexible belt to a person's body, and which today typically measures pulse. This measuring device equipped with electrodes transmits a measurement message by radio to a wristwatch-like wristop computer, in which at least part of the received signal is processed and shown on the display of the wristop computer.
Wristop computers can be used to measure not only pulse, but also blood pressure, speed, acceleration, distance, and directional data.
If there are several sportspeople close to each other using wristop computers, which typically happens in exercise sessions with instructors, or in mass training events, the receiver must identify the correct transmitter.
According to the prior art, two alternative methods are used to identify the correct transmitter. For instance, Finnish patent 96380 discloses an analog solution, in which the time between at least two identifier pulses is used as the identifier data, by means of which the receiver can select the correct transmission signal from a group of several transmission signals. Implemented using analog technology, this system has been known to lead to error states, if the distance between the identifier pulses of two devices has brought them too close to each other. As a result of interference, for example, it has then been possible for the signals of two transmitters to be mistaken for each other, at least at times.
On the other hand, in newer devices, digital signal transfer with digital identification codes has been used. Though digital data transfer is very reliable, it does, on the other hand, consume a great deal of power in transmitter devices, which are typically battery powered.


In accordance with one embodiment, a decoloring apparatus comprises a processor, a decoloring section, a shift roller, a paper discharge section and a paper discharge roller. The processor determines whether or not to execute either a decoloring job or a non-decoloring job. The decoloring section decolors an image on paper formed with decolorable coloring agent. The shift roller moves paper for decoloring job or paper for non-decoloring job in a direction orthogonal to a paper discharge direction of the paper on a same plane for a given distance to sort it. The paper discharge section stacks discharged papers. The paper discharge roller discharges the paper sorted by the shift roller to the paper discharge section.

In recent years, there is known a decoloring apparatus which sequentially acquires paper on the surface of which an image is formed with a coloring agent that is decolored by heat at a given temperature, and then presses and heats the paper at a high temperature such as about 180˜200 degrees centigrade to carry out a decoloring processing.
A scanner is arranged inside the decoloring apparatus to read a document before the decoloring processing or to confirm a decoloring state after the decoloring processing. Thus, the decoloring apparatus may also be used as a paper reading apparatus.
However, in the conventional decoloring apparatus, it is required to equip the apparatus with a plurality of paper discharge trays to prevent, in a case of carrying out both the reading job and the decoloring job, papers for different jobs from being mixed in a same tray.

Decoloring apparatus and sorting method for paper discharge in decoloring apparatus


A solid-state electrolyte having a garnet-type crystal structure represented by the formula (Li7−ax+yAx)La3(Zr2−yBy)O12, where A is at least one element selected from Mg, Zn, Al, Ga, and Sc, a is a valence of A, B is at least one element selected from Al, Ga, Sc, Yb, Dy, and Y, x is more than 0 and less than 1.0, y is more than 0 and less than 1.0, and 7−ax+y is more than 5.5 and less than 7.0).

Conventionally, all-solid-state batteries have been known as secondary batteries having excellent reliability and safety. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a ceramic material containing lithium (Li), lanthanum (La), zirconium (Zr), oxygen (O), and aluminum (Al), and having a garnet-type crystal structure, as a ceramic material exhibiting denseness and Li conductivity with a level of being usable as a solid-state electrolyte material or the like.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-051800

Solid-state electrolyte and all-solid-state battery


A facility is described for providing contextual information automatically. In various embodiments, the facility receives an indication to start a conversation, automatically determines an identification for an item indicated by the indication, encodes the identification in a message, and sends the message so that a recipient of the message can locate the item. The facility can include a responder component and an initiator component. The initiator component can receive an identification for contextual information and an identification of the responder, initiate a conversation with the responder's computing device, and automatically encode the received indication of the contextual information in a message that it sends to the responder component so that the responder component can cause a link to the contextual information to be provided that, when selected, causes an application executing on the responder's computing device to load the contextual information. In various embodiments, the facility receives a message containing an indication of contextual information, decodes the indication to determine an identifier for the contextual information, and provides a command for loading the contextual information.

People can use various "modalities" when conversing with others. Examples of modalities include electronic mail ("e-mail"), instant messaging, voice conferencing or messaging, video conferencing or messaging, facsimile ("fax"), web pages, web logs ("blogs"), Internet newsgroups, and so forth. In fact, a conversation may employ multiple modalities. As an example, user A may request information from user B via an e-mail message. User B may then respond to the request by telephoning user A, such as by using a device that communicates by employing Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP").
People sometimes provide contextual information, such as a common reference, so that the conversation can flow smoothly. During an oral exchange, for example, a person may remind another person about a conversation the two previously had. Users generally provide the common reference explicitly when using some electronic modalities (e.g., e-mail). As an example, when a sender sends an e-mail to a recipient, the recipient can reply to the message via e-mail. In such a case, the common reference can be the subject the sender identified in the e-mail message and the original text the sender typed into the e-mail message. The recipient's e-mail system may include the subject and this original text in the response.
Contextual information is conventionally not available to users when they use multiple modalities in a conversation. As a result, when users employ multiple modalities during a conversation, they may need to reestablish the common reference before beginning a meaningful dialog. As an example, when responding by telephone, user B may need to remind user A, who sends many e-mail messages, that user A previously sent an e-mail message to user B requesting information. User B may then proceed to provide the requested information orally by telephone. Users may even need to reestablish the common reference when they use a single modality, such as when using a modality that does not involve e-mail. When the responding user does not provide contextual information, the user initiating the conversation may find it difficult to recall what the conversation is about. This is especially true when one of the users carries on multiple conversations nearly simultaneously, such as via e-mail.
In some modalities, users must provide contextual information explicitly, such as by typing the information. As an example, when user A desires to discuss the contents of a document or a database record in an application with user B, user A must inform user B how to locate the document or database or provide some other indicative information so that user B has sufficient information to begin a meaningful conversation.

Providing contextual information automatically


Network devices, systems, and methods, including executable instructions and/or logic thereon, are provided to discover a multicast router topology. A network device includes a processing resource coupled to a memory. The memory includes program instructions executed by the processing resource to discover a multicast router topology by determining a number of routers are connected to each other via a number of network connections and are running a multicast routing protocol (MRP) on a number of interfaces on the number of routers that are connected.

Computing networks can include multiple devices including network devices such as routers, switches, and hubs, computing devices such as servers, desktop PCs, laptops, workstations, and peripheral devices, e.g., printers, facsimile devices, and scanners, networked together across a local area network (LAN), a wireless local area network (MAN), and/or wide area network (WAN).
Multicasting can be used in a network when the same information is needed by a number of devices. Multicasting can reduce the amount of network resources used when sending the multicasting information to a number of devices by sending the information one time to all of the devices that need the information. Multicasting can include logically rotating the multicast information through a network to avoid redundancy and efficiently route the information through the network. The topology of devices on the network used for multicasting the information routing can be helpful to logically route the multicast information through a network. For large networks, it can be difficult to determine the topology of the devices on the network used for multicasting.

HEWLETT PACKARD ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT LP


To provide a semiconductor device and a display device which include a circuit element capable of improving performances and a circuit element capable of increasing a withstand voltage on the same substrate and which can improve the reliability. The semiconductor device of the present invention includes a first circuit element and a second circuit element on a substrate, the first circuit element having a structure in which a first semiconductor layer, a first insulating film, a first conductive layer, and a third insulating film are stacked in this order, the second circuit element having a structure in which a second semiconductor layer, a second insulating film having a thickness larger than a thickness of the first insulating film, and a second conductive layer are stacked in this order, wherein the first insulating film has a multilayer structure including a silicon nitride layer as the uppermost layer, the second insulating film has a lower part and an upper part, the lower part includes the multilayer structure of the first insulating film, and the upper part includes a structure of the third insulating film formed on the first conductive layer.

A semiconductor device is an active element-including electronic device using electrical characteristics of a semiconductor. Such a semiconductor device has been widely used in an audio device, a communication device, a computer, an electric appliance and the like. Among these, a TFT array substrate has been known as a semiconductor device including a thin film transistor (hereinafter, also referred to as a "TFT") on a substrate. Such a TFT array substrate has been used as a component of an active matrix driving liquid crystal display device and the like.
A system-on-glass technology in which a pixel circuit part and a driving circuit part are formed on the same substrate using polysilicon (hereinafter, also referred to as "p-Si") as a semiconductor material for a TFT has been recently used in the active matrix driving liquid crystal display device. Due to this technology, a TFT in the pixel circuit part (hereinafter, also referred to as a "pixel switching TFT") and a TFT in the driving circuit part (hereinafter, also referred to as a "driving circuit TFT) are integrally formed, which permits downsizing, a reduction in electric power consumption, and high reliability of the liquid crystal display device. However, different characteristics are needed between the pixel switching TFT and the driving circuit TFT. That is, for the pixel switching TFT, a low off-state current is needed to suppress a reduction in contrast ratio or uneven image qualities inside a panel, but for the driving circuit TFT, a reduction in threshold voltage (Vth), a reduction in variation of Vth, and a high on-state current are needed in order for the driving circuit to operate at a high speed. Accordingly, in order to satisfy these needed characteristics, the pixel switching TFT and the driving circuit TFT need to have different structures.
For such a need, a method of forming a gate insulating film of the pixel switching TFT to have a thickness larger than that of a gate insulating film of the driving circuit TFT has been known, for example. For example, a thin film semiconductor device in which a TFT in a matrix circuit part, including a gate insulating film having a two-layer structure between a semiconductor layer and a gate electrode (a pixel switching TFT) and a TFT in a peripheral circuit part, including a gate insulating film having a single-layer structure (a driving circuit TFT) are formed on the same substrate is disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). In this thin film semiconductor device, the gate insulating film of the TFT in the peripheral circuit part has a silicon oxide or silicon nitride single-layer structure. The gate insulating film of the TFT in the matrix circuit part includes a lower part having the same structure as in the gate insulating film of the TFT in the peripheral circuit part. Also, the gate insulating film of the TFT in the matrix circuit part includes an upper part having a silicon oxide or silicon nitride single-layer structure. However, according to this configuration, in the TFT in the matrix circuit part, it is impossible to continuously form the two layers, i.e., the upper part and the lower part of the gate insulating film, and on the interface between the upper part and the lower part, many traps exist. Therefore, if the lower part of the gate insulating film has a silicon oxide single-layer structure, the reliability of the TFT in the matrix circuit part is reduced. In such a point, this thin film semiconductor device has room for improvement. Further, the upper part of the gate insulating film is formed by a sputtering method or a plasma CVD method. Therefore, if the lower part of the gate insulating film has a silicon oxide single-layer structure, the lower part is plasma-damaged in the step of forming the upper part of the insulating film, which further reduces the reliability of the TFT in the matrix circuit part. In such a point, this thin film semiconductor device has room for improvement. In addition, if, in the TFT in the matrix circuit part, the lower part of the gate insulating film is a silicon nitride layer, it is impossible to form an excellent interface between the gate insulating film and the semiconductor layer (polysilicon layer), which fails to obtain excellent TFT characteristics. In such a point, this thin film semiconductor device has room for improvement.
Further, a production method of a semiconductor device, in which the first and second field-effect transistors including gate insulating films with different thicknesses are formed by forming an insulating film constituting a gate insulating film, and then selectively removing a specific region of the insulating film by etching, is disclosed (for example, refer to Patent Document 2). However, according to this production method, the insulating film to be etched has a single-layer structure. Therefore, if the above-mentioned etching is dry etching, the part formed after the etching is plasma-damaged, which might possibly reduce the reliability. In such a point, the method has room for improvement.
Accordingly, in the conventional production method, if the pixel switching TFT and the driving circuit TFT are formed on the same substrate, in either one TFT, the gate insulating film is deteriorated or damaged, and thereby the reliability is reduced. Therefore, mass production of such a semiconductor device has not been achieved yet.    [Patent Document 1]    Japanese Kokai Publication No. Hei-05-335573    [Patent Document 2]    Japanese Kokai Publication No. 2005-72461


An optical pickup device has three different light sources, a holographic element, beam splitters, and first and second photodetectors. The beam splitters each change an optical path of a light beam coming from the associated light source toward a recording medium and match an optical axis of the changed optical path with an optical axis passing through the holographic element and the first photodetector. Reflected light from the recording medium is divided into zero-order diffraction light and first-order diffraction light by the holographic element. The first photodetector receives the zero-order diffraction light and obtains an RF signal and a tracking error signal. The second photodetector receives the first-order diffraction light and obtains a focusing error signal.

The present invention relates to an optical pickup device which has a plurality of light sources for outputting light of different wavelengths to optically record and replay information on disc-shaped recording media having different specifications.
As an optical disc from which signals are optically read using a light beam such as a laser beam, a compact disc (CD) has become widespread. In response to the need for a capacity larger than a CD, a high density disc (digital versatile disc (DVD)) which has been standardized for the purpose of achieving a larger capacity by enabling a recording density higher than a CD in addition to having the same diameter as a CD to keep mechanical compatibility, and a Blue-ray disc (BD) and a high definition (HD)-DVD for which a blue laser is used with the aim of a recording density higher than a DVD have been proposed. Signals recorded on such a high density disc are read by an optical pickup device having an optical system the resolution of which is made high using a semiconductor laser of a wavelength shorter than a normal wavelength.
By the way, there is a following method of allowing an optical pickup device to read signals on both of a CD and a high density disc. That is, an optical pickup device having three kinds of light sources of different wavelengths which are a laser diode for emitting a light beam suitable for a normal density recording medium, a laser diode for emitting a light beam suitable for a high density recording medium, and a laser diode for emitting a light beam suitable for a higher density recording medium are provided, and the light sources are switched according to the recording density of a recording medium from which signals are read, and thus signals on three kinds of recording media having different recording densities are read by this single optical pickup device (see, for example, JP 2001-256667A and JP 2003-203378A).
FIG. 25 shows an example of a conventional pickup device. This optical pickup device having three kinds of light sources for CD/DVD/BD use is provided with optical components, photodetectors, and signal detecting methods corresponding to the wavelengths of the light sources, to say nothing of the three kinds of light sources. In FIG. 25, the reference numeral 1 denotes a light source for BD use, 2 denotes a light source for CD use, 3 denotes a light source for DVD use, 4 denotes a beam splitter (BS) for splitting a light beam for BD use, 5 denotes a BS for splitting a light beam for CD use, 6 denotes a BS for splitting a light beam for DVD use, 7 denotes a collimating lens for CD/DVD use, 8 denotes a prism for BD use, 9 denotes a special collimating lens for BD use capable of correcting spherical aberration, and 10 denotes a prism for synthesis. Furthermore, a light receiving system 11 to 14 for CD/DVD use and a light receiving system 15 to 18 for BD use are disposed separately. The reference numeral 19 denotes an erecting mirror for erecting a light beam toward a disc (not shown).
Other optical pickup devices include an optical pickup device in which two optical pickups which are a first optical pickup corresponding to two wavelengths for CD and DVD use and a second optical pickup corresponding to a wavelength for BD use are mounted on a drive unit.
The aforementioned conventional optical pickup devices for CD/DVD/BD use have the following problems.
That is, there is a problem that the optical pickup device having the three kinds of light sources is required to be provided with optical components, photodetectors, and signal detecting methods corresponding to the wavelengths of the light sources, to say nothing of the three kinds of light sources, so that the optical system and circuit of the optical pickup device become complicated, thereby causing increase in cost and deterioration in reliability.
Furthermore, the optical pickup device in which the first optical pickup for CD/DVD use and the second optical pickup for BD use are mounted on the drive unit also has a problem that the cost and the device size increase because of the two optical pickups.

Optical pickup device having three light sources with a holographic element for directing diffraction light to photodetectors


A radiation-curable fiber optic coating composition for an inner primary coating includes a coloring agent, preferably a dye or a dye precursor, compatible with the fiber of the fiber optic and capable of imparting a pre-selected color to the inner primary coating, or another coating. The coloring agent can be a reactive dye. Any of the dyes preferably is stabilized by a stabilizer in the colored coating layer, or, preferably, in a more exterior layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to optical fiber coating compositions, and, more particularly, to fiber optic coating compositions that include a coloring agent.
2. Description of Related Art
Optical glass fibers are frequently coated with two or more superposed radiation-curable coatings which together form a primary coating immediately after the glass fiber is produced by drawing in a furnace. The coating which directly contacts the optical glass fiber is called the "inner primary coating" and an overlaying coating is called the "outer primary coating." In older references, the inner primary coating was often called simply the "primary coating" and the outer primary coating was called a "secondary coating," but for reasons of clarity, that terminology has been abandoned by the industry in recent years. Inner primary coatings are softer than outer primary coatings.
Single-layered coatings ("single coatings") can also be used to coat optical fibers. Single coatings generally have properties (e.g., hardness) which are intermediate to the properties of the softer inner primary and harder outer primary coatings. The relatively soft inner primary coating provides resistance to microbending which results in attenuation of the signal transmission capability of the coated optical fiber and is therefore undesirable. The harder outer primary coating provides resistance tohandling forces such as those encountered when the coated fiber is ribboned and/or cabled.
Optical fiber coating compositions, whether they be inner primary coatings, outer primary coatings, or single coatings, generally comprise, before cure, a polyethylenically-unsaturated monomer or oligomer dissolved or dispersed in a liquid ethylenically- unsaturated medium and a photoinitiator. The coating composition is typically applied to the optical fiber in liquid form and then exposed to actinic radiation to effect cure.
For the purpose of multi-channel transmission, optical fiber assemblies containing a plurality of coated optical fibers have been used. Examples of optical fiber assemblies include ribbon assemblies and cables. A typical ribbon assembly is made by bonding together a plurality of parallel oriented, individually coated optical fibers with a matrix material. The matrix material has the function of holding the individual optical fibers in alignment and protecting the fibers during handling and installation. Often, the fibers are arranged in "tape- like" ribbon structures, having a generally flat, strand-like structure containing generally from about 2 to 24 fibers. Depending upon the application, a plurality of ribbon assemblies can be combined into a cable which has from several up to about one thousand individually coated optical fibers. An example of a ribbon assembly is described in published European patent application No. 194891. A plurality of ribbon assemblies may be combined together in a cable, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,067.
The term "ribbon assembly" includes not only the tape-like ribbon assembly described above, but optical fiber bundles as well. Optical fiber bundles can be, for example, a substantially circular array having at least one central fiber surrounded by a plurality of other optical fibers. Alternatively, the bundle may have other cross-sectional shapes such as square, trapezoid, and the like.
Coated optical fibers whether glass, or as has come into use more recently, plastic, for use in optical fiber assemblies are usually colored to facilitate identification of the individual coated optical fibers. Typically, optical fibers are coated with an outer colored layer, called an ink coating, or alternatively a colorant is added to the outer primary coating to impart the desired color.
Heretofore, the inner primary coating has not been colored. Coloring agents have not been included in the inner primary coating due to difficulties in obtaining proper cure of the inner primary coating in the presence of the pigments that have been used commonly in the art to impart color to ink compositions.
Solvent-based, solid-based and pigment- based ink coatings have been used to impart color to coated optical fiber. However, none of these types of ink coatings is entirely satisfactory.
Solvent-based ink coatings are not satisfactory because solvent emissions cause environmental concerns. A further disadvantage of solvent-based systems is that finishing time is limited by the rate at which the solvent can be removed. Solvent removal rate is generally far too slow for high speed manufacture of optical fibers. Solid-based coloring systems are also too slow.
Ultraviolet curable pigment-based inks are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,629,285. Pigment-based ink coatings are formed from a pigment dispersed within a UV curable carrier system. The UV curable carrier system contains a UV-curable oligomer or monomer that is liquid before curing to facilitate application of the ink composition to the optical fiber, and then turns to a solid after being exposed to UV radiation. In this manner, the UV-curable ink composition can be applied to a coated optical fiber in the same manner as the inner primary and outer primary coatings are applied.
Pigment-based ink coatings are not entirely satisfactory because the pigment particles tend to act as an internal reflector, causing scattering of the curing radiation and also tending to absorb actinic radiation. As a result, radiation is prevented from penetrating the entire thickness of the coating, thereby extending curing time, or limiting thorough cure. While photoinitiators which absorb light at a different wavelength than the polymer have been used in pigment-based ink coatings to improve thorough cure and cure time, the scattering problem still remains.
Further, pigment-based ink compositions are not useful to impart color to either the inner primary coating or to matrix materials. Inclusion of pigments in the inner primary coating can abrade the glass or plastic waveguide of the coated optical fiber. Matrix materials are thicker than the inner primary coating or outer primary coating, and inclusion of pigments in the matrix materials can impair thorough cure of the matrix materials.
Despite the efforts of the prior art to provide materials and methods to impart color to coated optical fibers, there remains a need for a method of achieving the color necessary to facilitate identification of the individual coated optical fibers or of other desired components while satisfying the many diverse requirements desired, viz., improved curing and enhanced cure speeds and versatility in application while still achieving the desired physical characteristics of the various coatings employed. There also remains a need for an inner primary coating composition which is colored.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Radiation-curable composition with simultaneous color formation during cure


According to one aspect, a fixture for an airfoil shroud having a first end edge, a second end edge, a leading edge, a trailing edge, a radially outer side and a radially inner side with respect to a rotor axis of a bucket having the airfoil shroud is provided. The fixture includes a base plate, a first member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the first end edge, a second member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut a side of a seal rail, a third member extending from the base plate configured to locate and abut the radially outer side of the airfoil shroud and a template recess formed in the base plate proximate the first end edge to define a geometry of a relief cut in the trailing edge of the airfoil shroud.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates to turbine engines. More particularly, the subject matter relates to modifying of turbine engine parts.
In a gas turbine engine, a compressor provides pressurized air to one or more combustors wherein the air is mixed with fuel and burned to generate hot combustion gas. These gases flow downstream to one or more turbines that extract energy therefrom to produce a mechanical energy output as well as power to drive the compressor. Over time, gas turbine engine parts may experience fatigue, due to extreme conditions within the turbine, including high temperatures and pressures caused by flow of hot gas. In particular, certain turbine parts, such as buckets located on a turbine rotor, may experience fatigue that requires servicing or replacement.
In cases where the part is a complex part that was manufactured using close tolerance, the part can have deformations due to wear and tear. The deformed part can be difficult to fixture for servicing due to a variation in dimension caused by deformation.

Fixture for an airfoil shroud and method for modifying an airfoil shroud


A method and a system for disabling execution of a software application stored within a computer absent data indicative of an authorized use of the software application are disclosed. At start up or during execution of a software application a user is prompted for user authorization information. Using a processor within a smart card the received user authorization information is compared with user authorization information stored in memory of the smart card to produce a comparison result. If the comparison result is indicative of an authorized user of the software application, then data indicative of the authorized use of the software application is provided from the smart card to the computer. Upon receipt of the data indicative of the authorized use of the software application execution of the software application is continued. When the data is not data indicative of the authorized use of the software application further execution of the software application is disabled. For example, biometric information in the form of a fingerprint may be used for user authorization.

Software piracy is causing huge losses in profits for companies developing and selling computer software. The sale and distribution of software designed for general use is based on the assumption that a software provider only wishes to sell a right to use the software to one person or to a select group of people. The seller specifically does not wish the purchaser to distribute the software to other users or to resell the software. Various methods are employed to prevent the purchaser from distributing the software. The most common method of software distribution is via a storage medium. The user is often unrestricted from either copying the software from this storage medium to another one or installing the software from a same storage medium on different computers. This results in undesirable software piracy.
In the past, piracy protection schemes were implemented to prevent a purchaser from making a back up copy of a software application. When a storage medium, such as a floppy disk, that is copy protected becomes damaged, the software provider must replace the storage medium. Some software providers have included a backup copy of the software application along with the original copy to lessen inconvenience when the original copy is damaged, but sometimes even these "backup" copies fail.
Some software providers have avoided software copy protection schemes. Instead these software providers rely on the honesty of the purchaser, the fact that the documentation is difficult to duplicate, and/or a license agreement that the purchaser is expected to honour. The license agreement makes it illicit to distribute the software. Many software providers view convenience as essential for software users and therefore are wary of software piracy protection methods that inconvenience users in any way.
Another method of software protection involves writing to an installation disk to indicate that installation has occurred. This limits a disk to one use. This has many of the aforementioned drawbacks and also is unworkable with CD ROM technology. Using CD ROM technology, a software provider writes a program and other information to a CD ROM which can be written to only once using special hardware for that purpose. Therefore, adding information to a CD ROM during installation is not possible.
With the increasing use of digital communications such as the Internet, computer software is now commonly distributed using these means. In this case, the aforementioned methods of preventing undesired proliferation of pirated software can not be applied; users require some form of backup and this backup is easily distributed to other users. Also, interception of software by unauthorised third parties is a significant risk to software providers.
Computer security is fast becoming an important issue. With the proliferation of computers and computer networks into all aspects of business and daily life—financial, medical, education, government, and communications—the concern over secure file access is growing. Using passwords is a common method of providing security. Password protection is employed for computer network security, automatic teller machines, telephone banking, calling cards, and telephone answering services. These systems generally require knowledge of an entry code that has been selected by a user or has been configured in advance. Examples of commonly used security codes for preventing software piracy include information from a user's manual and a serial number. Unfortunately for use in copy protection, security codes are unworkable since the software is easily transferred with the security code.
A security access system that provides substantially secure access and does not require a password or access code is a biometric identification system. A biometric identification system accepts unique biometric information from a user and identifies the user by matching the information against information belonging to registered users of the system. One such biometric identification system is a fingerprint recognition system.
The use of a biometric imaging device with a personal computer is becoming widespread. In a fingerprint input transducer or sensor, the finger under investigation is usually pressed against a flat surface, such as a side of a glass plate; the ridge and valley pattern of the finger tip is sensed by a sensing means such as an interrogating light beam. Various optical devices are known which employ prisms upon which a finger whose print is to be identified is placed. The prism has a first surface, a platen, upon which a finger is placed, a second surface disposed at an acute angle to the first surface through which the fingerprint is viewed and a third illumination surface through which light is directed into the prism. In some cases, the illumination surface is at an acute angle to the first surface, as seen for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,187,482 and 5,187,748. In other cases, the illumination surface is parallel to the first surface, as seen for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,109,427 and 5,233,404. Fingerprint identification devices of this nature are generally used to control the building-access or information-access of individuals to buildings, rooms, and devices such as computer terminals.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,353,056 in the name of Tsikos issued Oct. 5, 1982, discloses an alternative kind of fingerprint sensor that uses a capacitive sensing approach. The described sensor has a two dimensional, row and column, array of capacitors, each comprising a pair of spaced electrodes, carried in a sensing member and covered by an insulating film. The sensors rely upon deformation to the sensing member caused by a finger being placed thereon so as to vary locally the spacing between capacitor electrodes, according to the ridge/trough pattern of the fingerprint, and hence, the capacitance of the capacitors. In one arrangement, the capacitors of each column are connected in series with the columns of capacitors connected in parallel and a voltage is applied across the columns. In another arrangement, a voltage is applied to each individual capacitor in the array. Sensing in the respective two arrangements is accomplished by detecting the change of voltage distribution in the series connected capacitors or by measuring the voltage values of the individual capacitances resulting from local deformation. To achieve this, an individual connection is required from the detection circuit to each capacitor.
Before the advent of computers and imaging devices, research was conducted into fingerprint characterisation and identification. Today, much of the research focus in biometrics has been directed toward improving the input transducer and the quality of the biometric input data. Fingerprint characterisation is well known and can involve many aspects of fingerprint analysis. The analysis of fingerprints is discussed in the following references, which are hereby incorporated by reference:    Xiao Qinghan and Bian Zhaoqi,: An approach to Fingerprint Identification By Using the Attributes of Feature Lines of Fingerprint," IEEE Pattern Recognition, pp 663, 1986; C. B. Shelman, "Fingerprint Classification—Theory and Application," Proc. 76 Carnahan Conference on Electronic Crime Countermeasures, 1976;    Feri Pernus, Stanko Kovacic, and Ludvik Gyergyek, "Minutaie Based Fingerprint Registration," IEEE Pattern Recognition, pp 1380, 1980;    J. A. Ratkovic, F. W. Blackwell, and H. H. Bailey, "Concepts for a Next Generation Automated Fingerprint System," Proc. 78 Carnahan Conference on Electronic Crime Countermeasures, 1978;    K. Millard, "An approach to the Automatic Retrieval of Latent Fingerprints," Proc. 75 Carnahan Conference on Electronic Crime Countermeasures, 1975;    Moayer and K. S. Fu, "A Syntactic Approach to Fingerprint Pattern Recognition," Memo Np. 73-18, Purdue University, School of Electrical Engineering, 1973;    Wegstein, An Automated Fingerprint Identification System, NBS special publication, U.S. Department of Commerce/National Bureau of Standards, ISSN 0083-1883; no. 500-89, 1982;    Moenssens, Andre A., Fingerprint Techniques, Chilton Book Co., 1971; and, Wegstein and J. F. Rafferty, The LX39 Latent Fingerprint Matcher, NBS special publication, U.S. Department of Commerce/National Bureau of Standards; no. 500-36, 1978.

Method of distributing piracy protected computer software


A wheel balancing system determines a type of corrective weight for application to an edge of a rim of a wheel for correcting imbalance of the wheel. One or more corrective weights are identified from a varied inventory of corrective weights. An inventory database is incremented or decremented for each identified corrective weight. Database reports can be generated that specify weight usage and inventory status. One or more wheel balancers may be coupled to a network.

It is well known in the automotive wheel balancing art that to compensate for a static imbalance static imbalance (where the heaviest part of the wheel will seek a position directly below the mounting shaft) or a combination of static imbalance and couple imbalance (where the rotating wheel causes torsional vibrations on the mounting shaft), at least one correction weight is required to be attached to the wheel. Correction weights are commonly positioned along the wheel surface coincident with weight location "planes" that are separated axially, along the wheel surface. For clip-on weights the "left plane" conventionally comprises the left (innermost) rim lip or edge circumference, while the "right plane" comprises the right rim edge. For adhesive weights, the planes can reside anywhere between the rim edges, barring physical obstruction such as wheel spokes and welds.
Existing wheel balancing systems that utilize automatic wheel scanning devices to determine properties of a rim of a wheel (as used herein a wheel includes a rubber tire secured to a metal rim) during a wheel balancing procedure are disclosed in several patents identified and described in the Cullum et al. application, identified above. The Cullum et al. wheel balancer system automatically determines and suggests a proper type of corrective weight to be secured to a wheel rim for appropriate balance by identifying the rim profile of the wheel.
A great variety of wheels having different rim profiles are manufactured by the automotive industry. A wheel balancing technician must have on hand a supply of standardized weights, in a plurality of incremental weight values, that will fit the various types of wheels. Weights are color coded or bear alphanumeric designations in accordance with their weight types. Weights normally are held in pans or color coded bins. At present, cumulative tracking of corrective weight usage during time periods in which several wheel balancing procedures have been performed is not determined with accuracy without a personal counting of the individual weights that remain. Weight inventory thus is a problem for the wheel balance technician, especially so for high volume tire dealers. Typically, the dealer monthly will place a blanket purchase order of all weight sizes and types. Over time, a large inventory will be built up of weights for which there has been little or no usage. Conversely, the inventory may run out of weights of high usage.
The need thus exists to track the corrective weights that have been applied during all wheel balancing operations. If the user can be provided an accurate account of specific weight usage during a given period, weight purchase orders can be formulated that are concentrated in proportion to the tracked usage. Such a tracking system would be of further benefit if it could provide the user with notification when the stock on hand of particular weights are low.

Method and apparatus for tracking wheel balancer corrective weight usage


A method for bonding a first semiconductor body having a plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors to a second semiconductor body having read out integrated circuits for the detectors. The method includes: aligning electrical contacts for the plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors with electrical contacts of the read out integrated circuits; tacking the aligned electrical contacts for the plurality of electromagnetic radiation detectors with electrical contacts of the read out integrated circuits to form an intermediate stage structure; packaging the intermediate stage structure into a vacuum sealed electrostatic shielding container having flexible walls; inserting the package with the intermediate stage structure therein into an isostatic pressure chamber; and applying the isostatic pressure to the intermediate stage structure through walls of the container. The container includes a stand-off to space walls of the container from edges of the first semiconductor body.

As is known in the art, one type of focal plane array includes a semiconductor wafer having an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors, such as infrared detectors or optical energy detectors, flip chip bonded to a semiconductors wafer having read out integrated circuit (ROIC) electronics for processing the energy detected by the detectors.
More particularly, with a cold (i.e., room temperature) compression bonding technique, a flip chip single die to die bonding process is used consisting of two steps: alignment of the two wafers, followed by a cold compression pressing illustrated in FIG. 1, which forms the mechanical and electrical interconnect. More particularly, a solid chuck (FIG. 1) presses the aligned parts (i.e., the detector die to the ROIC die) together; however, because the semiconductor wafer having an array of electromagnetic radiation detectors is not perfectly flat, (i.e., non-uniform), applying pressure at the high points (i.e., stress points indicated by the stars in FIG. 1) of the back of the detector wafer or thicker sections of the hybrid stack results in areas where interconnection is not achieved until stack is sufficiently deformed to allow low areas (thinner substrate) the chance to achieve interconnection, For large die, the long bonding time and the tight flatness requirement results in higher cost due to increased time on the precision aligner and more stringent requirements on the flatness of incoming detector die and readout Integrated Circuits (ROIC) die/components.
In standard reflow flip-chip bonding, the die are aligned and the electrical contacts of the detectors and the elements of the ROIC are vertically stacked; then the contacts are melted together to form a bond. This method is difficult in Infrared (IR) Sensor Chip Assembly (SCA) hybridization due to mismatches in coefficient of thermal expansion between detector and ROIC materials and ever decreasing pixel pitches.
An interconnect approach using oxide and/or metallic bonding to connect multiple die to a wafer may be used; however, these process are difficult to integrate with many Infrared detector materials.
Thus, in summary: (1) the use of flip chip cold compression bonding requires a very flat die which decreases yield of incoming components and increases cost; is relatively time intensive; requires significant amount of time on high precision (expensive) aligner; and is limited to single die hybridization which limits throughput and potential cost savings from batch processing; (2) reflow bonding, high throughput wafer level solutions rely on solder bonding at elevated temperatures and the higher temperature processing is not compatible with most IR materials due to mismatch in coefficient of thermal expansion and fine pixel pitch spacing; also reflow bonding requires very flat die which decreases yield of incoming components and increases cost; and (3) Oxide and/or metallic bonding techniques are not compatible with IR materials, particularly column III-V materials, due to material incompatibility with high temperatures and would require very flat die/wafers which decrease yield of incoming components and wafer cost.

Focal plane array packaging using isostatic pressure processing


An articulation has two cheeks 24, 26, intended to be fixed to a seat part and a backrest of the seat. The cheeks can rotate with respect to each other about an axis X. The articulation also includes structure 30 for coupling the cheeks together, which are actuated by two rings 42a, 42b centered substantially on the axis. The rings can be moved in two opposite directions for respectively adjusting the inclination of and for folding down the backrest, between a first position in which at least one coupling member 34a, 34b is secured to the first and to the second cheek respectively, and a second position in which the coupling member is released. The rings each comprise a stud 48a, 48b formed on their interior contour, and a spring 50 hooked onto the studs to elastically return the rings in opposite directions, into their first position.

The present invention relates to an articulation for a seat and to a seat for a motor vehicle equipped with this articulation.
Already known in the state of the art is an articulation for a seat, especially for a motor vehicle, of the type comprising:
two cheeks intended to be fixed, respectively, to a seat part and to a backrest of the seat, these cheeks being able to rotate one with respect to the other about an axis of articulation which is perpendicular to them, PA1 means for coupling the cheeks together, these means being actuated by two operating members mounted so that they can rotate about the axis of articulation, movable in two opposite directions for respectively adjusting the inclination of and for folding down the backrest, between a first position in which at least one coupling member is secured respectively to the first and to the second cheek, and a second position in which this coupling member is released, and PA1 means for elastically returning the operating members to the their first position. PA1 the spring consists of a split ring, the axial edges of which are hooked into the studs; PA1 the spring plays a part in centring the rings; PA1 the articulation comprises a member for controlling the coupling means, mounted so that it can rotate about the axis of articulation, equipped with a cam interposed between the two studs, this cam being intended to interact selectively with these two studs, which form cam followers, by rotation in the directions for adjusting the inclination of the backrest and for temporarily folding this backrest down; PA1 the cam is interposed between the two studs with an angular clearance on either side of this cam; PA1 the cheeks and the rings are centred with respect to each other by complementary circular shoulders made in these elements, substantially coaxial with the axis of articulation; PA1 the cheeks are secured to a corresponding end of a coupling member by interaction of complementary shapes in particular comprising complementary toothings; PA1 the coupling member consists of a lever which can pivot about a fulcrum which, when this lever is secured to a cheek is stationary with respect to this same cheek.
In the case of a motor vehicle front seat equipped with an articulation of this type, commonly known as a memory articulation, it is possible to fold the backrest down onto the seat part in order to access the rear seats of the vehicle, and to raise this backrest up to a position of use, and to do this without altering the backrest inclination adjustment.
The object of the invention is to provide a compact and robust articulation, especially having a smaller number of components so as to avoid the appearance of undesirable play resulting from wearing of the articulation.
To this end, the subject of the invention is an articulation for a seat, especially for a motor vehicle, of the aforementioned type, characterized in that the operating members consist of two rings centred approximately on the axis of articulation and each comprising a stud formed on their interior contour, the return means comprising a spring with an angular effect hooked onto the studs in such a way as to urge the rings in opposite directions.
According to other features of the invention:
Another subject of the invention is a seat for a vehicle equipped with at least one articulation as defined hereinabove.

Articulation for a seat, and seat for a motor vehicle equipped with this articulation

CESA - Compagnie Europeene de Seiges pour Automobiles


Disclosed are various embodiments for communicating information between various electronic components. A local device may comprise a transmitter to convert communication signals into modulated signals. Modulated signals are injected into a shared power supply line. The remote device may comprise a receiver for identifying the injected signal, demodulating the injected signal, and processing the demodulated signal.

Electronic systems are made up of multiple chips and/or circuits. One portion of the electronic system may need to communicate data to another portion of the electronic system. For example, a processor may send data to other chips within the electronic system. To this end, a communication bus may exist to facilitate data communication between one chip and another chip or one portion of a chip to another portion of a chip. The use of a communication bus may require hardware resources such as a bus interface and/or a bus controller.

Data communication over power supply lines of an electronic system


A method of developing a set of input forces used to analyze tire wear includes the steps of characterizing a wear course by driving a vehicle over the wear course and measuring data related to a plurality of forces experienced by the vehicle. A vehicle characterization model for a target vehicle having at least one tire is developed. The vehicle characterization model is used to calculate force data that represents the forces that would be experienced by at least one tire of the characterized vehicle if the characterized vehicle were driven over the characterized wear test course in the first vehicle configuration. The force data is then used to analyze tire wear using a computer prediction technique or by running an indoor wear test on the tire.

1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to methods of analyzing tire wear. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for determining a set of tire loads and using the set of tire loads to analyze tire wear.
2. Background Information
Automobile and tire manufacturers desire wear testing to be performed on tires. Different methods of wear testing tires are known in the art. In one known method, the test tires are placed on a vehicle that will be frequently driven. The tires are measured after the vehicle is driven a selected number of miles. Another known test procedure is performed indoor on a wear test drum. A wear test drum provides a rotating surface that engages the tire to simulate a road surface. The wear test drum provides mechanisms for varying the force between the tire and the rotating surface. The velocity of the rotating surface may also be varied. The user may simulate actual public road driving conditions by varying these forces and the velocity. The problem in the prior art is that the user cannot easily determine what forces and velocities to use to simulate public road driving conditions for a specific vehicle.
For instance, one may wish to simulate tire wear with a specific tire on a specific vehicle over a daily commute that includes country road, highway, and city road driving conditions. The total length of the daily commute over a one year period may be 15,000 miles. The forces between the tire and the road constantly change through this commute and the person conducting the indoor wear test desires to accurately simulate these forces on the test tire with the indoor test drum.
One method of predicting the tire forces is to instrument a test vehicle with wheel force transducers that are mounted as part of the wheel and rotate with the wheel/tire assembly while the vehicle is driven over a controlled test track. The vehicle is equipped with a data acquisition system that stores signals from the transducers. For instance, front and rear radial force, lateral force, drive/brake force, and tire velocities may be recorded. A problem with this measurement system is that the equipment is difficult to transport from test location to test location, the setup time is long, and the vehicle cannot be driven on public roads while equipped with the transducers. The data is thus only gathered on a test track that simulates public road driving conditions. The process of gathering the force histories for a given car with a given tire is expensive and often consumes weeks of time. The process must be repeated for different cars and for different tires. The art thus desires a faster and easier method of generating tire loading histories for indoor wear tests. The art also desires that the method for generating the tire loading histories result in more accurate load histories for the test machine.
Another problem faced by tire designers is that an automobile manufacturer desires information relating vehicle set up changes to tire performance including tire wear. This information may be desired before a vehicle is produced thus eliminating the possibility of measuring the tire performance on the actual vehicle.

Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire, LLC


A box-shaped fibrous preform is produced by laying or superposing a plurality of reinforcing fibrous material layers (6a) on top of each other into a box-like shape. The box-shaped fibrous preform is used as an auxiliary member (1) or by cutting the box-like member into segments of a required shape. The auxiliary member (1) is combined with reinforcing fibrous material forming a main structural member. The auxiliary member and the main structural member are placed in a mold and a resin is supplied into the mold to carry out a resin-impregnating and curing operation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fiber-reinforced composite structural element usable, e.g., for an aircraft fuselage structure and a method of manufacturing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
A structural element of a fiber-reinforced composite material for use in, e.g., fuselage structures of aircraft, is principally made by superposing on a lay-up jig prepregs composed of reinforcement fibers such as glass fibers previously impregnated with a resin; pressing and curing the prepregs to give a shape in an autoclave, subjecting the thus obtained shape element to, e.g., a secondary adhesion to form a composite sub-assembly, and finally assembling several composite sub-assemblies together by use of fastener means.
FIG. 19 illustrates a conventional stiffener reinforced beam structure as an example. The stiffener reinforced beam structure 100 comprises a beam member 101 previously formed into a C-shape in cross section and having a web portion 101a and flange portions 101b, and stiffeners 102 previously formed into L-shape in cross section and secured to the web portion 101a by means of an adhesive or fasteners. In order to increase the stiffness of the web portion 101a, as shown in FIG. 20, the stiffener reinforced beam structure 100 makes use of means for reinforcing by padding the vicinities of corners R between the flange portions 101b and the web portion 101a.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Pub. No. Hei4-334696 published Nov. 20, 1992, for instance, discloses a reinforcement panel for the fiber-reinforced composite material, which panel comprises a frame having an opening formed by bending a cut portion in the frame to provide flanges, a stringer inserted into the opening of the frame and having an outer surface thereof joined to the flanges, and a skin joined to the frame and the stringer.
Japanese Utility Model Pub. No. Sho63-124119 published Aug. 12, 1988 discloses a coupling for a fiber reinforced composite material which is formed by laying up members composed of fiber-reinforced composite material. The coupling includes a fiber-reinforced composite filler material provided at a boundary part of the coupling. Around or within the filler material is inserted a fiber-reinforced composite material impregnated with a resin and having a lattice-like base in which whiskers such as silicon carbide are dispersed. The members, the filler and the composite material are subjected to a forming/curing treatment.
There are methods to form a box-shaped or similarly shaped structure in which three planes intersect at one point as can be often seen in an aircraft structure. One method is to use a prepreg material of woven fabric having a high shape-maintaining capability such as satin weave. Another method is to use a fastener coupling like metal fittings.
An aircraft structure includes many structural elements having so-called box-like configurations in which three planes intersect at one point. Such structural elements are typically fabricated by machine tool cutting from a metal block or by sheet metal working, but in the case of a composite material by the above-described method.
When producing a composite material component in accordance with a widely used conventional method, prepregs are laid up on a forming jig by hand or by machine (lay-up machine). In the case of producing a composite structure having a complicated configuration, the formation of the composite structure is effected either by manual laying up or by sub-assembling composite components with secondary adhesion. This necessitated an exclusive jig for the adhesion, and also needs repetition of curing under pressure in an autoclave for the purpose of forming the components as well as curing the adhesive because of use of a thermally curing type adhesive from design requirements. This resulted in a relatively high production cost.
It is envisaged that such higher production cost of the composite structure due to these factors is a cause of limited use of composite structural elements in spite of their superior properties in terms of specific strength, specific stiffness, and corrosion resistance. Furthermore, in the case of forming composite material elements having a complicated configuration such as a box-like configuration by means of an integral forming process, use is made of woven fabrics having a high shape-maintaining capability such as satin weave. However, laying up of the prepregs of woven fabric having a high shape-maintaining capability onto the forming jig required high skill to the worker and resulted in a difficulty in thickness control of the composite elements and hence in an unstable quality.

Fiber-reinforced composite structural element and method of manufacturing the same


A method includes matching a basic mode frequency signal and a higher order mode frequency signal to a multi-band frequency signal with respect to a signal in the form of the square wave, transferring the matched basic mode frequency signal and higher order mode frequency signal simultaneously to a multi-resonance reception resonator, converting output impedance of the basic mode frequency and the higher order mode frequency which are received through the reception resonator into a conjugate value of input impedance of the basic mode frequency and the higher order mode frequency of a receiver, and converting the converted multi-band frequency signal into an electric power that is required in a load and transferring the electric power to the load.

1. Field
The present invention relates to a wireless power transmission technique using magnetic resonance, and more particularly to an apparatus for transmitting magnetic resonance wireless power using higher order mode resonance, a receiving terminal, and a method for transmitting and receiving wireless power using the same, which are suitable to overcome efficiency deterioration due to the basic characteristics of the existing magnetic resonance type wireless power transmission.
2. Description of Related Art
In general, magnetic resonance type wireless power transmission is preformed in a manner that a transmission device generates a frequency signal that corresponds to a basic mode resonance of a resonator and transfers the generated frequency signal to the resonator to wirelessly transfer electric power. In this case, in order to increase the signal generation efficiency of the transmission device, the transmission device is configured to have an inverter or switching amplifier structure.
In such an inverter or switching amplifier structure, the basic output waveform in a time domain appears in the form of a square wave, and according to this square wave signal, about 85% of the overall power appears in a basic mode resonance frequency and the remaining power appears in a higher mode resonance frequency signal. According to an existing method for transmitting magnetic resonance type wireless power, the basic mode resonance frequency signal of the resonator is transferred with high efficiency, but the higher mode resonance frequency signal has very low transmission efficiency. Accordingly, only the basic mode resonance frequency component of the transmission device signal is transferred with high efficiency, but the higher mode resonance frequency signal is unable to be transferred well.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a typical apparatus for transmitting magnetic resonance type wireless power. The apparatus for transmitting magnetic resonance type wireless power in the related art includes a transmitter 102, a transmission resonator 104, a reception resonator 106, and a receiver 108.
Referring to FIG. 1, the transmission resonator 104 and the reception resonator 106 of the apparatus for transmitting wireless power in the related art can transfer the basic mode frequency signal of each resonator with high efficiency, but the transfer efficiency of the higher mode frequency signal is very low. Accordingly, the existing system for transmitting magnetic resonance type wireless power has evolved in the direction to improve the efficiency of the basic mode frequency signal.
FIG. 2 is a characteristic graph showing the transfer characteristics between the existing magnetic resonance type transmission resonator and the reception resonator.
Referring to FIG. 2, according to the transfer characteristics between the existing magnetic resonance type transmission resonator 104 and the reception resonator 106, the basic mode resonance frequency of 1.79 MHz has a value of about −1.0 dB, the third-order mode resonance frequency of 5.4 MHz has a value of about −70.1 dB, and the fifth-order mode resonance frequency of 8.82 MHz has a value of about −41.0 dB. According to the transfer characteristics between the existing magnetic resonance type transmission resonator 104 and the reception resonator 106 as described above, high transfer characteristics appear at the basic mode resonance frequency, and lower transfer characteristics appear at the higher mode resonance frequencies.
FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate a waveform of a square wave, which is an output waveform of a general high-efficiency transmitter, in a time domain and a waveform of the square wave in a frequency domain. Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the time-domain waveform of the square wave appears to be repeated for a predetermined period, and the frequency-domain waveform of the square wave appears to be generated for the basic mode and the odd-numbered high-order modes as expressed in Equation 1 below.
                              x                                (            f            )                          =                              1            2                    +                                    2              π                                                  cos                                            (                                  f                  0                                )                                              +                                    2                              3                                                                                π                                                                cos                                            (                                  3                                                                                f                    0                                                  )                                              +                                    2                              5                                                                                π                                                                cos                                            (                                  5                                                                                f                    0                                                  )                                              +                                    2                              7                                                                                π                                                                cos                                            (                                  7                                                                                f                    0                                                  )                                              +                                    [                  Equation                                                              1                ]
If power rates by modes in the frequency domain of the square wave is calculated through multiplication of respective coefficients of the basic mode frequency and the higher mode frequencies of the square wave expressed in Equation 1 above, about 85% of power appears at the basic mode frequency, about 9.5% of power appears at the third-order mode frequency, about 3.4% of power appears at the fifth-order mode frequency, and about 0.02% of power appears at the seventh-order mode frequency.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B and expressed in Equation 1, if the square wave, which is an output waveform of the general high-efficiency transmitter, is transmitted using the existing magnetic resonance method, only 85% of the overall power can be transferred. This causes the power transfer efficiency of the whole system to be lowered and waste of energy to occur.

Apparatus for transmitting magnetic resonance wireless power using higher order mode resonance, receiving terminal, and method for transmitting and receiving wireless power using the same

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute